Joy of Life: I am a Han Dynasty succubus, and I rebel from the beginning

Chapter 55: Taking back the power of the Ministry of War and Liu Hong's popularity

Liu Hong's expression relaxed for a while.

He could still afford to wait for three months.

It won’t be long before Liu Hong will have ninth-grade masters under his command.

This time, Liu Hong did not choose to return to the compound, but went to the Ministry of War.

Since Chen Pingping said that he had helped solve the problem, then the matter has been resolved.

Chen Pingping, the President of the Supervisory Yuan, never tells lies.

When the clerks of the Ministry of War saw Liu Hong coming, their expressions changed. It seemed that they did not expect Liu Hong to come to the Ministry of War at this time.

"Lead the way. I have some business to attend to."

Liu Hong ignored the clerks and spoke calmly.

He Hai, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, and Shangshu Huang Ming, who had been bribed before, saw Liu Hong in the courtyard.

He was stunned at first, then he started laughing and became somewhat enthusiastic.

"Is Lord Liu recovered from his illness? The Ministry of War cannot do without Lord Liu..."

"Master Huang, Master He is joking. I am lucky enough to get the position of Right Vice Minister. I will have to learn from you two masters in the future."

Liu Hong chuckled but did not take out the silver.

Now bribing the two assistant ministers and the chancellor would undoubtedly lower Liu Hong's status.

It seems too flattering and makes people look down on you.

Huang Ming gently shook the folding fan in his hand, smiled and pointed to a small courtyard next to him in a friendly manner.

"This is Lord Liu's office. The ministry affairs have piled up in the past few days, and we two old guys are exhausted. Lord Liu, please help us share some of the burden from now on."

Sharing means sharing power.

Huang Ming's move was undoubtedly a gesture of goodwill to Liu Hong.

It seems that these two experienced and shrewd officials guessed that this fight between Qin and Liu would end with Liu Hong's victory.

With Liu Hong's ability, he couldn't hurt the Qin family even if he died.

But he won. If it wasn't because he had the support of a powerful figure with great influence behind him, then it was because the emperor was biased.

No matter what, it’s right to be friends with Liu Hong.

Liu Hong bowed with a humble attitude.

After the three of them chatted for a while, Liu Hong returned to his ministerial courtyard to handle ministry affairs.

The military equipment manufacturing in Jiangnan, as well as the military food situation and troop armament situation across the country were all under the management of Liu Hong.

Although he has no control over the promotion of generals, he can still be said to be in a high position with great power and plenty of lucrative benefits.

Huang Ming and He Hai put away the smiles on their faces.

"Sir, it seems that Liu Hong is fine now. The promotion request of his generals has been approved."

He Hai gently pulled out a document about the military situation in Qianlong Bay from the pressed documents.

Huang Ming nodded and thought for a while.

"It's natural..."

The two old foxes smiled at each other, this is the rule in officialdom.

Harmony leads to promotion and wealth.

For example, the Qin family only had an illegitimate child die. Why would they have to fight with Liu Hong for nothing?
You have to know that Liu Hong is now the Right Vice Minister and may not be able to do anything to the Qin family.

However, Liu Hong is in charge of the military equipment, food, and fodder, as well as the military grade, whether it is stationed on the first or second line, and their treatment.

If Liu Hong wanted to, he could make the Qin family sick to death.

This is what it means that a county magistrate is not as good as the current manager.

Yang Du was holding a document, his face full of joy that could not be concealed.

"Sir, these are the recommendations of the two assistant ministers for your promotion. They have all been approved."

Liu Hong smiled indifferently, not too surprised by their goodwill.

The old Minister Huang Ming is already over sixty years old and is not in the emperor’s favor anymore, so he will retire in a few years.

He just wants to land smoothly now, and then be satisfied if he can make a lot of money during his term of office.

He Hai is younger, and after becoming the Shangshu according to the procedures, he will retire soon.

