Bearfield District.
Inside the Cheng Household, Zhou Chen stood at the entrance with his hands behind his back, watching coldly as the Four-Family Alliance troops moved in and out of the courtyard.
Beside him, Cheng Xun, head of the Cheng Household, was deathly pale and drenched in sweat. His voice trembled as he said, "Lord Zhou, could you reduce the silver, grain, and meat on the list... just a little? Our Cheng Household really can't gather that much on such short notice."
"Can't gather it?" Zhou Chen glanced at Cheng Xun and said mildly, "I wonder if you've heard this saying, Household Head Cheng: time is like water in cotton. Squeeze hard enough, and there'll always be some. I think you're rather like that cotton yourself. If I give you a good squeeze, I wonder if I can wring a little more fat out of you?"
With that, he reached out and gripped the head of the stone lion by the entrance, abruptly tightening his five fingers.
With a bang, the enormous lion's head shattered into pieces, sending stone fragments flying.
One flying shard happened to skim Cheng Xun's cheek, severing a dangling lock of hair and slicing open his face. Blood slowly trickled down.
"I... Lord Zhou, I understand!" Cheng Xun's legs went weak with terror, and he dropped to his knees with a thud. "I'll gather it tonight! Rest assured, whether I have to borrow or sell off the family property, I'll have every last bit of silver and money on that list ready by tomorrow!"
Just moments ago, he had even considered mentioning his ties to the Lian Household. After all, they had once sent someone to his door to propose a marriage between Zhou Chen and his daughter.
Now, however, he understood. If he dared bring