"Say it."
The empress was very polite to Jing Heng.
Everyone knows that Jing Heng is not very capable, but Jing Tianlie and his younger brother Jing Feng are very powerful.
That's why he was given the job of Minister of the Ministry of Finance.
"Wei Chen requests that this year's taxes be reformulated and the taxes increased by 20% to balance the revenue and expenditure of the national treasury."
When Jing Heng said these words, all the ministers in the court were frightened.
The empress' eyes narrowed and she said, "Increase by 20%? Is the Ministry of Household Affairs out of money?"
The eldest princess Di Yuwei has always been in charge of the accounts of the household department.
Di Yu came out slightly and asked: "Shang Shu Jing, isn't there always a balance in the treasury's revenue and expenditure? Why is there a sudden increase in taxes?"
Di Yuwei has always managed the accounts of the household department very carefully, and he can read the account books clearly.
The annual tax revenue is 25 million taels of silver, the expenditure is about 23 million taels of silver, and the annual balance is about 2 million taels.
It should be said that the treasury balance of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty was very balanced.
Jing Heng said: "Last year, we attacked Linjiang City with an army of 250,000 troops and spent 6 million taels of silver. We spent 1 million taels directly on building the northern fortress and 5 million taels indirectly, so 12 million taels were wasted."
"Also, our business tax this year may be very difficult. Sifanglou informed Weichen that this year's business may be bleak."
Last year's war and the construction of fortresses were indeed very expensive.
But the official account for building the fortress in the north was only 1 million taels, and I don't know how the remaining 5 million taels were calculated.
The empress frowned slightly and sat on the dragon chair without speaking.
Di Yu said anxiously: "We have a surplus every year, and the expenditure of 12 million taels will not empty the treasury."
Di Yuwei almost said that Jing Heng had embezzled money from the treasury.
Jing Heng spread his hands and said helplessly: "Although the eldest princess is in charge of the household department, she does not have direct jurisdiction. The household department is also difficult to manage, and there are too many places to spend money."
"Furthermore, my second brother said that the northern barbarians are also preparing to move, and it's time to allocate military expenses for the Beiting cavalry. There is also a gap of 1 million taels here."
Di Yuwei was very anxious, but the empress remained silent, while the ministers in the court talked a lot.
They didn't expect that the national treasury's deficit would be so serious. Such a huge gap would be really difficult to deal with.
"My dear friends, please tell me, how should we deal with this matter?"
The empress asked the ministers in the court, but these ministers did not speak.
They knew that the empress did not want to raise taxes. The people of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty were already living a harder life than those in the Southern Liang Dynasty. If the taxes were increased, the people would be overwhelmed and even revolt.
"Your Majesty, Sifanglou said that business will be difficult to do this year, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to deal with business taxes. If the national treasury deficit is too big, the only choice is to raise taxes."
An older old lady came out. This person was Bai Anning, the censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, a veteran of the court.
After Bai Anning spoke, other ministers dared to agree.
"Wei Chen knows that Your Majesty does not want to raise taxes, but the national treasury deficit is too large. Sifanglou said that business is difficult to do. I am afraid that commercial taxes will drop sharply this year, so raising taxes is a last resort. We will wait until next year to get better and then reduce taxes."
A middle-aged man with three locks of mustache came out and paid his respects.
This person is Xu Zhong, the minister of Honglu Temple, who was a diplomat of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.
Bai Qiulian, the Secretary of the Ministry of War, said: "Your Majesty, Nanliang is mobilizing troops and the barbarians are eyeing it. Xixia is also ready to make a move recently, so military expenditures cannot be lacking."
The ministers in the court basically tended to increase taxes, which made the empress very embarrassed.
"Long Shangshu, what do you think?"
The empress suddenly asked Long Chen.
The eyes of the court ministers all turned to Long Chen.
"Back to the Holy Spirit, Wei Chen thought that we should check the accounts of the household department first to see why there is such a big deficit."
Long Chen's words were like poking a hornet's nest, and Jing Heng exploded immediately.
