Chapter 65 Otherwise, How?

ened, and his aged face was pale with terror to the extreme.He clearly saw a death soldier staring at him with wide eyes, his gaze still holding a glimmer of unquenched spirit, but one that would neve...Chapter 65 Otherwise What

Seeing Xu Changqing's furious expression, Li Chen frowned and said, "What's the matter Why are you making such a scene What dignity does a minister of the third rank have"

Xu Changqing was still angry. He said, "Your Highness, these people are simply too shameless."

"In recent days, thanks to Your Majesty's decisive actions, the treasury has received a considerable influx of funds. Although nearly 20 million taels of silver have been deposited, considering the current dire straits facing the entire empire, expenditures are required everywhere. Therefore, it can only be said that this has alleviated the immediate financial crisis of the court."

"Even those ministers in the capital, officials of the Imperial Secretariat, and provincial governors all heard the news and began to devise ways to seek money."

For example, the Ministry of Works claimed that three major water dams needed to be built. Because the national treasury has always been short of money, this matter has been dragging on. Now, they just open their mouths and ask for six million taels.

“The Ministry of Works, that can be understood, after all, it was for the purpose of countering natural disasters, and it was indeed jointly decided by the Emperor and the Cabinet at the beginning. But even the Ministry of Rites joined in, saying that under the disaster, people everywhere should pray to heaven for protection, and asked the court to repair temples across the country, opening their mouths and demanding four million taels.”

"The worst offender is the Ministry of War. They say military pay has been withheld for six months, and they want to take one million one hundred thousand taels to distribute it. Just from General Zhao Jianye of the Imperial Guards' report alone, they want to take two hundred twenty-six thousand taels!"

In this case, with over ten million taels of silver, it wouldn't be enough to even cover the imperial court's expenses, let alone satisfy the needs of these three government offices!

Li Chen frowned slightly upon hearing this.

He and Xu Changqing have different identities, so their perspectives on issues are also different.

Xu Changqing was angry that the three mouths were opening too wide and too fast, threatening to drain his hard-earned wealth in an instant.

While Li Chen smelled a hint of political conspiracy from it.

"Did they come at the same time" Li Chen asked.

Xu Changqing was taken aback for a moment before replying with a bow, "Your Highness, it wasn't exactly simultaneous, but it happened close together. Especially Zhao Jianye, he claimed that the military pay of the Imperial Guards had been in arrears for several months. And since the Imperial Guards were directly responsible for the safety of the capital, there could be no lapse in their funding. He demanded I approve his application and transfer the funds within a day."

"Is it true that the Feather Lin Guard's pay is truly in arrears" asked Li Chen.

Xu Changqing immediately replied: "Your Highness, you know the state of the treasury. The unpaid salaries issue is not just limited to the Imperial Guard. It's almost all armies under the imperial court that are behind on pay. Some have been delayed for a few months, while others haven't received their salaries for half a year."

"However, the Imperial Guard is rather special. They have always been the Emperor's personal army, so their allowances and pay are always disbursed promptly. Furthermore, this matter has always been directly handled by the Ministry of War. As for the specifics, my authority isn't sufficient, and the Ministry hasn't informed me."

"I am aware of this matter. As for the Ministry of Works, you should delay things for now. Regarding the Ministry of War and Zhao Jianye..."

Li Chen let out a cold smile and said, "Go summon Minister of War Xi Wanli and Zhao Jianye. You want to take the silver This silver was all earned by this palace. They just want to take it with their hands outstretched How ridiculous."

Xu Changqing immediately knelt down and said happily, "As you wish, Your Majesty. I shall go at once."

Soon after Xu Changqing left, Minister of War Xi Wanli, who was working at the Ministry of War, arrived at the East Palace first.

Upon entering, he slightly bowed his head and said, "My lord, Xi Wanli, pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Xu Changqing said, 'You want one million and one silver taels to pay the army' Li Chen asked."

"Yes." Xi Wanli replied calmly.

"How many soldiers are there throughout the nation, are their ranks full, and how much back pay is owed to each unit You want money without even knowing anything" Li Chen asked coldly.

Xi Wanli sneered and said, "These things, I have already reported to the cabinet, that is, to say to His Highness the Crown Prince. Does Your Highness understand Military pay is no child's play. If Your Highness still wants peace and prosperity for the country, he should quickly let Xu Changqing transfer the silver. Otherwise..."

Otherwise, how!

Li Chen let out a furious shout, his voice booming like thunder across the heavens. He pointed at Xi Wanli and demanded, "Or else, won't the country be in chaos and its people live in fear!"s, raised his hand, and Wan Jiaojiao, who was serving him, immediately understood and bent over to bring the handkerchief in her hand to Li Chen's mouth.Li Chen took the handkerchief and wiped his mou...