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

Shen Lang's words instantly made the local bullies' hearts, which had just sunk, jump again.

Chen Ba tentatively asked, "Your Highness, can you tell us what 'temporary' means?"

"You won't face any risks right now, but it's hard to say what will happen in the future—maybe in a month or two, maybe in a year or two."

Everything you currently possess will be confiscated by the imperial court under the pretext of illegal gains; not a single hair will be left to you.

Upon hearing this, Tong Qi immediately became anxious: "Your Highness, we are useful. In the future, the Jingwei Division will need us wherever they need intelligence."

Shen Lang replied, "So, has the Jingwei Division been contacting you recently while handling cases?"

Upon hearing this, Tong Qi and the others were instantly speechless.

Indeed, it seems that the people from the Jingwei Division haven't bothered me anymore lately, nor have they been searching for clues.

At first, everyone thought it was because the world was at peace, but now that Shen Lang has said this, it seems there is another hidden story.

Could it be that the Jingwei Division has found a more suitable contact?

Shen Lang quickly provided an answer.

"What do you think the imperial court's purpose is in controlling those sects and martial arts practitioners? And why have they stopped causing trouble?"

Think about it carefully. Compared to you, these martial artists from sects are more suitable for providing intelligence to the Jingwei Division and the imperial court. Your current role is already a negative one.

Since you have lost your usefulness to the court, we will no longer tolerate you. Therefore, is there any point in your continued existence?

Upon hearing this, Chen Ba and the others immediately looked worried.

Indeed, compared to those martial artists who roam the martial world, his role is really not that significant.

Moreover, the imperial court even organized ghostwriters who could not only provide useful intelligence for the court, but also personally carry out missions in exchange for high rewards.

Comparing the two, anyone with a sound mind would choose the latter.

The thought that their business was about to suffer a heavy blow filled Chen Ba and the others with anxiety.

"Your Highness, is there really no place for us?"

Tong Qi patiently tried to persuade her again.

"Although we all have criminal records and prior convictions, none of us would want to go down this path if we weren't forced by circumstances."

"If Your Highness confiscates all our possessions, what will happen to our men? Won't they just cause trouble for the court if they're left undisciplined?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang walked up to Tong Qi, leaned down, and asked with a half-smile, "Are you threatening me?"

Tong Qi immediately broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly lowered his head to reply, "This humble one would never dare to have such a thought. This humble one just doesn't know what to do. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

The pressure from Shen Lang was so great that he didn't even have the courage to face him directly.

"Don't be nervous, Manager Tong. I know you didn't mean that. I was just joking."

Shen Lang stood up with a smile, then his expression changed.

"In short, your kind of power cannot survive in the capital region, and you shouldn't even dream of it in other regions. Even if you relocate your industries, your life will definitely not be as good as it is now."

He walked to the main desk, picked up an account book, opened it to a page, and continued, "You always boast about how many contributions you've made to the court."

But you probably haven't considered the costs: how much the imperial court has to spend each year to maintain order because of your existence.

"The damage caused by your brawl was repaired with funds from the imperial court. And how much tax revenue did the imperial court lose because the city's daily trade plummeted due to the brawl?"

"In addition, the cost of food and cleaning up your subordinates is a considerable expense, and the Ministry of Justice even has to spend extra money to build a prison in order to detain your scoundrels."

"You recklessly waste the court's resources and finances. Every year, the amount spent on these matters alone is almost 30% of the palace's expenditure. Do you still think you haven't caused trouble for the court?"

"Furthermore, who cleaned up the mess for you after you committed the crime? Who downplayed the seriousness of the matter and made it disappear? Have you ever thought about these things?"

The local officials were immediately speechless. They threw down their ledgers, and none of them dared to mention how much they had contributed to the imperial court.

"Therefore, there is absolutely no room for negotiation on this matter. The capital will absolutely not allow you to act so recklessly again, nor will the other counties of the Great Chu."

If you insist on a way out, then I have already secured one for you; it's up to you to see if you have the courage to accept it.

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up, and they all looked at Shen Lang.

Shen Lang pointed south: "Go to Southeast Asia. That's where you scum can really make a difference."

"What? Southeast Asia? This..."

Upon hearing that they were to be sent to such a far place, everyone was stunned.

But Shen Lang wouldn't give them a chance to think: "I've already submitted your rosters. The South Seas urgently need a large number of ruthless people to intimidate those troublesome natives."

I'm thinking that rather than letting you stay here and continue to harm innocent women, it would be better for you to go to Southeast Asia and harm the natives of other countries.

There, you can use your money to invest in estates, farms, and even mines, and then recruit local natives to create wealth for you at low prices.

Not only will it earn you far more than you're currently making, but it's also permitted by the imperial court. The only condition is that you must obey the orders of the overseas government offices.

When they need you to maintain order, you must all step forward.

If you are willing, you can all return to the Chu homeland in three to five years and become extremely wealthy.

Furthermore, the imperial court will dismiss all your past misdeeds. This is my way of rewarding you for your contributions to the Jingwei Division over the years.

"So, whether you go or not is entirely your personal choice."

After saying this, Shen Lang sat back down at the main desk and waited for everyone's reply.

The thugs looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

After all, the fate of those who ventured to Southeast Asia was uncertain, and they might never return. They had to be extremely cautious.

Finally, Chen Ba was the first to raise a question: "Your Highness, if I may be so bold as to ask, can we really do whatever we want once we arrive in Southeast Asia?"

Shen Lang: "Naturally, they are also subject to the control of overseas government agencies, but they are much freer than you are here. In the capital, you can only live in darkness and never see the light of day."

Once you arrive in Southeast Asia, as long as you abide by the colonial laws, you can do whatever you want without any problem.

The South Seas are a treasure trove; if it weren't for the current multitude of affairs the court needs to handle, you would never have had a chance to be there.

They didn't even bother to find out how many prominent families were desperately trying to secure a spot to set up factories in Southeast Asia.

Now that I'm offering you this wealth and honor, you actually refuse it, haha..."

After saying that, Shen Lang shook his head and continued to study the teacup in his hand.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ba immediately made up his mind: "Fine, nobody wants to live a life of hiding the truth. Since Your Highness has presented us with this opportunity, I, Chen Ba, am willing to go to Southeast Asia."

Upon hearing this, Tong Qi clenched his fists and stood up, saying, "Your Highness, I am also willing to go. I will arrange for some trusted confidants to go to Southeast Asia later."

With these two leading the way, the other dozen or so local bullies also went all out.

After they came to their senses, they realized that they had no choice but to follow Shen Lang's arrangements.

And so, these local tyrants who had been giving the capital a headache decided, under Shen Lang's persuasion, to head to Southeast Asia to create a new future.

Shen Lang took a satisfied sip of tea. Having the local thugs look after the natives solved the security problem in the capital and also served to intimidate the colonial natives. It was truly a win-win situation.