I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 85 Auditing the Accounts

Since the day Zhao Guang angrily killed the steward of the Du family, the powerful local magnates in Yizhou have turned pale at the mere mention of his name. They dared not neglect the officials sent by the court to conduct the inventory, and the tax refunds in various prefectures have been progressing smoothly.

These taxes were nothing more than a drop in the ocean for those powerful families.

But for ordinary people, it can be considered a life-saving food.

Furthermore, the imperial court also established agricultural tax inspection offices in various prefectures and counties, directly under the imperial court's agricultural inspectors, who were specifically responsible for conveying the annual tax policies formulated by the imperial court to the farmers and also for supervising the powerful local magnates.

While the new tax refund policy was being rolled out in full swing across Yizhou, Yang Hong leisurely boarded a boat and sailed down the river, heading straight for Yong'an.

His purpose in this trip was to investigate the embezzlement of military funds by the troops stationed in Yong'an and Jiangzhou, as ordered by imperial decree.

Although the situation was extremely urgent, Yang Hong's fleet sailed leisurely on the river, as if enjoying a leisurely stroll.

"Prefect Yang, aren't our boats a bit too slow?"

Watching the Clippers overtake him, Chen Hu felt uneasy.

Yang Hong was ordered to investigate corruption. Logically, after receiving the imperial decree, he should have immediately set off for Yong'an and Jiangzhou to quickly investigate and close the case in order to prevent any unforeseen complications.

But Yang Hong didn't seem to be in a hurry at all.

"If the other party tips us off, it could be detrimental to our investigation."

Yang Hong didn't look at him, but continued to admire the beautiful mountains and rivers along the way.

"The evidence is conclusive; it doesn't matter whether it comes sooner or later. General Chen, you've come all this way; you shouldn't shortchange yourself."

Chen Hu did not speak.

Yang Hong had shown him great kindness; if he hadn't been recommended to quell the rebellion, he would probably still be a minor general today.

Moreover, although Yang Hong had served as a clerk under Li Yan, he was suspected of having political differences with Li Yan, so it was impossible for him to deliberately let Li Yan off the hook.

"Since Prefect Yang is so confident, I am relieved."

Yang Hong turned around, smiled at him, and said, "General Chen, rest assured, this is a reward specially prepared for you and me by His Majesty. If you can do your job well next year, you will surely be promoted soon."

When the topic of his promotion came up, Chen Hu became somewhat smug.

He captured Huang Yuan, killed Yong Kai, pacified the southern regions, and served as an envoy to Eastern Wu. His achievements in one year surpassed those of many ministers in the court.

If this case of embezzling military funds can be successfully concluded, and as long as things proceed smoothly next year, a promotion is inevitable.

After the ships entered the Yangtze River, it was the dry season, and the ships were not as fast as during the flood season. The journey that would normally take four days would take about two or three more days.

Since Yang Hong was not in a hurry to go to Yong'an, it took ten days for the ship to arrive in Yong'an.

After the ship docked, Zheng Chuo and his men had been waiting for a long time.

"Prefect Yang, you've finally arrived."

Yang Hong smiled without saying a word, but Chen Hu was quite surprised.

"Brother, what are you doing here?"

Since the Huang Yuan Rebellion, the two have been inseparable on every mission.

Before setting off, he learned that he was the only one accompanying him on this mission, and he thought that Liu Shan had entrusted him with an important task.

But he never expected that his good brother would get there before him.

"Naturally, I have come to Yong'an on the orders of Prefect Yang to investigate the embezzlement of military rations."

Zheng Chuo and Yang Hong exchanged a smile.

Chen Hu realized that he had been kept in the dark by his former good brother, and felt somewhat uneasy.

Chen Hu felt that the other party's early arrival in Yong'an must have been due to some kind of secret order. As a result, Chen Hu felt that he was not as important to Yang Hong as the other party.

"General Chen, please don't worry about it. After receiving His Majesty's order, I immediately went to the army to find the two generals. However, the generals were on leave that day, so I had to ask General Zheng Zhuo to go to Yong'an ahead of me," Yang Hong explained.

