Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

After the court session ended, all the officials gathered at the Prime Minister's residence.

"This is how to do?"

"Sixty million taels of silver! Where are we going to get so much money?"

"It's over, I'm afraid we won't be able to get through the New Year this year."

Ye Mo was playing with a bluebird that had just been sent from his hometown in front of the birdcage, listening to a bunch of sighs behind him, but he didn't say anything.

His current focus is on whether to move the capital. As for the farce of building a garden for the Empress Dowager, he can tell at a glance that it's all part of Shen Lang and the Empress's scheme.

However, Ye Mo secretly supported Shen Lang and the Empress in doing so.

Sixty million taels of silver to build a garden, how much money will that waste?

Anyway, if this matter is handed over to the Six Ministries, the garden renovation project is destined to fail.

Eighty percent of the officials in the six ministries were his students. Although their personal character and morals varied, they were all quite discerning when it came to matters of principle.

From the moment Shen Lang proposed that all subjects of the land should fulfill their filial duties, Ye Mo had already determined that the matter of building a garden for the Empress Dowager would inevitably come to nothing.

But he felt that the matter was definitely not as simple as it seemed on the surface.

He knew Shen Lang well; he would never do this just to stop Xiu Yuanzi, nor would he be so bored as to disgust the officials of the Six Ministries.

There's a deeper meaning here that you'll have to figure out for yourself.

So he simply remained silent and listened to what kind of result his students could come up with.

However, these noisy officials haven't woken up yet and are still worried about how to raise money and supplies.

"Alright, enough of this commotion. Let's think about how to raise this money to show our filial piety to the Empress Dowager."

Lin Yu was more composed, after all, he was in charge of raising money to repair the garden. After the initial shock, he calmed down and got straight to the point.

"The Ministry of Revenue does have some silver in its accounts, but not much; it can probably be used to circumvent the embezzlement of about five million taels of silver."

As for the remaining expenses, the other departments should figure out a way to raise the money as soon as possible.

"It would be good to start construction sooner, so everyone can have an easier time."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Youcai immediately said, "Anyway, my Ministry of Works is out of money. I haven't even raised enough money to start the canal construction in the second half of the year."

I really have no way to raise more money to repair the garden.

Lin Yu: "You should think of a way. In the end, the construction of this garden is closely related to your Ministry of Works. You can't just get away with it by saying you don't have the money?"

If all else fails, postpone those miscellaneous tasks for now. Fulfilling filial duties to the Empress Dowager is the most important thing; we mustn't delay the project schedule.

"Slow down? How can we slow down, Minister Lin? You make it sound so easy."

Li Youcai gripped the armrest of the chair, his face full of dissatisfaction.

"Many of the projects in my Ministry of Works that should have been completed have been delayed for several years. If it weren't for the compensation sent by Emperor Shen, these stalled projects would probably still be rotting there."

Now that we've finally gotten back to work, you want me to stop again? How am I supposed to explain this to my subordinates? Hmm!

Lin Yu: "Anyway, the Ministry of Revenue can only come up with five million taels, and there is not a single tael more."

Li Youcai: "Lord Lin, let me remind you, our Ministry of Works is only responsible for construction projects."

Regardless of the money, I won't start construction until you send me the funds.

"My Ministry of Works will naturally be held responsible for the delays, but your Ministry of Revenue bears even greater responsibility."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu slammed the teacup onto the coffee table: "Li Youcai, don't be so shameless!"

Don't forget that when your Ministry of Works was short of money, I did my best to raise funds for you. When have I ever failed to help you?

Building a garden for the Empress Dowager is a perfect opportunity for all the people of Great Chu to show their filial piety.

You actually dare to give me that attitude? Do you really think you can just walk away by saying you have no money?

Li Youcai waved his hand and said, "Stop trying to scare me. Aren't you in charge of the nation's finances?"

If all else fails, you can make the people suffer a bit more by raising taxes; then the money will come out.

"Fuck your mother's fart!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu shouted angrily.

