Plans Could Not Keep Up with Changes
This is not as simple as just calculating how much food and supplies the border region needs.
Based on the grain production of various cities and prefectures in the north in previous years, it is necessary to calculate the maximum amount of grain that they can store. After the grain is transported to the border, it must be distributed.
Which grains and fodder will be consumed quickly, and which are for reserves; how much grain and fodder should be stored at each of the several reserve points; and how much loss will occur during transportation and storage, etc.—all these factors need to be taken into account.
In previous years Guo Jitong had been responsible for calculating the grain and fodder for the border, so he was quite familiar with the process. Even so, it still took him, along with Zhou Zhao and Gu Shanyue, a full day and night to calculate the data and hand it over to Qi Xugu.
We need to find someone else to do the calculations, but they're not familiar with the algorithms, so their speed will be significantly slower. Time is of the essence; everyone wants the grain to be transported in one batch, concentrating manpower, resources, and manpower for transport to minimize risk. Therefore, time is extremely tight.
"This..." Qi Xugu hesitated, "I do know someone who is very skilled in mathematics, but I've never met him and don't know who he is. As for such a confidential matter as the quantity of grain, I'm not sure if it's appropriate to entrust it to this person."
Xiao Ge didn't ask who this was, but turned to Guo Jitong, "Have you thought this through? Do you want to confess what you've done? If you do, you might still live; but if someone calculates that your data is wrong and matches Zhou Zhao's, not only will your entire family be executed, but your entire clan could also be implicated."
In an instant, Guo Jitong broke out in a cold sweat, and countless thoughts raced through his mind.
In his plan, with food shortages at the border, the task of calculating grain and fodder data would definitely be assigned to him. This was something he usually did, and he had never made a mistake. No matter how much Qi Xugu disliked his character, he wouldn't question his ability in this area, much less suspect that he would tamper with it, since the consequences would be too severe for anyone to bear.
Even if Qi Xugu sends two officials to assist him, he is not afraid that they will hinder his plans in any way.
Therefore, even though Zhou Zhao calculated the correct data and pointed it out to him and questioned his data, he didn't take it to heart.
When Zhou Zhao entered the Ministry of Revenue, he had the Third Prince investigate Zhou Zhao's background. The investigation revealed that Zhou Zhao had no background whatsoever, coming from only a middle-class family in the capital. He was able to enter the Ministry of Revenue purely because he was the most outstanding student in mathematics at the Imperial Academy. The Ministry of Revenue was in dire need of people in this field, so they made an exception and recruited him.
Even if Zhou Zhao had some doubts about such a major matter, he wouldn't dare to report it to the higher-ups without going through him. And even if he wanted to, he couldn't find anyone to report it to—everyone in the Ministry of Revenue was incredibly busy, each with their own affairs to attend to; how could they possibly have time for a nobody like Zhou Zhao?
Besides, even if they received Zhou Zhao's report, no one would believe such a novice as him, and would instead doubt themselves, a seasoned mathematician. They had never made a mistake before, and the algorithm was complex. Zhou Zhao a newcomer who knew nothing; how easy would it be for him to gain everyone's trust?
In the government offices, everyone has their own duties. No one interferes with matters that are not their responsibility. This is a major taboo! Otherwise, if something goes wrong, you will be held responsible regardless of whether you are at fault or not. This is the adult world, not the innocent and Imperial Academy.
No matter how much Zhou Zhao caused trouble, the imperial court would still collect grain and supplies according to his calculations and send them to the border.
However, this batch of grain may not be able to reach the border.
Even if the grain could be successfully transported to the border, the fighting there was intense, and the number of soldiers was constantly changing and moving around, unlike before when they stayed in one place. Their rations would also change accordingly. Therefore, even if they received less grain than before, they wouldn't notice anything amiss.
Even if the war ends and someone discovers the supplies are incorrect, the responsibility cannot be placed on him. After all, he didn't make any calculation errors before, so everyone would immediately suspect a problem during transportation, or that the border soldiers were negligent in their storage, or, like before, that someone tampered with the supplies.
In short, the probability of finding him is extremely small.
Even if he were extremely unlucky and someone discovered something amiss, the Third Prince would arrange for him to fake illness and death and leave the capital, changing his identity and hiding away.
When the Third Prince ascends the throne, that will be the time for him to return in glory. At that time, he will be ennobled and appointed as a high-ranking official, making him the envy of all.
Therefore, doing this is not very risky, but the potential benefits are considerable.
He never expected Zhou Zhao to be so audacious, bypassing him and changing the data, and even succeeding in doing so.
He wouldn't believe it even if you beat him to death if you said Zhou Zhao had no one backing him. Maybe someone had deliberately arranged for him to get into the Ministry of Revenue, but the arrangement was so well hidden that it even fooled the Third Prince.
But what should he do now? Should he confess honestly, or deny it to the death? If he confessed honestly, he would surely be beheaded and his family property confiscated; if he denied it to the death, perhaps the Third Prince would still value his talent and be willing to find a way to rescue him.
These thoughts swirled in Guo Jitong's mind in the blink of an eye.
To outsiders, after Xiao Ge finished asking his question, he only paused briefly before kowtowing and saying, "Your Majesty, I truly did nothing wrong; I calculated it using the usual methods. I also believe I have not made a mistake. If I have, I am willing to accept punishment."
He also harbored a sense of wishful thinking, believing that no one in the Great Jin would be able to calculate the correct data in such a short time.
He knew who Qi Xugu was talking about. Wasn't it Gan Lun's student, whom he kept hidden and dared not bring to the public eye? Regardless of whether such a person existed, even if he did, someone unfamiliar with the Ministry of Revenue's matters might not be able to calculate it immediately. He had at least bought himself two or three days.
Seeing that he showed no remorse whatsoever, Xiao Ge ordered the Imperial Guards, "Take the three of them to the Dali Court of Judicial Review and hand them over to Lord Wu Zong for his personal trial."
At this moment, he was extremely grateful that he had accepted Xiao Lingyan's suggestion to hand over the Court of Judicial Review to Wu Zong for temporary management. Otherwise, he would not have felt comfortable entrusting these three people to the Court of Judicial Review.
Guo Jitong was greatly alarmed and kowtowed again. "Your Majesty, I have not made a mistake, truly, I absolutely have not miscalculated..."
Gu Shanyue was already quite frightened, and when he heard that he was to be taken to the Court of Judicial Review, he almost fainted.
Zhou Zhao, on the other hand, was well-behaved and did not cry out. He was taken away by the Imperial Guards in silence.
Once the hall quieted down, Xiao Ge asked Qi Xugu, "Who were you referring to just now, my dear minister?"
The matter was serious, Qi Xugu dared not conceal it, so he told the story of Gan Lun had gone to the Ministry of Revenue to boast that day.
"Summon Gan Lun," Xiao Ge said to Eunuch Xie, "Have him bring his student along."