"Last year, the national treasury revenue totaled 28.94 million guan!"
"Among them, the rent, labor service and tax: 580,000 shi of grain, 60,000 bundles of silk... totaling 14.29 million guan in copper coins; household tax: more than 1.836 million guan; land tax..."
When asked about his area of expertise, Nanling answered without hesitation.
In the spacious hall, only the woman's clear voice could be heard.
"Princess Nanling certainly has a good memory! She must have memorized it for a long time!"
After Nanling finished speaking, Cui Hong said something with a forced smile.
His implication was clear: Empress Xie had cheated in secret by deliberately revealing the exam questions to Nanling.
All Nanling needs to do is memorize the answers in advance!
He wasn't the only one; many ministers in the court shared this view.
Xie Yuan; ... He's stubborn as a mule!
That's all the glib talk he's got!
Nanling glanced at Xie Yuan, and Xie Yuan nodded slightly at her.
Nanling seemed to have gained immense courage. She turned her head and reminded Cui Hong, "Lord Cui, please call me Zheng Shizhong!"
Cui Hong: ...It was just a childish "female attendant," yet these women actually took it seriously.
That's really, really nonsensical.
"There's a hidden meaning in what you're saying, Master Cui!"
Xie Yuan spoke up, glancing at Cui Hong before slowly saying, "Then let me ask another question. Last year, the national treasury's annual revenue was 580,000 shi. This time, the Emperor's expedition used 300,000 shi. How much is left?"
Cui Hong, the Minister of Revenue, and many civil officials: ...
Is this also a problem?
Anyone who has read a little and learned arithmetic can figure it out.
However, everyone quickly understood Xie Yuan's meaning—
The answer to this question is not difficult to calculate: 58 - 30 = 28.
What Empress Xie really wanted to ask was, since there was a surplus of 280,000 shi of grain, why was there no money or grain to provide relief for the ice disaster in such a small county as Heyin?
When asked this question, the Minister of Revenue had something to say.
His expression had returned to normal. Holding the protective board with both hands, he said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, it seems there is a surplus of 280,000 shi of grain in the accounts."
"However, the Ministry of Revenue's money and grain are by no means simple accounts."
"Her Majesty the Empress has never handled state affairs, so she may not know that every year, in addition to keeping enough for the people of the capital and the garrison commanders in the surrounding area, the imperial granary in the capital also has to reserve some for allocation to the granaries of other prefectures..."
The so-called "pingcang" refers to the official granaries established by local governments.
They buy large quantities of grain when prices are low.
If grain prices are too high or if unscrupulous merchants hoard grain for speculation, the warehouses will be opened to release grain to balance prices.
If a disaster occurs in the local area or nearby, the granaries will be opened to provide relief to the victims.
The amount allocated from the capital to the granaries was mostly copper coins, but sometimes it was also grain!
Anyway, the Minister of Revenue made a statement, directly stating that last year's annual revenue of grain and copper coins had been almost entirely spent.
The grain stored in the capital's granary must not be used lightly.
This is the foundation of the capital!
If a situation like the previous siege by the Turkic prince were to occur again, the entire capital would be relying on this granary.
Although the disaster in Heyin County is severe, it is definitely not to the point of having to use up the grain reserves in Taicang!
"Luozhou, Xiazhou and other places should have enough stored grain."
Xie Yuan ignored the sarcasm in the Minister of Revenue's words and said softly.
In fact, when Xie Yuan mentioned Luozhou, Xiazhou and other places, the officials in the court knew that Empress Xie was definitely not unaware of the grain storage situation of the Great Zhou.
Because Luozhou, Xiazhou, and several other prefectures were granaries set up by the imperial court in the local areas.
Pingcang (a type of granary) was also located in the prefecture where Heyin County was situated.
However, as the Minister of Revenue just mentioned, the grain reserves of that prefecture were diverted by the Ministry of Revenue to Helian Jue!
Fortunately, the Great Zhou Dynasty had a vast territory, and after unifying the north and south, it governed more than a dozen prefectures and counties.
The late emperor set up as many as eight granaries!
Even if we lose Heyin County, we still have seven Pingcang counties.
We can't leave all this food unused.
The Minister of Revenue said, "No! The grain stored in these granaries cannot be used either."
After saying this, the Minister of Revenue felt that his tone was too harsh and worried that it would provoke Empress Xie to throw a tantrum.
He quickly changed the subject, speaking in a more consultative tone:
"However, some grain can be allocated from the several official granaries in the south!"
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I have already sent people to the south, and I will definitely find a way to gather the grain needed to relieve the disaster victims!"
Xie Yuan: ...Do you think I'm a three-year-old? So easy to fool?
The Great Zhou Dynasty had eight granaries, but Xie Yuan only mentioned three. Why?
It's because these three places are relatively close to the capital and Heyin County.
Disaster relief is as urgent as fighting a fire!
One day earlier, hundreds or even thousands more people could be saved.
If it's too late, either a large number of refugees will appear in Heyin County, or they will simply rebel!
Although Heyin County is not large, even if a rebellion were to occur, it would not endanger the capital or the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.
However, this was the first disaster Xie Yuan encountered after taking over the reins of government.
This was also the first thing she handled independently.
He messed things up and even triggered a rebellion. Haha, there's no need for the entire court to attack him; Xie Yuan himself is too ashamed to sit in court anymore.
He can handle state affairs, but he must remain in the background.
It would be best to add a screen as well!
Even if a woman is in charge of the country, she should still maintain a proper demeanor!
"That's too much trouble! Why not borrow some grain from Luozhou and Xiazhou first, and then replenish the two granaries with grain transported from the south?"
Xie Yuan was very easy to talk to. If this route was not feasible, he would discuss with his ministers about taking a detour.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
