Chapter 74

Chapter 74

After leaving the palace with Princess Dowager, she held Meng Die's hand in the carriage, "Thank goodness you reacted quickly. Otherwise, we really would have been fooled by that bunch of old bureaucrats from the Ministry of Finance."

Meng Die smiled, "Your Highness, I noticed that Tan Fuzheng and the Nine Gates Inspectorate were present in the Diligent Governance Hall. It wouldn't be that simple for the Ministry of Finance to pull off their deception."

Princess Dowager waved her hand, "I know them well enough. At best, they might uncover the issue with the dried pumpkin prices. Lingxi might be lucky enough to spot it, but not the matter of using old grain as new. Besides, they're not in charge of our front-line troops. Outsiders could never be as diligent as our own people."

Meng Die agreed, "Indeed, they have too many responsibilities to oversee. It's understandable if they can't attend to every detail all the time."

Princess Taichang: "What should our next move be?"

Meng Die replied without hesitation: "The Ministry of Revenue has suffered a great humiliation this time, so they surely won't dare to meddle again. As the saying goes, it's easier to see the king than to escape the devil. This is a rare opportunity. If we exploit it, the irregularities in local accounts might become even more apparent, and they might risk taking drastic measures."

Princess Taichang flew into a rage: "A bunch of parasites! They all deserve to be arrested and executed."

Meng Die ignored her outburst and continued: "We need someone influential from the Ministry of Revenue to oversee the grain transportation. With a high-ranking official from within their ranks keeping them in check, local officials will think twice before attempting any underhanded tricks. If they are found out, not only will they offend us, but they'll also anger their superiors, which is even more crucial."

Princess Taichang sneered: "A village chief is more powerful than a distant official. That's actually a clever plan. I think that Left Vice Minister seems even plumper than Ran Pengfei; he could use some slimming down too."

Meng Die suppressed her laughter.

After the Grand Princess finished speaking, she also chuckled. "We'll need to send two people from our side as well. I'll dispatch two accountants. Do you have any suitable candidates?"

In truth, Meng Die had been pondering this matter. While Fan Hong and the others were capable of basic accounting, they wouldn't be able to handle such intricate records. "Your Highness, I would like my personal maid, Lu Wei, to accompany us on this journey."

The Grand Princess was taken aback. "Lu Wei? The maid who helped you win that extortion lawsuit?"

Meng Die replied, "Your Highness has a remarkable memory, yes, it's her. Whenever we transport grain to the northwest, our family sends someone along to oversee the deliveries. Adding one more person, like Lu Wei, won't be an issue. It will only require a formal arrangement so that she can keep a separate record of the accounts."

Princess Taichang nodded. "Very well, prepare everything when you return home. I'll send someone to inform you once the Ministry of Revenue is ready to depart."

Meng Die replied, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Princess Taichang dismissed her gratitude. "There's no need for such formalities. Our relatives on the front lines are comrades who trust each other with their lives. We are truly one family."

Meng Die acknowledged, "Your Highness speaks the truth."

Princess Taichang continued, "Why are there so many discrepancies in the accounts between the Ministry of Revenue and the local regions? Could it be that they've all been embezzled?"

Meng Die spoke with sincerity, refraining from further exaggeration. "Indeed not. Imbalances in local accounts can stem from various reasons. Taxes are collected from new harvests, and when grains are stored in granaries, they naturally lose weight over time. There's also the damage caused by snakes, insects, rats, and ants. Although the imperial court allows for some loss in granaries, the degree of pest infestation and humidity are uncontrollable factors."

Princess Taichang nodded in understanding.

Meng Die continued, "Moreover, there are county magistrates who have compassion for their people."

Princess Taichang queried, "Compassion for the people? How so?"

