These men are no longer the rookies who started from scratch.

  Some rely on their combat skills, others on life experience.

  Most importantly, they’re not fighting alone.

  Each of them thinks that with a team like this, ten years would be enough to sweep the world.

  Those so-called geniuses? They’re just the threshold these men have already surpassed.

  Now, the opening move requires a rge sum of money.

  After a brief discussion, they decide to rob!

  Who to rob? Naturally, whoever has the money.

  So, the question is: In the entire Tudor Dynasty, who’s got the wealth?

  The emperor, of course!

  Henwell and the others pn to seize the tax silver!

  The autumn harvest is over, and tax silver from all over is being transported to the capital.

  Henwell’s group decides to target this big shipment.

  The tax silver from the three eastern coastal provinces is huge, transported via canal to a dock about a hundred miles outside the capital.

  First, they need to confirm how much silver is on the boats, that task falls to William.

  Two days ter, the count is clear: four tax silver ships carrying a total of six million gold coins.

  Everyone is pleased with the amount. Now it’s time to pn the heist.

  Their pn is simple and brutal.

  First, find a suitable section of the river, then dive underwater to set up several rge iron cages.

  Fill the cages with stones and attach some air bdders to provide buoyancy, preventing them from sinking too deep.

  Next comes the actual robbery. This is where Henwell’s explosives come into py.

  They craft several iron shells, each packed with a kilogram of explosives, turning them into makeshift underwater mines.

  Finally, all that’s left is to wait quietly for the tax silver ships to pass by.

  Half a month ter, the tax silver ships arrive right on schedule.

  ZhangChe, having gathered moisture with his formation for nearly a month, reverses the formation just as the tax silver fleet approaches.

  Amid fierce wind and rain, the fleet descends into chaos, not even noticing the tax silver ships triggering underwater mines and sinking.

  Though each explosive contains only one kilogram of dynamite, its power is immense, and since the ships are wooden, they split in two instantly.

  All four tax silver ships and two escort vessels sink to the riverbed.

  Henwell and the others immediately dive underwater to retrieve the tax silver, transferring it into the iron cages they prepared earlier.

  All of them are top-tier professionals, able to hold their breath underwater for over two hours without issue.

  This gives them plenty of time to repce the stones in the cages with the tax silver.

  Six million gold coins weigh less than twenty tons at most.

  With the buoyancy from the air bdders reducing the load, a few of them easily drag the treasure against the current underwater.

  They surface every hour to catch their breath, taking shifts dragging the gold.

  After a full day and night, they move the silver fifty kilometers away from the scene.

  By then, they’ve brought the treasure into a branch of the canal.

  They haul it out of the water and stash it in an abandoned dry well.

  Then each person takes five hundred kilograms of gold and sets off to carry out their own missions.

  Henwell, however, takes nothing and heads straight back near the capital.

  Yu Chengbang, the Minister of Revenue, hears about the tax silver mishap and is so upset he can’t even eat. He rushes off to see what’s going on.

  When he returns that evening, he stomps around angrily, shouting, “Corrupt scoundrels! Nothing but corrupt scoundrels! How dare they be so greedy!”

  Lucy brings over his meal and asks gently, “Father, what has you so worked up?”

  Yu Chengbang snarls, “A bunch of crooks! The tax silver they handed in was all stones, and they cim it sank to the riverbed and was washed away! That’s gold! Each brick weighs thirty jin! How could river water possibly wash that away?”

  ”They’re definitely embezzling the tax silver and staging this whole scene to shirk responsibility! The emperor's health is fragile, yet these people dare act this way. Before long, I fear they’ll raise banners and rebel outright!”

  Lucy smiles softly. “Father, I think you might be misunderstanding them. I’ve heard about this too, but I believe someone really did rob the tax silver. Such a huge amount disappearing without a trace, repced entirely by stones in the boxes, it’s impossible otherwise.”

  ”The tax silver was inspected on the way, and no discrepancies were found. Clearly, someone has been eyeing this shipment for a long time, pnning carefully before striking. They swapped the gold for stones to buy enough time to escape and fence the goods.”

  Yu Chengbang, who had been furious, suddenly cracks a smile. “My daughter, I know for sure there was no embezzlement in the three southeastern provinces. But I must seize this chance to stir up trouble. Tomorrow, I’ll report them to the court. You don’t realize, every year when tax silver is brought in, there’s all kinds of adulteration and shortages.”

  ”Though small individually, it adds up. On average, the treasury loses a million gold coins annually. But I can’t just quarrel with the provincial officials over a few thousand gold, it would offend them deeply! Yet this million gold shortfall each year falls on the Ministry of Revenue to cover, and we have to cook the books. “

  ”They’re corrupt and dishonest, while I bear the risk. How can such injustice stand? This year will be different. No one can cover this up. I’ll demand pace officials supervise the counting of tax silver. Let’s see who dares cause trouble for me under the spotlight!”

  Lucy ughs, “Father, you always have the best ideas!”

  In truth, Lucy had already guessed Yu Chengbang’s real intention. She just let him show off a bit to keep her father happy.

  Yu Chengbang continues, “This time, I pn to recommend the Tenth Prince to oversee the operation. He has a military background and no connections with court officials, so no one dares to plead with him. Besides, he’s your fiancé. Since he’ll be active in the capital, I need to help him build some connections. When he’s granted his fiefdom in the future, he’ll have a good one.”

  Lucy’s expression tightens. “Isn’t it a bit unsuitable to have Nangong Ying do this? You know he’s stubborn as a mule and has a blunt temper. He’s bound to offend people.”

  Yu Chengbang ughs, “That’s why I’m stepping in! With me mediating, I’ll handle the troublemakers, and the favors will fall to your perfect fiancé.”

  Lucy falls silent. Yu Chengbang adds, “It’s settled then. Tomorrow, I’ll petition the emperor.”

  After pouring fresh tea for Yu Chengbang, Lucy takes her leave to rest.

  As she’s about to step out, Yu Chengbang calls after her, “Lucy! I know you well, you’re too clever to be with someone equally cunning. Nangong Ying is perfect. He doesn’t have those tricky schemes and truly likes you. For you, he’s the best match.”

  ”From now on, don’t associate with Nangong He. The Seventh Prince is too scheming; he’s not right for you. I can agree to all your other wishes, but not this one. I won’t let you gamble your happiness for the rest of your life.”

  Lucy bites her lip. “I understand, Father.”