This time back in Linan City, Fang Xiang had already prepared a mansion for him. Compared to the temporary residence last time, it was simply a beggars doghouse. But why did Xu Haifeng feel so familiar as he looked around? It wasnt until they entered the main hall that he suddenly remembered this was where Emperor Hanxian met with his officials last time. His face changed greatly, and no matter how eloquently the envoy spoke, he refused to enter.

  Just as the two were at a stalemate, a person walked out from inside, and it was precisely Pingxi Hou Fang Xiangming.

  "Little brother, how did you end up at the door? Youre still wandering around outside, come in quickly." Fang Ming asked strangely.

  Xu Haifeng pointed to the main hall inside the front gate and said: "Big brother, this is where the emperor lives. I dont dare to desecrate the imperial carriage."

  "Fang Xiang burst out laughing and said: The Emperor had already returned to the palace in triumph three days ago, you think its not possible for you to be ignorant of this. Dont tell me you didnt know, okay?"

  Xu Haifeng rolled his eyes and said in a bad mood, "Big brother, didnt you teach me that one should be cautious of others words? How can you ask me to occupy the emperors palace as soon as he leaves? If this gets back to him in the future, what would happen?"

  "It doesnt matter, it doesnt matter..." Fang Ming revealed a sly smile and said: "The Emperor is magnanimous and has many things to attend to every day, how could he be as petty as you? What, did I say something wrong?"

  Xu Haifeng was taken aback by this, and this sentence was indeed difficult to answer. No matter how he put it, it seemed inappropriate. Fortunately, they were all among themselves here, and the messenger was also a trusted confidant of Fang Zhongs, so there was no fear of anyone leaking it out. He could only change the subject: "In that case, brother, have you recovered from your illness?"

  "Alright, stop making a scene on the street. Lets go inside and talk." Fang Ming dragged Xu Haifeng, forcibly pulling him in.

  He led him through the great hall, and then to a bedchamber, handing over a thick account book, saying: "Younger brother, I have already ordered that all the citys wealth be tallied up, take a look."

  Xu Haifeng pushed the account book away, saying: "Since big brother has already calculated it, then thats settled. Let me check the accounts, youd rather invite me to drink wine." In fact, Xu Haifengs words werent just an excuse. He came from a poor background and only recognized a few large characters. If he really had to help manage the account book, he would definitely become more and more flustered. Moreover, the account book was written in a way that seemed like heavenly script, just looking at it made his head ache, how could it compare to the joy of drinking flower wine?

  Fang Xiang shook his head and said, "Younger brother, in the future your family will be prosperous and youll have to learn about this aspect too." Seeing that Xu Haifeng nodded in agreement but clearly wasnt taking it to heart, Fang Xiang helplessly gave up on the idea of continuing to lecture him.

  He pointed to the account book and said, "The city of Linan is the designated eastern base of the Roman Empire. This time, all the materials from nearby have been gathered here. So the collection is far beyond my expectations. Not counting immovable property, this times inventory of treasures, antiques, and various equipment materials totals 58,976,000 taels of silver."

  Xu Haifeng spat out a mouthful of ginseng tea he had just drunk, and loudly asked: "How much?"

  Fang Ming seemed to have expected this, and with a calm expression, under Xu Haifengs gaze which was almost spitting fire, he slowly said: "58,076,000 taels of silver."

  "My goodness, are these Caesars robbers? How can they have so many things." Xǔ Hǎifēng said, stroking the fine stubble on his chin.

  "They came from the west, doing nothing but robbery. This is already the third batch of looted goods, and its said that the first two batches sent back to Caesar were even more than this. They originally planned to send them back to Caesar next spring, but now theyre cheap for us."

  "So much money! Brother, we really got rich this time."

  Looking at Xu Haifengs excited and somewhat incoherent speech, Fang Xiang shook his head and said: "Younger brother, although the Emperor once said that all the children of this city are ours to command, we cant swallow everything whole."

  Xu Haifeng was taken aback and suddenly understood, saying: "Big brother is right, we should also give some benefits to others, otherwise it will be too enviable."

  Fang Xiang nodded in satisfaction, thinking to himself that he hadnt misjudged the person. If Xu Haifeng had been tempted by so much wealth and wanted to swallow it all by himself, then he wouldnt have been worth befriending anyway.

  "I calculated it, and after deducting various expenses, about 20 million taels are needed. The share for the imperial family and the four major families accounts for 70%. This leaves 3.8 million taels. Ill only take 30% of this amount, the rest is yours, brother."

  Xu Haifeng was taken aback and said, "Big brother is joking, little brother being able to get half of this city is all thanks to big brothers efforts in front of the emperor, otherwise little brother would have gotten nothing. If it really goes according to big brothers distribution, wouldnt little brother become an ungrateful and disloyal person?"

  "This city was taken down by whom, as long as ones eyes are not blind, it is very clear. I also want to add two and make five with you, but I dont have such a thick skin. Money is something everyone likes, but it must be obtained in a proper way. I took 30% of the shares, which is already the limit. To be honest, if this city didnt need my familys name to stabilize it, I wouldnt even dare take these three layers." Fang Xiang Ming said in a deep voice.

