In the capital region, the autumn wind is bleak, and the once prosperous scene is shrouded in a layer of gloom.

Inside the palace walls, Wu Yunyin sat upright on the dragon throne, her face stern, her brows furrowed with worry.

Wang Chong knelt on the ground, looking terrified, holding a stack of documents in his hands. These documents recorded the situation of grain reserves in various places, but they were almost all blank.

"Minister Wang, is the food supply in the surrounding cities and even the capital truly exhausted?"

Wu Yunyin still refused to believe it. The Central Plains of the Great Wu had enjoyed favorable weather for the past three years. Who could possibly have such immense wealth to buy up all the grain?

Wang Chong's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he explained tremblingly, "Your Majesty, I dare not lie, this is indeed true. I sent people to inquire in many places, including various prefectures, counties, and even small towns, but they only managed to buy five thousand shi of grain, and no more."

Wu Yunyin frowned. Although there was no shortage of food at the front, what should be done about the capital?

What will these 150,000 troops eat? They can't go to fight Zhou Xiang on an empty stomach.

After a moment of contemplation, Wu Yunyin suddenly stood up and made a very bold decision.

"Wang Chong, I hereby order you to immediately begin collecting grain. Proclamation shall be issued to all gentry, landlords, and common people in the prefectures and counties near the capital, ordering them to pay ten catties of public grain per person. Anyone who dares to disobey this order shall be executed without mercy!"

Wu Yunyin's voice echoed in the court, like a cold and ruthless winter wind, sending a chill down the spines of everyone present.

Upon hearing this, Wang Chong's eyes widened in astonishment as he looked at Wu Yunyin.

Wang Chong was filled with conflicting emotions; her order would bring a fatal disaster to the people.

Taking a deep breath, Wang Chong mustered his courage and said, "Your Majesty, the people are already suffering terribly. If we levy more grain, we will cut off their livelihood. If they rise up in rebellion, the court will probably have no chance to suppress them!"

A fierce glint flashed in Wu Yunyin's eyes as she gritted her teeth and said, "Wang Chong, I didn't blame you for the last conscription, but this time you must act according to the imperial decree! Rebellion? Anyone who dares to rebel will die. Since they are all my people, they must pay a price for me. If I want my Great Wu to return to its golden age, all the people of the world must take responsibility!"

Wang Chong's face turned pale. The forced taxation of the people had already caused widespread resentment.

Now Wu Yunyin wants to take away the little food the people have left. Isn't this forcing the people to rebel?

Why have there been so many peasant uprisings throughout history? As long as the people are starving, that's when they're ready to rebel.

Wang Chong couldn't believe that Wu Yunyin was so foolish as to do something that would lead her to her own demise.

Looking at Wu Yunyin's face full of anger, Wang Chong felt powerless and could only nod heavily.

"Your humble servant obeys the decree and takes his leave."

Turning around and leaving the main hall, Wang Chong returned listlessly to the Ministry of Revenue and ordered all officials of the fourth rank and above to come over.

Half an hour later, officials from the Ministry of Revenue in the capital arrived at the Ministry, but one person was missing.

Yang Miao, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and a direct subordinate of the Minister of Revenue, did not come.

"Where is Yang Miao? Does anyone know where he is?" Wang Chong asked, frowning.

"Your Excellency, Lord Yang is still in the national treasury, checking the amount of silver. He should be here soon."

"Bring him here!"

Just as his subordinates were about to go find Yang Miao, news suddenly came from the national treasury, causing his heart to sink to the bottom.

"Your Excellency, something terrible has happened!" A minor clerk from the national treasury rushed in to report, "Lord Yang said that he was ordered to draft military pay, but all the silver has been transported away and its whereabouts are unknown!"

Wang Chong's face turned pale instantly, and he clenched his fists tightly.

"What? How dare Yang Miao..."

A quarter of an hour later, Wang Chong stood before the empty treasury, his face ashen, his heart filled with a mixture of anger and fear.

His subordinates had stolen all the silver from the national treasury, and he, as the Minister of Revenue, had seriously neglected his duties.

"Zhao Qian, immediately organize a team to track down Yang Miao and the stolen silver. I will personally go to see the Emperor and explain the situation to her."

Right Vice Minister Zhao Qian accepted the order and left, while Wang Chong hurriedly went to the palace.

In the Wuming Hall, Song Yunyang was reviewing the memorial written by Song Xuan. The slow progress of the war was making her feel somewhat frustrated.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty." Wang Chong knelt before Wu Yunyin, his voice trembling. "I failed to manage the national treasury properly. Left Vice Minister Yang Miao embezzled all the silver. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

"What?"

Wu Yunyin was furious, her eyes almost spitting fire. She slammed the memorial to the ground and pointed a finger at Wang Chong.

"Wang Chong! The national treasury's silver was stolen right under your nose! What are you doing, Minister of Revenue?"

Wu Yunyin's hands trembled with anger. The worst thing in a person's life is to be alive but lose all your money!

Seeing Wu Yunyin's burning rage, Wang Chong broke out in a cold sweat.

"Your Majesty, I have already ordered an investigation into Yang Miao's whereabouts, and I will definitely recover the stolen silver!"

Wu Yunyin snorted coldly, her voice carrying an undeniable air of authority: "Wang Chong, I will only give you five days. If you fail to recover the stolen silver, I will punish you severely."

Wang Chong kowtowed repeatedly, "Your Majesty, I obey the decree and will do my utmost to recover the stolen silver."

After five days, Wang Chong was already somewhat desperate. How could Yang Miao have managed to transport more than 20 million taels of silver from such a heavily guarded palace without being discovered? How could he not have recovered it in five days?

...

Deep in the dense forest behind Cuiming Mountain, Chen Zhennan worked day and night in the tunnel.

"General, you've been busy for two days straight, take a rest," the deputy whispered.

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