Chapter 33: A Ministry of Revenue Official, What Are You Afraid Of?
Empress Ma also walked into the pavilion at this moment.
She was shocked to hear Li Fan’s words.
It was the first time she had heard such an opinion.
Liu Bowen had confidently helped His Majesty sever the dragon veins of the world, so that future generations could enjoy the empire’s peace without worrying about rebellions.
But from Li Fan’s words, severing the dragon veins caused backlash, bringing constant disasters to the entire Ming dynasty.
She couldn’t help but start to worry, Is there still hope for the Ming dynasty?
Zhu Yuanzhang also felt that Li Fan was not joking.
Even though he trusted Li Fan greatly, he couldn’t just change the national policy of the Ming dynasty based on a single statement.
That would be irresponsible.
It had to be carefully verified.
After pondering for a moment, he directly said:
“Even though I believe your words, how can we make the world believe it?”
Li Fan glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang, confirming that he was indeed a person concerned for the country and its people, with a heart for the world and care for the common folk.
He said helplessly:
“If this matter is exposed, I’m afraid the entire Ming dynasty will be doomed.
The people will have no way to live and will definitely think of rebelling!
So only the emperor needs to believe it.
But the current emperor is stubborn and rigid.
Once he sets his mind on something, it’s hard to change.
So making the emperor believe is almost impossible!”
Empress Ma looked worriedly at Zhu Yuanzhang, fearing he would be angered by Li Fan’s words.
But after observing for a while, he didn’t show any signs of anger.
She couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
What happened to His Majesty? Why isn’t he angry?
Do they have some sort of secret?
Zhu Yuanzhang was somewhat annoyed by Li Fan calling him stubborn, but when he thought of the medicine he had, he held back his anger.
Tonight he would try it with Empress Ma, and if it worked, he would definitely thank Li Fan for doing what the imperial doctors couldn’t.
If it didn’t work, he would settle both new and old scores together, making sure Li Fan couldn’t escape punishment.
Moreover, Li Fan’s words were not wrong.
He wasn’t easily convinced and needed to verify carefully.
The Jinyiwei had already started investigating the archives, and by comparing the severed dragon vein locations with the disaster sites, they could get the desired results.
And Liu Bowen was about to arrive.
As long as they debated, the truth would come out!
While Zhu Yuanzhang was thinking, an officer rushed in, saluted Li Fan and said:
“Sir, someone from the Ministry of Revenue is here with a group of Jinyiwei, asking for you by name!”
When Li Fan heard someone from the Ministry of Revenue, he knew they were here to check the accounts, something that happened twice a year.
He disdainfully said to Old Zhu:
“The Ministry of Revenue officials come twice a year, thinking Fengyang collects too little tax, always wanting to take more silver back to Jinling!”
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned by Li Fan’s words, thinking that sending the Ministry of Revenue officials to check accounts would make Li Fan afraid.
But he was not worried at all.
Could he really be an honest official?
Curiously, he asked:
“Aren’t you worried about the audit?”
Li Fan looked at the anxious Old Zhu.
This guy was just timid and fearful, even scared of a minor Ministry of Revenue official.
He needed a good lesson, or he’d be terrified when facing higher-ranking officials.
“Old Zhu, you’re too timid. They’re just a few minor officials from the Ministry of Revenue.You’re the emperor’s brother-in-law, what are you afraid of?”
Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyes at Li Fan.
He was the current emperor, how could he be afraid of a Ministry of Revenue official?
He said helplessly:
“I’m not afraid, just concerned about the audit.”
Li Fan burst into laughter.
Fengyang used a new accounting method, with Arabic numerals, every time Ministry of Revenue officials came to audit, they were utterly confused.
Patting Old Zhu’s shoulder, he said contemptuously:
“Fengyang County can withstand any audit, even if all Ministry of Revenue officials come, they won’t find any issues in a year!”
Zhu Yuanzhang was somewhat skeptical of Li Fan’s words.
To verify if Li Fan was an honest official, he had ordered the Ministry of Revenue to send their best officials, with unparalleled auditing skills.
If they couldn’t find any issues, it would mean Li Fan was indeed clean.
He then said:
“I’ll go with you to check!”
Li Fan nodded without objection, and took Old Zhu to the front hall.
The leading Ministry of Revenue official saw an old and a young man coming out, and immediately identified who Li Fan was.
Sitting on a chair, he said nothing, just sipped his tea.
Li Fan frowned at this, finding the official’s arrogant attitude very annoying, especially with his legs crossed in front of him.
He was just a sixth-rank official, acting so presumptuously.
With a cold snort, he turned to take Old Zhu back.
“Let’s go back and enjoy the cool.”
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned at the arrogant Ministry of Revenue official.
A sixth-rank official escorted by Jinyiwei, his status was surely unusual.
Even if he was on an imperial mission, he shouldn’t be so arrogant and rude.
There must be something hidden here.
So he followed Li Fan to the backyard.
The Ministry of Revenue official was stunned to see Li Fan leaving.
He was a sixth-rank official, and Li Fan didn’t even greet him.
This was outrageous!
He said to the Jinyiwei behind him:
“Zheng Baihu, go in and arrest him. I want to see who this disrespectful Li Fan is!”
