Chapter 1528 (1527): The Grand Finale (30) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
"The Lord's idea is indeed ingenious."
Qi Shan expressed strong approval of Shen Tang's idea.
However, the tone shifted abruptly.
"There's just one question I don't understand."
Qi Shan felt incredibly disappointed and frustrated.
He thought that by taking precautions beforehand, the emperor wouldn't be swayed by Zhai Xiaofang's emotional appeal, but he was wrong. What kind of bewitching potion did Zhai Xiaofang give him? Settling the back pay owed by the previous dynasty? Not treating this portion of the pay as a debt from the previous dynasty and simply defaulting on it, or not confiscating some of the officials' assets, would be considered quite lenient. Even if a payment were made up, it would only be a small portion.
Whether the reissued funds will be received depends on whether the officials are sensible or not.
What if they don't know what's good for them?
The records of salaries of officials from the previous dynasty were all burned.
Destroy the evidence to ensure they have no way to claim their wages.
Their own lord is quite arrogant, giving N+1 right off the bat.
Shen Tang: "Ask away."
Would the Ministry of Revenue be willing to do it?
The smile on Shen Tang's face vanished instantly.
Just thinking about Xun Zhen's face, which made everyone seem like they owed him a million dollars, gave even Shen Tang a feeling of stomach cramps. Compensating the former officials of Qu Kingdom with N+1 would indeed give her the moral high ground and allow her to legitimately weed out the corrupt elements in the Qu Kingdom's court, solving the problem of redundant officials in one fell swoop. The only downside was that it would be too expensive. Xun Zhen, who was in charge of the purse strings, probably wouldn't want to be taken advantage of.
Qi Shan said, "Even if we are willing to work hard, the national treasury will not be enough."
Shen Tang's smile vanished completely.
Qi Shan reminded him: "Has Your Majesty considered that if Zhai Xiaofang's Qu Kingdom's treasury is in dire straits and has already defaulted on officials' salaries, will we have to cover that part as well? Xun Hanzhang will go crazy."
If the cost is too high, it's better to refuse to surrender.
If we just fight, the military expenditure won't even be that much.
Once we take it down, we won't have to worry about this mess.
Shen Tang: "...Is it too late to renege on the debt now?"
——
Zhai Le: "We can't let her renege on her debt."
One sentence silenced even Yu Hai, the mastermind.
Zhai Le realized that he had been too hasty and said awkwardly, "Officials in the capital are fine, their salaries are paid on time. But in some remote and impoverished counties with small populations, salaries are delayed for one or two months, or even three to five months. As time goes on, resentment grows."
It cannot be ruled out that some people may have embezzled public funds.
Zhai Le cleared out a lot of them, but still couldn't completely eliminate them.
Some clerks were hired by the officials themselves, and their salaries were also paid by the officials themselves. When their salaries were insufficient to support their families, corruption inevitably arose. Although clerks did not wield much power, once they became corrupt, the harm they caused was considerable, which was a major headache for Zhai Le.
Zhai Ledao: "Should we have someone send the register over?"
Yu Hai: "No rush, let's hear what the officials have to say."
Zhai Le returned and convened a court meeting with all the officials, outlining the results of the negotiations and emphasizing the takeover issue, which was of utmost concern to them. When the officials heard the condition of an N+1 salary, the atmosphere in the hall instantly became tense. Each official wore a complex expression.
Not to mention the initial surrender faction had nothing to say, even the hardline pro-war faction fell silent and uncontrollably began to make some outrageous speculations.
Does the Lord truly not sell his body?
Is it really true that he has no affair with Shen Youli?
No, if he didn't pay any price, why would they give him such generous treatment? That's N+1!
They didn't know what N was; they only knew that it represented their years of service in government and also represented their compensation salary.
The civil and military officials looked at each other, none of them speaking first.
Until someone muttered, "Could there be some kind of conspiracy?"
The treatment they received was so good that it felt abnormal to them.
Zhai Le simply asked, "Do any of you have any further comments?"
Everyone: "..."
There were no opinions or anything like that.
Even if they were allowed to demand an exorbitant amount from the start, they wouldn't dare dream of Kangguo offering N+1 compensation; they'd be grateful to keep their current possessions and lives. They wouldn't even dare to dream of preferential treatment, yet the other country's ruler promised it the moment he opened his mouth.
The emperor and his ministers looked at each other in bewilderment once again.
"Your Majesty, I have a question that I do not understand."
Someone stepped forward from the corner.
"Speak, my dear minister."
The issue that person was concerned about is also one that many people care about.
According to the information brought back by Zhai Le, Kang Kingdom is facing a severe shortage of personnel, and the original Qu Kingdom staff will be disbanded but still retained. They want to know what methods Kang Kingdom plans to use to promote talented individuals, and whether those promoted will receive salary compensation from Kang Kingdom.
Zhai Le: "..."
His eyes seemed to say, "You actually dare to think that."
The officials who stepped forward lowered their heads to avoid Zhai Le's gaze.
Even he himself felt that his question was a bit excessive.
