From eunuch to emperor

"Go ahead."

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 asked to do the fat job of Minister of the Ministry of household affairs.

"Weichen requests to re-enact this year's tax and increase the tax by [-]% to balance the revenue and expenditure of the treasury."

When Jing Heng said this, all the ministers in the court were frightened.

The empress phoenix stared, and said: "A [-]% increase? Is the household department out of money?"

The accounts of the Ministry of Accounts have always been in charge of the eldest princess Di Yuwei.

Di Yu came out slightly and asked, "Jing Shangshu, isn't there always a surplus in the treasury's revenue and expenditure? Why is there a sudden tax increase?"

Di Yuwei has always managed the accounts of the account department very carefully, and he can see the accounts clearly.

The annual tax revenue is 2500 million taels of silver, the expenditure is about 2300 million taels of silver, and the annual balance can be about 200 million taels.

It should be said that the treasury revenue and expenditure of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty were very balanced.

Jing Heng said: "Last year when we attacked Linjiang City, we mobilized 25 troops and spent 600 million taels of silver. We spent 100 million taels directly and 500 million taels indirectly for the construction of the northern fortress, so that's 1200 million taels."

"Also, our business tax this year may be very difficult. Sifanglou informed Wei Chen that this year's business may be bleak."

Last year's war and the construction of the fortress, these two expenditures were indeed large.

But the construction account of the fortress in the northern border is only 100 million taels, and the remaining 500 million taels do not know how to calculate it.

The empress frowned slightly, sitting on the dragon chair without speaking.

Di Yu said anxiously: "We have a surplus every year, and the expenditure of 1200 million taels will not empty the treasury."

Di Yuwei almost said that Jing Heng embezzled the treasury's silver.

Jing Heng spread his hands and said helplessly, "Although the eldest princess is in charge of the household department, she does not directly manage it. The household of the household department is also difficult to manage. There are too many places to spend money."

"Also, my second brother said that the barbarians in the north are also ready to move, and the military expenditure of the Beiting cavalry is also due to be allocated. There is also a gap of 100 million taels here."

Di Yuwei was very anxious, the empress didn't say a word, and the court ministers talked a lot.

They did not expect that the deficit of the national treasury was so serious, and such a big gap was really difficult to deal with.

"Everyone, please tell me, how to 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, and the people of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty were already suffering more than Nanliang. If the taxes were increased, the people would be overwhelmed and even rise up.

"My lord, Sifanglou said that this year's business will be difficult. I'm afraid it will be difficult to handle business taxes. If the national treasury is too short, the only option is to increase taxes."

An old lady came out. This person was Bai Anning, the censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, a veteran of the court.

Only when Bai Anning opened his mouth did the other ministers dare to agree.

"My minister knows that the Holy Majesty does not want to increase taxes, but the treasury is too short. Sifanglou said that business is difficult. I am afraid that business taxes will drop sharply this year, and tax increases are also a last resort. Wait until next year is better, and then reduce taxes."

A middle-aged man with three mustaches came out to pray.

This person is Xu Zhong, Minister of Honglu Temple, a diplomat of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.

Bai Qiulian, Minister of the Ministry of War, said: "Your Majesty, Nanliang is mobilizing its troops, and the barbarians are watching. Xixia is also ready to move recently, and military expenses are indispensable."

The ministers in the DPRK basically tend to increase taxes, and the empress is very embarrassed.

"Long Shangshu, what do you think?"

The Empress suddenly asked Long Chen.

All the ministers' eyes were on Long Chen.

"Returning to the Holy Lord, Weichen thought that we should first check the accounts of the account department to find out why the deficit is so large."

Long Chen's words were like stabbing a hornet's nest, and Jing Heng immediately exploded.

"Dead eunuch, what do you mean! Are you saying that this official is corrupt?"

"Jing Shangshu, I only said to check the accounts, but nothing else. Why are you nervous?"

"If you want to check the accounts of the account department, it means that I am corrupt, which 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 checking the accounts of the household department. Is there a problem?"

"Yes! You are suspicious of me in the accounts of the account checking department!"

Jing Heng was so angry that he jumped, he wished he could hack Long Chen to death.

Long Chen thought it was funny, and said: "Could it be that Jing Shangshu really has a ghost, afraid that we will investigate?"

Jing Heng's performance was too fierce, causing the ministers in the court to discuss in low voices.

The empress said: "Jing Shangshu doesn't have to be like this, the household department is the foundation of the country, if I don't trust you, I won't let you take up the post of Shangshu."

"The Six Departments also need to be checked every year. This is the practice of the court, and there is no other meaning."

The empress spoke, and Jing Heng shut up angrily, but his eyes were still staring at Long Chen.

"How about this, first check the accounts of the account department to see how much the deficit is, and then see how much the tax will be increased."

"This matter... Let Donggong take the lead, who of you is willing to assist?"

The deficit of the Ministry of Accounting frightened the Empress. She has been tired of dealing with threats from various countries these years, and did not personally ask about the internal accounts. She did not expect such a big deficit. She made up her mind to check the accounts of the Ministry of Accounting.

However, checking accounts is a technical job, but also a courageous job.

If there is a problem with the accounts of the Ministry of Accounts, then there is a problem with Jingheng.

And Jing Heng is the eldest son of the General's Mansion, if he finds out the problem, he offends Jing Tianlie.

Who dares to pick up such a hot potato?

After the empress finished asking, the hall was completely silent, no one spoke.

Everyone knows very well that no matter whether there is a problem or not, the Ministry of Household Affairs cannot touch it.

Jing Heng sneered in his heart: Who doesn't have eyes, dare to come to the household department to check the accounts!

Seeing that no one dared to answer, the empress was very dissatisfied, but she didn't show it on her face.

"How about...Long Shangshu come? He has strong abilities and is best at solving difficult problems."

At this time, Bai Libing, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, spoke.

Long Chen was in a state of embarrassment, 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 I hadn't gained a firm foothold yet. It would be unwise to conflict with the General's Mansion at this time.

"Long Shangshu?"

The Empress looked at Long Chen with a questioning tone.

"There are so many things in the Ministry of Industry, I'm afraid Long Shangshu is too busy, right?"

Jing Heng said in a threatening tone.

Long Chen didn't want to provoke Jing Tianlie, but Jing Heng was so annoying.

"It is the duty of the minister to share the worries of the king, and the humble minister takes orders."

Long Chen bowed his hands and took this hot potato.

Jing Heng was so angry that his face and neck were red.

"Okay, if you can't find Chou Yinmao, I'll never end with you!"

Jing Heng was threatening Long Chen.

Long Chen stood calmly, completely ignoring Jing Heng's threat.

The Empress said, "Long Cheng'en, Minister of the Ministry of Works, assists the East Palace in checking the accounts of the Ministry of Accounts."

Di Yu bowed slightly and said, "Your minister receives the decree."

The empress stood up, and all the ministers dispersed.

Jing Heng walked up to Long Chen, deliberately pointed at his crotch, and said with a sneer, "A eunuch without roots dares to fight with Lao Tzu, you are tired of living!"

Long Chen chuckled and said: "It's the Holy Majesty's will, do you want to resist the decree and seek rebellion!"

Jing Heng gritted his teeth, he thought Long Chen would be afraid of him, but he didn't expect Long Chen to be afraid at all.

"Hey, you wait!"

Jing Heng angrily led a group of courtiers out of Daming Palace.