Chapter 575: Discussion

As the crowd quieted down, Mr. Songshan hurriedly shared his plans.

Everyone expressed their opinions freely, with Gu Baoshu speaking more openly. Unfortunately, Mr. Songshan didn’t take much notice.

Gu Baoshu was not discouraged, because being involved was already thrilling enough.

In the end, it was Qin Yuan who made the decision: "We’ll go with Mr. Songshan’s plan, and it just so happens we can mobilize some veterans from the estate to help verify the information. As for screening it... I believe choosing some clever house-born servants would be best."

Mr. Songshan said, "It’s best if they are literate."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Gu Baoshu looked envious: "From now on, Sixth Brother will be working with the gentleman on confidential matters, which is surely much more interesting than studying. I love gathering intelligence the most, how about..."

Mr. Songshan said, "Do you think it’s easy? The collected information needs to be screened, and there must be rewards and punishments... Moreover, passing on information should use specific coded messages," he then turned to Qin Yuan and said: "Us alone won’t be sufficient."

Qin Yuan nodded and said: "Please kindly advise us further, sir."

Mr. Songshan stroked his beard and said: "I suppose the Marquis has people managing scouts at the Northern Border, but they are all in the Great Camp, and it’s best not to mix household affairs with military affairs."

Gu Shiba nodded.

Mr. Songshan continued: "We need someone specifically managing affairs in the mansion, and we must evaluate and differentiate the sources of information. Rewards and punishments are essential... moreover, there’s..." He rubbed his fingers together.

Gu Baoshu exclaimed loudly: "Silver!"

"Indeed," Mr. Songshan replied: "I am not one of those scholars who despise discussing money. Our dynasty’s founders excelled in espionage, which is why the border has seen no wars for twenty-five years. Utilizing spies requires willingness to spend money which needs to be used effectively. If anyone fabricates information for money, they must be severely punished to maintain strict discipline. Speaking of espionage..."

He glanced at Qin Yuan and continued: "It’s essential to recruit capable individuals since we have many sources of information. We must choose careful and capable people to record each piece of information, differentiate which information is valuable, and who merely fills space. Knowledge of the messenger’s character will help us manage..."

Qin Yuan nodded, "The gentleman is right; previous rules discuss how tasks should be done, now we’re discussing how to find people to do them, which requires more thought and effort."

Mr. Songshan rubbed his fingers again.

Qin Yuan laughed, "Yes, yes, yes, silver is also required. Generous rewards will surely attract brave individuals."

Mr. Songshan also said: "This matter requires a dedicated budget allocation, and choosing capable people to supervise with established rules; only if there’s anything inappropriate shall we correct it. It will take months of exploration before it can be effectively used. If established, no significant event in the Capital could be hidden from the Marquis Mansion’s knowledge."

Qin Yuan looked at Mr. Songshan tentatively, "Sir, this sounds similar to the Secretariat’s Mechanical Speed Room."

Mr. Songshan was unconcerned: "I said before, the Marquis Mansion affairs have become similar to the court’s. The Secretariat’s Mechanical Speed Room handles wartime border military affairs, and as for intelligence gathering and espionage, we’re naturally quite similar."

Seeing his frankness, Sixth Master Gu and the others nodded repeatedly.

Gu Baoshu added: "We may seem small, but we’re well-equipped."

Mr. Songshan stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly, looking as if he’s found teachable youngsters. Qin Yuan sighed internally but kept her composure, saying, "Let’s invite Housekeeper Han, Housekeeper Cao, and Wan Accountant. We can benefit from their military experience."

Gu Shiba quickly instructed someone to invite the housekeepers and accountant.

Soon, Housekeeper Han, Housekeeper Cao, and Wan Accountant arrived and listened to the context. Housekeeper Han was overjoyed: "It’s about time. Initially, we operated in the Northern Border, thinking Capital City only needed to transmit court news to the Northern Border. Who would expect the Marquis to be so impressive, unlike before..."

Housekeeper Cao agreed: "Right, if we had started operations earlier in the Capital, Miss Xu wouldn’t still be without any information by now. I recall some old hands who formerly served in the military but retired due to poor health. They’re skillful in gathering information; if the master needs people, I’d recommend them."

Wan Accountant remained silent.

Qin Yuan smiled: "That would be ideal, simply report the candidates, also select some literate house-born servants for recording information conveniently. As for accounting... it will depend on Wan Accountant."

Wan Accountant quickly responded: "It’s within my duties, but how much silver should be allocated? Once decided, new seals and accounting books must be created, requiring several days to prepare, better to pre-discuss the procedure."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and asked: "How much do you think is appropriate?"

Wan Accountant tentatively suggested: "Allocate five thousand taels first?"

Mr. Songshan hurriedly interjected: "Madam must know the Mechanical Speed Room’s funds come from Feng Chun’s Treasury, which allows for swift and unaffected handling of significant affairs. Moreover, this is a long-term matter with uncertain costs, making bookkeeping difficult."

His underlying meaning was to create a separate fund and internal accounts.

Qin Yuan pondered and said: "Let’s allocate twenty thousand taels from the assets the Marquis previously brought back, and have Wan Accountant supervise it, how about it?"

Mr. Songshan quickly agreed: "That would be best, flexible and dynamic, and regular auditing will prevent future troubles."

Wan Accountant hesitated, eventually saying: "However, auditing this account’s details is challenging and cannot be entrusted to others. Better if Mr. Songshan manages it."

Creating detailed account records that list every expense would expose the entire Marquis Mansion’s intelligence network.

Not to mention the risk of small accountants in the mansion inadvertently leaking information.

This matter must be avoided at all costs.

Mr. Songshan quickly declined: "That wouldn’t do. Although I don’t dislike discussing money, I’m unable to manage accounts, which mustn’t be erratic."

Realizing Wan Accountant’s concern, Qin Yuan smiled: "I overlooked this; how about starting by funding directly from the Marquis’s private treasury, managed by trusted people within the mansion, and the accounting books would be confidential documents managed by the Marquis’s appointed personnel. When stable, we can divide accounts, with regular intelligence expenses managed by Wan Accountant, some through public accounts, and others remain undisclosed, how about it?"

Wan Accountant nodded repeatedly, then looked to Mr. Songshan, awaiting his response.

Mr. Songshan thought it over and found it favorable, smiling: "Madam’s mind is truly brilliant. Our dynasty’s Mechanical Speed Room was established and abolished several times, originally a response to wartime needs, and naturally dissolved with peace."