Chapter 45: Minister of Revenue
In truth, Vice Minister Chen Hanying of the Ministry of Revenue was remarkably skilled at falsifying accounts. Every year, the Ministry’s ledgers were audited, yet his deceit remained undiscovered. It was only ill fate that brought Chen Hanying face to face with Long Chen, a harbinger of disaster. After the implementation of double-entry bookkeeping, the balance of the accounts became clear at a glance; there was nowhere left for falsehoods to hide, and every deception was laid bare.
Thus, Jing Heng placed the blame for this mess squarely on Long Chen’s shoulders. The Ministry of Revenue was now a complete shambles because of him. Rage welled up within Jing Heng, and in a surge of malicious boldness, he proposed that Long Chen be appointed as the new Minister of Revenue.
The moment these words were uttered, the imperial court erupted as if a drop of water had fallen into a pan of boiling oil.
“The position of Minister of Revenue is vital—how can a eunuch hold such an office?”
“Long Cheng’en is already the Minister of Works; how could he also be appointed Minister of Revenue?”
“One man holding two ministries—never since the founding of our dynasty has such a thing occurred.”
“Not just in our dynasty; such a thing is unheard of in all the kingdoms under heaven.”
There was a chorus of opposition from the ministers; not a single voice was raised in support. Their reasoning was simple: Long Chen was a eunuch, and for him to serve as minister for two departments was an utter farce.
Seeing the ministers’ fierce resistance, Long Chen stepped forward and bowed. “Your Majesty, I am but a crippled servant. To serve as Minister of Works is already a strain beyond my ability; as for the Ministry of Revenue, I am truly unfit for such a post.”
“I thank Lord Jing for his recommendation, but my abilities are truly limited.”
Long Chen took the initiative to refuse. The Ministry of Revenue was now a colossal mess, yet these ministers still acted as if it were a coveted prize—fools, all of them.
“In my humble opinion, a venerable elder of the court should be chosen as the new Minister of Revenue—only thus can the Ministry be restored and the deficit resolved.”
“For example, Lord Li is a senior statesman who has served through two reigns, and Lord Wan is an expert in accounting; both are excellent candidates.”
These two old men had been the most vocal in their opposition just now, so Long Chen turned the tables and nominated them.
The two were taken aback and hurriedly protested, “Your Majesty, we are old and frail, unfit to shoulder the burdens of the Ministry of Revenue. Please, Your Majesty, choose another.”
The Empress’s expression grew displeased. “Then whom do you recommend?”
Lord Li and Lord Wan hung their heads in silence. Normally, making recommendations was a favor; now, it was a curse, and neither would be so foolish.
The court fell into a heavy hush; not a soul spoke.
Jing Heng spoke again. “Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue is of critical importance. Looking across the land, no one is more suited than Long Cheng’en.”
“Last year, in a contest of wit, Southern Liang invited the foremost scholar Yu Shinan, and Long Cheng’en, newly entered into service, defeated him.”
“Later, it was Long Cheng’en’s ingenious strategy that led to the capture of Linjiang City. Then came the issues of firewood, of fortifications—problems that had plagued us for decades, all resolved by Long Cheng’en.”
“Now the Ministry of Revenue faces a massive deficit. Across the realm, only Long Cheng’en can hope to resolve it.”
“Therefore, I still recommend Long Cheng’en for Minister of Revenue.”
Every one of the achievements listed was a resounding triumph. If Long Chen hadn’t known the Ministry of Revenue was a disaster zone, he might truly have believed that Jing Heng was his greatest admirer.
The Empress glanced at Long Cheng’en, then at all the ministers. “And what of you?” she asked. “Do you agree or object?”
This time, no one spoke. The Ministry of Revenue was indeed a quagmire; let this eunuch take the fall.
There was no objection.
The Empress spoke: “Long Cheng’en, what do you think?”
Long Chen replied loudly, “I am of limited learning and shallow talent—I cannot do it!”
Such a mess could only be declined.
