Yang Junmin knew that in a few days, the silver from Japan would arrive. But by the time it reached the capital, it would probably be split up by the various factions. He wouldn't even be able to collect a single tael of silver.
But the accounts of the national treasury had to record the 650,000 taels of silver.
And the accounts were a mess. It was very confusing, very strange and did not match up with the accounts.
Facing Shen Li's gaze, Yang Junmin had no confidence at all.
"Minister, Daming the Imperial Court has been living beyond its means for a long time. It's also not something that has only happened since I became the Minister of Revenue. I've been trying my best to maintain the government's finances, but the recent disasters have been severe and the local governments have failed to collect taxes. I don't dare to forcefully collect taxes for fear of causing a revolt."
Shen Li didn't care about the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue, but she had heard about the messy accounts. She just didn't know the specifics.
"In the past, you said that the annual income of 2 million wasn't enough. Now, it's 4 million, is it still not enough? Only when the local governments have enough for their own use will they hand it over to the national treasury. The national treasury has always had a surplus, so where did all these messy accounts come from?! "
Shen Li sighed heavily.
Who could say for sure?
If these big shots were to say it clearly, none of them were clean. None of them dared to say that they didn't have these things in their grey income. Otherwise, with just their salaries, they would have to starve to death like Hai Rui. Everyone's heart was made of meat, but Hai Rui's pen holder was different; it was made of steel.
"So, the problem right now isn't just where the 35,000 Northern Barbarians went. With Hsiao Jixin, I don't think it'll be a problem. The problem is, after the war is over, how are we going to deal with these matters? Where will all the money come from? "
Shi Xing concluded and sat down angrily.
The atmosphere returned to silence, but everyone could clearly smell the thick smell of gunpowder.
Someone was going to be unlucky.
Everyone's eyes unconsciously gathered on the silent Zhao Zhigao, who had been resting with his eyes closed.
Zhao Zhigao opened his eyes just in time.
"Everyone, calm down. Now that things have come to this point, we have to face it. As for how to face it, we have to think of a way to solve this problem together. Otherwise, if His Majesty blames us, it will be our fault as officials."
What was the difference between saying it and not saying it?
Old Zhao was old, really old. He remembered that when he first took office three years ago, he still had a little bit of vitality left in him. He still wanted to use his old life to do something. In the end, there was only an old Buddha in the cabinet now. There was no more Daming Grand Secretary Zhao Zhigao.
He would always address himself as His Majesty and stand on the moral high ground. He would not fight or snatch, but he did not do much.
"Cabinet Elder Zhao, you're the Grand Secretary, so you have to come up with an idea on this matter. Otherwise, it's pointless for us to talk so much here. His Majesty will soon find out about this, and he'll demand an explanation."
Shi Xing added.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Zhigao still looked leisurely. He looked at everyone, stood up, rolled up the victory report in front of him, stuffed it into his sleeve, and tightened his clothes.
"Well, then let this old man pay a visit to His Majesty and be scolded in exchange for everyone's peace!"
Zhao Zhigao laughed dryly. His voice was very dry, like the current Zhao Zhigao, like a dead tree that had completely lost its vitality.
Could such a Grand Secretary really lead everyone forward?
Everyone had the same doubts.
They seemed to have forgotten that when Zhao Zhigao wanted to lead them forward, they slapped away Zhao Zhigao's hand and dragged him down.
Military affairs had to be known by the Emperor. The Emperor had the right to know, and naturally had the right to make decisions. As for how the Emperor's decisions were carried out, that was another matter. However, the Emperor had to be the one to handle it. Even if it was just a formality, they could not let him feel that he was just a figurehead.
Naturally, Zhu Yijun already knew that he was just a figurehead. During non-war times, how many of his orders were carried out was also a problem. How many of his orders were used as political weapons to attack certain groups was also unknown.
But no matter what, he was still the Daming Emperor, and a Daming Emperor who was not willing to be fooled to the end. Thus, he naturally had his own information channels.
While the officials were troubled by the news of the 35,000 Northern Barbarians that had disappeared, Zhu Yijun had already received the complete information provided by Xiao Ruxun. Only his information was the most complete. The cabinet's information was an emasculated version. As for the small characters outside, they only knew from the news broadcast.
Not only did he know where the Northern Barbarians had gone, he also had Xiao Ruxun's complete analysis and Xiao Ruxun's guarantee that the Northern Barbarians would be wiped out, so he could rest assured.
Zhu Yijun was not worried about Xiao Ruxun's military capabilities. As long as he was given troops, he would definitely be able to wipe out the Northern Barbarians. However, what he was worried about was the four to five year old grain.
Xiao Ruxun had said that the four to five year old grain in the camp of the Northern Barbarians was at least two thousand dans. The north, including Shanxi, had been suffering from cold and drought for many years. Logically speaking, it was impossible for such old grain to fall into the hands of the Northern Barbarians. This was really strange.
Xiao Ruxun's information did not elaborate further. He only stated his own analysis and attached a small bag of old wheat. Zhu Yijun poured a little of the bag of old wheat into his hand. He sniffed it carefully and looked …
He could not see anything …
He had lived a luxurious life since he was young. How could he know the age of this grain? It would take an experienced farmer to be able to tell.
Therefore, he ordered the eunuch beside him to find an old farmer with more than ten years of farming experience. No matter what methods were used, he had to keep it a secret! If the news leaked out, I'll kill you!
This was what Zhu Yijun said.
The eunuchs naturally did not dare to leak the information that His Majesty had ordered to keep secret. The personal eunuch was even more clear about it.
Zhu Yijun did this to further confirm Xiao Ruxun's deduction. If Xiao Ruxun's deduction was correct, there was definitely something wrong with the grain. There was someone in the Daming who was funding the enemy. Even the sudden movement of the Northern Barbarians to the south was secretly guided by someone.
Zhu Yijun felt that this was what Xiao Ruxun wanted to tell him.
Xiao Ruxun had specifically said in the secret letter that this matter was only known to His Majesty. This was not in the information that the officials had received.
Just as Zhu Yijun was about to delve deeper into this matter, a messenger eunuch ran in.
"Your Majesty! Cabinet Elder Zhao requests an audience! "
Zhu Yijun furrowed his brows.
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