Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 787: Underlying Currents (Part 2)

Huh! This letter is quite thick.

Jiang Shaohua pinched the envelope and smiled, saying to Lu Zhen: "I sent Yang Zheng to the Ministry of Industry, originally just to give the ministry a reminder. Unexpectedly, this move has proved quite effective. The Ministry of Industry’s work efficiency has improved greatly."

Chen Jinyu was accompanying Princess Bao’er in the Nanyang Prince Mansion, peacefully nurturing the fetus. Her original duties were divided into three, with three young Imperial Attendants taking over her tasks.

Lu Zhen was most trusted by the Emperor. When Jiang Shaohua occasionally wanted to chat, it was mostly with Lu Zhen.

Having served at the imperial court for half a year, Lu Zhen had made significant progress in experience and insight, and smiled in response: "This is because the Emperor knows how to effectively employ people. Doctor Yang is skilled in legal analysis and judgment. With his oversight, all the officials in the Ministry of Industry cannot help but be diligent and conscientious in their work."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, opened the letter, and began to read.

Yang Zheng still maintained his habit of legal drafting, writing the letter as if documenting a case, extraordinarily detailed and meticulous. This letter described the contents of the Ministry of Industry’s meetings clearly. Even what each official said was written down.

Reading the letter was like personally attending the Ministry of Industry’s meeting.

At the end of the letter, Yang Zheng wrote: "In my opinion, the final budget plan made by the Ministry of Industry should have room for some reduction. When Minister Zhou’s memorial arrives at the court, the Emperor might as well have Revenue officials calculate again and send someone to inquire about the specific prices of every material in the market. Bulk purchasing is two to three tenths cheaper than buying in small quantities."

Yang Zheng is indeed sincerely considering the court and my role as the Emperor. He also genuinely wants to see Minister Zhou become unfortunate!

Who let Minister Zhou dig a pit for Yang Zheng back then? Yang Zheng has always been narrow-minded and holds grudges. Whenever an opportunity arises, he can’t help but retaliate once or twice. So, in the letter, he aimed to discredit Minister Zhou.

Jiang Shaohua curled her lips into a knowing smile and instructed, "Go and call Commander Song, I have a task for him."

A moment later, Song Yuan came in.

Jiang Shaohua handed Yang Zheng’s letter to Song Yuan: "This is Yang Zheng’s letter. I think his idea is excellent. Take a look, and then, according to the inventory listed in the letter, go find out the prices of bulk purchases of various materials. This will allow me to compare it with the proposal submitted by the Ministry of Industry."

This kind of task can only be entrusted to the most trustworthy person.

None other than Song Yuan.

Song Yuan received the order with cupped hands and took twenty of the Emperor’s personal guards out of the palace.

After spending two days outside the palace, Song Yuan came back with a list. At the same time, Minister Zhou’s memorial also happened to be sent to the Capital City.

With Chief Historian Chen absent, the complicated administrative documents all fell onto Wang Jin. Fortunately, Wang Jin was young and energetic, managing to hold on through early mornings and late nights despite his reddening eyes.

After Wang Jin saw Minister Zhou’s memorial, he did not dare delay and immediately presented it to the imperial court.

Just as Commander Song left, Wang Jin arrived.

Jiang Shaohua had already reviewed the list sent by Song Yuan, and upon reading Minister Zhou’s memorial, she understood the situation.

The Ministry of Industry’s budget plan was indeed reasonable, although still an enormous, staggering figure. However, at most, it could be reduced by another ten to twenty percent. Any further reduction would force the Ministry of Industry to cut corners and use substandard materials.

Next, it was time to summon the senior ministers to the palace.

Minister Zhou’s memorial was reviewed by all the ministers. Others might be fine, but Minister Ji, upon seeing the budget, was anxious, sweating on his forehead: "Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty! To relieve the disaster victims in six counties has consumed more than half of the National Treasury. Next, three months of military funding need to be allocated."

"The river embankments must indeed be repaired. However, with such an amount of money and grain, even if you take my head, I can’t produce them."

Minister Ji really felt like crying.

The Minister of Revenue, holding the purse strings, is like the Emperor’s chief steward. Minister Ji has been a veteran official for four reigns. During Emperor Taikang’s time, everything relied heavily on Prime Minister Wang. Prime Minister Wang was somewhat greedy, yet he didn’t pursue matters too harshly. During Emperor Taihe’s time, the Ministry of Revenue was still under Minister Ji’s control. Although the National Treasury was tight, the Ministry of Revenue always fared well.

Now, in the Second Year of Zhaoping, managing the National Treasury for the Empress is really no easy task. One must be diligent, capable, and work like a tirelessly dedicated old ox, without complaining about hardships or fatigue, and working late into the night without returning home is a common occurrence. There’s little profit left, and still has to rack their brains to relieve the Emperor’s burdens...

Thinking about these things, Minister Ji was filled with bitter tears. He continued to complain: "To be honest, Your Majesty, according to the budget in Minister Zhou’s memorial, the Ministry of Revenue could barely manage to assemble even half."

"Otherwise, just repair the essential sections of the river embankments first. The less urgent areas can wait until next year, after collecting the spring taxes, and then be slowly repaired."

"That’s inappropriate!" Minister Yang was the first to refute: "Building the river embankments is a major affair of the top priority, concerning the safety of the people along both banks of the river. If a flood occurs again, drowning people and submerging fertile fields, who should be blamed then?"

Minister Dong voiced his support: "Minister Yang speaks reasonably. The matter of repairing the river embankment must not be delayed."

Minister Ji was infuriated, glaring: "What you’re saying sounds easy. Such a big gap, where can we find a solution? Or, how about we switch roles. Give you the duty of Minister of Revenue, and I’ll take charge of the Ministry of Rites or the Ministry of Justice."

Minister Dong, remarkably composed, did not mind Minister Ji’s rudeness, and kindly comforted Minister Ji: "Calm down, Minister Ji. The task at the Ministry of Revenue truly is not easy, and throughout the court, only Minister Ji can relieve the Emperor’s burdens."

Minister Yang also followed suit in soothing the difficult situation: "What Minister Dong says is true. Minister Ji, don’t get anxious. Solutions are always brought about by efforts of people."

Minister Ding proactively spoke: "Postpone the military funding for the second half of the year and prioritize repairing the river embankment first."

This was indeed a solution.

Minister Ji had considered the same, and now that the Minister of War had proposed it, all the better.

Minister Ji was about to speak when the Empress, seated on the Dragon Throne, opened her mouth: "The military funding cannot be postponed."

"The first thing I did after ascending the throne was to issue full military pay to all the armies. I also promised them that military funding would never be delayed in the future."

"After more than a year, the soldiers in the armies can finally have filling meals and properly train."

"With the army being stable, Da Liang can be truly at peace. Military funding must be provided on time and in full."

Minister Ding, moved by the sentiment, bowed in gratitude for the Emperor’s benevolence.

Minister Ji had no choice but to change his tone: "What the Emperor says is right. After returning, I will first allocate the military funding. As for the money for the river embankment, I will find a solution."

Jiang Shaohua said lightly, "Minister Zhou’s budget, cut another ten percent."

Minister Ji breathed a sigh of relief.

The Empress continued: "With the National Treasury insufficient in funds and grain, I will find a solution."

Minister Ji felt invigorated and immediately bowed in gratitude.

However, the other senior ministers were taken aback in their hearts.

Find a solution?

What solution?

To squeeze out relief funds from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had been placed under house arrest. Who will the Emperor target next?