Munitions Empire

Chapter 481 464 scoops of rice and jug of soup_3

They believed they had given sufficient bribes to officials and thought that even just outside King City, there must be some rule of law. They paid taxes on time yet suffered from extortion, so they felt there should at least be a way to survive.

But the truth was cruel: despite their efforts, they still ended up with nothing—like chickens flying and eggs smashed.

"Make way! This place now belongs to Zheng Country!" the leading officer said with a smirk, shouting without any hesitation.

This time, Zheng Tong's order to them was to confiscate those factories and workshops, turning them all into his private property. His decree was very vague, giving his subordinates a lot of room to maneuver when carrying out his orders.

Originally, Zheng Tong had intended to conscript heavy industry workshops, including metallurgy and steel furnaces, gun and cannon foundries—to support his military preparations.

But as his subordinates executed the orders, the outcome changed; profitable civilian workshops naturally suffered the same fate.

The workshop before them was just like that. They were the largest leather processing workshop near King City, boasting over 1000 craftsmen. Making money was certainly possible.

With a hastily found excuse—claiming the site could become a production place for military belts—Zheng Tong's trusted guards appropriated the workshop for themselves.

Around King City, not a single notable workshop was spared! Vinegar brewers, salt dryers, weavers, millers—all were forcibly conscripted, turned into private property of the royal family.

Amid the chaos, Zheng Tong had thoroughly lost the hearts of the merchants this time. Zhang Ming hurried to request an audience, but Zheng Tong ignored him under the guise of another excuse, leaving the entire King City in a state of panic.

They were unaware that Linshui City had already changed rulers; they didn't know that in many places the Dragon Banner was already flying high. But as time passed, they would eventually find out—a storm was coming.

As Zheng Tong sent his confidants to take control of even larger factories further afield, Zhang Ming finally got his chance to face Zheng Tong. Enjoy more content from empire

This powerful official, although a threat to Zheng Tong's royal authority, still had some capabilities. Upon meeting, he immediately advised Zheng Tong, "Your Majesty! Doing this, I fear you may harm the people's sentiment!"

He approached the guard and asked, "Tell me, where is Minister Pang now? Why has he not come to report this to His Majesty?"

The guard glanced at Zheng Tong, lowered his head, and replied, "Responding to the Prime Minister... I also couldn't find Minister Pang..."

"Find him immediately! I must see him alive, or his body if he's dead!" Zheng Tong snapped out of it, slammed the table, and ordered, "Go quickly! Take as many people as needed!"

Just then, another officer stumbled in, shouting in terror, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! A telegram from Great General Li! Linshui—Linshui City... it's lost!"

"What!" Zhang Ming was shocked beyond measure.

"What?" Zheng Tong took three steps in two to approach, snatching the telegram, and reading the contents clearly.

Originally, Zheng Tong had dispatched Li Jun to Linshui to personally oversee the seizure of the largest industrial area near Linshui Port in Zheng Country.

But who would have thought that Li Jun would hear news of Linshui being occupied by Great Tang Group while on his way there?

"It's over..." A thought flashed through Zhang Ming's mind.

"This, this..." Zheng Tong staggered, supported by a nearby guard, barely keeping his balance.

Amidst the chaos, the war between the Great Tang Kingdom and Zheng Country broke out.

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Dragon Spirit is still recovering from illness, feeling weak, and can only update one chapter. Please forgive the sparse updates; it seems like the debt of owed chapters is growing.

Being ill, my appetite isn't great, and because I'm not in a good mood, I had a light dinner—BBQ ribs, stewed beef, braised prawns, eggplant in soy sauce, shredded potatoes, marinated duck gizzards, stir-fried cabbage, raw fish slices, fried meatballs, and peanuts... and even drank a bottle of cola...