Chapter Forty-Four: Out of Money

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Seeing this, Chu Nan’s smile deepened slightly, and with a shift in tone carrying a hint of playfulness, he said, “However, Your Majesty, this time the amount of grain is no small sum.”
“I have gone to great lengths to prepare this batch of military provisions. Isn’t it time to settle the ‘final payment,’ Your Majesty?”
Cheng Lingyu was momentarily taken aback, then couldn’t help but smile lightly.
She tapped the desk gently, her tone tinged with mild helplessness, “Young Master Chu, you’re quite forward, already eager for the final payment?”
“That’s only natural,” Chu Nan replied without concealment, smiling. “As a mere merchant, it’s only proper that payment and goods be exchanged simultaneously.”
Cheng Lingyu shook her head with a touch of amusement but said no more.
She turned toward the door and called softly, “Chief Steward Liu.”
At her summons, an elderly eunuch hurried in, his face kindly, his posture slightly bowed. After respectfully saluting, he asked, “What orders does Your Majesty have?”
Cheng Lingyu spoke calmly, “Bring in the boxes I prepared and present them to Young Master Chu.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Chief Steward Liu replied respectfully, then turned and gestured outside.
Soon, four slender eunuchs entered carrying several heavy large boxes.
The boxes were wrapped in red silk, their metal clasps gleaming under the light, and even at a glance, it was clear the contents were extraordinary.
Chu Nan’s eyes brightened slightly, inwardly delighted.
“Young Master Chu,” Cheng Lingyu raised her hand toward the boxes, her voice steady, “inside are gold, jewels, silk, and some treasured artifacts from the imperial collection. Consider these the final payment for the military grain.”
“Take a look—are you satisfied?”
Chu Nan cupped his hands and smiled, “Your Majesty’s gifts naturally leave me more than satisfied.”
With that, he stepped forward and casually opened one box, instantly bathed in a golden glow.
The gold ingots were neatly stacked, their luster dazzling, almost too bright to look at.
Though inwardly overjoyed, Chu Nan maintained a composed exterior.
He bowed, “I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s generosity. I shall not fail your trust.”
Gazing at the chests full of gold and jewels before him, his heart bloomed with joy.
A barely perceptible smile curled at the corners of his mouth, while his demeanor remained calm and collected.

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Gently stroking the gold bars, he looked up, smiling at Cheng Lingyu, “Your Majesty’s generosity is truly satisfying. But, perhaps, should we procure some more grain and forage?”
“Although this batch of military provisions is considerable, given the situation in the northern borders, it might be wise to stockpile a bit more.”
Cheng Lingyu raised an eyebrow, a faintly amused smile playing on her lips as she regarded Chu Nan, “Young Master Chu is indeed shrewd. I would be willing to supply more—but—”
Her tone shifted, tinged with resignation, “I truly have no money left.”
Chu Nan was taken aback, clearly not expecting a sovereign to admit to lacking funds.
He immediately showed a flicker of doubt and cautiously asked, “Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue supervises all taxation nationwide. There shouldn’t be a shortage of funds. Has something happened?”
Cheng Lingyu lifted her tea cup and took a small sip, her expression slightly weary.
After a moment, she spoke, “The southern provinces have suffered repeated floods, making tax collection nearly impossible. The treasury at the Ministry of Revenue is already stretched thin.”
“Moreover, with the northern frontier conflict intensifying, expenses for grain, weaponry, and soldiers’ pay have all been enormous…”
“Over the years, the court’s financial situation has become increasingly strained.”
“Floods in the south?” Chu Nan frowned slightly, lowering his head in thought.
Though he had not been in Da Huang long, he knew enough.
The southern region was the wealthiest part of Da Huang, known as the empire’s granary.
Even with floods, it was unlikely the court would be utterly unable to collect taxes.
“Either the disaster is far worse than reported, or… someone is meddling behind the scenes.”
Chu Nan pondered silently but did not voice his suspicions.
Such matters, if handled carelessly, could invite unnecessary trouble.
He smiled faintly and changed the subject, “I see. I suppose I’ve been rather ignorant. But Your Majesty’s meaning is clear—simply put, funds are scarce.”
Cheng Lingyu caught his easy demeanor and a spark of amusement gleamed in her eyes. “Young Master Chu, I’ve heard you are clever and resourceful.”
“Since you can solve the military grain issue, I wonder—would you be willing to serve in the court?”
Upon hearing this, Chu Nan’s eyes widened briefly, then a mischievous smile appeared. “Your Majesty, I am but a humble merchant, unworthy of such responsibility.”
“Besides, officialdom is hardly as free as commerce.”
“I have no desire to be burdened daily by the empire’s affairs. Please, find some other worthy talents.”
Cheng Lingyu chuckled softly at his frankness and shook her head, “You are indeed a candid man. Very well, since you are unwilling, I will not press the matter.”

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“However, I would still like to ask you to help transport some grain.”
Chu Nan hurriedly waved his hand, “Your Majesty, it’s not that I am unwilling, but my abilities are limited.”
“You see, this batch of grain is already the maximum I can gather. To procure another…”
“That would take some time. Moreover—”
He changed course, his gaze sweeping across the Imperial Study, “Your Majesty, this final payment you have given has already drained much of the palace’s valuable reserves, hasn’t it?”
Cheng Lingyu cleared her throat lightly, her eyes momentarily uneasy.
She replied calmly, “As Young Master Chu has observed, I have indeed parted with many treasures. If there were any other way, I would not have done so.”
Chu Nan’s heart stirred, his gaze toward her deepened with complexity.
The Empress was remarkably courteous toward him.
In theory, she could have used force, seized his small shop, and coerced him for grain.
Yet, she chose to resolve matters through equal trade…
“It seems this Majesty does observe proper rules after all,” Chu Nan thought with some admiration.
This batch of grain would sustain the northern soldiers for at most half a year.
And judging the current state of the imperial finances, tax revenue clearly could not fill this gap.
After a moment, Chu Nan sighed softly and said, “Your Majesty, I do have an unrefined idea that might help ease the immediate crisis.”
Cheng Lingyu’s eyes lit up, and she quickly asked, “Oh? What idea?”
Chu Nan hesitated briefly, then slowly uttered two words: “The clans.”
Cheng Lingyu was suddenly stunned; her usually serene eyes flickered with shock.
The air in the Imperial Study seemed to freeze. She straightened her back and fixed Chu Nan with a steady gaze, voice lowered, “You mean those great families who have long held sway over the provinces?”
“Precisely,” Chu Nan nodded, his expression calm yet carrying an inscrutable depth.