Mu Zian took the accounts from Tian Zhi and then carefully reviewed them.
The accounts clearly record each expense and revenue.
Tian Zhi knelt on the ground with a wronged expression on his face.
"Lord Zhenguo, please don't be fooled by my plump appearance; my heart is not black."
"Since I took over as the physician of this smelting bureau, I have never dared to embezzle a single penny."
"However, the smelting bureau is full of crude craftsmen, and their monthly salaries and annual funding are never enough."
As Tian Zhi's voice faded, the blacksmiths around seemed to realize that the young man in fine clothes was no ordinary person.
Seeing this, all the blacksmiths lowered their heads.
In this era, artisans were basically all registered in the artisan register.
Not only did they have a low social status, but they were also required to perform forced labor for generations, and a life of hardship was the norm.
Even the blacksmiths in the Ministry of Works were looked down upon; it was a luxury for them to be able to feed their families all year round.
For a moment, it seemed as if a low sobbing could be heard from all around.
Seeing this, Wang Han sighed helplessly.
"Most of the officials in the Ministry of Works did not come from the regular imperial examination system, so no one in the court paid them any attention."
What Wang Han said reflects the reality of society today: all other pursuits are inferior, only studying is superior.
After Mu Zi'an finished reviewing the accounts in his hand, his expression remained calm.
The various records in the accounts left him speechless.
Mu Zian had considered that these people were poorly paid, but he never imagined that their treatment would be so appalling.
Ordinary artisans in the capital could supplement their income by doing odd jobs when they had nothing else to do, and could earn several hundred coins a month.
However, the monthly salaries of these artisans in the Ministry of Works were halved.
Furthermore, due to their social status, they are not allowed to take on private jobs.
Just at the end of the year, three people froze and starved to death in the prestigious Ministry of Works' Smelting Bureau.
The funeral expenses were raised by the craftsmen in the bureau.
Mu Zian closed the account book and suddenly smiled.
People can actually laugh in exasperation when they're speechless.
Putting aside everything else, the craftsmen who can gather in the Ministry of Works are all the top craftsmen in the entire Dali.
In Mu Zian's eyes, each and every one of these talented individuals is a gem, an engine driving the progress of the entire era.
Looking around at the craftsmen, their eyes were lifeless, as if they had lost all hope for life.
Those who are alive now seem to be nothing more than a bunch of walking corpses.
Mu Zian took a deep breath and said.
"No wonder the Ministry of Works is at the bottom of the six ministries."
Upon hearing this, Wang Han and Tian Zhi immediately kowtowed.
"It is my incompetence that has led me to this position. I beg the Duke of Zhenguo to punish me."
Mu Zian frowned coldly.
"You are not the ones who should be punished."
After saying that, Mu Zian looked around at the craftsmen who were as black as lumps of coal.
"From this day forward, this place shall be ruled by our Lord."
"The grievances you suffered in the past will be avenged by our guild."
"From now on, you only need to focus on smelting."
After saying that, Mu Zian turned to Zhao Yun and said.
"First, take out 50,000 taels of silver to make up for the wages owed to all the craftsmen in the smelting bureau."
Upon hearing this, Zilong cupped his hands in greeting.
"Your subordinate obeys!"
"openly!"
Luo Cheng stepped forward.
"Your subordinate is here."
Mu Zian pointed to the dilapidated shacks around him.
"All these shacks were demolished and rebuilt by the Duke of Zhenguo, and all expenses were recorded in the Duke of Zhenguo's account."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Tian Zhi, who was kneeling on the ground, looked on incredulously upon hearing this.
"Fifty thousand taels of silver?"
If it weren't for the fact that Vice Minister Wang Han was still kneeling on the ground with him, he would have wanted to slap himself and ask himself if he was dreaming.
Upon hearing this, the surrounding craftsmen were overjoyed and wept tears of joy. They immediately knelt down in large numbers, shouting their praises.
"Thank you, Duke Zhenguo! Thank you, Duke Zhenguo!"
Mu Zian looked at everyone and spoke.
"All of you, stand up and speak! From this day forward, the Duke of this country will never allow anyone to humiliate our Ministry of Works."
After saying that, Mu Zian glanced at the chubby Tian Zhidao.
"Take the accounts and go with the local government."
Tian Zhi was somewhat alarmed upon hearing this.
"Where is the Duke of Zhenguo going?"
Mu Zian sneered and stepped forward.
"I will go to the Ministry of Revenue to seek justice for you."
Upon hearing this, Tian Zhi's legs went weak.
"Ministry of Revenue..."
The Ministry of Revenue was in charge of the nation's finances and grain, and was second only to the Ministry of Personnel among the Six Ministries.
Those who hold the nation's purse strings naturally speak with authority.
Of the six ministries, whichever department needed funding ultimately had to come to the Ministry of Revenue for approval.
If you offend the Ministry of Revenue and they find some excuse to withhold funds, you'll be in deep trouble.
Tian Zhi was merely a minor sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Works; how could he dare to ask the Ministry of Revenue for money?
But at this moment, he dared not refuse Mu Zi'an.
After weighing the pros and cons, Tian Zhi steeled his resolve and followed Mu Zi'an without looking back.
The six departments are not far apart.
Although they are only two streets apart, the difference between the two government offices is like heaven and earth.
The Ministry of Works' office was pitifully poor, while the Ministry of Revenue's office was very imposing and powerful.
The two stone lions at the entrance alone put the Ministry of Works far ahead of it.
The entrance to the Ministry of Revenue was particularly lively today, or rather, the entrance to the Ministry of Revenue has always been lively.
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