"It seems none of you know this."

"Do you still remember the original city in the six western prefectures to the south?"

One of the ministers stepped forward and asked, "Is Ancheng perhaps one of the six western prefectures?"

You're right.

"This princess would like to ask Lord Liu Hai a question now."

Upon hearing Qin Ruoxi's words, Liu Hai stood up from his seat, glanced furtively at Qin Jingyi while holding his official tablet, and then lowered his head.

"This princess remembers that Lord Liu Hai served as the governor of the six western cities in the south three months ago, right?"

"Your Highness, this is indeed true."

"Can you find out how much the grain tax is in Ancheng?"

"One-twentieth tax"

"One-twentieth of the tax? Ancheng's grain tax is ten-twentieth of the tax!!!"

As soon as Qin Ruoxi said this, the ministers standing below were no longer calm and began to discuss among themselves.

Minister of Revenue Lu Cun hurriedly stepped forward, holding up his official tablet.

The Ministry of Revenue was unaware of this matter.

"Let me tell you something else. For the past month, Ancheng has experienced continuous heavy, medium, and light rains. Floods have washed away villages and breached dikes. After the floods, a plague broke out."

"As far as I know, the plague has been raging for seven days."

After Qin Ruoxi finished speaking, the Minister of Works, Gong Quan, also quickly stepped forward.

"Princess, no one has reported this matter to the Ministry of Works."

Gong Quan and Lu Cun stood in the middle of the main hall, looking at each other.

Liu Hai's legs were trembling uncontrollably. Because of the grain tax, Ancheng had also given him a tribute. The benefits he received weren't just limited to grain.