"How many are there, really?" Emperor Chongzhen asked, feigning indifference.
The Great Ming Dynasty had long suffered from a grave problem: from the highest government ministries down to local offices, the theoretical figures never matched the reality.
Fan Jingwen cupped his hands in a salute. "In reply to Your Majesty, the actual number is not that high. Judging by the stipends claimed over the last two years, there are fewer than two hundred thousand."
Chapter 511