His clansmen thought that with his backing, while they may not get exceedingly brazen, they were certainly blatant. Ultimately, he knocked some sense into them a few times, advising them not to go too far, which finally curbed them a little.
But the Emperor simply watched the situation unfold without intervening. When the time came, estimating that they'd amassed a significant amount of Silver, he'd have them hand it over.
This would fill the National Treasury and also harshly deal with the clansmen, achieving two goals with one move. Gaining both reputation and tangible benefits.
Xia Qing shivered involuntarily, having forgotten the brutal tactics the Emperor employed in his youth.
In recent years, as the Emperor aged, his manner grew gentler, causing him to gradually forget the Emperor's cunning and ruthlessness.
However, through the case of Wan Xue Nian and Song Shuqing, one could catch a glimpse.
