Gu Chengyin immediately turned to another page of the account book in his hands. In the same year, after the autumn taxes of Lanling Commandery were collected in September, there was a reported item for a subsidy regarding the newly established mechanisms of the Weaving Bureau. The account book records an approved disbursement of fifteen thousand taels of silver. Who was the final approver for this fund, and were there any additional conditions?
Gu Xiaoli's gaze remained unfocused, staring calmly into the empty space ahead, yet she answered fluently once again. In September of the five hundred and sixty-third year of Luoli, the Weaving Bureau of Lanling Commandery submitted a memorial requesting the allocation of subsidies for newly established mechanisms.
The initial application was for twenty thousand taels of silver. After the Inner Secretariat verified the weaving tax revenue and budget surplus of that prefecture for the year, a reduction was recommended.
Ultimately, Lord Cui Tingyu, the then Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue who concurrently managed weaving affairs, approved it on September 28th, setting the amount at fifteen thousand taels.
The additional conditions were that the funds must be used exclusively for their designated purpose, strictly limited to purchasing new-style looms and training artisans, and must not be diverted to other uses. Furthermore, a detailed account of the expenditures and an effectiveness report had to be submitted to the Ministry of Revenue and the Inner Secretariat for the record before June of the following year.
Another perfect answer.
Gu Chengyin was no longer limited to the book in his hand. He quickly pulled out two more account books from different years concerning different matters, flipping them open at random.
His speaking speed grew faster and faster, and the questions became increasingly tricky, even involving cross-year data comparisons and tracing related parties.
In the five hundred and sixty-fourth year of Luoli, the procurement funds for winter cotton clothes in Youzhou City showed an expenditure of eighty thousand taels. Who was the supplier?
In the five hundred and sixty-fifth year of Luoli, the special funds for the Luoshui River dredging project were disbursed in three installments. What were the respective amounts, and how long were the intervals between the previous two?
In the five hundred and sixty-second and five hundred and sixty-fifth years of Luoli, what were the recorded grain procurement prices of Qingwang Grain Store in Qinghe Commandery, respectively? Were there any abnormal fluctuations?
...
Gu Xiaoli stood there the entire time, her posture straight, her expression still maintaining that world-weary calmness.
Facing Gu Chengyin's rapid-fire questions, she did not panic in the slightest. Every time, at the very instant a question was asked or within a remarkably short time, she could provide a precise and flawless answer.
It did not seem like she was recalling memories; rather, it was as if she was directly retrieving clear files from her mind.
Gu Chengyin asked quickly, and she answered quickly.
Between the questions and answers, it was like a duel between masters, or like a precise human-machine interactive system operating at peak efficiency.
When Gu Chengyin finally stopped, he gently placed the account books back on the desk.
He looked at Luo Zhao. Their eyes met, and without needing words, both understood what the other was thinking.
The upcoming auditing work would enter a completely new stage because of Gu Xiaoli's presence.
Those deliberately destroyed or hidden accounts would be resurrected from her memory, becoming the most powerful evidence to nail down those corrupt parasites.
Gu Xiaoli.
Gu Chengyin spoke slowly, his voice solemn. Next, we will have to trouble you.
Gu Xiaoli knew what this meant. Without even needing an order, she took the initiative to walk towards Shangguan Yunying.
With Luo Zhao's permission, Shangguan Yunying led Gu Xiaoli downward.
Luo Zhao's gaze followed their departing figures until they blended into the area below, only then withdrawing her sight.
Sunlight poured down from the skylight, enveloping the two of them in a bright pillar of light. Even the dancing motes of dust in the air seemed to slow down.
Luo Zhao suddenly spoke, breaking the silence between them.
Gu Chengyin, let me ask you.
If Lyu Fang had not sent Gu Xiaoli, did you... have another way?
Hearing this, Gu Chengyin glanced at Luo Zhao, nodded calmly, and let out a clear, single syllable from his nose.
Mm.
Affirmative, crisp, without the slightest hesitation or false modesty.
Hearing this answer, the corners of Luo Zhao's lips curled up very quickly.
She immediately lowered her head, pretending to organize the scattered papers on the desk to conceal that fleeting smile.
She absolutely could not let Gu Chengyin see her looking so... easily pleased.
After tidying up a bit, when she raised her head again, her face had returned to its usual coldness.
She casually picked up one of the incomplete account books from the pile in front of her.
Luo Zhao gently rubbed the rough edges of the paper with her fingers, her voice carrying an icy edge.
Since these parasites are so insidious and despicable that they even resorted to such underhanded tricks.
If we don't take this opportunity to make good use of it, it would be a total waste of their painstaking efforts.
Saying this, she gently handed the problematic account book in her hand toward Gu Chengyin.
