Shi Ming complained. Although he was the Minister of Works of Qinghe, he had no involvement in the entire project, from design to construction. His biggest job was to ensure that the project was completed to the required quality and quantity.

"Brother Twenty-Six, it's okay. A house doesn't have to look good, as long as it's practical and usable. Besides, we don't have that much money to build a house."

Lin Hai said indifferently.

"Alright, then you have the meeting. This isn't the place for me. I'm leaving now. But first, let me make it clear that this is the last project I'm responsible for. From now on, the Engineering Department should be handed over to your student. I really can't keep up with your thinking. It would be more comfortable for me to go back to engraving."

After saying that, Shi Ming bowed to everyone and left without looking back.

"Um, His Majesty Lin Hai?"

After hearing Shi Ming's words, Xia Junao, who knew some of the inside story, didn't care at all. But Chen Xu, standing by, could no longer stand it and said, "I've also looked at some of the details about the project, especially the budget. Judging from the money spent, it seems... it seems more than enough to build a house and a square like this."

After all, most of the expenses for Dawn City and its ancillary projects came from the Chen Dynasty's treasury. Chen Xu couldn't help himself after seeing such a "simple" venue.

"Oh, I see."

Lin Hai pretended to understand something, then said with a hint of embarrassment, "Your Majesty Chen Xu means that this house is not that valuable, right?"

"Well... the tiles and cement produced in Qinghe are certainly expensive. I've heard this before. But your Excellency, the Ling Yang next to you, when planning the budget, practically emptied the Chen Dynasty's treasury, even using up a lot of the royal treasury. Now it seems... maybe... maybe... there will be a little surplus?"

Chen Xu tried to be as tactful as possible in his words, but he actually had a big doubt in his heart: it is said that the officials of Qinghe are honest, which means that they do not embezzle their own family's money, but they really are greedy for the money of our Great Chen Dynasty.

"Your Majesty Chen Xu, be careful with your words!"

Ling Yang stood up from the side.

Since Ling Yang had been in charge of the actual government affairs of the Chen Dynasty for a long time, he not only lived next to the Chen Dynasty palace, but even the Chen Dynasty emperor's jade seal was in Ling Yang's hands. If Lin Hai had not repeatedly emphasized the need to give Chen Xu the most basic respect, Ling Yang would not even let Chen Xu know how many decrees he had issued in his name.

So for Chen Xu, Lin Hai, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, might not be that scary, but Ling Yang, who had to meet with ministers in the palace every day to arrange government affairs and especially liked to stroll around the palace with a few Qinghe guards after meals to digest his food, was much scarier.

"Ah... well, Lord Lingyang, please don't misunderstand me. I'm just curious. Well, it's just curiosity. You know, I'm not familiar with prices. This... maybe I misunderstood."

Chen Xu explained with sweat on his forehead.

"Okay, don't be so fierce."

Lin Hai briefly stopped Ling Yang, then gently said to Chen Xu, "Your Majesty Chen Xu's estimate of prices is correct. The so-called Qinghe specialty, reinforced concrete tiles, are actually all fired in kilns near Liming City, so they really can't be considered expensive."

Lin Hai waved his hand, stopping Chen Xu from explaining further, and said, "As for the money, you can rest assured. We spent every penny, but it was all spent where it was needed. This Dawn City and the conference venue are indeed a bit simple, but the accompanying projects are very expensive. Not to mention the funds already allocated from the Chen Dynasty's Ministry of Revenue, in order to continue the construction, we still need additional investment. But don't worry, the subsequent investment will be shared by the participating forces. There is absolutely no reason to let the Chen Dynasty alone bear it."

After hearing Lin Hai's explanation, Chen Xu felt a mixture of emotions. The good news was that the subsequent funding wouldn't just target him, but the bad news was that there were still follow-up projects...

I have a meeting today, and there are still follow-up projects?!

"This... the meeting agenda only lasts a few days, right? Why don't we just make do with it and keep it simple? Then we won't need the follow-up projects, right? Besides, I don't seem to see any sign of this ancillary project."

Chen Xu pinched the bleeding point in his heart hard to prevent himself from dying from heavy bleeding, and said this while looking as aggrieved as possible.

"Oh, the auxiliary project has little to do with the meeting, and it's not in Dawn City."

"What is that?"

"It's just the defense lines surrounding the entire Abyss, the supply warehouses, the military camps, the fortresses, and the like. It's not worth mentioning."

"Your Majesty Lin Hai, why do you want to..."

"Your Majesty, there's no need to panic. After this meeting, you'll understand why. Rest assured, once we reach a consensus, we will become a closely united collective. There may be disputes within this collective, but there will definitely be no bloodshed. While the Chen Dynasty will assume certain obligations, it will also receive corresponding rights."

Lin Hai explained patiently.

Now Chen Xu felt that he understood.

It was simple. He had already paid, so as long as he supported Lin Hai's decision at the meeting—which was nothing more than making him the leader of the alliance, what else could it be?—then his life would be guaranteed, and he would be able to gradually regain power.

That's enough.

As for the money spent from the national treasury?

Bah, what money?

That was originally His Majesty Lin Hai’s money!

Besides, as long as the power remains and the millions of people of the Chen Dynasty are still there, how could there be a lack of money in the future!

As an emperor, you must have a long-term vision and never ruin your life for the sake of a little bit of profit.

"I understand. I will definitely give my full support to His Majesty Lin Hai."

Chen Xu, who felt he understood everything, said immediately.

As for the others behind him, Lin Hai could probably hear what they were saying, but since it was really unimportant, he was too lazy to waste energy explaining. Instead, he pointed his finger and said to the crowd:

"Everyone, please."