Feng Qing Shaoyi

Chapter 11
The enthusiasm for protecting the country is vulnerable to the inability to maintain a normal life. If this matter is not taken seriously, coupled with the instigation and dissension of the other three countries, border riots are inevitable.Therefore, it is particularly important to get a batch of military salaries to reward border soldiers in time.

"The lower officials think that riots can be avoided by getting the military salary and sending it to the border in time," Qi Ze said respectfully.

"Get the military salary in time? If it is really so easy to get the military salary, why are His Highness the Crown Prince and this official so worried. However, it is considered well-thought-out to think of border riots." Zheng Shen looked serious, but there was also a flash of praise.

Is it not easy to get military pay?Under normal circumstances, the military salary is requested by the Minister of the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Households, and the Ministry of Households also needs to be replenished in time.The Ministry of Household Affairs is the department in charge of household registration and finance. The household registration of common people and the transfer of money across the country, such as military pay, are managed by the Ministry of Household Affairs.In layman's terms, the household department is equivalent to the country's small treasury and small housekeeper.

Although the supply of military pay is the responsibility of the Ministry of Households, there are too many things happening in the country, and there are many places where money is used, and military pay is a batch of huge expenditures.If the Ministry of War wants to get the military salary, it needs to greet the Ministry of Accounts in advance, and ask the Ministry of Accounts to turn over funds in time to come up with enough cash.

Sometimes because the amount of military pay is too large, the Ministry of Households has no time to turn around, so it will discuss with the Ministry of War to reduce the amount of military pay.But border defense is a trifling matter. It doesn't mean that it can be reduced by lowering it, so the Ministry of War will definitely not agree to it under normal circumstances.

This has created a ridiculous phenomenon. Officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs and officials from the Ministry of War sit together to discuss military pay. People can be unambiguous.

So the final result is that the officials of the Ministry of Households went back with their bruised and swollen faces, and the Ministry of War became unreasonable and had to reduce the amount of military pay.The consequence is that the officials of the two ministries can't get used to each other. They usually blow their beards and stare at each other, making it difficult to sit together and have a pleasant meal.

However, Zheng Shen is not a bad-tempered warrior, he is more reasonable, Xu Bai, Minister of the Household Department, is also a gentle gentleman, the relationship between the two ministries is relatively good, and there has never been a phenomenon of beating anyone.

When Zheng Shen usually went to the Ministry of Households to collect military pay, Xu Bai would also transfer funds in time to send the military pay to the Ministry of War.But sometimes the funds are too late to turn around, so I discuss with Zheng Shen about reducing the amount of military pay.Zheng Shen would also understand and agree to reduce the military pay.

So what happened this time?Could it be that the Ministry of Households does not want to pay the army this time?But think about it carefully, not to mention that Xu Bo is not such a person, military pay is very important for border defense, Xu Bo can understand.Furthermore, the crown prince has participated in this matter, so Xu Bai dare not give it?What even Murong Sheng is worried about must be a major event.

So there is only one answer to this matter, that is, the Ministry of Households has no money and cannot afford the huge military salary.

Zheng Shen is also a person with a plan. When there is news that the military salary is insufficient at the border, he will inform the household department in advance to replenish the military salary in time.However, there has been no military salary supply for several months. It can be seen that the lack of funds in the household department is not a matter of these few days, but that it has already run out of money and has been struggling.

If you want to get military pay, the premise is that the Ministry of Households can afford the funds.So the most urgent thing to solve now is to get a sum of money, and it is still a huge sum of money.

Qi Ze was a little silent, no wonder the prince and Zheng Shen discussed in the room all afternoon, they were discussing where to get a huge sum of money, the money did not just fall out of thin air.The treasury is empty, what can they do?
Seeing Qi Ze's sour face, lowering his head and thinking about things, Zheng Shen knew that Qi Ze understood everything.In the final analysis, the matter of military pay is that there is no money and the treasury is empty.Think about it, this young man is still very thoughtful at such a young age, without his guidance, he can figure it out as soon as he thinks about it, he is really a talent.

