Chapter 195: How come the Ministries of Works, Revenue, and War are all running to my presence?

Gu Qingwan was also dazed.

She also stared oddly at the Minister of Revenue below.

This??

Originally, Gu Qingwan had planned to have a good argument with this Minister of Revenue.

Because, Gu Qingwan didn't plan to go see the train right away today.

Lu Yuan had just gone to sleep after five in the morning; Gu Qingwan could never call him up at eight.

Gu Qingwan had decided before court today: however long Lu Yuan sleeps, that's when we start!

Lu Yuan worked all night yesterday, while you three in the Cabinet slept soundly at home—nice!

Today it's overcast, so you will stand outside for me all day and wait!

Once Lu Yuan wakes up comfortably, this matter is considered done!

So, Gu Qingwan really had made up her mind, but…… the Minister of Revenue suddenly stopped arguing and just agreed.

This left Gu Qingwan completely at a loss.

Even if……

Even if the treasury is now full, but……

Normally, the Ministry of Revenue would come out crying and begging for a while.

According to normal procedure, the Ministry of Revenue is supposed to negotiate.

For example, if I ask for ten million, after the Minister of Revenue cries and begs a bit, it becomes eight million.

This is the Minister of Revenue's duty.

The Ministry of Revenue's duty is to control finances, so the emperor doesn't spend recklessly or build wastefully.

Of course, if one encounters that sort of tyrannical ruler who dares to speak back, they'd be dragged out and beheaded—that's another matter.

It's obvious that I am not such a ruler.

Before this, the Minister of Revenue had always come running to me, crying and begging.

But this……

This suddenly……

Gu Qingwan went dumb.

Immediately, Gu Qingwan also became really curious about just how much money is in the treasury now.

At this moment, the Minister of Revenue stood in the hall, his face full of smug satisfaction.

He looked around at the ministers gaping around him.

The Minister of Revenue finally got to vent his frustration.

You say, although the Minister of Revenue should be crying and begging in court.

But……

After all, I'm already in my fifties or sixties!

My grandson is already that big; if I were to cry and beg in court this time, the Minister of Revenue couldn't save face.

Although everyone knows what's going on.

And this time I'm not crying and begging, so there's only one reason.

That is……

The treasury's money…… is just too damn much!!

Last time when the northern railway was built, the Minister of Revenue cried, simply because he didn't know how much money the treasury had.

Because regarding the treasury's money, although the Ministry of Revenue manages it, they don't go checking the accounts every day.

Take ordinary people as an example: in their daily lives, if you truly asked how much money they have at home, down to the finest cash and coins,

ordinary people definitely couldn't say.

Usually, you only know by totalling the accounts at New Year.

The Ministry of Revenue is the same, and needless to say, it manages the finances of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.

The Ministry of Revenue checks every six months; during that half-year, unless the emperor spends a lot, they rarely sort out the accounts.

From after the New Year until now, besides the northern railway, the emperor has only requested a large sum once.

That is the southern bandit suppression.

But the money for the southern bandit suppression, frankly, isn't much.

Mortars are still under a million, and as for the army's grain and fodder, those are all issued directly from local offices, then reported to the Ministry of Revenue together at year's end.

So during the bandit suppression, the Ministry of Revenue didn't really check.

In total, the money isn't much either, just a few million.

It's not enough to make the Ministry of Revenue start flipping through the treasury's ledgers.

But the last time with the northern railway, it was different.

Altogether, the three phases require fifteen million to prepare!

That's a huge sum!

Although the Minister of Revenue also thinks the bicycles, threshers and such have made a fortune, he doesn't know exactly how much.

Anyway, when he went to the Grand Court Assembly then, he first cried his heart out.

He cried and then spoke.

After crying it out at the Grand Court Assembly, when the Minister of Revenue went back and checked the accounts, he was dazed.

Damn!

The Great Zhou Dynasty's treasury…… when did it get this much money!!

