Chapter 180

Chapter 180

Having uncovered the tax evasion issue, Meng Shuping only stayed briefly to review the ledgers after his shift before leaving the Ministry of Revenue.

However, as soon as he stepped out, he spotted Jiang Cihe's carriage waiting at the entrance. He quickly jogged over and got in, finding Jiang Cihe already inside.

Meng Shuping couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you just come in for me? I had originally planned to stay longer tonight, but I changed my mind. If I hadn't, you'd have been waiting ages."

Jiang Cihe looked Meng Shuping up and down in disbelief, amused, and couldn't resist teasing him, "You actually wanted to stay behind and work?"

Meng Shuping was momentarily speechless, then replied somewhat guiltily, "...I am very responsible, you know?"

[Even though I don't want to do it, have I ever half-assed any job?]

Jiang Cihe chuckled, "Yes, yes, you're certainly diligent when it counts. But why did you want to stay longer this time? Did you run into a tricky problem?"

Meng Shuping explained, "Mainly because I've just taken over this position and need to straighten out the books first. What if there are gaps or errors in the previous records that end up screwing me over? But actually, I did discover something."

Jiang Cihe asked curiously, "What is it?"

Meng Shuping remarked incredulously, "The Ministry is missing a ton of tax revenue that they haven't been able to collect."

Jiang Cihe urged, "Do tell."

So Meng Shuping filled him in on his discoveries and what Vice Director Deng had told him. "...You see, Lord Chen always says there's no money, but if we could collect all those overdue taxes, wouldn't we be way better off? It's just that this matter is a tough nut to crack."

Although Meng Shuping was new to the bureaucracy, it was easy to imagine that anything stepping on so many officials' toes would face strong opposition. Even with some support, it could easily blow up in their faces—history's full of such examples.

Jiang Cihe thought for a moment and said, "I've got a plan."

Meng Shuping asked curiously, "What is it?"

Jiang Cihe smiled at him and said, "It's a long story. Why don't we head to my estate to talk?"

Meng Shuping widened his eyes slightly, "Are you trying to lure me back to your place?"

Jiang Cihe feigned a sigh, "Yes, since you won't move in with me."

Meng Shuping choked and, after a pause, stammered, "...I'm still young!"

[What should I do, what should I do? He wouldn't actually try anything, would he? Come to think of it, people in ancient times did mature earlier and marry young. What if he wants to do something intimate? I can't very well refuse!]

Jiang Cihe laughed, "My memory isn't that bad. It's just that eating alone every day feels a bit lonely. Aren't you going to keep me company?"

Although Meng Shuping knew Jiang Cihe was playing the sympathy card, he still didn't have the heart to say no. After hesitating, he said, "Alright."

[Ugh, why am I such a softie?]

The two took the carriage back to Jiang Cihe's princely estate. After dinner, Jiang Cihe took Meng Shuping for a walk in the garden to aid digestion. Meng Shuping asked, "So what exactly is your idea?"

Jiang Cihe replied, "Kill the chicken to scare the monkeys."

Meng Shuping was puzzled, "Huh?"

Jiang Cihe explained, "Do you remember the former Yunzhou Prefect?"

Meng Shuping nodded, "Yes, what about him?"

Jiang Cihe said, "When I interrogated him, I stumbled upon something. The reason he exposed our relationship during the morning court session wasn't just because of his personal grudge against you—someone else had instigated him."

Meng Shuping thought about the people the Yunzhou Prefect might have had contact with but couldn't guess who it might be. He asked curiously, "Who instigated him?"

[Guan Siming? Shi Yue? Wu Qing? Or the sons of some other ministers? So hateful, so hateful! The downside of having offended so many people is that there are too many suspects. But just wait until I find out who it is—I'll make them pay!]

Jiang Cihe's lips curved slightly, almost a smile. He said, "Hong Da's second son."

Meng Shuping said angrily, "So it was him!"

[Who would have thought? Hong Da's second son seemed quiet and unassuming, yet he's so insidious. Truly, the biting dog doesn't bark.]

Jiang Cihe nodded expressionlessly and said, "Besides that, the accident with your carriage back then was also related to Hong Da. Since we're already at odds with him, we might as well use this opportunity to eliminate him."

Meng Shuping exclaimed in surprise, "You already found evidence of him and his clan evading taxes?"

[No way? I just discovered this issue, and he's already investigated it? That quickly?]

Jiang Cihe said helplessly, "How could that be? My point is, we can start investigating now. Besides, I already have some other evidence of his crimes. When we combine the charges, he won't be able to escape."

Meng Shuping also thought it was a good idea. "But how do we investigate? His hometown isn't in the capital, is it?"

Jiang Cihe thought for a moment. "If I remember correctly, the former Minister of Works was transferred to Hong Da's hometown. It would be more convenient to have him investigate."

He could send his own men to investigate, but it wouldn't be as convenient as having the former Minister of Works handle it. However, thinking of Meng Shuping's past conflicts with the former Minister of Works, he fell silent.

But just as he was about to consider other methods, Meng Shuping said excitedly, "That's perfect! He still owes me a few favors. This is a good chance to collect. I thought I'd never have the opportunity!"

Jiang Cihe asked incredulously, "He owes you favors?"

How could something so surreal be possible?

Meng Shuping recounted his encounters with the former Minister of Works. After hearing the story, Jiang Cihe found it even more unbelievable. Was that really possible?

He pondered for a moment and said, "How can that be considered him repaying a favor? If he manages to collect the taxes for the court with our support, wouldn't that mean we're helping him? In fact, he would owe you another favor!"

