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Yun Qingyu turned to Yun Lingchuan and said, "There are issues with the accounts for military supplies purchased by the Ling Family."
Yun Lingchuan nodded and replied, "They inflated prices to create false accounts. A medium warhorse worth twenty-five taels of silver is reported at thirty taels. For every ten thousand warhorses, they can pocket nearly eighty thousand taels of silver. The same goes for other military supplies. The Ling Family has held military power for so many years; from the funds allocated by the court each year for maintaining the troops, they can embezzle over three hundred thousand taels annually, accumulating a total of over a million taels through years of corruption. All accounts are clearly recorded by my subordinate, Qingyun. Whenever Your Highness needs them, my subordinate will present them."
"Moreover," Yun Lingchuan continued, "the Ling Family holds significant power, and over the years, local officials in various states have also secretly bribed them with considerable sums. In Western Chu, both the Yu Family and the Lu Family send over a hundred thousand taels each year in honor of Consort Duan's birthday to curry favor with this powerful family. The wealth of the Ling Family is beyond what ordinary people can imagine."
After Yun Lingchuan finished speaking, Xin Yao added, "My lord, the Fifth Prince has also received gifts from wealthy scholars, promising to ensure their names appear on this year's Autumn Examination list. The silver received amounts to over thirty thousand taels, along with nearly a thousand taels of gold."
Yun Qingyu paused for a moment before speaking, "If I were to raid the Ling Family's estate, do you think the emperor would be more angry or pleased? The Ling Family is even wealthier than the former Minister's Residence of Revenue. A military general holding power cannot fully reassure the monarch; daring to embezzle like this is akin to dancing on the path to death."
Yun Lingchuan coughed lightly and said, "It should be more pleasing, right? Western Chu is too poor; it's difficult for the emperor as well."
Yun Qingyu leaned back in his chair and nodded silently. "Indeed, Western Chu is too poor—so poor that many things the emperor wishes to accomplish cannot be done. The Ling Family's audacity in tampering with military funds means their end is near."
After a moment of silence, Yun Lingchuan expressed, "I have the authority to mobilize one million taels of silver; if Your Highness needs..."
Yun Qingyu interrupted him directly: "No need. If I could raid all corrupt officials' estates in Western Chu, the National Treasury would at least gain an additional ten million taels of silver."
Hearing this, Yun Lingchuan hesitated as he looked at Yun Qingyu. "Ten million taels may not seem like much for Western Chu's National Treasury, but if we truly want to make Western Chu prosperous and strong, this amount is merely a drop in the bucket."
Yun Qingyu smiled lightly and said, "I have no intention of making Western Chu as powerful as Dongling."
Yun Lingchuan still had some doubts in his heart. As a loyal subject, he knew he shouldn't pry too much into his lord's thoughts and plans; thus he could only say, "Your Highness need not worry about the emperor or War King. Whatever Your Highness wishes to do, both masters will support you unconditionally."
Yun Qingyu's eyes warmed slightly as she smiled and said, "This Palace knows, but it’s not needed for now."
Yun Lingchuan said nothing more and soon took his leave.
Xin Yao stood silently to the side, showing no reaction to the conversation between the two, leaving it unclear whether she understood or not.
After Yun Qingyu finished washing up, she sat on the bed, habitually flipping through the Military Strategy Book when Xin Yao knelt down to report, "Subordinate has just learned that two ladies from the Ling Family went to the palace this afternoon to see Consort Duan."
Yun Qingyu showed no emotional response and replied, "Let them meet; it's expected. How is Ling Jing doing?"
Xin Yao responded, "The guards from the Ling Family brought him over this afternoon. The five people from the back courtyard went together to bring him into the West Courtyard."
Xin Yao's gaze often drifted towards Yun Qingyu's hands, secretly thinking, "The master's hands are truly beautiful."
Upon hearing this, Yun Qingyu was a bit surprised. She glanced at her own hands without noticing anything special and casually asked, "What do you think?"
Xin Yao lowered her eyes and said, "Subordinate has no particular opinion. Ling Jing should receive some lessons for offending the master. Since he has entered Princess Manor, he need not leave until he takes his last breath."
Yun Qingyu replied with a simple "Mm," and said nothing further. She reached out to pat Xin Yao's head and said, "It's getting late; time to sleep."
Then she moved inside and extinguished the lamp nearby.
Xin Yao responded softly with "Yes," climbed onto the bed quietly, pulled up the blanket, and settled down as impeccably quiet and obedient as she did every night before sleep.
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