The prefectures and counties were all poorer than the last. The silver they had distributed vanished without a sound.
It was no wonder the officials present felt a pang of heartache.
In previous years, they had to run themselves ragged just to collect the taxes from each region.
But now, this Mr. Gu had casually handed all that silver away.
It wasn't that no one had suggested offsetting this amount with previous years' tax revenues.
But Gu Wenheng had argued forcefully against them. He knew the situation in each region. Forcing them to front this silver would be putting the subordinate officials in an impossible position.
If they couldn't produce the silver, they couldn't get things done, and that was not something Gu Wenheng wanted to see.
"I know what you are all worried about. That is why I have gathered you here today," Gu Wenheng said from the head seat, addressing the Deputy Envoys, Assistants, and clerks present.
