The group stayed in Nanjing for two days, during which the scholars were forced to pay their outstanding land taxes for many years.
The eight wooden chests were already full. Under Fang Er's orders, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had forcibly requisitioned the Imperial Academy in Nanjing, and the scholars were all confined within its grounds.
The collected land taxes were piled up at the entrance of the Imperial Academy. Normally, land taxes were paid primarily in grain.
However, since these individuals were paying off taxes spanning several years, even decades, the issue of convenience aside, it was a problem for them to gather such a large amount of grain in a short period.
Therefore, they had their families send over vast quantities of gleaming silver!
Within two days, the total silver collected amounted to over three million taels!
And this was merely a fraction, paid by scholars whose families resided near Nanjing.
Chonglou's eyes practically glowed as he looked at the silver.
Although he had no personal stake in these funds, the Embroidered Uniform Guard were, in essence, the emperor's household retainers. If the master prospered, his subordinates would surely benefit, wouldn't they?
He recalled how, after the court ministers had pressured the government to recall all mining and tax supervisors, the Ming Dynasty had grown poorer with each passing year. When had they ever managed to collect such substantial sums of money?
Even a few months prior, when the Emperor had stooped to ask for donations from the court officials, they had only managed to collect tens of thousands of taels.
Considering the immense savings these scholars' families possessed, it was evident that the court officials were also likely corrupt and greedy individuals.
Of course, there were still upright individuals like Zhang Tongchang, grandson of Zhang Juzheng, and Liu Zongzhou, Vice Minister of Works. However, they were ultimately only a small minority.
The fact that more than half of the hundreds of officials were taken away after the grand court assembly in the Huangji Hall was a clear indication of this.
With money came resources, and with resources came people!
The Ming Dynasty would undoubtedly prosper, and perhaps, he might even live to see its revival!
Thinking of this, Chonglou almost laughed aloud.
"Why so happy?" Fang Er jokingly asked, noticing his expression.
Chonglou quickly explained with a smile, "Hehehe, with so much silver collected, the military expenses for Liaodong are secured. Your humble servant is happy on behalf of the Emperor.
It is truly your foresight, Duke, that has brought tens of millions of taels into the national treasury in less than half a month.
You are far more capable than the Minister of Revenue and those previous indolent Grand Secretaries!"
Upon hearing this, Fang Er promptly kicked him. "You've already called them indolent, yet you compare me to them. Do you think that's appropriate?"
He hadn't used much force in his kick, and Chonglou, with keen awareness, did not dodge.
For men of martial background, this was the best way to foster camaraderie.
He fawned, "Heh heh, your humble servant is uneducated, Duke, please don't take it to heart. Regardless, you are more capable than them!"
Fang Er waved his hand at him. "Alright, hand these matters over to the Nanjing Embroidered Uniform Guard to handle. We should prepare to continue south!"
"Understood, Duke, rest assured, your humble servant will arrange it now."
With that, Chonglou hurried off to find Luo Tong, the Commander of the Nanjing Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Once a matter has a beginning, it can be confidently handed over to them to manage.
Meanwhile, Fang Er and his group needed to depart for Fujian to find Song Yingxing.
For the past two days, Liu Rushi and the other courtesans' pleasure boat had not left. Their instruction to the madam was that the boat had been booked.
Fang Er had several chests of silver carried onto the boat. After calling for the madam, the chests were opened one by one, revealing the gleaming silver to everyone present.
He looked at the madam and said, "Go, summon the madams of the other establishments. Today, I intend to buy out the freedom of eight young ladies!"
The moment the madam saw the silver in the chests, she was so excited that she could barely speak.
"Your... your servant, I... I will send for them now!"
A total of twenty chests, each containing a thousand taels of silver, amounted to a staggering sum of twenty thousand taels!
Soon, the madams from the other pleasure boats, having received the message, arrived and, guided by the servants, bowed before Fang Er.
"Your servant greets you, Duke. May you have peace!"
Fang Er pointed to the silver. "Here is twenty thousand taels. I wish to redeem the freedom of eight young ladies. Hand over their contracts of indenture."
Upon hearing the sum of money, the madams grinned with joy.
"Duke is indeed generous. It is fortunate for us ladies to have met you."
After saying this, they all readily produced the young ladies' contracts from their bosoms and respectfully handed them to Fang Er.
Liu Rushi and the other seven ladies, standing nearby, were overjoyed. Although they were renowned for their artistry and did not need to sell themselves, everyone yearned for freedom.
The opportunity to leave this place and begin a new life was something they had only dreamed of.
Moreover, this time, they would be traveling to the Tang Dynasty of a thousand years ago, to witness firsthand the prosperous Zhenguan era recorded in history!
The white yacht sailed downstream along the Qinhuai River and directly into the sea.
The eight ladies curiously examined everything on the boat, finding it all incredibly novel.
When the boat reached full speed, galloping across the sea at over a hundred kilometers per hour, their eyes widened in astonishment.
It was difficult to imagine that such swift vessels existed in the Tang Dynasty over a thousand years ago!
And this ship had no oarsmen!
This made them even more eager to experience the Tang Dynasty.
Li Shimin, seated on the leather sofa in the KTV room, smiled at the ladies.
"How fares my treasure ship, ladies? Does it meet your approval?"
On the table lay a bottle of 1982 Maotai and a plate of fresh tuna sashimi.
The other ladies were speechless, but Gu Hengbo, being naturally forthright, exclaimed in admiration.
"Your Majesty, with all due respect, such a treasure ship is unparalleled in all of the Ming Dynasty.
Li Tai, overhearing his father's shamelessly boastful words from the doorway, whispered into Fang Er's ear, "Mountain Master, this ship, it seems to have little to do with my father, right?"
Fang Er patted his shoulder and chuckled in his ear, "Would you like to go in and tell the young ladies that?"
Li Tai quickly shook his head, clutching his backside. "This king isn't an idiot. If I said that, my father would likely whip my backside raw!"
Meanwhile, Li Shimin inside, having heard Gu Hengbo's words, happily reached for the wine bottle on the table.
"Come, try my eighty-two Maotai. It has a rich sauce aroma and a long, lingering aftertaste. I am particularly fond of it!"
"No, Your Majesty, such a task should not fall to you. Allow me."
Seeing this, Gu Hengbo quickly reached out for the wine bottle.
However, Li Shimin was closer and grabbed the bottle first. Her reach accidentally landed on Li Shimin's hand.
As if an electric current flowed through their hands upon contact, transmitting through their bodies.
Li Tai, catching sight of this scene inadvertently, grumbled with evident displeasure.
"Shameless pair!"
Fang Er: ???
"Damn it, is this kid tired of living?!"