In the Xuanzheng Hall, there was silence at this time, and everyone was worried. Could it be that the Han Emperor noticed something about his abnormal behavior today? Or is there something to be done?
Compared with others, Prince Liu Yan had a special status and was still young, so he was more courageous. When he was about to leave for questioning, Prime Minister Li Shizhi happened to turn around and stared at the man standing on the right side. The prince signaled him not to go out to talk. Prince Liu Yan understood and quickly withdrew his hand.
After a long time, Emperor Han's slightly closed eyes slowly opened. He slowly sat up straight. His face looked slightly tired, but it was still unclear whether he was happy or angry. Suddenly he asked calmly: " Where is Xia Jingying, the Minister of Household Affairs?"
Xia Jingying's body trembled, and everyone unconsciously turned their eyes to him. They couldn't help but wonder in their hearts. The emperor actually called Xia Shangshu by his first name. They suddenly felt that he had committed something and the emperor knew about it.
"I'm here!" Xia Jingying walked out of the class holding the wat in both hands, his hands trembling uncontrollably.
"You have been in the Ministry of Household Affairs for some time, do you still know some of the situation in the Ministry of Household Affairs?"
Seeing that His Majesty's tone was calm and not blaming, Xia Jingying's original nervousness instantly calmed down a lot, "Your Majesty, I understand that I have lived in the household department for a long time!"
As Emperor Han spoke, his tone suddenly changed and he asked, "It's the end of the year now. How many times have the Ministry of Households conducted an inventory of the treasury?"
Xia Jingying had already heard some clues at this time. It seemed that the emperor wanted to check the treasury deficit. "Your Majesty, the treasury inventory is carried out twice a year. This month is the last time of the year."
After hearing this, all the officials knew what was going on and bowed their heads in silence. Only Prince Liu Yan had a look of pride on his face.
Emperor Han continued: "Did you find out anything?"
"This..." Xia Jingying is not stupid. If he really said that the treasury is in short supply and the officials owe a huge amount of money to the treasury, then many officials in the government will be offended. "The treasury... is still..."
"What more?" Emperor Han said sternly.
Xia Jingying did not dare to say any more and knelt on the ground with a pop, "Your Majesty..."
Emperor Han knew that he did not dare to offend others. "When we sent troops to Shanzhou in the first half of the year, there were only more than ten million taels of silver left in the national treasury. If it were not for the support of Fan Hesui and other wealthy businessmen, I am afraid that even the salaries, silver and food of the three armies would be unsustainable." . As far as I know, many of you often borrow money from the treasury but have not repaid it for many years. Xia Aiqing, is this happening?"
He immediately lay down in silence. From the money in the treasury to the princes and nobles, down to the treasury clerks and clerks, they often borrowed money in various names. Those in high positions may use official authority to force others, and those in lower positions may extort money through accumulated abuses. Therefore, all kinds of, In desperation, the Treasury officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs would handle matters differently for each individual. The size of the loan would be based on the person's status and official position. A one-time loan could range from a few taels to several thousand taels. Over the years, the amount owed by the creditor would The silver taels vary, some are dozens of taels, and some are tens of thousands of taels. Since most officials in the government had borrowed money, both Prince Ning's party and the Crown Prince's party tacitly concealed the matter from the Emperor. The reason why the emperor learned about this was precisely because he discovered the treasury deficit when he sent troops to Shanzhou six months ago. At that time, it was a time of external turmoil, so it was difficult to organize it. Now that things are calm, it is time to settle accounts after autumn. Therefore, the Han Emperor set out to put the senior Xia Jingying in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs and let him take charge of the matter.
Xia Jingying was actually prepared for it. His Highness the Crown Prince had informed him before, but he still pretended to be at a loss and said, "This is a serious matter. I have just taken office and there is no time to investigate the matter!"
Emperor Han stood up slowly, and the eunuch Zhang Cen beside him hurriedly stepped forward to help him. Emperor Han waved his hand, broke away, and signaled Zhang Cen to step back. The old Emperor Han seemed to feel a little weak, but he still managed to stand up straight, looking still upright and majestic. He smiled coldly and said: "I know that many of you have borrowed money from the treasury, but you are in debt." It is only natural to pay back the money. Now that the new year is approaching, you should think of a way to pay off the debt. If you don't pay back the money within two months, you will be dismissed from your job and your home will be confiscated! Xia Aiqing, it is up to you to handle this matter. The deadline is two months. Within two months, we must investigate this matter. If anyone has not paid back the accounts owed after two months, he will be imprisoned..."
The cold wind howled, dark clouds surged in the sky, and the sky gradually darkened. The bone-piercing chill made people huddle up. In the courtyard of the Prince's Mansion, many winter plum blossoms are already blooming. When the cold wind blows from time to time, the petals will fall with the wind, and a few wisps of dark fragrance will hit your nostrils. Under the verandah, Prince Liu Yan was looking up at the horizon and murmuring: "It looks like it's going to snow tonight..."
"Your Highness, Mr. Xia, the Minister of Household Affairs, would like to see you."
"Bring him here!"
After a while, the housekeeper led Xia Jingying through the courtyard of the mansion and to the verandah. When Xia Jingying saw the prince leaning on the corridor and admiring the plum blossoms, he bowed and said, "Student Xia Jingying wishes to pay his respects to the prince!"
Liu Yan did not look back and continued to look at the four or five plum blossoms in the yard, pretending to be attentive. It took him a while to react, "Oh! It's Mr. Xia!"
"It's a student!" Xia Jingying smiled awkwardly.
Liu Yan waved his hand and said: "Master Xia, you don't have to be polite. I have already said that you and I are very different in age. It is really against etiquette to refer to each other as teacher and student!"
"The students will never forget His Highness's kindness, and they deserve it."
Liu Yan was quite impatient and said, "It's better not to do so. What Grandpa Huang hates the most now is colluding with friends and forming cliques. You are too blatant to do this."
Xia Jingying saw that the prince was not being polite to him, so he nodded and bowed with a smile: "Since His Highness said so, I should take it seriously."
"What's the matter with your visit this time?"
"I'm here to ask for instructions from Your Highness. Your Majesty has entrusted me with the errand today, and the deadline is only two months. What do you think I should do?"
Liu Yan turned around, patted Xia Jingying's shoulder meaningfully, and said with a smile: "I don't need to tell you about this matter. I think you should know how to deal with it, right?"
"Your Highness is right, but as far as I know, the person who owes the largest amount is your father-in-law, Mr. Xu, the Minister of War."
Liu Yan asked disapprovingly: "Oh! How much do you owe?"
Xia Jingying paused briefly and said: "Nine hundred thousand taels!"
"What?" Liu Yan didn't seem to hear clearly.
Xia Jingying cleared his throat and said, "Master Xu has borrowed a total of 900,000 taels, which is not even a penny!"
Liu Yan originally thought that it was normal to owe the Ministry of Revenue some money, but what he didn't expect was that his father-in-law would borrow so much money from the Ministry of Revenue. "How could he borrow so much money?"
