8. Accounts

"The Prime Minister has spoken, and his word must be upheld. Even if I resign from my position, I must submit this memorial!" Sun Jia pushed away the yamen servant who was holding him back and turned to leave, leaving the hall in complete silence

"Impudent!" Huang Xiyuan scolded, "Someone, take him away."

Xiao Se's expression darkened, "Naturally, it was transported to the clouds. This is an expense that has been used up, and there is no need for a detailed account. You keep asking, are you afraid that I have embezzled it?"

Sun Jia is a northern official personally promoted by Xiao Se in Chuyang. He is astute, capable, and full of enthusiasm. If it were not for his young age and insufficient reputation, he should have been appointed as a deputy minister.

Sun Jiayang said: "Although the Prime Minister has the Emperor's decree, the Ministry of Revenue has also been authorized by Emperor Gaozu. Any items that the Ministry of Revenue deems inappropriate may not be signed."

It is not to be used lightly; this is to address the current needs of the nation

I do not dare to presume. As for the funds prepared for expenses, there is no need for detailed accounts; it is sufficient to indicate the purpose. If the Minister of State could briefly mention how these funds are intended to be used, it would help me keep the accounts in order

Qing Tong angrily said: "You speak so easily. Do you not know that this is all saved bit by bit by the common people from their meager resources? Three hundred thousand, how many farming households would it take to cultivate for a year to accumulate this much?"

Qing Tong angrily said: "Not cultivating? What if the people of Xizhan invade?"

Sun Jia showed a difficult expression and said: "It is very difficult. The remaining available silver amounts to a total of 537,000 taels, while the capital urgently needs over 400,000 taels, leaving only about 100,000 taels."

Xiao Se seemed unable to detect her anger and responded in agreement: "Indeed, although Yizhou is prosperous, it also suffers from severe exploitation; it is not easy for a province to contribute three hundred thousand."

Huang Xiyuan spoke with difficulty, saying: "Prime Minister, you are magnanimous; could you refrain from taking offense at him? He does not mean to target you. This person is earnest and hardworking, though he has a somewhat stubborn temperament. I will have him come to your door tomorrow to apologize."

The Emperor grants me the authority to freely allocate funds, and any amount within one million taels does not require prior approval. There is no need for you to be verbose; just carry out the orders without delay, so as not to hinder important matters

Xiao Se said: "Sun Jia, you are afraid of taking responsibility, so I will write you an order. If there are any mistakes, I will take the blame. It's just a few hundred thousand taels, which is merely a drop in the bucket in Taicang. In two months, when the grain silver arrives, you can make up for it. My official position is far higher than yours, and if anything happens, we will bear the consequences, so you need not say more."

A dozen officials from the Ministry of Revenue hurriedly got up and exited. Although the one with the fiery blue eyes was glaring only at Xiao Se, this was the main hall of the Ministry of Revenue, and Huang Xiyuan was uncertain whether the emperor had come to find him. In his hesitation, he was a step too late, and he saw the one with the blue eyes ascend the steps, grabbing Xiao Se by the collar and shouting: "What is the matter with you? I instructed you to use the funds for repairing the border city in Yunzhong, but you used them to send gifts to the Xizhan people!"

Xiao Se moved his neck slightly, picked up the newspaper beside him and glanced at it, saying: "Oh, it's this! I know, I presented it to Your Majesty only after reading it. I also find this matter quite unfortunate."

Do you dare to defy the imperial decree

Xiao Se! Qing Tong, in a fit of anger, exclaimed, "Is this how you are going to deal with me?"

Sun Jia's voice of surprise came from the side room, "Your Majesty?" Then followed a chaotic sound of kneeling and pleading for forgiveness

Xiao Se appeared somewhat fatigued; this was the third government office he had visited today. After the officials from the Ministry of Revenue finished verifying the account books, Xiao Se nodded and said: "Hmm, I have a general understanding of the situation. Is the Ministry of Revenue prepared for the second batch of five hundred thousand taels of silver and grain to be sent to Yunzhong?"

Dayuan received the news approximately ten days later. Qing Tong was still organizing the accounts and had thought of several ways to cut costs. Just as she was weighing her options, the minister on duty at Hongwen Hall rushed in holding a memorial, saying: "Your Majesty, there is an urgent matter!"

The people in the room had just hurriedly stood up when Qing Tong, dressed in casual clothes and with an angry expression, rushed in. With a wave of her hand to the flustered crowd, she commanded, "You all get out!"

Qing Tong let out an "oh" as she took it, glancing at it. She seemed unable to believe her eyes, and after widening her eyes to take a closer look, she couldn't help but exclaim in anger: "Where is the Prime Minister?"

