On December 28, the fifth year of the Daxia period, there was a heavy snowfall in Chang'an.
A year has passed so quickly, and it is time to rest again.
Today is the first day of the holiday. Yun Xiyan slept comfortably and didn't get up until noon.
After washing up, You Xifeng just walked in.
"Have you had enough sleep? The old steward from the Yan Xiang Mansion just came over and said that he would like you to come to the Yan Xiang Mansion for a gathering tonight... drink less!"
Yun Xiyan grinned, reached out his hand, hooked You Xifeng's chin, and kissed her.
You Xifeng was embarrassed, his face flushed instantly. He looked around and whispered a rebuke, "There are people all around, why don't you pay attention to the occasion!"
"They're an old married couple. Didn't they learn this from that guy Fu Xiaoguan? He doesn't care about the occasion. He says it's just human nature, it's the love between husband and wife!"
"...He's the Emperor Emeritus. Don't call him Fu Xiaoguan all the time. People who don't know him might think you don't know etiquette!"
"Hehe, actually he prefers us to call him Fu Xiaoguan. Okay, ask the kitchen to prepare something light. After we eat, I'll go to the East and West Markets to see how the prices are this New Year."
"Well, come back early in the evening!"
Yun Xiyan smiled lewdly and lifted You Xifeng's chin again. Looking at her watery eyes and those charming lips, he leaned over and whispered, "Okay, wash up and wait for me!"
You Xifeng shyly left, "You're so shameless!"
…
After lunch, Yun Xiyan got on the carriage and went out. He took a long tour around the East and West Markets, which took him a full three hours.
When he arrived at Yan Xiwen's residence, it was already late, the wind was stronger, and the snow was heavier.
Study in Yan Mansion.
The two stoves were burning brightly.
Led by the Yan Mansion's doorman, Yun Xiyan walked into the study, covered in snow and wind, only to see five people already sitting in the study.
In addition to the three prime ministers, there is also Ji Yungui, the head of Tianji Pavilion, and Li Cai, the president of the People's Bank of Daxia.
He shook off the snow at the door, closed it, walked over and laughed, "Everyone, I'm a little late... Isn't it New Year's Day? Why is the atmosphere so depressing?"
"Xiyan, sit down!"
Yan Xiwen poured Yun Xiyan a cup of tea, then looked at Yun Xiyan and suddenly asked, "Have you seen the income and expenditure accounts of the two poverty alleviation funds in Yueshan this year?"
Yun Xiyan was stunned. "I have seen it, what's wrong?"
"Didn't find anything unusual?"
Yun Xiyan frowned, thought for a moment, and shook his head: "That's a special fund. I personally review and approve every application. No, what do you mean by that?"
Yan Xiwen looked at Ji Yungui, who said seriously, "Someone is checking the accounts of the poverty alleviation funds, starting with the two roads of Yueshan. I originally thought it was the three prime ministers' intention, but when I asked just now, I found out they didn't issue such an order."
"It's perfectly normal for the three Prime Ministers to review the accounts. In the past, when the Retired Emperor was in power, he often tasked the Ministry of Commerce with this task. I personally have no objection... But since it's not you who's doing the reviewing, then who is?"
Apart from the three prime ministers, the cabinet has no power to do such things.
The cabinet only has the right to vote on the policies of the three provinces, but not the power to implement them.
"I suspect it's the Emperor!"
It can only be the emperor!
Yun Xiyan was puzzled, but after a second thought, he put on a nonchalant expression again: "It's only natural for the Emperor to investigate. After all, the Ministry of Revenue is getting richer and richer, and it's really an easy department to make money from. Besides, Daxia originally belongs to the Emperor, so there's nothing wrong with it."
“But I don’t think it’s that simple!”
Qin Mowen took over the topic and continued, "Even if the emperor wanted to check the accounts, he would have to go through the three ministries. If he didn't go through the three ministries, then who did he send to check? It must be someone from his inner court!"
"Didn't the emperor say a few days ago that he was short of money? I'm really worried that he'll make trouble in the Ministry of Revenue!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.
It goes without saying that the emperor now wants to take the Ministry of Revenue into his hands, and Yun Xiyan just happens to block his hand, so he will definitely put Yun Xiyan aside.
It's hard to say how to get around this. If someone uses the Ministry of Revenue's accounts to make trouble, Yun Xiyan might end up in a bad situation.
Yun Xiyan then put away his lazy look and became serious.
"...Master Ji, do you know who the Emperor has sent to investigate?"
"Zhao Hou, the chief eunuch of the inner court, led thirty eunuchs to the two roads of Yueshan."
"Zhao Hou?"
Yun Xiyan frowned. This man used to be a eunuch beside the retired emperor, and his status was equal to Liu Jin. Now Zhao Hou and Liu Jin both served the emperor, and were hailed by the outer court as the two tigers of the inner court.
Perhaps because they were intimidated by the prestige of these ministers who had been personally appointed by the retired emperor, these two people did not dare to show off their power in front of the officials of the three provinces and six ministries. However, now they rely on the emperor's trust and act in a very powerful manner in front of the new officials.
Obviously, both of them had forgotten the warnings of the former emperor and completely turned to the emperor.
Since the emperor sent Zhao Hou out, it shows how much he cares about this matter.
"This is really bad. I'm afraid no matter how clean the accounts are, they can still make some trouble out of them."
Ji Yungui pondered for a moment and continued, "The Tianji Pavilion has sent people to keep an eye on it. The latest news I've received is that they haven't found any loopholes in the poverty alleviation accounts. However... Zhao Hou seems to have shifted his focus to another special fund."
"The engineering troops are building two roads across the mountains. This money is also from the special construction fund set up by the Ministry of Revenue. The amount of this money is also huge. What I want to ask you is, are there any loopholes here?"
"The engineering corps is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War, so the Ministry of Revenue reviews and disburses funds based on the request for funds sent by the Ministry of War... This document was written by the Minister of War, Lord Zhuo, based on the needs of the engineering corps, so the review is usually not very strict. After all, everyone knows where every penny of the Golden Bridge and Silver Road is spent. This cannot be compared with the review of special poverty alleviation funds."
Ji Yungui frowned and asked, "You mean you will allocate as much as the Ministry of War requests?"
"Well, because the Ministry of War is responsible for reviewing the use of funds for the engineering corps, the Ministry of Revenue can only give the money and at most ask which section of the road the money was spent on. It's difficult to know the details."
"If the Ministry of Revenue requested funds but the money didn't reach the engineering corps for road construction... the Ministry of Revenue has a supervisory responsibility!"
"Yes, Ke Wanzhi, the Minister of Revenue, is responsible for supervising all funds allocated by the Ministry of Revenue."
"But you have to sign it?"
"...Yes, the Ministry of Revenue will allocate the money only after I sign."
Ji Yungui took a deep breath, "Who is this Ke Wanzhi?"
"He was once one of the Seven Masters of Nanxi, a classmate of Zhuo Donglai and Yun Lige. He won the third place in the imperial examination that year. In the second year of Daxia, he joined the Ministry of Revenue. In the fourth year of Daxia, he was promoted to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."
"I understand. After the New Year, Ning Siyan will return to Chang'an. He will then personally protect your safety."
"Is it that dangerous?"
Ji Yungui said seriously, "Maybe nothing happened, or maybe it's more dangerous than you think!"
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