When Yang Fan came back from his thoughts and took a closer look, the corners of his eyes twitched and he was dumbfounded.
Those who came in were all mid-level officials from the Host and Guest Department of the Ministry of Etiquette, all wearing green official uniforms.
It shows that the official ranks of these people are around the sixth or seventh rank. In fact, such official ranks are not low.
If it were extended to some states and counties in the Tang Dynasty, he would at least be the magistrate of Zhongxian County, a big shot who could benevolent.
But Yang Fan was not surprised by their official rank, but that these people were really too old.
One person's skin was wrinkled, with wrinkles as deep as ravines. He stood there, trembling, as if he would be blown away by a gust of wind.
One person seemed to have no teeth, his cheeks were sunken, he looked like a zombie, and he could hardly speak.
What's more, there was a man walking on a cane with completely white eyebrows and beard. According to Yang Fan's estimation, this man was eighty, if not a hundred years old.
Could it be that there is no retirement system in the Tang Dynasty? Why are people still working at such an old age?
If Yang Fan hadn't clearly known that he was in the Host and Guest Department of the Ministry of Etiquette, Yang Fan would have thought he had entered a nursing home!
What the hell is going on here? Could it be that the Host and Guest Department has become a shelter for the old, weak, sick and disabled?
Fortunately, the others were younger, but still in their fifties.
Although he was depressed and confused, Yang Fan did not move slowly. He quickly stood up and signaled these people not to be polite.
"I didn't expect Chu Wei to work hard for His Majesty at such an old age and shine for the court. He is really a role model for our generation;"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. If I knew you were all so old, I would have paid you a visit in person."
Hearing Yang Fan's words, these people held their heads high and became even more proud.
Who makes people in this era become more popular as they get older?
The official who had lost all his teeth said with some slurred speech: "Your Majesty, please don't look at our age. In ancient times, there was a man who was seventy years old and could eat three pounds of meat. We are not bad at all. Besides, His Majesty has the trust and does not despise us." I will do whatever I can to help the old man."
Looking at these disobedient guys, Yang Fan held his breath and glanced sideways at this toothless official, feeling speechless for a while.
You dare to compete with Lian Po in eating meat and physical fitness, but where is your face?
Judging from his appearance, he must have porridge to swallow everything he eats.
He didn't dare to think too much, so he quickly called to the three oldest people and asked them to sit on the couch next to them.
These people smiled slightly and thanked them, and sat down without refusing.
Depending on how old they are, even if the emperor meets them, they will have to offer a seat.
After sitting down, these people did not stick to their old ways, but introduced each other.
Only then did Yang Fan understand the main structure of the host-guest department: one doctor, one member of staff, six middle-level directors, and the rest were minor officials and minor officials who handled specific tasks.
Among them, the doctor is the chief officer of the host and guest department, and the Yuanwailang serves as his deputy to assist the doctor in his work, just like the first and second leaders of the unit in later generations.
According to different specific affairs, it is divided into several departments, and these senior officials are the leaders of each department.
Because there were not many people, Yang Fan remembered their names after each introduction.
Seeing that these people were so old, it was hard for Yang Fan to show off his authority.
Besides, he himself didn’t know what official authority was.
So he said in a friendly manner: "I met you all for the first time, and we have become familiar faces. From now on, when I work with you, we should help each other. Only by applying our strength to one place, can we manage the affairs of the host and guest department." If you carry it, you will live up to His Majesty's expectations."
Although Yang Fan's words don't have any fancy words, they are easy to understand and make people feel good about them.
The leaders at this time were all arrogant and had their tails raised to the sky. One or two of them wanted to train their subordinates like pugs to show that they were superior to others.
Now Yang Fan's casual behavior instantly gained the favor of several old people.
I saw a few veteran waiters stroking their beards with contentment on their faces, and responded with a smile: "I'll let you do whatever you want, Sir."
On the other hand, the principals in their fifties were a little embarrassed. They looked at each other and looked at Gu Bingcheng.
In the blink of an eye, three middle-level cadres rebelled, and Gu Bingcheng became a little anxious.
If he doesn't take action, he may become a polished commander in the future.
So he quickly interjected: "Since the Lord Chamberlain and your colleagues have already met, shouldn't we deal with the affairs of the host and guest department as soon as possible?"
Seeing that Yang Fan had something to do, several principals were about to get up and leave, but were stopped.
I saw Yang Fan say: "Since it is a matter between the host and guest, of course there is no need for you to avoid it. It is just a good opportunity for everyone to make a total."
Although it was just two simple sentences, it made several principals feel excited and even a little surprised.
Which of the previous leaders didn't make a big deal out of talking about it, and asking them to discuss matters together was simply a fantasy.
Seeing that Yang Fan actually lowered his status to "curry favor" with a lower official, Gu Bingcheng was so angry that his teeth ached and he said:
"Master Yang, these are some secrets of the Host and Guest Department. It is not appropriate for everyone to know. If they are leaked, it may affect the face of the Host and Guest Department."
Regarding Gu Bingcheng's little trick, Yang Fan directly ignored it, waved his hand and said indifferently: "All the principals are seniors and backbones of the host and guest department. I trust them."