Thinking like this, she stood up and walked to Qi Ze, "Since you understand everything, I will leave this matter to you."

Qi Ze was thinking deeply, when he heard Zheng Shen's words, he raised his head like a thunderbolt.This matter is not easy to handle. Where did she get the money?She was just a fifth-rank official, so she was handed over to handle it casually.

But Zheng Shen didn't seem to see it, and said to Qi Ze: "This matter is not only a matter of the Ministry of Households, but also a matter of the Ministry of War. From today on, I will go to the Ministry of Households on behalf of the Ministry of War to solve this matter, and there is no need to go to the racecourse anymore." .”

Don't need to go to the racecourse?Does that mean she can be promoted?

Zheng Shen seemed to know what Qi Ze was thinking, and patted Qi Ze on the shoulder and said, "After this matter is successfully completed, you will be a fifth-rank doctor. Young man, work hard, you still have a long way to go."

This slap caused Qi Ze to frown in pain, sweating profusely, and the wound on his shoulder hadn't subsided yet.

Zheng Shen also noticed Qi Ze's strangeness, and asked, "What's the matter? Did you hurt your shoulder?"

Qi Ze said with a dry smile, "It's okay, I was kicked by a horse a few days ago, it's not a big deal for me to be an official." But it's just that he was kicked by a horse, it's still a strong horse that no one dares to mess with.

Zheng Shen didn't doubt that he was there, and it was common for horses to kick people in the racecourse, so just rest for a few days. "When this matter is completed, you won't have to be kicked by the horse again. Go back, rest at home today, and go to the household department to check the situation tomorrow!"

"Yes, my lord." After speaking, Qi Ze left.After returning to Fushengge to finish the meal, he sat in front of the desk and began to think about today's affairs and plan to go to the household department tomorrow.

It is a good thing to be promoted to an official position. Apart from family background factors, promotion depends on one's luck and ability.She was lucky to meet an upright boss like Zheng Shen, who admired her ability.

It's just that the risk is too great, the lack of money in the household department, and the emptiness of the national treasury are major issues, so Zheng Shen and she should only know about it in the military department.If this matter is done well, promotion is of course good. If it is not done well, I am afraid that she will be a member of the military department for the rest of her life. Lose your head.

But no matter what you do, there will be risks. There is nothing in this world without any risk.Now there is an opportunity in front of her, the so-called opportunity must not be missed, and what she can do is to seize this opportunity tightly and not miss it.

On the second day, Qi Ze got up early and went to the household department.The housing plan and scale of the Ministry of Households are the same as those of the Ministry of War, neat and orderly.The officials on the avenue came and went in a hurry, all holding account books in their arms, they were only surprised when they saw Qi Ze and walked away for a moment.

Qi Ze looked at the officials rushing to and fro in the aisle, without worry on his face, it seemed that very few people knew about the emptiness of the treasury in the household department.Thinking about it, how could everyone in the household department know about such a major event.

"Hey, little brother, may I ask where Master Xu is, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs? I am Qi Ze, a member of the Ministry of War, and I need to talk to Master Xu about something." Seeing that no one stopped, Qi Ze casually grabbed a face The young official asked about the situation.

"Oh, I'm here to talk about the military pay! Lord Zheng has been here before, but Lord Shangshu is not here now because he is busy."

Mr. Zheng should refer to Zheng Shen.Xu Bai is not here, it seems that today is a waste of time.

"Since Mr. Xu is not here, I'll come back another day!" However, this matter of military pay can't be delayed, and if it is resolved as soon as possible, the incidence of riots at the border can be lowered.

The young official also smiled politely at Qi Ze, turned around and left.

Just when Qi Ze was hesitating whether to find someone else who could take care of things, he heard a familiar voice.

"Shao Yi, is that you?" The voice was warm and pleasant, like the sound of running water passing through jade.

Qi Ze turned around, and saw a man with orchid and eucalyptus, as secluded as an orchid, with a smile on the corner of the man's mouth, which was better than flowers in full bloom.

