Chapter 186 Stealing Money from Corrupt Officials...

Chapter 186 Stealing Money from Corrupt Officials...

Prefect Cui glanced at Governor Xu, thinking it was as if the heavens were raining down red money; the greedy official was actually willing to spit out his wealth.

"Prefect Cui, aren't you going to do something to show your appreciation?" Governor Xu called out directly.

"Does Your Excellency truly intend to donate ten thousand strings of cash?" Prefect Cui glanced at Meng Qing and Du Min, suspecting that Governor Xu was faking the donation and that these two were thugs helping to cover it up.

"A word spoken is a word that cannot be taken back," said Governor Xu.

"Chief Secretary Du, to whom will this donated money be delivered? And who will supervise how the money is used?" Chief Clerk Cui asked.

Du Min pondered to himself and said, "This humble official intends to ask Prefect Cui to supervise, but I wonder if Prefect Cui is willing to go through the trouble."

“Alright.” Prefect Cui was overjoyed. He looked at Governor Xu and said, “Sir, please prepare the money. I will personally lead people to count it.”

Governor Xu sneered. Was this to prevent him from becoming famous but not spending money?

"What are you counting? There won't be any stones in the box of copper coins," he said coldly. "I'll donate ten thousand strings of cash, how much will Prefect Cui donate?"

"No rush. What's the deal with this paper mill? Will the profits go to the Prefectural Governor's Office of Huai Prefecture? Will it be used to manage the Yellow River? Will Huai Prefecture not have to ask the court for disaster relief funds in the future?" Prefect Cui wanted to find out first whether this paper mill was a way for Prefect Xu to make money.

Du Min looked at Governor Xu, but did not speak for a moment.

"It's uncertain how much money the paper mill can make. If Huai Prefecture suffers a major disaster, the imperial court will definitely be needed for disaster relief." Governor Xu wanted to make money from both sides, so he was unwilling to sign a pledge.

“Okay, let me rephrase the question: who manages the profits of the paper mill?” Cui asked again.

"Of course it's me. I'm the Prefect of Huai Prefecture. If I don't care, who will?" Prefect Xu said confidently.

Prefect Cui smiled and said, "Alright, I understand. I served as an official in Huai Prefecture for four years, and like the Prefect, I donated four years' worth of salary, totaling 2,400 strings of cash."

Governor Xu was dissatisfied, "Your Cui family is so wealthy and powerful, even a little bit of money slipping through your fingers would amount to more than two thousand strings of cash. You, the Prefect of a prefecture, are you even embarrassed to donate such a small amount to charity?"

“I am the Prefect of Huai Prefecture, not the entire Cui family. What does my donation have to do with the Cui family? According to you, Prime Minister Xu is also the Prime Minister of the country, with high position and great power, and wealth comparable to that of a country. Shouldn’t he also contribute to the achievements of Prefect Xu?” Prefect Cui retorted. “I am merely following your example. You donate your salary, and I will donate mine.”

Governor Xu was speechless.

"I served in Huai Prefecture for two years and received a total salary of 480 strings of cash. I'll donate it all," Sima quickly replied.

Seeing this, other officials also echoed the sentiment, wanting to donate their salaries received while serving as officials in Huaizhou. Some donated 120 strings of cash, some 252 strings, some 168 strings, some 360 ​​strings, and some 720 strings...

Governor Xu secretly calculated that, after deducting the donations from himself and the Meng and Du families, the remaining ten officials on the ship had a combined value of less than five thousand strings of cash. This was far from the amount he had estimated before boarding the ship, yet he couldn't find fault with it. He was filled with regret and anger, regretting that he had chosen a high-sounding excuse that had led him into a trap, and heartbroken that he had donated ten thousand strings of cash. He had cast out a large bait but hadn't caught a big fish. He was heartbroken.

When Prefect Cui saw the dark circles under his eyes, he felt extremely pleased. It was a rare treat to see this scoundrel suffer a setback at his hands.

"Chief Secretary Du, have you noted down all the donations from the officials? After we get off the ship, I'll lead you to collect them from each household." Prefect Cui was determined to get the ten thousand strings of cash from Governor Xu.

Du Min was eager for the money but couldn't get it. He was also worried that Governor Xu might renege on his promise and refuse to pay.

"On behalf of the people of Wen County, I thank you all for your donations. The future development and growth of Huaizhou Paper Mill is inseparable from your support. After this donation is raised, I will keep it safe and will never misuse it. Every expenditure will be recorded, and you can ask me to check the accounts at any time." Du Min took the opportunity to clarify that he would be in charge of the donation.

"You all need not doubt Du Changshi's character at all. His conduct can withstand scrutiny. During his two years as an official in Heqing County, he raised nearly 200,000 strings of cash for dike repairs. Every expenditure was disclosed to the people of Heqing County, and every penny was used for dike repairs. All of this passed the governor's inspection. It was precisely because of this incorruptible style that he was recommended by the governor to serve as the chief clerk of Huaizhou." Meng Qing spoke up to praise Du Min.

However, those present did not really believe in Du Min's character, after all, the fact that he had single-handedly opened up a path to wealth for Governor Xu was undeniable.

Prefect Cui stared at Du Min, somewhat puzzled. If Du Min was truly a lackey of Prefect Xu, he had indeed extracted money from Prefect Xu, and this paper mill seemed to benefit the people. From this perspective, Du Min's stance differed from Prefect Xu's, yet he refused to side with him—it was truly strange.

