Chapter 523: Yecheng

Yecheng.

Qin King Mansion.

The night was as black as ink, splashing over the soaring eaves and upturned corners.

The early February wind still carried a biting chill, and as it swept through the hall it rattled the copper bells hanging on the window lintel, chiming.

Gao Yang stood by the window, his silhouette upright as a pine.

He wore a dark-colored four‑clawed python Brothel, its python pattern embroidered with gold thread glimmering with a muted sheen in the candlelight, the four claws coiled.

His skin was deep brown, his cheeks broad, while his jaw suddenly tapered to a point.

Most striking was the faintly visible scale‑like pattern on his neck, appearing and disappearing in the shadow of his collar.

He gazed at the heavy night outside, the scattered lights of distant city walls reflected in his eyes, his expression so calm it stirred no ripple.

"Prince, the news just sent from Jinyang," a steady footstep sounded behind him. Yang Yin bowed and stood firm, in his thirties, his features regular, eyes sharp, a blue Brothel giving him a capable, steady air, "Your Majesty's rebellion has already been quelled."

"Hmm."

Gao Yang heard the words, gave a light reply, his tone flat and unruffled, unsurprised, as if he had long known the outcome.

His fingertips unconsciously traced the carved window sill, his gaze still glued to the depths of the night.

After a long while, he finally spoke slowly, his voice tinged with a playful sigh: "To stir such a storm in our Great Qi's heartland, unsettling court and realm…"

"Truly not simple!"

He paused, a hard‑to‑pinpoint curve lifting his mouth, "Whose hand could this be?"

Though this chain of upheavals was severe, even damaging Great Qi's economic foundation…

Yet Gao Yang, who stayed behind in Yecheng, holding the titles Minister of State, Supervisor of the Secretariat, and Grand Commander of the Capital Region, felt no great turbulence…

Because they could not shake the rule of the Gao clan imperial house!

After all, the army's basic foundation remained stable…

Moreover, this chaos, for him as Qin King, was also an opportunity…

Yang Yin lifted his eyes, glanced at Gao Yang's silhouette, and continued his report, "In Jinyang they also killed the Imperial Attendant Wang Cheng Ji and the Left Assistant Minister Guo Now we need to output lines: English…"

"They placed all crimes—counterfeiting money, soaring prices, people unable to make a living, civilian riots—onto their heads!"

"Now the heads of the two are hanging at Jinyang's city gate, to appease the people's anger!"

"Oh?"

That light "oh" carried obvious interest, and Gao Yang slowly turned around.

Candlelight fell on his face, the scale pattern becoming clearer under the light, his eyebrows slightly raised, a hint of sarcasm flashing in his eyes, a half‑smile as he looked at Yang Yin, "Since Jinyang has already killed theirs, we'll also eliminate a few traitors in Yecheng who colluded with the enemy state, to calm the people's anger!"

Since Jinyang has already set the precedent, our actions will be perfectly justified…

Yang Yin, hearing this, furrowed his brow, thought briefly, then looked up at the master standing before the desk, his expression respectful yet steady: "Prince, this matter is far‑reaching; there are many officials and merchants secretly colluding with the enemy state or profiteering from price fluctuations, involving various levels…"

He paused, his tone growing more cautious, "Exactly which people should we cut down, that decision rests with you!"

Gao Yang, hearing this, turned toward the Grand Master's Chair behind the desk, sat down slowly, his fingers resting on the desk edge, the pads of his fingers rubbing the cool wood grain, a playful smile curving his mouth, yet his eyes held no warmth: "Decide? Why make it so troublesome."

He let out a light snort, his tone openly disdainful, "Of course we pick the soft ones!"

He paused again, then continued: "Those with shallow foundations, weak backers, yet holding lucrative positions and already poor reputations—just handle them as you see fit!"

"Killing them will cause little resistance, yet pacify the people and win their hearts; why not?"

Yang Yin felt a chill, then a sudden realization, a knowing smile appearing on his face, he bowed and nodded: "Shuyi understands!"

"We shall certainly select suitable candidates, so the people will applaud, and the court will know the Prince's thunderous methods."

Gao Yang gave a slight nod, lifted the tea bowl on the table, took a shallow sip; the tea's crispness did not wash away the solemnity in his brows, and he slowly spoke: "Although Yecheng's rebellion has been quelled, the turmoil caused by this storm is far from small…"

"Counterfeit Changping coins still circulate in the markets, bad money drives out good, the aristocratic merchants raise prices on a whim, hoarding goods, and the people suffer beyond words."

"The plight of people unable to make a living has not truly been solved by quelling the rebellion; this is the real internal danger."

Yang Yin, hearing this, his expression grew grave, he bowed and replied: "Prince, you speak truly."

"The current situation indeed calls for soothing the people's livelihood above all…"

"Hmm." Gao Yang nodded, his gaze scanning the piled bamboo slips on the desk, each a urgent report of local civilian conditions.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly gave a deep command, his tone resolute: "Within the territories under my rule, reclaim the counterfeit Changping coins using genuine Changping money at a set proportion!"

