Han Ji

Chapter 134 Rumor Audit

"But if the people truly believe it..."

"Whether the people believe it or not depends on the rice in their bowls and the clothes on their backs." Liu Bei made another move, "They built the canals, they cultivated the fields, and they watched the salt prices fall. A few empty words are not worth a full meal."

The next move came very quickly.

In mid-June, Su Gu summoned Yang Song for a secret meeting. In the small pavilion in the back garden of the prefect's mansion, the doors and windows were tightly closed, with only one lamp lit.

"Did you spread the rumors?" Su Gu asked.

Yang Song bowed: "Yes. But the effect... is not good. Most people don't believe it, and some even say that the governor is increasing taxes."

Su Gu banged on the table: "Liu Bei's foundation is gradually stabilizing; rumors alone are not enough. We need to get serious."

"The governor means..."

A fierce glint flashed in Su Gu's eyes. "He handled a huge amount of money and grain during the bandit suppression campaign, so there must have been some oversights. You submit a memorial to Xi Jian, requesting the governor's office to audit the accounts of the military command. As long as any impropriety is found, I will have a reason to take action."

Yang Song hesitated: "If the auditors find problems, that's fine; if they don't..."

"Not being able to find out is also a problem," Su Gu sneered. "If the accounts are too clean, it means you have a guilty conscience. I know Xi Jian; he's suspicious and prone to distrust. The cleaner the accounts, the more suspicious he'll be."

Yang Song suddenly understood: "I understand. I will draft the document tomorrow."

In early July, three auditors from the Yizhou Governor's Office arrived in Hanzhong.

Holding Xi Jian's order, with its bright red seal: "Thoroughly investigate the income and expenditure of the Commandant's Office in suppressing bandits, to set the record straight and reassure the people."

Liu Bei received the order in the military camp with a calm expression.

After seeing the auditor off, Jian Yong frowned: "Brother, they're up to no good. The one in charge, surnamed Guo, is Xi Jian's confidant and is notorious for nitpicking."

"Let him choose," Liu Bei said. "Xianhe, the tent is yours. Zhang Wu, lead your personal guards to guard the tent day and night, provide for your own food and drink, and prevent anyone from poisoning or tampering with the tent."

"Yes, sir!"

That night, the tents of the Commandant's office were brightly lit.

Jian Yong led five experienced accountants and brought out all three years' worth of account books. Bamboo slips, wooden tablets, and silk books filled three long tables. Each account book was labeled with the date: a certain year, month, and day, a certain stronghold was attacked, a certain amount was seized, a certain amount was spent, and a certain amount remained.

Zhang Wu, accompanied by twenty personal guards, stood watch outside the gate, his sword drawn, his eyes like those of an eagle. Even the cooks who brought the food had to taste it first.

The auditor stayed at the prefectural government post station. Auditor Guo was in his forties, tall and thin, with deep-set eyes that squinted when he looked at people. His two deputies, one surnamed Zhao and the other surnamed Sun, were both veteran officials.

On the first day, the general ledger was checked. Jian Yong presented three volumes of general ledgers: income, expenditure, and balance. Auditor Guo verified each item and laid out the accounting books.

"The spoils from the bandit suppression included 34 million coins, 8,000 shi of grain, 600 bags of salt, and iron..." He looked up. "That's a considerable sum."

"It's the savings accumulated by the bandit stronghold over many years," Jian Yong replied.

"And the expenditures? Pensions, rewards for meritorious service, military equipment, provisions..."

"There are detailed accounts for all of them." Jian Yong then presented ten more volumes.

Auditor Guo opened a scroll; it was a pension account. It listed the date a soldier died in battle, his place of origin, his family members, the amount of pension he received, and his signature upon receipt, complete with his fingerprint.

"So delicate?"

"Human life is at stake; we cannot be careless."

Auditor Guo remained silent and continued flipping through the books: reward accounts, arms accounts, and ration accounts... Every expenditure, including the date, reason, person in charge, and witnesses, was clearly recorded.

On the third day of the investigation, Auditor Guo summoned Jian Yong for questioning.

"Registrar Jian, these accounts... are too neat." He stared at Jian Yong. "They're so neat they don't look like accounts."

