Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

After the court session, Shen Lang and Prime Minister Ye followed the Empress's instructions and strolled to the Imperial Study.

"Prime Minister Ye, I won't hide it from you anymore. This time, I've confiscated the assets of twenty-six wealthy families, including Zeng Qian and Liang Youxin. I also want a share of it. Tell me, how much should I get?"

Jiang Mengxuan went straight to the point, without any pretense, and confronted Ye Mo head-on.

However, Ye Mo seemed to have expected this, and was not at all surprised by Jiang Mengxuan's suggestion.

"Your Majesty, may I ask how many you require? So that I may have a clear idea of ​​the number you need."

Jiang Mengxuan picked up the teacup and gently slid the lid across the bowl.

"Seventy percent."

Ye Mo frowned: "Your Majesty, this may be a bit difficult to handle."

Jiang Mengxuan picked up a cup of tea, gently swiped the lid, and slowly said, "Prime Minister Ye, I need this money for a very important purpose, and I still hope you can think of a way to help me."

Ye Mo slowly extended three fingers: "At most, thirty percent. If it's thirty percent, this old minister can make arrangements. Any more than that, this old minister is powerless to help."

Jiang Mengxuan shook her head: "Fine, I'll compromise again, I only want 60%. Prime Minister Ye, you wouldn't refuse even that, would you?"

Ye Mo cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, thirty percent of the proceeds from the confiscation will go to you, which is already the majority. The Six Ministries are also in dire need of funds."

"Even if I said more, I wouldn't be able to explain it to them. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Jiang Mengxuan closed her phoenix eyes slightly, glanced at Shen Lang who seemed to be studying the color of the teacup, and couldn't help but reveal a hint of resentment.

So, Shen Lang is pretending to be dead now, isn't he?

Helpless, she could only continue to argue with Ye Mo: "Prime Minister Ye, 60% is my bottom line. I want this money for the sake of the Great Chu state. I hope you can think of a way."

Ye Mo replied, "The money needed by the Six Ministries is also for the sake of the country, and I ask for Your Majesty's understanding as well."

Neither the emperor nor his minister was willing to compromise on the distribution of spoils, so they played a game of cat and mouse with each other.

Shen Lang, on the other hand, was quite content with the situation, acting as if it were none of his business.

"Alright then, 35%, Your Majesty. 35% is the absolute minimum. Any more than that, and I will not be able to explain it to the Six Ministries."

"Prime Minister Ye, since you've agreed, I'll concede again. Fifty percent, that's all. I really can't go any lower."

Ye Mo sighed and said, "Since ancient times, has there ever been a case of a monarch and his ministers vying for profit? What kind of decorum is Your Majesty's behavior?"

Besides, the entire realm belongs to Your Majesty, and the funds of the Six Ministries are also Your Majesty's funds. Why should Your Majesty contend with the court officials for your own money?

Jiang Mengxuan: "Prime Minister Ye, to be frank, if I dared to touch even a single penny of the national treasury, I'm afraid you would force me to write an edict of self-reproach in court tomorrow, wouldn't you?"

Ye Mo was slightly taken aback. Since the Imperial Guards entered the city, Jiang Mengxuan's aura had undergone a subtle change.

They seem to have stopped deliberately hiding their true selves and will eagerly show their true colors when the time is right.

In the past, Jiang Mengxuan would never have sat down with him to discuss the issue of confiscating his property.

He glanced again at Shen Lang, who looked completely indifferent.

Everything was brought about by this boy.

The equipment, quality, and combat effectiveness of the Imperial Guard left a very deep impression on Ye Mo.

When anyone gains their own power to protect themselves, their mindset will inevitably change.

Aside from Shen Lang, Ye Mo couldn't think of anyone else in the entire Great Chu who could make the Empress so confident and composed in just a few months.

Seeing that Ye Mo had not given a reply for a long time, Jiang Mengxuan simply put down her teacup, which she had not yet drunk from, and said directly, "Prime Minister Ye, I want this 50% allocation."

"Do you agree or not? If you don't agree, then I'll have no choice but to have the Imperial Guards search and confiscate your property."

Upon hearing this, Ye Mo stood up and advised, "Your Majesty, forty percent is the biggest concession this old minister can make."

If the Imperial Guards were to be in charge of the search and seizure, it would inevitably provoke a strong backlash from officials of the Six Ministries.

I imagine Your Majesty would not wish to be lectured by your ministers in court tomorrow. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider and prioritize the greater good.

Jiang Mengxuan sighed, lightly tapped her forehead with her jade-like fingers, and kept glancing at Shen Lang with her bright eyes.

She now hopes he can share some of the burden.

"Ugh……"

Feeling uneasy under his gaze, Shen Lang knew he couldn't avoid it and had to voice his opinion.

"Your Majesty, let's follow Prime Minister Ye's suggestion, forty percent forty percent, but..."

Ye Mo frowned: "But what?"

"Gold, silver, shops, and houses will all be converted into land, forest farms, and mineral veins."

Furthermore, I also hope that, in the name of Minister Ye, a loan of twenty million taels of silver can be raised from prominent families and delivered to His Majesty.

