Whether they liked it or not, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue presented their memorials the very next day.
Staring at the significantly depleted treasury silver, Hua Shunming singled out Zhou Shicong of the Ministry of Revenue. "Is this how you manage the treasury for me? It's hardly been any time at all, and you've already squandered a full tenth of it."
Zhou Shicong replied, "Your Majesty, the ledgers for the past few months are attached."
'At least this time,' he thought, 'I can say with a clear conscience that I haven't touched a single coin. I wouldn't dare.'
Hua Shunming glanced through the ledgers. Everything was indeed in order and well-documented. With the tax silver from the provinces yet to be collected, he had to admit it weakened his position somewhat.
"Your Majesty," Le San said, hurrying over with a memorial in hand. "An urgent eight-hundred-li dispatch from General Zhou in Lu City."