Meng Die explained, "Some households might suddenly be struck by disaster or encounter special circumstances that prevent them from paying their taxes. Some county magistrates would allow them to defer payment for a year. If such a magistrate is promoted or transferred, any ambiguity during the handover with their successor will immediately lead to discrepancies in the accounts. When local accounts don't match, the overall ledger at the Ministry of Revenue will naturally be affected as well. Furthermore, the Ministry is responsible for distributing military salaries and other grain and silver transactions to various regions. With multiple hands involved in these transactions, even a momentary lapse in attention at any point can result in imbalances in the accounts."

Princess Dowager's expression softened considerably as she finally grasped a crucial point. The emperor was ruthless when it came to corruption; yet this time, the Ministry of Finance had only received scolding. "Surely there wasn't any embezzlement involved in all this?"

Meng Die replied, "There might have been some, but it's quite rare at the local level. Tampering with granaries is a severe crime. Even if they were promoted or retired later on, they would still be held accountable once such acts were uncovered. On the other hand, exploiting merchants or squeezing the people's wealth could go unpunished as long as they left their posts unscathed. They'd only face scrutiny if they committed further offenses elsewhere; otherwise, no one would investigate."

Princess Dowager fell into deep thought. "No wonder His Majesty often emphasizes the need to understand the sufferings of the common folk."

Upon returning to the Marquis residence from the princess's manor, Meng Die immediately took action. "Lu Wei, for this delivery of grain to the front lines, I'll still send Manager Fan. You should come along too."

"Ahh?" Xing Huang exclaimed in surprise.

Lu Wei was also surprised. "Does Second Aunt have any other instructions?"

Meng Die nodded. "I've already discussed with the Grand Princess that you'll be in charge of accounting. Generally, a hundred or so people set out from the capital each time grain is transported. You need to keep a close eye on how much they consume daily. As the journey progresses and more food is added, more manpower will be required, so calculate their daily expenses as well. This part of the consumption is also included in the rations, so we can't let them use up too much."

Lu Wei pondered for a moment. "Second Aunt is worried that someone might embezzle funds along the way?"

Meng Die slightly shook her head. "The issue of unbalanced accounts only became apparent in the capital because all the financial records from various regions converge here. In reality, the accounts in the local areas are even more chaotic. Too many people are trying to balance the books for their own gain."

Lu Wei nodded, pretending to understand. "I'll make sure to record every expense on this journey in meticulous detail."

Meng Die: "Hurry and pack, take a couple of warm outfits with you. I've heard it can be quite cold there."

"Okay."

Meng Die turned to Nurse Fan. "Nurse, when you return today, please promptly invite a physician who can accompany us on our journey. Lu Wei has never traveled far before. With the combination of waterways and land routes, I'm worried she might not acclimate well."

Nurse Fan: "I'll see to it that a physician is engaged right away. And there's one more thing – we've found someone who can construct a water mill."

Meng Die's face lit up with joy. "Excellent! That's wonderful news. Begin working on it immediately, and make several; even if there's no drought in the future, having extra water mills won't hurt."

Nanny Fan said, "I heard Liang mention that if the waterwheels are connected in a row, even areas far from the river can be transformed into irrigated fields." Rice yields more grain than wheat these days.

Meng Die nodded repeatedly. "Indeed. The funds for the waterwheels can be obtained directly from Manager Rong."

"Ah, I see."

Meng Die's group moved swiftly, and so did the Ministry of Revenue. Three days later, everything was prepared, and the grain conveyance team set off from the capital. The leader of this mission was none other than the Left Vice Minister of Revenue, Shentu Qingyun.

Riding on his horse, Shentu Qingyun was flooded with mixed emotions. For a moment, he couldn't decide whether it was better to lead the expedition or stay behind in the capital.

Somehow, a loose tongue had divulged the incident that occurred in the Diligent Governance Hall that day. The phrase "Aren't you ashamed?" had become the favorite expression among the citizens of the capital, echoing through streets and alleys at every turn.

That was tolerable. But Meng Die's scathing remark about the Ministry of Revenue officials being bloated and brainless had also been spread verbatim. Now, whenever people looked at these officials, their eyes would immediately be drawn to their bellies and heads.