He paused, then clarified the order: "All expenses shall be borne entirely by the treasury; no burden may be placed on the people, nor may local officials deduct from it!"

Yang Yin bowed, clasping his fists: "As you command!"

Outside, the cold wind whistled past the window lintel, intertwining with the crackling of the dancing candle flame.

Gao Yang's hand holding the tea bowl paused briefly, his gaze deepened, and after setting the bowl down, his knuckles lightly tapped the desk.

"Thud, thud, thud—"

The crisp sound rang especially clear.

His deep brown face flickered in the candlelight, the scale pattern on his neck rising and falling with his breath, and in his profound eyes swirled waves of contemplation.

After a long while, he stopped tapping, his tone bearing a hint of gravity: "The people's sustenance is also a major issue…"

Speaking, a curve lifted his mouth, the gravity in his eyes fading, replaced by resolve and calculation: "Then open the granaries and release the grain!"

"Send the order: in Yecheng and surrounding prefectures, immediately set up porridge stalls, supplying hot porridge and dry rations day and night; any Liuren or civilian unable to get a meal may go to receive them, enough to eat and drink!"

"Prince, your wisdom!" Yang Yin heard this, his eyes suddenly brightened, his face full of exhilaration.

After all, the expense comes from the treasury, and everything is perfectly justified; no one can find any fault, let alone feel any pain…

Yet what is gained is the Prince's reputation and acclaim!

The people's loyalty also returns to their own Prince!

Gao Yang lifted his hand, rubbing his sharp jaw, a deep calculation flashing in his eyes, a swift glint hard to catch, yet full of ruthless scheming: "Just giving out grain is not enough."

He paused, his voice dropping lower, with a barely perceptible Dark Hawk tone: "Send people to spread the news of the deaths of the Jinyang King's Imperial Attendant and the Left Assistant Minister Guo, along with the Crime List announced in Jinyang…"

"I, the Qin King, will let all of Yecheng know!"

Yang Yin was first startled, then suddenly enlightened, a clear light flashing in his eyes, and he bowed heavily: "Shuyi understands! I will now arrange personnel to ensure the news spreads through Yecheng at the fastest speed!"

Upon saying that, he couldn't help raising his thumb, his face full of admiration, his tone unreservedly praising: "Prince Gao, you're amazing!"

Gao Yang slowly curled his lip, with a hint of intriguing levity, his fingertip lightly tapped the desk as if casually, "Send each of the aristocratic officials staying in Yecheng a separate missive…"

"Just say that I, the Prince, will pay a visit tomorrow!"

Yang Yin heard that, broke into an understanding smile, his eyes full of comprehension, bowed and said: "Such a heaven‑sent opportunity calls for soothing their anxious hearts!"

How could Jinyang cut those two high‑ranking dignitaries without making every Han aristocratic official feel insecure?

This moment is the perfect time to win hearts!

Our Prince can now use this favorable wind, under the pretext of comforting and inquiring, to openly visit and court the families, securing their support.....

Gao Yang gave a slight nod, his fingertip rubbing a jade paperweight on the desk, his gaze deep as if recalling something important, then abruptly changed the subject and asked: "By the way, how are the arrangements on Jinyang's side now?"

Mentioning that, Yang Yin's smile vanished instantly, his expression becoming grave and sharp.

He straightened his torso, stepped forward, lowered his voice and replied gravely, "Prince, everything is ready!"

Then, leaning slightly, he added, "Once the Prince gives the order, we can act immediately!"

A genuine satisfaction appeared on Gao Yang's dark brown face; he raised his hand in a feigned press and said, "Very good!"

After a pause, a sharp sincerity flashed in his eyes, "Your merits are all noted in my heart....."

"In the future I shall never be able to mistreat you!"

Yang Yin felt a heat in his heart, as if the days of toil finally had a result; he bowed even lower, his gaze suddenly fierce, his tone urgent yet steady, "Prince, your great kindness, Shuyi would die a thousand deaths without complaint! However....."

He looked up at Gao Yang, his expression heavy, "Such matters should always be dealt with early, not delayed; long nights breed many dreams, delay brings trouble, and if we don't act swiftly, future complications may arise!"

Gao Yang heard that, but slowly raised his hand and pressed, "No need to rush just yet!"

Having said that, his gaze slowly turned outward, beyond Yecheng's myriad lights, toward the distant south.

In those deep eyes swirled complex thoughts—caution, calculation, and a barely perceptible weight.

"Before we truly act, we must first resolve that big trouble in the south....." His voice deepened, carrying a hint of veiled significance.

Yang Yin was first startled, the urgency on his face fading instantly, then suddenly enlightened, bowed and nodded: "Prince, your consideration is most apt!"

He had indeed forgotten that one in authoritarian Henan.....

Gao Yang stared at the heavy night outside, slowly exhaled a breath of foul air, and sighed meaningfully, "Then let Your Majesty linger a bit longer under Heaven's mandate."