Meng Shuping was stunned. [Wow! How did I not think of that?]

Some time later, Shi Yue, who was far away in the provinces, received a letter from Meng Shuping. He was very puzzled—why would Meng Shuping write to him out of the blue? Their relationship wasn't that good, was it?

But after opening and reading the letter, he angrily threw it to the ground. "Shameless! Utterly shameless! He wants me to do all this time-consuming, labor-intensive work that will make me countless enemies, and he has the nerve to say he's helping me? Hmph! Do I look easy to fool?"

Moreover, those local powers weren't people to be trifled with. If Meng Shuping was simply using him and planned to discard him afterward, what kind of outcome could he expect?

However, after his anger subsided, he calmed down. Although Meng Shuping's words were shameless, he had to admit there was some truth to them. Having been demoted to this place, without any significant achievements, when would he ever return to the capital? It wouldn't be long before the Emperor forgot about him entirely, let alone have a chance for reinstatement.

After thinking it over, Shi Yue gritted his teeth and picked up the letter from the ground. Fine, he would do it for his own sake. If he missed this opportunity, who knew when another would come along?

After sending the letter to Shi Yue, Meng Shuping threw himself back into reviewing the accounts. However, aside from the issue of overdue taxes, other problems weren't as easily discovered.

He compiled data from previous years' accounts. Some time later, he received materials sent separately by Shi Yue and Jiang Cihe.

Once everything was prepared, he brought these materials to the morning court session. Soon, the court session began as usual. Meng Shuping glanced ahead and felt anxious. [Sigh, what should I do? I'm a bit nervous doing something like this for the first time! Maybe I should wait a little longer? I need to mentally prepare myself first.]

Emperor Qianyou was listening to a minister's report when he overheard Meng Shuping's thoughts. He grew curious—what exactly did Meng Shuping want to do? Assuming Meng Shuping would speak up later, he turned his attention back to the others.

After a while, when the speaking minister finished, Meng Shuping mustered his courage again, ready to step forward. But just then, another official stepped out first. Meng Shuping quickly retracted his foot and retreated. [Forget it, let him speak first. I can use a bit more time to prepare.]

However, after four or five ministers had finished their reports and several rounds of arguments had ensued, Meng Shuping still hadn't stepped forward. [Hiss... I don't think I'm fully prepared today. Maybe I should wait until the next court session?]

Emperor Qianyou, the Minister of Revenue, and others couldn't help but glare at Meng Shuping. What on earth did he want to say? He had piqued their curiosity, and now he was just going to drop it? How could he do such a thing?

Emperor Qianyou took a deep breath, "Minister Meng!"

Meng Shuping was lost in thought when he suddenly heard Emperor Qianyou call his name, snapping him to attention. He instinctively looked up and noticed Emperor Qianyou looking right at him, so he quickly stepped forward, "Here."

Emperor Qianyou asked him, "You've been in the Ministry of Revenue for a while now. How is everything going?"

Instantly, envious glances from the court officials fell upon Meng Shuping. Just look at how favored he is—the Emperor even personally asks if he’s doing well. They wished they could receive such concern too!

And with the Emperor backing him, who would be foolish enough to openly cause trouble? Everyone knew Meng Shuping loved tattling on others.

As the center of envy, Meng Shuping didn’t feel honored at all. Bracing himself, he replied, "Your Majesty, there is indeed one matter that is not going smoothly."

The court officials looked at Meng Shuping in surprise. There really was something not going smoothly? Who would dare to make things difficult for Meng Shuping?

Emperor Qianyou was also taken aback and asked curiously, "What matter is not going smoothly?"

Meng Shuping had a prepared document handed over to Emperor Qianyou. "Your Majesty, please take a look. This records the unpaid taxes by powerful local families. Just in the first half of this year, they owe the court approximately three million taels of silver. Combined with unpaid taxes from previous years, the total over the past decade amounts to at least sixty to seventy million taels."

Emperor Qianyou was stunned. Sixty to seventy million taels?

He took the memorial and examined it, noticing that Meng Shuping’s report was quite unusual—it contained some strange charts and diagrams, but these made the data very clear and intuitive.

The court officials gasped in shock. They knew Meng Shuping was bold, but they never imagined he would be this daring. Was he trying to offend every local power at once?

Moreover, many officials’ own families belonged to these powerful local families! Was he planning to target so many people simultaneously?

They discreetly glanced at Emperor Qianyou, curious about his reaction. However, Emperor Qianyou showed no particular expression and asked Meng Shuping, "Are you suggesting we press for tax collection?"

Although he didn’t want to discourage Meng Shuping, this matter was far from simple.

Meng Shuping mustered the courage and said, "I believe that the failure to collect these taxes is entirely due to General Hong. Therefore, I accuse him of undermining court integrity!"

Emperor Qianyou felt confused once again, "What?"

What did Hong Da have to do with this?

The other officials were also utterly bewildered. Weren't they just discussing unpaid taxes? How did General Hong get dragged into this? Could it be that General Hong was obstructing tax collection?

Hong Da stepped forward with an annoyed expression, "Meng Shuping, you’re spouting nonsense! What do their unpaid taxes have to do with me?"

Emperor Qianyou composed himself and asked, "Minister Meng, what has General Hong done?"

Meng Shuping declared righteously, "As a great general of the court, he holds high rank and great power. He knows full well that taxes should not be withheld, yet he allows his clansmen to commit tax evasion. If someone as influential as him hadn’t set such a bad example, how would others dare to follow suit? Therefore, the failure to collect taxes is entirely because he led the way in undermining court discipline!"