Chapter 5 Check the Account Department!
Xiao Yan sat on the dragon throne without saying a word, but the minds of his ministers became active.
If this matter is handled properly, it will be a great achievement and I will definitely be valued.
"Where is the Minister of Revenue?"
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yan decided to understand the current situation of the national treasury before making a decision. This matter cannot be done blindly.
"I am here!"
Liu Zhenghui stood up tremblingly. If anyone needed money for disaster relief, they would naturally go to him.
But now the treasury is empty and I really can’t come up with any money!
"Why are you shaking?"
Seeing Liu Zhenghui's appearance, Xiao Yan had some guesses in his mind.
"Your Highness, I am terrified!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes were like sharp swords, staring straight at him.
"Why are you so frightened? Have you done something wrong to our Great Zhou?"
As soon as these words came out, Liu Zhenghui quickly knelt down and said, "I am wronged. I am terrified not because of anything I have done."
"But the national treasury is now empty and there is no money for disaster relief?"
This statement further confirmed Xiao Yan's guess. How could Hu Zhenghe still have money when the power had been held for a long time?
"How is that possible? Others may not know how much tax our Great Zhou pays each year, but don't you know?"
"Now that you're telling me that the treasury is empty, shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
Liu Zhenghui was stared at by Xiao Yan and dared not raise his head. He knew where the money went, but he could not and dared not say it.
"Your Highness, our Great Zhou does have a lot of taxes every year, but the continuous expenditure in recent years has made it impossible to make ends meet!"
"Your Majesty is aware of all this!"
Xiao Yan remained silent, then stood up and put his hands behind his back.
"You're using my father to pressure me? You're the Minister of Revenue, not my father. If my father has to do everything himself, what's the point of you?"
"Please move the treasury accounts of recent years to the East Palace. I need to check the accounts. If I have any questions, you are the only one I can ask!"
Liu Zhenghui already knew his fate. Although he did not embezzle money, he could not escape blame for the loss of national treasury.
You can only accept your fate!
"I obey your order!"
However, he still had a glimmer of hope in his heart. After all, a prince who was known to be licentious and immoral would probably not even be able to understand the account book!
What's more , it is extremely difficult to check the accounts of several years. My own accounts have been kept flawless, and no one can find out anything even if they check.
"Who else has a copy?"
Looking at the ministers who were keeping their heads down and keeping silent below the stage, Xiao Yan knew that this account must be related to some of these people, and no one would dare to speak at this juncture.
"Since there is nothing else to do, let's leave the court. Also, I want to remind you, don't think that I don't know anything. Some of you should put away your little thoughts!"
"snort!"
"Farewell, Your Highness!"
Then Xiao Yan left amid the surprised gazes of his ministers.
Only after Xiao Yan left did the ministers dare to stand up straight, and Liu Zhenghui also stood up with the help of others.
When most people had left, Hu Zhenghe saw Liu Zhenghui about to leave and reached out to stop him.
"Master Liu, please stay. The Crown Prince is checking the accounts. You know what you should and shouldn't say, right?"
Liu Zhenghui was shocked. He was still in the hall and he was warned?
"Don't worry, Prime Minister. I understand!"
Hu Zhenghe nodded without saying anything more and left.
Liu Zhenghui wiped the sweat from his forehead. He could not afford to offend either side, so he could only hope that Xiao Yan could not understand the accounts.
After returning to the Ministry of Revenue, Liu Zhenghui did not dare to delay and quickly sorted out all the accounts of recent years and personally led people to deliver them to the Eastern Palace.
The Crown Prince's Mansion in the Eastern Palace.
"Your Highness, Lord Liu from the Ministry of Revenue is here!"
Xiao Yan didn't expect Liu Zhenghui to be so fast.
"Let him in."
Only then did Liu Zhenghui come in trembling with fear with several officials from the Ministry of Revenue.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
Xiao Yan looked up at them, then quickly wrote a piece of paper in his hand and handed it to Sande, whispering a few words in his ear. Sande then hurried out.
"Get up!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Xiao Yan felt a headache when he saw the accounts in everyone's hands. It would be quite difficult to check so many accounts.
"Put down the account book and wait outside!"
After they went out, Xiao Yan began to look through the account books.
Sande, who had been out for a long time, rushed back with some people.
Liu Zhenghui and others were very puzzled when they saw these people outside the door.
"Sir, why did His Highness call these people from the Imperial Academy here?"
Liu Zhenghui frowned when he heard this, feeling a little uneasy!
"Your Highness, someone is coming!"
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you!"
Xiao Yan stood up to greet him, this treatment was quite good.
"Everyone, get up!"
"I wonder why Your Highness has called me here?"
Xiao Yan smiled and said two words: "Check the accounts!"
The people in the Hanlin Academy were suddenly confused.
"Your Highness, if you want to write an article, we can do it, but accounting is not our strong point!"
Xiao Yan smiled and said, "Don't underestimate yourself. If I'm not mistaken, you are all experts in mathematics in the Hanlin Academy. Am I right?"
Speaking of this, each of these people became arrogant.
"Your Highness is right. Not only in the Imperial Academy, but also in the entire Great Zhou, there may not be anyone better than us in the art of numbers."
After hearing this, Xiao Yan became even more certain that this was the person he was looking for.
"Okay, in that case, you will stay in the East Palace today. I will teach you some things, and you must master them firmly."
"I will start checking the account books with you tomorrow!"
"San De, tell the people outside to go back and wait!"
Everyone was bewildered when they heard this. What ? But they had no choice but to obey the prince's orders.
"Your Highness obeys your order!"
Xiao Yan spent a day teaching everyone how to count using Arabic numerals and the simplest double-entry bookkeeping method .
This action immediately made everyone look at Xiao Yan with new eyes.
"Your Highness is truly talented! This... with these digital markers, mathematical calculations will be much simpler!"
"No, no, no, I think the double-entry bookkeeping method is the most eye-catching part. With this bookkeeping method, any cheating or omission will be exposed!"
"I thought I would have no rival in the art of numbers, I am ashamed."
Xiao Yan smiled slightly when he heard this. This group of old scholars can only be conquered by talent. If you have no talent, they will not recognize you.
"That's all for today. I'll start checking the accounts tomorrow. I don't have much time. I need to sort out all the accounts within three days."
"There will be a big reward after the task is completed!"
"Explain clearly to your family when you return. You will be staying at the Prince's Mansion for the next few days!"
"Have a good rest today and start checking the accounts tomorrow!"
Everyone also felt Xiao Yan's determination, and they dared not be careless about this matter!
"Your Highness obeys your order!"
After leaving the Prince's Mansion, these people were no longer excited about what they had learned.
"Now that we have entered the East Palace, I'm afraid we will have no way out!"