Hearing this, these principals burst into tears of gratitude, and could not help but feel a sense of déjà vu as those who were their confidants died.
After secretly cursing the flatterer, Gu Bingcheng snorted coldly, took out the prepared things from his sleeves, and slowly said:
"This is the account of the host and guest secretary's expenses for receiving and arranging the expenses of envoys or students from various vassal states in the third quarter. It must be submitted immediately and asked for the signature of the minister. In addition, the host and guest secretary's treasury is in a hurry. Please ask for the funds applied for in the fourth quarter. Your Excellency, please apply in time in the past two days."
These matters are budgetary allocations applied for by the unit, so there is nothing wrong with Gu Bingcheng letting Yang Fan handle them.
But it is a bit unreasonable to ask Yang Fan to sign for expenses incurred before he took office.
Before Yang Fan could speak, Li Yifu said: "Mr. Gu, how can you apply for this budget in two days? You used it for half a month before, so don't be so anxious, right?"
"Besides, in the past, the expenses of the host and guests were all incurred on Mr. Gu's charge. How can we ask Mr. Gu to sign the seal?"
Gu Bingcheng supported his neck and said with a serious look, "I am not in a hurry, but the host and guest have no rice to cook. Besides, the big meeting is coming soon. If we, the host and guest, have trouble, it will be delayed." The important events of the imperial court will depend on who can withstand His Majesty's thunderous wrath."
"Besides, the Lord Assistant is now in charge of the affairs of the Host and Guest Department, so of course the Lord Assistant's signature is required."
Yang Fan waved his hand to stop Li Yifu, glanced at Gu Bingcheng with squinted eyes, and said, "Please report them one by one."
Opening the account, Gu Bingcheng read out one by one: "From July to September of the 10th year of Zhenguan, the Ministry of Civil Affairs allocated a total of 50,000 guan three times, which was used for officials' noon banknotes and 2,000 guan for daily expenses of the host and guest department. 35,000 guan was spent on etiquette, accommodation and other expenses for receiving the envoys of the vassal state...a total of 23,000 guan was used to provide condolences and subsidies to the envoys and students of the vassal state during the smallpox epidemic...the Ministry of Civil Affairs did not make up for the difference...the difference in import and export was..."
These accounts are extremely complicated, and most of them are as straightforward as notes, and the records are very general and not organized at all.
Seeing Yang Fan frowning, Gu Bingcheng was secretly proud and admired Zhang Zhongye's methods.
As long as the young minister in front of him dares to sign, he will be asked to get out immediately when the Ministry of Civil Affairs audit comes.
Even if he didn't dare to sign, it would disgrace the young minister, and he would no longer have any prestige in front of the host and guests.
But soon Gu Bingcheng couldn't be happy anymore.
Yang Fan shouted and interrupted him: "Stop..., this account is wrong..."
What's going on?
Everyone is a little puzzled. These accounts are complicated and complicated. Before everyone can figure it out, you heard that there is something wrong with the accounts?
Isn't this amazing?
Gu Bingcheng's expression suddenly changed, and he was a little shocked. Could it be that the waiter in front of him really heard something?
This was simply impossible. He was a little dizzy when he read the account. How could anyone discover the loopholes in such a short period of time?
Thinking of this, Gu Bingcheng gritted his teeth and said: "What's wrong? This is the result of many calculations by the colleagues in charge of current accounts in the Water Department."
Yang Fan's face suddenly turned cold and he said decisively: "If you say it's wrong, it's wrong. The person in charge of the current accounts is also here. You can let him take a look."
Unexpectedly, Gu Bingcheng was so anxious to set a trap for him.
Maybe he thought he didn't understand anything when he first took office, so he just put a shit basin on his head.
As long as you sign and seal it, the account will be solid, and they will not be allowed to manipulate it casually in the future.
But Gu Bingcheng didn't know that although Yang Fan was not an accountant, his speed calculation skills were unmatched by anyone in the Tang Dynasty. There was no way to trick him with complicated numbers.
He took the account from Gu Bingcheng's hand and flipped through a few pages. Some of the ink was not dry yet, so it was obvious that he had just copied it.
Yang Fan ignored Gu Bingcheng, whose eyes were dull, and said to Wang Zhiyuan, the head of the accounts standing aside: "Chief Wang, see if this account was written by your department."
Wang Zhiyuan was at a loss and his eyes couldn't help but drift towards Gu Bingcheng. Seeing Gu Bingcheng's threatening eyes, he had no choice but to nod silently.
Yang Fan snorted coldly and shouted: "The difference between input and expenditure is not 19,000 guan, but 28,000 guan. Where did the 9,000 guan go? Don't tell the accounting department of a certain guest company. I can’t even understand this simple arithmetic.”
Wang Zhiyuan's face turned pale, and he kept wiping the cold sweat with his sleeves. He looked at Gu Bingcheng as if asking for help. He was really panicked.
If he is found to have falsified accounts, falsely accused his boss, or accepted bribes, then Wang Zhiyuan's life will be over.
Not to mention that if you lose your official title, you may even lose your life.
During the Tang Dynasty, the punishment for corrupt officials was very severe.
