fiscal deficit
I opened the invitation, which only said that I was cordially invited to a gathering in ten days, but did not specify what it was about.
Before I could look around any longer, the heads of each courtyard arrived with their subordinates.
I publicly announced that Wu Qing and Bao He would both serve as supervisors, with no new supervisor appointed for the time being.
After all, none of the people in the academy now have the ability and means to supervise.
But everyone in the courtyard bowed to me in unison and replied loudly, "As you command, Supervisor."
"Supervisor? No, I'm not!" I looked at Wu Qing and Bao He beside me, and they both bowed and looked at me. No one in the courtyard raised their head to deny it. I had a bit of a headache, so I could only say perfunctorily, "Let's leave it at that for now. If you have any suitable candidates, you can recommend them, or you can recommend yourself."
Everyone agreed and then withdrew, leaving only the consuls from each courtyard behind.
They gave me a brief overview of the affairs within the institute: the library hadn't even started construction yet, the array plate was still under development, and a suitable storage method for the bone knife hadn't been found...
In short, it boils down to one word: poverty, which makes it difficult to move forward with anything.
I was even more troubled, so I asked them, "How do you, as supervisors, usually collect money?"
"Uh..." They exchanged glances, both looking completely bewildered...
I recalled how the supervisor had asked the emperor for funding before, and sighed: "Here's what we'll do. Each of you in your respective departments, compile statistics on your achievements in recent years, such as how many demons you've subdued, how many strange incidents you've resolved, and then submit them to me. Try to think of as many as possible and write as much as you can, understand?"
The consuls from each courtyard exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up as they nodded in agreement: "Yes."
"Oh, wait a minute, there's also the kind that goes through the light hall. Write two copies, one for the Emperor and one for the Consort. Get the detailed list as soon as possible, try to get it up in about three days."
"Yes," the consuls' voices grew louder, their faces beaming with smiles. "Your subordinates take their leave."
After the consul left, I looked at Wu Qing and Bao He and asked them, "Which of you two is in charge of the money?"
Baohe exclaimed, "Huh?" "We still have to manage the money!"
Wu Qing bowed to me, speaking very tactfully: "I have lived on Wuyou Mountain for many years, and this is my first time coming down the mountain. I am unfamiliar with the prices of goods and I am afraid I will not be able to handle this task..."
Baohe quickly waved his hand, "I'm even less capable, Xu Yi. I was just at the bottom of the well before, and I didn't even have much contact with people, so I don't understand anything about it..."
"Uh..." My head was throbbing even more, so I asked Wu Qing, "Who was in charge of the money before?"
Wu Qing cupped his hands and replied quite naturally, "Supervisor."
Hmm? Is the prison in charge of the money?
The first time I went to the supervisor's room, it was very simple, with only a bed, a table, and a stool, and there wasn't even a tea set on the table.
The wardrobe contained only two sets of clothes: a set of everyday clothes and the official robes of a supervisor, along with a whisk. It was sparsely furnished, even smaller than an ordinary person's wardrobe…
I recall his tendency to squander money as he traveled, which is understandable.
On the side desk, there were several account books, a set of writing brushes and ink, and a large wooden box.
I went over and opened the wooden box to take a look. There were only a few silver ingots left inside.
It seems the finances are in a precarious state.
I asked Wu Qing, "Wu Qing, when does the Imperial Observatory pay salaries?"
Wu Qing thought for a moment and replied softly, "According to the senior who brought me in, the Imperial Observatory should pay salaries on the fifth of each month, but it seems that it hasn't been paid for a long time. The people at the Imperial Observatory don't seem to care; they're content as long as they're full every day, so..."
"So, the Imperial Observatory has been in arrears with salaries for a long time? How long exactly? Does anyone know?"
“Maybe…” Wu Qing said uncertainly, “Perhaps, it’s been about a year…”
"What? The Imperial Observatory has been in arrears on salaries for a year?"
I quickly opened the ledger and flipped through it for a long time before I saw that indeed, only one salary had been paid in May of last year. Most of the other money had been used for more important purposes, such as researching magical artifacts, replacing the tools that the cultivators could use... or the travel expenses paid when sending people to conduct surveys... as well as some losses...
In summary, there is no salary, but there are plenty of tools and magical implements, and of course, enough food.
"Sigh..." I sighed again.
Wu Qing, perhaps fearing I was being put in a difficult position, offered me a way out: "Actually, most of the cultivators from the Imperial Observatory are here to gain experience, and cultivators are inherently ascetic... being able to eat their fill is already a blessing..."
"But that's not how it works. Whether they use it or not is their own business. They should still be given the money they're entitled to!"
Suddenly, I felt the burden of needing money had become even heavier...
Since that's the case, while I still have the power, I'll give the emperor a good beating in a few days.
I picked up the large wooden box, then went out and closed the door. I said to Wu Qing and Bao He, "Let's keep this room closed for now, and open it again when the next supervisor takes office."
