"We cannot obtain real data, not merely because of layer upon layer of exploitation, but because we lack the power to investigate thoroughly," Chen Xun said. "Leaving aside whether people speak up, do you know how much is spent on paper and ink every time officials go down to the countryside?"
"Elder Yu always says that the Ming Dynasty's official ranks are bloated. He is not wrong. At the middle and upper levels, redundant personnel are indeed a severe problem. Ask the Minister of Personnel about that!"
Cao Nai, who had been standing outside the crowd with his ears pricked, had not expected the flames to spread to him. Somewhat irritated, he said, "Ask me? How long have I even been Minister of Personnel?"
After a pause, he still said, "But Minister Chen is right. There are too few grassroots officials, yet the middle and upper levels are seriously overstaffed."
Chen Xun spread his hands. "There is not even enough paper to record population and farmland. In many poor counties, to save on paper and ink, they go two or three years without recording matters in the countryside. Every year, they simply make an estimate and report it upward. If the prefectures do not investigate and our Ministry of Revenue cannot audit it, they muddle through. If we uncover abnormalities, we have to send people down to investigate. Do you know how much one official assignment costs?"
"This is not merely the Ministry of Revenue's problem. It is also the Ministry of Personnel's problem," an imperial censor from the Censorate said gravely. "Evaluating officials is the Ministry of Personnel's responsibility."
"No matter which ministry it is, doing work inevitably costs money. Yet the treasury is empty now. That is why Elder Yu wishes to survey and measure the land, rectify