The empress sat behind the desk, took a long, deep breath, and slowly calmed down.
Long Chen found that the empress' breathing was a little short, which was strange.
The higher the cultivation level, the longer and slower the breathing. The empress has an emperor's cultivation level, so this shouldn't be the case.
Di Yu said slightly: "We have found out. All the accounts in the household department have been checked."
When the account book was presented, the empress looked at it carefully and her expression became ugly.
"A deficit of 7 million taels? How could it be so much?"
The empress guessed that there must be something wrong with the Ministry of Revenue, otherwise Jing Heng would not take the initiative to ask for a tax increase and expose the problem.
But the deficit actually reached 7 million taels, which was simply shocking.
"Mother, Long Chengen also found out other things."
"What's the matter?"
Di Yu slightly gestured to Long Chen to speak.
Long Chen paid his respects and said, "Your Majesty, I have found out through the account books that there was something wrong with Caozhou's disaster relief funds last year."
The empress put the account book on the table and asked, "What's the problem?"
Long Chen said: "Last year, there was a drought in Caozhou. The imperial court allocated 500,000 yuan for disaster relief. However, the Ministry of Revenue and the Caozhou governor reported that the relief funds were not enough. Because the treasury had no money, the imperial court allowed local officials to be sold, and the proceeds were used for local disaster relief."
"But after Weichen checked the accounts, he found that Caozhou's accounts were inflated."
Last year, a drought occurred in Caozhou. The local people had no food to eat, and the court had no money for disaster relief.
The Ministry of Household Affairs suggested selling officials, asking local wealthy households to provide grain, converting the grain into silver taels, and selling them some unimportant official positions.
The money gained from selling his official position was used for disaster relief in Caozhou.
This idea was proposed by the Ministry of Finance. The empress did not agree at first, but later in the court discussion, everyone agreed.
The ministers said that these were unimportant official positions anyway, and the lives of the people were important.
The empress finally agreed.
"The accounts are false? What do you mean?"
The empress' phoenix eyes were slightly angry.
Long Chen paid homage: "Caozhou did sell its officials, and the wealthy households did provide food, but in the end this food was not used for disaster relief, but went into private pockets."
"Not only that, Caozhou Governor also falsely reported grain transportation expenses, etc., and defrauded 100,000 taels from the Ministry of Household Affairs."
boom!
The empress slapped the table into pieces and said angrily: "How unreasonable! How dare you be so bold!"
"No wonder I heard some rumors that 120,000 people in Caozhou starved to death last year. I still don't believe it. That's it!"
"Come here! Escort Zhao Min, the governor of Caozhou, to Beijing. I want to interrogate him personally!"
Yingfeng immediately sent someone to Caozhou.
Emperor Yu bowed slightly and said: "Mother, please calm down. Officials deceiving superiors and concealing subordinates is a common problem in all countries. It is not unique to me in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty."
Long Chen stood silently.
The empress closed her eyes, slowly calmed down the anger in her heart, and said, "Okay, you did a good job this time."
"Long Chengen thoroughly investigated the household department. I will give you a reward. Please step back."
Di Yuwei and Long Chen exited Fengming Palace together.
Once outside, Di Yuwei took He Ningxin back to the East Palace, while Long Chen and Zhang Qian returned to the West Palace.
As soon as he entered the West Palace, he was carried into the bedroom by Qingyue and Xuan Yi. Di Luoxi was wearing pink pajamas wrapped around her jade body. The pajamas were as thin as cicada wings, as if they were nothing.
Lying sideways on the couch, Di Luoxi leaned on the jade pillow and sneered: "I heard that you entered the eldest sister's bathroom?"
Long Chen patted his chest and complained: "Princess is really a family. As soon as I entered, I saw a eunuch being dragged out and beheaded."
Di Luoxi frowned and said coldly: "What do you mean?"
Long Chen quickly apologized and said with a smile: "The official made a mistake, the princess is kind and kind, and is very considerate to the little one."
