Ouchi Taming the Cat, starting with the Ten Tiger Forms!

Chapter 501 Royal Private Treasury
"In my opinion, you don't have to rush to clean up all the underground industries."

"First of all, this matter is already difficult, and coupled with the loss of interests involved, it can be said that the gains do not outweigh the losses."

"Secondly, this kind of thing cannot be banned. Instead of letting others interfere, it is better to keep it under our control."

As Manager Shang spoke, he came up with an idea.

"How about this, Xuan."

"We will clean up those industries that are easy to turn into legal businesses, and keep the others that are difficult to clean up as they are and put them under the name of my Ministry of Internal Affairs."

"This way, the Red Scarf Team and the assets under your Highness' name will be clean."

"When the need arises, we can just share what we have with each other."

Manager Shang understood that Li Xuan just wanted to give Princess Ankang an explanation that would make her feel at ease.

In that case, let the dirty work be done by their Ministry of Internal Affairs.

This is originally the responsibility of the Imperial Household Department, and now those industries are actually under the management of the Imperial Household Department.

By following Manager Shang's approach, Li Xuan could indeed save a lot of effort.

And they won't lose much in terms of profits.

Li Xuan thought about it and then agreed to the proposal.

After discussing the specific details, the problem was solved.

In this way, the Red Scarf Team not only has financial support, but also all of its operations are done through legal channels. Even if someone comes to find fault in the future, they will not be able to find any loopholes.

This is the first force Li Xuan established for Princess Ankang, and he hopes to make it as perfect as possible.

Although I was not able to meet Emperor Yongyuan today, the problem was solved by the two general managers, so it was not a wasted trip.

"Ah Xuan, in fact, you don't need to use your underground business to make up for the expenses of the Red Scarf Team."

"Your Highness is now the Royal Silver and Money Envoy. Although this identity brings responsibilities, the corresponding rights must be used well."

Zhao Feng said this and winked at Li Xuan, hinting at something.

When Manager Shang saw that his adopted son was giving Li Xuan bad advice, he just smiled and shook his head, but didn't say much.

Li Xuan saw that there seemed to be something fishy going on, but he also felt a little tempted.

After all, if the money from the royal private treasury could be used to solve the Red Turban Team’s problems, then the Red Turban Team would be even more legitimate and impeccable.

To some extent, this is a team sponsored by the current emperor.

Although this kind of relationship cannot be talked about casually, having the confidence makes it quite different.

"Is it appropriate for us to use the money from the royal treasury in this way?"

Li Xuan asked slyly, looking as if he was expecting Zhao Feng to instigate him.

This way, if something goes wrong, Zhao Feng can be blamed as well.

"This is the duty of Her Royal Highness the Princess. How can it be appropriate or inappropriate?"

"Your Highness, as the Royal Silver and Silver Envoy, these things are as expected of you."

"Isn't it that Her Royal Highness is using this money to earn more silver for the royal treasury?"

Zhao Feng kept calling her "Her Royal Highness" and never used himself as the subject.

Li Xuan knew that he could not defeat Old Zhao in words, so he considered the proposal carefully.

The money in the royal private treasury was just lying there quietly and could not be fully utilized. Li Xuan felt extremely heartbroken when he thought of this.

Everything in this world has its own mission when it comes to this world.

And these poor little coins could not even fulfill their mission and were lying alone in the cold royal treasury. It was so pitiful.

But then Li Xuan thought of a more critical problem.

"Is there any money in the royal treasury?"

When the two stewards saw Li Xuan asking such a question, they were all speechless.

Chief Steward Shang even said, "Ah Xuan, you don't have to look down on His Majesty like that."

"Although the money in the royal treasury is not as much as you earn, there is income every month. These are the profits brought by the royal industry."

"I'm not as poor as you think."

When Chief Steward Shang saw that Li Xuan looked down on Emperor Yongyuan so much, he couldn't help but speak up to defend him.

Li Xuan smiled awkwardly. After all, Emperor Yongyuan cried poor every day, so people really thought he was a beggar emperor.

"Also, Feng'er's proposal can be considered, but he also has his own selfish motives."

Zhao Feng standing by kept winking at Manager Shang, but Manager Shang pretended not to see it.

"The expenditure of the Royal Treasury has increased year by year. In recent years, it has almost equaled the income, and it is impossible to save a surplus."

"In the final analysis, this is a situation that has been created by the accumulation of rules and rewards from the early years."

"If we can make drastic reforms, we will definitely see a lot of results."

"Especially now is the time when Your Majesty needs money."

