Reborn as a Merchant Girl, the General's Beloved

"Since the Duke of Wei went on the northern expedition, the princes and dukes have presented various gifts to the Duke's Mansion under the pretext of Spring Festival rituals." Anan saw that Jin Liu's expression had turned a little cold, so he continued, "Miss Yu said that she and you are engaged. Since these gifts are sent by your uncles and brothers, they are your and her private property and must not be kept in your natal family. You have already reported the situation to His Majesty. Now all these gifts have been registered and put into the national treasury."

Jinyun couldn't help but sigh: "What a great female Zhuge! She really lives up to her reputation!"

Jin Liu's face froze, his peach blossom eyes were full of disbelief. He didn't speak for a long time and just took a sip of wine.

"Since you are with Miss Yu, please say a few good words for this guy! He has been anxious and angry because there has been no progress in the past few days. He is too busy and has ignored others, but he is not intentional in neglecting her." Hongze took her hand and gently stroked her palm.

"By the way, Sixth Master." Anan knocked on the table in front of him and said with a smile, "Since you think so, why don't you give me the three thousand taels of silver as a settlement?"

Jin Liu was confused, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: "Mrs. An Si really knows how to do business! But is it so expensive to occupy your husband for one night? Now Yunyu's worth is as high as the top star in Chun Song!"

Hongze was both angry and amused, and patted him on the shoulder.

"I can lend you the Yunyu for free, but the two sets of head ornaments with gold and jadeite beads and sea white pearls cost me three thousand taels." Anan spread out his hands and held them in front of Jin Liu.

"What headgear?" Jin Liu asked stupidly.

"The gold-emerald pearl headpiece was the New Year gift you sent to the palace for the imperial concubine, and the white pearl headpiece was the gift you gave to Miss Yu." Anan grinned at him.

Jin Liu was stunned for a long time before he came to his senses. He suddenly stood up, bowed to Anan, and said respectfully, "Thank you, sister-in-law!"

Even Hongze and Jinyun were stunned by this behavior.

Anan hurriedly stood up and returned the greeting, saying with a smile, "Sixth Master and my husband are like brothers, there's no need to be so polite."

After that, she turned her head and looked at Jin Liu, saying, "You may be polite, but remember to take more time to accompany your future wife. No matter how smart a girl is, she is still a girl after all!"

"Oh, that's right." Anan said here, and hurriedly said, "I heard from Yunyu that you haven't made any progress in investigating corruption among officials, right?"

Jin Liu nodded and sighed, "We really haven't found any major problems. As far as we can see, my eldest brother has ordered people to check again and again, and there is no problem with the treasury accounts. The taxes collected from all places are sufficient, and there is no arrears. The ones caught now are just a few small characters."

Anan fell into deep thought and asked him with a frown, "You mean to say that the government has obtained the tax revenue and expenditure of various places without any flaws?"

Jin Liu nodded.

"What about the national treasury? What about the silver in the national treasury?" Anan continued to ask without giving up.

"The accounts receivable and payable and the cash in the treasury are accurate." Jin Liu sighed deeply and took a sip of wine.

"So, have you ever thought about another direction?" Anan raised his head, his brows deeply furrowed.

Hongze and Jinliu were puzzled. Jinyun asked, "What do you mean by another direction?"

"The current national policy is that local officials collect taxes according to the court's regulations, and then bring them to the capital to pay into the national treasury." Seeing that they were puzzled, Anan patiently explained, "After checking over and over again, you all felt that these people must have tampered with the taxes that went into the treasury. The reason we are in a deadlock now is that there is no problem with the taxes that went into the treasury."

The three of them looked at Anan at the same time.