Lately, those in the Ministry who could request leave had done so, hiding at home. Those who couldn't had simply taken up residence in the office, refusing to set foot outside for fear of facing others. Shentu Qingyun sighed softly at this thought. Perhaps it was better to go out after all. Glancing at the convoy belonging to Marquis Yongyi's estate, he quickly averted his gaze. "What time is it?"

"Your Excellency, the auspicious hour has arrived. We may proceed," came the reply.

"Onward," Shentu Qingyun urged his horse with a gentle squeeze of his legs, and the steed immediately broke into a gallop.

In the spring of the Bingwu year, the supply convoy destined for the front lines finally set off on its journey.

With the grain convoy dispatched, the day of the imperial examination soon arrived. Meng Die had full faith in Meng Yuan, but even so, she couldn't suppress the smile that spread across her face when the bearer of good news announced that the emperor had personally selected Meng Yuan as the top scholar, the zhuangyuan.

Yue Jingzhi also delivered an outstanding performance, though he fell one rank from his performance in the provincial exam. This time, he ranked third, as the tanzhu (third place). Not because the second-place candidate's essay was superior, but because the emperor playfully remarked that the tanzhu should preferably be a handsome one. And so Yue Jingzhi claimed the third spot.

During the Jade Forest Feast, the runner-up, brimming with joy, jokingly told Yue Jingzhi, "I said all along that one person can't have it all, and look! Indeed!"

Amidst the laughter of those around them, Meng Yuan had seized the opportunity of the Qionglin Feast to secretly meet with the emperor, presenting the evidence that Meng Tingyi had gathered.

A few days later, the Three Councillors, Zhao Hanzhang, suddenly suffered a stroke while discussing state affairs in the Diligent Governance Hall. After several court physicians took turns treating him, he narrowly escaped with his life but was left completely weakened, forcing him to retire to his home for recovery.

Upon hearing this news, Meng Die fell into a moment of silence. The karma she had sown, she would have to reap. Cause and effect always catch up in the end.

"Second Madam, the necklace is ready. Please take a look," Meihong said, entering the room with a brocaded box in her hands.

Meng Die snapped out of her thoughts and picked up the necklace from the box, examining it closely. "Very nice, just what I wanted. Keep it safe. In a few days, when Yan-er is getting married, we'll add this to her dowry."

"Ai."

Time flew by swiftly, and soon it was Li Yan's wedding day. The betrothal gifts had already been presented during the earlier ceremony, and being a wealthy salt merchant family, the Wangs didn't feel the need to flaunt their riches. They were well aware that Li Yan's older sister, Li Jin, had already married, so they respectfully sought the advice of Madam Wen before finalizing the gifts.

The betrothal gifts were generous but did not surpass those given for Li Jin's marriage. The Chen family was connected to an imperial prince, and Li Jin was the eldest daughter of her generation. If the Wangs' gifts exceeded those of the Chens, it would not show respect for Yan Sister but rather embarrass her.

Yan Sister's dowry was a level below Li Jin's. Li Jin was the daughter of a high-ranking prince, while Li Yan's father held only a fifth-rank official position. Nevertheless, to give Yan Sister face, Lady Hou added several imperial gifts to her trousseau, such as tribute silks, which held more significance in terms of prestige and the status they represented than their monetary value.

When Li Jin got married the last time, Li Ai's whereabouts were unknown, and Meng Die was essentially a widow in status; thus, she couldn't attend the wedding ceremony. Now, with news of Li Ai and her own newly acquired noble title, Meng Die's presence at Yan Sister's wedding would undoubtedly bring great honor to Li Yan. Therefore, aside from Li Mao and Madam Wen, Meng Die and Li Yan's own elder brother, Li Yun, also accompanied the wedding procession.

The Wang family was overjoyed to have secured such a prestigious marriage alliance. They felt no compunction about surpassing the Chen family in their own residence, reveling in their happiness and delight. They were also exceedingly warm and cordial towards everyone from the marquis's mansion who came to deliver the bride.

