Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Ministry of Revenue Cleanses the Capital Garrison Audit Unit

"Very well! Please, gentlemen, open all the doors. If any of you do not wish to stay, come here and receive one tael of silver as compensation for my interruption!" Zhu Cilang finished speaking and had Si'en lead a few robust craftsmen to stand at the entrance.

Some had no attachment to this place, and those who dismissed these wild notions wasted no time in leaving. Most of the students, however, were short of money. A few glanced around, steeled themselves, and stepped forward to take the silver. Sure enough, they received one tael each. With a successful precedent, those whose resolve was weak and whose greed was strong rushed forward, creating a lively commotion. In just a moment, the hundred or so pieces of silver prepared for the occasion were all taken, leaving only about twenty people behind.

Seeing these twenty remaining individuals looking at him with clear eyes, Zhu Cilang smiled. "You gentlemen believe my words and resist temptation. Truly, you are comrades on the same path!" He clapped his hands and continued, "For the next ten days, you will stay here with me to audit the accounts. You may not leave for meals or rest!"

"However, I am not one to be harsh. Each of you will receive ten taels of living expenses, to be paid immediately as remuneration for your service in the Ministry of Revenue. You may send it home if you wish. When this is finished, each will receive twenty more taels of silver. Those who perform exceptionally, I shall petition the Grand Minister of Agriculture for additional positions, so those who work diligently may receive their deserved rewards!"

A wave of excitement surged among those remaining. Smiles broke out, and their previous resentment that the departing students had received silver turned to pride in their own choice.

From a distance, Luo Daren, the Minister of the Imperial Academy, watched with keen eyes and said to the Registrar, Gao Han, "Are preparations complete? For these ten days, not a soul is to enter or leave the Academy. Three days will suffice for all daily needs."

"I understand," Gao Han replied quietly. Hearing Zhu Cilang's speech, he could not help but admire him, thinking, "What a master of persuasion—sharp words, stirring hearts. Even I find it hard to resist. Were it not for this major case involving the Ministry of Revenue, most would have followed him..."

With Gao Han's assent, Luo Daren dismissed the staff and waited unobtrusively, watching Zhu Cilang's next moves from a discreet corner.

Thus, only Zhu Cilang and the twenty-five students of the Imperial Academy remained in the Hall of Proper Ethics, along with the two hundred nineteen account books Zhu Cilang had brought.

Zhu Cilang succinctly explained the situation in the Ministry of Revenue, omitting his conversation with Fu Shuxun and the fact that he was the Crown Prince.

As expected, upon hearing of Zhu Cilang’s feats in the Ministry, those who had once regarded him as a mere low-ranking clerk were struck with awe. To manipulate two entrenched factions of clerks, provoke a deadly rivalry between the Grand Minister and the Vice Minister, and stir such turmoil in the capital—how could he be viewed as a mere clerk?

Moreover, what Zhu Cilang had accomplished was precisely what they had long aspired to but never dared attempt: to punish the corrupt and cleanse the filth. Now, the opportunity to realize their ideals had come.

They looked at the piles of account books as if they were chapters in their own future chronicles.

Having grasped the situation, the group brought the account books to Zhu Cilang, gathering around him to seek guidance.

The twenty-two students soon found a leader in the mature yet passionate Chang Zhilang.

"Brother Chang’s rally was truly admirable," Zhu Cilang said with a smile, bowing slightly.

Chang Zhilang, regaining his composure, responded formally, "I am Chang Zhilang. May I ask, since we are to audit these accounts, under whose orders do we act, and what is your position, so that we may address you properly?"

"Indeed, names and titles must be clear," Zhu Cilang replied readily. "I act under the orders of Fu Shuxun, Minister of Revenue, and the Grand Minister's statements at court today will soon be known to you all. The Emperor has granted permission for a thorough investigation of the Ministry. As for our group, let us be known as the Ministry of Revenue Capital Audit Taskforce. I shall serve as leader, reporting directly to the Minister."

"The Ministry of Revenue Capital Audit Taskforce... an unusual name for a new office," Chang Zhilang remarked, hearing the lengthy title and realizing the gravity of the case. His doubts faded, replaced by excitement. "But, including all doctoral assistants, the Academy has only seventeen people. Except for Zhuo, none know the art of abacus calculation. With such complex accounts, it will take a month at least. Does the leader think this is possible?"

"Absolutely not! I require all these accounts to be completed in four days!" Zhu Cilang declared firmly. What a joke—if it took a month, my bones would be dry enough to drum upon.

"But... does the leader intend to conscript more mathematicians? I fear those unwilling would be of little use," Chang Zhilang protested, his face troubled and skeptical.

Zhu Cilang squinted, saying, "If this were all I had prepared, would I dare attempt such a daunting task?"

With that, Zhu Cilang clapped his hands. Zhang Zhen emerged from the inner hall, carrying five crank-operated golden plate calculators.

"This device is called the Golden Plate Hand-cranked Calculator. Once you’ve learned to use it, simply input the numbers. No need to learn the abacus!" Zhu Cilang announced with a bright smile. "Just have someone organize the data from the account books and input them one by one. This machine can handle addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. With it, four days are more than enough!"

Chang Zhilang trembled with excitement upon hearing this. He immediately began using the calculator as Zhu Cilang had instructed. The others followed suit, quickly dividing the five machines among themselves. Only when Zhang Zhen brought out the remaining twenty-five calculators did the frenzy subside.

For a moment, the room was filled only with the sound of gears turning.

Almost instantly, Chang Zhilang shouted excitedly, "It works! Nineteen thousand two hundred seventy-three plus forty-eight thousand three hundred fifteen equals sixty-seven thousand five hundred eighty-eight! Calculated in a flash—truly miraculous!"

"I’ve got it too. Using multiplication—such large numbers are hard to calculate mentally, but the machine does it instantly!"

"Amazing! Incredible!"

...

"With these miraculous machines, is four days a challenge?" Zhu Cilang asked with a smile.

Chang Zhilang promptly declared, "It is entirely reasonable! From today, we shall eat and sleep here until all accounts are verified! Perhaps we’ll finish before four days are up. Please, leader, rest assured!"

"Yes, leader, rest assured—we will not fail you!"