You have this much money, why didn't you say so earlier!!

If you say it again, I'll go to the grand court assembly and cry my eyes out!!

That's not it.

This time, His Majesty again asked the Ministry of Revenue for money; this time, the Minister of Revenue won't cry.

Can't be bothered to cry.

Your Majesty has money!

Do you guys not understand what a moneybags is?!

Moreover…… most importantly……

Also at this moment, the Minister of Revenue, holding his tablet, immediately bowed and looked toward Gu Qingwan and said:

"Your Majesty need not worry; this railway is a great undertaking that benefits the state and the people, our Ministry of Revenue naturally supports it wholeheartedly."

"Such a thing with a hundred benefits and no harms, our Ministry of Revenue certainly won't be short-sighted."

The Minister of Revenue finished speaking.

Everyone looked at each other, bewildered.

You're full of shit!

When the northern railway was first built, why weren't you like this then!

You were crying so hard your snot came out, you thought we didn't see?!

Before Gu Qingwan, dazed, could say anything, the surrounding officials, all bewildered, the Minister of Revenue again smiled and said:

"Furthermore, at this time, it is also the work of Lu Yuan, an official of the Agriculture Bureau under our Ministry of Revenue; this is an internal matter of our Ministry, how could we not support it."

"Your Majesty, just put your mind at ease~"

This is the most important!!

Before Lu Yuan was ennobled, the Minister of Revenue was not in the Huangcheng.

At that time, the south suffered severe disaster, and the Minister of Revenue was directly dispatched by the Imperial Court to the south.

After all, the south had such a great disaster; the Imperial Court certainly would send a senior official to the south to direct the work.

Also let the common people of the south see that the Imperial Court has sent a high official.

So, the Minister of Revenue did not know that Lu Yuan was a member of our Ministry of Revenue.

Including those potatoes and such that Lu Yuan came up with, the Minister of Revenue was not in the Huangcheng at the time and didn't know.

Of course, before that, the Minister of Revenue knew that the bicycle and the thresher were Lu Yuan's creations.

Naturally, this was taken to mean that Lu Yuan belonged to the Ministry of Works.

But after the incident of crying for father and mother was over and he returned, the Minister of Revenue looked into it.

Hey?

It turns out Lu Yuan is actually one of our Ministry of Revenue's people!!

Moreover, not only those potatoes, but also that large greenhouse!

When the Agriculture Bureau reported the large greenhouse matter to the Ministry of Revenue, the Minister of Revenue was aware of it.

However, at that time Lu Yuan's name was not conspicuous.

Because the Agriculture Bureau said the large greenhouse…… was made by many people in the Bureau together.

But after a thorough investigation later, it turned out that it was actually Lu Yuan alone who made it.

So, Lu Yuan is a member of our Ministry of Revenue.

Now that Lu Yuan is a member of our Ministry of Revenue, this matter becomes interesting.

Everyone can see how capable Lu Yuan is.

Everyone knows how much His Majesty favors Lu Yuan, even if we're not deep in the inner palace, we still know a bit!

Especially, Lu Yuan initially worked in the Forging Bureau assembling trains, and then was suddenly transferred directly to the Hall of Splendid Glory.

Those who can enter the imperial palace to attend the grand court assembly all know that His Majesty favors Lu Yuan and wants to keep him close by his side.

Including later matters, such as tearing down the door threshold, needless to say.

These are also things we've heard of.

So…… Lu Yuan will definitely be promoted in the future.

Then, if he is to be promoted, let him be promoted within our Ministry of Revenue!!

If Lu Yuan becomes an official of the Ministry of Revenue, then our Ministry of Revenue will be strengthened!

In the future, if His Majesty ever comes to the Ministry of Revenue to settle accounts, we'll just have Lu Yuan stand in for us.

At that time, His Majesty will surely not dare to scold Lu Yuan.