Jian Yong bowed: "The auditor is wise. Wartime chaos ensued, but everything was reviewed afterward. If there were any oversights, I am willing to accept punishment."

Who was the reviewer?

"Zhang Wu, the Commandant of the Capital Garrison, and the five old accountants can all testify."

Auditor Guo waved him away and whispered to Zhao and Sun, "What do you think?"

Auditor Zhao stroked his beard: "The accounts are airtight, without a single flaw. But the more flawed they are, the more suspicious they become. How can there be an account without a single error?"

Auditor Sun nodded: "Unless... they prepared in advance for someone to come and inspect."

Auditor Guo squinted: "Then investigate further. Investigate witnesses, examine physical evidence, and check for discrepancies in the timelines."

Over the next five days, the three officers split up. Auditor Guo checked witnesses, interviewing over a dozen family members of soldiers who had received pensions. Auditor Zhao inspected the warehouses, counting the stored grain and money. Auditor Sun verified the dates, comparing the account dates with the reports from the bandit suppression campaign.

The result was disappointing.

The witness's statement matched the accounts. The actual amount in the warehouse was even more than the accounts showed. Jian Yong explained, "The salt wells produced more last month, and the new stock was put into the warehouse but hadn't been recorded yet." The timing was perfect: the day the stronghold was breached, the day the stock was put into the accounts, and the day the stock was distributed—it all fit together seamlessly.

The audit was completed on the tenth day.

Inside the inn, Auditor Guo was writing a report. His pen hovered, unable to fall.

Auditor Zhao sighed, "I've investigated everything, and there's only one minor oversight. Last winter, there was a reward payment that was delayed by three days because snow blocked the roads, causing the couriers to be late."

"This counts?" Auditor Sun smiled wryly.

"I have to write something down." Auditor Guo put down his pen. "Conclusion: The accounts are clear, the income and expenditure are documented, and the minor offenses are not serious."

After finishing writing, he put down his pen and suddenly said, "Tell me, is this Liu Bei... a truly honest official, or is he frighteningly cunning?"

The two remained silent.

Auditor Guo rose and looked out the window. In the direction of the military camp, flags fluttered in the wind.

"The accounts are kept too clean," he murmured. "Either he's a truly honest official, or..."

The audit findings were sent to the county government.

Su Gu's face darkened after reading it.

"A minor transgression is harmless..." he sneered. "A fine 'minor transgression is harmless' indeed!"

Yang Song, his back soaked with sweat, stood to the side and said, "Prefect, this... I didn't expect this either..."

"Didn't expect that?" Su Gu glared at him. "There are many things you didn't expect! Liu Bei dared to allow an investigation, which means he wasn't afraid! The accounts were kept airtight, which means he was prepared!"

He grabbed the knot, wanting to tear it, but then held back.

"Prefect, what's the next step..."

"What's next?" Su Gu gasped for breath. "It's his turn to contact us."

Sure enough, that afternoon, Liu Bei personally went to the post station to see off the three auditors.

Three gifts were prepared, each containing ten catties of gold, and packed in wooden boxes. Auditor Guo declined, saying, "Commander, this is not in accordance with regulations."

"This is not a bribe," Liu Bei said. "The three gentlemen have come from afar and worked hard, conducting an impartial audit and clearing my name. This money is not from the official treasury, but my own savings, a reward for my hard work. If you do not accept it, I will not feel at ease."

The words were spoken sincerely. Auditor Guo hesitated for a moment, then accepted them.

Before his departure, Liu Bei saw him off at the city gate.

Auditor Guo mounted his horse and turned back to say, "Commander Liu, clear accounts are a good thing. But too much clarity... can sometimes be a disaster."

Liu Bei cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I only know how to act in accordance with my conscience; as for the rest, I leave it to fate."

The convoy drove away. Liu Bei returned to his camp and immediately summoned Qian Zhao.

"It's been investigated. The source of the rumors is a guest at Yang Song's residence, surnamed Hu, who was originally a wandering knight from Guanzhong." Qian Zhao presented the secret report.

"Where is he?"

"Still in Nanzheng, living in Yangsong's outer residence."

That night, Liu Bei secretly summoned Yang Song to the military camp.