Chapter 261 Teahouse, Listening to Books

The next morning, just after Qiao Youyou finished her morning routine and arrived at the Duzhisi office, she was informed that Lord Min had summoned everyone in the Duzhisi to discuss matters.

When we arrived at the conference room, we saw the Minister of Revenue sitting at the very top, scanning every person who came in with his sharp eyes.

Min Yuan sat next to him.

When Qiao Youyou and Xiao Wan walked in one after another, they clearly felt that Min Yuan's gaze lingered on them for a moment longer. Qiao Youyou looked back at him openly, and Min Yuan's face immediately darkened.

After everyone was seated, the Minister of Revenue cleared his throat and spoke slowly:

"Today, we have summoned all of you from the Ministry of Revenue to check the taxes on merchants. The collection of taxes from merchants in the capital this quarter is related to the abundance of the national finances and the stability of people's livelihood. As officials of the Ministry of Revenue, we should fulfill our duties and ensure that the taxes are collected correctly.

In recent months, the Ministry of Revenue has carefully checked the account books of all merchants and compared them one by one to ensure that every tax is accurately entered. However, the accounts are complicated and there may be omissions. We still need the joint efforts of all colleagues to check them again to ensure that there are no mistakes.

In addition, I have decided to select the best performing merchants based on the amount of taxes they paid, whether they paid on time, and whether they evaded taxes. I will commend them and award them plaques to show the court's appreciation and to set an example for other merchants."

As the minister spoke, the people below quickly wrote down the key points with pens.

"Sir Min, you still have many matters to deal with in the Ministry of Revenue. Although the review of the tax accounts will take some time, it is not complicated, so you don't need to oversee the whole process. Do you have any suitable candidate to recommend to supervise this matter?" The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue looked at Min Yuan and asked.

Min Yuan rolled his eyes. Several people present who were on good terms with him privately showed anticipation on their faces, hoping that they could be recommended and show off in front of the Minister.

Min Yuan looked at Qiao Youyou with a smile.

"Mr. Qiao, I heard that you founded a mathematics society when you were a student and made contributions to the Ministry of Revenue. I think it will be no problem for you to settle the accounts. Your Excellency, I think Mr. Qiao can take on this task."

The Minister of Revenue glanced at Qiao Youyou. He had some impression of Qiao Youyou, so he nodded and said with a smile: "Young people just need exercise, so it's settled."

For a moment, many envious and jealous eyes were cast on Qiao Youyou.

Qiao Youyou touched his head and bowed in a serious manner to indicate that he would do his best to get things done.

Min Yuan looked at her, a barely perceptible sneer on his lips.

…

The morning passed quickly, and the officials of the Hanlin Academy were allowed to leave the palace after finishing their shift at noon.

Half an hour later, Zhu Lan appeared outside Yuelai Teahouse again, followed by Zhu Qingyan.

Zhu Lan came once this morning, but it was just daybreak and Yuelai Teahouse had not yet opened. Zhu Lan had no choice but to come again at noon, and Zhu Qingyan came along.

At this time, the teahouse was already full of guests, the waiters were busy serving, and it was very lively.

Zhu Lan stopped the waiter and said, "Excuse me, may I ask if there is a storyteller here...young gentleman?"

"Oh, you are here to listen to Brother Chu's storytelling, right? He is telling the story inside, just go in - tea is eight cents per person!"

Zhu Lan nodded and walked in. The two of them only planned to return the sandbag to its original owner and leave, and there was no need to waste the sixteen cents.

When the two men walked into the lobby of the teahouse, they heard the sound of a gavel. Chu Xin was sitting behind a desk, telling a story with a lively look on his face.

Zhu Lan frowned slightly. At this time, the guests in the teahouse were listening to the book seriously. She couldn't call Chu Xin down at this time. She could ask the waiter to pass it on, but she still wanted to talk to Chu Xin in person, preferably to ask about the imperial examination case.

Fortunately, there was plenty of time at noon, so Zhu Lan paid sixteen cents for tea and found a corner to sit down with Zhu Qingyan.

"I'm so busy with work on weekdays that I haven't listened to a book for a long time." Zhu Lan said, making the best of it.

Zhu Qingyan had already pricked up his ears to listen. It turned out that Chu Xin was now telling the story of a female general named Qin from the previous dynasty.

"...The enemy general roared and attacked fiercely with his spear. But General Qin was not in a hurry. He stabbed the enemy general in the throat with his sword. The enemy hurriedly raised his spear to meet him, but he didn't expect General Qin to turn his sword and hit him directly in the ribs--"

Chu Xin's experienced voice, accompanied by the sound of a gavel, was clearly heard by everyone:

"If you want to know the outcome of this battle, please wait for the next episode!"

Zhu Qingyan was listening with great interest, but suddenly it stopped. He couldn't help but said anxiously: "This Chu Xin, it's really the right time to stop!"

Zhu Lan smiled and said, "I have told you everything you want to hear. Who will come tomorrow? Well, let's go find her and return the sandbag."

At this moment, someone in the hall suddenly slammed the table -

"Just sit there!"

Zhu Lan and the other two were stunned for a moment, then they realized that these words were not directed at them, but at Chu Xin.

The person who spoke was sitting in the front row, and her face could not be seen. Zhu Qingyan frowned. She had always had an excellent hearing sense, and she felt that the voice seemed somewhat familiar.

"Sir, do you have anything else to tell me?" Chu Xin replied with a smile on his face.

"I'm not on duty today. I'm here to listen to your story because I want to give you face. You sit back down and continue your story. You can only stop when I say so."

Chu Xin was a little annoyed at first, but the next moment he saw the other party slap a silver ingot on the table, and his anger immediately turned into joy.

"Since this gentleman appreciates it, I will continue my story today!"

She sat back down, slammed the gavel and said, "Speaking of General Qin——"

"Wait." The man in the audience interrupted her again, "Are you going to tell me that the enemy general was killed by General Qin in the blink of an eye? Do you think my money is so easy to earn?

You must change your explanation for me today and let General Qin be torn into pieces by five horses, and die a miserable death!"

Zhu Lan frowned. Why did this man sound so resentful?

"I remember now!" Zhu Qingyan whispered, "You've seen this guy before. When he was in Long'an County, he was in charge of transporting disaster relief supplies to the Eastern Palace. He was also beaten up by A Jing... I think his name is Li Yan."

As soon as Zhu Qingyan said this, Zhu Lan immediately remembered that he did have some impression of this person. At the same time, he also understood why he was so resentful towards the "female general" in the opera.

Chu Xin's hand holding the gavel froze in mid-air, his expression awkward and embarrassed, he forced a smile and said, "Sir, I am telling the story according to the script. This...if General Qin dies, then this story won't be able to be told anymore..."

"Why would I care so much about you?" Li Yan kicked the stool in front of him and said arrogantly, "You have to change it today, whether you want to or not. If you can't change it to satisfy me, you will never be able to tell stories in the capital for the rest of your life."

Chu Xin was shocked and angry, his chest began to heave violently, he stared at Li Yan with red eyes, his fists trembled slightly, but he could not utter a complete sentence.

"you……!"

Chu Xin was so excited that he forgot to disguise his voice when he spoke.

"Oh, it turns out to be a woman!" After a slight pause, Li Yan burst into laughter, walked up and pulled off Chu Xin's headscarf.