So, as our Ministry of Revenue's own people handling affairs, why should we cry or make a fuss?

By the way, remind His Majesty that Lu Yuan is indeed one of our Ministry of Revenue's people!

In the future, if promotion is due, it must be to our Ministry of Revenue.

At this moment, upon hearing the Minister of Revenue's words, the people in the great hall looked slightly strange.

Especially the Cabinet members.

Don't think the Cabinet is one level above the Six Ministries, but actually the Six Ministries and the Cabinet are not adjacent.

Of course, there are also people from the Six Ministries who hold positions in the Cabinet.

However, the Six Ministries' Ministers and Vice Ministers have no relation to the Cabinet.

The Six Ministries and the Cabinet are not in a superior-subordinate relationship.

The Cabinet organizes the Six Ministries' submissions to the Emperor; minor matters are approved by the Cabinet itself, major ones are submitted to the Emperor for approval.

Glancing at the Minister of Revenue like that, hiss… it's as if saying Lu Yuan is one of his Ministry of Revenue people.

This left the cabinet members murmuring.

Lu Yuan's backing...

How come it seems... not just the emperor... but also the Ministry of Revenue...

And after the Minister of Revenue finished speaking.

Actually, the Minister of Works was quite grateful for the Ministry of Revenue's sudden generosity.

Before this, you could say that aside from the Revenue Ministry, the other five ministries really disliked this bunch of money-grubbers.

Before this, one could say that besides the Ministry of Revenue itself, the other five of the six ministries all really disliked this bunch of money-grubbers.

Every time they go to ask for money, this bunch of people are always hemming and hawing.

You say this money—it's all allocated by the emperor, and you agreed to it—so why can't you just hand it over willingly?

You say this money, it's all allocated by the Emperor, you also agreed to it—so when giving the money, can't you be a bit more straightforward?

Isn't it just to flaunt the authority of your Revenue Ministry's money-grubbers?

Isn't it just that you want to flaunt the authority of your Ministry of Revenue's money-grubbers?

This time the Revenue Ministry suddenly became generous, and the Minister of Works felt quite pleased just now.

This time the Ministry of Revenue suddenly became straightforward, and the Minister of Works just felt quite pleased in his heart a moment ago.

Immediately, the Minister of Works felt displeased.

Instantly, the Minister of Works felt displeased.

Damn it, are you trying to piss me off by holding back?

Damn it, in front of the emperor, you're trying to steal my people, right?

The Minister of Works really wanted to kick the Minister of Revenue out of the Taihe Hall.

The Minister of Works really wanted to give the Minister of Revenue a kick, shouting "Ah-da!" and kick him out of the Taihe Hall.

"This matter was proposed by Lu Yuan, an official of the Works Ministry's Forging Bureau; we in the Works Ministry fully support it, Your Majesty, please rest assured.

"This matter was proposed by the official Lu Yuan of the Forging Bureau under the Ministry of Works; regarding this matter, our Ministry of Works also fully supports it; please rest assured, Your Majesty."

After the Minister of Works finished speaking, the cabinet members felt a sudden jolt.

After the Minister of Works hurriedly finished speaking, the people in the Cabinet felt a thump in their hearts.

Lu Yuan was originally from the Works Ministry, and everyone had always thought so.

Including this train, which was originally assembled in the Forging Bureau, though later the emperor transferred it to the Chonghua Palace.

Including this train, it wasn't originally also assembled in the Forging Bureau, but later it was transferred by the Emperor to the Chonghua Hall.

Such a precious little thing, the Ministry of Works definitely treats it as important.

Lu Yuan's backing...

Not just the emperor, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Works Ministry as well...

Two of the six ministries are behind Lu Yuan, let alone the emperor.

Among the six ministries, two are already standing behind Lu Yuan, let alone the Emperor.

For a moment I felt a bit uneasy.

However, Yan Chonghui comforted himself, thinking it's fine—just two ministries trying to pull Lu Yuan over.