But Jing Heng refused to let go. “Long Cheng’en, you have shown such ability in the past; why shrink from this now? Have you, perhaps, exhausted your talents?”
Long Chen smiled. “Lord Jing, the deficit at the Ministry of Revenue arose under your stewardship. You have two hands and two feet—why ask me to tidy up your mess?”
Stung to the quick, Jing Heng snapped, “If my management was poor, let’s see if you can do better!”
Long Chen laughed heartily. “I have no such ability. You can do it yourself!”
Jing Heng’s face turned red and his neck bulged with anger. He’d thought to goad Long Chen into accepting the burden, but Long Chen was like sticky candy—say whatever you like; he simply would not accept.
Princess Di Luoxi could bear it no longer. She stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, the Ministry now faces a massive deficit. To make Long Cheng’en take over now would be to push him into a pit.”
“Besides, even if Long Cheng’en manages to restore the Ministry, there will be some who swoop in to claim the credit.”
Jing Heng, knowing she meant him, retorted at once, “If Long Cheng’en can resolve the deficit, then let the Ministry be his.”
Princess Di Yu flared in anger. “Insolent! The departments of state are not for you to distribute as you please!”
Jing Heng had indeed overstepped, treating the Ministry as if it were the private property of his own family.
With a cold snort, Jing Heng said no more.
The Empress spoke again. “Very well. Before all the ministers, let me make this clear.”
“Long Cheng’en will serve concurrently as Minister of Revenue. If he can resolve the deficit, then he shall hold the post permanently, and none of you may object.”
“Jing Heng, do you agree?”
Jing Heng cast a sly glance at Long Chen and replied loudly, “I agree! I’m only afraid someone else won’t dare accept!”
The Empress turned to the ministers. “Do any of you object?”
They hesitated. The Ministry of Revenue was a crucial office, controlling all the taxes and silver of Eastern Zhou—everyone wanted it.
But at present, it was a disaster no one dared to inherit.
“Do you all agree?” the Empress demanded.
Lord Li and Lord Wan replied, “If Long Cheng’en can resolve the deficit, we agree.”
The Empress nodded slightly, then asked Long Chen, “And you?”
Jing Heng sneered, “He won’t dare!”
Long Chen scoffed and bowed. “I accept your command, Your Majesty.”
A collective gasp swept the court as the ministers turned to look at him in surprise. No one had expected Long Chen to actually accept.
A deficit of seven million taels—in even the most frugal years, it would take at least seven or eight years to fill. Moreover, the Four Directions Guild was deliberately suppressing Eastern Zhou’s tax revenue, and Southern Liang was determined to recapture Linjiang City. Whether there would be any surplus at all was uncertain.
The Empress was delighted. “Long Cheng’en, truly you are the pillar of our state, able to take up responsibility in a time of crisis.”
“From this day forth, Long Cheng’en shall serve concurrently as Minister of Revenue and resolve the deficit.”
At that moment, Jing Heng leapt up again. “Your Majesty, we must set a deadline. The deficit must be resolved within a year.”
“We cannot let this drag on for ten or twenty years, with Long Cheng’en holding the ministry all that time. There must be a limit.”
The other ministers voiced their support, insisting there must be a time frame.
Princess Di Luoxi was furious. “Nonsense! If it is to be done in a year, then why don’t you do it yourself?”
Jing Heng, displeased, sneered, “Why is the Fourth Princess so protective of a eunuch? Could it be the rumors are true?”
Rumor had it that Long Chen was not truly a eunuch, but a man masquerading as one to serve as a lover within the palace.
The Empress’s eyes flashed cold. “Jing Heng! Mind your tongue! What place have wild rumors in the court?”
Jing Heng withdrew with an awkward smile, yet still muttered, “Even if I don’t say it, the world will.”
Princess Di Luoxi was furious, longing to draw her sword and cut Jing Heng down.
Long Chen scoffed. “Lord Jing, I have heard a rumor as well. Would you care to hear it?”