Chapter 138 So what was his motivation?
Tang Boyang was over fifty years old and had been immersed in officialdom for so many years, especially in the capital city where relationships were so complex. Without cunning and vigilance, he could not have become the Minister of Revenue.
Jiang Yu pondered how to deal with Tang Boyang before arriving at his study. She bowed upon entering, saying, "This humble official greets Your Excellency, Minister."
Tang Boyang was a very serious-looking and serious person. He gave a light "hmm" and gestured for Jiang Yu to sit down. Then he got up, walked around the table, and sat down opposite Jiang Yu.
He wasn't usually like this, so Jiang Yu became a little wary, but didn't show it on her face. Tang Boyang had his attendant pour tea for Jiang Yu, then asked in a serious voice, "How is your grandfather's health?"
"It's the same as always, thank you for your concern," Jiang Yu said with a smile.
“I also worked with your grandfather before,” Tang Boyang added.
Jiang Yu replied, "My grandfather told me that you are a meticulous and responsible person."
Jiang Yu's words sounded quite reasonable, but Tang Boyang subtly raised the corners of his lips, a subtle movement that didn't escape Jiang Yu's notice. She felt that Tang Boyang's summons today might not be a test. However, she didn't completely lower her guard.
Then Tang Boyang said, "You've been organizing official documents in the archives for half a year now, haven't you?"
“Yes,” Jiang Yu sat up straighter and said in a very serious tone, “In the past six months, I have read almost all the files and have a better understanding of the various official duties of the Ministry of Revenue. Yesterday I was telling my grandfather that the Ministry of Revenue’s official duties are so complicated, but all of them are running in an orderly manner, which shows that Minister, your ability is extraordinary.”
The flattery in those words was rather strong, but no one dislikes being flattered, especially when it's done with a clear gaze and a serious tone. Even though Tang Boyang knew Jiang Yu was flattering him, he still chuckled twice.
“You can’t stay in the cabinet warehouse forever,” Tang Boyang’s voice was no longer as serious as before. “I sent you to the cabinet warehouse before to familiarize you with the Ministry of Revenue’s official business. Now that you are familiar with it, you don’t need to go tomorrow.”
Jiang Yu suspected again that Tang Boyang suspected she had discovered something, but she said with surprise and delight, "That's wonderful, what should I do next?"
She perfectly portrayed the image of a fresh-faced, energetic newcomer to the workplace. Then, Tang Boyang slightly raised the corners of his lips and said:
"As the Investigating Censor, your main responsibility is to review the accounts of the Ministry of Revenue. Of course, the Ministry of Revenue has a large number of accounts, and you cannot review every single one. The monthly accounts statistics of each department will be submitted to you. You will check for any problems. If there are any problems, you will investigate; if there are no problems, you will pass."
Jiang Yu nodded seriously; this was similar to her auditing work in her previous life. However, her job had no KPI requirements; she could investigate more when she wanted to, and less when she didn't. Actually, Tang Boyang probably didn't want her to investigate, otherwise he wouldn't have given the other position of investigating censor to that playboy, Li Zhengze.
"Another thing is my mother's seventy-sixth birthday. I hope you can attend." Tang Boyang handed over an invitation and asked, "Will you be attending the male or female guests' gathering?"
Jiang Yu was taken aback. "Either is fine."
Tang Boyang pondered for a moment, "Then let's have male guests. It's always good to know more people when you're in officialdom."
Jiang Yu smiled and said, "Yes."
After exchanging a few more casual words, Jiang Yu rose to take her leave. Based on her conversation with Tang Boyang, it seemed Tang Boyang was trying to curry favor with her or the Duke of Chu's mansion.
But why?
If the Duke of Chu were in good health, or if she had already achieved some success in the officialdom and established herself firmly, Tang Boyang's actions would be understandable, but that is clearly not the case now.
Tang Boyang's eldest daughter married the eldest prince, Prince Kang. If Prince Kang were to ascend the throne, the Tang family would become incredibly powerful. Moreover, Prince Kang is renowned for his virtue, and it is widely believed that he is the most likely candidate to succeed to the throne.
Or perhaps, he realized he had uncovered problems with the military supplies accounts...
Before they knew it, they arrived at the Jiageku. Once inside, they heard Li Zhengze's weak voice, "On a snowy day, we should stay in bed, but we have to get up before dawn. Sigh, why is life so hard?"
Jiang Yu sat down to the side and said, "If you were born into a farming family, on a snowy day like this, you would probably be repairing the roof that was collapsed by the snow, or chopping firewood to make a living."
Li Zheng glared at Jiang Yu, "Can't you say something nice?"
Jiang Yu shrugged, while Li Zheng slumped on the table, half asleep. Jiang Yu glanced at him and asked, "Are you going to the Minister's mother's birthday celebration?"
Li Zhengze opened his eyes and said, "Of course I'll go. My father has already prepared a gift, and he'll come with me."
Seeing the invitation in Jiang Yu's hand, he asked, "Are you going too?"
Jiang Yu nodded, "Brother Li, please take good care of me then."
"Are you in the men's section?" Li Zhengze asked, sitting up straight.
Jiang Yu nodded, her face showing a questioning expression. Li Zheng thought for a moment; Jiang Yu was a woman who had entered the court as an official, so what was wrong with her attending the gatherings of male guests?
"Don't worry, just tell me if anything happens." Li Zhengze acted like a big brother.
Jiang Yu thanked her with a smile.
Suspecting that Tang Boyang had discovered something, Jiang Yu stopped looking at the case files; she had already seen everything she needed to. She picked up a book of poems and began reading intently. Li Zheng sighed upon seeing this and then went back to sleep on the table.
After returning to the Duke of Chu's residence, she went to see him first as usual, and told him about her conversation with Tang Boyang that day. She concluded by saying, "I suspect he's noticed something."
The Duke of Chu pondered for a moment and said, "I don't think so. A man like Tang Boyang would immediately take action to clean up the mess if he had even the slightest suspicion, unless the matter of embezzling military supplies had nothing to do with him."
Jiang Yu agreed. If it were her, she would immediately take action to eliminate any traces or directly address the potential threat, even if she had the slightest suspicion. She wouldn't try to appease the threat.
"Then what was his motivation?" Jiang Yu asked.
The Duke of Chu shook his head. "Be vigilant. You'll be with your cousin at the birthday banquet. He can help you out if anything happens."
“Okay,” Jiang Yu said.
She wasn't too worried about the banquet, as Marquis Anyuan, Duke of Wei, and even her uncle from the Tang family would be there, so she wasn't concerned about her safety.
The Duke of Chu didn't keep her any longer, and sent her back after finishing his business. When she arrived at Yunfeng Courtyard, Lu Yifang was there. Upon seeing her, Lu Yifang asked, "Is there enough charcoal in the government office?"
Jiang Yu smiled helplessly. She was in the Ministry of Revenue, the place that managed money. How could there be a shortage of charcoal?
"We use only the finest charcoal," she said.
Lu Yifang was still a little worried. "He should be finishing writing soon, then he can rest for a few more days during his vacation."
Jiang Yu thought about it and realized that it was indeed almost time for the annual leave, so she needed to hurry up with the things she needed to investigate.
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