After hearing what Manager Shang said, Li Xuan didn't expect there would be such a problem.

"Can't Emperor Yongyuan handle the expenses of the royal private treasury himself?"

In Li Xuan's opinion, this problem is easy to solve.

If there are too many expenses, just cut them. It’s just a matter of a word from Emperor Yongyuan.

He could even give Princess Ankang the identity of the royal silver envoy, so it would not be difficult for him to solve the problem himself. Why must he ask Princess Ankang to step in?

It can't be that Emperor Yongyuan himself is unwilling to be the bad guy, right?
Li Xuan has the two best candidates in front of him: one is willing to be the villain and the other is able to be the candidate for the villain.

Seeing Li Xuan looking at them, the two stewards immediately understood Li Xuan's doubts.

Zhao Feng stopped pretending and explained, "We really can't do this."

"It should be said that this cannot be His Majesty's intention."

"Therefore, whether it is Your Majesty who issues the decree personally or us servants who do it on your behalf, it is inappropriate."

"Behind the concubines in the palace, there are their own families, which are intertwined in the court."

"Any change in the treatment of concubines by your majesty will be interpreted as an attitude and may have a negative impact."

Hearing this, Li Xuan couldn't help but give the two stewards a blank look.

"Oh~"

"So this bad guy has to be my Ankang?"

Li Xuan's little expression conveyed his meaning very well.

The two stewards couldn't help but smile awkwardly.

"Ah Xuan, what Her Royal Highness the Princess did is reasonable and logical, and no one can say anything about it," Zhao Fengzhang said.

"My Ankang is a kind-hearted person. How could she be the kind of petty person who would take revenge for any slight?"

"I'm telling you, you got the wrong guy!"

After saying this, Li Xuan turned around and left angrily.

Shang, the steward at the side, put down his teacup leisurely and said to Li Xuan's back:
"The savings will be split 50-50 between Jingyang Palace and Your Majesty."

Before Manager Shang could even finish his words, Li Xuan slid down and knelt in front of the two managers.

Li Xuan raised his little paws, looked righteous, and wrote vigorous words with his tail.

"As the saying goes, one eats the salary of the ruler and bears the worries of the ruler."

"It is my duty as a little kitty to share your majesty's worries!"

"It's just the profit ratio..."

……

"Ah Xuan, where are we going?"

Princess Ankang asked curiously in the carriage. After lunch, Li Xuan was eager to take them out, but he didn't say where to go.

“Great place, great place.”

Li Xuan's tail was raised high and swung excitedly.

The Royal Private Treasury was the emperor's personal treasury, managed by the Imperial Household Department. As such, it was located within the West Palace, but it was a bit remote, so they took a carriage and went there.

As for the national treasury, it is the tax revenue of the imperial court and is under the management of the Ministry of Revenue.

The issue of the national treasury involves too many issues, and Emperor Yongyuan is unable to handle it now. He will probably have to wait until Prince Zheng is dealt with first.

However, the problem with the royal private treasury is just as the two stewards said, it may be solved with just the right person.

Now that I think about it, none of the competition rewards given by Emperor Yongyuan were easy to get. He had his own intentions behind them. He needed Princess Ankang to use the rewards to do something for him.

Rather than being a reward, it was more of a special task assigned to Princess Ankang by Emperor Yongyuan.

The rewards for the Imperial Garden Competition seemed substantial at first, but became more and more empty as time went on.

Li Xuandu was no longer looking forward to the rewards in the following games.

On the way there, Li Xuan took the time to tell Princess Ankang what he had heard from the two stewards and the purpose of their trip.

"Wouldn't that just cut into other people's monthly allowances?"

Princess Ankang said quietly.

As a party to this kind of thing many times, they at Jingyang Palace naturally know everything about it.

Li Xuan nodded: "I heard from the two stewards that many people in the palace have already received excessive monthly salaries, and their lives are extremely extravagant."

"It's not convenient for Emperor Yongyuan to handle this matter himself, so he pushed it onto us."

"But don't worry, we also have benefits. Half of the saved expenses will be given to Jingyang Palace. This money is available every month. I think we can fight for it."

Although Li Xuan tried hard later, he still failed to get more benefits from the two general managers.

But this condition must have been put forward by Emperor Yongyuan through the two general managers.

In order to save expenses, Emperor Yongyuan was even willing to give half of the savings as compensation, which shows that the benefits must be considerable.

How much Jingyang Palace can earn this time depends entirely on themselves.

After listening to Li Xuan's introduction, Princess Ankang nodded heavily, indicating that she understood her mission.

Even Yu'er, who was silent beside her, had a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes.

