Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 678: Military Funds (Part 1)

Jiang Shaohua remains poised until action is required, and when it is, he strikes with overwhelming force.

The National Treasury unexpectedly gained two huge sums of money, sufficient to cover military expenses without waiting for the confiscated assets of several Prince Mansions.

Jiang Shaohua expressed satisfaction with the efficiency of the Ministry of Revenue, particularly praising Minister Ji during the grand court meeting held every fortnight.

Minister Ji humbly expressed his gratitude.

Jiang Shaohua inquired with a smile, "Minister Ji, when will this year’s military budget be allocated to the Ministry of War?"

With unprecedented abundance in the National Treasury, Minister Ji was emboldened. He stood straight and replied, "In response to the Emperor, the Ministry of Revenue is calculating the military budget and various expenditures, and within six to seven days, this year’s military budget can be allocated to the Ministry of War."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly and immediately mentioned Vice Minister Ding: "Deputy Minister Ding, you have heard Minister Ji’s words. In the next few days, the Ministry of War should also review the soldier registers entirely. When distributing the military budget, ensure no mistakes are made."

"If anyone dares to withhold the military funds or harbor intentions of making profits from transactions, they can expect the same fate as Doctor Wan."

This impending executioner’s blade is set to hover over the Ministry of War.

Vice Minister Ding immediately broke into a cold sweat on his back but appeared calm on the surface, responding with cupped hands: "Please rest assured, Emperor; I will handle this task properly."

Henceforth, even without eating or sleeping, he had to keep an eye on everyone in the Ministry of War. If any further trouble arose, he might not see the day when he officially held the title of Minister.

Jiang Shaohua saw that Vice Minister Ding understood his intent and seemed satisfied, stating, "I sent a letter to Nanyang County recently, summoning Commander Qin and others from the Nanyang Guard Camp to the Capital City. Distributing and escorting military funds is not a minor matter. I plan to send additional personnel to assist the Ministry of War in completing the task. Deputy Minister Ding, what do you think?"

Vice Minister Ding didn’t hesitate and immediately responded, "I was worrying about the shortage of staff in the Ministry of War. The Emperor sending personnel to assist exactly solves my urgent need. On behalf of the Ministry of War, I thank the Emperor for this grace."

Vice Minister Wang stood to the side, feeling rather displeased. However, the Ministry of Revenue had Tang Youyin, and the Ministry of War controlled all troops of Da Liang. It was only fitting that the Emperor would insert his confidant into the Ministry of War; Wang had no ground for questioning this.

After the grand court meeting concluded, the ministers returned to their respective government offices to conduct their duties.

Vice Minister Ding returned to the Ministry of War and gathered all the officials, speaking and assigning tasks one by one. He solemnly emphasized: "Everyone has witnessed the commotion in the Ministry of Revenue over the past few days."

"In a few days, more than 3 million silver taels of military budget will be allocated to the Ministry of War. Numerous eyes inside and outside the court are watching us, and the Emperor will closely monitor every move of the Ministry of War."

"I need not explain how to perform your duties; everyone here should be aware. Don’t talk about customary practices; that’s all outdated. A new Emperor requires new practices, and the military budget must be calculated precisely, not a single tael less, and allocated to each army."

"If anyone is bold enough to insist on their way and desires to taste the executioner’s blade, then pretend this Assistant Minister said nothing."

The officials looked at one another, each promising: "Rest assured, Assistant Minister, we understand the gravity."

"We will diligently perform our duties and never reach for corruption."

"We will never engage in any deceit."

Vice Minister Ding coughed, with significant implication, turning his gaze towards Vice Minister Wang.

Vice Minister Wang, being the Vice Minister, originally held a slightly higher position than Vice Minister Ding. Now suppressed by Vice Minister Ding, he harbored resentment in his heart. Moreover, Vice Minister Ding was still acting and hadn’t officially become Minister; thus, Vice Minister Wang wasn’t exceptionally respectful: "Why is Vice Minister Ding looking at me in this manner? Instead of reprimanding me leisurely, it would be better to thoroughly consider how to sort out the soldier registers."

"The Emperor mentioned during today’s court meeting that personnel would be sent to the Ministry of War to inspect the soldier registers in a few days. These are experts in military affairs, and it’s impossible to deceive them."

Though Vice Minister Wang’s tone was irksome, the advice was right on target.

The Ministry of War undoubtedly had soldier registers. However, each army had some missing entries and some who weren’t on the registers yet drew high military pay, like some generals’ personal soldiers. Regarding how much of the register’s list was genuine or false, the true combat strength of each army was an unclear account.

Each year’s military budget distribution also depended on the closeness of each army to the Ministry of War. Overall, the Ministry of War had customs no less than those of the Ministry of Revenue.

Since Vice Minister Ding is acting Minister, he must take responsibility. Should there be significant discrepancies in the registers, the Emperor would first hold him accountable.

Vice Minister Ding grimaced at this and sighed heavily: "Vice Minister Wang’s reminder is apt. For the next few days, we should start by sorting out the soldier registers."

...

The Ministry of War, like the Ministry of Revenue, did not end work in the evenings. Officials usually relaxed, but now they were busily working without pause.

Vice Minister Ding directly took residence in the Ministry of War’s office. Vice Minister Wang, although small-minded and temperamental, was actually more diligent in duty than Vice Minister Ding. He also worked day and night, staying at the office.

The Ministry of War achieved unprecedented efficiency, sorting all the soldier registers and carefully calculating the military budget needed for each army.

Vice Minister Ding held the memorial and went into the palace to meet the Emperor.

Jiang Shaohua reviewed the memorial without commenting and then turned to smile at a tall, strong military general, saying, "Commander Liu, take a look at this memorial."

The Liu mentioned by Jiang Shaohua was Commander Liu Hengchang, leader of the third camp of the Nanyang Guard Camp.

Last year, during the border battle, Liu Hengchang led a few thousand cavalry to break apart the Rouran Army Camp, killing the Rouran general, and withdrew calmly. After this battle, Rouran troops lost morale and retreated reluctantly.

This battle made Liu Hengchang famous, earning him the title of the first military general under the Nanyang County Princess.

After the Commandery Princess ascended the throne, she first summoned a thousand trusted aides into the palace to serve as Imperial Guards. Then, after a while, Liu Hengchang, Qin Zhan Meng Dashan were summoned to the Capital City.

When they arrived, they brought elite talents from each camp. Thus, most of the elites from the Nanyang Guard Camp were now in the Capital City, ready to obey the Emperor’s commands.

As for Nanyang County, there were other trusted aides and the Nanyang Army led by Commander Yu Chong, sufficient to guard the peace of Nanyang County.

Standing today in Zhaohai Palace were Liu Hengchang, Qin Zhan Meng Dashan, and several other young and vigorous military generals.

Vice Minister Ding hadn’t seen them before, but by observing their appearance, he could speculate about their names and identities.

A tall, dark-skinned man, looking rough and strong, was likely Tao Da, renowned for his divine strength and well-loved by the Emperor.

The one with bright eyes and attractive looks was probably Divine Archer Xiao Tian from the Personal Guard Camp.

And a seemingly plain-looking young man, might he be the rumored Li Tianxi who tames eagles?

Besides, familiar faces like Qin Hu Meng Sanbao and Sun An—the Emperor is surrounded by talents!