Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!

Chapter 746: Chapter 746: Inferior in Skill_1

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren had already obtained the prices for the jewelry sold overseas. With maritime trade only open for a few years, taxation was still very low, and indeed, the prices of jewelry were not cheap. Particularly the complete sets of expensive jewelry, some of which could even fetch a price three times higher than the domestic rate.

Zhou Shuren felt it was a pity in his heart; the precious jewelry from the Ministry of Revenue had already been used to supplement the treasury with silver, leaving behind only pieces that were not considered valuable, though thankfully the quantity wasn’t small. He put away the list of jewelry prices; these had to be turned over to the higher-ups.

Zhou Shuren took out the Zhezi that he had prepared a long time ago. While Qiu Yan was away reconciling accounts with the Grand Master of Writing, he began to write the Zhezi. He already had a draft in mind, which made writing it quick, but due to the large number of characters, it still took him half an hour to write.

Fortunately, before Qiu Yan returned, the ink on Zhou Shuren’s Zhezi had already dried.

As Qiu Yan entered the room, his sharp eyes immediately noticed the Zhezi in Zhou Shuren’s hand, ”Mr. Zhou, have you written a Zhezi?”

Zhou Shuren smiled, ”Yes, Mr. Qiu, you’re back. I was just about to go see the Grand Master of Writing.”

Clutching the account books, Qiu Yan probed tentatively, ”Mr. Zhou, have you thought of a method to procure silver? I admire you. Mr. Zhou is truly valued by the Emperor and the Grand Master of Writing.”

Zhou Shuren’s smile remained unchanged, ”The Emperor and the Grand Master of Writing also value Mr. Qiu. One can see that from how busy you are. I cannot compare with Mr. Qiu.”

Qiu Yan’s gaze grew heavy as Zhou Shuren did not answer directly. He had his answer—it indeed was a method. ”The Grand Master of Writing is probably waiting for Mr. Zhou. Please go ahead.”

He wanted to see what method Zhou Shuren had thought of. He knew very well that the greater the hopes, the greater the disappointment.

Zhou Shuren smiled and nodded, ”Alright.”

Xiao Qing saw Zhou Shuren come in with the Zhezi; he did not expect Zhou Shuren to finish writing it so quickly. He had given Zhou Shuren two days in his mind to complete it. Yes, he wanted to give more time, but the end of the month was approaching fast, and the Ministry of Revenue needed silver.

Xiao Qing’s eyes did not leave the Zhezi as he spoke, ”You really have an efficient way of handling tasks.”

Zhou Shuren handed the Zhezi to the Grand Master of Writing, ”I had already thought of this well in advance; I was only missing some data. However, since I am new to the Ministry of Revenue, there are still some operations I do not understand deeply. Please take a look, and if there’s anything inappropriate, I’ll need you to point it out.”

He didn’t think his ideas were perfect. The Ministry of Revenue managed silver, and its officials were real foxes—especially Xiao Qing, who had been the Chief of Staff for over a decade, dealing with silver every day. Whether it was the grand strategy or insight, he was top-notch.

Xiao Qing took the Zhezi without opening it, but the thickness alone was enough to reassure him, ”Take a seat for a while; I’ll have a look first.”

Zhou Shuren made himself comfortable in the chair, and soon someone brought tea. As he sipped, he couldn’t help but reflect that the perks at the Ministry of Revenue were incomparable to when he was Prefect of Jinzhou; no matter how cash-strapped the Ministry of Revenue appeared to be, it never shortchanged itself. Indeed, life was tough enough without adding self-inflicted suffering that would only lead to depression.

Xiao Qing had already flipped open the Zhezi, and upon seeing the prices of the overseas jewelry, he immediately thought of increasing taxes, both on imports and exports. It wouldn’t be just for jewelry. Calculating the years of maritime trade, even with increased taxes, merchants and foreign traders who had tasted enough profits would accept it. His gaze landed on Zhou Shuren, who as Prefect of Jinzhou with Pinggang within his jurisdiction, must have long considered the idea of raising taxes!

Xiao Qing’s expression relaxed a bit. This one idea was excellent—not only could it deal with the Ministry’s stockpile of valueless jewelry, but it could also permanently increase the treasury’s silver. Eager, he looked forward to reading the next suggestions.

Zhou Shuren felt that the Grand Master of Writing was taking his time reading; he had already drunk two cups of tea and been to the restroom once, and upon his return, the Grand Master of Writing was still engrossed in the Zhezi.

