Chapter 255: The Imperial Concubine
Pei Tingyue lowered his head.
My heart is extremely complicated.
This person was so good to her, so good that she was a little flustered...
"Why aren't you talking?" Xie Chen gently stroked her chin with his fingertips.
Pei Tingyue suppressed the heat in her heart and embraced him, "Your Majesty, I really don't know how to thank you for this generous gift."
"Who asked you to thank me?" Xie Chen's expression was gentle. "I gave you this so that your future would be smooth and you wouldn't feel burdened."
Pei Tingyue was even more moved, and she looked at him straight with her watery eyes.
Xie Chen adjusted the golden hairpin on her temples and whispered in her ear, "If Tingyue really wants to thank you, then fulfill your promise as soon as possible."
It took Pei Tingyue a while to react before he understood what this promise was.
She glared at Xie Chen secretly.
"emperor…"
Xie Chen said this because he didn't want her to feel burdened. Seeing her relax, he smiled and took her hand as they walked out: "It's noon. Come have lunch with me."
Pei Tingyue raised the corner of his lips, shook their interlocked hands, and said happily: "Let's go."
The emperor and his empress walked out of the study hand in hand, their expression indescribably gentle and affectionate.
*
February 8th.
evening.
Pei Tingyue looked through the diamond-shaped window at the respectful guards and palace maids in the courtyard of Chengning Palace. She adjusted her clothes and makeup slightly and said to Yun Shu and Yun Zheng, "Let's go."
Yun Shu and Yun Zheng nodded and helped her out of the palace.
In the courtyard, dozens of guards were standing, including Chun, Xia, Qiu, Dong, Liang An, Liang Fu, and others. When they saw her, they all saluted and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with good health."
Pei Tingyue glanced at everyone with great dignity, "Stand up."
The orders that needed to be given had already been given. Pei Tingyue stepped out of the palace gate, sat on the ceremonial guard, and led a large group of people to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
When we arrived at the Imperial Household Department, it was already getting dark.
The palace servants and guards behind Pei Tingyue were all holding glass palace lanterns, making this area of the world exceptionally bright.
Pei Tingyue got off the sedan chair, her red lips curled up, she looked at the door of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and sneered: "Let's go in."
The Imperial Household Department was divided into seven departments and three courts.
The seven departments were the Guangchu Department, the Finance Department, the Duyu Department, the Zhangyi Department, the Construction Department, the Qingfeng Department, and the Shenxing Department; the three courts were the Shangsi Court, the Wubei Court, and the Fengchen Court.
Pei Tingyue took people to the Guangchusi.
This department is the most important one in the Imperial Household Department. It is in charge of the gold, silver, jewelry, porcelain, tea, silk and embroidery in the imperial palace, as well as the purchase, storage and distribution of various royal items. Its status is self-evident.
Pei Tingyue wanted to start with the most important Guangchusi in order to intimidate other parts of the Imperial Household Department.
This department has an independent courtyard next to the main courtyard. Pei Tingyue brought his men here.
There was a rumor in the palace that the imperial concubine would conduct a thorough inspection of all parts of the Imperial Household Department on the tenth day of the second lunar month. Tonight was the evening of the eighth day, and the date was approaching, so everyone in the Guangchusi had not slept, and the lights were on all over the place.
Pei Tingyue saw the light in the house and ordered sternly, "Surround this courtyard. No one is allowed to enter or leave."
The guard behind him immediately responded, "Yes."
Pei Tingyue walked up the stairs and looked at the closed carvings with a glance.
Liang An and Liang Fu understood, opened the door, and announced loudly, "The Imperial Concubine has arrived!"
This sound startled everyone in the room. They stood there in a daze for a moment, forgetting even to greet each other.
Zhang Zheng, the eunuch in charge of the Guangchusi, was originally dozing off on the high platform in the main room. After hearing these words, he almost lost half of his soul and became completely alert.
After tidying up his appearance, Zhang Zongguan hurried forward and led everyone to bow, "Your servant greets the Imperial Concubine."
Pei Tingyue said calmly, "Get up."
Zhang, the chief steward, stood up and asked flatteringly, "Why is the imperial concubine here? Why is she here at the Guangchusi..."
Halfway through his words, he broke out in a cold sweat.
What's the matter with the Imperial Concubine coming to the Guangchusi?
Of course something happened!
I'm here to check the accounts strictly.
But, today is only the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, not the tenth...
Chief Steward Zhang has been in the palace for half his life and has reached this position, so he must be a smart man.
He understood after a moment's thought. What about the tenth day? It was all fake! It was just fake news spread by the Imperial Concubine from the beginning! The Imperial Concubine was planning this very day to catch everyone in the Imperial Household Department off guard!
Thinking of this, Manager Zhang began to sweat even more profusely.
I originally thought it was just the tenth day, so I wasn't in a hurry. Now the accounts of the Guangchusi are not yet in the best shape.
