Amid the bustling and bustling capital, the Ministry of Revenue stands like a stoic and solemn fortress, silently carrying the lifeblood of the nation's finances and controlling the flow and rise and fall of wealth. Stepping through its majestic gates, the first thing that catches your eye is the bluestone floor. Over the centuries, countless pairs of official boots have trodden across this stone surface, day after day, year after year, polishing it to a mirror-like finish, a sheen that reflects the world.
The smooth, polished stone surface, like a faithful mirror of history, clearly reflects the busy figures of successive officials. Some hurried, worried and pondering over financial plans; others high-spirited, filled with the ambition and passion for reform and innovation. Every mark, honed by time, bears witness to the countless changes the Ministry of Revenue has endured throughout history. Those stories, both exciting and somber, are deeply engraved on this ancient stone slab.
On this day, the morning light was just beginning to shine, and the sunlight filtered through the mottled leaves, casting a golden glow all over the ground. Si Yan, who had just started working at the Ministry of Revenue, was wearing a brand new, neatly-made official uniform. The fabric of the uniform was of high quality, and it shone softly in the sunlight. The quail embroidered on the patch was lifelike, and the colorful silk threads were finely interwoven. Under the shining sunlight, it reflected a brilliant light, making people's eyes slightly dizzy. He had a resolute expression, and was holding a stack of heavy account books in his arms. Each book carried important information about the country's finances and looked heavy. Si Yan walked through the long and deep corridor with steady and powerful steps. On the walls on both sides of the corridor hung scrolls depicting the country's economic development, as if telling every official passing by about the responsibility and mission of the Ministry of Revenue.
As they reached an office area, a stern-faced old official, his eyes slanted with scrutiny and a hint of undisguised challenge, handed Si Yan an account book. He bowed slightly, his tone seemingly respectful but concealing a hidden meaning: "Sir Jiang, this is the loss account for last year's grain transport. The account is complicated and involves many issues. I would appreciate your careful review." His tone rose slightly, as if waiting for Si Yan to reveal the slightest flaw. A silent test had already begun.
The account book fell heavily on the table with a dull "bang", and immediately, dust rose high. The dust flew wantonly in the beam of sunlight, like the smoke rising from the battlefield, creating a tense atmosphere for the silent contest that was about to unfold. Si Yan looked calm and composed, not affected by this sudden move at all. He calmly took out the abacus that had been with him for many years from his sleeve. The wood of the abacus was as warm as jade, exuding a faint luster, as if telling the story of its owner. In an instant, the beads were plucked by him and crackled, and the crisp and pleasant sound echoed in the room, as if playing an exciting war song, announcing his confidence and determination to everyone present.
"The loss is 30%, of which 5/16 is due to water and 3/16 to rats and birds..." Si Yan spoke rapidly, his voice firm and clear, each number like a sharp arrow shot from a crossbow, striking directly at the heart of the matter. His eyes were focused and sharp, staring intently at the numbers in the account book, as if he wanted to penetrate every hidden secret.
"Wait!" A sharp shout shattered the tense and orderly rhythm. The Right Vice Minister had quietly appeared, twirling his beard, a meaningful sneer on his face, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction and suspicion. "Master Jiang, you're changing the rules right after you arrive?" His voice, though low, seemed to carry an invisible sense of oppression, like a heavy boulder, weighing down the crowd, making it difficult to breathe.
Si Yan didn't even raise his head, the beads in his hand still spinning like a storm, and responded calmly and decisively: "According to the old rules, the loss will be counted as 20%. May I ask who will pay for the money that was pocketed?" His words were concise and powerful, and each word was like a heavy hammer, hitting the hearts of everyone present, instantly intensifying the hidden contradictions.
As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding veteran officials looked at each other with varying expressions. Some looked embarrassed, their eyes unconsciously averted, as if they were guilty of something; others were secretly worried, their brows furrowed, wondering how this sudden incident would end. The atmosphere in the room seemed frozen, oppressive and suffocating.
At this crucial moment of stalemate, the sound of clear, melodious footsteps approached from afar. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Su Jinli gracefully enter, carrying a lunch box. Today, she was meticulously dressed, her makeup delicate and exquisite, as charming as a flower in full bloom in spring. Her rouge was even more vibrant than usual, adding a touch of charm and allure to her features, making her appear radiant and radiant.
"My Lords," Su Jinli said with a smile on her face. Her voice was gentle and pleasant, like a clear mountain stream, slowly flowing into everyone's hearts. "My daughter Siyan is young and new here. I hope you will bear with me if I am not sensible. This is the sweet-scented osmanthus cake I made myself. It's just a token of my appreciation. Would you like to try it?" As she spoke, she gently placed the food box on the table, her movements graceful and gentle. As the lid of the box slowly opened, a rich and mellow sweet-scented osmanthus fragrance suddenly filled the air. The sweet fragrance was alluring and instantly diluted the tense and oppressive atmosphere in the room. The fragrance seemed to have a magical power, making everyone present, whose originally tense nerves, unconsciously relax a little.
The Right Assistant Minister responded with a forced smile, "Mrs. Jiang, you're too polite." However, that smile was only on the surface, not reaching his eyes. He still had a sense of alienation and vigilance, which made people feel his inner indifference and vigilance.
Su Jinli seemed unaware of the subtle and complex atmosphere. She leaned forward slightly, gently opened the lunch box, and suddenly leaned close to Siyan's ear. She whispered softly but firmly, "Anyone who gives you a hard time will have their salary deducted for half a year." Although the voice was soft, it was like a warning bell ringing in Siyan's ears, instantly brightening his eyes, like a sudden ray of light appearing in the darkness, and he immediately had an idea. This simple sentence, filled with a mother's deep love and support for her son, also injected Siyan with an invisible strength.
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