The inner hall of the Prefectural Yamen.
A discordant atmosphere was spreading. Lin Rao looked stern, his gaze sharp, while Yao Chi stared straight back at him, his expression full of amusement and contempt.
As the two sides stood at loggerheads, Ren Ye furtively transmitted his voice to Fenglin. "All right, I hereby officially declare that, from this moment onward, you are Qingliang Prefecture's second major shareholder. However, under the Empire's shareholder-based yamen contracting laws, I have decided to contract the Ministry of Revenue, which manages money and grain, out to you. For three years, you will cover any losses yourself, while profits will be split equally with the yamen."
"?!"
Fenglin was dumbfounded. "May I ask, Your Highness, how large is the Ministry of Revenue's current deficit?"
"Not much. Just several million Star Source in debt. And the money owed for building Dangshan Pass hasn't been settled yet either," Ren Ye replied casually. "Once you're there, you can put your talents to full use."
"May this old minister decline the position?" Fenglin asked.
"Yes, but resigning costs one million," Ren Ye replied.
"This old minister very much wants to curse, but I am deeply shaken." Fenglin cupped his hands slightly. "To encounter such a shameless, cunning lord in my lifetime is truly a blessing, a blessing for Qingliang Prefecture."
This old bastard actually wanted a free ride off me?
Hah. Nobody except Ai Fei gets to do that.
Though the two were joking, each was inwardly impressed by the other's talents.
What impressed Fenglin was that, with Little Prince Huai's sheer shamelessness, brazen attitude, and quick thinking, it would be a damn travesty if he failed to make his fortune. What impressed Ren Ye was the old fellow's judgment of the situation and grasp of human nature. He really