The gesture was casual, but the intent could not be more obvious.
Gu Chengyin's gaze fell on the handed-over account book, then quickly lifted to meet Luo Zhao's eyes, which were chillingly cold yet held a hidden expectation.
In that instant, he completely understood Luo Zhao's unspoken subtext.
Make a scene! Blow this matter up! Make it known to everyone!
Make a fuss until the streets and alleys, teahouses, and taverns of the Divine Capital all know that the Crown Princess's Palace is auditing the Ministry of Revenue's accounts.
But the audit is going very poorly, because the crucial accounts have coincidentally all been destroyed!
Her Highness was indeed not a character who only knew how to endure or act recklessly.
When it was time to be ruthless, her sharp tactics and meticulous mind were in no way inferior to those old foxes in the imperial court.
Gu Chengyin reached out and steadily took the account book.
Feeling the rough texture of the paper with his fingertips, it was as if he could touch the filth and arrogance hidden behind it.
I understand Your Highness's intentions.
He pondered for a moment, seemingly thinking of a certain link. It is just that... doing so might wrong Lord Shangguan.
Gu Chengyin looked at Luo Zhao with a hint of consultation. I hope Lord Shangguan can appreciate Your Highness's good intentions and not harbor any resentment because of this.
Hearing this, Luo Zhao gently shook her head.
It does not matter. With Shangguan Yuan's experience, not only will he not be angry, but he will also cooperate with you quite tacitly.
No one knows better than him how deep and muddy these waters are.
Over these years, whether he was acting against his will, intentionally turning a blind eye, or secretly collecting something, only he himself knows.
But one thing is certain: he is absolutely unwilling to be a scapegoat for the insatiable greed of certain people, much less have his reputation ruined because of it.
Your going there this time is actually giving him an opportunity. He will only go with the flow and will never resist stubbornly. In fact, he might have been waiting for someone to cause this scene all along.
As for Yunying... A trace of softness flashed in Luo Zhao's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by firmness. I will personally comfort her. You just go all out and do it without any scruples. The bigger the commotion, the better.
She spoke the last sentence with absolute decisiveness.
Gu Chengyin nodded in agreement, took the problematic account book, and got up to walk toward the door.
Going downstairs, he passed through the female officials who were still immersed in their work.
Gu Chengyin did not look at anyone. His steps were extremely fast, and the expression on his face was already completely different.
e, Immortal Body, Transmigration, System, Progression Fantasy, Academy Setting, Third-Person Perspective. Alternate Title: Transmigrating into a High Martial World and Reading Live Comments. Bad news: I transmigrated. This is a terrifying high-martial world, and my original, pathetically weak body fell into a coma and never woke up. Good news: I got a Popularity Points system upon arrival. I can see live comments and even create an unkillable alternate identity. Starting out, the alternate identity has all stats at 1. The system tells me that to grow stronger, I must participate in the plot, gain popularity points to allocate stats and grow stronger, and ultimately awaken my original body. And so, carrying my original body on my back, I officially entered Huaqing Academy, where the story's protagonist resides. From that moment on, Chen Guan kicked the original plot to pieces. Live Comments: [Doesn't anyone find this mysterious coffin guy creepy? He can summon indescribable grey misty hands.] [Is this guy a hero or a villain? What kind of onion became a spirit?] [By the way, does anyone know who's in the coffin? Shouldn't the debt for saving his life be repaid by now?] [According to unofficial histories, the person in the coffin was Chen Guan's first love. Their love was once passionate and earth-shattering, but they were separated by life and death due to worldly circumstances. What a star-crossed pair.] ... Years later, the world knew of a demon god born from a coffin, shrouded in grey mist, impossible to gaze upon directly. His foremost divine emissary often wielded a scythe, reaping lives like the god of death. As war approached, facing former friends and a boundless sea of enemies, Chen Guan merely raised his scythe. "Would you like to dance as well?"
or! A blessing for those who struggle with love, a guidebook for dating novices. Quickly match with your dream goddess! Complete walkthroughs earn rewards, and perfect walkthroughs unlock limited achievements!】 Shen Yi, an ordinary office worker, accidentally downloads a mini-game called Dating Simulator. The mini-game is simple: randomly search for dating targets, simulate dates, and receive rewards upon successful confession. Rewards include but are not limited to money, attributes, and skills. The higher the evaluation, the better the rewards, with perfect ratings unlocking mysterious achievements. Shen Yi plans to use this mysterious mini-game to continuously pursue targets and improve himself, making his life better and better. ...... However, after several successful walkthroughs, Shen Yi suddenly notices something strange - the targets he previously simulated dating seem to be searching for him in real life?
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