But Liu Hong is different. He is only in his twenties and in the prime of life.

Now that they have offended Liu Hong, the descendants of these two people will probably be bullied to death by Liu Hong.

"Tell the two adults that Liu Hong is deeply grateful for their kindness. I would like to invite them to have a chat at Yishiju some other day," Liu Hong said as he was reviewing official documents without even turning his head.

Yang Du nodded and tiptoed to close the door.

These official documents allow Liu Hong to clearly see the military situation of Qing State and the crisis hidden deep within.

No wonder in the later period, Fan Xian only needed to control the Jiangnan Road and the three major departments of the inner treasury to make Emperor Qing afraid to touch him.

The population of Qing State was only over 20 million, and there were probably over 500,000 officials.

The front-line troops, county troops, and militia together numbered more than 2.2 million.

This means that there are three million people in Qing Kingdom who do almost no productive work. What does this mean?
Putting aside the geishas and merchants, almost ten farmers had to support one soldier.

Even in the 21st century, few countries dare to do so.

But Qing Kingdom did just that. No wonder it became the most powerful country in the world and had all the nations submit to it.

If it weren't for Jiangnan, a tax-intensive area rich in fish and rice, and the inner treasury left by Ye Qingmei.

In a few years, the Qing Kingdom will be on the verge of collapse due to huge financial expenditures.

Liu Hongsheng was young and finished marking his work in half a day, then he stretched himself.

Looking at the gloomy sky, most of the officials from the Ministry of War had left. Apart from a few clerks who were still sorting out official business, there was no one else to be seen.

Liu Hong also felt a little sleepy and spoke to Yang Du.

"Let's go..."

Yang Du nodded and brought the horse to Liu Hong.

"Is your Excellency returning to the compound?"

"Let's take a walk! I've been in Kyoto for so long, but I've never taken a close look at the commercial street that I control."

Liu Hong laughed. It seemed that he had been quite negligent in his duties.

After all, I am a human being, not a god, and I cannot take care of everything.

The commercial street is bustling with people and countless lanterns are hung on the shops, making it seem just like daytime.

It’s a pity that this bustle won’t last long. When it gets dark, around eight o’clock, the city defense troops will forcibly drive away these merchants.

Liu Hong came to the noodle stall where he and his brothers had just come to Kyoto, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

"Boss, minced pork and sauerkraut noodles, give us a bowl each."

The honest man's eyes lit up and his attitude became enthusiastic when he saw Liu Hong.

The minced meat was added to the noodles as if it was free.

He didn't dare to greet the official Liu Hong, and could only use this feeling to express his joy.

"My lord, it seems that you are very popular."

Yang Du joined Liu Hong's camp from a border county. He didn't know what the forty streets in Kyoto meant, so he couldn't help but make a joke.

“Before I managed these streets, the thugs would demand money every now and then, in varying amounts.

After I came, I unified the distribution. A noodle stall with a low profit margin only cost one penny a week.

Also, vendors who set up stalls without permission will be driven away by thugs.

Business is good, and they pay less, so they are naturally happy.”

Liu Hong picked up the chopsticks and looked at the bowl that almost filled up with minced meat. He was dumbfounded for a moment.

The boss smiled innocently, and now he was standing there, feeling a little nervous.

"Thanks, boss!"

The man's eyes lit up and he became more efficient in cooking noodles.

Yang Du looked at the thumb-sized minced meat in his bowl, and then looked at the minced meat in Liu Hong's bowl.

Envy speaks out.

"Sir, you are so popular."

Liu Hong looked at Yang Du meaningfully.

"No, I've never been very popular. My gangster temper easily offends people. I just win the hearts of the people."

Yang Du seemed to understand, but he just felt that the adults seemed to be more determined about their goals.

There was a burst of noise among the crowd at the noodle stall.

It seemed to be the son of some famous and powerful person who was shouting and cursing, and he was ordering his subordinates to pick up sticks and beat people.

(End of this chapter)