Chapter 290: Gift from the Ministry of Finance

"Lord Min, you are here earlier today than usual?"

As usual, Zhao Shengping had been waiting outside Min Yuan's office early, holding something in his arms. When he saw Min Yuan coming, his face immediately broke into a smile.

Zhao Shengping had already taken out the spare key that he had left in the Ministry of Revenue, and diligently helped Min Yuan open the door. After entering, he carefully placed the things in his hand on Min Yuan's desk, and began to help pour water and make tea.

"Shengping, what is this?" Min Yuan asked curiously, looking at the long object wrapped in cloth on the table.

Zhao Shengping quickly put down the kettle and came over, "Master Min, this is the gold that I found specially--"

"No, no, this is the Ministry of Revenue, how can I accept it? Take it back, take it back!"

"Lord Min, Lord Min!" Zhao Shengping smiled and comforted Min Yuan who kept waving his hands, and removed the outer cloth of the object, revealing a pair of dark green paperweights inside.

"This is a black jade paperweight produced in Jin County," Zhao Shengping explained.

"I see you often practice calligraphy alone in your room. What a coincidence! I just got this pair of black jade paperweights a few days ago. I am not very knowledgeable and I am afraid that they will be wasted, so I came to decorate your room. I hope you will not dislike it."

"Oh, Shengping is thoughtful." Min Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and picked up the pair of paperweights to take a closer look. He was reluctant to part with them. "The black jade produced in Jin County is very valuable. How can I afford it..."

"Yes, yes!" Zhao Shengping said with a smile, "This pair of paperweights was given to me by a friend. I didn't spend a penny on it. I'm just giving it to you as a token of my friendship!"

“Is it really a gift from a friend?”

"Absolutely."

Min Yuan laughed, "Then I will... accept it with regret?"

Zhao Shengping naturally agreed and handed the brewed tea to Min Yuan.

Min Yuan took a sip of tea, savored it for a moment, and said casually: "By the way, Shengping, the Minister came back yesterday."

Zhao Shengping dusted off the cabinet and asked curiously, "Didn't the Minister go back to his hometown to worship his ancestors and take a half-month leave? How come he's back after just a few days?"

"The official road was blocked on the way back to his hometown, so he had to return to the capital."

Zhao Shengping nodded. It was indeed a good thing to be close to his superior. He even knew the news that the Minister had returned to Beijing earlier than others.

Min Yuan put down his teacup and straightened his sleeves. "In three days, it will be the Minister's birthday. We who work under the Minister should prepare some small gifts to show our appreciation."

When Zhao Shengping heard this, his mind immediately became active.

The so-called "small gift" is not really "small". However, the emperor advocates frugality. Not to mention officials accepting bribes, even officials like the Minister of Revenue dare not accept expensive gifts on holidays. At most, they would accept some special fruits.

Zhao Shengping then asked tentatively: "Master Min, what do you mean?"

Min Yuan looked at him meaningfully, "The Minister likes a lively atmosphere. On his birthday, he will definitely host a banquet for all the departments of our Ministry of Revenue. Our Ministry of Finance cannot be outdone by other departments this time."

Zhao Shengping immediately understood that this time the Ministry of Revenue had to make unique preparations to show off in front of the Minister.

"Could it be that Lord Min has a brilliant plan?"

"The Minister loves excitement and is also good at singing and dancing."

Zhao Shengping slapped his thigh and continued, "If we can let our colleagues from the Ministry of Finance show their talents at the birthday banquet for you, it will not only be creative, but also show that we are united and loyal to you, Lord Minister. Lord Min, this is a great idea!"

He paused, then hesitated and asked if it would be inappropriate for court officials to perform in public.

"That was at the Minister's residence, not a street performance. It was just to add to the atmosphere of the birthday banquet and let the Minister see how happy we were. Just have fun, there's no need to take it too seriously."

Min Yuan smiled, picked up the cup and continued, "If it were an ordinary performance, the Minister might not like to see a group of men showing off. We have two women in the Ministry of Finance, which is our advantage.

This matter will be handed over to you. You must do it in a way that will impress everyone. If you do it well, I will find an opportunity to commend you for your achievements. "

"Thank you, Lord Min!" Zhao Shengping happily accepted the order and left.

…

"Going to the Minister's Mansion to perform? No!"

From a corner of the courtyard of the Ministry of Revenue, Qiao Youyou's loud voice was heard, and her tone was as if she saw a wild boar climbing a tree.

No, even a wild boar climbing a tree is not this outrageous.

Zhao Shengping was so frightened that he begged her to keep her voice down, hoping that other departments wouldn't hear it and come to compete for the limelight.

"Doctor Xiao, Mr. Qiao, you have misunderstood..." Zhao Shengping wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"What do you mean by performing? Mr. Qiao, you are also a scholar, how can you speak so harshly! I just want to ask if you two can sing or dance. When the Minister's birthday banquet is held, others will offer fruits, flowers and birds. If you two can improvise a few songs and dance a song, it will be the highlight of the birthday banquet!"

Xiao Wan pursed her lips tightly, obviously a little angry. Before she could say anything, Qiao Youyou had already put his hands on his hips and asked him, "We need to sing a couple of verses and dance a song, why don't you come up?"

Zhao Shengping immediately laughed, "These are things women do, and I'm a grown man..."

Qiao Youyou was so angry that she laughed.

"Why, just because I was born a girl, I deserve to dance for you men, right? Not to mention that I can't, even if I could, I wouldn't do it! I wonder if that Min guy is mentally ill..."

Seeing that Qiao Youyou was about to insult her boss, Xiao Wan quickly and gently pulled her back.

Seeing that Qiao Youyou was not easy to deal with, Zhao Shengping went to ask the good-tempered Xiao Wan.

Xiao Wan said calmly, "Doctor Zhao, you all know how much I have to do every day. If I spend my days rehearsing songs and dances, who will take my place to handle official duties?"

"This..." Zhao Shengping was in a dilemma.

Xiao Wan was the only one doing the work of three people in the Ministry of Revenue, and there was really no one who could take over her job.

Then I can only bother Qiao Youyou.

Qiao Youyou met Zhao Shengping's gaze again, and became even more angry. "What are you looking at? I told you not to go, but you don't understand? I'm confused. Why haven't I heard about it before I came to the Ministry of Revenue? Your ministry has a tradition of female officials performing for the assistant minister?"

"Isn't it true that there were no women officials in the past..."

Zhao Shengping said shamelessly, "Mr. Qiao is naturally beautiful, and she is the face of our Ministry of Finance, so we asked you to come. If it was an ordinary girl, Lord Min would not let her hang around in front of the Minister!"

"Mr. Qiao, you have to think carefully. This is a great opportunity to show your face in front of the various departments! Maybe you can even be valued by the Minister. How many people would love such an opportunity?"

Qiao Youyou was furious when she heard this, and pointed at Zhao Shengping's nose and wanted him to get out.

In a flash, a thought suddenly flashed through my mind.

"You said that everyone from each department will be here?" Qiao Youyou suddenly asked.

Zhao Shengping nodded immediately.

When Qiao Youyou heard this, her bright eyes rolled around several times.

This is an opportunity that Min Yuan has given to him. It would be impolite to be polite again.

A strange smile suddenly appeared on her face, and she winked at Zhao Shengping and said:

"Okay, Doctor Zhao, please report to Lord Min that I will accept this mission.

I will definitely perform well.”