Chapter 527: Hoping in You

"When officials can support their families, they can uphold proper morals and enforce laws strictly. Corruption has never been eradicated in any dynasty, but it can be reduced." Yang Shiqi said: "When the imperial court provides adequate official salaries, all ministers are sustained by the people, and the entire realm can justifiably condemn corrupt officials."

"Only when one holds a rightful position can true integrity arise." Over these past few years, Yang Shiqi had grown increasingly silent—first because he was old and his strength waned; second because he had to yield power to the Emperor; third, perhaps, because he understood the hardships of mid- and low-ranking officials, and his heart ached, leaving him with a sense of guilt.

Yang Shiqi said: "Since the Emperor launched the Luchuan campaign, the state treasury has gradually weakened."

"Last spring and summer, precisely when the Luchuan campaign was most critical, regions across the land were also in the lean season between harvests, with natural disasters frequent. From March to June, the salaries of some less affluent officials were not paid until July."

Xue Shao exclaimed in surprise: "Has it really become this dire?"

Yang Shiqi gave a slight nod and whispered: "Even officials in the capital often receive insufficient salaries. For those of our rank, the Ministry of Revenue dares not withhold, so they must burden the mid- and lower-ranking officials."

"Either the salary is incomplete, or it is paid in goods instead of silver or grain," Yang Shiqi coughed, waved off the water Xue Shao offered, paused to catch his breath, then continued: "They receive these substitutes, which they cannot eat or drink, and cannot directly use as currency—they must sell them to obtain cash, but with every transaction, their salary is drastically diminished."

Xue Shao knew well that Great Ming officials' salaries were never high.

When the Hongwu Emperor first set the salary scale, he kept it extremely tight—just enough for officials to support their families without extravagance. When this is slashed, officials can no longer even feed their families.

"When salaries cannot sustain their families, their wives and daughters must take up spinning, embroidery, even laundry to make ends meet. Some officials choose to send their parents, wives, and children back to their hometowns to cut expenses..."

Yang Shiqi's eyes filled with pity: "How can one expect an official to serve the state faithfully, obey the ruler, or plead for the people if he cannot support his aging parents or raise his wife and children?"

Xue Shao: "Has the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Personnel compiled any statistics?"

Yang Shiqi looked at him and said: "They dare not."

Xue Shao frowned.

"But I secretly had someone compile them. After last autumn, the number of officials' family members accompanying them in the capital dropped by thirty percent compared to the previous year. And here," Yang Shiqi opened a drawer beside his wooden bed and pulled out a ledger, handing it to him.

Xue Shao opened it—it was the Ministry of Revenue's official record of official salaries.

"This is what I had Vice Minister Wang Zhi compile: the official salaries and actual disbursements for capital officials over the past ten years."

Xue Shao pointed to the last row and asked: "What is this?"

Yang Shiqi: "These are the average prices of grain, pork, and mutton for that year."

Xue Shao carefully flipped through it and soon noticed the pattern.

Over the past ten years, most officials' salaries remained unchanged; only a tiny fraction saw slight increases or decreases.

He found that non-ranked clerks' salaries had mostly declined.

But this was normal—whether rising or falling, the changes were minor.

What truly startled him was the section that followed—the actual disbursements.

Great Ming official salaries were low, but when the treasury was full, the Emperor would grant seasonal bonuses to officials of all ranks, so their lives were better than ordinary people's.

In recent years, the festival bonuses seemed generous, but the value of the items given had plummeted, and actual salary disbursements were far below what they once were.

He calculated today's prices: a rank-eight official, based on actual disbursements, could not even support his parents, wife, and children—if he couldn't rent cheap lodging, after paying rent in the capital, he might not even afford to feed himself.

Xue Shao murmured: "No wonder Wang Zhen has so many followers."

Yang Shiqi gave him an approving look: "You've finally hit the point."

"After ten years of bitter study and passing the imperial examination, who doesn't harbor some pride?" Yang Shiqi said. "Why then do so many willingly cling to a eunuch?"

"Besides a few who seek power, the rest simply want to live a little better."

Xue Shao closed the ledger, his heart heavy: "Why are you telling me about such a grave matter, Master Yang?"

Yang Shiqi: "This ledger and these words were meant for Xue Xuan." So this was why, since Xue Xuan didn't come, it was given to him?

"Go," Yang Shiqi said softly. "Take these questions to Jiangnan. I hope you can find a solution. Among all the civil and military ministers in court, I see only in you the hope of resolving this."

Xue Shao remained silent for a moment, then rose and bowed deeply to Yang Shiqi in acceptance.

The old steward hurried in.

Xue Shao instinctively shoved the ledger into his sleeve.

"Old Master," the steward, unaware of Xue Shao's motion, bowed low and stepped forward quickly: "A Daoist Priest has arrived at the gate. Says he made an appointment with you."

Yang Shiqi frowned slightly: "A Daoist Priest?"

"Yes, a young female Daoist, about ten or so."

Yang Shiqi's brow instantly relaxed, and he smiled: "Ah, it's her."

Xue Shao's heart leapt—he hesitated: "Could her surname be Pan?"

No mistake, no error, no misreading—every word was correct!

The steward blinked, then nodded: "Yes, she said her family surname is Pan."

Yang Shiqi smiled gently: "Please show her in."

Pan Yun arrived carrying a basket of cured meat, pastries, and fruit.

The steward received gifts nearly identical to Xue Shao's, stared at her in silence, then stepped aside: "Lady Pan, please enter."

Pan Yun had changed back into her wide-sleeved Daoist robe; now she moved with graceful ease.

Through the window, she handed the gifts to the steward, then smiled at Yang Shiqi, stepped inside, and raised her head—only to see Xue Shao standing nearby, partially hidden by a screen.

She blinked, slightly surprised: "What are you doing here? Aren't you preparing to go to Jiangnan?"

Xue Shao nodded to her: "I leave tomorrow. I came to visit Master Yang. But you—you already left the capital, didn't you?"

Pan Yun: "I came back. What a coincidence—I'm here to visit Master Yang too, and I'm leaving tomorrow as well."

Xue Shao's heart lifted—he invited: "Are you returning to Mount Sanqing? No, the Long Hushan Academy is reopening—you're going back to Long Hushan, right? We're headed the same way for most of the journey. Why not travel together?"

"No. My way of travel isn't suitable for you."

Xue Shao was deeply disappointed.

Yang Shiqi waited until they finished speaking before speaking: "Your father has been exonerated. Congratulations—you and your father are reunited."

Pan Yun bowed: "Thank you, Master Yang. Before I came, my father asked me to thank you on his behalf. Had it not been for your righteous advocacy, this case would not have been resolved so swiftly."

Yang Shiqi smiled: "Your father was upright and innocent—he committed no crime. Otherwise, even my words would have been useless."

The two fell silent, an old man and a young woman staring at each other, both remembering the unpleasant past of threats and being threatened.

Pan Yun cleared her throat and changed the subject: "Master Yang, how is your health?"

Yang Shiqi: "Today I may have the pleasure of meeting the two young friends; my spirits have improved considerably. I suspect the day is near."

Pan Yun fixed her gaze on his face, but she was only a half-trained Physician; relying solely on observation, his complexion did indeed appear fairly healthy, though his lips were pale and slightly bluish, likely due to insufficient cardiac blood supply.

(End of Chapter)