"ah?"

Cheng Xunyi raised his head in confusion, then quickly lowered it again.

"May I ask... Your Majesty, why not?"

Xiao Ling: “…”

How could she say this?

It’s all the Chu bandits’ fault!

Chu Yi: “┗( ▔, ▔ )┛”

Your Majesty, this is none of my business.

At this time, Xiao Ling's cheeks were still flushed, and every move she made was really difficult, and she couldn't move forward or backward.

Forced herself to calm down, she glared at Chu Yi fiercely before she argued:

"Lord Cheng, you misunderstood. I wasn't talking about you just now."

Before Cheng Xunyi could react with suspicion, she asked, "According to the Ministry of Revenue's budget, how much silver will these things cost?"

"This... Your Majesty, according to my estimate, excluding the expenses related to the upcoming war in the north, the remaining budget will require more than five million silver coins..." Cheng Xunyi said.

"Of course, nearly half of the five million silver dollars was spent on resettling refugees from the war, repairing water conservancy projects, and restoring the livelihood of Annan."

Hearing the number five million, Xiao Ling was silent for a moment.

Nowadays, Anguo’s annual tax revenue may be barely five million. This time, these things have taken up the entire year’s tax revenue. If something else happens, I’m afraid there’s no need to do it.

However, according to the previously discussed commercial taxes, if they can be implemented in Annan Province and even the whole country as soon as possible, it may be able to greatly alleviate the pressure on the national treasury.

But even so, that will be at least in the second half of the year.

Xiao Ling looked embarrassed and couldn't help but turn his head to look at Chu Yi.

Chu Yi thought for a moment and asked, "Master Cheng, these five million silvers are the minimum expenses required? Have you taken into account the losses?"

"Master Chu, what are you talking about?" Cheng Xunyi couldn't help but

As an old official, he naturally knew what the "loss" meant.

"As the Minister of Revenue, I have diligently fulfilled my duties over the years, meticulously managing the treasury's tax revenue and living by the skin of my teeth. Lord Chu's casual talk of 'losses' is groundless and baseless, and it truly disparages my reputation!"

The so-called "loss" refers to the relief money issued, salaries and other expenses that pass through the hands of officials at all levels.

According to the current corruption in Anguo's officialdom, if 500,000 taels of silver are spent and exploited through layers of exploitation, 200,000 taels of silver can be fully utilized in the local area. In that case, the governor-general should be praised for his clean hands.

To put it bluntly, Chu Yi said this because he felt that Cheng Xunyi was exaggerating about the cost and that he actually didn't need that much money.

However, he also admired Cheng Xunyi's ability and character.

After Cheng Xunyi refuted with a stern face, Xiao Ling angrily pinched Chu Zei secretly as a warning.

Chu Yi laughed and stopped talking nonsense.

"Well, since Lord Cheng has such a promise, I naturally believe it."

As for whether it was necessary to slow down related matters, he also knew that the little empress still had to make the decision on her own.

Chu Yi hugged Xiao Ling and thought for a long time before making a plan:

"Sir Cheng... I've carefully considered the issues we discussed a while ago. We must take this opportunity to implement them. Otherwise, once Annan's development stabilizes, I'm afraid it will be even more difficult."

"As for the empty treasury, Lord Cheng, there is no need to worry too much. If the treasury is truly short of silver, Your Majesty and I will find a way to fill the relevant gap."

The last sentence was a reassurance given by Chu Yi. He did not directly say where the money came from, but Cheng Xunyi seemed to realize it and could not help but look up at Chu Yi.

Chu Yi reached out and pinched Xiao Ling's cheek, rubbing Yumen Pass.

"What do you think, Your Majesty?"

"Hmm..." Xiao Ling couldn't help but clench his fists and scratched Chu Zei's shoulder fiercely, whispering, "Just... do as you say..."

"Sir Cheng, after the Spring Examination, you will be responsible for tax reform. Chu Qing will find a way to fill the vacant treasury."

After making her final decision, she turned to look at Chu Yi and confirmed, "From now on, I'll leave the money issue entirely to Chu Qing, right?"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will find a way." Chu Yi also admitted.

Faced with the current situation, he seemed very generous. After all, compared with other irrelevant things, the strength of Anguo would be more meaningful to him.

You can't leave a broken court to your son in the future, right?

The Chu family's wealth has been quite a bit in recent years, so a few million replenishment is no problem at all.

If that's still not enough, then just find a few corrupt officials and chop off their heads. That will definitely be enough.

"Since Your Majesty has a solution, I am relieved."

Cheng Xunyi responded respectfully, having already lowered his eyes.

There was no way, the scene in front of him was too explosive. He was regretting all the time that he was so impatient, worried about government affairs, and saw this taboo and intimate scene.

It’s true. If Her Majesty the Empress doesn’t worry about it, why should he, a Minister, worry about it?

If you really want to, let the Lord of Heaven do it.

This imperial study is no longer suitable for staying in.

"Your Majesty, I will take my leave. I will leave a list for you once everything is ready..."

"Well, back off..."

Seeing this, Xiao Ling also breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, Lord Cheng couldn't bear to see this scene, and she herself was on pins and needles and suffered much more.

Cheng Xunyi then stood up straight, not caring about his manners, and hurriedly quickened his pace to leave the imperial study.

As soon as he left, Xiao Ling glanced sideways, and a cold and majestic look appeared on his face.

"Chu Yi!"

"That's enough!"

Xiao Ling was very angry, extremely angry. This Chu thief was so dishonest!

Although she was scolding him coldly, her tone was inevitably mixed with a bit of coquettishness and annoyance.

"I didn't mean to do that. After all, when I was hugging Your Majesty, Lord Cheng was present and couldn't free his hands to push Your Majesty away."

"You're talking nonsense!" Xiao Ling was furious, his cheeks flushed red with rage. "Do you think I can't see that you're doing it more deliberately than anyone else?"

Chu Yi: “…”

"Then I... won't dare to do it again next time?" In order to coax his beloved woman, Chu Yi had no choice but to give in.

"Do you dare to do it again next time???"

Xiao Ling was furious.

This Chu thief is so shameless. It's clearly only the first day, why is he planning this kind of thing for next year?

Facing the question, Chu Yi's expression turned serious. "This is your Majesty's fault. Your Majesty, you have already announced to the world that you are a woman. The secret that we are both monarch and subject, and husband and wife, will also be known to all civil and military officials, and even the whole world."

"When I help Your Majesty with government affairs, it's perfectly reasonable for a husband and wife to cuddle and kiss, right? We can't just avoid even the slightest bit of intimacy when a minister comes to see you, right?"