"Damn eunuch, what do you mean! Are you saying that I am corrupt?"
"Jing Shangshu, I only said to check the accounts and nothing else. Why are you nervous?"
"If you want to check the accounts of the Household Department, that means I am corrupt. This is unreasonable!"
"Don't do bad things during the day, and don't be afraid of ghosts knocking on the door in the middle of the night. I suggest you check the accounts of the household department. Is there a problem with this?"
"Yes! You checked the accounts of the Household Department because you doubted me!"
Jing Heng was so angry that he wanted to kill Long Chen with a knife.
Long Chen found it funny and said, "Could it be that Master Jing is really evil and is afraid that we will investigate?"
Jing Heng's performance was so intense that it caused the ministers in the court to murmur.
The empress said: "Jing Shangshu doesn't have to be like this. The Ministry of Household Affairs is the foundation of the country. If I don't trust you, I won't let you hold the position of Shangshu."
"The six departments also have to verify it every year. This is the court's practice and there is no other meaning."
The empress spoke, and Jing Heng shut up angrily, but his eyes were still staring at Long Chen.
"Let's check the accounts of the Ministry of Accounts first to see how big the deficit is, and then see how much tax increase is required."
"This matter... let Dong Palace take the lead. Which one of you is willing to assist?"
The deficit in the Ministry of Accounts frightened the empress. She had been tired of dealing with threats from various countries over the years and had not personally interfered with the internal accounts. She did not expect such a huge deficit, so she determined to check the accounts of the Ministry of Accounts.
However, auditing accounts is a technical job, and it is also a courageous job.
If there is a problem with the accounts of the Account Department, then there is a problem with Jing Heng.
And Jing Heng is the eldest son of the General's Mansion. When he found out the problem, he had offended Jing Tianlie.
Who dares to take on such a hot potato?
After the empress asked, the hall was completely silent, no one spoke.
Everyone knows very well that no matter whether there is any problem with the household department, they cannot get involved.
Jing Heng sneered in his heart: Who doesn't have the guts to come to the household department to check the accounts!
When the empress saw that no one dared to answer the question, she was very dissatisfied, but she didn't show it on her face.
"How about...Long Shangshu? He is very capable and is best at solving difficult problems."
At this time, Baili Bing, the official minister, spoke.
Long Chen felt like shit, checking accounts was a troublesome matter, and he knew very well that he would offend Jing Tianlie.
I had just been granted the title of Shangshu in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty and had not yet established a firm foothold. It would be unwise to conflict with the general's office at this time.
"Long Shangshu?"
The empress looked at Long Chen with a questioning tone.
"There are so many things going on in the Ministry of Industry, and Long Shangshu may not be able to handle them all, right?"
Jing Heng said in a threatening tone.
Long Chen didn't want to offend Jing Tianlie, but Jing Heng was so damn annoying.
"It is the duty of ministers to share the king's worries, and minor ministers accept orders."
Long Chen bowed his hands and accepted this hot potato.
Jing Heng was so angry that his face and neck turned red.
"Okay, if you can't find out Chou Yinmao, I'm not done with you!"
Jing Heng threatened Long Chen.
Long Chen stood calmly, ignoring Jing Heng's threats.
The empress said: "Ask Long Chengen, the Minister of the Ministry of Works, to assist the East Palace in verifying the accounts of the Ministry of Household Affairs."
Emperor Yu bowed slightly and said, "My son, I accept the decree."
The empress stood up and the ministers dispersed.
Jing Heng walked up to Long Chen, deliberately pointed at his crotch, and sneered: "A rootless eunuch dares to fight with me, you must be tired of living!"
Long Chen chuckled and said: "The Holy Majesty's decree, do you want to rebel against it?"
Jing Heng gritted his teeth. He originally thought that Long Chen would be afraid of him, but he didn't expect that Long Chen was not afraid at all.
"Hmph, just wait!"
Jing Heng angrily led a group of courtiers out of the Daming Palace.
