spend time

The Ministry of Revenue approved the budget within one day.

Tang Youyin handed the note for the silver to Yang Zheng: "Keep the note, don't rush to get the cash. You can use this note to buy materials directly, and then come to the Ministry of Revenue to settle the bill. This will also save money."

Yang Zheng was very grateful: "Thank you very much for your help this time."

Tang Youyin is of medium height and plain appearance. He looks inconspicuous, but he is good at doing things and has a way of dealing with people. Hearing this, he smiled and said, "That's too polite. We are all elders of Nanyang County, and it's only natural for us to help each other. If I have any difficulties in the future, I will have to trouble Brother Yang."

Then, he lowered his voice and instructed: "Go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and look for Mr. Jiang. He is an official from the Ministry of Revenue and is easier to deal with than the eunuchs."

Jiang Yuanwailang was transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs that day, feeling embarrassed and ashamed. However, as long as he did not commit suicide and was reluctant to resign, he had to grit his teeth and continue to work. In private, he still had contacts with officials from the Ministry of Revenue.

Tang Youyin was also a strange man. He took the position of Jiang Yuanwailang. Logically, he should have been a thorn in Jiang Yuanwailang's side. Unexpectedly, he went to Jiang Yuanwailang twice in private. He didn't know what he said, but it made Jiang Yuanwailang get rid of his resentment. They even developed some friendship!

After receiving Tang Youyin's advice, Yang Zheng thanked him profusely and went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs with high spirits.

The eunuch in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was named Min, and he was naturally a confidant of the Empress Dowager Zheng. Regarding the Ministry of Works' request for money, Min's principle was that the task could be done first, but the money would not be given for the time being.

Tang Youyin did not go to find Eunuch Min, but went to talk to Yuanwailang Jiang.

Jiang Yuanwailang worked in the Imperial Household Department, which was much easier than before and had a lot of benefits. Moreover, the Imperial Household Department had always been the territory of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng. As long as he flattered the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, no one would come to check the accounts of the Imperial Household Department.

Apart from the bad reputation, life is actually better than when I was in the Ministry of Revenue.

Did Jiang Yuanwailang have any grudge against the emperor? Of course he did! However, Tang Youyin told him from the bottom of his heart that day: "The emperor is magnanimous and has punished his subjects, so he will not bear any grudges in his heart. Brother Jiang is now in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Do your job well and you will still be an official in the court."

"If Brother Jiang harbors resentment and dissatisfaction, and complains all the time, it will only anger the emperor. What good will it do Brother Jiang in the future?"

"Excuse me for saying something unpleasant, but the Empress Dowager is not young anymore. If she lives another ten or twenty years, she will be considered old. But the Emperor is still young and in his prime."

"Even if Brother Jiang doesn't care about his own future, can't he consider the future generations of his family?"

The last sentence accurately hit Mr. Jiang's soft spot.

A fifth-rank official was barely considered a middle-level official in the capital, but the emperor's words caused him to be transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in disgrace. What qualifications did he have to compete with the emperor?

The Empress Dowager is not as powerful as before and is not as reliable.

Later, when Duke Anguo resigned from his post and gave away 50% of his family property, the plaques were all removed. Then Jiang Yuanwailang completely realized the truth and took the initiative to interact with Tang Youyin.

Now that the emperor's trusted doctor Yang has come to do the work, Jiang Yuanwailang is also happy to give him some convenience, and he opened his mouth to give instructions: "Such a large expense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs cannot make the decision, it must be reported to the Empress Dowager, and only after the Empress Dowager nods her approval can the money be allocated. However, I heard that the Empress Dowager has been unwell recently, and Eunuch Min may not be willing to report this matter."

Yang Zheng flattered him with a smile on his face and asked Jiang Yuanwailang to report back on his behalf.

Jiang Yuanwailang sighed, "After all, I am an outsider, so it is not convenient for me to go to the palace all the time. I only have the opportunity to go to Jingyang Palace to report to the emperor every ten days or half a month. I am afraid that this will delay Doctor Yang's work."

This was not a deliberate excuse, as Jiang Yuanwailang did not go to the palace very often.

Yang Zheng knew that this trip would be difficult, so he refused to leave and argued with Jiang Yuanwailang. Jiang Yuanwailang had no choice but to come up with an idea: "Eunuch Zhao and Eunuch Lin are both popular people around the Empress Dowager. If Yang finds one of them and whispers in the Empress Dowager's ear, the job can be done smoothly."

……

"So, Yang Zheng went to look for Eunuch Zhao?"

The charcoal basin in the Showa-den was emitting warm steam.

Jiang Shaohua reviewed several memorials and felt a little tired. He drank a cup of warm tea, ate some snacks, and listened to Chen Sheren's gossip to relieve his boredom. When he heard about Yang Zheng being tricked, he was not annoyed at all, but asked with great interest: "Did Eunuch Zhao help?"

Chen Jinyu laughed softly and said, "Eunuch Zhao has a big appetite. It will take more than a few words to ask him to intercede. I heard that Doctor Yang sent a generous gift privately."

Jiang Shaohua laughed: "He too, came directly to see me, how could I not support him? He is actually sulking with Minister Zhou."

Chen Jinyu understood Yang Zheng very well from the perspective of a minister: "The emperor brought several ministers to Beijing. My grandfather and I worked smoothly in the palace. Ma Yaozong was sent to the Ministry of Personnel, which was also appropriate. Not to mention Tang Youyin, he was like a fish in water in the Ministry of Revenue and was highly appreciated and valued by Minister Ji. Yang Zheng was always competitive, so he went to the Ministry of Works and became a fourth-rank doctor, which was the highest position among us ministers."

"Just when I was in high spirits, I was tricked by Minister Zhou. I am so embarrassed. How can I be ashamed to ask the emperor for support?"

"He will definitely try his best to complete the task, and then come to the emperor to speak."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Well, I'll just wait and see."

There is nothing to blame on Minister Zhou. Even if the emperor questioned him, he could have answered with his back straightened. It is precisely because the task is difficult that it is handed over to a shrewd and capable minister like Doctor Yang!

Thinking of Minister Zhou, Jiang Shaohua couldn't help but sigh: "The court is stable, but it is only stable on the surface. It is still a long way to go before the ministers return to their hearts."

Chen Jinyu smiled and said, "It has only been half a year since the Emperor ascended the throne, and it has become like this. This is already very impressive."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "I am still not satisfied."

As they were talking and joking, Qin Hu came with a war report with a serious expression.

Jiang Shaohua restrained his smile, took the battle report, and glanced around.

Just a few lines of words, but they are filled with a strong smell of blood.

The Yuzhou army rose up and occupied the Yuzhou government office. All the Yuzhou officials who refused to surrender were killed. The Yuzhou army also confiscated the money and grain of all the prominent families and recruited soldiers. In just two or three months, they recruited more than 10,000 soldiers.

The Yuzhou army also forced the people to build city walls, which was completely an attitude of wanting to be an independent king.

Chen Jinyu was so angry that smoke was coming out of his head: "This bastard deserves to be cut into pieces!"

Jiang Shaohua's eyes were cold: "Pass on my oral order, summon civil officials and military officers above the third rank to enter the palace immediately." (End of this chapter)