Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 679: Military Expenditure (Part 2)

Vice Minister Ding quietly scrutinized the Empress’s close military generals.

Little did he know, the young generals were also murmuring in their hearts.

Vice Minister Ding before them, ordinary in appearance, neither fierce nor tall, looked like a typical civil servant. Could such a minister really manage the Ministry of War?

Compared to Commander Liu, who could read military books, train troops, and lead an army in battle, he was far behind. If he was smart, he should quickly vacate his position for Commander Liu!

Not just young ones like Li Tianxi and Tao Daxiao Tian, but even Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan admired Liu Hengchang.

The Emperor didn’t let the two of them review memorials because they truly couldn’t understand them. Liu Hengchang was different. During his time at the Personal Guard Camp in Nanyang County, organizing military books and calculating military expenses were Liu Hengchang’s tasks. The two of them only focused on training troops and fighting battles. Matters of documents made their heads ache.

After Liu Hengchang finished reading, he respectfully handed the memorial to Chen Sheren, who then presented it to the Emperor.

"Emperor, if the figures in the military books mentioned in this memorial are accurate, then the calculated military expense is quite reasonable." Liu Hengchang spoke carefully and calmly, revealing no emotion: "However, according to my understanding, the exact number of troops stationed in various places has always been a confused account."

"Take the Nanyang Army, for example; the military book lists six thousand men, but the actual strength is around four thousand. The allocation of military funds is still for six thousand, and after layers of deductions, if the soldiers receive sixty to seventy percent, the main general can be considered conscientious."

Upon hearing about layers of deductions, sweat began to bead on Vice Minister Ding’s forehead. As Liu Hengchang finished speaking, Vice Minister Ding immediately said: "Emperor, the Ministry of War allocated military funds this time without any instance of corruption."

Jiang Shaohua smirked slightly, glancing at the anxious Vice Minister Ding: "Vice Minister Ding, do not be alarmed. What Commander Liu referred to were past bad practices."

"I believe that starting from the Ministry of Revenue and moving to the Ministry of War, this habit of siphoning funds will soon be eradicated."

After a pause, the Emperor smiled again: "Actually, I wish the Ministry of War had a mishap like Doctor Wan’s. Catch them in a wrongdoing, execute them, seize their estates, and the National Treasury would gain another substantial income."

Vice Minister Ding restrained the urge to wipe his sweat, and with a forced smile, he said: "The Emperor jests. Learning from Doctor Wan’s mistake, who would dare to act recklessly now?"

Jiang Shaohua admonished a few words, said no more, and turned to command Liu Hengchang and others: "Later, all of you follow Vice Minister Ding to the Ministry of War."

Liu Hengchang and the others accepted the command with cupped hands!

Vice Minister Ding was stunned!

All six of them... are going to the Ministry of War?

On the Ministry of Revenue’s side, there was only Tang Youyin. But at the Ministry of War, with just a word from the Emperor, six people are sent over? This disparity in treatment is too obvious!

No matter the shock in his heart, he couldn’t refuse. Vice Minister Ding quickly regained composure and respectfully accepted the order.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said: "Vice Minister Ding, do not panic. I am sending them to observe how the Ministry of War conducts its affairs. They will not stay long in the Ministry of War."

Vice Minister Ding had barely exhaled when the next sentence followed: "I intend to dispatch them to escort the military funds."

The garrison near the Capital City can send someone to collect military funds directly from the Ministry of War. The troops farther from the Capital City have varied distances, and the Ministry of War must send someone to deliver funds annually.

Of course, the officials delivering funds endure hardships and thus must receive some benefits.

This so-called ’layer-by-layer deduction’ is precisely this.

However, this time, distributing military funds started with public executions and seizures in the Ministry of Revenue. When it reached the Ministry of War, the Emperor sent trusted aides over, not only to oversee the Ministry’s processes but also to take up the task of escorting the funds...

Wait!

An idea flashed in Vice Minister Ding’s mind: "Could the Emperor be using this opportunity to disburse military funds to gauge the strengths of various armies?"

Hence, there truly are no fools amongst high-ranking court officials.

Vice Minister Ding quickly grasped the real intention behind the Emperor’s arrangement.

Jiang Shaohua said calmly: "Exactly. The garrisons around the Capital City are under my direct observation. I will personally visit the military camps when time permits. With forty garrisons stationed in various states and counties, the difference between the numbers in the military books and the actual troop strength has become a confusing account."

"I must send trusted individuals to inspect all military camps on my behalf."

"Military pay must be handed directly to all soldiers, while verifying the numbers on the military books to confirm soldier count. I must see for myself how decrepit the military camps of Da Liang have become, and how much each military general is taking from the soldiers."

The last statement sent a chill down Vice Minister Ding’s neck.

He couldn’t help but wipe his forehead with his sleeve and softly said: "Emperor, I dare say things that I shouldn’t. The news of your ascension is only slowly reaching the states and counties of Da Liang. The change in the throne stirs unrest in people’s hearts. At such times, it is not advisable to act against the garrison commanders easily. Doing so could provoke rebellion."

"Some restraint would be for the best."

This is the kind of statement spoken with a heart loyal to the Emperor.

Jiang Shaohua ascended the throne as the Commandery Princess, through the recommendation of the court ministers and with the support of the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Li. Thus, from the perspective of maintaining the sovereignty of the throne, it is indisputable and beyond doubt.

The Capital City remains calm and stable, however, whether the garrisons in distant states and counties away from the political power center might secretly harbor dissent is uncertain.

In times like these, stability should be prioritized. Rooting out the corrupt within the military camps can wait for two or three years; taking action after securing the Dragon Throne will not be too late.

Liu Hengchang glanced at Vice Minister Ding and thought to himself that it was no wonder the Commandery Princess chose Vice Minister Ding as the next Minister of War. While Vice Minister Ding may not be exceptionally capable, his position is correct, and his loyalty to the Emperor is assured.

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze towards Vice Minister Ding softened considerably: "There is truth in Vice Minister Ding’s words. Rest assured, I act with moderation."

It is crucial to impress upon military commanders, giving them a heads-up while ensuring they are not pushed to rebel in outrage.

The mastery of these subtleties depends on how the trusted aides conduct themselves once in the military camps.

From this, it can also be seen that the Emperor has strong confidence in his personal guards.

Thoughts raced through Vice Minister Ding’s mind before he spoke up: "The Emperor dispatches people to pay the military wages, such a favor must be known to all soldiers. After I return, I shall draft an official document to be sent to the various military camps."

"Furthermore, since it involves external assignments, a display befitting the Emperor’s personal guards is warranted. These Personal Guard Commanders should receive promotions, and the young generals should also have their ranks elevated."

Vice Minister Ding, acting as the temporary Minister of War, made a reasonable suggestion to promote the generals.

Qin Zhan Meng Dashan exchanged a glance and grinned.

Liu Hengchang, always low-profile, couldn’t help but relax his brows at this moment.

Jiang Shaohua smiled in approval: "Then I must trouble Vice Minister Ding to draft a memorial upon your return, and I shall consider it carefully."