"Thump— thump— thump—"
"Ledgers on the left, documents on the right!"
When he heard the knock, Fan Zhengguo didn't even lift his head, his abacus beads were practically flying.
"Sir Fan, look who's here!"
Seeing Fan Zhengguo so busy, Liang Shicheng quickly said with a smile.
"Your Majesty!"
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. This servant is overwhelmed with work, please forgive me!"
Upon seeing Zhao Ji, Fan Zhengguo quickly stood up and bowed to Zhao Ji and Liang Shicheng.
"Hahahaha, I'm just here to take a look. You continue with your work!"
As Zhao Ji spoke, he walked to the long table beside him and casually flipped through the ledgers.
Although the emperor said so, Fan Zhengguo was not a fool. No matter how busy he was, he couldn't go back and start calculating on the abacus again at this moment!
"Have the salaries for the officials and the rewards for the imperial guards been distributed?"
After flipping through a few pages, Zhao Ji asked again.
"Replying to Your Majesty, all have been distributed. We are currently auditing the accounts, and it is estimated that the audit will be completed later this evening!"
"Does the Ministry of Revenue have any surplus this year?"
Hearing this, the emperor became very interested. In previous years, the end of the year was always the most difficult time for the entire Ministry of Revenue. This year, with such a large influx of funds, Zhao Ji was eager to know if he could still have some reserve money.
"Replying to Your Majesty, after clearing the Pu family's assets in the capital and repaying the debts from previous years, the Ministry of Revenue still has three million copper coins, five million taels of silver, and fifty thousand taels of gold. The remaining calligraphy, paintings, and precious curiosities total over two thousand eight hundred items. As for shops, land deeds, and the like, this humble servant believes it is not cost-effective to convert them into copper coins now. It would be better to lease them to merchants and collect rent!"
"So, the military expenses on the front line won't be a problem for now?"
Hearing the figures he reported, Zhao Ji's mood immediately improved.
After worrying about money for so many years, this was the first time the national treasury had a surplus.
Most importantly, he, the emperor, was finally out of debt!
"If the campaign can be concluded quickly, then there should be no worries!"
On New Year's Eve, Fan Zhengguo did not add to Zhao Ji's troubles.
"Hahahaha, Minister Fan, you have worked hard this year. I finally don't have people chasing me for money!"
Upon receiving Fan Zhengguo's affirmative reply, Zhao Ji became excited.
"Your Majesty jokes. This humble servant dares not accept the credit!"
Although it was a joke, Fan Zhengguo still said with a smile.
"Hahahaha, Sir Fan, why be so modest? Young Master Han certainly deserves credit for his part, and Your Majesty will not forget your contributions either!"
"Indeed, Grand Commandant Liang speaks the truth. Minister Fan, with your talent, staying in the Ministry of Revenue is a waste. I have it all in mind!"
After smiling, Zhao Ji then turned and walked out of the Ministry of Revenue.
"Congratulations, Minister Fan, you can advance further!"
Seeing Zhao Ji leave, Liang Shicheng also smiled, dropped a remark, and then turned to chase after him.
"Sir, does Grand Commandant Liang mean that you are going to be promoted?"
After Liang Shicheng left, the officials in the Ministry of Revenue were in an uproar.
This was the emperor's personal endorsement. Fan Zhengguo was currently the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and another promotion would make him the Minister of Revenue, allowing him to enter the Grand Secretariat!
"Alright, alright, Grand Commandant was just speaking casually. Let's finish the accounts in hand first. The sooner we sort out this mess, the sooner we can go home and rest for a few days!"
Although his ambition was not in officialdom, seeing the opportunity to enter the Grand Secretariat within reach, he truly felt an inexplicable excitement.
Entering the Grand Secretariat was almost the highest pursuit of every civil official. The Fan family had been dormant for too long. If he could indeed advance further this time, it would allow the Fan family to last for several more decades!
"What has that fellow Han Mo been doing lately?"
After leaving the Ministry of Revenue, Zhao Ji, in a great mood, finally remembered Han Mo.
"Him? Ever since he escaped from the Fan Lou last time, he's been staying at home honestly these past few days. I suspect he's afraid of those courtesans seeking revenge!"
"Escaped from Fan Lou? There's such a thing?"
Having been by the emperor's side for many years, Liang Shicheng naturally understood what the emperor was most interested in.
In just a few words, he immediately piqued the emperor's interest in Han Mo.
"Isn't that so? You don't know, Your Majesty, but this matter has already spread throughout Bianliang City! Ten of the top courtesans gathered at Fan Lou, along with scholars and literati, all waiting to witness the new work of the number one talent of the Great Song, but this fellow actually slipped away!"
"Hahahaha!"
Upon hearing Liang Shicheng's words, Zhao Ji couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"What's going on with this fellow? Could he have some hidden ailment? I recall the Imperial Hospital still has a few tiger penises sent by the Liao, send someone to deliver them to his manor later! At such a young age, it's not good to hide an illness for fear of treatment! Hahahaha!"
As Zhao Ji said this, he couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahahaha! Your old servant remembers. I'll send someone to do it right away!"
Liang Shicheng certainly understood that this was the emperor's wicked humor. However, among all the officials in the court, this was truly unique for someone the emperor cared about so much!
"I think it would be better this way. You send someone to do it first, and have him receive the decree at the entrance of the Han family's mansion. We can watch the fun from afar, what do you think?"
"That might not be appropriate?"
Hearing the emperor's suggestion, Liang Shicheng's mouth couldn't help but twitch.
Han Mo was currently staying in Han Jiayan's manor, and it was not far from the bustling street after leaving the manor.
Given the gossipy nature of the people of Bianliang, if this matter were to happen, then the news of Han Mo having a hidden ailment would truly spread throughout Bianliang City…
"What's not good about it? This fellow dares to disrespect the ten top courtesans, so it's only right for us to give him some trouble, isn't it? It would be a way to vent the anger of those beauties!"
As Zhao Ji spoke, he continued to laugh heartily and walked forward.
At this point, even Liang Shicheng had no choice. Perhaps even Han Mo never expected that his momentary foolish act would actually attract the top fan of these ten courtesans.
Now that Emperor Zhao Ji himself had transformed into the number one anti-fan of the Great Song, even if the King of Heaven himself came, his reputation would be ruined today…