"Rong Yu, I didn't expect to meet you here." Rong Yu is Xu Siheng's name, Xu Siheng is Xu Bai's eldest son, and Xu Bai is the secretary of the household department, so it is only natural that Xu Siheng will come to the household department.

"I've seen you in the distance, but I'm not sure, but you're right about your aura. Is there something wrong with you here?" Xu Siheng said with a smile in his eyes, he was able to wear such an indigo dress. Qi Ze is the only one with a charming temperament.

"I'm here to find Mr. Xu and discuss about the military salary."

"Looking for father? Father went out early this morning and is not in the household department. But you can tell me about the military salary. When father comes back, I will pass it on to him."

"Okay." Xu Bai is not here, Xu Siheng is also outstanding, telling Xu Siheng is equivalent to telling Xu Bai.

"Then go to my room, my place is quieter, it's not a problem to stand here."

Thinking that it is really inconvenient to tell outsiders about the military salary, and Xu Siheng should also know the current situation of the household department, Qi Ze nodded.

Seeing Qi Ze nodding, Xu Siheng smiled even deeper, turned around and walked towards a room.The house is very large, and there are potted plants with orchids around, which are fragrant and natural and elegant.

"The orchids in this room are quite suitable for you." Qi Ze couldn't help but said looking at the orchids in the room.

Hearing this, Xu Siheng smiled at Qi Ze, pointed to the seat opposite and said, "Sit down."

Seeing Qi Ze sit down, Xu Siheng's eyes flashed a trace of worry, he frowned and said: "Shaoyi, I won't hide it from you, the current household department can no longer afford the huge military salary. You have always been very smart You should have already noticed that the household department seems to be operating normally on the surface, but in fact it has already been short-lived, and my father went to Dongshi to inspect it today because of this incident."

"I really felt it, but I didn't expect it to be so serious." Qi Ze said with lowered eyes. Although he had a rough estimate of the shortage of funds in the household department and was mentally prepared, when Xu Siheng really said it, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous. tight.

"That's right, Dongshi's industry was in short supply as early as a few months ago. At that time, there were still some banks operating in the household department. But then there was news of flooding in the local area and the displacement of refugees. The emperor ordered people to transfer 300 Tens of thousands of taels of silver were used for disaster relief, and the household department had little silver taels, so there was not much left after this transfer. In addition to the allocation of funds to poor children in the imperial examination bribery incident a few days ago, the household department now has no extra silver taels. It can rely on the taxation of the people to maintain the basic normal operation."

After hearing this, Qi Ze nodded in understanding.When Dongshi was short of property, it is estimated that Xu Bai did not expect such a situation to happen later. After all, it is a normal phenomenon for property to be short of money, and if there is a profit, there will definitely be a shortfall.No one can guarantee that an industry will always be profitable, even if it is a government-run industry, there is no guarantee that the imperial court will personally support it.

Local disasters also require a lot of funds. Even if the household department does not have much silver, but human life is at stake, and the Holy Majesty personally decrees the appropriation of funds. Who would dare not obey?The incident of accepting bribes in the imperial examination a few days ago donated money to the children of poor families. It was said to be a donation, but really few aristocratic families would be willing to pay more.

Among them, the Que family and the Qi family donated the most. It is normal for the Qi family to give a lot as the source of the incident.But Ling Qi Ze didn't expect that the Que family would give more than the Qi family, and the money was very generous. Que Yu was really not short of money.

But even so, the money is still not enough. There are frozen bones on the road of rich wine and meat. There is no shortage of rich people in the world, but there is also no shortage of poor people.So the donations from the aristocratic families are just a drop in the bucket, and in the end, the Ministry of Household Affairs is still needed to advance the money.This series of matters requiring money was caught up together, so Zheng Shen had no choice but to refuse the military salary for now, and wait for the Ministry of Households to relax.