If we were to rank the states of that chaotic era by the efficiency of their salary payments, those that could pay on time would already be among the very top tier. States like Kang were extremely rare; most smaller states chose to delay or default on their debts. After all, once a state is destroyed, all its debts become bad debts.
Kangguo was already an extremely unfortunate victim.
Zhai Le was uncertain: "This... probably won't work."
——
"That won't do!"
The relationship between Shen Tang and Xun Zhen as ruler and subject is facing an unprecedented challenge. If she weren't so fragile right now, Xun Zhen would have stood up for the Kang Kingdom's treasury and risked the world to draw his sword against Shen Tang.
Even if the national treasury is full, it shouldn't be squandered like this, let alone when there's no money at all. Xun Zhen, upon receiving the news, flew into a rage and rushed over without a second thought. The journey time was forcibly reduced by two-thirds.
They arrived and came to complain about being poor without even having a sip of water.
Xun Zhen was inwardly distressed: "Absolutely not!"
Shen Tang was also suffering in her heart.
However, she had to persuade Xun Zhen to stop after much talk.
“Although it’s N+1 compensation, it won’t be given all at once.” Of course, she made these up on the spot. “I plan to pay it in installments over three years. The former Qu State officials will continue to serve Kang State, and their salaries will be paid monthly as usual, without N+1 compensation. Only those who were dismissed will receive compensation.”
Xun Zhen paused for a moment, then found it somewhat acceptable.
"But what if they all resign?"
"All resign?"
"They all resigned from their official posts, received compensation, and then returned to officialdom."
It's like getting almost a year's salary for free by exploiting a bug.
Shen Tang: "..."
As expected of the Minister of Revenue, he's quick to exploit loopholes. However, Xun Zhen's words weren't without merit; indeed, some people would deliberately exploit this loophole. Shen Tang said, "Former subordinates of the Qu Kingdom who receive salary compensation are ineligible for official appointments or selections within one year."
This way, it can be prevented.
Xun Zhen said, "Three years."
Because the compensation will be paid out in installments over three years.
Shen Tang was willing to go along with Xun Zhen on such minor issues.
"Okay, three years it is."
Although there was a three-year grace period, Xun Zhen was still extremely distressed. This distress reached its peak when the State of Qu sent over the official salary registers, each entry causing him to fly into a rage. He and the four officials of the Ministry of Revenue cursed and calculated, not sparing the ancestors of all the officials of Qu for eighteen generations: "...What kind of lunatic made this register? What kind of idiot set the salaries? How much work do they do to deserve such high monthly salaries?"
Are the number of staff positions in the Wangting government so high that they're becoming too much to handle?
Does it distinguish between humans and ghosts?
What kind of nobody can now eat the government's food?
Officials with such abilities couldn't even support themselves in Kangguo.
waste!
You're just a good-for-nothing!
Xun Zhen's resentment was so strong that even Shen Tang avoided him.
I was afraid that I might accidentally get caught in the crossfire.
Zhai Le didn't hear Xun Zhen cursing, but Yu Hai did. He wanted to retort; Xun Zhen's cursing was truly awful. However, seeing the four officials from the Ministry of Revenue all holding abacuses, their abacuses clattering away, and occasionally one or two identical-looking, scholarly figures carrying neatly arranged account books coming and going, Yu Hai secretly picked up a scroll, glanced at it, and silently agreed with Xun Zhen's assessment.
These people's abilities are indeed not commensurate with their salaries.
The Ministry of Revenue was busily calculating accounts, while Shen Tang and Chu Yao were selecting officials from the Qu Kingdom to be retained. Zhai Le had sent over all the available registers of Qu Kingdom officials, both in the capital and outside the capital, filling over a hundred carts. Each cartload of books was piled high, leaving deep ruts.
Shen Tang: "..."
She closed her eyes heavily.
When she opened her eyes again, she asked the others beside her, "What do you think about going back on your word now and reorganizing your troops to attack the Qu Kingdom?"
Before this, Shen Tang had always conquered his opponents with his fists.
Once the position is captured, proceed with the formalities.
Qu was the first and only country to surrender as a complete nation, so Shen Tang naturally couldn't use the same simple and crude methods to forcibly integrate it. But no one had told her it would be so complicated! She was putting in both money and effort, which was a huge loss for her.
Qi Shan said, "It's too late."
He doesn't do things when he should go back on his word.
It's too late to regret it now.
The Qu Kingdom was the first to object.
Shen Tang: "..."
She was so busy she was practically dancing, and Qi Shan naturally couldn't have any free time either. When he finally managed to return to his tent to rest for an hour or two, he was surprised to find Tan Qu waiting for him there. There were so many things to do that Qi Shan was constantly on the go, barely having time to catch up with his friends.
"I'm here to say goodbye."
Tan Qu's words stunned Qi Shan, who had been working non-stop for seven or eight days without a break. He stood there, stunned, his expression completely blank.
Sweet dreams are the easiest to wake up from.
Now, is this dream finally coming to an end?
Tan Qu continued, "Actually, I wanted to tell Le Zheng yesterday, but you were busy, and I didn't want to bother you."
