"I want to borrow money again. Is the Financial Secretary really treating my internal funds as a loan, allowing you to take whatever you want? You can borrow whatever you want? You borrowed money twice before, but it has not been repaid, and I have not pressed you. Why, you have doubled down on it. ?”
In the palace, Emperor Liu stood on the imperial steps and wandered, waving his hands subconsciously, staring closely at Wang Pu and Shen Yilun, who had their hands and waists hunched over, and there was even a little anger in his tone: "I don't believe it, the treasury The situation is so tight that we can’t even allocate money and food for disaster relief?”
When the two ministers under Danqi saw Emperor Liu's arrogant look and listened to his dissatisfied scolding, they couldn't help but show a hint of embarrassment on their faces.
However, it was embarrassing, but under Emperor Liu's dragon power, their expressions did not waver. Their purpose was simple and straightforward. The treasury was in embarrassment, so they came to borrow money from Emperor Liu.
However, this time, Emperor Liu's attitude was completely different when he heard their purpose of coming. He even showed a rare expression of indignation, which made them somewhat murmur in their hearts.
At first, after the triumphant return of the Second Northern Expedition, the imperial court fell into financial difficulties due to the huge expenditures of the war and financial overdraft. At that time, Emperor Liu took the initiative to borrow money from internal funds twice to help the imperial court barely survive the difficulties.
This time, due to the floods in the Central Plains, starting from the flood relief, the imperial court allocated funds and mobilized manpower, and naturally spent money like water. The disaster was over, and post-disaster reconstruction and resettlement matters were huge expenses in all aspects. Spending money simply stopped. Can't come down.
Therefore, Wang and Shen, who once again felt financial difficulties, once again focused on Emperor Liu's internal funds. Although they did not know how much reserves there were, the independence of internal and external funds in the Han Dynasty had been implemented for more than 20 years. , after more than 20 years of accumulation, it is a lot, and Emperor Liu is still the richest man in the Han Dynasty...
However, this time, Emperor Liu was met with a scolding and questioning. It seemed that he was unwilling to borrow it anymore, which was really unexpected.
Moreover, Emperor Liu's indignation was not fake. Shen Yilun was already over half his sixties, with old arms and legs, and Wang Pu was the deputy prime minister. But at this time, Emperor Liu didn't even say a word to ask them to sit down. Just standing like this, his attitude still felt aggressive.
However, since he opened his mouth, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue borrowing. With his head slightly lowered, Shen Yilun said in a steady voice and at a gentle speed: "Your Majesty, in order to relieve this disaster, the Financial Secretary has allocated funds successively. More than 9.36 million guan, 1.37 million shi of grain, and all kinds of materials were transported to the disaster area in boats and trucks. Post-disaster rewards and pensions, relief aid, and reconstruction support were all costly. In addition, coupled with the losses in various places, the court also Free of rent and taxes for the affected states and counties for one and a half years..."
"I don't want to hear you report these accounts!" Listening to Shen Yilun's nagging words, he even felt a kind of coercion. Emperor Liu suddenly became more dissatisfied and retorted: "The amount of relief funds and materials is indeed huge, but with the size of the Han Dynasty, Isn’t it so big and rich in resources that it can’t support it?
The imperial court has been recuperating for more than a year. After more than a year of accumulation, it cannot withstand even a flood. Is the Han imperial court so fragile?
Is the national treasury really empty? It can’t even handle disaster relief and emergency relief?”
Faced with Emperor Liu's series of harsh questions, the embarrassment on the faces of Wang and Shen became more intense. However, they are both thick-skinned when it comes to politics, and those in charge of money bags were even more energetic when it came to money and food accounts.
After a while of silence, allowing Emperor Liu to calm down, Wang Pu spoke, with a humble attitude but a tepid tone, and said: "Your Majesty, after the Northern Expedition, the imperial court suffered huge losses and had to implement many fiscal and tax reforms. Now it is just Initial results have been achieved, and the savings accumulated over the past year have only slightly made up for the wastage of the Northern Expedition.
It is true that there is still some money left in the treasury, but there are also many places for the imperial court to spend money, and all expenditures have a certain destination, which affects the whole body. This flood is another sudden disaster, and it comes suddenly. In order to fight floods and provide disaster relief, the Finance Secretary and his officials have racked their brains and exhausted all their efforts to raise money and materials from various sources, which has already affected other affairs of the court.
If you move it too much, I may affect the normal operation of other affairs of the court..."
"Humph!" Emperor Liu was not easily persuaded. He didn't seem to understand the financial secretary's difficulties. He immediately snorted and said: "Things have priorities. At the moment, the court is responsible for providing disaster relief, providing relief to the people, and rebuilding the people. The first priority, the first priority, other things can be put on the back burner!
It happened suddenly. I didn't expect you, Qi Wu, to say such a thing. Why, in the past twenty years, so many disasters have happened in various parts of the Han Dynasty. Isn't it possible that the imperial court was not prepared?
