Chapter 289: The Ministry of Revenue Dispute
"Lu Huai, let me think about it carefully. If that woman with the mole is related to Jiang Liuyun, then Zixiaofang may not be safe either." Lin Zhiqing pondered.
"I will first write to Yan Wu and ask him to investigate the activities of this woman with the mole in Yongqing. During this period, Zixiaofang still needs you to keep an eye on it."
"Don't worry about this." Lu Huai agreed.
"It shouldn't affect your official duties, right?" Lin Zhiqing said worriedly, "If you have other things to do, just focus on them."
"I do have something to do recently, but it's also related to the Zhenyuan Marquis' Mansion." Lu Huai placed the portrait of the woman with the mole in Lin Zhiqing's hand.
"The reason why the records of the Lin family's imperial gifts were erased so smoothly was because there was a grudge between the Minister of Revenue, Xu Yuansui, and the Minister of War."
"The six ministers appear independent, but in reality they are closely related and check and balance each other."
"Lord Xu has a long history with my father and is a loyal minister who dislikes playing political games."
"But the Minister of War and the Zhenyuan Marquisate are on the same page. Previously, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue only had friction over the distribution of grain and fodder, but there wasn't a major dispute."
"Until Uncle Lin's treason was exposed again, Lord Xu re-examined the grain and fodder records left by the previous Minister of Revenue and discovered some discrepancies."
"Lord Xu suspects there's something wrong with the grain and fodder previously sent to the border. The Zhenyuan Marquisate is also somewhat involved in this matter. My help to you this time is also an indirect way to investigate the grain and fodder matter."
Lu Huai did not hide anything and told the whole story of the Ministry of Revenue.
Lin Zhiqing's brows were filled with disgust. "Food and fodder are the foundation of war. The Zhenyuan Marquisate has done such a terrible thing. They truly deserve to die."
After she finished speaking, she seemed to have thought of something, and she was a little puzzled: "However, you must have many people above you, why did this fall on you?"
"Could it be that Lord Xu is pressuring you because of the destruction of the records of the Lin family's imperial gifts?"
Lu Huai was amused by her: "Oppression? That's not the case. Don't worry, this matter has nothing to do with the Lin family."
"Besides, don't you think Lord Xu asked me to do this just because I'm smart?"
Hearing this, Lin Zhiqing raised the corners of his mouth:
"You're not modest at all."
As she spoke, she took a pen and paper and bent over the table to write a letter to Yan Wu, while still asking for news:
"But I heard that Master Xu Yuansui is about to retire. He has no children, so there's no one to inherit his position. Do you know who will take over the position of Minister of Revenue?"
"Is it the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue or the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue?"
Lu Huai smiled lightly, but there was a trace of barely perceptible sadness between his brows: "I don't know about that."
Lin Zhiqing was busy writing a letter and didn't notice Lu Huai's facial expression. He replied:
"I just hope it's someone who has no grudges against the Lin family. There are too few people in the court who support the Lin family."
"It will be." Lu Huai's eyes were extremely gentle.
Their eyes met, and there was an unspoken tacit understanding between them.
"Ahem." After a brief eye contact, Lin Zhiqing was the first to look away: "I haven't seen Nanyue for a long time. Is she busy with something recently?"
The topic change was a bit abrupt, but Lu Huai still answered very seriously: "She has been a bit busy recently, and the Lu family clinic can't open."
"She was thinking about the people who couldn't afford medical treatment and wanted to reopen a clinic."
"Reopen? Have you started preparing?" Lin Zhiqing had been busy investigating Aunt Mu's case these days and hadn't paid attention to this matter.
"The Lu family clinic can't be opened because you directly helped the Lin family last time. Even if the clinic is reopened, the people above will not let Nanyue run it safely."
"It's not ready yet. She knows it won't last long, but she just can't let go of those people." Lu Huai smiled.
"No problem. The Lu family is wealthy. If it closes again, we can just reopen it."
Well... having money means you can do whatever you want.
Lin Zhiqing pursed his lips slightly: "I do have an idea, I wonder if it's feasible."
"Tell me about it?" Lu Huai became interested.
"You know the business of Jianxintang. Several officials need treatment there, so as long as nothing major happens to the Lin family, it should not go bankrupt." Lin Zhiqing spoke slowly.
Thinking of the officials such as Taibao who supported the retrial of Lin Congrong's case in the court, Lu Huai suddenly realized.
Previously, he had wondered why Taibao, who disliked the Lin family, would stand on the Lin family's side.
Now it seems that the usefulness of psychology is indeed great.
"Jianxin Hall is indeed stable." Lu Huai nodded.
Lin Zhiqing leaned forward and said, "You know I've been very busy lately and don't have the time or energy to manage Jianxintang. What do you think if I buy the shop next door and open a regular clinic for Nanyue?"
"On the surface, the clinic is under my name and belongs to the same lineage as Jianxintang. The higher-ups can't make any changes. But behind the scenes, the ordinary clinic still belongs to Nanyue."
"While she runs the ordinary clinic, she can help me take care of Jianxin Hall. How about that?"
Although the amount of information was huge, Lu Huai quickly understood what Lin Zhiqing meant. He thought for a moment:
"I don't think there's anything wrong with it, but I still need to ask my sister's opinion on this matter."
"Of course." Lin Zhiqing's eyes sparkled. "If Nanyue agrees, I can give her 10% interest every month as a thank you for taking care of Jianxin Hall."
In an instant, Lin Zhiqing had a plan in her mind, and she felt that it should be comprehensive.
But unexpectedly, Lu Huai rejected her right away: "No, this is equivalent to you helping my sister, how can you say you are giving her a profit?"
"Let's put it this way. Let's not talk about what you've done for me these days. Nanyue has put in so much effort, and a 10% profit is nothing." Lin Zhiqing didn't think there was anything wrong with this:
"Besides, if I didn't have money, I wouldn't say that. I'm a wealthy woman now. Even though I can't compare to you, I can still afford to pay you 10% interest."
"Of course there is no problem in helping you look after Jianxin Hall. I will tell her about helping my sister open a clinic, and she will make the decision." Lu Huai didn't say much.
But Lin Zhiqing noticed some hesitation on his face and asked directly, "Do you still have any concerns?"
Lu Huai did have some concerns: "My sister's management ability is fine, but she is too generous when it comes to treating the people."
"If things go well, I will compensate you for the losses of Jianxintang." He was afraid that Lin Zhiqing would lose money.
Lin Zhiqing didn't expect that Lu Huai cared about this. She chuckled and said, "What's the big deal? It's really not easy for most people."
“Someone has to do something.”
At this point, she jokingly said, "Master Lu, you don't believe in the strength of our Jianxin Hall!"
Lu Huai rarely saw such a bright smile on Lin Zhiqing's face during this period, and he unconsciously curled up the corners of his mouth.
"Young Master, Young Master!"
Yun Feng's anxious voice suddenly came from outside, breaking the moment of silence.
Lu Huai came back to his senses, and when he thought about what he still had to do, his smile faded a little.
He turned around to say goodbye to Lin Zhiqing, but Lin Zhiqing spoke first:
"If you have something to do, go ahead and do it. The news you brought tonight is enough."
"Leave the rest to me."
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