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

"Let me go, you barbarians! When His Majesty finds out that you have tried to harm a single hair on my head, he will surely send a large army to tear you to pieces."

"Don't touch me, I can walk by myself. You barbarians are really bold, daring to plunder even Jiankang. I guarantee you will all be buried with me."

After the inner city was captured, Lü Meng immediately took control of the General's Mansion. At the same time, as Shen Lang had instructed, he ordered all the families of the military camps in the inner city to be gathered outside the mansion.

As a result, the military camp's families were extremely arrogant and had no clear understanding of their own situation.

Since Emperor Wu Zhao seized power and ascended the throne, he established a rule that military families should settle in the garrison areas with the army, giving them a superior status. The purpose was to assist the court in monitoring the local areas and preventing anti-Wu Zhao forces from causing trouble.

Over time, these military families quickly became corrupt and degenerate. Relying on the privileges granted to them by the Wu Zhao Kingdom, they committed all sorts of evil deeds in the city, and no one dared to interfere.

The long period of peace, coupled with the weak and easily bullied people in the outer city, had made these military camp families completely unaware of what danger was.

Even the families of these military officers were not psychologically prepared for the arrival of the Chu army.

In fact, aside from their superior status, the families of these military camp members living in the inner city also had a very difficult time, with strict restrictions on their movement in and out. In terms of freedom, they were even less than the commoners in the outer city.

Today, hundreds of military family members are densely packed in front of the General's Mansion.

These military camp families were among the wealthiest, and relying on their relatives' connections within the military camp, they ruthlessly exploited and oppressed the people of the outer city, accumulating astonishing wealth over the centuries.

One of Shen Lang's purposes in gathering them here was to raise military funds.

The total military expenditure for this expeditionary force was 14 million silver dollars. Fearing it wouldn't be enough, Jiang Mengxuan took out another 6 million silver dollars from her own private treasury, bringing the total to 20 million silver dollars, which was used to purchase munitions, fuel, and various military supplies.

Since Shen Lang arrived in Wuzhao, from the first battle in Haizhou until now, he has roughly estimated that he has spent nearly 2.6 million silver dollars.

This only covers the cost of supplies and ammunition, and does not include the funds required for future ship maintenance.

Now, he must first extract a sum of military funds from this group of "Imperial Gods".

Just as they were standing outside the General's Mansion cursing and swearing, Dong Biao's voice rang out behind them like a ghostly wail: "Shut up, all of you! The Duke of Zhenguo has arrived!"

"Pooh!"

Unexpectedly, a fat, big-eared Di man spat upon hearing this.

"What Duke of Zhenguo? Where did this bastard come from, daring to call himself a duke? Pshaw, do you know that in our Wuzhao Kingdom, anyone who recklessly impersonates a duke will have their entire family executed!"

Upon hearing this, Dong Biao flew into a rage and kicked the fat man with big ears flying on the spot.

"I told you to be quiet, why are you talking so much? Anyone who dares to disrespect the Duke of Zhenguo, feel free to try."

Seeing the fat man foaming at the mouth and Dong Biao's sinister and ferocious face, this group of bullies who preyed on the weak immediately cowered.

Shen Lang, who had witnessed the scene just now, stood outside the courtyard gate and saw that the fat man with big ears had been dealt with, then strolled over to them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce myself. My name is Shen Lang, and I come from the State of Chu."

He is also the husband of the current Empress. You may call me Emperor or Duke Zhenguo, as you wish.

After all, I'm a very easy-going person, and I don't care what you guys say about me behind my back.

There are two things I wanted to discuss with you all here today. The first is to introduce myself, since we'll likely be spending a lot of time together over the next few months.

The second thing isn't difficult for you either. After so many generations, you should all have some gold, silver, and valuables.

These things would be a waste to leave them to you; you might as well hand them over and let me keep them safe. Do you have any objections to this?

Shen Lang's words left no room for negotiation; he verbally forced them to hand over the money.

Many of these military camp family members were in charge of their households, so how could they not understand Shen Lang's meaning?

"You want our money?"

A middle-aged man with a birthmark on his cheek bluntly stated Shen Lang's purpose.

Shen Lang glanced at him and asked, "What's your name?"

"I will never change my name or surname, Lu Jingxuan is my full name."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang smiled and replied, "Don't worry, I'm a man of my word. I won't force you to pay, it's entirely voluntary."

Lu Jingxuan immediately replied, "I'm sorry, my family is poor and I really can't help you. I advise you to take care of yourselves and leave as soon as possible."

Shen Lang chuckled, then his expression suddenly changed, and he shouted sharply, "Dong Biao!"

"My subordinate is here!"

Do you know where the Lu family compound is?

"My subordinates know."

"Go and bring all the young ladies, wives, and other relatives of the Lu family here."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingxuan raised an eyebrow: "What, what are you going to do?"

Shen Lang smiled slightly: "It's nothing, I'm just feeling a bit lonely and wanted them to come over and dance and sing for everyone."

Lu Jingxuan immediately became anxious: "I'm warning you, you're not allowed to touch my family!"

Snapped--

Dong Biao showed no mercy and slapped him hard across the face.

Lu Jingxuan's two front teeth were knocked out instantly, and he himself did a Thomas spin on the spot before sitting down on the ground with a thud.

"Who gave you permission to yell at our Duke Zhenguo? If you dare do that again, next time you won't just lose two front teeth!"

After Dong Biao finished speaking, he headed towards the Lu family compound.

Lu Jingxuan hurriedly grabbed his trouser leg, facing Shen Lang with snot and tears streaming down his face: "Please don't hurt my family, my daughter is only thirteen years old."

Shen Lang shrugged: "There's nothing I can do. I have no choice but to do this since I can't see the money. I hope you understand."

"Please, I'll give you the money, isn't that enough?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang raised his hand to stop Dong Biao, walked up to him, and asked, "So how much money are you planning to offer?"

"Five hundred taels, is that enough?"

Lu Jingxuan shakily extended five fingers.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang said to Dong Biao, "I've heard there's a slum outside Jiankang, where a large group of men live doing hard labor."

"When you go to the Lu family later, remember to take all the women's clothes off and send them over."

Dong Biao nodded and said, "Yes, I will do as you say."

"No, absolutely not!"

Lu Jingxuan clung tightly to Dong Biao's trouser leg, crying even more bitterly.

"Five thousand taels! I'll offer five thousand taels!"

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and do as I say."

"Ten thousand taels, ten thousand taels! Oh my goodness, I really have no money left!"

"Go quickly, Dong Biao, there are other things waiting for you later."

"Fifty thousand taels!"

Finally, Lu Jingxuan shouted out an enormous number.

"This is truly all the wealth I've accumulated over many years. Please, spare my family..."

After saying that, he cried even harder.

I don't know if I'm crying because of what happened to me, or because I'm heartbroken about the money I'm about to lose.

Shen Lang then waved his hand, signaling Dong Biao to step back.

Then she walked up to Lu Jingxuan and said softly, "Did you do this willingly?"

"Voluntarily..."

"Not difficult?"

"Don't be embarrassed!"

"Then I thank you very much, clerk, write it down."

The clerk accompanying Shen Lang quickly wrote down the amount the Lu family needed to pay.

The other major shareholders felt a chill run down their spines upon seeing this.

The money has to be paid out, whether it's an option or not.

He could have just taken it, but he still wanted to discuss and resolve the issue with you. It was really touching.

Good guy.