"Enough, enough, Brother Han, why are we two flattering each other here! How could I be where I am today if it weren't for your recommendation back then? Without your introduction, where would I be today? Why don't you tell me about this Tangyin matter!"
Being praised by Han Mo, Zhong Yanchong actually felt a bit embarrassed.
"Alright, it seems you still have some conscience. I'll note this down for now. When you achieve great success in the future, I'll collect it from you slowly!"
"Brother Han, whatever you ask, Zhong Yanchong will not dare to refuse, even if it means going through mountains of knives and seas of fire!"
"That's more like it. You stay here first, I'll go out and give some instructions!"
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, Zhong Yanchong immediately nodded.
After specially instructing Jiang Yan and the others to guard the study area and not let anyone approach, Han Mo returned to the study.
"Your task this time is just to probe, isn't it?" Han Mo asked again after closing the door.
"That's right. My lord's intention is to see the whole situation in Hebei by examining the circumstances in Tangyin County, much like observing the tip of an iceberg."
Zhong Yanchong had no need to hide anything from Han Mo. Moreover, Xu Churen also really wanted to hear Han Mo's views on this matter.
"Tangyin and Neihuang are separated by only a river. The specific situation here should be similar to the previous situation in Neihuang. This is a list of the treasury that I compiled after I took office. You can take a look first!" Han Mo said as he took out a thin booklet from his bookshelf and handed it to Zhong Yanchong.
Although the accounts of the entire treasury were incredibly complicated, and all the accounts had been smoothed over by this time, Han Mo still found a document when he was confiscating Zhang Huai's assets. That document actually recorded the true situation of the treasury.
After reading the figures listed at the end, Zhong Yanchong's forehead was covered in dense beads of sweat. According to the account books, the actual remaining balance in the treasury of Neihuang County was less than one-tenth of the expected amount! It was no exaggeration to say it was shocking.
"Brother Han, then you are now..." After reading the policy, Zhong Yanchong immediately stood up with a wry smile.
"The deficit in Neihuang County has been replenished, haven't you already known that? I confiscated all of their assets and then successfully quelled Li Mao'er. The income from these two sources is enough to cover my deficit!" Han Mo said indifferently.
"All replenished?" Zhong Yanchong's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Otherwise, do you think I could still be sitting here comfortably?" Han Mo said nonchalantly as he took a sip of tea.
"If I had your ability, I wouldn't be here worrying about this now!" After his surprise, Zhong Yanchong felt a wave of helplessness. Although Han Mo had replenished Neihuang County's deficit, what was a mere Neihuang County compared to the entire Hebei? Did he have to learn from Han Mo and confiscate the property of all corrupt officials? If he really did that, even Xu Churen's powerful backing wouldn't be able to save his life in the end! One had to know that there were countless people eyeing the position of the Grand Tutor of Daming!
"Stop saying all this nonsense. I ask you, is your and my lord's primary goal now to replenish the military and logistical funds for Hebei, or to round up all these corrupt officials?" Han Mo, completely ignoring his shallow mutual flattery, asked casually.
"Why, of course! Judging from the situation in Neihuang County, the deficit in Hebei Province is likely more astonishing than we imagined. The war is about to start, and what my lord needs most now is money and grain..." Zhong Yanchong said without thinking.
"Since it's money and grain, why are you still so anxious? As long as the treasury has money and grain, that's all that matters. What do the rest have to do with you?"
"But..." Hearing Han Mo's words, Zhong Yanchong was stunned. Han Mo's words did seem to make sense, but he felt something was not quite right. However, for the moment, he couldn't pinpoint what was wrong.
"Didn't you come to catch up with me? I think you should stay here for three days. Tonight, I'll release the news that you are here to inspect various treasuries for Lord Xu!"
"But wouldn't that alert the snakes? If you do that, what else can my lord find out? With so much time for them to maneuver, the treasury might not have a single coin missing by then!" Zhong Yanchong's eyes widened.
"Isn't that the result you want?" Han Mo retorted.
"But the source of this money..."
"What does the source of this money have to do with you?"
"I..." Zhong Yanchong was completely drawn in. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
"These three days are not for nothing. Within these three days, you should immediately have your people rush back to Yuan City and ask my lord to mobilize five thousand elite soldiers and dozens of capable subordinates. This shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Why mobilize so many people? Such a large-scale troop movement needs an excuse to the outside world!" Mobilizing personnel was not a problem. Given Xu Churen's current position, let alone five thousand people, even fifty thousand could be easily mobilized with an order.
"As for the excuse to the outside world, it's naturally to thoroughly investigate the treasuries everywhere. Anyone found negligent will be dismissed and interrogated!"
"You mean..." Hearing this, Zhong Yanchong seemed to suddenly understand.
"You just go and investigate, seal one treasury after another! After the investigation is complete, have Lord Xu submit a memorial to establish the Transportation Bureau in Hebei Province!" Han Mo said with a smile, looking at his thoughtful expression.
"And then, store the required money and grain in the treasury?" Before Han Mo could finish speaking, Zhong Yanchong had already learned to answer.
"But if that's the case, I'm afraid quite a few officials and wealthy merchants in Hebei Province will go bankrupt..." Zhong Yanchong's eyes lit up. This was indeed a good idea, but also a bad one. As soon as he released the news, the entire Hebei Province would be in utter chaos. Those officials would definitely not dare to lend money to each other now. Besides paying out of their own pockets, the rest could only borrow from wealthy merchants and noble families! As soon as they borrowed the money, Zhong Yanchong would seal their treasuries. The creditors would probably only look for them for trouble...
"It's time for them to spit out some of what they've plundered over the years!"
"The idea is a good one, but it's a bit rotten!" Zhong Yanchong said earnestly.
"If you think it's rotten, then don't use it. Think of your own way!"