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

Chapter 1727: Chapter 1727: Isn’t a Life of Wealth Good Enough?

Zhou Shuren continued to stare at the map, his gaze deep and penetrating. Not all the stationed generals were blameless. Did they truly think the Emperor was too far to notice? They should heed the Emperor’s words, for he knew everything.

The Emperor turned the string of pearls in his hand. “A considerable number of trading caravans travel this route each year. I hear they offer tributes along the way and are forced into employing escorts.”

The ministers in the study were astute, and several of the military generals swallowed hard. This was indeed the purpose of military expansion— not for the Imperial court’s defense but for personal gain.

Zhou Shuren thought the Emperor had more to say, and indeed, the Emperor continued, “Interestingly, if the caravans don’t use escorts, they encounter robberies three out of five times.”

Mr. Gong kept his mouth shut. Having become Minister of War, generals from various places had sent him congratulatory gifts. General Sun’s gift was particularly memorable. Fortunately, he cautiously only gave those gifts to appease the others, returning the rest!

The military generals remained silent, and no one in the study spoke.

Zhou Shuren chuckled internally. Without the silver seized from confiscations, the army couldn’t even replace their armor and weapons. Every year’s expenditure on food and salaries was a thorn in his side. If not for the tough times preventing military cuts, he hoped to reduce the numbers of those getting on in years.

The army’s provisions, such a colossal burden on the Imperial court!

After Mr. Gong and the others left, the Emperor left Zhou Shuren alone. “Sit.”

Zhou Shuren sat down. “Is there any other issue with General Sun?”

The Emperor nodded lightly. “Besides the embezzled silver, there’s the matter last year of Sun’s stationed soldiers, who perished due to a shortage of medicine during a heavy snowfall, but this was not reported to the court.”

Zhou Shuren frowned. The deceased and wounded soldiers were supposed to receive compensation silver, something the Ministry of Revenue disbursed; he knew it well. Last year, not a few stationed soldiers on the grasslands died. Frankly, it was still due to the inadequate conditions of ancient times; despite his efforts to change things, at times he felt powerless.

Zhou Shuren inquired, “What does the Emperor intend?”

This year’s provisions had long been distributed, yet how much had been fraudulently claimed was unclear to him.

The Emperor snorted, “That bastard Sun Yuan already has the local troops in his grip. He’s emboldened because they shield him up and down. So much for camaraderie, huh!”

Zhou Shuren didn’t comprehend comradeship, having neither gone to war nor fought alongside. When placing himself in others’ shoes, he didn’t feel much. He preferred to believe, “Sun Yuan is not foolish; I believe interests hold this more firmly.”

All in the same boat, no one can claim innocence. Initial solidarity can evolve into a web of interests once everyone’s bound by gains.

The Emperor signaled the Crown Prince to bring over a map, laying it on the table and pointing to the stationed positions. “There are thirty thousand soldiers and generals stationed here. The site was initially chosen for its defensive strength, and there are lingering foes on the grasslands. Sun Yuan deserves death.”

Zhou Shuren glanced at the Emperor’s solemn face. With the Zheng family as a prior example, Sun Yuan’s military expansion memorials had touched the Emperor’s reverse scale—military power—the Emperor’s greatest concern. “Invite Sun Yuan to the capital?”

The Emperor moderated his emotions. “No rush. I want to carefully investigate the stationed troops in various locations.”

Zhou Shuren speculated that the Emperor’s thorough understanding came not only from having informants within the army but also from his use of trading caravans to gather information far and wide. The Emperor truly trusted those under his command.

The Emperor continued, “The troops on the grasslands are indeed insufficient.”

Zhou Shuren raised his head. “What does the Emperor intend?”

Expansion wasn’t an option. If the Emperor dared speak of expansion, he would refuse.

The Emperor pointed at the map again. “Rotating garrisons. I plan to rotate them every three years so no one can cling to one spot.”

The stationed positions on the grasslands were numerous; some places could yield silver coins, while others were terribly harsh.

