Chapter 910: Chapter 908: This Is the Opportunity
Compared to the Crown Prince’s extravagant expenditures, constructing the railway is nothing of significance, even if it incurs some cost, it is for a legitimate cause. Moreover, it is evident that after constructing the railway, the court’s manpower and material resources for transporting supplies have greatly decreased. This project, after a period of financial strain, will yield long-term benefits.
In order to build the railway, the emperor has simplified various palace ceremonies and banquets as much as possible. Even the frequency of official penalties has increased over the past two years compared to before. Common reprimands and demotions are now replaced with penalties.
Building the railway requires silver, thus the Crown Prince’s expenses have to be reduced, but the Crown Prince is unwilling. As a result, the heavy taxation in various regions has become a reality. Especially in places like Yuanzhou, where trade and commerce have always been prosperous, taxes have become even more severe in the past two years.
Now, with such rumors circulating, it’s no wonder the emperor is enraged.
Yu Shiqing can almost foresee his own fate; Wang Xian had merely resigned and returned to his hometown. He, having managed the Ministry of Revenue for so many years, with so much silver unaccounted for, even eight lives wouldn’t be enough to atone.
Yu Shiqing prostrated on the ground, repeatedly pondering in the depths of his heart whether there were any errors left in the Ministry of Revenue’s affairs. He could only hope that the officials of the Ministry of Revenue have been discreet in their actions over the years, and the amount of hidden silver would not be discovered.
Yu Shiqing still had some self-awareness, knowing what self-preservation meant.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, standing calmly in the Diligent Governance Hall, was inwardly indifferent.
Building that unnecessary railway was initially a waste of money. If it hadn’t been constructed, wouldn’t all that silver be in the state treasury?
From ancient times to the present, nowhere on this vast land has ever had railways, yet people have lived just fine without them. Given the necessity, it’s inevitable that the populace would complain incessantly.
Han Yanhui, along with the other three Cabinet members, were also kneeling on the ground. Seeing the emperor’s anger unabated, he kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, please quell your anger. The common folk are mostly ignorant, having listened to some idle gossip, coincidentally with the severe drought, they have spread rumors out of personal resentment. The court’s construction projects are not for pleasure but for the long-term strategy of the nation. The two railways constructed over the past years have already saved a considerable amount of laborers and transportation costs. As time passes, the populace will naturally understand the benefits, Your Majesty should not let this affect your well-being."
The emperor glanced at the indifferent Crown Prince, contemplating the Crown Prince’s many behaviors, and shifted his gaze with some disheartenment. Such a crown prince, let alone rejuvenating and prospering the Great Xia Dynasty, might not even be able to sustain the family estate?
The emperor then turned his gaze to Yu Shiqing and coldly said, "I’ve already reviewed the documents on the funds and provisions you’ve gathered. Over the years, the weather has been favorable and commerce has flourished. Just the railway carriage tax in the capital has increased significantly. Even if constructing the railway is a recent matter, the Ministry of Revenue has accumulated over these years, and now that the court needs funds and grain, you’ve only contributed such a small amount. How are you performing your duties as Minister?"
Yu Shiqing was again drenched in sweat, yet the emperor’s words were difficult to respond to.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I have truly done my best. After leaving, I will have people re-verify the resources in all regions, striving to gather more."
The Crown Prince still remained calm and composed; it was merely a drought in a few prefectures and counties, nothing unprecedented.
Having studied history from a young age, he knew that national droughts have occurred, leaving some areas severely depopulated. But so what? Once the plight of the disaster improves the following year, won’t the commoners continue their lives as usual? Just because some people die, does it mean the living should seek death as well?
The emperor didn’t look at the Crown Prince at all and instructed Han Yanhui and others, "Order the Cabinet to immediately dispatch personnel to the Ministry of Revenue to assist in inspecting the resources in various areas and warehouses. Meanwhile, check on the tax situation over the recent years; why, in times of flourishing commerce, is the state treasury experiencing a revenue shortfall?"
Han Yanhui, Liu Chengzhi, and others responded in unison, while Yu Shiqing and the three officials from the Ministry of Revenue, as its head, broke into a sweat, realizing that the emperor wasn’t planning to spare the Crown Prince’s dignity and intended to forcibly intervene in the Ministry of Revenue’s affairs.
The Crown Prince felt disdain, he did not believe it; with everything meticulously done, could outsiders really discover anything?
The emperor turned to Jinrong, "Prince Yu, you should also curb your enthusiasm for private business dealings and focus more on state affairs." The emperor paused, then asked, "Can you produce thirty thousand taels of cash silver?"
Jinrong quickly stepped forward, bowing, and replied, "I will immediately arrange for its collection." Damn, the day for wielding the knife has finally come. Contributing silver is significant, but this situation, putting him on the spot, is an even greater matter. Isn’t this blatantly inviting resentment?
Sure enough, the Crown Prince was already looking at him. Yet in those eyes, there was little envy, mostly admiration and greed.
That look clearly said: How can Lao Liu be so wealthy? As the Crown Prince, whenever he needed a bit of silver, he had to go to great lengths to source it. But Lao Liu, thirty thousand taels, this fellow says, he will just go and arrange it.
This is having the means.
Others in the hall were also discreetly sizing up Jinrong. Compared to the Crown Prince, who was also in the hall, Prince Yu seemed more favored by the emperor and more valued. Far surpassing the previous Prince Fu, surely?
"The drought in Yuanzhou cannot be disregarded, Beloved Minister Han, evaluate if the Ministry of Revenue’s funds and grain will suffice, if not, first use the silver from Prince Yu’s Mansion. The court will issue an IOU to Prince Yu, allowing Prince Yu’s Mansion to send personnel to monitor the use of the silver."
Allowing Prince Yu’s Mansion to oversee disaster relief? This unprecedented arrangement left everyone in the hall visibly changing expressions again.
The emperor glanced at the Crown Prince and Yu Shiqing, then waved his hand, "Go and make the arrangements."
...
It seems these thirty thousand taels of silver are imperative.
Jinrong, although complaining, understood the gravity of the situation. Upon returning to Prince Yu’s Mansion, he immediately gathered advisors like Hu Jing, as well as officials like the Chief Historian and Registrar, to discuss the collection of silver taels and the arrangement of personnel to monitor the use of disaster relief funds.
The officials such as the Chief Historian and Registrar of Prince Yu’s Mansion were usually just figureheads, as the former Prince Yu stayed away from court politics, these individuals only managed the daily external affairs of the mansion, even less useful than Wan Yan.
Now, hearing the emperor’s arrangements and emphasis on Prince Yu’s Mansion, they couldn’t help but feel invigorated.
The silver was essentially ready, and the clerks managing the accounts and finances under Jinrong were adept. It didn’t take long to finalize the arrangements, tasking the Chief Historian and others to approach Wan Yan for coordination.
Hu Jing and several trusted aides stayed behind to discuss the next steps.
Once the others had left, Hu Jing immediately said, "This is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for. Since the emperor has decided to investigate the Ministry of Revenue’s tax situation, we can take action."
Jinrong nodded, "Yuanfan has struggled in the Ministry of Revenue for the past two years, even if a gap has emerged, it is difficult for one person to make a breakthrough. Now with the court deploying personnel to inspect the Ministry of Revenue, Yuanfan can discreetly assist from the side, then find a way to get the ledgers to these people. This way, the actions of the Crown Prince and Yu Shiqing over the years will be undeniable."
Hu Jing’s expression turned serious, "Now, it’s time to discuss how to obtain those two hidden ledgers from the Ministry of Revenue."