Crackling and popping! Crackle and crackle!
As you approach Xie Yuan's office building, you can hear the crisp sound of abacuses.
After Xie Yuan copied the first abacus, Nanling mastered it immediately.
Helian Jue then arranged for Xie Yuan to have some "Imperial Concubines and Consorts" to help him, and Xie Yuan discovered several people among them who had an exceptional talent for accounting.
They may not have the same mathematical talent as Nanling, but they were the first to master the abacus.
Xie Yuan had already ordered the Imperial Workshop to make a batch of abacuses, and distributed one to each of these people.
From morning till night, from the beginning of the month to the end, the "finance office" in Nanling is filled with the constant sound of abacus beads, and the results are remarkable.
"Your Majesty, I have already settled all the palace accounts for the past three years!"
"I've marked out all the bad debts, uncollectible debts, and discrepancies in the accounts!"
Nanling, carrying a newly transcribed summary of accounts, approached Xie Yuan and bowed in response.
"Great! Excellent!"
Xie Yuan didn't rush to check, but looked at Princess Nanling with great satisfaction, who had already undergone a significant transformation.
Who would have thought that this confident, composed, and capable young lady was, just two months ago, a pitiful girl with her head down, shoulders hunched, timid, and insecure?
Work really does give people confidence.
Being recognized can indeed help a person grow quickly.
"Ah Qing, you and your esteemed guests have worked very hard these past few days!"
Xie Yuan is a generous "boss". She is not stingy with rewards when her employees are motivated and exceed their targets.
"Each person will be rewarded with three months' salary, plus overtime pay, travel expenses, nutrition allowance, and other subsidies, all in accordance with the rules of the Jiaofang Palace!"
"Furthermore, Aqing, you are the commander, and your contribution is the greatest! I have prepared a special reward for you!"
At this point, Xie Yuan picked up a brocade box about a foot square from the side.
"Really? I have a special prize?"
Nanling's eyes lit up instantly.
Xie Yuan nodded, "Of course! Take it quickly!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Nanling didn't refuse politely; she thanked her cheerfully and snatched the brocade box away.
Upon receiving it, Nanling eagerly opened the lid.
Then--
"Wow! This is...this is an abacus made of gold?"
Nanling was almost blinded by the golden light.
Her mother was a princess, and her father was from a noble family.
Growing up in a world of wealth and luxury, what gold, silver, jewels, and rare treasures haven't I seen? (Reading in the library)
But this was the first time she had ever seen an abacus made of gold.
The golden abacus is not very large; it is only about the size of a palm.
Nanling picked it up gently, weighed it in her palm, and found it wasn't heavy.
If judged solely by the weight of the gold, it would be no more than three ounces, which is not particularly valuable.
But this little thing is very delicate, with each golden bead being very smooth to handle.
It works!
It's not just for show!
And the abacus and the like were exactly what Nanling wanted.
"Your Majesty! I love it so much! I... I will always carry it with me!"
Nanling was overjoyed. She tried putting the golden abacus into her sleeve pocket, and hey, it fit perfectly!
That way, I can carry it with me wherever I go!
Nanling grew to like her more and more, and she became even more dependent on and respectful of the thoughtful Empress.
"If you like it, that's good!"
When the gift he gave was something the recipient liked, Xie Yuan was happy too.
But Xie Yuan quickly composed himself and got to the point, "The Emperor intends to personally lead the expedition, and the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and other departments are calculating military supplies and provisions!"
Upon hearing Xie Yuan's voice, Nanling immediately sat up straight.
At first, she didn't understand Xie Yuan's meaning—
The Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and so on—those were all matters of the previous dynasty.
Although they were called female attendants, they acted as if they were female prime ministers.
But, we only know what's going on in our own lives!
The female servants, including Nanling, all understood that their official positions could only be used in the inner palace.
It's more like a nominal position; they don't actually have any real power.
They didn't even have the opportunity to participate in politics.
"Who said there isn't?"
Xie Yuan seemed to understand Nanling's expression. She smiled and said, "I have petitioned His Majesty to borrow records of our Great Zhou Dynasty's military campaigns over the past thirty years from the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and other government departments!"
"It contains detailed records of food, military pay, equipment, warhorses, soldiers, supplies, and so on!"
"...Ah Qing, I need you to calculate all the relevant accounts and amounts in these documents!"
After hearing Xie Yuan's words, Nanling said "Oh".
She looked as if she had just realized something: Oh, it's about reviewing old data from before!
Moreover, she was only put in charge of accounting-related work!
no problem!
This is something she excels at!
"Yes, Your Majesty! I will do my utmost!"
Nanling respectfully accepted the order.
"Okay, you may leave now!"
Xie Yuan waved his hand, signaling Nanling to go back to work.
However, as Nanling stood up, Xie Yuan added, "By the way, when you go back, call Jialuo over!"
"yes!"
Nanling, holding the brocade box, quickly responded and then left.
Before long, Mu Jialan arrived.
"Did you tell me, Aqing? I borrowed some documents from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War!"
Xie Yuan skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point.
Mugaluo was also a straightforward person; she was more outgoing and perceptive than Nanling.
"I heard! Ah Qing also said that you put her in charge of the accounts—"
At this point, Mugalo looked up at Xie Yuan.
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