But looking at this guy's experience before he even entered the capital to become an official, Qin Yu became somewhat curious.
At that time, he was a local clerk, but he was very conscientious and dedicated. He worked until midnight every day, did his job well, and even often offered important advice and proposals on behalf of the local prefect.
Sun Jiachen was like a completely different person after he entered the capital!
Is Beijing really that comfortable?
Even if it's corrosion, it shouldn't happen this fast, right? This is practically a complete 180-degree turn!
As the emperor's closest eunuch, Anfu was extremely adept at reading people's expressions. Seeing his reaction, he immediately probed and asked him about it.
"Your Majesty, should we still go and arrest Sun Jiachen?"
After a moment's thought, Qin Yu nodded. "Let's bring the person over and take a look. It won't take much effort."
Inside the Ministry of Revenue office.
Crackling sounds filled the air as a man bent over, rapidly calculating taxes, the abacus in his hands making a loud, rhythmic clattering noise.
He looked very serious, his lips were even cracked and peeling, but he didn't drink any water.
Large beads of sweat slid down his forehead, landing on his protruding cheeks and then on his scruffy beard.
Beside him, He Fangzheng, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, leisurely sipped his tea, listening to the secret suggestions of his lackeys, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Minister He! Most of those soldiers from Youzhou were conscripted locally. After the battle, they might not even have a home left. They can just embezzle the compensation money. Who will hold them accountable?"
"That tyrant would die on women's bellies all day long, he probably wouldn't even ask!"
"That's right! I agree. We must be bold and decisive in this matter!"
Clearly, they had been planning and preparing for the relief of Youzhou for a long time.
That sum of money was quite a large amount; anyone would be envious.
Before, there was Tan Wu above him, and He Fang could at most follow behind him and get a taste of the soup, but now, he has returned to his hometown to observe mourning for his parents!
Aside from the Minister of Revenue, the Left Vice Minister wields the most power. Now, he not only gets to eat meat, but he can also dictate how the meat is eaten and who gets to eat it.
After taking a sip of tea, He Fang's lewd smile became even more pronounced.
He planned to give half of the embezzled silver to the prime minister as a direct expression of his attitude and loyalty.
Of course, this also served as a substitute for Tan Wu's greeting gift.
As for the other half, he kept only a small portion for himself and distributed the rest to his subordinates in order to win their hearts and minds.
By connecting the upper and lower levels, one can secure a stable and unshakeable position.
He stroked his beard and laughed heartily as he began to speak.
"My colleagues, you have all been working very diligently lately. Once this money arrives, let's divide it up among ourselves!"
Upon hearing this, all the officials from the Ministry of Revenue were astonished and overjoyed. This was not just following behind and drinking soup; this was actually getting real meat. For a moment, all the officials were extremely grateful to He Fang.
"But Prime Minister, what about them? Should they also receive a share?"
One of the officials paused for a moment, turned his gaze to the hardworking man sweating profusely, and slowly asked.
He Fang followed his gaze and looked over, his eyes filled with disdain.
In his view, the only people who need to be won over are mid- to high-ranking officials at the management level. Since ancient times, officials have been involved in taking a share of the government's money.
In the Ministry of Revenue, He Fang treated them only as human beings; the rest were nothing more than cattle and horses.
"Since Registrar Sun and the others enjoy working so much, then let them do their job well. Or perhaps you don't understand the rules?"
"Hehe! Of course I understand. I just wanted to confirm with you, Left Minister He. After all, we're all waiting for your opinion."
These words were tantamount to a direct pledge of allegiance, and He Fang's face lit up with joy.
"By the way, hasn't the imperial court recently issued a lot of tasks? Let's assign them all to Vice Minister He."
As he spoke, He Fangbian approached, carrying a bundle of memorials.
The man who had been busy from beginning to end was none other than Sun Jiachen, whom Qin Yu was curious about. He slowly stopped what he was doing, looked up and asked.
"Minister He, are there any missions coming up recently?"
Although he used a respectful title, there was no trace of respect on his face; on the contrary, his expression was somewhat disdainful and contemptuous.
He Fang was a cunning old fox who had been in the imperial court for decades. He was a shrewd man among shrewd men, so how could he not see through the other party's attitude?
"Hmph... Clerk Sun is still so aloof. He truly is the backbone of our Ministry of Revenue."
"Then I'll trouble Registrar Sun to handle all these matters that the court has been pressuring us to attend to."
Sun Jiachen picked up the approval document thrown on the table. Many of the matters in it required the Left Chancellor to handle and provide suggestions for revision.
He Fang is clearly shirking his responsibilities, delegating his work to others.
But Sun Jiachen wasn't annoyed; instead, he examined it carefully.
It was the tenth anniversary of the emperor's ascension to the throne, so a new set of currency needed to be issued.
This matter is of great importance, and it occupies a large portion of the approval document.
But when Sun Jiachen's gaze fell on the proposal for currency minting, his brows furrowed tightly, and he shook his head, clearly very dissatisfied with the proposal.
"Minister He, in my opinion, this plan has many problems." Just as I was about to refute it and express my opinion, a series of chaotic footsteps came from outside the door.
Zhu Fei led a large contingent of soldiers into the government office, immediately surrounding everyone and taking control of the scene.
"General! May I ask what brings you to my Ministry of Revenue?"
He Fangyi was terrified.
After all, thieves have a guilty conscience, and they were panicking because they thought their embezzlement of pension funds had been discovered.
But then I thought, wait a minute!
He hasn't even embezzled anything yet! Even if word got out, it wouldn't happen this quickly.
Zhu Fei, carrying a knife, was incredibly arrogant.
"I'll cooperate fully in everything I do!"
"Are you in charge here?"
He Fang quickly bowed and smiled apologetically.
"I am He Fang, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."
"Good!" Zhu Fei looked around at everyone with a murderous aura before saying sternly, "I came here to find someone."
Arriving with such a menacing aura, the person they were looking for was definitely up to no good, and the group couldn't help but wipe away a cold sweat.
"Where is your registrar named Sun Jiachen?"
Upon hearing the name, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help looking at the unfortunate fellow with schadenfreude.
He Fang was secretly delighted and responded repeatedly.
"It is him, the man before me!"
Zhu Fei coldly glanced at Sun Jiachen from top to bottom, then waved his hand dismissively.
"take away!"
He Fang was overjoyed after Zhu Fei took the man away.
He could control the entire Ministry of Revenue, but there was one stubborn mule, Sun Jiachen, whom he couldn't win over at all.
Well done! A brilliant move!
The latter, Sun Jiachen, was escorted by a group of soldiers and brought directly to Qin Yu.
Kneel down!
Zhu Fei shouted angrily, and only then did he slowly kneel down.
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