When Chen Hu's secret was exposed, his face flushed red, and he hurriedly said apologetically, "It was I who judged you by my own petty standards."

Yang Hong laughed loudly, "It's alright, we'll all share the credit. Generals, gather your troops and follow me to the main camp."

This time, Chen Hu led twenty personal guards, plus ten of Zheng Chuo's confidants, a total of more than thirty people, straight to the army's encampment, Yong'an Palace.

The current Yong'an Palace is much larger than it was when Liu Bei was alive, and it was built entirely according to the contents of the "Yong'an Palace City Defense Strategy" that Li Yan had previously submitted.

Not only was the area of ​​Yong'an Palace expanded for use as a military garrison and grain storage, but many small fortresses were also built in the nearby mountains, valleys, and other dangerous areas.

Seeing this situation, Yang Hong also understood what was going on.

"Loyal General Yang Hong, General Chen Hu, and General Zheng Chuo, by His Majesty's decree, have come to inspect the Yong'an military camp."

The guards were alarmed upon seeing this and rushed to report it.

Before long, two generals strode in.

"Li Zhong, a military advisor, pays his respects to the three generals."

"Commander-in-Chief Cheng Fan greets the three generals."

Li Yan was not in Yong'an, and his headquarters were in Chengdu. Therefore, all matters, large and small, in the army were handled by the military advisors and the military supervisors.

Yang Hong was an old acquaintance of the two men. Seeing their flustered expressions and evasive eyes, he said calmly, "Please excuse the formalities and lead me into the tent."

Upon arriving at the central command tent, before everyone could even settle in, Yang Hong spoke up: "His Majesty has decreed that Yong'an is the eastern gateway to Yizhou and the front line for defending against Eastern Wu, making it of paramount importance. Protector Li has submitted a memorial entitled 'City Defense Strategy,' which His Majesty takes very seriously. He has specially dispatched this general to inspect the city on behalf of the Emperor."

The two remained anxious and hurriedly returned the gesture with clasped hands, saying nothing more.

"Generals, lead the way."

Upon his arrival, Yang Hong did not mention the embezzlement of military rations, but instead had two men take him to inspect the fortifications.

Li Yan once wrote to the court requesting an increase in military pay in order to build defensive fortifications, but Prime Minister Zhuge Liang flatly refused.

In order to achieve political success, Li Yan could only collect grain and soldiers and build defensive fortifications within his jurisdiction, without asking the court for a single grain of food.

However, such a massive project would be difficult to sustain, let alone Yong'an, even if all the grain from the surrounding counties were requisitioned.

Over time, some soldiers began to covet the military rations allocated by the imperial court.

After inspecting the fortifications, Yang Hong was very satisfied with Yong'an's defenses and praised Li Yan for his effective governance and the hardworking soldiers.

Li Zhong and Cheng Fan breathed a slight sigh of relief and immediately ordered people to arrange a meal.

Lunch consisted of a mixture of wheat and rice cooked together, with a slightly coarse texture.

The meal was seasoned with soybean paste and included a small amount of vegetables. Because Yong'an is close to a river, steamed fish was also served at lunch.

Looking at the food before him, Yang Hong asked, "How much do the soldiers eat in one meal?"

"Reporting to the general, the soldiers eat six liters a day, with a small amount of vegetables, salt, and occasionally meat," said Commander Cheng Fan.

Yang Hong frowned slightly.

"Six liters of food a day is the daily requirement. Now that we need to train and build defensive fortifications, is six liters enough?"

"That's enough, that's enough!" The two nodded in agreement.

Yang Hong did not press further, but had other plans.

"Where is the military warehouse clerk? Quickly come to the central command tent. Also, summon Yan Yu, the deputy commander of Yong'an, to come here as well. Do not delay."

Li Zhong and Cheng Fan were both taken aback upon hearing this.

The clerk in charge of the grain rations was responsible for managing the army's provisions, while the deputy commander Yan Yu was responsible for transferring the grain rations transported from Chengdu to the main army.

Yang Hong summoned the two men, and without asking why, they knew everything in their hearts.

Clearly, Yang Hong was sent by the imperial court to audit the accounts.

Why is there no news from higher authorities about such a major event?