After the fat man left, the hall fell silent instantly.

Yuen Long stopped his boastful arrogance, clearly out of fear.

The others were so frightened that they trembled with fear.

Tang Huan sat in the lobby, waved to a waiter, and said with a smile, "Have the chef prepare some food. I rushed over and haven't had breakfast yet."

"Alright, I'll have everyone get ready right away. What would the adults like to eat?"

"Just make some random ones, there aren't that many requirements."

The waiter immediately ran to the kitchen upon receiving the order.

Gongyang Tingbai sat down next to Tang Huan, and Qin Yuyang and Xue'e also took their seats. Li Daikui and Du Ruhai, on the other hand, kept scanning the people in the hall, and whoever they saw immediately lowered their heads.

"Do you think someone will send money over?" Gongyang Tingbai asked.

"How would I know? If it were a few hundred or a thousand taels, perhaps some people would be reluctant to part with their relatives and friends and would spend the money. But I doubt it would be three thousand taels."

This amount of money is probably too much for those county magistrates to give even to their wives and concubines, let alone a grown man.

"Since you knew they wouldn't pay, why did you still send someone to deliver the message?"

"Now that I've taken action, I should give them a signal so they can prepare."

Gongyang Tingbai was speechless. This morning's actions were swift and decisive, yet he deliberately sent someone to deliver a message. What was he thinking?

"If you don't pay, what are you going to do with these people? Kill them?"

If this were in the Northern Region, Gongyang Tingbai would naturally teach such a person a lesson, but he wouldn't necessarily take their life.

This is Qihuai County in Daqing, and Tang Huan is just a county magistrate. Can he take someone's life for such a reason?

Upon hearing this, Tang Huan immediately said, "No ransom? Then kill them. They eat and drink my food, how can they not pay me? At worst, we can sell their organs on the black market."

"organ?"

Tang Huan explained to the princess from the Northern Region, "The human body has various parts, such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys. These things are very useful and can be sold for a lot of money."

As soon as he finished speaking, the few people huddled nearby trembled.

Li Daikui sneered, "Did you hear that? Good luck to you. If no one pays you, you'll be getting your hearts ripped out."

Someone shuddered.

Gongyang Tingbai asked in surprise, "Aren't you afraid that someone from above will investigate you for doing this? Even if someone complains to the Empress, she won't be able to protect you, will she?"

Qin Yuyang couldn't help but look at Tang Huan.

Both of them were princesses. Although they belonged to different countries, whether in the Northern Region or the Great Qin, they were not much different from the Great Qing in most aspects.

If someone in their country did this, not only a county magistrate, but even a member of the royal family would be investigated.

Tang Huan chuckled and whispered to the two, "They messed with the wrong people. Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents. And guess who my biggest business partner is right now?"

Gongyang was about to ask, "Isn't it me?" when he heard Bai's voice.

After all, the Northern Region was about to begin trade relations with Tang Huan, but then she thought again, Tang Huan had already informed the Empress about this...

"Is it Wu Lanxi?"

Tang Huan laughed and said, "Of course. We've already cooperated on the sugar and hot pot business before. The Empress made a lot of money from it. Otherwise, why would she agree to trade with the Northern Region this time? She can take half of the profits without doing anything."

After receiving the explanation, Gongyang Tingbai looked at the group as if they were dead.

Cutting off Tang Huan's source of income might save him from death, but cutting off the emperor's source of income would mean certain death.

Not to mention the border wars and various domestic disasters, which have led to a severe shortage of money in Daqing.

"You're actually willing to share money with the Empress? And even take half of it directly?" Gongyang Tingbai changed the subject, not wasting time on those dying people.

"What else can I do if I don't give them something? The Empress knows that Qihuai County has a lot of businesses, and she also knows that I've been secretly dealing with so many things. She's also seen the gun in my hand. If I don't give her some benefits, she'll deal with me sooner or later."

Gongyang nodded in agreement upon hearing Bai's words.

She returned late last night, and didn't get off the carriage until she reached the government office. She was unaware of the situation in Qihuai County.

But what she saw along the way this morning was truly shocking.

He was once again amazed that Tang Huan could pull off so many things.

She casually remarked, "The simplest way is to find an excuse to execute you, and then let the royal family take over your business. That's the most convenient way, and it will also yield the most benefits."

Tang Huan looked at her and said, "I can tell you're very suited to be an emperor. You're so cold-blooded and ruthless; you're a good candidate."

Gongyang Tingbai said with a sullen face, "The Northern Region is different from Daqing. They will never agree to a woman sitting on the throne."

After saying that, she continued, "However, having won the competition against the Northern Region for Daqing this time, Wu Lanxi might value you more."

"I guess so."

Tang Huan spoke uncertainly. What he and Gongyang Tingbai didn't know was that if they hadn't left the capital so early, they would already have the imperial edict in their hands.

If that's the case, Tang Huan's actions will become even more unrestrained.

When breakfast was served, Tang Huan had Yuan Lang and the others sent back to the county jail so that they wouldn't bother him.

Meanwhile, the fat man rode a horse away from Qihuai County, galloping all the way, and finally returned to Baofeng County at noon.

He didn't go to see his own father first, but instead went to see Rong Shanhai, the magistrate of Baofeng County, because this whole affair was caused by this man, and the other counties were all persuaded by Rong Shanhai.

No matter what happens, no one else can make a decision unless Rong Shanhai makes the final decision.

By the time he stormed into the county government office, the fat man was already out of breath.

He was brought before the county magistrate, Rong Shanhai, who was sitting and drinking tea with a man, his face full of flattery.

Interrupted, Rong Shanhai's face flashed with anger. "What's going on?"

The fat man knelt on the ground. "Lord Rong, something terrible has happened! Yuan Lang and the others have been arrested by Tang Huan and sent to prison. Tang Huan has announced that each of them needs three thousand taels of silver to ransom, or they will be executed."

Rong Shanhai stood up abruptly, surprised, and asked, "Tang Huan is back?"

"Yes, we saw it with our own eyes."

"They came back pretty quickly, but it's no use."

Rong Shanhai looked at the man beside him. The man's appearance was unremarkable, but his calm and composed demeanor was impossible to ignore.

"My lord, what do you think we should do?"

"Ignore them. They're just a few small fry. Let them kill them. If Tang Huan dares to kill people indiscriminately, it will only give him leverage against us."

Rong Shanhai nodded emphatically, "You're right, it's just a pity he didn't die in the capital."

"It doesn't matter. Even if he returns to Qihuai County alive, he will have offended the wrong people and will pay the price with his life sooner or later. At that time, everything in Qihuai County will be ours."

Rong Shanhai's expression changed drastically. "Rong Shanhai is willing to serve you, sir, even if it means going through fire and water!"