Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 810: Ministry of Revenue: Extra 2

On the first day that Minister Feng assumed his position, dozens of officials from the Ministry of Revenue were called into the signature room for questioning in turns. Minister Feng was a master of accounts, and as soon as he opened his mouth, he pointed out oversights that made people break out in cold sweat.

The ministry officials walked in with their heads held high and chests out. Some were left speechless under the questioning, others nervously stuttered, while a few thick-skinned and bold individuals tried to look away and muddle through, but ended up being scolded the most fiercely. By the evening, before closing time, Minister Feng summoned everyone for a meeting.

Minister Feng wore a stern expression, speaking unreservedly: "As this Minister has reviewed the ledgers all day, I’ve come to understand your usual working style. I won’t pursue past matters, but from today onwards, you must all be diligent. Any more oversights, and this Minister will show no mercy."

All the officials nodded submissively, not daring to raise their heads for fear of meeting Minister Feng’s sharp gaze.

On the fifth day of Minister Feng’s term, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue arrived at the office early and were the last to leave.

The tenth day.

"...Such a simple task should have been completed in three days at most. How have you been occupied for ten days? Your work efficiency is too low."

"The affairs of the Ministry of Revenue are complex. If everyone idled like you, who would accomplish the tasks? If major matters are delayed, who will take responsibility?"

"Can you bear this responsibility?"

"If it happens again, you’ll be leaving the Ministry of Revenue directly, to find a quiet place for retirement."

Accompanying the rebuke, a ministry official shuffled out dejectedly. The other officials cast him a sympathetic glance but dared not speak in his defense, much less console this unlucky fellow.

Minister Feng’s explosive temper was something no one dared to provoke. In just ten short days, the efficiency of the Ministry of Revenue had more than doubled.

Of course, aside from Minister Feng’s intimidating temper, his abilities were undeniable and command respect.

He possessed a photographic memory; once he glanced over accounts, he remembered them clearly. When scolding, he did so with reason and evidence, always accurately hitting weaknesses and sore spots. The deadlines he set for completing tasks were not arbitrary. If you worked diligently, it was indeed possible to complete them. Just no time for idle tea breaks or procrastination.

Additionally, Minister Feng was not fond of holding large meetings; he addressed issues by calling individuals into the signature room separately. This made it impossible for them to unite, and when receiving a scolding, there was no one to intercede.

A month passed.

In the past, documents sent to the Ministry of Revenue often accumulated in a pile, with no hope of a response for a good ten days or half a month. After Minister Feng’s arrival, he set a specific rule: documents from any government office must receive a reply on the same day.

What? Too busy to handle?

Then it must be your low efficiency. In any case, today’s work must be finished today. You cannot leave the office until everything is completed.

The Ministry of Revenue’s office remained brightly lit, often until late into the night.

Minister Feng himself did not leave, overseeing all until tasks were completed, and occasionally slept in the office when busy.

He was different from Minister Ji. When Minister Ji was in office, he would grandly stay in the office for urgent tasks, making a public display of the Ministry of Revenue being so diligent that they did not return home.

Minister Feng quietly stayed overnight, consistently busy until deep into the night. The practice of treats and banquets within the Ministry of Revenue quietly disappeared. After all, everyone was as busy as a spinning top, with neither the time nor the mind for drinking. Even when occasionally drinking and complaining about the boss, they dared not drink too much to avoid reeking of alcohol the next day.

Those who had a good relationship with Tang Youyin privately approached him with long faces to plead: "Brother Tang, these days are genuinely hard to endure. You were personally taught by the Lord Minister; could you give us a definitive word? How long will the new minister’s ’three fires’ burn?"

Tang Youyin, being an honest man, spoke the absolute truth: "Brother Zhao, you’re joking. The Lord Minister isn’t igniting any ’three fires.’ This is just his personality. When I was serving in the Household Department of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, the Lord Minister was like this every day."

Brother Zhao: "..."

Brother Zhao was stunned, grabbing Tang Youyin’s hand with a trembling voice: "You, you mean it will always be like this in the future?"

Tang Youyin smiled comfortingly: "Once you get used to it, it’s actually not that bad. The Lord Minister focuses on the work, not the person. As long as we diligently do our job, we won’t be scolded."

Brother Zhao felt as if he could cry but had no tears.

The rest of the officials, upon hearing this conversation, all inwardly groaned in despair.

Such a superior is truly terrifying!

...

Having such an official is truly a blessing for the Emperor.

Jiang Shaohua casually listened to Lu Zhen recounting the anecdotes of the Ministry of Revenue, chuckling continually: "They’ve had it too easy in the past. With Minister Feng on board, the atmosphere at the Ministry of Revenue has instantly changed."

Lu Zhen laughed quietly: "Isn’t that so? Now the efficiency at the Ministry of Revenue is much higher than when Minister Ji was around. Tasks that used to take half a month to complete can now be resolved in just three to five days."

"Except for everyone at the Ministry of Revenue lamenting, the other departments are very pleased with Minister Feng."

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly: "Minister Feng may have a straightforward temper, but he has the public’s interest at heart. He quickly approves any genuinely urgent expenses. Just in this regard, he’s much better than before."

Lu Zhen nodded in agreement: "The Emperor is right."

However, Minister Feng’s strong rise served as a moderate stimulus to the other ministers.

Minister Dong is also a progressive person, not content to be outdone by Minister Feng. Recently, he has been urging the Ministry of Rites officials to work diligently, with his mantra changing to: "Look at how the Ministry of Revenue works."

Minister Yang from the Ministry of Justice is more tactful, not revealing his discontent outwardly, but tightening control over his officials in private.

Over at the Ministry of War, Minister Ding, known for his amiable nature, recently lost his temper a few times, resulting in greatly improved efficiency among the officials.

As for Minister Zhou from the Ministry of Industry, due to the riverbank collapse from floods a few years back, his confidence is lacking. Once his back bent, it’s hard to straighten again.

The Ministry of Personnel also reflects new changes. Chancellor Chen holds the ministerial title, but the one truly handling tasks is Wang Jin. Though Wang Jin appears gentle, never losing his temper with subordinates, and scolding in a leisurely manner on rare occasions, Ministry of Personnel officials still hold Vice Minister Wang in deep respect.

The reason is simple. Personnel changes in other departments are difficult; replacing someone is troublesome. In the Ministry of Personnel, it’s effortless. If someone doesn’t work well or undermines Vice Minister Wang, the next day, he issues a document transferring you out of the capital to a far-off place where even birds don’t nest.

To this, the Emperor of Da Liang, Jiang Shaohua, expressed his contentment.

This is how officials should strive.