Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 671: The Nail (Part 2)

"Minister Ji’s face froze at that moment."

An hour later, Chen Sheren returned to the palace to report, vividly describing the scene: "Tang Sili is also interesting. At that moment, he openly stated that he had limited knowledge and abilities and was not yet capable of working independently. From now on, he would follow Minister Ji, running errands and serving tea and water for Lord Minister."

A smile flickered in Jiang Shaohua’s eyes: "Did Minister Ji agree?"

"Minister Ji is not the slightest bit foolish; he quickly realized that there was no reason to disagree," Chen Sheren said with a soft laugh. "If he showed any reluctance, the next one to come to the Capital City would be Chief Historian Feng."

With Chief Historian Feng’s experience and financial management skills, once he went to the Ministry of Revenue, the Minister of Revenue would have to be replaced.

Confronted with reality, Minister Ji quickly bowed his head and adjusted his attitude. In front of Chen Sheren, he summoned all the Ministry of Revenue officials and introduced Tang Youyin to everyone.

Tang Youyin was just a lowly little clerk; in the past, the Ministry of Revenue officials wouldn’t have bothered to give him a second glance. But now that the Nanyang County Princess has become the Emperor, the officials from the Nanyang Prince Mansion naturally felt more confident and assertive compared to the courtiers.

Tang Youyin himself was not significant, but with the Emperor behind him, he couldn’t be taken lightly and had to be treated with the attitude of facing an "imperial envoy."

What was more troubling was that Tang Youyin was a genuinely capable official, skilled at reading and calculating accounts, familiar with the Ministry of Revenue’s operations, and well-versed in its various intricacies.

Could he be unfamiliar? He was originally a low-level clerk in the Household Department, adept at under-the-table dealings and siphoning off benefits.

With such a "thorn" placed in the Ministry of Revenue, wouldn’t all the ministry’s officials be on high alert?

"In the officialdom of Da Liang, ministers are too self-serving, forming factions for private gain, everyone greedy for money, and official administration is in disarray," Jiang Shaohua said. "I promised not to stir things up significantly within three years. However, this does not mean I will tolerate corruption or let them continue siphoning silver."

"Let’s start with the Ministry of Revenue and from military expenses. If anyone dares to embezzle money, I’ll cut off his hand!"

The last sentence was spoken with a bold and powerful tone.

Chen Sheren listened, excited and animated: "Exactly, it should be like this! I hope Minister Ji can understand clearly."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "You underestimate Minister Ji. He has held the position of Minister of Revenue for over ten years; he is definitely not a foolish person but has some real abilities."

"Moreover, compared to other high-ranking ministers, Minister Ji has always been neutral, neither siding with the Prime Minister’s Faction nor the Grand Empress Dowager’s Faction, never wavering. In this respect, he is still considered a loyal minister."

Yet his reach was too extensive, and he was too greedy.

The amount of silver flowing in and out of the Ministry of Revenue each year is enormous, with ten percent of every disbursement being skimmed. Cumulatively, this is an astonishing sum!

With over forty officials in the Ministry of Revenue, each had substantial family wealth. Even Minister Ji himself, though appearing lean and dry, had plenty of hidden gains in his pockets. Compared to the Ji Family, the Wang Family, and the Zheng Family, the Ji family had fewer members and wasn’t ranked among the top noble families in Da Liang. However, their wealth was among the top five in the Capital City.

"Past matters will not be investigated."

"But from now on, he must be a clean and capable minister. Otherwise, he won’t hold the position of Minister of Revenue for long."

...

In the deep of night, Minister Ji awoke with a start from a cold sweat.

The long-term follower on night duty immediately approached the bedside, helping Lord Minister sit up: "Did you have a nightmare, my lord?"

Minister Ji gasped for breath: "Did I talk in my sleep?"

Minister Ji had an unknown quirk—he talked in his sleep. Because of this, whenever he slept in the Ministry of Revenue, he ensured his entourage took turns on night watch. The content of his sleep talk couldn’t be casually overheard.

With the Ministry of Revenue busier lately, Minister Ji stayed overnight at the office again. As a result, he was awakened from a nightmare around the third hour.

The follower hesitated for a moment, then softly said: "Yes, my lord, you did talk in your sleep just now. You said you dared not, pleading for the Emperor’s mercy!"

Under the candlelight, Minister Ji’s forehead was beaded with cold sweat. His lips trembled before he weakly waved his hand: "All right, bury this matter in your heart, and don’t tell anyone."

This long-term follower had served Minister Ji for over a decade and was a confidant. After softly acknowledging, he went to pour a cup of warm water and served it to the master, who drank half.

"That Tang Youyin doesn’t seem so old; why fear him, my lord?"

Minister Ji sighed deeply: "You don’t understand. The Emperor first sent Chen Sheren to warn the Ministry of Revenue, then sent Tang Youyin, a capable Ministry official, to oversee. Henceforth, all actions of the Ministry will be under the Emperor’s watchful eye."

"All those covert customary practices in the Ministry must be entirely shelved. Otherwise, the next person sent to the Ministry won’t be Tang Youyin but Chief Historian Feng."

Even the long-term follower knew the illustrious name of Chief Historian Feng.

He could manage the internal affairs of the Nanyang Prince Mansion with precision, provide funds for the Nanyang Army and Personal Guard Camp, and continuously settle refugees. Chief Historian Feng’s talent was undoubtedly on par with Minister Ji...though this was self-aggrandizing for his own master.

Back when Chief Historian Feng served in the Capital City Ministry of Revenue, Minister Ji was but a lower-level official. In terms of financial management and accounting, Minister Ji was nowhere near Chief Historian Feng.

Chief Historian Feng suffered only because of his ugly appearance, upright temperament, and lack of backing in the court. Despite his abilities, he could only remain a lowly eighth-rank official until he later joined Prince Nanyang, received great utilization in the Nanyang Prince Mansion, and leaped into a capable minister in the public eye.

In terms of ability, Chief Historian Feng outstrips Minister Ji.

In terms of imperial favor, naturally, Minister Ji couldn’t compare to Chief Historian Feng.

And as to integrity...there’s no comparison. Minister Ji, after being the Minister of Revenue for over a decade, couldn’t even account for how many field manors the Ji family’s clansmen owned or how many shops they’ve opened. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

But Chief Historian Feng simply lived with his elderly wife in a side courtyard of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, never having even established a family business.

If not for the restraint of the three-year promise, the Emperor could very well directly appoint Chief Historian Feng as Minister of Revenue. Why else would there be a need to warn and berate Minister Ji?

Minister Ji thought of these matters, felt a wave of desolation, and sighed again.

The long-term follower hesitated for a moment and softly advised: "My humble self is not well-versed, but I understand the saying ’a new emperor brings new ministers.’ The current Emperor is different from before, exceptionally astute and formidable. Since you are reverent, my lord, exercise caution in your actions from now on."

Minister Ji remained silent, lay back on his bed, closed his eyes, and attempted to fall asleep again. Tossing and turning, he only managed to doze off again by the fourth period of the night.

The long-term follower dared not sleep, guarding outside the door, occasionally catching faint murmurs from within.

"I dare not!"

"I must be a clean and capable minister!"

The long-term follower couldn’t help but twitch his lips. His master always declared he couldn’t do it and wanted to resign, but it was nothing more than idle talk, unwilling to give up the prestigious position, glory, and future!