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

The following day, the Ministry of Revenue's office was abuzz with discussion.

"Have you heard? A new Minister has taken office today. We'd better be careful."

"I knew it already, isn't it just the Duke of Zhenguo?"

"It's unheard of for the current emperor to assume the position of Minister of Revenue. Is this in accordance with the proper etiquette? Should we inquire at the Ministry of Rites?"

"Forget it, it's better to avoid trouble. The official document from Prime Minister Ye has already been issued, what can the Ministry of Rites do?"

"Anyway, it's just a temporary arrangement. Just remember not to anger the Emperor. Just do what he says and don't think too much about the rest."

"Hehe, Duke Zhenguo is still too naive. In terms of military strategy, we are far inferior to him, but the Ministry of Revenue is not such an easy job."

"The funds for the Changsheng Palace built for the Empress Dowager have not yet been raised. Let's see what he can do."

Officials at all levels of the Ministry of Revenue, from Vice Minister to Director, were transferred among themselves according to their respective ranks.

The main point was to shift all the problems onto the newly arrived Minister Shen Lang.

Two quarters of an hour later, Shen Lang, led by a palace attendant, arrived at the Ministry of Revenue's office with his official appointment document in hand.

He was a little weak, clearly because he hadn't slept well after returning to the palace last night.

Jiang Mengxuan's body seemed to possess an extremely special attraction, making him feel both pity and impulsive, and he quickly emptied his reserves.

Unfortunately, after realizing what Jiang Mengxuan was trying to do, he regretted it very much, because when they made love later, she was still not open and refused to change the way they did it.

How do I unlock other gameplay features after this?

"Forget it, I don't want to think about these things anymore. I have to be careful these next few days, otherwise my body really won't be able to take it."

Just as Shen Lang made up his mind to exercise restraint, the eunuch spoke up.

"Your Majesty, this is where the Ministry of Revenue operates. This old servant will return to report to Your Majesty now."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Chen."

"Your Majesty's words are too kind to this old servant. If there is nothing else, this old servant will take his leave."

Eunuch Chen didn't dare to raise his head. After leading Shen Lang to the Ministry of Revenue, he turned around and left.

Upon entering the Ministry of Revenue's service hall, the once bustling office instantly fell silent.

After glancing at Shen Lang, everyone went back to their own business without saying a word.

It wasn't that they were deliberately trying to intimidate Shen Lang, but rather that they weren't really prepared for how to get along with someone of Shen Lang's status as Minister of Revenue.

Shen Lang didn't care much; he himself hadn't even recovered from the tenderness he shared with Jiang Mengxuan last night.

He had the opportunity to unlock other forms, but he ruined it himself.

After Jiang Mengxuan's enthusiasm was dampened, she was unable to bring herself to eat macaroni and spaghetti no matter what.

Although the couple's sexual relations continued, it inevitably left Shen Lang with some regrets.

But it doesn't matter, there's plenty of time. At least after yesterday's ordeal, Jiang Mengxuan is still completely subdued and hasn't even gotten out of bed yet.

Sitting down at the main desk, Shen Lang listlessly flipped through an account book, looking at it without really reading it.

Since his subordinates weren't saying anything, he didn't bother with them.

After all, who can't slack off?

"Minister Shen..."

Half an hour later, Shen Lang was awakened from his slumber by a soft call.

"Ah? What's the matter?"

Shen Lang covered his face and looked at the person who called him.

It was Yang Xiong, the Minister of Revenue.

Yang Xiong handed over an account book: "Minister Shen, this is the expenditure report from various localities for the first half of the year, which requires the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds. If the report is verified to be correct, the Ministry of Revenue will issue the official document tomorrow."

Shen Lang took the ledger and receipts and carefully checked them, then frowned.

"Minister Yang, is there no problem with this account?"

"Reporting to Minister Shen, this is the result of multiple reviews by the Ministry of Revenue, so there is naturally no error."

Shen Lang frowned even deeper: "This isn't right. If I remember correctly, the official expenses of local government offices are between 1,400 and 2,600 taels per county."

But now there's only 280 taels per county? Who can afford such a small amount? Could there be a mistake?

"It can't be wrong."

Yang Xiong sighed.

"Minister Shen should also know that the entire court is currently overwhelmed with the construction of the Longevity Palace for the Empress Dowager, and not only are local government expenses being cut back."

