Could the Crown Prince of the Celestial Empire understand those mountain-like accounts?
The answer is no.
So, after Bo Jiudao complained about the various unreasonable demands for money, including the military's requests for funds, he...
The supply of a million troops was cut in half.
The remaining half is like a severe case of prostatitis.
Frequent urination, urgency, and incomplete urination—the mighty Celestial Empire's 500,000 yuan military budget was squeezed out bit by bit and given to the other side.
That's just how it is; everyone has their temper, right?
I don't want it anymore, okay?
It's possible, quite possible, an extraordinary possibility.
That's exactly what I wanted to hear.
So an even more bizarre phenomenon emerged: the wealthiest government office in the entire Celestial Empire became the largest creditor of the entire Celestial Empire.
Throughout the entire Celestial Empire, there was no government office that didn't owe money.
Moreover, it involves old debts that haven't been settled and new debts being incurred.
Such a person was targeted by the entire court of officials, and being impeached by all of them was commonplace for him.
However, Bo Jiudao remained firmly in his position as the head of the Right Department of Household Affairs under these circumstances.
He was not greedy; he wouldn't take a single penny that he shouldn't have, and he worked diligently for the country and its people.
Which emperor wouldn't love such a person in charge of the Household Affairs Department?
This is his way of being an official, and the reason why he has remained firmly in his position as the Right Secretary.
I'm not afraid of being hated by everyone, as long as one person is satisfied, that's enough.
Since he took over the Household Affairs Department, he has "saved" hundreds of billions of dollars for the Celestial Empire.
This is a number that would shock even the emperors of the Celestial Empire, and this amount of money...
It was extracted from the pockets of all officials.
According to his rigorous calculations, of the military's budget of 100 million, at most half would actually reach the hands of soldiers and be used for their needs.
Everyone knows perfectly well where the remaining half went.
Under his leadership, the Household Affairs Department became the most disliked, yet also the most untouchable, government office in the Yunqin Heavenly Dynasty.
If you can't defeat him or out-argue him, then you can only play along and get the money first.
Therefore, he has no friends and doesn't need any.
In his words, the day Lao Tzu has friends is the day Lao Tzu's head will roll.
What the Heavenly Emperor wants is a single-stemmed vegetable like me that won't budge no matter what.
Those who form cliques will die quickly.
Sheng Lingxiao, however, became his close friend despite their age difference, and the reason was quite simple.
I'm just a lowly astronomical observatory official. If you're not afraid of being implicated by me, then sit across from me and we'll have a game.
Sheng Lingxiao's answer was also very simple.
Even if you die, I won't die, you'll get me.
When we strolled all the way to the pavilion by Liuyun Lake, Bo Jiudao was already sitting there fishing.
"I just don't understand. If you want to eat fish, you can just use your spiritual power to catch one easily. Why bother fishing here?"
Sheng Lingxiao plopped down next to Bo Jiudao, looking at the motionless fish and speaking speechlessly.
Bo Jiudao looked to be around fifty years old, with a wisp of black beard on his chin, and his demeanor was very refined.
And from his eyebrows and eyes, one could tell that the young Bo Jiudao must be a dashing and handsome man.
"Fishing is a way to cultivate one's character. Your rude behavior is unacceptable and will only make you more and more restless."
As she spoke, she turned her head and asked Sheng Lingxiao with a smile.
"Young friend, would you like to fish for a while?"
Sheng Lingxiao shook his head and refused.
"No, that's boring."
After saying that, he picked up a snack from the stone table next to him and threw it into his mouth.
"You manage so much money, yet you don't even try to embezzle a little. This pastry is almost spoiled, and you still have the nerve to bring it out."
Seeing Sheng Lingxiao rolling his eyes and muttering, Bo Jiudao smiled slightly again.
“The money comes from the people and should be returned to the people. The Celestial Empire has countless people, among whom ordinary people who do not have the aptitude for cultivation are the most numerous. The cost of a single pastry for a high-ranking official or noble is enough to feed a family of five for a year.”
"It's not that money can't be spent, it's about how it's spent and on whom it's spent."
"That money isn't yours. No matter how much you do, the people will be grateful to the Heavenly Emperor. You'll get nothing and offend people. Is it worth it?"
Sheng Lingxiao rolled his eyes as he tossed the inedible pastry into his mouth.
Bo Jiudao put down his fishing rod and sat down at the stone table.
After pouring himself a cup of tea, he slowly began to speak.
"No power exists forever, nor does any dynasty exist forever, but people can exist forever."
He put down his teacup and pointed to Liuyun Lake in front of him.
"The people are like a lake, and the court and the imperial clan are like tea. Water in a lake is discarded like worn-out shoes, but when brewed into tea, it makes people linger. What is the reason for this?"
"Only if the people live on forever can the kingdom and sect exist and continue to thrive. Therefore, the benefits of spending money on them will come in the future."
As soon as he said this, Sheng Lingxiao looked at Bo Jiudao across from him in disbelief.
"Something's not right, Lord Right Chief. The meaning behind your words is rather treasonous."
"So, according to you, spending money on the people is a plan to start anew after the Celestial Empire collapses?"
At this point, he leaned close to Bo Jiudao and asked with a laugh.
"Do you intend to rebel?"
Upon hearing this, Bo Jiudao gently put down his teacup, turned around, and whispered to the person behind him.
"Go and inform the Hidden Dragon Guard that Sheng Lingxiao, a disciple of the Imperial Observatory, is committing treason and intends to rebel. Seize him immediately and interrogate him severely."
These words made Sheng Lingxiao roll his eyes again.
"No wonder you have no friends. With the way you play, who would dare to come near you?"
After he finished speaking, Sheng Lingxiao picked up his teacup and asked casually.
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