Chapter 47: Deputy Minister of Revenue

"Cooperation is an exchange of interests. I can offer them benefits, and they can offer me benefits," Long Chen said. "And as it happens, I am in a position to provide them with advantages."

Long Chen had already devised his plan, which was why he dared to promise on the imperial court that he would resolve the Ministry of Finance’s deficit within two years and even turn a surplus.

"Benefits? What can you give?" Di Yuwei asked calmly.

Long Chen smiled, "Let me keep it a secret for now. The Princess will know in due time."

Di Luoxi asked, "Can you find the leader of the Dragon Gang?"

Long Chen replied, "The Dragon Gang is smaller than the World Society, and they carry themselves with less airs. I've already sent people to contact them."

Di Yuwei nodded, "Good. As long as you have a plan."

With the official matters settled, Di Yuwei took He Ningxin from the Western Palace to Phoenix Song Palace.

Upon meeting the Empress, Di Yuwei explained Long Chen’s intentions.

The Empress smiled, "Not bad. This Long Cheng'en is courageous and shrewd—a fine talent."

"How is his martial practice lately?" she asked.

Di Yuwei answered, "After entering the King’s Realm, his progress has slowed considerably."

The Empress nodded and fell silent. Di Yuwei then returned to the Eastern Palace.

After the court session, the ministers left the hall, and word quickly spread throughout Daughter City that Long Chen was now also the Minister of Finance. The news of a eunuch holding two ministerial offices became the talk of every street and alley.

Yet what truly captivated people was not Long Chen's dual appointments, but the wager between him and Jing Heng in court—stripping for verification.

Long Chen dared to undress and prove his identity as a eunuch before everyone, while Jing Heng did not. Thus, rumor had it that Long Chen was a true eunuch, and perhaps Jing Heng was one as well.

This led to much speculation: whose child was the son born to Jing Heng’s concubine?

For a time, Jing Heng was mocked as a cuckold.

At the Jing mansion, Jing Heng grabbed a porcelain bottle and smashed it furiously to the floor, cursing, "That damned eunuch slanders me! Outrageous!"

"I'm a man of seven feet, wielding a nine-inch wolf's tooth club—how dare he call me a eunuch! Infuriating!"

As Jing Heng raged and smashed things, a middle-aged woman in luxurious attire entered. She was Madam Sun, wife of Jing Tianlie.

Sun surveyed the mess with a cold voice, "A mere eunuch has rattled you so—how improper! How will you accomplish great things in the future?"

"Clean this up at once!"

The steward behind her immediately summoned servants to tidy the room.

"Mother, that damned eunuch dared to defame me, saying your son is a eunuch!"

"And so you smash your own possessions for that?"

Jing Heng sat sulkily on the couch, pounding his fists on the wooden arm.

"He's just a eunuch. Ignore him. When your father returns to court, everything will be set right," Madam Sun said, sitting beside him and stroking his head to comfort him.

"Father is coming back?" Jing Heng was both startled and delighted.

He had lost his position as Minister of Finance, and feared a harsh scolding from Jing Tianlie. Yet as long as his father returned, the Jing family would remain the General’s Mansion, the pillar of Eastern Zhou, and all would return to normal.

"He has heard about the court's affairs. He'll return when the time is right," Madam Sun replied, offering no specifics.

A general is only a general when he commands troops in the field. Once back in the capital, he would be under the supervision of the Imperial Guard.

Though the Empress had granted Jing Tianlie military authority, the city’s defense remained tightly in her hands—the hundred thousand elite Imperial Guards were hers.

"Good. When Father returns, I'll make sure to deal with that eunuch!" Jing Heng cursed bitterly.

...

After Di Yuwei left, Long Chen departed the Western Palace with Zhang Qian and headed for the Ministry of Finance.

At the ministry, the guards at the gate greeted Long Chen with anxious reverence.

The last time he served as Minister of Works, the staff had been disdainful and disrespectful. But now, with Jing Heng removed and Chen Hanying and several ministry officials executed, Long Chen had established authority.

Seated in the main hall, the remaining officials quickly gathered to greet the new Minister.

"We pay respects to His Excellency," the leader, a square-faced man, declared on behalf of the group.

"What is your name?" Long Chen asked, unfamiliar with him.

"I am Wang Xuepu, Assistant Minister of Finance," the man replied respectfully.

"Good. Bring me the ministry's roster—leave out those who are deceased."

At Long Chen’s command, Wang Xuepu promptly presented the updated roster.

These were well-informed people, and upon hearing of Long Chen’s appointment, had made preparations.

Many key officials were implicated in corruption, either executed or imprisoned, leaving numerous vacancies.

Long Chen thought to himself: The deaths are convenient—I can appoint my own people.

As he pondered, a tall, slender woman entered, dressed in a green gown with her hair in an elegant bun, exuding scholarly refinement.

She ignored the others and bowed to Long Chen, "I am Duan Shuangshuang. Her Majesty has appointed me as Vice Minister of Finance to assist you in managing the ministry."

The Empress's envoy? Clearly, she intended to keep the ministry under her control.

"Just as well—the ministry needs staff. Take a seat," Long Chen said. The Empress had thoughtfully sent a tall beauty.

Duan Shuangshuang sat beside him.

Long Chen addressed the officials, "You are all aware of the former Vice Minister, Chen Hanying: he abused his position, embezzled funds, and has been sentenced to execution after autumn. The other criminals have been apprehended—those who deserve death have been executed, those who deserve imprisonment have been sentenced."

"You are still here, which means your problems are minor, or non-existent."

"But do not be complacent. The law is vast and thorough. Do your jobs well, and keep the accounts in order."

"From now on, all ministry accounts will use double-entry bookkeeping. I will send someone to teach you."

"That’s all. You have met your new Minister and Vice Minister. Return to your duties."

Wang Xuepu led the staff away, and Long Chen turned to Duan Shuangshuang, "Where did you work previously? I don’t recall meeting you."

Duan Shuangshuang replied, "I previously managed Her Majesty’s inner treasury at Phoenix Song Palace."

Long Chen didn’t quite catch her meaning and asked, "Inner wear?"

Underwear? Did the Empress have so much that it required dedicated management? When he had helped her dress at Phoenix Song Palace, he hadn’t seen much underwear.

Long Chen was puzzled.

Duan Shuangshuang clarified, "Her Majesty has special funds to manage. I was responsible for the palace's revenues and expenditures."

"Oh, the inner treasury," Long Chen laughed.

Duan Shuangshuang was confused—what did he mean by 'so it was the inner treasury'?

"Alright, review the ministry's accounts. I’ve already examined them; familiarize yourself as well."

Long Chen looked Duan Shuangshuang up and down, wondering when he might bathe with her and exchange back-scrubbing.

Duan Shuangshuang rose to see Long Chen off, then returned to study the account books.

Long Chen left the ministry and headed toward the Eastern Palace.

"Why were you staring at her chest just now?" Zhang Qian asked unexpectedly from behind.

"Was I? Hers are so small—what’s there to look at?"

"Yours are nice, especially when you run. Like a rabbit," Long Chen said with a mischievous grin.

Zhang Qian, now familiar with Long Chen, was not embarrassed by this. Instead, she hopped a few times deliberately and asked, "Like this?"

Long Chen swallowed and said, "Yes, just like that."

Zhang Qian teased, "Do you need a reminder?"

Long Chen smirked, "I’m a eunuch, I know all about it."