His voice was clear and resonant, carrying a unique magnetic quality, yet underpinned by an undeniable, bone-deep chill.

"You may rise, Our faithful servant," Emperor Xia Lin Yuan's voice held a trace of barely concealed reliance.

 "Today's council concerns the severe drought in the three northern provinces and the set of the refugees. What proposals do my ministers have?"

No sooner had he spoken than an elderly minister in crimson robes, with a gaunt and stern face, strode forward. 

This was Lin Wenzheng, the Grand Tutor and the recognized leader of the traditionalist, 'virtuous' faction at court.

"Your Majesty!" Lin Wenzheng's voice boomed, laden with theatrical grief.

 "The three northern provinces are a desolate wasteland! The fields are cracked earth, the roads littered with the dead! The living have been driven to unspeakable horrors! Millions of refugees cry out for food. If the court fails to act decisively, widespread rebellion is inevitable! It will shake the very foundations of the Empire!"

His tone sharpened, his finger pointing accusingly at Liang Jing.

 "Yet, the imperial treasury is empty! The granaries are bare! And why? Because the agents of the Eastern Depot run rampant, imposing cruel taxes and lining their own pockets with the people's wealth! The lifeblood of this nation is being sucked dry by parasites within! I implore Your Majesty, issue an edict at once to investigate the Ministry of Revenue, punish corruption severely, and disband redundant institutions that foster this rot!"

His "redundant institutions" were a clear reference to the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Secretariat.

"I second the Grand Tutor's motion!"

"The Grand Tutor speaks truth! May Your Majesty judge wisely!"

Officials of the traditionalist faction poured from the ranks, kneeling in a united, imposing display.

On the throne, Xia Lin Yuan's brow furrowed deeply, his gaze instinctively seeking out Liang Jing, full of silent inquiry.

Liang Jing sneered inwardly. 

This old fox knows how to play the blame game. The northern drought was real. 

The empty treasury was also true. 

But pinning all the filth solely on his Eastern Depot? 

Did they truly think him weak?

The original Liang Jing would have either retorted with a venomous, subtle threat or simply had his Eastern Depot agents fabricate charges and drag a few of the loudest complainers away to the dungeons.

But... he was now Liang Jing, bound to the Path of the Righteous System.

Spend gold. Get returns. Slap them down. 

Earn Righteous Points!

He raised a hand slightly. 

The entire hall fell silent instantly, all eyes drawn to that impossibly elegant, yet power-laden hand.

"Grand Tutor Lin's concern for the Empire and its people is... commendable," Liang Jing began, his voice unnervingly calm, betraying no emotion. 

"The northern disaster is indeed our most pressing priority."

Lin Wenzheng stiffened, clearly taken aback by this response. 

No fury? No retaliation? Instead, agreement? 

Had the viper grown a conscience?

Liang Jing ignored his shock and continued flatly, "However, the Grand Tutor's suggestions—disbanding institutions, investigating corruption—are long-term solutions. They are a distant pond for a fire raging now. Millions of refugees cannot wait that long."

He turned to the Emperor on his throne and offered a slight bow. 

"Your Majesty, the immediate task is to raise funds and supplies for relief. Now."

Xia Lin Yuan leaned forward. "Do you have a strategy, Our servant?"

A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Liang Jing's lips. 

On his devastatingly handsome face, it should have been a delightful sight, but it only sent a fresh wave of unease through the court.

"I am willing to donate my entire personal fortune," Liang Jing declared, his voice ringing clear in the stunned silence, "and I will call upon the nobles and wealthy merchants of the capital to contribute as well, to ease this immediate crisis."

"What?!"

The hall erupted in disbelief.

Liang Jing was donating his entire fortune? 

Had the man lost his mind? 

Everyone knew the Shadow Hand's wealth was legendary, his personal coffers rumored to rival, if not surpass, the state treasury itself! 

He would part with it?

Lin Wenzheng snorted with derision. 

"A conveniently grand gesture, Commander! Everyone knows of your vast wealth. But these are just words! Proof is what matters! And even if you did donate, what could one man's fortune do? It would be a drop in the ocean!"

Liang Jing had been waiting for this very line.

He looked at Lin Wenzheng with a gaze of profound calm, as if observing a minor jester. 

"Oh? And how much silver, in the Grand Tutor's expert opinion, would be required to quell this 'fire'?"

Lin Wenzheng felt a jolt of unease under that gaze, but he had to press on. 

"At least... at least three million taels of silver! And that does not include the funds needed for subsequent comfort and rebuilding!"

Three million taels! 

A number so vast it sent a wave of despair through the assembled officials. 

A collective gasp echoed under the high ceiling.

But Liang Jing smiled. 

It was a smile like ice thawing under a spring sun, breathtakingly beautiful yet sharp enough to cut.

"Three million taels... a significant sum indeed," he nodded gently. Then, he dropped his bombshell with lethal nonchalance.

 "Then, I, your humble servant, shall donate five million taels to set the example."

"F-FIVE million?!"

The Golden Hall descended into pure chaos.

Even Emperor Xia Lin Yuan shot upright on his Dragon Throne, staring at Liang Jing with utter incredulity.

Lin Wenzheng was struck dumb, his finger trembling as he pointed at Liang Jing. 

"You... You lie! Five million taels of silver! How could you possibly produce such an amount?!"

Liang Jing ignored him completely, addressing the Emperor directly. 

"Your Majesty, I am willing to stake my honor on it. Within three days, the first installment of one million taels can be delivered to the Ministry of Revenue's vaults. It can be personally counted and verified by... hmm... let it be Grand Tutor Lin himself. How does that sound? The remaining four million will be delivered in installments over the next month."

He paused, letting his gaze sweep over the ashen-faced Lin Wenzheng once more, a hint of mockery in his tone.

 "The Grand Tutor should keep his eyes wide open then. Let him see for himself whether this 'parasite' is a liar or not."

[Ding! Host's pledge of massive donation to preserve the Great Xia Imperial Mandate confirm to 'Reasonable Expenditure' criteria. System refund calculating...]

[Calculation complete! Host's pledged donation: 5,000,000 taels. Random refund multiplier: x3.]

[Refunded Funds: 15,000,000 taels of silver. Automatically stored in system inventory. Host may withdraw via will (Restricted to Great Xia state affairs, public welfare, and host's faction development).]

[Ding! Host has successfully countered key antagonist 'Lin Wenzheng', thwarting his scheme to use the disaster to attack the host, damaging his prestige in court. Righteous Points +50.]

[Great Xia Imperial Mandate increased by +5. Current Mandate: 22 / 10000.]

A series of system notifications chimed in his mind. 

Liang Jing's heart settled into a steady, confident rhythm.

Just as I thought, he mused. 

Spend money, get an immediate return. 

Crush an antagonist instantly gain points and Mandate.

The game was on. 

And he held all the best cards.