Interrupted by Long Chen, Di Luoxi did not ask about the bathroom, but asked: "Have you checked the accounts of the household department clearly?"
After Long Chen told the story, Di Luoxi sneered and said, "Where is the embezzlement of Caozhou? It's clearly Jing Heng who took advantage of it."
Long Chen said: "The Holy One must know it well, that's why he is so angry."
The Empress, Di Yuwei and Long Chen all knew that Tanmo of Hubu was Jing Heng, but no one said anything.
It would be impossible for such a large account to come out of the accounts department without Jing Heng's consent.
"It's going to be very difficult to handle this time."
Di Luoxi turned over and lay on her stomach. Long Chen climbed up very wisely and started to pinch from the head down, all over the body.
Di Luoxi's body is very strange. She is a military general and has a strong body, but the flesh on her body is as soft as cotton.
Di Luoxi felt comfortable, and so did Long Chen.
"What does the princess think the Lord will do?"
"If it were you, how would you deal with it?"
Di Luoxi did not answer, but asked Long Chen.
"I'm afraid...a small punishment but a big warning."
Di Luoxi smiled and did not answer.
After leaving the dormitory and returning to the side courtyard, Long Chen entered the bathroom. It was hot at this time, so there was no need to prepare any hot water. He could just go into the bath directly.
The bathing pool in Emperor Yu's Palace uses mountain spring water, while Long Chen uses well water, which is also very good.
Leaning on the edge, Long Chen let his mind empty. During these times when he was checking accounts in the household department, his mind was filled with all kinds of accounts.
This time he checked the Ministry of Household Affairs and Long Chen had a thorough understanding of the financial situation of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.
The financial and taxation system of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty was very unsatisfactory. If the Ministry of Household Affairs did not commit corruption, it could just maintain a balance.
Now the Ministry of Household Affairs has embezzled a large sum of money. In addition, Sifanglou said that business will not be good this year and fiscal revenue will decrease. This year, the revenue will definitely not be able to cover expenses.
The treasury of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty is about to collapse!
"Why..."
Long Chen let out a long sigh.
Zhang Qian fiddled with the water and wiped her body. The two peaks were like two big white rabbits, shadowy in the water, which made Long Chen very anxious.
The white rabbit, which was originally tall and straight, actually felt like it was standing straight up due to the buoyancy of the water.
"The best in the world..."
Long Chen couldn't help but sigh.
When Zhang Qian heard this, she suddenly stopped washing her hands and asked, "What did you say?"
Long Chen didn't shy away, looking at the white rabbit floating on the water with burning eyes.
"I said, if I were not a eunuch, I would eat the rabbit coldly."
Zhang Qian spent 24 hours a day eating, drinking, and sleeping with Long Chen. The two were so close that it was indescribable.
Hearing what Long Chen said, Zhang Qian didn't mind at all, but instead smiled and said: "Look, the white rabbit is so happy swimming in the water, jumping up and down, it's a pity, you are a eunuch, otherwise I would eat the rabbit for you
Meat, eat whatever you want."
Long Chen said mischievously: "Hey, women just like to break their promises."
Zhang Qian waved her jade arms, swaying her body like a mermaid, and swam in front of Long Chen. She put her arms around Long Chen's neck and sent two big white rabbits. The feeling of oppression...
"Sir, I keep my word. The question is, can your lifeline grow back?"
Zhang Qian deliberately shook her head, causing a small splash of water, then let go of her hands, plunged into the water and emerged again, shaking the water from her hair and letting out a proud laugh.
Long Chen said meaningfully: "Do you dare to swear to heaven and earth?"
Zhang Qian giggled and said: "Me! Zhang Qian! I swear to God! If you are not a eunuch, I will let you do whatever you want!"
After saying that, Zhang Qian showed a coquettish expression for the first time and added: "Anything is fine, hehe..."
It’s terrible for a serious woman to be coquettish!
