Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

In the old study, the candlelight flickered and the light and shadows danced eerily on the wall.

Wang Chongli looked solemn. He straightened his robe and then bowed respectfully.

Wang Chongli spoke in a low voice, as if every word he said carried a thousand pounds of weight.

"Sir, the court's finances are now stretched to the limit, just like those tattered clothes.

Military pay is as heavy as Mount Tai for border defense.

It concerns the lives of thousands of soldiers and maintains the peace of the country.

However, the difference in military pay is so huge that it is hard not to suspect that there is a heinous crime of "eating empty salaries".

When Tang Duo heard this, his originally calm expression suddenly changed.

He subconsciously clenched the folding fan in his hand, and his knuckles turned slightly white from the force.

At this moment, Tang Duo felt something was wrong and his thoughts were tangled like a tangled mess.

Having been up and down in the whirlpool of officialdom for many years, he knew too well the interests involved in this matter.

In recent years, Tang Duo has been carefully maneuvering between various forces, walking on thin ice, just to ensure a smooth career.

However, this sudden situation is likely to disrupt the balance he has worked so hard to build.

After pondering for a long time, Tang Duo spoke slowly, his expression solemn as if shrouded in a layer of haze.

"Chongli, this matter is of great importance and cannot be taken lightly.

Have you really checked thoroughly to ensure that there are no omissions?

Could there be some misunderstanding?

His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin has been doing business in Shanxi for many years, and his prestige is well-known and he is deeply loved by the people.

If we rashly question and cause unnecessary trouble, the consequences will be disastrous.

If you think about it more carefully, is it possible that it is just a statistical error?

Or maybe some of the cavalry were urgently dispatched but have not yet been recorded?"

Tang Duo pretended to be calm on the surface, but his heart was already surging like waves.

He was afraid that if the matter got out of control, he would be dragged into an abyss of no return, just like the dominoes newly invented by Prince Jin.

Wang Chongli hurriedly bowed and became more respectful.

He said anxiously: "Sir, I have checked it repeatedly and in detail.

Every detail was taken into consideration and nothing was overlooked.

Moreover, I have secretly inquired from many sources and asked throughout the military, but have not heard of any large-scale cavalry deployment.

Now the difference is as high as 100,000. It is really hard to justify such a huge amount. "

When Tang Duo heard this, the smile on his face disappeared instantly like melting ice and snow, and his expression darkened.

Then he slammed the table so hard that the teacups on the table clanged.

Tang Duo glared at him, his eyes full of majesty and warning.

"Chongli, stop talking nonsense!

His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin has devoted all his energy to the people of Shanxi and this land.

How can you easily guess his painstaking efforts?
There may be other hidden secrets behind this, perhaps it is a stopgap measure to stabilize the situation in Shanxi.

How can you make such a hasty judgment?

The current situation is delicate. Any carelessness will lead to turmoil. How should we explain to the court then?
How should we face the people of Shanxi?"

Tang Duo's move was intended to intimidate Wang Chongli and stabilize the precarious situation to prevent himself from falling into an irretrievable situation.

Wang Chongli was so frightened by this sudden rebuke that his face instantly turned as pale as paper, as if his spine had been pulled out.

He subconsciously lowered his head, his hands unconsciously clenched the corners of his clothes, and a bluish-white color appeared between his fingers.

Now, a fierce battle between conscience and man is unfolding in Wang Chongli's heart.

"Am I really wrong?
But the evidence for the difference of 100,000 cavalrymen is irrefutable. If it is not exposed, wouldn’t the people’s hard-earned money be wasted?
Over the years, I have witnessed the people struggling in hardship. Should I really choose to remain silent at this moment? However, Lord Tang tried his best to protect the King of Jin, who was extremely powerful.

In Shanxi, he can be said to be able to cover the sky with one hand.

If I insist on pursuing the matter, what will happen to me and my family?
How can I uphold justice in my heart and protect my family from being implicated?"

After thinking for a moment, Wang Chongli slowly raised his head.

Although there was still a trace of fear in his eyes, there was more determination, as if he had found a glimmer of light in the darkness.

"My Lord, I understand that you may have your own considerations in protecting His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin.

But the difference of 100,000 cavalrymen is like a huge rock pressing on one's heart, and it is hard to ignore.

I am not acting rashly, but this matter concerns the discipline of the court and the livelihoods of thousands of people, so I have to treat it with caution.

Today, Your Majesty is wise and is severely punishing corrupt officials.

If there is any unpaid salary, it will be severely punished.”

Tang Duo's expression eased a little, but he still looked solemn, like a cold iceberg.

“Chongli, you only see the numbers on the surface, but you don’t know the complicated situation behind it.

It is like an invisible big net. If you are not careful, you will be caught and find it difficult to escape.

Shanxi is a strategic location with a crucial geographical location and the situation is extremely delicate.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin has been running Shanxi for many years, and his influence is so extensive that it has already penetrated every corner.

Once the Prince of Jin falls because of this so-called difference, the situation in Shanxi will be in chaos, which will endanger the stability of the court.

The court will certainly question the poor governance of those of us who serve as officials in Shanxi, and then you and I will be in a desperate situation.

Moreover, if this matter were to be known by the Imperial Guards, they would certainly exaggerate the matter and report it to Your Majesty in order to seek credit and reward, and the turmoil caused by that would be difficult to deal with.

Think about it, the Hidden Dragon Guard had been in charge of Shanxi's intelligence. If anything went wrong because of the matter of Prince Jin, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would definitely take the opportunity to suppress the Hidden Dragon Guard.

We officials who are involved with the Hidden Dragon Guard will also be implicated.

There is fierce infighting in the court right now, with various forces fighting overtly and covertly, so you must not easily give others an advantage."

Tang Duo's words showed his worry about the situation, but in fact every word he said was based on his own interests.

Wang Chongli gritted his teeth when he heard this, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.

"My Lord, I am not unaware of the complexity of the situation, but I am troubled by my conscience.

Is there no way to have the best of both worlds, to find out the truth and ensure stability in Shanxi?
The court needs stability now, but the truth cannot be buried!

The people's expectations and the court's discipline do not allow us to slack off in the slightest."

The two were in a stalemate when they heard a slight knock on the door.

“Tap, tap, tap!”

Although the sound was soft, it was particularly abrupt in the silent atmosphere.

Tang Duo and Wang Chongli looked at each other, both with confusion in their eyes.

Wang Chongli stood up, walked towards the door with slightly heavy steps, and slowly opened it.

I saw a middle-aged man in ordinary cloth standing at the door. He looked like an ordinary citizen, but his eyes were as deep as the abyss, revealing a hint of shrewdness.

The middle-aged man quickly glanced around the room and then bowed slightly.

He whispered, "My lords, I am sorry to bother you.

I have been entrusted by someone to bring a message to you two.

The capital has been paying close attention to the Shanxi military and horse incident recently, so please be cautious in your actions."

Without waiting for the two men to respond, the middle-aged man left in a hurry like a ghost, leaving only the sound of light footsteps echoing in the air.

Tang Duo and Wang Chongli were shocked and thought to themselves.

This mysterious hint undoubtedly confirmed their concerns - the capital may have noticed the abnormality of Shanxi's military pay. (End of this chapter)