"Your Majesty is correct, then let us not proceed with the repairs for now," Xiao Se said with a relaxed expression, adding leisurely, "When Your Majesty initially proposed the repairs to the city, I had my reservations. The border city in the clouds is in severe disrepair, and the 300,000 is barely enough to repair just Hulin Pass. Without the presence of the Dingyuan Army's main camp, even if Hulin Pass were repaired, it would only be able to fend off small bands of bandits, unable to withstand a large army. Moreover, due to last year's turmoil and famine, the local populace has been largely scattered, making it difficult to recruit labor and to ensure supplies, which complicates the repairs even further. Without the Dingyuan Army's main camp, even if Hulin Pass were repaired, it would only be able to fend off small bands of bandits, unable to withstand a large army. Furthermore, last year's turmoil and famine have left the local populace nearly extinct, making it difficult to recruit labor and to ensure supplies, which complicates the repairs even further. Currently, repairing the city would yield little return for great effort, making it a thankless task."

Is it enough to just make up for it?" Qing Tong glared at him angrily and said, "Winter is approaching, which is the most dangerous time in the clouds. If this sum of money is lost, even if you send over five hundred thousand, it may not be enough to repair the city in time.

The current Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was originally a minor official in the ministry. During the Ningyan Rebellion, he remained unyielding and sustained serious injuries. In recognition of his bravery, he was promoted to the fourth rank Deputy Minister, but due to health reasons, he was unable to perform his duties normally. Sun Jia, holding the title of Assistant Minister, effectively carried out the responsibilities of the Deputy Minister of Revenue. Huang Xiyuan, being advanced in age, relied heavily on him, delegating a significant portion of the tasks that were supposed to be handled by the Minister to Sun Jia. It was well understood that Sun Jia's promotion was only a matter of time, so there was no objection to him representing the Ministry of Revenue in reporting to the Prime Minister. Huang Xiyuan, being advanced in age, relied heavily on him, delegating a significant portion of the tasks that were supposed to be handled by the Minister to Sun Jia. It was well understood that Sun Jia's promotion was only a matter of time, so there was no objection to him representing the Ministry of Revenue in reporting to the Prime Minister.

You were instructed to act discreetly, yet you made a grand display of it, spreading the word around, and surprisingly, some are saying that we intend to relocate the population to the north. Three hundred thousand taels of silver have turned into two million taels of silver and five hundred thousand piculs of grain. How can the people of Xizhan not feel envious upon hearing this? We have just received a report from the border; look, look! Three hundred thousand taels of silver have all been seized by the people of Xizhan. " Qing Tong released his grip and threw the border report directly at him. Three hundred thousand taels of silver have all been seized by the people of Xizhan. " Qing Tong released his grip and threw the border report directly at him.

"Then why are you wasting this money?" These words were squeezed out from between the teeth

I do not dare, but I dare not disobey the orders of His Majesty the Great Ancestor.

"How can it be said to be wasteful? It is precisely because we need to repair the city that this money is sent to the clouds. Being robbed is an accident, not waste." Xiao Se's expression remained calm.

At that moment, the constable standing at the door exclaimed, "Who are you? This is the main hall of the Ministry of Revenue, and you cannot enter without permission..."

With a pale face and green eyes, she suspected that Xiao Se intended to infuriate her to death

Your Majesty intends to engage in battle with the Xizhan? Very well, but preparations must be made thoroughly. However, if a battle is indeed to occur, Yunzhong will be the first to bear the brunt, and the border city must be repaired as quickly as possible. I shall urge the Ministry of Revenue to expedite the process. As for the rumors, it is difficult to keep them under wraps; it is likely that there will still be looting. It would be better to prepare several sums of silver and dispatch them along different routes. Even if one route is looted, there will still be others. I do not believe that the Xizhan people can loot them all at once.

Xiao Se did not argue, smiling as he looked at her. Qing Tong sighed, thinking it should not be too serious. Just now, after a bout of roaring, she had vented some of her anger, but as soon as she thought of the consequences of this money being stolen, her anger flared up again. Moreover, there was no need to control her temper in front of a trusted confidant like Xiao Se.

Is this just about money? she called out again, I don't believe you can't see how much trouble has been caused by the theft of these three hundred thousand. I was just newly ascended to the throne when Xi Zhan stole the money, and if there is no gesture of any kind, then my authority will be lost. But given the current situation in the country, how can I make a gesture? What do you suggest I do? Should I send a formal letter to Xi Zhan to demand the money back? What if they refuse? Am I supposed to fight them?

Xiao Se interrupted him, saying, "We cannot wait for two months. I will give you another ten days. You must prepare five hundred thousand taels of silver to be sent to Yunzhong. If it is truly impossible, you may first draw from the reserves in Taicang."

