"Gentlemen, if you wish to know the reasons behind this, why not hear what His Majesty has to say?"
As soon as Duan Hongzhuo finished speaking, the ministers standing on either side all turned their eyes toward Duan Ziqian.
Duan Ziqian looked at his ministers, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.
"Your Majesty..." One minister ventured to speak, only for a cold glance from Duan Ziqian to choke the rest of his words in his throat. They would neither rise nor fall, and he nearly lost his breath.
"Minister Chen, why don't you tell us how much silver remains in the Northern Liang Treasury?"
Duan Ziqian turned his gaze toward Minister Chen, the Minister of Revenue, who stood silently to one side.
Trembling, Minister Chen bowed to Duan Ziqian, then to Duan Hongzhuo, before finally saying, "As of the end of last year, the treasury held an actual balance of thirty-eight million taels."
Duan Ziqian nodded and continued, "Has that thirty-eight million already been allocated?"
Minister Chen lowered his head and replied, "After the beginning of spring this year, once the accumulated snow melts, every prefecture will need to sow its fields. Spring planting cannot be delayed. Altogether, this will require three million taels."
"Furthermore, last year's heavy snow and raging blizzards damaged countless homes. After the beginning of spring, the Ministry of Works must verify the damage and oversee reconstruction. Based on the residences registered in previous years, this will require two million taels."
"And that is only the funding needed for the territory directly administered by the Capital Prefecture. If we include the other prefectures, although each has its own disaster relief provisions, the treasury must still allocate a certain amount in relief funds. Ten million taels should be reserved."
As Minister Chen spoke, he kept raising