Chapter 590: Chapter 586-587: The Imperial Exam Arrives, Linzhou’s Fiscal Deficit

"So it was mother-in-law’s idea." Chen Mo narrowed his eyes slightly. Xiao Ya, unaware that her actions constituted bribery, couldn’t possibly be unaware that her mother had ulterior motives beyond simply ensuring good relations between Xiao Ya and the servants in the residence.

The minds of big families are indeed complex.

Chen Mo sighed.

Seeing Chen Mo’s expression, Xiao Ya quickly said, "Brother Mo, don’t be angry at my mother. She’s doing this for my good. If you want to blame someone, blame me instead..."

"Silly girl." Chen Mo pinched Xiao Ya’s cheek and smiled, "Why would I blame you? I care for you too much to do so."

He then changed the topic deliberately: "Are you comfortable living in the residence?"

Xiao Ya nodded and said, "The bed is just a bit too large."

Chen Mo blushed. Every bed in the backyard rooms was custom-made to accommodate four or five people for cultivation. How could it not be large?

"A larger bed is better; this way, you won’t have to worry about falling off while sleeping, Xiao Ya."

"Brother Mo, I don’t move around while sleeping," Xiao Ya said with a blush.

"I’ll know about that eventually," Chen Mo said, giving Xiao Ya a kiss on the cheek. "Have you had breakfast yet?"

"I had a little."

"Then join me for some more."

"Alright."

...

After breakfast, Chen Mo instructed Sun Meng to summon the chief craftsman responsible for bow and arrow manufacturing in the city.

The manufacturing of these cold weapons is handled by workshops across the Four States, maintaining the supply of equipment, separate from the fire-arm manufacturing of the Vermilion Bird Guard.

However, Chen Mo had considered unifying both aspects in the future.

Chen Mo called the craftsman to hand him the blueprint of the Compound Bow, asking for a sample to be made to assess its effectiveness.

If it could achieve the power of the Compound Bow from Chen Mo’s previous life, mass production could be pursued to ultimately arm the entire army.

The chief craftsman for the Xiangyang bow-making, named Bai Quanmin, assured Chen Mo that producing a sample within a month was feasible after reviewing the blueprint.

Chen Mo was delighted, promising a generous reward upon success.

Once Bai Quanmin left, Chen Mo instructed Sun Meng to call for Chen Cultivator, Zuo Lianglun, Geng Songfu, and Wei Linchun.

Sun Meng was highly efficient.

In less than half an hour, everyone was present.

After the maid poured them each a cup of tea and left, closing the door,

the conversation naturally began with courtesy, inquiring about the assassination attempt on Chen Mo in Jiangnan, before moving on to the main subject.

Given the upcoming imperial examination, Chen Cultivator initiated the discussion: "During this period, my subordinates and Lord Geng, Lord Zuo, along with numerous officials, have drafted the county examination paper. Duke An, please have a look."

After taking it out, Chen Cultivator first invited Zuo Lianglun and Geng Songfu to glance over it, proving that it was unopened before presenting the confidential county examination paper to Chen Mo.

Chen Mo received it and began to read.

The questions in the imperial examination were vastly different from the high school exam questions in Chen Mo’s previous life.

There were no multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank questions.

The topics were all about composing poetry, policy questions, policy arguments, historical arguments, etc.?

For example, the poetry topic included, [Poem assignment: "Completing the Broken Mountains with Clouds." With the word ’mountain’, in five-character eight-rhyme form.]

Since students from Jiangnan could also apply in Linzhou, there were poetic topics like [Observing Guanshan Lake’s Summer Lotus].

The historical argument topic included [On Rewarding Loyalty and Virtue].

The policy argument topic included [The Way to Secure the Entire Army].

The policy question included [Enormous and Expanding Expenses].

[The gentlemen who govern the realm alongside the Emperor: how to correct the distorted scholar’s conduct and revive the ancient way?]

[In the First Year of Yong’an, Duke An received an imperial decree to head north to withstand the Jin Xia Barbarian Race. The initial battle was a success. In July, the Jin Xia Barbarian Race tried to reverse their decline by driving citizens as vanguards against our forces at Yao’er City in Gaozhou. Two choices lay before us: one is..., the other is..., which would you choose, and why?]

