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Chapter 521 Ministry of Revenue
Jiang Shaohua did not check the accounts today, and said with a smile: "No need, I trust Minister Ji's ability, so there is no need to look at the account books."

If you come to the Ministry of Revenue and don't look at the account books, what should you look at?
Minister Ji was not relieved, but became more alert: "What does the princess plan to see?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled casually and said, "This princess will stay in Minister Ji's signing room today, just take a look around."

Minister Ji: “…”

Jiang Shaohua had previously inspected various ministries, either checking accounts or keeping an eye on various departments. When he was at the Ministry of Justice, he went straight to the prison. But when he arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, he did not follow the usual practice and insisted on staying in the Shangshu's signing room.

Minister Ji was reluctant in his heart, but he could not show it on his face: "The Ministry of Revenue has documents piling up on my desk every day, and I am so busy that I am afraid I will not have time to talk to the princess."

Jiang Shaohua still smiled in an approachable manner: "No need to talk to me, just do what Minister Ji usually does today."

Minister Ji had no choice but to agree.

At this time, the long-servant came in, glanced at Jiang Shaohua quietly, and then whispered to Minister Ji: "Sir Minister, how should we arrange lunch today?"

Minister Ji looked at Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "I have heard that the lunch at the Ministry of Revenue is good, so today is a good opportunity to try it."

Minister Ji nodded slightly and asked his attendant to make the arrangements.

The six ministries all had kitchens that provided lunch. Sometimes officials had to work at night in the yamen, so the kitchen had to prepare dinner and midnight snacks. The treasury of Daliang was empty, and money and grain were not enough everywhere, but the Ministry of Revenue did not have to worry about money, and the food in the kitchen was the best among the six ministries.

In less than an incense stick of time, lunch was ready. Minister Ji led Jiang Shaohua to the small dining hall, where eight dishes were placed on the exquisite pearwood round table. The meat and vegetables were properly matched, and the color, aroma and taste were delicious.

Jiang Shaohua was not polite, and after sitting down with Minister Ji, he ate heartily. Minister Ji also experienced the princess's extraordinary appetite for the first time, and was almost dumbfounded when he saw it later: "Although the food in the Ministry of Revenue is good, the princess should be more restrained and don't eat too much."

Jiang Shaohua finished the lunch for three people and said happily, "Don't worry, this princess has a big appetite."

After lunch, Minister Ji began to get busy. Every day, countless documents were submitted to the Ministry of Revenue, most of which were requests for money, grain, or both. Minister Ji had to personally review each one.

If the amount requested is too large, it will be rejected directly and a new budget will be made.

Expenditures that are not urgent will also be rejected. Wait until the Ministry of Revenue has money.

For expenses that cannot be postponed, only half will be approved at most. The other half will be allocated after the taxes are collected.

At first, Minister Ji tried his best to be polite and restrained, considering Jiang Shaohua was beside him. But as more and more documents came, his expression became more and more unpleasant, and he finally couldn't help cursing.

Almost every doctor or clerk delivering official documents was criticized. They all hunched their necks and looked miserable.

Jiang Shaohua saw it all.

After working for more than an hour, Minister Ji finally drank some tea and took a short break. He complained to the princess, "The princess came to the Ministry of Revenue in person today and saw it with her own eyes. It is really difficult for an old minister to be in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. In recent years, the taxes collected by the treasury have been getting worse year by year. However, more and more places need money and grain. The Ministry of Revenue is stretched to its limits and can't afford it at all. It is common for people to spend money before they earn it."

"The government offices are not sympathetic at all. They all stick their necks out to ask for money. I wish I could plant a few money trees." Jiang Shaohua looked sympathetic: "Minister Ji is indeed working hard."

Minister Ji sighed and said, "I am not young anymore. I will hold on for another three to five years. When the emperor takes charge of government affairs, I will retire and return to my hometown to enjoy my retirement and a few years of leisurely life."

Minister Ji is not that old. He is sixty this year, but he looks older than Minister Dai. It is obvious that the Minister of Revenue works hard and it is not easy.

Jiang Shaohua said softly: "Minister Ji is in charge of the national treasury, he is a key official of Daliang, and the person the emperor trusts the most. With Minister Ji around, the emperor can rest assured. Don't say such discouraging words."

The six ministries each have their own responsibilities, and the Ministry of Revenue is particularly important. The Minister of Revenue can be mediocre, but he must be someone the emperor trusts. Minister Ji is such a person.

In terms of ability, he is above average. In terms of loyalty, he is first-rate. If Minister Ji retires, there will be no one who can replace him.

Minister Ji was greatly relieved after being praised by the princess. Just as he was about to say something modest, he heard the princess say, "The Rouran envoy has been driven away. I'm afraid that the border will soon be in flames again. The Ministry of Revenue must now make every effort to raise food and fodder in preparation for the war."

Minister Ji frowned and sighed, "To be honest with you, my lady, I absolutely do not agree with the princess' marriage. However, if the border troops really want to fight the Rouran cavalry, the capital will have to send reinforcements, which will require a large amount of money and food. I am in a restless mood today because I am worried about this matter."

Jiang Shaohua looked at Minister Ji and said, "We need to prepare for war at the border. Nanyang County offers 200,000 dan of military rations."

Two hundred thousand stones?

Minister Ji's small eyes suddenly lit up, and his facial expression became visibly eager: "Is what the princess said true?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "This princess's words are always true, and her words always count."

Minister Ji rubbed his fingers with excitement and said, "This is great! So much military rations will greatly solve the urgent need of the Ministry of Revenue."

"When the time comes, I will have people deliver food directly to the border troops." Jiang Shaohua said, "It will save the trouble of transporting food back and forth, and it will also reduce consumption."

Minister Ji responded repeatedly, his old face almost smiling: "The princess is generous and magnanimous. I will personally submit a memorial to ask for credit for her."

Minister Ji was very sensible. He wanted to make Jiang Shaohua famous.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "This princess does not say those useless polite words. This princess donated grain, firstly to relieve the urgent need of the Ministry of Revenue and relieve the emperor's worries, and secondly to support the border troops in fighting. If you can use this to spread your reputation, it would be great. Thank you, Minister Ji."

In the evening, Minister Ji saw Princess Nanyang out of the Ministry of Revenue with a beaming smile on his face.

Minister Dai of the Ministry of Justice was returning from his office. Seeing this, he couldn't help but mutter, "This old man usually has a sullen face towards everyone. But today he is polite to the princess. You can tell from such a distance that he is smiling."

At the court meeting the next day, Minister Dai found out what had happened.

Minister Ji submitted a memorial to ask for merit for Princess Nanyang. Emperor Taihe, who barely managed to hold on to his body, relaxed his brows upon hearing this and praised Jiang Shaohua greatly. All officials praised him one after another.

Two hundred thousand dan of military rations! A full two hundred thousand dan!
Or Nanyang County would directly send the grain to the border troops. In other words, Nanyang County would be responsible for transporting and delivering the grain, and all the consumption on the way would be borne by Nanyang County.

Jiang Shaohua stood there smiling, and his figure seemed to have become much taller in an instant.