Xu Liang angrily said: "Centre Commander, it has already been more than half a month since we have established the 'Thousand Cavalry'. Seeing that the number of soldiers is about to be filled, this lowly officer thought that the armor, weapons, horses, clothing and rations should also be distributed according to the number of soldiers!"
Yang Fan happily said: "Of course we should make early preparations. You are right!"
Xu Liang said: "This lowly officer did as I thought and went to the Department of Ordnance, the Imperial Servant Temple and the Ministry of Revenue. In the end, they all prevaricated and found all kinds of reasons but were unwilling to allocate."
Yang Fan frowned and sensed that something was wrong: "It shouldn't be! We are not some miscellaneous troops. It is not like they don't know that we are the Emperor's personal army and the Imperial Army's direct line of descent. Would they dare to make things difficult? "
Xu Liang laughed coldly and said: "Not only that! When this lowly officer went to the Ministry of Revenue to ask for rations, they also told me that our 'Thousand Cavalry' has just been formed and the budget in the Ministry of Revenue's hands was set at the beginning of the year. At that time, it did not include us. Now that the imperial court is short of money and does not have much, there is no way to raise it. I am afraid that the army's rations will not be distributed for a while! "
A ruthless look instantly flashed in Yang Fan's eyes.
Xu Liang said again: "Centre Commander, this matter cannot be treated lightly! We have just formed an army and most of the soldiers are the best of the best from the various Imperial Guards. They all know that we are the Emperor's personal guards and that is why they enthusiastically signed up. Now if there is a delay in the distribution of armor, weapons, rations and rations, the army's morale will be finished. "
Yang Fan nodded his head with a serious expression. He also knew the importance of this matter. His soldiers were the best of the best and most of them were from the Imperial Guards. Most of these people had fought in battles and killed people and were elites on the battlefield. However, they could not help but have a bit of arrogance in normal times. They were willing to join the 'Thousand Horsemen' because this army's regulations and status were higher than all the other armies. If something like this happened, the morale of the army would definitely fall, and his prestige would also fall to rock bottom.
If this army had been established for a long time, perhaps Yang Fan could establish his prestige in the army and firmly control this army in his hands. Even if something went wrong for a while, the army's morale would not fall. However, "Thousand Cavalry" had just been established, and he did not have the domineering aura to make those veterans who had rolled in piles of corpses immediately submit to him.
If at this time he did not have horses, armor, weapons for the soldiers to train, food and rice were not distributed enough, and he could not even pay the soldiers, then the so-called 'Thousand Horsemen' would be a big joke. Once the people's hearts were scattered, it would be difficult to regroup. Moreover, his reputation would be ruined, and it would be impossible for him to stand firm in the army.
"Who wants to go against me? If it's not someone important, no one would dare to go against me. After all, this is the Emperor's special order to establish the Imperial Guards. "
Yang Fan was secretly alarmed, but he did not know that everything was because of Li Guo 'er, that scourge. But it was almost the end of the month, if he could not get his salary by then it would be a big joke. He had to settle this matter immediately, he had no time to investigate who was the one who was trying to go against him.
Yang Fan immediately said, "I'll go to the Ministry of Revenue immediately and solve the problem of food and soldiers' pay first. Other matters can wait. You must keep this matter strictly confidential, do not let even the slightest bit of information leak out!"
Xu Liang solemnly nodded his head and said, "I know the seriousness of this matter, that's why I came looking for you as soon as I came back, and did not tell anyone else!"
Yang Fan was pleased and patted him on the shoulder. He had found the right person to use him as the Sima Zhen. If it was Huang Xuchang, Maqiao, Chu Kuangge or the others, the whole world would know about it the moment they entered the Yuan Gate. At that time, it would really be a mess, and people would laugh at them.
Yang Fan immediately asked Ren Wei to bring the warhorses over, and led a few guards back to the city, and went straight to the Ministry of Revenue.