However, Yan Chonghui comforted himself in his heart, it's fine, it's just that two ministries want to pull Lu Yuan over.

A twenty-something-year-old in this situation would surely lose composure.

A person in their twenties, faced with such a situation, will definitely not be able to hold themselves together.

I originally thought Lu Yuan wouldn't last two years.

Originally, it was thought that Lu Yuan wouldn't live past two years.

It's been over a year already!

Wait until Lu Yuan gets too arrogant—then the emperor will be the first to cut him down!!

Wait until Lu Yuan becomes overly arrogant, then the Emperor will be the first to kill him!!

Don't panic, don't panic.

The advantage is mine!

The other officials in the hall don't know what these cabinet people are thinking.

The other officials in the hall didn't know what these Cabinet people were thinking.

The Great Zhou Dynasty has indeed produced a remarkable talent!

This person is truly in favor before the emperor!

He must be the top favorite of the Great Zhou Dynasty!

He must be the biggest celebrity of the Great Zhou Dynasty!

The Minister of War, gazing at Gu Qingwan holding the ceremonial tablet, bowed and said:

"Your Majesty, the mortar Lu Yuan built is extraordinarily powerful; the victory reports of the past two days clearly show how formidable his mortar is.

"Your Majesty, the mortar built by Lu Yuan is extremely powerful; the victory battle report of these two days also shows how powerful Lu Yuan's mortar is."

Although Lu Yuan is not of the War Ministry, his understanding of warfare, based solely on this mortar, is far beyond ordinary.

Although Lu Yuan is not a person of the Ministry of War, just based on this mortar, his understanding of military affairs is also extraordinary.

"I want to find a position for Lu Yuan in the Ministry of War."

The people in the hall immediately turned their heads, somewhat dazed.

The people in the hall immediately turned their heads in a dazed manner.

Huh?

Even the Ministry of War is trying to snatch people??

At this moment, the Minister of Works and the Minister of Household stared at the Minister of War's eyes, and sparks were practically flying from them.

Well done, Minister of War!!

We've served together in the court for so many years, how come I never realized you were such a sneaky, nasty piece of work!!

Before, when you attended court, you didn't say anything, you didn't participate in anything.

Looking at your big, burly frame, I actually thought you were honest and simple!!

It turns out it was all just an act!!

You bastard, you want to pull a fast one, directly getting Lu Yuan into your Ministry of War, right?!!

Lu Yuan still hasn't entered our Ministry of Works or Ministry of Household; he's only in a subordinate department under them.

You want Lu Yuan to directly join the Ministry of War?

You wish!!

The Minister of Works immediately became unwilling, and hurriedly looked up at Gu Qingwan on the throne and bowed, saying:

"Your Majesty, absolutely not—Lu Yuan excels at creation but cannot command battles; sending Lu Yuan to the Ministry of War would be utterly useless compared to his value in the Ministries of Works and Household!"

The Minister of Works' remarks also pulled in the Ministry of Household.

This matter needs to drag the Ministry of Household along as well.

And the Minister of Household also understood implicitly; never mind what just happened, first we need to kick out the outsiders!

Immediately, the Minister of Household also hurriedly said:

"I second that!"

The officials in the hall were dumbfounded—just a moment ago these two were at each other's throats……

But now, turning around, these two have actually teamed up??

And Gu Qingwan on the high platform also stared blankly at the scene below.

For a moment, Gu Qingwan blinked.

My own court……

How did it turn into a ceremony honoring Lu Yuan?!!

How come the Ministries of Works, Household, and War are all rushing before me to snatch him away?!!

Just how popular is Lu Yuan?!!

Thanks to San Guan Jue Chen for the quick update, old brother's 1500 book coins reward, thank you so much, muah~

Thanks to Ke Ze1112 old brother's 1000 book coins reward, thank you so much, muah~

……

All done~





(End of chapter)