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

Chapter 875: Chapter 875: Make Yourself Babe’s Treasure

When she first arrived in the capital, she was a Fifth-rank official’s family member, but what was the result? She was looked down upon, faced difficulties at every turn, and had to rely on herself for everything.

As for my younger sister, her husband has entered the Hanlin Academy, protected by Grand Master Zhou, she is well-liked in the capital. Hardly anyone causes her trouble, and I envy her for that.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren handed over the organized ledgers and account books to the Grand Master of Writing, ”Sir, this way of bookkeeping is clearer, and it allows for comparison with the previous year. In the future, the tax revenue for each state and each item can be more clearly understood, saving the Ministry of Revenue a lot of trouble.”

God knows, when the tax revenue records from the states came, his head would explode. Without the convenience of Arabic numerals, the tallying of endless numbers was a nightmare.

Xiao Qing was surprised and pleased, indeed this saved a lot of trouble, and Zhou Shuren had even left space for comparison. Such changes in tax revenue were blatantly obvious and would allow for accurate problem detection.

Xiao Qing had a complex expression, ”You could have released this thing later.”

Once he had been transferred, and Zhou Shuren took over his position, it would all be credited as Zhou Shuren’s solo achievement. His recent actions didn’t escape Xiao Qing’s notice, and he didn’t believe that Zhou Shuren failed to understand the deeper intention.

Zhou Shuren had planned to do this when he first entered the Ministry of Revenue, but he had tripped himself up, and then he was in a rush to figure out how to acquire silver, so it kept getting postponed. Afterward, other matters piled up, and it never came to fruition. He had thought about waiting, as he wasn’t so generous as to share the credit.

He selfishly thought to wait for a year or two.

Although being pushed to the forefront by the Emperor and Crown Prince did not pose any danger, it made him aware of his own vulnerability — even if the Emperor and Crown Prince considered him valuable, he wasn’t yet untouchable.

Furthermore, with his recent actions towards Zhang Yang, the Emperor was a keen observer and would eventually see through his thoughts. Everyone else might be fooled, but the Emperor would discover his true intentions sooner or later.

He didn’t dare to gamble with the Emperor’s heart. If the Emperor thought him too shrewd, that would not be the outcome he desired. Hence today’s action, his wife had said, what he could do now was to make himself indispensable.

When Xiao Qing saw that Zhou Shuren didn’t respond, he glanced at Zhou Shuren’s eyes, then quickly averted his gaze. When Zhou Shuren had first joined the Ministry of Revenue, Xiao Qing could detect even the slightest change in his emotions. Now, he could not tell anymore, ”I’ll attend court tomorrow.”

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes internally. You finally remember you’re the Grand Master of Writing, Sir. How many times have you attended court this month, leaving me alone in the court hall? Excellent, my skill in Tai Chi is almost maxed out, ”Your subordinate will take his leave now.”

Xiao Qing hummed in acknowledgment, and after Zhou Shuren left, he picked up the papers to look through them again. His somewhat lean fingers brushed over each chart. Who wouldn’t want more accolades? It wouldn’t be long before he got a transfer, and additional achievements were only beneficial to him, although the key credit would still go to Zhou Shuren.

Xiao Qing thought that people say it’s sometimes good to be confused, but the capital didn’t permit confusion.

Zhou Shuren left the Grand Master of Writing’s residence feeling light-hearted. He too had an ace up his sleeve in the officialdom — his wife. Over the years, she had talked to him about the economy, management, and what strategies could be used.

Whistling a tune, Zhou Shuren thought of Wu Ming’s upcoming arrival in the capital. Once all his strategies were in place, as long as the Zhou family was steady, a future of wealth and honor was assured.

He and his wife had truly done right by their ancestors.

The next day, at early court, Zhou Shuren followed behind the Grand Master of Writing. Li Zhao, accustomed to consulting Zhou Shuren, was surprised to see Xiao Qing today, ”Bring over the lantern, let me take a closer look. Isn’t this Grand Master Xiao? We rarely get the pleasure of seeing you!”

Xiao Qing was in a good mood that day, but habitually retorted sarcastically, ”Who asked for my good fortune that you can’t envy.”