With a faint smile, he said, "There is no need for apologies. If there were not even one person with such a temperament in the Ministry of Revenue, that would indeed be unfortunate"

Sun Jia! Huang Xiyuan exclaimed. His small official, unexpectedly confronting the Prime Minister in public, was certainly quite inappropriate. He intended to defend his beloved subordinate and said, "The Ministry of Revenue is not yet under your authority; you may leave. I will discuss this matter with the Prime Minister."

Sun Jia sternly said: "This is absolutely unacceptable. Once this precedent is set, anyone with a higher official position than mine will have to draw from the Grand Treasury, and the Grand Treasury of the Great Garden will certainly leave no silver behind."

Sun Jia struggled and shouted: "Prime Minister! If you make use of the Grand Warehouse, I will find a way to submit a memorial against you!"

"What an unexpected turn of events!" Qing Tong exclaimed angrily, "Before leaving, I specifically warned you that the border would not be peaceful and advised you to be cautious. If it weren't for the lack of safety, would I need to have you, the Prime Minister, take charge of the city repairs? You can't even handle such a small matter? I trusted you, and what did you do? You only sent a handful of people for transportation, and the news leaked out early. Do you understand the importance of speed in military affairs? You moved like a snail, giving others ample time to prepare. Making such a foolish mistake, of course, I have to take responsibility from you. Do you still dare to tell me this was an accident? Then what is within your control?"

"Let him go." Xiao Se glanced at him and said, "How come I didn't notice your bad temper in Chuyang? Aren't you going to report me? A fifth-rank official's memorial won't make it to the Emperor's desk. You can write it now, and if it's well done, I will submit it for you."

The officials of the Ministry of Revenue exchanged glances, feeling somewhat awkward, as the Chancellor held a high position and wielded significant power, leaving them at a loss for words. Huang Xiyuan cleared his throat, preparing to offer some advice, but Xiao Se waved his hand and said: "Lord Huang, there is no need to discuss this matter further. The expenditure of several hundred thousand taels is of great importance to me and cannot be saved. Let us verify again the three million five hundred thousand taels spent by the Ministry of Works over the past six months..."

Your Majesty advised me to be cautious, so I have taken special care to proceed with utmost caution. Being careful naturally slows down the pace, and with so many supplies, it is also difficult to maintain strict confidentiality. I regret this matter as well, thus I have ordered the Ministry of Revenue to immediately allocate five hundred thousand taels of silver to be sent to Yunzhong

Then it is better to proceed with the repairs. I will go and urge the Ministry of Revenue to expedite the allocation of funds

Sun Jiadao: "Then please, Minister, clarify where this five hundred thousand taels of silver will be used? Who is in charge of it? How much is to be spent on purchasing bricks, stones, and earthworks, and how much is reserved for labor costs? Is there a detailed account?"

In the Great Garden of Kyoto, within the Ministry of Revenue of the Central Secretariat, the financial situation for the summer and autumn quarters is currently being assessed. Due to the presence of the Chancellor Xiao Se, Minister Huang Xiyuan has taken a seat in the second position, yielding his original place of honor to him. Both individuals are attentively listening to the report presented by the Assistant Minister Sun Jia, while the remaining ten or so officials of the Ministry of Revenue are seated around, listening intently.

Sun Jia pondered for a moment, "In two months, the shipping from Jiangsu and Zhejiang to Yizhou will arrive, and this sum can be arranged..."

Sun Jia stubbornly stated: "Even if we mobilize Taicang, it cannot be decided solely by the Minister of Personnel; it requires the joint signatures of officials above the fifth rank from the Ministry of Revenue. I am an official of the fifth rank, and I have the right to refuse."

Huang Xiyuan's heart raced as he quickly retreated with the agility rarely seen in the elderly, deeply regretting having witnessed such a scene. After exiting, he hurriedly waved to his subordinates, leading everyone to a place where they could no longer hear the commotion, even calling away the guards stationed outside, leaving only two individuals inside to continue their altercation

The Minister of State, the reserves in the Grand Warehouse are to meet the nation's occasional needs and must not be easily utilized. If there is any mishap in the use of the Grand Warehouse, all officials of the Ministry of Revenue will be held accountable.

"What Your Majesty says is what it is, is this still called coping?" Xiao Se chuckled, "So what exactly does Your Majesty want?"

Xiao Se frowned and said, "I mentioned this matter to you half a month ago, and it is still not prepared?"

Qing Tong gazed at him and suddenly said: "Xiao Se, you wouldn't have deliberately allowed the people of Xizhan to seize this money just to show me because I didn't listen to you, would you?"