The Ministry of Revenue was in charge of the land, the people, the administration of money and grain, and the distribution of taxes. There was one minister, two assistant ministers, and four departments. Similar to the other five departments, the first department was named the same as the Ministry of Justice, also called the Ministry of Revenue, but there was a 'Si' after the word 'Bu', so the full name was the Ministry of Revenue. After the Ministry of Revenue, there was the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Revenue.
The Ministry of Revenue was in charge of the census, land, taxes, contributions, exemptions, rehabilitation, marriage, and inheritance. The Ministry of Revenue was in charge of the world's taxes, the abundance of products, the benefits of land and water, and the adjustment of the annual plan. The Ministry of Revenue was in charge of the world's treasuries, and the balance of weights and measures. The Ministry of Revenue was in charge of the world's military reserves, and the collection of taxes, taxes, and grain.
For a moment, Yang Fan couldn't tell the relationship between the four departments, but he had been in the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Justice before, so he knew that the first department was the most important department in the government. All the major matters were under the control of the first department, so the moment he arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, he immediately went straight to the Ministry of Revenue.
The Minister of Revenue was originally Di Renjie's eldest son, Di Guangsi. After Di Renjie passed away, his three sons all left their posts and went home to observe filial piety. It would be three years before they could be reinstated. The current Minister of Revenue was called Cao Han. Although his rank was slightly lower than Yang Fan's, he held great power, so when he saw Yang Fan, he was neither servile nor overbearing.
Hearing Yang Fan's reason for coming, Minister Cao only smiled faintly, and said slowly: "This department is only responsible for distributing money and grain. The Ministry of Revenue has never made a budget for the thousand horsemen, so naturally, this department has no way of distributing them. As long as this department sees the detailed list of the Ministry of Revenue's stipend, it will definitely not spare a cent for the 'thousand horsemen'. "
Yang Fan thought that the new army had just been established, so it was not good to cause trouble. Hearing that Minister Cao's words were reasonable, he politely expressed his thanks, asked for the location of the Ministry of Revenue, and then hurried over.
The Ministry of Revenue's Minister of Revenue's name was Liu Nan Quan, and he was from Shu. As soon as Yang Fan entered his office, he smelled a strong aroma of tea. A young servant was brewing tea in the hall. Hearing Yang Fan's reason for coming, Minister Liu was very enthusiastic, and immediately invited him to take a seat, and ordered the servant to serve the tea.
Although the tea smelled fragrant, after adding things like ginger, garlic, orange peel, and salt croton flour, Yang Fan did not have the fortune to enjoy it. Therefore, he braced himself and took a sip, then put it down, and explained his purpose for coming to Minister Liu.
Minister Liu was enjoying the fragrant tea as if he was on cloud nine. After hearing Yang Fan's reason for coming, he immediately said: "That's right, this budget is indeed made by this department. Everything from the fixed amount of tribute, special funds to storage, purchases, salaries of the hundred officials, gifts, and so on, are all planned out.
This department needs to gather the revenue and expenditure of the various roads, synthesizing the revenue and expenditure of taxes, military and state expenditures, military supplies, and the needs of the border, and carry out a rough calculation. After reporting it to the Minister of Revenue, and then to His Majesty the Emperor for approval, only then can the department distribute it. Such a large amount of expenditure cannot be calculated at any time, so every year at the beginning of the year, a budget is carried out.
'Thousand Horsemen' has just been established and has already missed this year's budgeting period. It is impossible for this department to conduct a rough calculation of the various revenues and expenditures for all of you. According to the usual practice, this kind of temporary increase in expenditure will be first allocated by the Ministry of Revenue. At the end of the year, it will be reported to this department and added to this year's expenditure, and then used as a budget for next year's expenditure. "
Yang Fan listened to his cloudy and misty explanation, but he only understood one thing. "Regarding this matter, you still have to find the Ministry of Revenue to resolve it. We are only responsible for making plans. Moreover, it is only once a year. You guys don't have money, rice, and rations, so you can't stay with us."