Xiao Qing put down the Zhezi, excitedly stood up, and Zhou Shuren saw the Grand Master of Writing take out a box, unlocking the well-secured container in silence.

Sensing the gaze, Xiao Qing felt awkward, remembering the time he took Zhou Shuren to the palace, during which he kept lamenting the lack of funds. Coughing slightly, he said, ”This box contains the last valuable items of the Ministry of Revenue. They were kept as a precaution, and there are not many deeds left.”

He rarely used these deeds for the shops because, during his many years at the Ministry of Revenue, he understood the importance of holding a trump card. Recalling the tears of his early days there, it was all the more crucial to have a backup.

Zhou Shuren glanced briefly, and indeed there were few deeds left. No one would believe it if word got out, but who could blame them? The Ministry of Revenue had cried poverty for so many years that its credibility had worn thin. ”Grand Master, are you showing me these deeds because...?”

Xiao Qing laughed heartily, ”Your last idea is very good. In the future, when this place is under the Ministry of Revenue’s name, naturally the Ministry will take care of it.”

Zhou Shuren, ”Grand Master is right.”

It saved him the trouble of having to find a location.

Taking the deed to the largest and finest shop with a backyard, Xiao Qing carefully folded up Zhou Shuren’s Zhezi, ”You will accompany me to the palace.”

In an instant, Zhou Shuren felt Grand Master of Writing straighten his back, ”Yes.”

Xiao Qing put the remaining deeds away, looking at the empty box, his heart felt unbearably sour. The Ministry of Revenue was now the laughingstock, but he believed that in the future, the treasury would become abundant, and they would stand tall and proud wherever they went. Did they really think he enjoyed claiming poverty?

Mr. Qiu was the first one to know when the Grand Master and Zhou Shuren entered the palace. His mind felt blank, and his heart even more stifled. Their palace visit meant Zhou Shuren’s method was good.

Before Zhou Shuren arrived, Mr. Qiu had been cautiously guiding the Ministry of Revenue officials, but his method to both promote and undermine Zhou Shuren was now useless. As long as Zhou Shuren indeed secured the silver, he would firmly establish himself. Reluctantly, Mr. Qiu had no way to stop him; one must admit when another is superior.

On the carriage to the palace, Xiao Qing’s hand never left the Zhezi; the more he looked at Zhou Shuren, the more he took a liking to him, his eyes gleamed with laughter. Zhou Shuren had handed the Zhezi to him right away, instead of rashly going over his head directly to the Emperor; this was trust in him. Moreover, Zhou Shuren was truly level-headed, not blinded by the prospect of immediate promotion, no wonder the Emperor valued him so much. The Emperor’s favorite was someone who knew when to advance and when to retreat.

He too favored those who could wisely advance and retreat, those who could devise ways to secure silver for the Ministry of Revenue.

In Lizhou Province, Chang Yi finally reached the gates of the Prefecture City, ”We’ve made it after a non-stop ride.”

He had lost weight on the journey, but his spirit had been lifted considerably.

Young servant, ”Indeed, Second Master, do you see someone ahead coming to meet us?”

Chang Yi immediately spotted the man rising from his seat in the teahouse at the city’s gate—it was his uncle—and he quickly dismounted, ”Yes.”

Yang Zhumu laughed heartily, ”I almost didn’t recognize you. Chang Yi, you’ve lost quite a bit of weight!”

Chang Yi smiled, ”Uncle, why have you come in person?”

Yang Zhumu patted his nephew’s shoulder; hmm, he’d lost weight but grown tougher, he used to not be able to withstand his slap, ”Wu Chun was supposed to come, but had to return to the barracks on urgent business, so I came myself. And your father, he has risen very quickly. He’s only been a Magistrate for a few years, and now he’s already in the capital.”

He was half out of his senses when he received the joyful news; it was only after his son explained that he understood what a Vice Minister of Revenue was—the man in charge of silver. His brother-in-law was really remarkable.

Chang Yi was dumbfounded, ”My father has gone to the capital?”

Yang Zhumu, upon hearing this, ”You don’t know?”

Chang Yi shook his head, ”Uncle, please, tell me how my father went to the capital?”

Yang Zhumu said, ”You must have been traveling and couldn’t be informed. Your father has been promoted to a third-rank official, acting temporarily as the deputy minister of the Ministry of Revenue. By my count, he should have already assumed office.”

Chang Yi repeated in a daze, ”The Vice Minister of Revenue?”

My heavens, my father is truly amazing. No wonder my younger brother always trusts him more than anyone!