  When he saw Xu Haifeng, he wanted to say something, but the other man waved his hand and said, "No need to say more, little brother. If you think highly of me, then this matter is settled. Besides, I have another thing to discuss with you."

  Xu Haifeng saw that he was so determined and had no choice but to temporarily give in: "Big brother, just give the order, little brother will not disobey."

  "We cant take all the wealth at once, lets take 20 million and leave 15 million as a development fund for this city. In my estimation, after this war, the people of Caesar will definitely send envoys to seek peace, so there will be at least ten years of stability here. Since it is our fiefdom, we should manage it well. This city occupies a strategic location, if operated properly, the annual return should be over 5 million taels. Only by doing so can we achieve steady and long-term benefits."

  Xu Haifeng listened in a daze, and when Fang Xiang finished speaking, he stretched out his thumb and said: "Brother, you are indeed from a noble family, with careful consideration. May I ask, brother, do you mean that the two of us can get an annual income of 50 million silver coins?"

  Fang Xiang snorted and said, "Theres no way that much, at most its just one million. Out of these five million, a portion will be contributed to the imperial court, the Western Front Camp will also get a share, and we need to set aside at least one million taels as reserve funds. Only whats left is our pure income."

  "Its only natural to offer tribute to the imperial court, but why should the Western Expeditionary Army have to give up a share for no reason?" Xǔ Hǎifēng asked in puzzlement.

  Fang Ming picked up the teacup, took a light sip of the fragrant ginseng tea, rolled it around in his mouth for a while, and then slowly swallowed before saying: "If either you or I, brothers, can guard this place, theres no need to sell out the Western Lines big camp."

  Xu Haifeng savored the meaning of his words, and was shocked in his heart. He asked: "Big brother, you are a member of the Red Ocean, naturally you have to go back. But little brother has always been fighting on the west line, will he also be transferred?"

  "Little brother, before His Majesty departed, he instructed that once you have completed your military training, you are to be transferred to the capital."

  "Why is this?"

  Fang Ming stared at Xu Haifeng with a piercing gaze, making him feel uneasy all over. After a long time, he said: "Younger brother, you have made a great contribution this time, but when it comes to rewards, you only got half of Linan City, which was also obtained by me for you. Apart from that, have you been promoted or enfeoffed?"

  Xu Haifeng was born into a poor family and never thought he would become the master of a city, so he had always been content. But after being reminded by Fang Dian, he suddenly felt something was off. The Great Han valued military achievements, and his Black Flag Army had made great contributions in this battle, so as the leader, he should have been promoted, but from start to finish, there had been no news or signs of any promotion. He muttered to himself: "Whats going on?"

  Fang Ming let out a cold laugh and said, "Why? Isnt it because your Black Flag Army is too powerful, making people tremble with fear. Ive submitted several petitions for you to be rewarded, but they all think that since you were only promoted to Deputy General less than a year ago, you cant be promoted again. Even those few old opponents of yours are in unanimous agreement, their coordination is so tacit, its because theyre afraid of you."

  "Are you afraid of me?"

  "Yes, Guan Yu had once advised Your Majesty that under no circumstances should you be allowed to command more than 10,000 troops."

  Xu Haifeng was furious and said: "I have no grudge against Gu Dashi, why did he say such things about me."

  "Its simple, do you know how Gu Dao Yan evaluates your Black Flag Army?"

  "What did he say?" Although Xu Haifeng was very annoyed with Gu Daoxu, he knew that this person had been in the military for decades and still had some insight. He also wanted to know what others thought of the Black Flag Army.

  "The Black Flag Army is a tiger and wolf-like army, one man is not enough to worry about, ten men can resist a hundred men, a hundred men can defeat ten thousand soldiers, a thousand men above, even the Sky Eagle Legion dare not face them head-on. If there are ten thousand people in the army..." Fang Ming said here, hesitating and speechless.

  Xu Haifeng was overjoyed, never expecting Gu Daos evaluation of the Black Flag Army to be so high. He thought that a thousand Black Flag soldiers could go head-to-head with the Tianying Legion, one of the Empires five major legions. He couldnt help but wonder about the outcome of ten thousand people, but Fang Xiang stopped there and left Xu Haifeng hanging. Xu Haifeng was anxious and urged him to continue: "Big brother, what about when they become a legion of ten thousand? Hurry up and tell me!"

  Fang Ming raised his head to look at the sky, as if recalling the scene when Gu Dao Yan said this on the side of Emperor Han Xian. At that time, several imperial generals were present, including one of Fang Mings uncles. He was then seeking an official position for Xu Haifeng, but Emperor Han Xian was hesitant. However, Gu Dao Yans words completely shattered Xu Haifengs dream of promotion and ennoblement.

  Xiang Ming looked at Xu Haifeng, just like Gu Dao Yans daring and unscrupulous gaze at Han Xian Emperor back then.

  "Less than ten thousand, the Black Flag is dissatisfied; with ten thousand, none can withstand."