Is there no emergency reserve in the national treasury? If not, then this is your mistake and omission. I have to think carefully about whether you have managed the country's finances well and whether you have fulfilled your responsibilities!"
After Emperor Liu said this, both Wang Pu and Shen Yilun trembled and buried their heads lower, but they didn't know whether it was because they were ashamed or simply didn't want Emperor Liu to see their expressions. their thoughts.
In recent years, in the imperial court, no matter whether they were veterans or close ministers, few could hold their heads high and calmly when facing Emperor Liu.
"Your Majesty, calm down!" It was Wang Pu who calmed down and continued speaking at a steady pace: "No matter how difficult the disaster relief and aftermath matters are, I should do my best to handle them without any reservations. However, this After a major disaster, the imperial court suffered heavy losses, and the ministers also made plans for emergency matters.
Summer taxes are already being collected. Although dozens of prefectures and counties in Henan and Hebei have been severely damaged by floods, the remaining fiscal and taxation areas can still supply the imperial court. When the autumn harvest is over, the imperial government's finances will definitely be greatly relieved.
However, water far away cannot help the fire close by, and the imperial court is still facing immediate difficulties. I just want to ask for temporary loans to overcome the current difficulties as soon as possible. When the two taxes from various places are collected, everything can be saved..."
After listening to what he said, Emperor Liu finally couldn't help but smile, and the anger gradually disappeared from his face, and his expression returned to his usual calmness. He turned around and sat behind the imperial desk, adjusted his posture to a comfortable position, and stared straight at him. Wang Pu said: "Qi Wu, I understand what you mean, but I also have a question to ask you!"
"Your Majesty, please speak!" Sensing the change in Emperor Liu's tone, Wang Pu did not dare to be careless and bowed in response.
Emperor Liu said in a calm tone: "The imperial court has financial difficulties and needs money and grain to solve them. You come to me and ask for relief from internal funds. Why, with such a huge empire and such a huge treasury, the only way to solve the problem is with internal funds." ?When you encounter difficulties, you will only count on me?
Well, I am responsible for my family, my country, my country, and I should not be stingy and hide my private interests! However, if I am in trouble, should I find a way to borrow or misappropriate it from the national treasury?
What do you think!"
Emperor Liu's words made Wang Pu stunned, and Shen Yilun was also slightly shocked. After coming back to his senses, they both raised their heads, with a look of fear on their faces. Wang Pu no longer controlled his demeanor. He said with shame: "Your Majesty, I have improperly considered it and made a reckless statement. Please forgive me!"
Emperor Liu's expression did not change, he looked at Wang Pu and said calmly: "You are not guilty, you are just in the middle of the situation, and it is inevitable that you are blinded! You are all important ministers of the country and understand the righteousness. Why did I strictly separate the internal funds from the national treasury back then? , you all know what the intention is. Once the rules are established, you must abide by them. Of course I do, and so do you!"
"Your Majesty's lesson is right! I am not thoughtful and eager for quick success..." Wang Pu made a self-examination with a sighing tone.
Emperor Liu did not take this trick, and directly gave instructions: "I can tell you directly that ten million yuan is enough in the internal funds, but this time, I have no intention of borrowing again, and I shouldn't borrow it! The imperial court's finances naturally have finances. Manager, if there is a problem, just find a way to solve it. If you can't solve it, I will deal with the person in power!"
After a pause, his tone softened slightly, and then he said: "Shen Qing has been in charge of finance for many years, and you two are also experts in financial management. I don't believe it. You can't think of a way! Without the support of internal funds, a big man The finances are about to collapse? Will providing disaster relief and reassuring the people be impossible?
Go ahead and think of a way for yourselves. With your talents and family background, can’t you even get through this little difficulty?”
I came in high spirits and full of expectations, but I was met with an almost merciless reprimand and rebuttal from Emperor Liu, which ended in disgrace.
It was not that Wang Pu had never been reprimanded by Emperor Liu before, but this time was the only time that made him feel the most ashamed and humiliated. When he left the Chui Gong Hall, he looked gloomy and the word "shy" was almost written on his face.
In fact, as far as Emperor Liu was concerned, the so-called difficulties in the Han Dynasty's finances were only in relative terms. If there was a real emergency, there would be no way out. It would be most convenient to pay attention to internal funds... ..
"How much money do you still have in the internal funds?" After the two ministers left, Emperor Liu was still in high spirits and became interested, so he turned to ask Yantuo.
Yantuo was the head of the imperial chamberlain, and he was also qualified to inquire about internal funds for consultation, but before that, Emperor Liu rarely asked questions.
When he heard about it, a strange look appeared on his face. He lowered his head, cautiously, and said in a reminding tone: "Back to the official house, it's less than 7 million yuan..."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu's face twitched twice and he was speechless for a moment.