Zhou Shuren furrowed his brow, then relaxed. The Emperor thought farther ahead than he did. Adaptation issues and others would be pondered intricately by the Emperor. He wisely chose silence.

The Emperor added, “I wish to allocate more military silver.”

This was why Zhou Shuren was retained.

Zhou Shuren maintained an expressionless face, ready to listen without speaking.

The Emperor, “!!”

After all the preamble, the old fox showed this expression at the mention of silver!

The Crown Prince turned his head to look at the porcelain vase. Hmm, this year’s official kiln sent a fine vase to the palace.

After leaving the palace, Zhou Shuren hadn’t traveled far in his carriage when it stopped. “Mr. Gong didn’t return to the Ministry of War?”

Mr. Gong replied, “I’ve been waiting for Mr. Hou.”

Zhou Shuren invited Mr. Gong onto the carriage, and as it resumed, he remarked, “The silver for equipment upgrades was withdrawn from the Ministry of Revenue this morning.”

So why stop him?

Mr. Gong said, “To become Minister of War, this fortune seems a bit large.”

Zhou Shuren quietly watched Mr. Gong’s humble brag. The Emperor must have signaled his intentions long ago—this act of surprise was fooling no one.

Mr. Gong’s voice gradually lowered. “Having just taken over the Ministry of War, I’ve been fumbling and busy, never finding the chance to invite Mr. Hou for tea. I wish to invite you for a cup.”

Zhou Shuren, “In my view, Mr. Gong is quite commendable.”

He raised a thumbs-up. When Li Zhao was around, repeated requests for equipment upgrades never succeeded. This gentleman must be impressive!

Mr. Gong’s expression showed discomfort; he could only chuckle awkwardly. “Still far from it.”

Zhou Shuren responded with a detached “Oh,” killing the conversation.

The next morning at court, Zhou Shuren and Zheng Hong exchanged no words. Zheng Hong stood among the military ranks, and by now their familial ties were well-known.

Besides the Zheng family’s entrustment, everything that needed investigating was clear.

The back road of entrustment, the Emperor must be aware of it.

Zheng Hong had not mentioned the family estate, evidently unwilling to reclaim it, and Zhou Shuren didn’t press to return it.

Zheng Hong was now an emerging figure in the capital. The women of the Zheng family hadn’t entered the capital, but details of the family’s situation were thoroughly investigated. Zheng Hong’s youngest daughter was fifteen, and the legitimate younger son hadn’t been betrothed, making some families even warmer towards Zheng Hong.

Zhou Shuren found himself puzzled. After court, he asked Wong Ju, “Do you want a relative like Earl Zheng?”

Wong Ju replied, “I’m not crazy.”

The Wong family needn’t seek alliances based on military power; that wasn’t marriage but gambling with lives!

The Wong family stayed within bounds, maintaining their vast wealth with integrity. Wasn’t a peaceful affluent life appealing?

Zhou Shuren patted Wong Ju’s shoulder, “Your response is normal. Why is someone being so unwise?”

Wong Ju tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Because we lack higher aspirations?”

Zhou Shuren nodded in agreement, “You’re right.”

Wong Ju spoke quietly, “You aren’t too close with the Zheng family, are you?”

Zhou Shuren, “I thought you wouldn’t ask!”

“I trust you.”

Zhou Shuren chuckled, “There won’t be any deeper entanglements.”

Wong Ju smiled broadly, “I knew you were sensible.”

At noon in Marquis Zhou’s residence, Zhulan handed a letter to Lady Li, “Take a look as well.”

After reading it, Lady Li was surprised. “These are quite good shop locations. Why does the Luo family’s matriarch want to sell them?”

Zhulan was unsure; she didn’t want to delve into it. “She wants to sell them to me. What do you think?”

Lady Li was slightly tempted, as the shops were indeed good. “Do you want to buy them, Mother?”

Zhulan shook her head, having accumulated enough properties already. “I don’t need them. Do any of you want to buy them?”