Li Zhao, ”...And here I was, concerned that your health might be failing. Now it seems Grand Master Xiao is in excellent shape.”

The Minister of Personnel, Minister Wang, squinted his eyes, ”Grand Master Xiao looks like he has good news. Since we have some time before the palace gates open, why not share a bit with us first?”

Xiao Qing, ”I’ve heard that Minister Wang’s family has quite a few happy events too. Didn’t your grandson just get engaged a while ago?”

The Minister of Personnel cursed inwardly at the old fox, but quickly changed the subject, ”Grand Master Zhou’s grandson is also engaged, congratulations! I recall favoring the Liu family for my grandson as well, but alas the Liu girl was somewhat older than my grandson.”

Zhou Shuren couldn’t believe that Master Wang was joking. He certainly must hold the Liu family in high regard, lucky for them that they differed greatly in age, ”Congratulations to Master Wang on your grandson’s fortunate match.”

Anyway, he just wouldn’t bring up his own affairs; once he started, he wouldn’t be able to get off easily.

The palace gates opened, and people entered one after another. Today, the cold wind was fierce, and to avoid a bellyful of wind, everyone kept their mouths shut.

The Emperor had just arrived when Xiao Qing stepped forward, ”Your servant has a matter to report.”

As he spoke, he took out the Zhezi and account books and handed them up.

As soon as Xiao Qing opened his mouth, the court became even quieter, with only the whistling of the wind outside audible. Although everyone was mentally prepared for Xiao Qing to have a matter to report, the sight of the account books still set their hearts on edge.

What new issue had arisen just as the Jianghuai matter had settled?

The Emperor was well aware of the situation. He had people watching over the officials he valued, and every action they took was under his scrutiny. There were those whom he ignored, simply because the time was not right, and there were those whom he left for the Crown Prince to handle as a means of establishing authority. He was saving these concerns up, as they would have to be settled sooner or later.

Upon looking at the Zhezi and flipping through the account book, which was half larger than the usual ones, the Emperor’s face showed pleasure, ”Good, Zhou, my beloved official, truly is a pillar of the state, with great talent. Zhou, step forward.”

Zhou Shuren was always on edge, ”Your servant is here.”

The Emperor stroked his chin, ”From this day forth, you are promoted to Third Rank.”

Zhou Shuren wanted to scratch the Emperor’s face, not mentioning the Ministry of Personnel where he also had friends. The Emperor had already intended to promote him to Third Rank next year, and now it had turned into a ’reward’, which made him feel like vomiting blood.

Zhou Shuren suppressed the urge to vomit blood and spoke, ”Your servant dares not take credit alone. The achievement was also due to the collective effort of the entire Ministry of Revenue.”

The Emperor was pleased with Zhou Shuren’s action, not taking all the credit for himself, which made him more at ease to use Zhou, ”Everyone in the Ministry of Revenue shall be rewarded.”

Some had wanted to bring up the case of Zhang Jinghong, but seeing the Emperor’s cheerful face, today was not the time to mention it.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren and the Grand Master of Writing had just arrived when the Emperor’s rewards arrived, and like a bonus, the rewards were in gold and silver.

Zhou Shuren, the Vice Minister of Revenue, received five hundred taels of silver, the Chief of Staff a thousand, and other officials received their deserved silver.

With the end of the year approaching, when expenses are high, now having a sum of silver added to the accounts lifted everyone’s spirits at the Ministry of Revenue.

Xiao Qing held Zhou Shuren back, hinting at something, ”Sometimes, a smaller reward may be more beneficial for the future.”

Because the Emperor would keep it in mind. He had his own scales in his heart, and what he owed now, that was for the future.

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that he preferred what he could hold in his hands now. As for the future, it was separated by too many uncertainties, ”This subordinate thanks the Grand Master.”

Xiao Qing smiled, ”From today on, you are Third Rank. With this promotion, you have completely crossed the barrier of the Third Rank. The future holds promise, the future holds promise.”

Zhou Shuren, ”In coming days, this subordinate shall invite the Grand Master to a meal, in gratitude for your care and promotion of this subordinate.”

”Good, good, I’ll be looking forward to that meal,” replied the official.