"Your Excellency, may I follow the example I took in Heqing County and disclose every expenditure of this donation to the officials and people of Huaizhou?" Du Min asked, seizing the opportunity. He was now mired in Huaizhou, a quagmire teeming with corrupt officials, dealing with them every day. He needed to build himself a shield to prove his innocence.

Governor Xu disliked this practice, and thought that such a trend should not appear in Huai Prefecture. He waved his hand and said, "No need. Local officials are only supervised by their superiors and the governor, not by the people."

The other officials showed their approval, and even Cui Biejia, who loved to oppose Governor Xu, did not object, so Du Min had no choice but to give up.

"Do you all have any further questions? If not, please move to the second floor; the banquet is ready," Du Li interjected at the opportune moment.

"Let's take our seats. We've been delayed for quite a while, everyone must be hungry," Meng Qing said, making arrangements.

Governor Xu was the first to step upstairs, followed by Prefect Cui, and the rest followed suit.

Meng Qing and Yin Caiwei were in charge of entertaining the female guests, while Du Min and Du Li were in charge of entertaining the male guests. After eating and drinking, the painted boat docked.

"Gentlemen, the servants need to clear the table. Please follow me to another pleasure boat to rest for a while," Meng Qing said.

"That's enough, I can't stand the rocking of the boat on the water, I'm going back now." The governor's wife was not satisfied with the results of today's fundraising, and she had no intention of continuing the socializing.

Governor Xu was also leaving, and as soon as the two great figures departed, Prefect Cui and his wife followed suit.

Upon seeing this, the others also took their leave.

Before an incense stick could burn, all the guests on the boat had left.

Having rented the pleasure boat for the whole day, Meng Qing thought she couldn't let half a day go to waste. Her family took a pleasure boat for a river cruise, and she also asked the newly arrived steward, Ma, to go to the tea houses and restaurants and make a call, inviting idlers from Hanoi County to take a free pleasure boat cruise on the river, with each person allowed half an hour of travel.

"Wait a minute." Du Min called out to Steward Ma, "While you're at it, please spread the word that Governor Xu and other officials donated money, especially the fact that Governor Xu donated 10,000 strings of cash."

Butler Ma agreed, but before he could even open his mouth, someone had already leaked what had happened on the ship.

"Master, the message has been sent out." An ordinary-looking male servant returned to the governor's residence to report.

While Cui was feeding the birds, he heard a noise from the neighboring residence of the Prefect. He asked, "Have the people next door returned from their river trip?"

"Yes, when I entered, I saw the Chief Secretary's carriage enter the alley."

"Go tell Chief Secretary Du to prepare the convoy. I will accompany him to collect the donations tomorrow morning," Chief Secretary Cui instructed.

The male servant hurried off to deliver the message.

Upon receiving the news, Du Min immediately dispatched his servants to prepare a caravan.

*

The next morning, the convoy arrived, and Du Min went next door to invite Cui Biejia.

“Lord Cui, we don’t know if Prefect Xu is awake yet. How about we go to the county government office first and collect the donations from the county magistrate, assistant magistrate, county lieutenant, and registrar?” Du Min asked.

Prefect Cui smiled and said, "Chief Secretary Du, we are of one mind today."

The two hit it off immediately and boarded a carriage, leading the convoy to the county government office.

Those who had heard rumors yesterday were waiting in the alley where the governor's mansion was located early in the morning. As soon as the convoy came out, they all followed.

When they arrived at the county government office, dozens of onlookers had already followed the motorcade.

The county magistrate, the county assistant magistrate, the registrar, and the county lieutenant donated a total of 680 strings of cash.

Du Min cleared his throat and shouted, "The four officials of Hanoi County—the magistrate, the assistant magistrate, the lieutenant, and the registrar—have donated all their salaries earned during their years of service in Huai Prefecture. On behalf of the people of Wen County, I thank you all."

Magistrate Liu's expression softened slightly; he was fairly satisfied, having paid money and gained a good reputation, so it wasn't too much of a loss.

"Let's go." Prefect Cui thought Du Min was a disgrace.

Du Min boarded the carriage, and the convoy, carrying onlookers, headed towards the official residence of the Six Military Advisors. More and more onlookers followed the convoy.

At this time, Meng Qing arrived at the Thanh Ngai Paper Craft Academy in Hanoi County. With the introduction of the manager, she met the president of the local funerary objects trade. With the help of the president of the funerary objects trade, the presidents of various trades in Hanoi County gathered together.

With officials from Huai Prefecture setting an example and Meng Qing lobbying, merchants in Hanoi County agreed to donate some money, more or less.

When the 10,000 copper coins were carried out from the governor's mansion, a stall was set up in front of the Qingniao Paper Craft School to collect donations. Only one person was sitting in charge of the stall, and there was no pen or ink on the table. This time, the donations were anonymous and the amount was not recorded. People could donate according to their own wishes.

In the evening, Du Min drove over in his donation car and took away the five baskets of copper coins.

The following day, Governor Xu sent someone to the Chief Secretary's office to inquire about how much money had been raised in the market. Du Min replied that it was more than 1,800 strings of cash.

When Governor Xu learned of the news, he was so angry that he overturned the table. He had realized that Du Min and Meng Qing had gone through all this trouble just to embezzle his money.

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Author's note: I'm not feeling well tonight, so I'll just write one chapter.