A Million Taels, Not One Copper Can Be Less!

Fang Bin stood outside Tingfeng Pavilion, confronting the two silver-armored guards, feeling a burning sensation on his face.

He, the dignified Minister of War, a high-ranking official of the second rank, was actually being held at bay by two guards. If this got out, it would be an utter disgrace.

The Shuntian Prefecture constables he brought along were all cowering, not daring to step forward, which further humiliated him.

"You... you want to start a rebellion?!"

Fang Bin trembled with rage, pointing at the two personal guards, and sternly shouted, "This official is a second-rank minister of the court, entrusted by the Emperor to command all the armies of the realm! You dare to obstruct me with weapons; this is a grave crime!"

He tried to intimidate them with his official authority and the laws of the court.

However, the two personal guards from the Great Snow Dragon Riders didn't even bat an eyelid.

Their duty was to protect Zhu Zhanjun.

Without Zhu Zhanjun's orders, they would dare to draw their swords even if the Emperor himself arrived.

A mere Minister of War was no different from a stone on the roadside in their eyes.

This blatant disregard was more humiliating to Fang Bin than any rebuttal.

"Father! Father! Why are you wasting your breath on them!"

Fang Cheng, still being stepped on, continued to clamor foolishly.

"You're the Minister of War! Directly mobilize the troops! Mobilize the troops to level this place! Arrest them all and execute them! Draw and quarter them!"

Hearing his son's words, Fang Bin was so angry he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

Mobilize troops?

Do you think the armies in the Capital City are run by our family?

Mobilizing a single soldier without the Emperor's decree is an act of treason!

This unfilial son is truly useless and only causes trouble!

Just as Fang Bin was in a dilemma, unable to back down, a leisurely set of footsteps echoed from the stairs.

Zhu Zhanjun's figure appeared in everyone's sight.

With his hands tucked into his sleeves, he strolled down with a lazy, half-awake demeanor.

"Yo, what's all the excitement about?"

He glanced at the tense crowd outside the door, his gaze finally settling on Fang Bin.

"Minister Fang, not sleeping late at night and bringing so many people to my Tingfeng Pavilion, are you here to patronize and spend money?"

"Zhu Zhanjun!"

Seeing the main culprit appear, Fang Bin's suppressed rage from the entire evening finally found an outlet.

"How dare you speak!"

He pointed at Zhu Zhanjun and sternly questioned, "My son was merely dining at your restaurant, why did you condone your subordinates' violence, injure him, and then illegally detain him! Do you have any regard for the law!"

"The law?"

Zhu Zhanjun chuckled.

"Minister Fang, you're talking about the law to me?"

He pointed at the overturned tables and chairs on the ground, and the two injured waiters.

"Your son brought people to my Tingfeng Pavilion, provoked trouble, beat my people, and smashed my establishment. Does that comply with the law?"

He then pointed at Fang Cheng on the ground.

"He openly threatened to tear down my Tingfeng Pavilion. Does that comply with the law?"

"As the owner, I intervened to stop him, exercising self-defense. Does that comply with the law?"

Zhu Zhanjun's series of rhetorical questions, spoken with conviction, left Fang Bin speechless.

The surrounding commoners also nodded in agreement.

Indeed, from the beginning to the end, it was Young Master Fang who instigated the trouble.

It was only natural for the owner to fight back, wasn't it?

"Silver-tongued!"

Fang Bin's old face flushed red, and he forced a defense, "Even if my son was wrong, you shouldn't have used such heavy hands! You severely injured more than ten of my household servants! And you're holding my son here, demanding an exorbitant ransom!"

"This is already setting up a private court, it's contempt for the imperial court! It's a serious crime!"

"Heavy hands?"

Zhu Zhanjun smiled.

"Minister Fang, you might have a misunderstanding of the term 'heavy hands'."

He walked over to a household servant still groaning on the ground, crouched down, and patted his face.

"See, his hands are still here, his legs are still here, they're just broken. They can be reattached and still be used."

"Is this called heavy hands? This is called sparring, understand?"

"As for your son," Zhu Zhanjun stood up and walked in front of Fang Cheng, looking down at him, "Did I lay a finger on him?"

"No, right?"

"I merely invited him to stay, cooperate with us, and discuss compensation matters."

"How can this be called unlawful detention? This is called friendly negotiation."

Listening to Zhu Zhanjun's twisted logic that turned black into white, Fang Bin was so angry his lungs felt like they would explode.

He had seen shameless people, but never anyone this shameless!

Breaking a person's limbs was called sparring?

Detaining someone and demanding five million taels was called friendly negotiation?

"You… you…"

Fang Bin pointed at Zhu Zhanjun, too enraged to speak.

"What do you mean, 'you'?"

The smile on Zhu Zhanjun's face vanished, and his eyes suddenly turned cold.

"Minister Fang, I'll make myself clear today."

"Five million taels, not a cent less."

"When the money arrives, you can take your son away."

"If the money doesn't arrive…"

He glanced at Fang Cheng's legs.

"Then I'll have to handle things according to my rules here."

That icy gaze sent a chill through Fang Bin's heart.

He didn't doubt for a second that if he didn't pay, this madman in front of him would really break his son's legs!

"You wouldn't dare!"

Fang Bin roared, his bravado feigned.

"Watch me dare."

Zhu Zhanjun didn't back down an inch.

The atmosphere instantly froze to the point of absolute zero.

The surrounding commoners didn't even dare to breathe.

On one side was the Minister of War, a second-rank official of the imperial court.