Meng Die distinctly sensed that many eyes were fixed upon her. However, when the groom, amid the urging of the crowd, lifted the bride's veil, the entire room's attention shifted to Li Yan, with audible gasps echoing prominently.

The groom himself was utterly astonished. During the ceremony where the couple first sees each other, he hadn't been deemed worthy to look upon her face. Upon his return, all he heard from his mother was that his bride was beautiful, but he hadn't taken it much to heart. For one, hailing from a family of merchants with immense wealth, he had grown up accustomed to being surrounded by beauties. Secondly, he believed that his mother had been blinded by the allure of the title "daughter of a Marquis."

At this moment, he truly believed his mother hadn't deceived him. His wife was so exquisitely beautiful that it made one's face flush and heart race. The mere sight of her brought boundless joy from the depths of his heart.

Li Yan stole a glance at Prince Wang Erlang, and the flush on her cheeks deepened. Secretly relieved, she thought to herself that both her birth father and younger brother were handsome; it was impossible for her not to be attracted to good looks. Indeed, Wang Erlang proved to be strikingly handsome, capturing her heart.

The matchmaker, an experienced woman, could tell from the couple's reaction that they would certainly have a harmonious marriage. She chuckled and said, "Groom, don't just stare at your bride. Sit down, for it is the tying of the hair that makes two truly wedded."

"Right, the hair binding," Wang ErLang echoed naively before promptly taking his seat.

Laughter rippled through the room. The matchmaker took a pair of scissors and skillfully cut a lock of hair from each of their heads. She then swiftly wove them into a unity knot and tied their skirts together. Servant girls brought in the shared wine cup.

Wang ErLang and Li Yan picked up their respective cups, clinked them together, and drank while entwining their arms. The room was filled with auspicious wishes and joyful laughter.

The groom's family invited the bride's family to partake in the toasts. Despite Meng Die's eloquence, on such a joyous day, and with the sincerity of the Wang family's toasts, she couldn't help but indulge in a few extra cups. By the time she returned home, her eyes shimmered with a misty sheen.

Meng Die returned to her courtyard, and upon seeing her state, Xing Huang promptly prepared a bowl of sobering soup. Mei'er led the maidservants and matrons to fetch water for a bath, while Meihong removed the jewelry from Meng Die's head and helped her shed her outer garments. This immediate relief made Meng Die feel much lighter. After consuming the sobering soup and taking a bath, the last remnants of her intoxication vanished. Fatigue and drowsiness set in, and Meng Die promptly retired to bed.

After a good night's sleep, due to the bustling preparations for the daughter's marriage at the Marquis's residence the previous day, following the same customs as when Li Jin was married, the matriarch graciously exempted everyone from the daily morning and evening greetings for three days, allowing everyone to rest well and also to ease the tension that had been building for several days.

Without the need to pay respects, Meng Die lingered in bed for a while before finally rising. Xue Qing and Meihong, who had been sleeping in the outer chamber, also got up. By the time Meng Die finished her grooming, Xing Huang had timely brought in a variety of light refreshments.

Yesterday we indulged in a heavy, greasy meal, so today it's perfect to have something light and refreshing. Meng Die's appetite instantly grew. Xue Qing said, "When Ama Fan visited yesterday, she mentioned that I should inform Second Aunt today. Head Wang from the manor said there are two families who recently bought back their freedom. Interestingly, these freed individuals were purchased by our Fourth Uncle's family this year."

Considering that the men from both households are mere farmers, it would be tolerable. But the fact that both families have daughters who have also entered the mushroom shed has made Headman Wang genuinely concerned about any potential mishaps.

Meng Die swallowed the food in her mouth. "Tell Headman Wang not to worry. Even if the recipe for the seasoning mixture gets out, it's no big deal. When I dared to employ outsiders on a large scale, I never expected to keep this recipe a secret. It won't be a problem."

Xue Qing heaved a sigh of relief. "As long as Second Grandma has a plan in mind, Headman Wang doesn't need to lose sleep over it."

Meihong chuckled. "You're talking about Headman Wang, but I think you didn't sleep well last night either, Sister."