“Okay,” Wu Qing and Bao He nodded in unison, and then Wu Qing used his magic to seal the room.
I sat down again under the eaves, carrying the large wooden box. Looking up, I saw only an empty chair opposite me, and muttered to myself, "Director, I will guard the Imperial Observatory well."
Then I looked at Wu Qing: "You should notify those consuls again. No matter how small the matter is, as long as it was done by the Imperial Observatory and was helpful, they should write it down. The more detailed the better."
Wu Qing nodded: "Okay, I understand, Supervisor."
The title "Supervisor" reminds me of the Supervisor standing calmly with his hands clasped together in front of the city gate...
I sighed and waved my hand: "You can leave now. Pack your things and move to the main courtyard as soon as possible."
"Very well, I'll take my leave."
After Wu Qing left, Bao He jumped onto my stomach with a grin: "Xu Yi, I didn't expect you to be so responsible!"
"Sigh... It was a last resort..." I poked Baohe's forehead as I said this: "You too, you'll be a supervisor from now on, you need to be more mature."
“Okay,” Baohe pouted, “I’ll try my best.”
"Yes, remember to ask questions and make a decision only after you have a clear understanding of the situation."
"Oh," Baohe rubbed his head and replied in a hoarse voice, "I understand."
I patted him on the shoulder: "You should go and rest too. We might need to take you with us for the next few days when we need money."
“Yes,” Baohe nodded, “Bring Wu Qing along too.”
“Wu Qing won’t go. He’s only staying in the mortal world temporarily. He’ll be returning to the mountain to continue his secluded cultivation at any time. Let him stay away from these worldly affairs…” After saying that, I tapped Bao He’s forehead and said, “In the future, you should be more diligent in these matters. Cultivation is about cultivating one’s character. It’s not good for cultivators to be tainted by too much money.”
“Okay,” Baohe nodded obediently, “I’ll remember.”
“Hmm,” I said, shaking his shoulder. “You’ll have to take better care of the Imperial Observatory from now on.”
"It's okay, I still have you with me, right? I'm not afraid."
“Okay,” I nodded, “we’ll learn together.”
Not long after Baohe returned to the well, Muli came over. He ruffled my hair and asked, "What's wrong? You look so worried."
I patted the large wooden box on the table next to me: "Here are the last few ingots of silver from the Imperial Observatory. Sigh... The first difficult thing after the Director left is how to get more silver, and how to get as much silver as possible."
"So, do you have any ideas yet?"
I nodded: "Probably. I'll give it a try. It shouldn't be a big problem."
"Now that we have a direction, there's no need to worry. I'll make time to go and try it with you when I have time."
"Okay!" I nodded. "I'll take you with me when I go to the Imperial Concubine's and the Crown Prince's residence to ask for money. It'll be safer for me to use your power."
"Since there are no problems, get some rest," he said, and then picked me up. On the way back to the room, Wu Qing arrived.
He was carrying a small cloth bag on his back, holding a magic sword in his hand, and staring at us with wide eyes.
I could only say, "There are several empty rooms in the main house of the supervisor; just pick one!"
He nodded very slowly and replied with an "Mm." Then he watched as Muli carried me into the side room.
So much so that when Mu Li left the next morning, he was still a little out of sorts and stammered as he greeted Mu Li, "Commander... Commander Mu."
Mu Li's voice was much calmer: "Supervisor Wu."
When I woke up, Wu Qing was still practicing his sword.
I sat under the eaves, watching his sword thrust forward, retract, and flip with his movements; each strike was powerful.
I waited until he stopped before asking, "Are you a sword cultivator?"
“Yes,” he nodded.
"Sword cultivators are the most expensive, right? I see your sword still has a few empty grooves. Are you still short of spirit stones?"
He scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed: "Yes, we are indeed missing a few energy-storing gems."
"Uh... what kind of gemstone is it? I'll ask the Emperor's treasury in a few days if they have any."
"The national treasury?" Wu Qing's eyes widened instantly, and he waved his hands repeatedly, "No need, no need, I'll save it slowly. Many sword cultivators never have gems set in their bodies, and they can still use it."
I pursed my lips and said no more, then called to him and Baohe, "Come on, let's go see how the consuls' records are going."
"Okay." Wu Qing nodded, went back to his room to put the sword away, and then went out with us.
I walked around and took a look. Perhaps because they were all practitioners, most of them were working diligently, making ritual implements or compiling books. They were all doing their jobs in an orderly manner, and no one complained. Overall, they were in a very good state.
Those who only took occasional breaks would still exchange spells in the empty courtyard, none of them slacking off.
I read through the records written by the consuls one by one. Most of them were quite gentle and focused on major issues. Only one consul's record was more detailed, mentioning some minor matters.
I nodded to the somewhat apprehensive consul: "Write it as you see fit, but it would be better to be more detailed." Then I pointed to someone and instructed: "Go and tell the other consuls to try to write it according to this standard."
The man nodded and ran out to inform them.
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