If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

"Your Majesty, the Dazi Kingdom demands that we compensate them for the loss of grain and fodder, the cost of troop movement, and the cost of lost work time, totaling five million strings of cash."

"What?! How dare this brat deceive me?"

Enraged, Li Tiancheng slammed his palm hard against the armrest of the dragon throne.

It's no wonder Li Tiancheng was so angry. When the Great Dragon was first established, its annual tax revenue was only a little over ten million strings of cash. Moreover, this didn't mean that there were always ten million strings of cash lying around in the national treasury. The country was spending money on disaster relief, officials' salaries, royal expenses, and construction. Every morning court session ended up with people asking Li Tiancheng for money.

"Tell Dako, five million kan? Then just wait for the war to begin."

Li Tiancheng's tough stance was merely for show to the ministers at the morning court session; the Great Dragon delegation continued negotiations that same day at the behest of the Left Prime Minister.

. . . .

At the border between the Great Dragon Kingdom and the Dazi Kingdom, envoys from both countries prepared to conduct "friendly" negotiations.

The Dalong delegation entered the camp under the watchful eyes of the Dazi. However, it was obvious that the Dazi's gaze was not very friendly. Their clothing and the crude way they held a whole leg of lamb in their hands were all proof of the rumor that the Dazi were barbarians.

"Welcome, messenger of the great dragon, please come in."

Ganba, the leader of the Dazi army and the main person in charge of the negotiations, was smiling as he welcomed the Dalong delegation. His smile brought a sense of relief to the Dalong delegation.

"So Dazi has a friendly side too."

This is the consistent thought of the officials of Da Long regarding Ganba.

"I wonder what brings you all here today. As for the terms of the peace talks, didn't we already agree on them last time? Either send money directly, or wait for the iron cavalry of my Dazi Kingdom to crush the Great Dragon."

I thought Ganba would be easy to talk to, but he gave me a hard time as soon as I sat down.

"Chief, let's discuss the compensation again. Five million strings of cash is indeed too much."

"What? We've been so sincere, and you still have the nerve to haggle?"

A burly man with pigtails was looking arrogantly at the Dalong official, who was in charge of the negotiations. The Dalong official felt like he wanted to die; how could this unlucky job have fallen on his shoulders?

"Then let's start the war. We'll just rob them directly, and it'll definitely be more than five million strings of cash."

"Exactly, you people from the Great Dragon are so long-winded. If it works, it works; if it doesn't, then forget it."

Dazi chimed in, which made the Great Dragon Envoy sweat profusely.

"Alright, since your emperor has spoken, we should give him face. Here's the deal: four and a half million strings of cash, that's the lowest we can go."

"Yes, yes, thank you, Chief. I will go back and report to His Majesty immediately."

Upon hearing the other party's words, the Great Dragon Envoy breathed a sigh of relief, quickly expressed his gratitude, and then turned and left the place that had filled him with fear.

. . . .

"Four and a half million strings of cash..."

Li Tiancheng looked at the document in his hand, the numbers written on it, and his heart was bleeding.

"How much money is left in the national treasury?"

"Your Majesty, the national treasury still has 3.6 million strings of cash."

Song Boshe, the Minister of Revenue, had already inventoried the national treasury several times and knew that the emperor would ask such a question.

"We're still short 900,000 strings of cash..."

Nine hundred thousand strings of cash is an enormous sum for the Great Dragon Empire at present. Even Li Tiancheng, as the emperor, is struggling to make ends meet.

Harem.

Is Your Majesty troubled by money matters?

Although there were many beauties in the harem, Li Tiancheng still habitually came to Empress Yang Nan's palace. The two were a couple who had gone through thick and thin together. Compared to other concubines and beauties, Li Tiancheng could only show his true feelings and express his true thoughts when he was facing Empress Yang Nan.

"The Dazi still owes 900,000 guan in reparations; they simply don't have the money."

Li Tiancheng plopped down in the chair, closed his eyes, and saw Empress Yang Nan slowly step forward and begin massaging Li Tiancheng's sides with her hands.

"Your Majesty, I have already instructed the harem to keep everything simple and reduce all expenditures. Although it is only a drop in the ocean, many hands make light work, and I believe we will overcome this difficulty."

"The Queen is interested."

This is also why Li Tiancheng has always doted on Yang Nan the most; she knows when to advance and retreat, understands the bigger picture, and can truly share his burdens.

"Your Majesty, I also had the concubines, princes and princesses bring out all the things from before. Please take a look."

Several guards carried in several boxes, which, when opened, were filled with rare and precious treasures that Li Tiancheng had previously bestowed upon the harem.

"Your Majesty... It is the greatest fortune of my life, Li Tiancheng, to be able to marry you."

Li Tiancheng could no longer hold back. Whenever he encountered a difficult problem, he could find comfort and support from Yang Nan.

"Your Majesty is too kind. We are family, and naturally we should support each other. The Crown Prince came to the palace yesterday and also said that he would ask the princes to raise funds to help Your Majesty overcome this difficult time."

"My dear son."

. . . . . .

Niujia Village.

In addition to raising money from various princes, Crown Prince Li Junren also sent letters to his confidants and trusted people. Zhou Wu never expected to receive a letter from the Crown Prince.

"Brother Wu, what did the Crown Prince say in his letter?"

Seeing that Zhou Wu remained silent for a long time, Niu Er became somewhat impatient. Niu Ye, standing to the side, also stared wide-eyed at Zhou Wu; that was the Crown Prince's private letter—what an honor!

"The imperial court negotiated peace with the Dazi Kingdom, but the other side, relying on its strong military, extorted 4.5 million strings of cash from our Great Dragon Kingdom."

"What?!"

Four hundred and fifty, or even ten thousand, terrified Master Niu so much that he couldn't speak.

"Hmph, this son of a bitch has gone too far. We might as well fight him."

Niu Er continued to shout and rage, venting his dissatisfaction. However, these were normal human reactions, and Zhou Wu couldn't say anything about it.

"Is the Crown Prince here to solicit donations?"

At this moment, Deng Yuanliang's voice rang out. Zhou Wu now felt more and more that Deng Yuanliang had great military talent, and it was a waste of his talent to put him in the trade department.

"Yes, Yuanliang, what do you think?"

Zhou Wu already had a plan in mind, but he still wanted to hear Deng Yuanliang's thoughts.

"My lord, I think this is an opportunity. Since the Crown Prince has replied to your private message at this time, it means that you have already gained a certain status in the Crown Prince's heart. If you donate some money at this time, it will not only improve your impression with the Crown Prince, but His Majesty will also remember you."

"Hmm, how much should I donate?"

"May I ask, sir, how much of the compensation shortfall is there now?"

"The Crown Prince did say that there was originally a shortfall of 900,000 strings of cash, but with the Empress's intervention and the help of the various princes, there is now a shortfall of about 50,000 strings of cash."

"Sir, how about we give you 100,000?"

"Tell me, why were you given 100,000 when the shortfall was 50,000?"

"My lord, first of all, we don't lack these 100,000 strings of cash."