Diaochan looked up at the man's face, sneering inwardly, thinking he was a fool who didn't know his limits, truly believing Ye Feng had no backing without the Chu King's Mansion.
"Fine, let me see when exactly the Chu King issued this IOU?" Diaochan took out the IOU, glanced at it, and then tossed it onto the table with a light laugh. "You know perfectly well where this came from, there's no need for such tactics!"
"Madam, are you perhaps intending to welsh on the debt!" The clan leader of the prominent families, seeing no movement from the coffin, felt even more certain of Ye Feng's demise and spoke without hesitation!
In an instant, the clan leader's hunched posture seemed to straighten a bit. Diaochan calmly clapped her hands, and immediately, people carried in gold and silver treasures, silently piling them before Diaochan.
Soon, the treasures in the main hall far exceeded the value of the IOU. The clan leader swallowed, his greed evident. "Since Madam has the money, please settle the debt. Otherwise, if this gets out, it will damage the reputation of the Chu King's Mansion. How will Madam decide?"
Staring at his sly eyes, Diaochan curled her lips slightly and spoke slowly, "So you think so. You believe this allows you to control this Madam?"
"Hmm? What does Madam mean? I am the head of a wealthy clan, am I here to freeload?" The clan leader cursed fiercely. "Madam truly thinks of others with the same low opinion you hold yourself!"
"Clan Leader, please look?" Diaochan gently lifted the lid. "Are these gold and silver treasures enough? Compared to how much your clan possesses, is the IOU still sufficient?"
"Enough," the clan leader straightened his expression. "Of course, it's enough. But does Madam truly believe I acted for money? How laughable!"
"Then for what did the Clan Leader act? Can you explain it to me clearly?" Diaochan reprimanded. "Or is it to embarrass me?"
"I thought since the Chu King ensured the people of Liangzhou had enough to eat and drink, you would surely respect him. At the very least, you wouldn't trouble a mere woman like me. Yet, you are so aggressive. What does this grand Chu King's Mansion mean to you?"
Diaochan's eyebrows shot up, her expression stern, suddenly exuding the aura of a valiant woman, causing the clan leader to subconsciously take a step back.
"That can't be said entirely. After all, we are all concerned for the Chu King's reputation. If this matter were to be discovered by someone with ulterior motives, I fear the Chu King's wisdom would be questioned!" The clan leader sighed heavily. "We are all acting for the Chu King's reputation, yet Madam suspects us in this way. We are truly disheartened!"
Seeing their heads bowed, Diaochan knew exactly what they were plotting. She mocked coldly, "You are indeed skilled!"
"Very well, if you wish to spread this matter, then do so," Diaochan's voice suddenly rose. "I wish to see what the people will think when they learn the Chu King incurred debt for them! Moreover, the authenticity of this IOU is debatable!"
Her words cast a shadow over the clan leaders' faces. If Diaochan acted as she said, they would not only fail to collect the debt but would also inadvertently boost the Chu King's Mansion's prestige. Worse still, it could incite another uprising!
This was not an idle threat. The rebels who had previously revolted were still on alert outside Liangzhou. If it came to conflict, they couldn't guarantee if anyone would even tend to the fields.
After contemplating this, a cold sweat broke out on them. They quickly said, "Madam, is that truly what you intend?"
"What a strange turn of events. You came to the Chu King's Mansion, and now it's my problem. What a clever scheme!" Diaochan cursed. "If you want to act, then come!"
"If you want this gold and silver, take it. Why are you lingering here!" Diaochan said coldly.
At this, some clan leaders realized they couldn't afford to offend the Chu King's Mansion and hastily retreated. However, greed still held sway, and some clan leaders persisted, unwilling to leave.
"Take it!" Diaochan roared. "What are you waiting for?"
Instantly, the clan leaders surged forward. Just as they were about to act, Diaochan reached out and pressed down on the chests, "Wait!"
"Has Madam perhaps changed her mind? We will naturally agree and leave now!" the clan leader quickly said. "Madam, please think carefully. It's not easy for a mere woman to manage such a grand Chu King's Mansion!"
"On the contrary, I only wish to ask you all, what if one day the Chu King tells me that no such debt existed? Have you all considered the consequences?" Diaochan asked chillingly!
The clan leaders' faces relaxed. Diaochan had given them an out and also preserved their dignity. They cupped their hands and quickly said, "If the Chu King declares that these IOUs do not exist, we are willing to compensate tenfold. We will certainly send money to the Chu King's Mansion!"
"You know in your hearts what the Chu King truly desires," Diaochan asked coldly. The clan leaders exchanged glances and immediately provided their answer.
"We are willing to hand over the land for the Chu King's Mansion to manage," one clan leader calmly stated.
In his heart, he considered this a mere formality, as Ye Feng lay there, seemingly beyond recovery. The thought of him waking up was like a pipe dream.
"Good. If that day ever comes, this money will be your compensation!" Diaochan declared with a wave of her hand, agreeing to their terms.
