CHAPTER 309: CHAPTER 309: IRRITABILITY

In the following month or so, the Personal Guard Camp gradually sent back several batches of refugees. Each batch had around four to five hundred people, not a large number, but the frequency was getting higher and higher.

Initially, it was expected that the First, Second, and Third Camps of the Personal Guard would each send back one batch of refugees per month. However, now they’re sending at least two batches every month, sometimes even three.

The County Magistrates from the Fourteen Counties didn’t need to compete at all. At this rate, each county town would need to receive many refugees. Moreover, these numbers are constantly increasing.

The County Magistrates were beaming with joy, unable to keep their mouths shut, but Chief Historian Feng was not at all pleased.

Chief Historian Feng was calculating faster and faster, and the account books were piling up higher and higher. His impatience grew, and his thunderous scolding could be heard from the Household Department, echoing far and wide.

The workshop’s Minister of Industry, Shen Gongzheng, braced himself and went to the Household Department to request silver: "Chief Historian Feng, the Personal Guard Camp is requesting weapons and armor. I’ve calculated three times, and the needed iron materials are written on paper; we also need silver to buy other ingredients."

Seeing the shocking numbers on the paper, Chief Historian Feng’s face darkened, and his anger surged: "Why do you need so many weapons and armors?"

Shen Mu cleared his throat and lowered his voice: "The Personal Guard Camp has been secretly expanding, and also, the personal soldiers escorting the Tang Family to promote new grain often drove away refugees, which caused a fair amount of wear and tear. Naturally, the need for weapons and armor has grown more and more."

Fearing that Chief Historian Feng wouldn’t agree, he added, "This is already the minimal number I’ve calculated; it cannot be reduced further."

Shen Mu was tall and dark-skinned; busy in the workshop all day, he hadn’t gotten any lighter. The dark shadows under his eyes never faded.

Chief Historian Feng, filled with complaints, couldn’t bring himself to lash out at Shen Mu, who was diligently absorbed in his work. With a stern face, he signed and stamped the paper.

Shen Mu’s dark face immediately relaxed, and he repeatedly thanked Chief Historian Feng while quickly going to collect the silver, as if afraid that Feng might change his mind at any moment.

Chief Historian Feng, both annoyed and amused, remarked: "This old Shen, does he think I’m a man-eating tiger?"

Not really, where would you find a tiger as fearsome as you?

The many cloistered clerks in the Household Department inwardly murmured in ridicule.

At this moment, another figure gracefully entered the Household Department.

"Chief Historian Feng," Yang Shi from the Criminal Room smiled and cupped his hands, immensely polite: "Our Criminal Room’s expenses for this month have been delayed for a few days; I’ve come to see what’s going on."

Chief Historian Feng gave a sidelong glance: "The Criminal Room is only five days late; what’s the rush? Currently, the funds are tight, and silver is needed everywhere, so you’ll need to wait a bit longer."

The military pay for the Personal Guard Camp cannot be reduced, and weapons, armor, and horses must be adequately supplied. The Nanyang Army is also a bottomless pit, requiring a huge silver injection every year. The Prince Mansion also needs to subsidize the few impoverished counties among the Fourteen Counties of Nanyang every year. Now with the endless stream of refugees being sent to Nanyang County...

And don’t forget the Capital City, where the Commandery Princess resides. To show respect to Empress Dowager Zheng and maintain good relations with officials, these are all substantial expenses.

Chief Historian Feng wished he could grow three heads and six arms or plant a Money Tree outright.

Yang Zheng ran into a hard wall, feeling somewhat embarrassed, and his tone was less friendly: "Previously, it was always on time every month. Why is there a delay now? The workshop just came to collect silver; why is it that when it’s the Criminal Room’s turn, there’s hindrance? Could it be that Chief Historian Feng has some dissatisfaction with our Criminal Room?"

As soon as he spoke, Chief Historian Feng sneered coldly: "The workshop receives silver to create weapons, armor, and farm tools, every item being a major endeavor. For what purpose does the Criminal Room receive silver? Could it be to fund Yang Shi’s banquet expenses?"

Yang Zheng: "..."

In the court, the Ministry of Justice is one of the Six Ministries, overseeing the judicial system of Da Liang, holding an exceedingly significant position. The Criminal Room in Nanyang Prince Mansion plays the role of the Ministry of Justice and, as expected, holds paramount importance.

Unfortunately, Nanyang County is peaceful and prosperous, with people living and working safely, not even seeing much of petty theft or major crimes. The Criminal Room has become increasingly idle over the past two years.

Leisure, in this context, translates into an increasingly low status. For instance, currently, even a dignified Yang Shi was ridiculed by Chief Historian Feng and couldn’t muster the courage to retaliate, only staring helplessly, lamely arguing: "I haven’t had a banquet in the Criminal Room for a long time."

Mainly because he didn’t have the face for it.

Chief Historians Chen and Feng were so busy their feet didn’t touch the ground, the workshop was bustling with energy, and Chief Clerk Wen An seemed to have wheels of fire under his feet. As the Criminal Room Shi, Yang Zheng quietly avoiding leisure would already be acceptable, so how could he have the face to hold banquets!

Chief Historian Feng said expressionlessly: "In any case, there’s no silver now. The money and grain in the Household Department must first be used to settle the refugees. Please be patient and return in a few days."

Yang Zheng left sulking.

The Criminal Room had two cases, one involving two missing sheep, and the other a boundary dispute between two families. Such trivial matters required no intervention from Yang Shi, with subordinates handling them instead.

With nothing to do, Yang Zheng decided to write to his uncle to complain.

Of course, complaining mostly proved ineffective. Vice Minister Yang was determined to let his nephew at the Nanyang Prince Mansion gain experience, with no intention of moving him.

Meanwhile, after dealing with Yang Shi, Chief Historian Feng couldn’t find rest. For Fang Quan, the long-term follower of Lu Junma, came next.

When dealing with Lu Junma’s side, one couldn’t be so unreasonable.

Lu Junma wanted to buy ancient books and antiques, things that consumed a lot of silver. Chief Historian Feng gently expressed his disapproval. Then he promptly cut the requested silver amount by 60%, giving only 40%. In front of Fang Quan, he meticulously recorded this on the books.

Over the past two or three years, Fang Quan had grown accustomed to this treatment. After collecting the silver, he specifically came to express his thanks.

Chief Historian Feng was also polite: "When Fang Changsui returns to report, explain to Lu Junma. There’s simply a lack of silver in the Prince Mansion with expenses everywhere. Reducing expenditures in all areas is inevitable, certainly not intentionally targeting Lu Junma."

Fang Quan quickly replied: "Chief Historian Feng works tirelessly with a public heart, never with selfish motives, and everyone notices it. I will certainly clarify this to the Prince Consort when I report back."

After Fang Quan left, Chief Historian Feng let out a long sigh.

Managing silver for the Prince Mansion is truly not an easy task!

A cup of warm tea was timely handed to Chief Historian Feng: "Chief Historian Feng, you’ve been busy half the day. Have some tea to rest."

Chief Historian Feng casually took the cup and drank it down. He instructed Tang Youyin, who had kindly brought the tea: "The funds used for settling refugees must be recorded separately in an account book, ready for auditing at any time in the future."

"I’m entrusting this task to you. I want to see the account book tonight."

Tang Youyin: "..."

Chief Historian Feng glared again: "What’s the matter? Can’t you make an account book in an afternoon?"

Tang Youyin didn’t dare to refuse the irritable Chief Historian Feng, immediately replying: "Chief Historian Feng, please calm down. I will start working on the account book right away."

...