Even officials from the Six Ministries voluntarily donated half a year's salary to build the Longevity Palace, yet even so, they were still short by half the required funds.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang immediately replied, "That won't do. It's one thing for officials of the fourth rank and above to have their salaries reduced by half a year, but what about those below the fourth rank who only get a few coins a year?"

As he spoke, he looked at the other officials in the Ministry of Revenue and asked loudly.

"Are there any wealthy men or doctors here? Tell me, how much do they earn in a year?"

As soon as he finished speaking, an eighth-rank official immediately stood up.

"Replying to Your Excellency, my annual salary is forty-five taels of silver. Including the allowances for rice, cloth, and other transportation, it comes to sixty taels of silver a year."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang said to Yang Xiong, "Did you hear that? Only sixty taels of silver a year. I don't even earn enough for three hundred taels a year in the Jingwei Division."

Is it reasonable to ask him to voluntarily donate half of it? What if it causes a scene? Who will take responsibility then?

Yang Xiong's face immediately fell: "Minister Shen, there's no way around it. The most important thing right now is to repair the Empress Dowager's Longevity Palace. After all, our Great Chu governs the world with benevolence and filial piety."

"It's rare for the Empress Dowager to make such a request, so it's only right that we, as her subjects, show our filial piety."

As Yang Xiong said this, he was inwardly cursing: Isn't this all what you said yourself? The Empress Dowager is the mother of the nation, and all officials should follow her example and show filial piety. Now you can decide what to do.

Shen Lang agreed with this: "It is only right to be filial to the Empress Dowager, but must we make ourselves uncomfortable in the process?"

I ask you, what should an official do if his salary is not enough to support his family? He can only use his position to line his own pocket. Wouldn't that harm people?

This approach is highly unacceptable, and I absolutely will not condone it.

As he spoke, he picked up a pen and drew an X directly on the approval document.

"This……"

"Pass down the word: all officials shall continue to receive their salaries, and local government offices shall continue to operate as usual."

The other officials in the Ministry of Revenue breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Some of them did not rely on these salaries to make a living, as they had other businesses to support themselves.

But being deducted half a year's salary all at once would make anyone feel bad.

Yang Xiong immediately became anxious: "Minister Shen, don't you want to think about this again? You may feel good about it by waving your hand like that, but how are you going to explain this to the Ministry of Works?"

Shen Lang looked puzzled: "Ministry of Works? Does the Ministry of Revenue owe the Ministry of Works money, or has it not allocated them local governance funds?"

Yang Xiong: "No, but the Ministry of Works did ask us for the repair costs of the Changsheng Palace."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang waved his hand and said, "Since we don't owe them any money, we don't need to bother with it. As for the matter of repairing the palace, it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Works, so what does it have to do with our Ministry of Revenue?"

"what?"

Yang Xiong's expression instantly turned into that of a cat, completely clueless about what Shen Lang was talking about.

Shen Lang explained, "Since the Ministry of Works is in charge of building the Longevity Palace, let them worry about it. We non-professionals should not get involved."

Yang Xiong: "But the Ministry of Works' expenses for repairing the palace..."

"I believe the Ministry of Industry will be able to resolve this on its own; we have no need to worry."

"But when Minister Lin was in office, he had already promised the Ministry of Works that the funds would be approved."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang slammed the teacup he was holding back down onto the table.

"Since it was Minister Lin who agreed, then go find Minister Lin. What does it have to do with me?"

Yang Xiong: “…”

At this moment, the rest of the Ministry of Revenue also heard the conversation between the two and narrowed their eyes.

This Emperor Shen seems to be extremely shameless.

"You remember this: serving the Empress Dowager is not just a matter for the Ministry of Revenue alone."

It is the shared responsibility of all officials in the court; there is no reason why the Ministry of Revenue should bear the cost alone. This is extremely unfair.

In short, to anyone asking me for money from the Ministry of Revenue to repair their garden, the answer is always the same two words: "No money."

Yang Xiong: "Minister Shen, if you do this, you'll offend all the other five ministries."

Shen Lang said nonchalantly, "It's fine. If they ask, let them come and talk to me. I'll take care of everything."

I cannot remain in the position of Minister of Revenue for too long. I must formulate a suitable tax policy as soon as possible, otherwise it will be too much of a burden.

From the very beginning, Shen Lang had no intention of staying in this position for long. After handling the relevant matters, he would leave without hesitation.

After all, cultivating interpersonal relationships was not his ultimate goal.