The clan leaders hastily cupped their hands and cautiously directed their subordinates to carry the gold and silver treasures out of the Chu King's Mansion. The heavy gates were closed behind them. Diaochan followed them to the gates of the Chu King's Mansion and smiled faintly.
"Now that you are all here, shouldn't you leave a document for me, so I have something to show?"
Diaochan's words made everyone ponder. After a while, they hastily agreed.
It wasn't for any other reason; with Ye Feng gone, who else would support the Chu King's Mansion? They could only say that the Chu King died at a good time.
Having gained their advantage, what harm was there in providing a document? After careful consideration, they let down their guard and, after quickly perusing the document Diaochan presented and confirming it had no loopholes, they hastily signed it.
"Safe travels, everyone. If the Chu King awakens, he will surely visit your respective mansions to discuss the matter of these documents. I have also kept the IOUs safe. If any of you regret this, you are welcome to return for further discussion!" Diaochan smiled faintly and bowed.
The clan leaders' hearts skipped a beat. Could it be that Ye Feng wasn't dead? However, at this point, they had no choice but to stand together. They hurried to leave.
"Everyone, wait, there's still one matter to discuss!" A voice suddenly came from behind. The clan leaders, hearing what sounded like Ye Feng's voice, instinctively turned around and saw him standing at the entrance, smiling at them. "You all seem to care a great deal for my Chu King's Mansion. How could my lady let guests leave in such a hurry? How discourteous!"
"My King, what are you saying? Haven't I already let everyone take away so much gold and silver? Is that not enough?" Diaochan said lightly, her words sending shivers down their spines!
"Come, please enter the mansion for a chat!" Ye Feng extended his hand, a cold smile on his lips. "Gentlemen, please come in!"
The clan leaders exchanged glances, knowing there was no escape. Whether they faced it head-on or tried to evade it, the outcome was the same. They might as well enter the Chu King's Mansion. They sat nervously on their chairs.
"Chu King!" Someone, unsure who, spoke first. "We..."
Before the words were out, Ye Feng cupped his hands first. "Speaking of which, this King must thank you all. If it weren't for the physicians you found, this King might not have woken up so quickly!"
"Not woken up so quickly, rather than unable to wake up?" They realized Ye Feng knew their every move.
Instantly, everyone's faces turned grim, as if they could already see themselves being extorted by Ye Feng. They sat restlessly.
When Lu Bu saw Ye Feng standing there, tears welled up in his eyes. "My King, how have you come back to life?"
"Scram!" Ye Feng sneered and pushed away Lu Bu, who was rushing towards him. "This King still prefers beauties!"
Diaochan's cheeks flushed. "My Lord, I truly didn't know when these IOUs were issued. I could only honor them first. My Lord won't blame me, will he?"
"How could I blame my beautiful lady? My lady has done an excellent job. The rest will be handled by this King!" Ye Feng lightly stroked Diaochan's chin. "My lady, please go and rest. This King will take care of things here!"
"Then I leave everything to you, my Lord!" Diaochan placed all the papers and deeds on the table in the main hall. "My Lord, please don't forget our agreement!"
"I certainly will not!" Ye Feng turned back and promised. He coughed lightly. "Gentlemen, please first clarify when exactly this King incurred these debts!"
These were forged, intended to extort a fortune while Ye Feng was supposedly dead. Who could have imagined Ye Feng would come back to life? At that moment, the teacups in the hands of the clan leaders trembled.
"My King, we were merely concerned for the Chu King's Mansion's reputation. Now that Your Majesty has awakened, we naturally have no further concerns. We will return the assets!" One person stood up and turned to leave.
Ye Feng saw an opportunity to acquire the land through negotiation, and moreover, legitimately. Diaochan had also sent the gold and silver outside, eliminating any possibility of them regretting their decision. How could he easily let them renege?
"What are you gentlemen saying? That gold and silver are still outside, guarded by your subordinates. Do you still intend to go back on your word? Do you truly think this Chu King's Mansion is made of mud?" Ye Feng sneered and lightly clapped his hands. Lu Bu led his men to surround the clan leaders.
"Ye Feng, do you think you can control everything in Liangzhou? We advise you to let us go, and we can coexist peacefully!" A clan leader stood up and cursed. "Otherwise, I will ensure your reputation is ruined!"
"If you want this King's reputation ruined, gentlemen should think again about who will ultimately possess this land. Will they say this King is cruel-hearted!" Ye Feng lightly waved the document in his hand. "Moreover, with these documents, who will the people ultimately believe?"
The clan leaders' faces changed drastically. But undeniably, Ye Feng was speaking the truth. "Please send word to your subordinates to bring all the land deeds. Only then can you leave the Chu King's Mansion safely. Otherwise, this King cannot guarantee what might happen!"
Ye Feng tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "I will give you three sticks of incense time. Do not miss this opportunity!"