Xue Qing's face flushed. "You're exposing my secrets! Can't you at least spare me some dignity?"

"Haha…"

Xue Qing glanced outside. "It's been quite some time. I wonder if Sister Lu Wei has reached the border or where she might be now."

Meng Die swiftly calculated in her mind. "She should be arriving soon. If she hasn't made it today, she'll definitely be here within a day or two."

Meng Die's estimation was spot on. Lu Wei and her companions were only a day and a half away from Akso. Assured of the group's safety, Min Hua took the lead to ride back to the city on horseback to deliver the message.

Upon seeing Min Hua, the gatekeepers hurriedly opened the city gates for him. "Captain Min, how is it?"

Min Hua grinned, revealing his broad, sparkling teeth. "It's done. The group will arrive shortly."

Upon hearing the news, the guards were overjoyed and passed it on, one by one. Before Min Hua even reached the Commander's residence, half of AkSu City was already aware. Many generals flocked to the residence, eager for updates.

Marquis Yongwei sat in his prominent seat, eagerly awaiting Min Hua's arrival.

As soon as Min Hua's figure appeared in the corridor, someone approached, looping an arm around his shoulder. "So, how did it go? Was the mission successful? Have the grains arrived?"

Min Hua chuckled. "Rest assured, everything went smoothly."

"You've done well!"

Min Hua burst into laughter. "As if I could! Can't you tell that I'm not up to the task?"

Amidst the jests, Min Hua entered the main hall. "This subordinate pays his respects to Marquis Yongwei."

Marquis Yongwei also inquired first. "And how did it go?"

Min Hua promptly replied, "Marquis, rest assured. I left the capital with the grain convoy. They should arrive as early as tonight or no later than noon tomorrow."

A collective sigh of relief echoed through the hall. The army was almost out of food. The cooks were already anxious just looking at the meager remains, afraid to ladle out any rice.

Min Hua continued, "Last year, several provinces suffered from droughts, while the southern regions were hit by floods. Then came the frost disaster earlier this spring, resulting in a significant decrease in grain production. Marquis Yongwei's prediction is spot on. The Emperor, out of necessity, has reduced the quality of our military rations, replacing rice and wheat with bean dregs and dried taro."

This was something that the generals in the hall had already heard Marquis Yongwei discuss before. They had anticipated it, so no one was disappointed or unwilling to accept it. They chorused, "As long as the quantity is sufficient and the quality is passable, last year's supply was far too poor."

Marquis Yongwei nodded in agreement.

Min Hua's smile was filled with smugness. "Of course, the quality must be good – exceptionally good, hehehehe... We owe it all to our Second Lady, don't we?"

Everyone was puzzled, and Min Hua's gaze turned to Li Ai. "Those heartless officials in the Ministry of Finance thought that since His Majesty mentioned downgrading the rations without specifying by how much, they could settle their own accounts at our expense. How could a simpleton like me have thought of such a scheme? Even our Prince didn't expect them to be so audacious. Fortunately, our Second Lady has her keen golden eyes, which saw through the Ministry of Finance's deceitful plot."

Marquis Yongwei: "What exactly happened?"

Min Hua: "Second Lady invited His Highness to the Diligent Governance Hall to listen in on the proceedings. She then refuted every proposal put forth by the Ministry of Finance, exposing their underhanded schemes and leaving them speechless. In the end, she scolded the old fox, the Minister of Finance, so fiercely that he fainted right there in the hall. Hehehehe... Now, everyone in the capital knows that the officials at the Ministry of Finance are fat and bloated from overindulgence, hehehe..."

Those who were farther away or less observant hadn't noticed Min Hua's gaze and were puzzled as to why Second Lady was mentioned. Marquis Yongwei's eldest son wasn't married yet. But when the topic turned to the scolding, everyone immediately thought of Li Ai, that shrewish wife, who seemed to be the second-born in her family – it all fit!