Besides these, there were questions on addressing current governmental corruption and how to restore clear governance.

Also, there were questions on reviving the livelihood and order in the North, which was in disarray.

Frankly, many of these questions were beyond Chen Mo’s comprehension.

But in front of so many subordinates, Chen Mo naturally couldn’t show it. He said, "Not bad, if I’m not mistaken, these are the Southern examination questions, right? What about the Northern ones?"

Zuo Lianglun stepped forward and said, "Your Grace, because it takes some time to transit from Linzhou to Yu and Qing States, and you had not yet returned, I took the liberty to finalize the Northern exam papers, and instructed the Divine Brave Guard to deliver them to Yu and Qing States to avoid delaying the county exams. Here are the Northern exam papers."

Zuo Lianglun also produced an unopened document and handed it to Chen Mo.

In comparison to the Southern exam questions, the Northern ones were relatively easier, at least Chen Mo understood all the topics.

"No changes needed, let’s proceed with these," Chen Mo said.

Chen Cultivator nodded in agreement.

Subsequently, Wei Linchun stepped forward to report the recruitment situation in Linzhou.

This recruitment phase was smoother than the previous two.

By August of this year, Linzhou had recruited a total of 21,000 new soldiers.

Wei Linchun provided Chen Mo with a document that meticulously recorded the number of recruits from each county, identifying those who were Martial Artists and their ranks...

This information was summarized by the military and presented to Wei Linchun.

When Chen Mo left Linzhou, he entrusted its management to Wei Linchun.

After reporting the recruitment situation, Wei Linchun seemed somewhat hesitant.

Chen Mo told him to speak his mind without hesitation.

Wei Linchun took a deep breath and, with his head lowered, began speaking solemnly.

In essence, Linzhou was facing a financial deficit.

This year, Linzhou’s fiscal expenditure was exceedingly high.

The primary expense was naturally the military’s northern campaign against the Jin Xia Barbarian Race, consuming a substantial amount of funds.

Throughout history, warfare has always been a matter of money.

In this regard, Yu and Qing States couldn’t provide much assistance.

Previously, to present Prince Huai with an empty Qingzhou, Chen Mo destroyed Qingzhou’s military workshops and relocated its population and resources to Linzhou. Although they were later moved back, the recovery couldn’t occur so swiftly.

Furthermore, Yu State had been invaded by the Jin Xia Western Army.

Besides the major military expenses, funds for researching the Red Coat Cannon, Flower Bullet, and Pottery Bomb were also sourced from Linzhou’s finances.

Moreover, funds for recruitment allowances, infrastructure, clerks’ salaries, etc., were also included.

Linzhou’s annual taxes were limited, insufficient to cover the expenses.

Although Chen Mo contributed privately earned money from the Fu Ze Restaurant to supplement military expenses and finances, that was Chen Mo’s personal money. Without Chen Mo’s authorization, Wei Jinchun dared not access the funds of Fu Ze Restaurant for Linzhou’s finances.

"How large is the shortfall?" Chen Mo asked.

"At least one million taels."

"That much?"

Chen Mo frowned slightly and then said, "I’ll figure out the money. Just provide me with an overview."

Wei Linchun was prepared and handed over the financial ledger to Chen Mo for review.

"Alright, I’ll address this promptly." Chen Mo intended to consult Ning Wan to ascertain how much was available from the Fu Ze Restaurant.

If insufficient, they’d have to utilize their dowry.

After Wei Linchun’s report, Zuo Lianglun stepped forward, saying, "Your Grace, we’ve received communication from Qingzhou regarding locust infestations in counties like Xia Lin and Nanyang. Crop failure ensued, but disaster relief in Qingtian and Pingting Counties should help overcome this year’s crisis."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo initially furrowed his brow, but he quickly relaxed and appeared accustomed to the news.

In recent years, the North often experience locust plagues, which aren’t severe unless extraordinarily large in scale.

"Keep a close watch. If a critical moment arises, allow Pingting County to open the granaries." Chen Mo referred to the reserve military provisions in this instance.

"Understood," Zuo Lianglun nodded.

After they concluded their discussions, Chen Mo engaged them in a conversation about the "Retired Soldiers’ Benefits Plan" and "Honor Medal".

After gaining their support, Chen Mo hoped they could expedite the development of a regulation plan.