Chapter 1041: Chapter 877: Resignation from Office

Hmph! Even if Li Wei’s legitimate daughter is Princess Jing, so what? Does Li Wei still expect Prince Jing to accomplish anything?

A prince of a remote fiefdom whose taxes are delayed year after year. With someone like this, Li Wei actually still hopes for the glory of following the Dragon? It’s utterly ridiculous.

"Shen Aiqing, the number of disaster victims in Changtian Prefecture has been reported once before. The Ministry of Revenue will initially allocate Silver according to those numbers. After Gu Aiqing verifies the exact number, we will supplement the missing Silver Taels."

The Emperor frowned; this matter was actually discussed two days ago during the court meeting.

But Shen Shikang insisted the Ministry of Revenue didn’t have that much Silver, and the Emperor and Shen Shikang argued over this matter for several days, still unable to reach a conclusion.

The Emperor originally intended to think of a solution, but Gu Chengyu sent a message by pigeon, describing the situation in Jiangnan in detail, and the Emperor felt that distributing disaster relief Silver was already urgent.

The court has recuperated for so many years, but now just one Prefecture has a flood disaster, and the court can’t come up with Silver. What will the common people think?

They will think the court is inactive, not caring whether they live or die. A large Dynasty can’t even provide this small amount of disaster relief Silver.

The Emperor felt as if a heavy stone was blocking his heart, pressing him so he could hardly breathe.

Gu Chengyu is right; water can carry a boat but also overturn it. If the court abandons those disaster victims, it would be forcing them to rebel!

This time, no matter what, the court must distribute disaster relief Silver. Otherwise, a great calamity will ensue.

Shen Shikang sighed deeply and knelt to the ground, "Emperor, whether the Ministry of Revenue has Silver or not, surely Your Majesty is more aware than this humble servant. Last time, this humble servant suggested the court delay repaying salaries at the border, but Your Majesty insisted on repaying them immediately. At the beginning of the year, Silver was allocated to repair and fortify major State dams, plus other expenses now, the Silver in the National Treasury does not exceed one hundred thousand Taels."

Shen Shikang now couldn’t care less about hierarchy; the Emperor always pressured him to take Silver from the Ministry of Revenue, but where would the Ministry get Silver now? Could he conjure it?

"How much does the court spend each year? If we take some of that one hundred thousand Silver Taels to distribute for disaster relief, how will the monthly salaries at the border be paid? How will other court expenses be balanced? Your Majesty, a clever wife cannot cook without rice; this humble servant really cannot conjure up Silver!"

Shen Shikang felt frustrated as the Minister of Revenue; the court always lacks Silver, every year robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Two years ago, the tea tax was implemented, and the finances barely improved. Yet the Emperor thought it improper to owe salaries to border soldiers and insisted on paying the salaries quickly.

Plus, the court’s expenses have not been small these two years; everywhere needs Silver, causing him to worry until most of his hair turned white.

The Emperor was somewhat exasperated and slammed his palm on the armrest of the Dragon Throne, "No Silver, no Silver, are you a sheep’s mouth? You supervise the Ministry of Revenue, and tell me there’s no Silver, so what use do I have for you as the Minister of Revenue?"

Hearing the Emperor’s sudden shout, the ministers were startled awake; those who had been drowsy now became quite alert.

Shen Shikang flushed red, panting heavily for half a moment, and then he did something that surprised everyone.

He removed his official’s hat and placed it on the cold marble floor.

"Emperor! This humble servant has served honestly for decades, claiming to be loyal to Your Majesty and devoted to the court. But now this humble servant is old, finding disaster relief truly beyond his strength. I hope Your Majesty allows this humble servant to resign, select talent anew, and seek a capable person to take the position!"

The hall instantly fell silent; even Xia Qing looked over in astonishment.

This old bastard actually has the day he wants to resign? This is like the sun rising in the west. Previously, he had been scolded by the Emperor for so many years, and never saw him outraged!

Unexpectedly, in old age, he still wants to save face.

Shen Shikang bowed his head, prostrate on the ground, and this time he truly had the thought of resigning.

The court’s National Treasury is empty, making it difficult to be the Minister of Revenue. Every year he racks his brains over Silver, yet can only maintain a balance between income and expenditure.

Trying to expand sources and curtail expenses is not easy; the court urgently needs young talents to replenish. These seniors who’ve served for years are restricted in their actions and have long been accustomed to comfort, unable to take risks.

The Emperor’s expression clouded; he didn’t expect Shen Shikang to propose resigning, was this him trying to throw in the towel?

Who could he find to be the Minister of Revenue right now? Besides, Shen Shikang has been the minister for years; he hasn’t accomplished much, but in balancing the court’s income and expenses annually, he’s put in considerable effort.

When it comes to handling finances, the Emperor couldn’t fault Shen Shikang. In fact, over the years, Shen Shikang suffered considerable grievances.

After all, each time the Ministry of Revenue had no Silver, the Emperor vented his anger at the Ministry, and Shen Shikang had to endure quite a bit.

Yet, the Dayan Dynasty’s taxes were not high; for the sake of recuperation, the court only raised taxes twice.

So where does the court’s expenditure come from? Even the commercial taxes haven’t been reformed, insufficient to support the court’s vast annual expenses.

It seems that once Gu Chengyu returns to the Capital, he’ll have to come up with a way to increase commercial taxes.

"Hmph! Even if you want to resign, you must first gather the disaster relief Silver, or I’ll hold you accountable."

The Emperor absolutely would not allow Shen Shikang to resign right now; this was considered giving Shen Shikang a way out.

Shen Shikang hesitated to speak, feeling a slight relief, yet an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

Actually, if he really wanted to resign, he couldn’t bear it either.

But over the years, dealing with Silver had truly exhausted him in mind and body.

"Emperor! This humble servant has something to say, please allow me to speak!"

Xia Qing suddenly stepped out, first glancing at Shen Shikang, then slowly spoke. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

As soon as Shen Shikang saw Xia Qing intending to speak, his heart skipped a beat; this old goat surely wanted to persuade the Emperor to approve his resignation.

Having just been rebuked, the other party was not satisfied and still wanted him humiliated.

The Emperor’s face slightly softened, "Xia Aiqing, do speak freely!"

"To report to the Emperor, Minister Shen is a senior official in the court. The emptiness of the National Treasury isn’t something that can be improved overnight. Previously, the tea tax added tax silver, relieving the court’s immediate crisis. However, time is short, and to fill the Treasury, the court must find other sources of Silver."

Xia Qing’s aged voice echoed in the hall, drawing the attention of the officials toward him.

The officials in the hall all knew that Xia Qing and Shen Shikang usually didn’t get along well, but today, with Shen Shikang’s resignation, Xia Qing actually spoke in favor of him, which was truly unimaginable.

Could it be that Chief Minister Xia and Minister Shen bantering every day had brought them mutual appreciation?

Even Shen Shikang himself was quite surprised, wondering what kind of medicine this old fox Xia Qing was selling in his gourd?

Logically, he wanted to resign, Xia Qing should be the first to support this.