Marquis Yongwei had long known that the Ministry of Finance harbored ill intentions, but he also knew that his own mother wasn't very knowledgeable about such worldly matters, so he hadn't specifically warned her. He never expected this delightful surprise: "What happened next?"

Min Hua's smile widened: "With Second Lady exposing the Ministry of Finance's true colors and His Highness putting pressure on them, they had no choice but to do their job properly. This time, the Vice-Minister of Finance himself took charge of transporting the grain. He personally oversaw the collection of military provisions from various regions, ensuring that the quality and quantity of this year's supplies are genuine and substantial."

"Not only that, Your Highness has sent two experienced accountants to personally keep records. Oh, and our Second Lady also dispatched one of her personal maidservants. Her accounting skills are exceptional; the accountants from the palace praised her nonstop. I've even seen them seeking advice from that maid and mentioning they want to borrow her ledger for reference."

"Even those shameless officials from the Ministry of Finance have commended the young lady's work. The other day, I overheard them whispering about borrowing the ledger for their own copy when they return. Our Second Lady truly knows how to train people well."

Li Ai looked at Min Hua speechlessly. He wondered which noble family she had once served, as her words made it seem like she was from the Marquis Yongyi's household herself. She kept referring to their Second Lady.

Marquis Yongwei slapped his thigh in delight. "Excellent, excellent! Niece-in-law is indeed a heroine among women."

"Indeed, niece-in-law is truly a woman of great prowess. Changfeng, your luck is unparalleled. How did you manage to find such an outstanding wife?"

"Back then, they always said one should marry for virtue. I used to think it was all nonsense, but now I see the wisdom in it. With such a capable wife, how could our family's prosperity be in doubt?"

"Changfeng, you must cherish your wife dearly. You've been away for so many years, and she's had it tough on her own in the capital."

At that moment, Li Ai couldn't help but doubt if he was truly blessed by divine intervention to have triumphed in battles alongside this group of unreliable companions. Nevertheless, the corners of his mouth curled upward, unable to suppress a smile.

As Min Hua had predicted, by the next evening, Shentu Qingyun arrived at the city gates with a massive entourage. Upon seeing the majestic gatehouse, Shentu Qingyun nearly shed tears; the journey had been too arduous. Apart from the exhaustion of travel, he had also engaged in cunning contests with those beneath him. He had lost several rounds of flesh, transforming from a plump, jovial figure into a lean, spirited elder.

Thanks to Min Hua's early warning, the Marquis Yongwei knew that the leader of the delegation was the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Despite inwardly cursing the entire lineage of the ministry, the Marquis still dispatched an esteemed general to greet them. "I am Zheng Yuan, the vanguard commander under the Marquis Yongwei. Minister Shentu, please follow me."

Shentu Qingyun promptly returned the salute with a clasped fist. "Militia Commander, you're too courteous. I've heard that according to the rules, all who enter the city must undergo an inspection. Let's adhere to the rules."

Zheng Yuan chuckled. "Vice-Minister, you're a straightforward man. Then I'll have them proceed with the inspection."

"Please do," Shentu Qingyun replied.

With a wave of Zheng Yuan's hand, the prearranged inspectors immediately began their work. As they did, Zheng Yuan and Shentu Qingyun engaged in casual conversation, meandering through various topics without any real substance.

The soldiers in charge of the inspection grew increasingly delighted. Their leader, Min, had been right; the quality of this grain and fodder was exceptionally good. Even if it were downgraded, they would still be pleased.

"Head Zheng, everything's checked and in order," Shentu Qingyun exhaled deeply. Zheng Yuan waved his hand, indicating that they could proceed into the city. The inspecting soldiers then turned their attention to the family members, treating the household of Marquis Yongyi with particular courtesy. When the inspection was finally over, the soldiers exchanged glances, nudged one another, and chorused, "Thank you, Second Lady." Then, they hurriedly dispersed.

Manager Zheng and Fan Hong were initially taken aback, but their brows soon relaxed into wide smiles, feeling deeply gratified. In the carriage, Lu Wei couldn't contain her joy, her lips parting in delight.