After the situation in the Three Great Camps of the Capital was stabilized, the entire city returned to normal.
Emperor Chongzhen sat high upon the throne in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, watching as the various government offices performed their duties. Among all the offices, the Ministry of Revenue was the busiest. They were responsible for procuring food, clothing, and military pay for the border troops, as well as handling disaster relief efforts in Beizhili, Henan, and Shandong. Furthermore, they had to manage the national population registries, inspect landholdings, and balance the annual state budget. These endless tasks kept the Minister of Revenue, Fang Yuegong, exceptionally busy.
Walking briskly into the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Fang Yuegong bowed and reported to Emperor Chongzhen, "Your Majesty, as the end of the year approaches, I have come to report on the status of the state treasury."
Chapter 383