What if the Imperial Concubine sees the clues...
Zhang Zongguan thought again. For the past three years, the accounts have been like this, and the imperial concubine didn't notice anything. Now that she's here late at night, it's inevitable that she won't be able to see it carefully...
Despite this comfort, he could not escape fear. His calves were trembling and his body was shaking.
Pei Tingyue saw his face suddenly turn pale and raised her eyebrows slightly.
War is a game of deception. This strategy of confusing the enemy with false troops is used to bluff and confuse the people.
She deliberately had someone release the news of the so-called "tenth day" just for this moment.
This time she is fully prepared and will not let go of any mistakes.
Pei Tingyue sat down at the main seat in the main hall and leisurely took the tea served by the palace servant. "Manager Zhang, it seems the Guangchu Division is very busy today. Why haven't you finished your shift yet at this hour?"
Manager Zhang wiped the sweat from his forehead and stammered, "Today...today...a batch of goods arrived. I'm leading them to settle the accounts."
Pei Tingyue saw through his lies at a glance, but said nothing. She only said, "Manager Zhang should know the purpose of my visit, right?"
Steward Zhang forced a smile and said, "Of course I know. I believe the Imperial Concubine wishes to see the accounts for the past few years. Please wait a moment, and I will fetch them."
Pei Tingyue put down the teacup and smiled with satisfaction, "Then I'll wait."
Manager Zhang stepped back and sorted out the accounts of previous years in the inner room.
His confidant whispered to him, "Butler, this account hasn't been settled yet. Do we really need to hand it in?"
Zhang Zongguan's fear had receded considerably compared to before. He snorted coldly and replied, "For the past three years, our accounts have been worse than this, and we've never had any problems. What are we afraid of now? I think the Imperial Concubine must have acted on a whim, wanting to establish her prestige. Over the past few days, the accounts have been looking very good, and I don't think there's anything wrong with them. Let's clean them up and submit them."
His confidant responded, packed up a pile of accounts and handed them to the desk in the main room.
Zhang, the chief steward, smiled and said, "Your Highness, everything is here. Feel free to check it out."
Pei Tingyue nodded slightly and opened the book casually.
Manager Zhang looked at her quietly, and became more certain in his heart that this imperial concubine was just going through the motions to establish her prestige.
His previous worries were completely unnecessary.
Just as he was thinking this complacently, there was a noise coming from the main seat.
"Bang!"
Pei Tingyue closed the accounts and suddenly slammed her hand on the table. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her aura was majestic and cold, sweeping towards everyone.
"Manager Zhang, are you planning to use this account to fool me?"
Her voice was not loud, but the coldness and chill in her tone went straight into the hearts of everyone in Guangchusi.
Everyone in the house fell to their knees with a loud bang.
In the Guangchusi department, only Manager Zhang was still standing.
However, under such oppression, he was not feeling much better. The smile on his face froze, his back was soaked with sweat, and his feet felt light-headed.
He had been through many storms over the years, but never had he been so frightened as today.
Could it be that the Imperial Concubine is serious?
Can she really understand these accounts?
Then why didn't they punish him in these three years?
In a flash, Manager Zhang's mind was in turmoil and countless questions came to his mind.
But the pressure from the host was becoming more and more overwhelming, forcing him to bite the bullet and speak, "Your Highness, I wonder if there is any problem with this account?"
Pei Tingyue sat in the main seat, looking at his feigned bewilderment, she found it amusing. She said sternly, "Manager Zhang, I am not a fool you can fool."
A sharp light flashed in her eyes, and she raised her arms and clapped her hands. Yun Shu immediately presented another account book and handed it to Manager Zhang.
At first, Zhang Zongguan was confused: "What does the Imperial Concubine mean by this..."
In his heart, he still wanted to make a last-ditch effort and fight for hope.
But when he lowered his head and saw the name of Wantai Tea House on the account book, he felt as if someone had grabbed his neck, and all his words stopped abruptly.
It only took Manager Zhang a moment to understand that now that the Imperial Concubine had found out, he was completely finished!
He can no longer be the manager! Maybe even his life will be in danger!
Thinking of this, Manager Zhang lost all his strength, collapsed to the ground with his eyes blank.
He never thought that after enduring for so many years, he would collapse here.
It would have been better if Empress Zhangyi had not looked down on the Imperial Concubine and not been greedy after she passed away.
But now, it's too late to say anything.
Looking at the frightened Zhang Zongguan lying on the ground, Pei Tingyue sneered and said,
"Take tea for example. All the masters in the palace drink tribute tea, so there is no need for the Ministry of Grain and Oil to purchase it.
However, the tea used by tens of thousands of palace ladies had to be purchased by the Guangchusi from the imperial merchants.
