Zhang Rong continued, "Tell all those who donated money to the rebels that I will only give them one day to raise the money. Those who fail to do so will be regarded as rebelling against the imperial court!"

The officials all looked embarrassed.

Especially those officials who did not donate money but left their names on the list.

They originally intended to take advantage of the imperial court, but unexpectedly ended up getting themselves covered in shit.

Just when they were at a loss, Zhang Rong looked at the prefect of Dongchang Prefecture and said, "As far as I know, the prefect also donated money, right?"

"Your humble servant..."

Zhang Rong waved his hand to stop him and said, "No need to explain. You are an official appointed by the court. You must have been forced to donate money because of the threat from the rebels, right?"

Seeing Zhang Rong taking the initiative to give way, the prefect of Dongchang Prefecture immediately said with emotion: "Your Excellency the Admiral is very perceptive! In order to raise money and grain, Zhu Guobi threatened the lives of his family members and forced me to donate money. For the sake of my family's lives, I have no choice but to do as he says."

Zhang Rong nodded and looked at the others: "Is this the case for everyone here?"

"Yes, yes, what the admiral said is absolutely right."

“We were all forced to donate money.”

"You, the Admiral, are very perceptive and are truly a pillar of our dynasty!"

Faced with everyone's flattery, Zhang Rong just smiled faintly.

He did not do this simply to spare these officials.

Instead, he wanted to use these officials to raise money and food to deal with local gentry.

He only had more than a thousand people.

Without the help of local officials, he would not be able to raise enough money and food even if he worked himself to death, let alone deal with the local gentry.

So he had to win over these officials.

After the hall quieted down again, Zhang Rong said, "The main force of the government army will arrive soon and they are in urgent need of money and food. Why don't you notify the people on the list immediately and ask them to prepare money and food?"

All the officials stood up and responded in unison: "Yes!"

The officials were very efficient and informed the whole city of the news in less than half a day.

Ordinary people and small vendors honestly took out silver and prepared to atone their sins.

Many wealthy gentry refused to cooperate, relying on the fact that they or their relatives had once served as officials in the court.

"Donate money to atone for sins? My money was taken away by the rebels, how can I be said to be guilty?"

"Yes, there is no need to atone for your sins if you are not guilty!"

"I am a close friend of the Prime Minister, Lord Xie. I will write a letter right now and tell Lord Xie about their crimes."

"This is tyranny! Let's unite and resist tyranny!"

......

One day later.

Zhang Rong, the governor of the Eastern Depot, returned to Dongchang Prefecture again.

More than a thousand soldiers returned with him.

Zhang Rong first ordered the soldiers in the city to go out for training, and then let his own people take over the city defense.

He then ordered the arrest of people in the city.

Anyone who donates money to the rebels but not to the government troops in the capital will be arrested.

In just half a day, Zhang Rong captured hundreds of people.

In addition to the gentry and landlords, there were also many businessmen.

But there were very few common people.

Bolo asked Zhang Rong, "May I ask how the Admiral will deal with these people?"

"Haha," Zhang Rong snorted and asked back, "What do you think?"

"I think we should kill the chicken to scare the monkey."

Zhang Rong said without even looking up: "Then kill him!"

Bolo hesitated for a moment and then continued to ask: "Kill... kill how many?"

Zhang Rong extended his right index finger.

Boro guessed: "Kill one?"

"No," Zhang Rong shook his head, "Don't leave any one behind."

"Ah?" Boro was so frightened that he was speechless. "Kill... kill how many?"

Zhang Rong glanced at him and said, "What? Kill them all. Go and execute the order."

"But...""

"No buts, even if the sky falls, I will hold it up."

Bolo swallowed and accepted the order.

At three quarters past noon that day, hundreds of people were beheaded.

Their property was also confiscated.

Gold, silver, jewelry and the like can be used directly as money, but antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and real estate and houses cannot be used as money.

Zhang Rong’s method is very simple.

He sold the land at a discount to the land bureau, asking them to rent it to the people or sell it to the people.

The Land Department did not have enough money.

In order to repay Zhang Rong in time, they planned to borrow money from local government, wealthy families or Ming Dynasty money houses.

But what I didn't expect was.

As the land price was at a low discount, landless people rushed to buy it.

They bring in a lot of cash flow.

Although it is not possible to purchase the land in full, it is enough for the Land Bureau to deal with emergencies.

Part of the jewels and antiques seized during the house search were divided up among Zhang Rong, Bolo and local officials.

This is a gratuity.

It had already obtained Chongzhen's tacit approval.

It can not only keep people silent, but also motivate officials to work hard.

The remaining jewels and antiques were collected by Zhang Rong and quietly packed up and sent to the capital.

When the news from Dongchang Prefecture spread, there was an uproar.

Ordinary people were just watching the show and were not afraid.

After all, not many civilians died.

The gentry, landlords and businessmen felt as if the sky had fallen.

They never expected that Zhang Rong would kill people, and kill so many people.

Now they realize that Zhang Rong does not abide by the unspoken rule that the law does not punish the masses.

To survive.

Someone took out money in advance and was ready to compromise with Zhang Rong.

After all, as long as you cooperate, you won't die.

Some people began to pack their bags, preparing to flee south with Zhu Guobi.

Some people even completely sided with the Nanjing court, supporting Zhu Guobi and Ma Shiying by providing money, food, and even manpower.

What a pity.

Zhu Guobi is a pile of mud that cannot be propped up against a wall.

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