If you're made a fake emperor, why did you change the country's name?

Instead of answering immediately, Zhao Yu asked, "Elder Gan, how is the training progress of each faction?"

Gan Qing sighed.

"This old minister sent people to investigate secretly. Because of the investment of powerful families regardless of cost, the progress is much faster than expected, especially the Li family."

Gan Qing's expression turned serious.

"They recruited several retired centurions from the army to serve as instructors, and spent a lot of money to buy a large amount of food. They drilled day and night, and the intensity of the training was more than three times that of ordinary training."

"At this rate, the new recruits from the Li family will be able to reach the level of militia members in as little as half a month."

half a month.

Zhao Yu stopped pacing.

Time is indeed of the essence.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"In that case, I shall also hasten the closing of the net."

Zhao Yu's voice was calm, yet it carried an air of authority.

"Lord Gan, just do as I say."

"As for the elite troops of those powerful families, I have my own way of dealing with them."

"Remember, the Gan family's sale of assets must be a big deal, so that everyone can see it and believe it."

Gan Qing gave Zhao Yu a deep look, and finally bowed.

"Your humble servant obeys the imperial decree."

"Leave this matter to your old minister. I only hope that Your Majesty will not break your promise to me."

Zhao Yu waved his hand.

A gentleman's word is his bond.

"I said your Gan family wouldn't be purged, and they won't be."

Having received the promise, Gan Qing nodded.

He leaned on his cane and walked away unsteadily, his shadow stretching long in the setting sun.

After seeing Gan Qing off, Zhao Yu immediately gave instructions.

"It is said that Jia Liang, the captain of the Royal Engineering Team, has come to pay his respects."

A moment later, a burly, dark-skinned middle-aged man strode in; it was Jia Liang.

"Your subject Jia Liang greets Your Majesty."

"Jia Liang, I ask you, how long will it take to complete the cement road construction project and the loudspeaker project, according to the original plan?"

Zhao Yu got straight to the point.

Jia Liang bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, according to the original plan, the cement road will take another ten days, and the loudspeaker project will take about fifteen days."

"Not fast enough."

Zhao Yu was resolute.

"The entire project must be completed within ten days."

Jia Liang's expression changed, and his mind raced as he calculated something.

"Your Majesty, in that case, we must recruit several more cement construction teams, as well as high-tech construction teams specializing in loudspeakers."

Zhao Yu was also aware that the system had only rewarded fifteen members of the Royal Engineering Team, which was far too few.

Nowadays, cement projects are all handed over to teams trained through crash courses.

Fortunately, apart from the slightly troublesome manufacturing of cement powder, there were no major technical difficulties in subsequent road construction.

"Granted."

Zhao Yu waved his hand.

"I will speak to the Ministry of Revenue. You can withdraw the money you need directly."

"Just ask Qiu Ping for manpower; he'll help you recruit quickly."

"Remember, the quality cannot drop too much. I want to see these two projects completed within ten days."

"My lord, I obey your order!"

Jia Liang accepted the order and left with firm steps.

Zhao Yu was left alone in the Imperial Study again.

He sat back down at his desk, his fingers tapping lightly on the surface.

Now, all that's left is to pull the rug out from under them with one last decisive move.

The next morning, the capital was in an uproar.

The Gan family suddenly announced that they would sell 70% of their assets.

This included two restaurants and five silk shops in the most prosperous area of ​​the imperial city, as well as 8,000 acres of fertile land outside the city.

All of these were mortgaged and sold off.

The news sent businessmen throughout the capital into a frenzy.

What's even more shocking is that the price offered by the Gan family is ridiculously low—almost 70% of the market price.

Managers from various merchants flocked to the Gan residence, crowding the area in front of the mansion, all hoping to seize the opportunity to get a great deal.

The inner hall of the Li residence.

Upon hearing the news, Li Chengzhi slammed his fist on the table.

"That old fox Gan Qing, what is he up to?"

Li Qiang also looked puzzled.

"Elder, the Gan family's sale this time is on a massive scale, and the price is so low, it's clear they want to quickly recoup their funds."

"Could it be...?"

"I think so too."

Li Chengzhi's face was gloomy.

"The little emperor can't take it anymore; he's planning to get the Gan family to deal with us!"

"Although the Gan family has lost the position of prime minister, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse, and their foundation is still there."

"If the Gan family really goes all out, we..."

Before he could finish speaking, the butler rushed in again.

"Elder, something terrible has happened!"

"The Lu and Zhang families have also begun selling off and mortgaging large amounts of their assets!"

"The Lu family has put up three granaries east of the capital, and the Zhang family is even more ruthless, mortgaging their ancestral garden at half price!"

The inner room was deathly silent.

Everyone realized that the covert battle surrounding the auction had entered a fierce stage.

Li Chengzhi closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were filled with ruthlessness.

"Pass on my order: retain only 10% of the assets; sell off everything that can be sold, and mortgage anything that cannot be sold!"

"We must ensure the auction goes perfectly!"

"Elder, the Li family is about to suffer a devastating blow!"

Some members of the clan exclaimed in surprise.

Li Chengzhi sneered.

"What's a minor injury?"

"Once we secure that batch of armored soldiers, what won't we have?"

"Now is not the time to feel sorry for others; whoever moves slowly will be left behind."

"Whoever lags behind will become easy prey for the other families in a month!"

Meanwhile, inside the palace.

Zhao Yu is reviewing memorials.

Qiu Ping strode in and bowed to report.

"Your Majesty, the major aristocratic families have begun frantically selling off their assets, and land prices throughout the capital are plummeting."

"As you requested, the Minister of Revenue accepted all the collateral without exception."

"But... Lu Mingyuan, the Minister of Revenue, secretly raised the mortgage price by 20% when mortgaging the Lu family's assets."

"fine."

Zhao Yu put down his vermilion pen.

"Let the Ministry of Revenue continue its acquisitions."

"It's just right to raise the bar; after all, the Li family's strength far surpasses that of the Lu and Zhang families."