With this kind of prevarication, when would there ever be a conclusion? Yang Fan was slightly angered. "The Ministry of Revenue says that once your Du Zhi Branch produces a detailed report, they can distribute the rations accordingly. But your esteemed department says that the Ministry of Revenue can distribute the rations first and then make up the list at the end of the year. Both of you say that you are in the right, both of you say that you are in the right, both of you say that you are in the right, but who are the soldiers under Yang's command going to ask for rations to fill their bellies?"
Liu Lang Zhong laughed and hurriedly said, "General, don't be anxious. The provisions are not in this department's hands. Even if I wanted to give them to you, I have no way. Speaking of which, this matter is indeed a matter of the Ministry of Revenue. There is no reason for you to make things difficult for this department. How about this, this official will point out a clear path for you … "
Liu Lang Zhong picked up his teacup and took a beautiful sip. Slowly and methodically, he said, "General can go to the Ministry of Granaries. The Ministry of Granaries is in charge of the military reserves under heaven. It is responsible for collecting taxes, taxes, and grain. If they have a lot of money and rations, this department will temporarily increase the budget for you. That is not a big deal. "
Speaking to this point, Liu Lang Zhong stood and said to the manservant in the hall, "Go! Tell Squire He and Manager Zheng that there may be some official business today and will need to leave a bit later. Tell the people in this department to wait for news from this official. "
The other had already said this much. What could Yang Fan do? He could only stand and bid farewell, then go to the Ministry of Granaries to see that Zheng Zhongbo, Doctor Zheng.
Compared to Cao Lang Zhong and Liu Lang Zhong, Doctor Zheng lacked some of the grace and grandeur of a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Revenue. His face was full of wrinkles, his cheeks were thin, and his eyebrows were inverted. He always had a worried expression.
When Yang Fan arrived at the Ministry of Granaries, he had just explained the purpose of his visit when Doctor Zheng, with a worried expression on his face, poured out his grievances to him. "General Yang, this official understands your purpose in coming, but this official is truly powerless. Look, this is this year's various expenditures. My treasury is completely empty. I really can't take out any money and rations."
Doctor Zheng brought over an incomparably thick account book, dipped it in his saliva, and flipped it open one by one. He pointed to Yang Fan and said, "Look, this is the supplies for the mausoleum, sacrifices, ceremonies, salaries, examinations, salaries, relay stations, meals, compensation, repairs, procurement, weaving, miscellaneous expenses … and here, Hebei and Longyou are plagued by frequent military disasters. The taxes cannot be paid, and the imperial court has to pay instead. This is the grain and money allocated at the beginning of the year. Look, this is the money required by the various imperial guards. This is the relief funds allocated for the Min and Zhe floods. This is the debt owed by Jiannan and Qiannan Roads … "
Yang Fan finally couldn't take it anymore and said in a deep voice, "Doctor Zheng, these matters have nothing to do with this official! His Majesty has ordered me to form the 'Thousand Horsemen', and the Emperor cannot lack hungry soldiers. I only ask you, is there any way to pay for food and rations? "
Doctor Zheng placed the incomparably thick account book on the table and said with a worried frown, "No money!"
"You …"
Yang Fan was unable to restrain his anger and grabbed him by the collar. Seeing this, a few of the minor officials at the side immediately wanted to help. Doctor Zheng's thin and withered body was lifted into the air by Yang Fan. His face was flushed red, but he still calmly waved his hand at his subordinates and said to Yang Fan with a worried expression, "I really don't have money!"
Yang Fan had encountered such a troublemaker, but he couldn't really kill him with a single punch. Yang Fan angrily threw him to the ground and walked away. Doctor Zheng staggered and steadied himself. He raised his voice and shouted, "General Yang, the Inner Palace has borrowed a large sum of money from our Ministry of Revenue to build the Bright Hall, the Heavenly Hall, and the Nine Cauldrons. If you can get it back for us, this lowly official will have the money to pay you for the army!"
Yang Fan flung his sleeve and a flower rack by the door flew up with a 'peng' and crashed into the wall. Even the flower pot and the wooden rack were smashed into pieces!
… …
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