In the past, they were the only ones who had their monthly wages cut, but now it is the turn of others to suffer the consequences.

Although it is unlikely that other people would become as poor as the people in Jingyang Palace before, it would probably be painful for them to stop living a luxurious life.

Soon, the three little ones arrived at the royal private treasury.

This place is located in a corner of the West Palace and is heavily guarded. Everywhere you look you can see eunuchs in flowery clothes patrolling.

At the door, Zhao Feng had already been waiting there.

It seems that he has indeed finished the things at hand, otherwise he wouldn't be so idle.

"Manager Zhao, why did you come here in person?"

Princess Ankang said with some surprise.

From what Li Xuan said before, she thought that everything had been arranged and she just had to cooperate.

"Wish you all the best, Your Highness."

"This matter is of great importance after all, so I think I should help Your Highness."

Zhao Feng replied with a smile.

Li Xuan smiled in his heart. He guessed that Zhao Feng was afraid that Princess Ankang would do something too cruel, so he came over to take care of her.

But Li Xuan felt that Zhao Feng was worrying too much.

Princess Ankang was not very excited when she heard what was going to be done today.

What she cared more about was how much benefit this matter could bring to them, rather than revenge against those who had bullied her in the past.

Princess Ankang attaches more importance to the "present" and the "future".

But her character of not holding grudges also made Li Xuan a little worried, fearing that she would suffer losses in the future.

Li Xuan is just an ordinary man who likes to step on the heads of his enemies and feel refreshed by slapping them in the face.

But Princess Ankang was not interested in this, and Li Xuan did not force her.

After all, hating someone is really tiring.

Zhao Fengxian took the three little ones on a tour of the royal private treasury.

This place was not as shabby as Li Xuan had imagined. There were many antique calligraphy and paintings and valuable treasures stored here.

What impressed them most was that there was a huge red-gold dragon here, occupying an entire basement. The dragon's feet were covered with all kinds of gold coins and gold bricks, shining brightly.

The three little ones had never imagined that Emperor Yongyuan's family background was so rich.

But Zhao Feng explained to them that these were royal heirlooms of Daxing and must not be used unless there was a disaster that threatened the country's demise.

Moreover, the giant red-gold dragon is related to the fortune of Daxing, so it can only be enshrined here and not even touched casually.

If it weren’t for what happened today, the three little ones would never have had the opportunity to broaden their horizons.

To be honest, Li Xuan was quite greedy for this giant red-gold dragon.

Not only is this thing extremely well made, the dragon is carved so beautifully that it feels like you are facing a real dragon, and a sense of majesty comes over you.

The most important thing is that this thing is real pure gold!
"How much does it cost?"

Zhao Feng saw Li Xuan looking like a money-golden man drooling at the giant red-gold dragon, so he quickly picked him up.

"Ah Xuan, don't have any bad ideas."

"This is the most precious treasure of Daxing, a relic left behind by the Twin Saints, and a symbol of the royal family."

Zhao Feng talked for a long time, but Li Xuan didn't hear a word he said.

If this continues, Li Xuan might not want to leave soon.

After visiting the royal treasury, they got down to business.

Zhao Feng took out the account book and introduced the monthly income and expenditure of the royal private treasury to the three children.

The royal private treasury's monthly income is approximately 50,000 taels, with little fluctuation.

At the end of each year, there would be more income, ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 taels.

But looking through the account books of previous years, it is not difficult to see that the income of the royal private treasury is decreasing year by year, and now the annual income is less than one million taels of silver.

And all this money is actually spent every year.

Especially in recent years, due to the decrease in income from the royal private treasury, it is almost reaching the point of breaking even.

If things continue to develop, the royal private treasury will have to be used up.

Li Xuan was so angry when he saw the astronomical figures of consumption in the palace that his blood pressure soared.

The monthly expenditure in the imperial palace is so huge, but before, they only had a few small expenses in Jingyang Palace. This is simply too much!

Li Xuan couldn't even imagine how extravagant the lives in other palaces were.

"And why is the income from the royal private treasury getting lower and lower?"

Li Xuan asked his doubts.

According to him, no matter what business Emperor Yongyuan does, it won't make money. With the support of imperial power, who in the world can compete with him for profits?
Why is it that the business is becoming increasingly sluggish, causing the income of the royal private treasury to decrease year by year?

"Corruption, misappropriation of public funds for personal gain, squandering and diverting funds..."

“It can be said that they have used every possible means.”

"Even our Ministry of Internal Affairs can't catch him."

Zhao Feng shook his head and sighed, helpless.

(End of this chapter)