Upon hearing this, not only Ye Mo but also Jiang Mengxuan were stunned.

Ye Mo asked incredulously, "You mean not only do you want 40% of the profits from the land industry, but you also want to take away 20 million taels of silver for nothing?"

Lord Shen! Have you gone mad, or am I deaf?

"It's not free, it's a loan! I'll pay it back later."

Shen Lang said calmly.

"Moreover, I can assure Prime Minister Ye that every penny of these twenty million taels of silver will be spent where it is needed and will not be wasted."

"Ha, this is something I've never heard of before."

Ye Mo was amused by Shen Lang's words.

Shen Lang shrugged: "If Prime Minister Ye doesn't agree, it doesn't matter. At worst, Zeng Qian's case will be retried to see if there are any accomplices who have been overlooked."

"Shen Lang!"

Ye Mo's blood pressure soared from Shen Lang's shamelessness.

How much time will it take to reopen an old case?

Given the efficiency of the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review, it would probably take at least three to five months to close the case.

"I beg Prime Minister Ye to grant my request."

Shen Lang, however, remained neither humble nor arrogant, and bowed to Ye Mo with a smile.

Seeing his calm and composed demeanor, Ye Mo suddenly smiled.

"Very well, very well, Shen Lang. Your Majesty, as you say, this old minister will raise the twenty million taels of silver for you as soon as possible."

Jiang Mengxuan felt a surge of secret pleasure, but smiled slightly and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Prime Minister Ye."

But the next moment, Ye Mo suddenly changed his tone: "But this old minister also has a condition, and I ask Your Majesty to grant it."

What are Ye Xiang's requirements?

Ye Mo straightened up and said, "In this incident in Jinling, Prefect Shen acted decisively, quickly quelled the chaos, and prevented the situation from escalating. His contribution is undeniable."

However, his order for the Imperial Guards to shoot civilians without authorization sparked a backlash from many within the city. The senior officials believed that Shen Lang should be removed from his position as Prefect of the Capital.

"no!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan's phoenix eyes narrowed, and she immediately stood up.

Unexpectedly, Shen Lang took out the official seal of the Jingzhao Prefecture that he had prepared beforehand.

"No need for Prime Minister Ye to trouble himself. To be honest, I'm really not used to this position of Prefect of the Capital."

"This was only a temporary appointment. Now that things have calmed down in the capital, I was planning to resign even if Prime Minister Ye hadn't said anything."

Jiang Mengxuan became anxious: "Shen Lang, do you know what you're doing?"

Shen Lang cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, I am truly unsuitable to be in charge of the Capital Prefecture. I was only appointed to this post in a time of crisis because I had no other choice."

Now that the situation has stabilized, it's time to hand over my official seal. Besides, Prime Minister Ye is right; everyone in Jinling treats me like a ghost.

If I continue to sit in that position, I fear that one day someone might secretly get rid of me, which wouldn't be worth it.

It's better to hand over the official seal to avoid being recognized and gossiped about when going out.

"you……"

Jiang Mengxuan was so anxious she wanted to stomp her feet.

They had gone to great lengths to trick Shen Lang into a high position, with the aim of enabling him to consolidate order throughout the capital and other regions.

As it turns out, Ye Mo made this request at this very moment, which only gave Shen Lang an advantage.

Jiang Mengxuan felt a tightness in her chest after her carefully laid plan was so easily exposed.

Ye Mo smiled and looked at Shen Lang: "It seems that Commander Shen is also self-aware."

You've certainly earned my respect. Rest assured, my word is my bond.

"We will certainly get things done for Your Majesty as soon as possible; not a single coin of the twenty million taels of silver will be delivered to Your Majesty."

However, he had a very positive opinion of Shen Lang's decision not to covet power and to retire gracefully.

"Report~"

Just then, Shu Yue made a report outside the Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has sent word that she is on her way back to the capital."

Upon hearing this news, both Jiang Mengxuan and Ye Mo's expressions changed.

Only Shen Lang was baffled.

What's wrong with the Empress Dowager again? Is there any need to be so nervous?

Jiang Mengxuan: "When will the Empress Dowager arrive in the capital?"

Shu Yue: "Around noon tomorrow."

"I understand. You may leave now."

"The slaves retire."

As soon as Shu Yue left, Ye Mo said directly to the Empress, "Your Majesty, the process of confiscating property must be accelerated. We must complete the registration before the Empress Dowager returns to the palace."

Jiang Mengxuan frowned: "How could it be done in such a short time?"

Ye Mo: "Your Majesty, this old minister may go out of the city first to meet with the Empress Dowager and try to buy Your Majesty half a day more time."

Jiang Mengxuan looked at Ye Mo with some surprise.

Ye Mo's expression makes it seem like he's standing right next to me.

Or is it that Ye Mo had already colluded with the Empress Dowager to deceive and harm him?

"Your Majesty, time is of the essence, there is no time to explain, this old minister will go and make preparations first."

Before the Empress could react, Ye Mo had already bowed and left.

Shen Lang also stood up: "Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, then this humble servant will also take his leave."