Qi Shan shook his head violently to clear his mind. Tan Qu thought he was unwell and helped him in: "I have a favor to ask. I would like to borrow a few people from you."
"Borrow someone? Who?"
"Could I borrow a few of Junqiao's?"
Physicians in the medical field are extremely precious and rare.
Even in Kangguo, they were extremely rare.
After much deliberation, Tan Qu could only speak to Qi Shan.
Qi Shan: "..."
Things didn't go as he expected, which made him realize it was a false alarm: "Borrowing your skill? Have you encountered any difficulties?"
Tan Qu did not hide anything.
He had previously explained the circumstances of his awakening, but hadn't had time to mention the tens of thousands of patients trapped on the isolated island. To normal people, these patients were beyond dead, kept moving by some strange power, but in Tan Qu's eyes, there was still hope.
He hoped that medical professionals could intervene.
At least give these innocent people a chance.
If it weren't for the power struggles, the gods of the Central Region would have spread the disease without any scruples, and these patients might still be living ordinary lives, working from sunrise to sunset, instead of turning into this inhuman and ghostly state.
Qi Shan pondered for a moment.
"Borrowing your skillful touch is probably not an option."
Tan Qu was not surprised by this result.
Qi Miao was still young, and the daughter whom her close friend had raised like a precious pearl for many years. Sending her to the island to deal with those terrifying undead was indeed very dangerous. Even if Tan Qu were watching over her, he couldn't guarantee her complete safety. He sighed inwardly and prepared to think of another way.
Qi Shan said, "Jun Qiao has not yet passed the examination of the Temple of Physicians, so she is not considered a physician. Her usefulness is limited."
Having treated many patients, her medical skills have improved remarkably quickly.
Dong Dao often mentioned that Qi Shan had sent him a good apprentice who had been able to practice medicine independently for several years, and was also adept at delivering babies and treating patients. However, even so, she was still not a certified physician. The minimum requirement for entering the prestigious medical school was fifteen years of experience.
"I'll help you contact other doctors in the medical field."
Qi Shan readily agreed.
Three people were transferred over at once.
There were also more than thirty doctors accompanying them.
Tan Qu was shocked: "So many people? Does Shen Jun know?"
Qi Shan said, "She knows, and she allows it."
The negotiations between Kangding and Qufu went very smoothly, and there was no way a war would break out.
With no new wounded soldiers, medical personnel are not in short supply, and a group of them can be transferred to the isolated island with Tan Qu.
These medical practitioners came voluntarily.
The tens of thousands of patients on the isolated island were too attractive to them.
Tan Qu was highly sought after by them.
Qi Shan was worried and pulled him aside to remind him, "I can't go with you. Be careful on the way. I'm not telling you to be careful of wolves and tigers, but I'm worried about these doctors and physicians."
"Worried about them?"
Qi Shan: "They would fight tooth and nail to get here."
Tan Qu asked in surprise: "Break your head?"
Qi Shan sighed, "Isn't it a matter of breaking your head? Putting aside the people on the island, you alone are a huge attraction for them. They are so eager to know how you, who died many years ago, managed to come back to life. They would even pay you to treat them."
Tan Qu: "..."
I inexplicably felt a chill down my spine.
Knowing her friend's character, Qi Shan added, still worried, "Save those people on the island if you can, and if you can't, give them a quick death and let them rest in peace. Don't be sad about it."
Tan Qu agreed: "Okay, as you wish."
I watched Tan Qu's figure disappear on the horizon.
Qi Shan blinked, still feeling a little unreal.
This unreal, superficial feeling suddenly subsided when he saw the piles of letters, and the urge to die took over his mind. It took a full half month to compile the first draft of the promotion list. The list was based on the register information provided by Zhai Le, and there might be some unintended inclusions.
In addition to this list, Shen Tang decided to hold another job fair.
Secondary screening.
Zhai Le quickly glanced through the list.
I can't help but think, "She's more suited to be the ruler than I am."
Those who remained were mostly capable and had relatively simple backgrounds; even those from prominent families were unlikely to be too arrogant.
Yu Hai offered him a few words of comfort.
"You don't need to underestimate yourself."
Zhai Le has done quite well over the years, but his family background means he can't completely sever ties with certain interest groups; the two sides will inevitably remain entangled at times. Not everyone can start from scratch like Shen Tang. She's someone who has nothing to lose.
Zhai Le waved his hand: "No need to coax me."
He knows what he's doing.
With Kang Guo's involvement, Zhai Le was also willing to cooperate with the handover.
On the day of a certain regular grand assembly, he opened his eyes and was startled, shouting, "Oh no, I'm late!"
I only remembered I was free when I was halfway through getting dressed.
Zhai Le: "Sigh."
People have become more relaxed, but it feels a little strange.
This emo mood didn't last long. He changed into a brightly colored, narrow-sleeved outfit and ordered his daughter to be brought to him.
“My son, I will take you to see your uncle.”
He took a look at the older brother with the slightly larger nose.
(ω)
(End of this chapter)
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