Wantai Tea House is the most important imperial merchant in Beijing. The accounts of Wantai Tea House are here. Chief Steward Zhang, would you like me to compare the accounts of Wantai Tea House with those of the Guangchusi?"
Manager Zhang's throat felt like a weight was hanging on it, and he couldn't make a sound at all.
Because he knew in his heart that the account books of Wantai Tea House did not match the accounts in the palace at all!
Pei Tingyue said sarcastically, "I know that clear water holds no fish, so I allowed you to make some profit. But I didn't know that Zhang Zongguan was so greedy that he dared to profit from both ends! Not only did he take advantage of the imperial merchants, he also took advantage of the palace's money!"
If we were to say which way the palace made the most money, it would definitely be through purchasing, and the Guangchusi was the most profitable.
What Pei Tingyue meant by "making some profit" was not profit from the palace, but profit from lowering the prices for imperial merchants.
For example, the normal price of one liang of high-quality black tea at Wantai Tea House was two liang of silver. Since the palace had many members and could purchase large quantities at once, and they could use the palace's reputation to negotiate with the imperial merchants, they could negotiate for one liang and six qian of silver per liang of black tea, but after purchasing it, they were quoted one liang and seven qian of silver. This profit was the so-called "oil and water."
If this were true, Pei Tingyue would not say much. This move was actually beneficial to the royal family. The price of black tea increased from two taels of silver to one tael and seven qian of silver. A large amount could save a lot of money.
But Manager Zhang was too greedy. He not only took advantage of the profits from the imperial merchants, but also took advantage of the profits from the palace.
He bought one tael of black tea from the imperial merchant for one tael and six cents of silver, and reported it as two taels and two cents of silver in the palace accounts, making a profit of six cents of silver.
This is just the profit from one or two ounces of black tea. How much profit can we get if we buy all the tea?
Not to mention other things, Manager Zhang will only make more profits from silks, gold and silver jewelry, porcelain and spices.
In the past three years, I estimate that he has embezzled over 100,000 yuan. He can be described as greedy and insatiable.
Pei Tingyue's expression grew increasingly cold. "Manager Zhang, I need more evidence than just the tea bill. Do you need me to produce any other evidence?"
Zhang Zongguan's face was ashen, and he kept kowtowing and begging for mercy, "Please forgive my sins, Your Majesty, please forgive my sins."
Pei Tingyue snorted coldly: "Forgive you? Then how can I be the empress?"
Zhang Zongguan was trembling all over and begged with tears, "I was mistaken for a moment. Please, Your Majesty, have mercy on me."
Pei Tingyue narrowed her eyes: "Did I make a mistake for a moment? Manager Zhang's "a moment" is really long, this time it's three years!"
Manager Zhang was speechless and could only cry bitterly.
Pei Tingyue coldly ordered Liang An and Liang Fu, "Take him to the Ministry of Punishment and make sure he returns all the money he took. He must also confess all his accomplices. Don't let any of them go unpunished."
Liang An and Liang Fu called the guards and dragged Zhang the steward out of the house.
When his confidants heard this, their faces turned pale.
Pei Tingyue had sent Chief Steward Zhang to his post, and the position of Chief Steward became vacant, so naturally he had to promote someone to take it.
In fact, she already has someone in the Guangchusi, but his position is not high, so it is not appropriate to promote him to the general manager all of a sudden.
Pei Tingyue's mind moved, and she remembered the memorial the emperor gave her some days ago. She remembered that there was a confidant of the emperor in the Guangchusi, and he held a very high position.
If it's appropriate...
"Who is Deputy Chief Steward Wang?"
A young eunuch stepped out from among the crowd at the Guangchusi. He saluted gracefully and said, "Your servant greets the Imperial Concubine."
Pei Tingyue studied him for a moment, then asked him a few more questions. He found him quite composed and said with satisfaction, "From now on, you will be the head steward of the Guangchusi Department, replacing Zhang Zheng."
Deputy Chief Steward Wang bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."
Pei Tingyue nodded slowly: "After what happened tonight, you should understand where my bottom line is. From now on, you must know what you can and cannot do."
Deputy Chief Steward Wang bowed and said, "I understand."
The position of general manager was taken over by the deputy general manager, and Pei Tingyue naturally promoted his own person to deputy general manager.
After arranging everything.
Pei Tingyue gently brushed the account book and tapped everyone in the Guangchu Division: "Please keep the accounts from previous years. Starting tomorrow, the Guangchu Division will begin to check the warehouse. Please record all the items and quantities clearly. I will assign someone to supervise this check."
Everyone agreed.
Pei Tingyue looked at Deputy Steward Wang again and said, "After the review, use the new account books and submit accounts to Chengning Palace once a month. If you do a good job, I will reward you. If you are like Steward Zhang, who was blinded by money, I am afraid you will follow in his footsteps."
Deputy Chief Steward Wang hurriedly said, "I dare not."
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