Gourmet Girl: Becoming a Royal Merchant Started from Selling Buns

I saw that many of the payment records in the account books were unclear, and even some important expenditures were not recorded.

In the end, not only was there not a penny left in the national treasury, but there was also a deficit of 12,000 taels of silver.

Su An couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth, and anger continued to spread in his heart.

She wondered how big the deficit could be. The palace had strict rules, and the people in the Imperial Household Department certainly didn't dare to act too ostentatiously. She originally thought it was only a few thousand taels of silver, but she didn't expect the deficit to be as high as ten thousand taels!

Okay, okay, this damn emperor has given her such a big mess.

Su An took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, glanced at Yang Zongguan, and said coldly:

"A full ten thousand taels! As the head of the Imperial Household Department, you were so careless and lazy in your account management, causing such a huge deficit in the national treasury. What is your crime?"

Upon hearing this, Manager Yang didn't take it seriously. He stiffened his neck and snorted.

"The Imperial Household Department is responsible for all palace affairs. With so many complex tasks, some oversight is inevitable. Why is the lady official making such a fuss? As for this deficit, there have always been some in every dynasty. It's really a big deal."

Then, as if afraid that Su An would find fault with him, he narrowed his eyes, cupped his hands, and there was a smug threat in his eyes.

"Lady Lady, you may not know that I am currently working for the Empress Dowager. Even the Empress Dowager has high praise for my abilities. Are you trying to slap the Empress Dowager in the face by saying this?"

If you want to use the queen mother to suppress her, you’re dreaming.

Su An sneered, his eyes as sharp as a knife, looking directly at Manager Yang.

"The Empress Dowager's vision is certainly correct, but people change. Perhaps you were truly exceptional in the past, which is why the Empress Dowager valued you. But now you've neglected your duties, causing a deficit in the national treasury. That's your dereliction of duty."

"If the Queen Mother knew you were so negligent in your duties, I'm afraid she wouldn't protect you!"

These words made Manager Yang's face change drastically.

He raised his hand, pointed at Su An, his lips trembling, and said angrily.

"you……"

Before he could speak, Su An slammed his palm on the table and shouted to the outside: "Come here, General Manager Yang neglected his duties, resulting in the disappearance of many funds and the depletion of the national treasury. Take him to the Dali Temple and await trial!"

The Imperial Household Department has always been managed by General Manager Yang.

Suddenly the female official came, and all the officials in the Imperial Household Department stopped working and gathered outside the door to watch the fun and eavesdrop on the conversation inside.

Seeing that she was about to convict Manager Yang in just a few words, everyone outside the door was shocked.

It seems that this female official is not a good person!

But Su An waited for a long time, and there was no movement outside the door.

Manager Yang raised his chin somewhat complacently, snorted at her and warned her.

"I call you Madam, and you really take that as your own? I've been in the Imperial Household Department for at least ten years, and no one here recognizes me. So, I kindly advise Madam, don't be so rigid in your actions; be more flexible."

"What a big tone! I want to see who is so arrogant!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Zhun, wearing a dark brocade robe and with a stern face, walked into the main hall.

Behind him followed a group of sword guards, all of them with solemn expressions, holding the hilts of their swords, looking awe-inspiring.

Zhen, King of Zhenbei...

Why is he here?

Manager Yang's face suddenly changed, his legs went weak, and he almost fell to the ground.

Fu Zhun glanced coldly at Yang, and said in a deep voice, "The law of the country is at hand. How can you flout it? Take him away!"

The sword guards quickly stepped forward and lifted up Manager Yang.

Manager Yang looked ashen and tried to argue, but Fu Zhun waved his hand and the sword guards dragged him out of the main hall without mercy.

Sure enough, if you want others to submit to you, you have to rely on your strength!

Looking at Manager Yang's back as he left, Su An secretly clicked his tongue and stood up to greet him.

"Fu Zhun, why are you here?"

"Today is your first time in the Imperial Household Department. I'm naturally worried about you, so I came to check it out. Besides, the Imperial Household Department is full of good and bad people, and you're all alone here. I'm afraid you'll be tired, so I found a few good helpers for you and brought them here to show you around."

Fu Zhun smiled calmly, his eyes softening a little.

As he spoke, he raised his hands and patted them gently.

As the applause died down, several accountants holding abacus came in one after another.

"They are among the best accountants in the capital. Just give them your orders. There's no need to be polite to them."

Su An's eyes swept over them one by one.

All of them had shrewd faces and sharp eyes, and they looked like experienced and skilled fighters.

She counted them carefully and found there were ten in total.

Over the years, the Imperial Household Department has only had five account books, which is somewhat unreasonable. Many accounts need to be re-sorted, which indeed requires a lot of manpower.

Fu Zhun not only supported her at the right time, but also found so many helpers for her. He was really thoughtful.

Su An was deeply moved, with a hint of gratitude in his watery eyes. He raised his hand, patted Fu Zhun on the shoulder, and began to thank him.

"You're so kind to me. I can't thank you enough for your kindness. I'll treat you to a meal after this is done!"

Fu Zhun chuckled, a hint of doting between his brows.

He raised his hand, gently tucked the hair behind her ear, and responded with pursed lips: "Okay."

The officials who were eavesdropping outside the door scattered the moment Fu Zhun appeared.

As everyone knows, the King of Zhenbei is indifferent to worldly affairs and is cold-blooded and ruthless.

But now, he actually went to the Imperial Household Department in person for a female official, and even supported this female official and had Yang Zongguan sent to the Dali Temple. It can be seen that he attaches great importance to this female official.

The officials could not help but sigh that the situation in the Imperial Household Department was about to change, and they became more cautious in their actions.

He was afraid that he would do something wrong and end up like Manager Yang.

The commotion in the Imperial Household Department caused quite a stir and soon spread to the Imperial Palace.

Upon hearing the news, the empress dowager hurriedly sent the nanny beside her to deliver the message.

The nanny bowed to Su An and said, "Miss Su, the Empress Dowager has already said that if the Ministry of Internal Affairs has anything to investigate, we at the Cining Palace will fully cooperate without hesitation."

"Okay, then please thank me on my behalf."

Su An responded with a smile.

But the moment the nanny disappeared, the smile on her face instantly disappeared, replaced by a solemn look.

She frowned and sighed uneasily.

The Queen Mother's actions were so quick that she had to be suspicious.

If Manager Yang is really the Queen Mother's man, then this matter may also be related to the Queen Mother.

So, when she sent the nanny to deliver the message, was it a warning or a test?

Su An couldn't figure it out for a moment and felt extremely confused.

I originally thought that as long as I checked the missing accounts and then found a way to fill the shortfalls in the accounts, I would be done. I never expected that it would involve such a wide range of people. This task is not easy!

Thinking of this, she rubbed her hair irritably and let out a breath.