But at the same time, there is no military salary, and the influence of the border customs is huge. I am afraid that it will cause unnecessary troubles, so now a large amount of military salary is needed for timely condolences.In the end, it was a lack of money, and Zheng Shen threw the hot potato to her.

"Then does His Majesty know about this?" Such a big event happened in the household department, and the crown prince went to the military department because of it. Emperor Zhaozheng should know about it.But no action has been taken so far. Doesn't Emperor Zhaozheng know about it?

Sure enough, Xu Siheng shook his head after hearing this, "Your Majesty probably didn't know about it, but His Royal Highness Prince Jin went to the Ministry of Household Inspection yesterday, and I'm afraid he will know soon."

King Jin came to the household department yesterday?It's really interesting, Murong Sheng went to the military department, Murong Xiu went to the household department, the two still refused to give in to each other.But at the same time, it also shows the importance of this matter. It is indeed dangerous for a country to have an empty treasury without the most basic funds to maintain.

If Emperor Zhaozheng knew that the national treasury was empty a few months ago, Xu Bai did not take measures to improve it in time. No matter how the process was, the result would be that Nanchu could not get the silver taels. I am afraid that Xu Bai's official position would not be preserved. Bar!

Xu Bai needs to keep the black hat, and she needs to use this to get promoted, which means that they are now on the same boat, and they need to get a sum of money in time before Emperor Zhaozheng finds out.But Emperor Zhaozheng was not an idiot. He had already shown his strength in rectifying the court this time, and there was no time to delay.

The reason why Emperor Zhaozheng has not found out until now is probably because he has been busy rectifying the court recently and neglected the matter of the Ministry of Households. Since the crown prince and King Jin have come to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Households for review, it means that they did not take this matter into consideration. Tell Emperor Zhaozheng what he meant, and they will have a chance.

"Rong Yu, I can't be in a hurry now, let's figure out a solution to this problem together. Since the Holy Majesty doesn't know, we still have time. Does the Ministry of Accounts have an account book for the flow of money over the past few years?"

"Why do you want a bank account book?" Xu Siheng looked at Qi Ze, his face was full of confidence in this matter, and his restless heart calmed down for no reason.

"The source of the lack of silver in the household department is the shortfall of the industry. We are short-lived, so who will make a profit? Moreover, the household department has been in a state of deficit for the past few months, and the other party must have competed with us for business. How they eat it depends on us. Just let him spit it out." Qi Ze's very delicate eyes shone with dazzling light, making people unable to help but be convinced.

Under normal circumstances, most of the funds of the household department come from the government-run industry of salt and iron, which cannot be done by the private sector. The status of scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen is extremely low, which guarantees the source of treasury funds.

However, Emperor Zhaozheng did not pay as much attention to this aspect as the previous emperor. The status of merchants was imperceptibly improved, and the salt and iron industry was no longer completely controlled by the imperial court, and the people also did related businesses.Although the market is more prosperous, the treasury funds are also reduced.

However, the relevant technologies of the official salt and iron industry are controlled by the imperial court, and outsiders cannot know, but they have done these businesses, which means that their sources are not clean.Although it is now liberalized, there is no express regulation that private people can do these businesses.So seriously, this is a violation of the law.

"Okay, I understand. Not only the ledger, but also the list of famous merchant families in the past few years, I will give it to you." Xu Siheng is also very smart, and immediately knew what Qi Ze meant.

After a while, Xu Siheng's clerk sorted out the relevant documents and brought them over.Xu Siheng also gave it all to Qi Ze with great peace of mind, and was not afraid of leaking it out.

After returning to Fusheng Pavilion, Qi Ze put the ledger and list given by Xu Siheng on the desk, and checked them one by one.The so-called capture the king first, they only want a large sum of money, and they want to pick the fattest one, so as to achieve the effect of killing chickens and monkeys by the way.

So she only needs to look at which one has the most capital inflow and the largest merchant.

During Qi Ze's investigation, a family came into view. The inflow of funds was dozens of times that of other families, and the scale of business was also the largest. It was very eye-catching in the list of many families - the Jin family.

(End of this chapter)