"Make the common people suffer? Do you think I'm some kind of self-serving, fame-seeking virtuous person like Han Chaozong?"

"Li Youcai, stop trying to fool me! The Ministry of Works must allocate a portion of this money."

"Heh, I have no money, but if you want my life, come and take it if you dare!"

Seeing that a fight was about to break out, Minister of War Lü Lin immediately stepped in as a peacemaker: "Alright, stop arguing. What kind of decorum is this, for officials of the second rank to quarrel like this?"

Besides, will arguing solve anything? Let's think about what to do instead.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu suddenly said to Lü Lin, "Minister Lü, I remember you still have 800,000 taels of gold in your Ministry of War account that haven't been allocated for military expenses, right?"

Upon hearing this, Lü Lin's expression immediately tightened: "Minister Lin, I advise you not to even consider taking this money."

This is the military pay for training the new army in the second half of the year; there's absolutely no way I can allocate it to you!

Lin Yu: "Let's allocate it to the Ministry of Works for now to deal with the emergency. We'll pay you back next year when the tax revenue is more abundant."

"Haha."

Lü Lin smiled.

"Minister Lin, are you joking with me? When has your Ministry of Revenue ever paid off its debts? Every year you've found excuses to evade payment."

Now they've even set their sights on this new army's pay! Do you know that this money is crucial to the success or failure of our Great Chu's military reforms?!

Lin Yu was speechless after being choked up. He also understood that misappropriating military funds was too despicable, but what else could he do?

Seeing that the time was almost right, Ye Mo finally spoke.

"Alright, everyone, quiet down. You won't get anywhere by making so much noise."

As soon as Ye Mo spoke, the hall fell silent.

Sitting back in the head seat, Ye Mo began to offer advice: "Lin Yu, don't hold back anymore. There are definitely five million taels of silver in your Ministry of Revenue's accounts."

However, the four million taels of reserve silver in the secret account haven't been used yet. One million taels will be kept, and the remaining three million taels will be used to make a total of eight million.

"Prime Minister Ye!" Lin Yu exclaimed anxiously, "That three million taels was prepared for unforeseen circumstances!"

"Don't try to negotiate with me, I haven't finished speaking."

Ye Mo continued.

“Besides these eight million taels, you must find a way to raise another fifteen million taels before the first phase of the project is completed.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu immediately felt anxious and wanted to complain again.

But Ye Mo immediately suppressed it: "If you can't even withstand this little bit of pressure, what right do you have to manage the world's money and grain?"

"You'll have to figure out the money yourself. I believe you can raise fifteen million taels."

Then, he turned his gaze to Li Youcai: "You don't need to complain about being poor. Your Ministry of Works still has four million taels of silver in its accounts. Use it all to repair the garden."

Li Youcai opened his mouth, but in the end, he could only let out a sigh.

Finally, Ye Mo looked at Lü Lin and said, "Let the Ministry of War also contribute something, just to make it a round number, and take out three million taels first."

"That brings us to thirty million taels. The Ministry of Works should reconsider and see where we can cut costs in the garden construction, and try to reduce the overall cost further."

With the one million taels of silver His Majesty has given you, you can start building the garden first. You can make up the difference gradually as needed. There's always a way to overcome difficulties.

"As long as the six departments work together, we will definitely be able to get through this."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu was very reluctant: "If we borrow money from here and there like this, even if we manage to get the money out, what will happen to the funding allocated to various regions next year?"

Prime Minister Ye, the national treasury only has this much money in a year. Don't be fooled by how impressive it looks on paper; once it starts spending, it's like water flowing out of the bank and there's no stopping it.

"Now, even building a Longevity Garden is causing the Six Ministries a huge headache. Don't you find that distressing?"

"Ok?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Mo immediately frowned.

"What did you say?"

"I believe that the national treasury's revenue is too tight, and it is not advisable to further burden the people. Is there any better way to increase revenue?"

After listening, Ye Mo thought about it carefully.

Then he smiled.

"Hehe, what a fine emperor he is. I now understand his intentions."