Chapter 215 Targeting the National Treasury
"It's the dead of night and no one's looking for you. What could be wrong with you? Do you have a new lover outside and the flowers at home are no longer fragrant, right?"
The Shangshu's wife's face darkened, and her shyness disappeared instantly. She reached out and grabbed Sun Youcai's ear and questioned him.
It was common for men of this age to cheat, and she often heard complaints when drinking tea with other wives of officials. However, she had always been good at controlling her husband and was always paying special attention to Sun Youcai's whereabouts.
According to the report from the gatekeeper, Sun Youcai would occasionally go out early and come back late. She had tried to follow him in person, but there was nothing unusual. It was just a normal official social engagement.
Perhaps the restaurant was a den of filth? After all, there were instances of women from brothels being brought into the rooms for entertainment...
"My dear wife, what are you thinking? How dare I? I have been under your control for so many years."
Sun Youcai smiled and coaxed his tigress with kind words for a long time before he finally coaxed her to go back and rest.
The pigeon was still waiting obediently on the table. While waiting, it took a few sips of Sun Youcai's wine glass and was now standing unsteadily.
"You can't fall..."
Sun Youcai quickly fished the pigeon back from the edge of the stone table and carefully removed the bamboo tube tied to the pigeon's leg.
The letter was from someone above. After Liao Yu's downfall, the available silver supply was clearly much less than before. After all, to support so many forces, real money was essential. The letter demanded that Sun Youcai quickly restore the silver supply and, by the way, gather a large amount of food.
After reading the letter, Sun Youcai instantly lost his mood for a drink. Although he had managed to hide the truth from the emperor, he still had a master to serve behind the scenes. It was a pity that he had already boarded the pirate ship and had no way to escape. He could only sacrifice his life to accompany the gentleman.
But the task was assigned so lightly and effortlessly that Sun Youcai found it difficult to complete it.
The situation at court has been relatively stable lately. Besides the fixed military rations and salaries, the only time silver and grain are allocated is during special times like disaster relief. However, harvests are generally good, and it seems no natural disasters have occurred...
Sun Youcai took a sip of wine in frustration, his brain working at high speed, and soon he came up with a solution.
When it comes to grain and silver, the richest place is undoubtedly the national treasury! Most importantly, the national treasury is rarely open to the public, with few people entering or leaving. Aside from the annual tribute-giving period, when it is opened and new tributes are placed, it is almost always sealed.
In other words, even if some of the items were missing, as long as the amount was not huge, it would basically go unnoticed. The Ministry of Revenue itself was in charge of money, and it was often responsible for registering tributes.
This is a completely natural advantage! Sun Youcai hammered his palm, his eyes sparkling.
The next day, after leaving court, he strolled to the door of the national treasury. The imperial guards were guarding the door of the national treasury. Seeing the reflective blade from afar, Sun Youcai's heart trembled a little.
"Sir Shangshu, how come you have time to come here today? What does His Majesty want you to do?"
For the Imperial Guards, Sun Youcai could be said to be an old acquaintance. He was in charge of carrying tribute in and out every year. Except for the time of offering tribute, this old acquaintance rarely visited the treasury.
"My dear brothers, you have worked hard. The palace has been giving out a lot of gifts to the concubines recently. I am here to take inventory and update the items recorded in the register."
Sun Youcai bowed slightly. His lie seemed to be convincing, but in fact, a thin layer of sweat had already appeared on the palms under his sleeves. He was gambling with his usual image.
The Imperial Guards had no doubts. Sun Youcai's identity as the Minister of Revenue was there, and the fact that the Emperor appreciated the Empress in the palace was true, so it was reasonable for them to check the warehouse.
"Thank you for your hard work, Lord Shangshu."
Sun Youcai nodded calmly and walked into the treasury door calmly. He looked at the antique calligraphy and jewelry displayed in the room, his eyes gleaming with brilliance.
He knew that he must seize the opportunity this time!
His eyes slowly swept across each wooden cabinet, finally stopping at a set of jeweled headpieces. According to the rules, anyone leaving the treasury had to be searched. Although he had managed to sneak in, it would be difficult to take anything out.
Large and valuable antiques, calligraphy and paintings can basically be excluded directly. On the contrary, girls' jewelry is not only exquisitely crafted, but also small and not easy to be discovered.
As long as it can be taken out of the palace, it can be easily sold for a good price in a pawnshop or on the black market.
The most important thing is that if the truth comes out, he can ask someone to help cover for him. After all, the emperor rewards the concubines with so many things every year, and it is impossible for him to remember clearly who each one belongs to.
After making up his mind, Sun Youcai began to stuff some earrings, necklaces and other items into his boots. After repeatedly adjusting the appearance and feel, he slowly walked out of the room.
"Sir Shangshu, according to custom, you are responsible."
The moment the Imperial Guards saw Sun Youcai emerge, they immediately scanned the area. Although they were all familiar faces, they still had to follow the proper procedures. If the treasury was missing even a tiny bit, the Emperor would be furious and hold them accountable, and it would be these gatekeepers who would be the ones to suffer the consequences.
Sun Youcai cooperated by opening his arms and letting the guards grope around in his sleeves, chest, and waist. He looked frank, but the next second one of the guards' hands went to pinch his boots.
"Little brother, please stay away. The weather is stuffy. My foot..."
Sun Youcai didn't hide, but just gave some verbal hints. Normally, shoes would not be searched during a body search, so why did they suddenly become strict today? If he continued to be touched like that, he would be caught on the spot.
"Alright, I really want to smell your feet. Sorry, this is our newly transferred brother. I hope you can forgive me if I offended you. Goodbye, Lord Shangshu!"
The guard had finished searching the newcomer's body and lifted him up with one hand, grinning and saying something apologetically.
Sun Youcai waved his hand, looking magnanimous, but inwardly he was grinning from ear to ear. This trick worked; with the money, he could give his superiors an explanation for now.
Out of caution, he still sent a letter home to Sun Jieyu to give her a heads-up, asking her to shoulder the responsibility if the national treasury was short of jewelry.
Concubine Sun, who was taking a nap in the palace, woke up and saw pigeons jumping by the window, which made her feel more awake.
The arrival of the pigeons could only mean that his ambitious father had come to ask for something again...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
