"Not yet." Song Quan's expression was serious.
The officials of the Lianghuai Transport Bureau all became serious.
A deficit means making up for it.
Where to make up?
Song Quan was the Imperial Censor of Salt, so of course he was appointed from the salt administration.
They had extorted a large amount of extra money from salt merchants in the name of salt inspection, and handed it over to Song Quan according to a certain proportion.
If we continue to pay, we will have to take action against the salt merchants.
They were afraid of pushing the salt merchants into a corner.
"However, the deficit will not be made up from the salt business." Song Quan promptly explained this to everyone.
"Haha," Zhang Xizhou, the transport envoy, smiled. "Then may I ask, Lord Song, how does the court plan to make up for the deficit? Why do you say that it has something to do with everyone present here, and all the salt merchants in Lianghuai?"
"Donate an official position!" Song Quan said directly.
"Donate an official position?" The officials of the Transportation Department suddenly widened their eyes. "What does donate an official position mean?"
"Are you confused? To the buyer it is a donation, but to the court it is of course a sale."
"Selling the position? Who are you selling it to?"
"Of course it's the salt merchants." Song Quan added.
"How can this be allowed?" Someone immediately objected, "The imperial court has not only banned officials from engaging in business, but also banned businessmen from becoming officials. Isn't this a violation of the imperial court's laws?"
"Yes, if we don't obey the law, how can we govern the country?"
"How could the cabinet issue a decree that violates the law? And how could His Majesty agree to it?"
"It's a mess, everything is a mess!"
"Everyone, please be patient and wait for me to finish speaking." Song Quan said calmly, "First, the one who donates can be the son, relative or friend of the salt merchant, but not the merchant himself. Secondly, the official who donates only has the rank and the official uniform, but has no real power and does not receive a salary."
"The third point is also the most important one. If the income from donating officials can make up for the deficit of the court, then there will be no need for salt inspections."
"If not," Song Quan sneered, "then I will have to inspect the salt again."
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