Chapter 1073: Monarch and subject meeting with frankness, why are you taking off your clothes?

Wu Zhao's gaze shifted, staring in disbelief at Gao Yang, who had knelt directly on the ground.

"Hiss!"

At this moment, she realized the gravity of the situation.

"How much?"

Wu Zhao took a deep breath and asked in a calm voice.

She thought back to the seven-to-three ratio she had once questioned in her heart.

Was it truly seven for her and three for Gao Yang?

At this moment, the answer was out.

"A tiny bit."

Gao Yang held up one finger and said to Wu Zhao with a guilty conscience.

For a moment.

The entire pavilion was silent.

Gao Yang kept his head lowered honestly and said to Wu Zhao, "During this period, your subject has been frugal, and with the generous contributions from my grandfather and father, plus the soap business, the white sugar business, and many other ventures, it is quite reasonable for operating costs to be a bit higher."

"A little here, a little there, plus the bribes from the First Prince of Zhao Kingdom, and the silver received during the capping ceremony."

"But your subject has taken out all of this silver this time."

Wu Zhao stared at Gao Yang and took a deep breath.

She knew it!

What a fine "operating cost," she had learned something.

Wu Zhao sipped her tea and continued, "Is there really none left?"

"Not even a drop left."

"One million taels is certainly not a small amount; it really cannot be squeezed out anymore."

Gao Yang raised his head and said with a sincere expression.

The feeling at this moment was truly like the feeling of facing Chu Qingluan back then—not a drop could be squeezed out.

Wu Zhao looked at Gao Yang several times, her expression shifting again and again.

"Since things have reached this point, today, as monarch and subject, we might as well be frank with each other!"

"Everyone withdraw!"

Wu Zhao waved her hand, an aura of extreme nobility permeating her person, and the eunuchs and palace maids to the side withdrew one after another.

This time, it was Gao Yang's turn to be shocked.

Wu Zhao also had no way to deal with Gao Yang.

If one said Gao Yang was greedy, he was indeed greedy.

And quite a lot at that.

But how should she punish him?

Kill him?

Or throw him into the Celestial Prison?

Then how would her grand ambitions and the goal of a technologically strong nation be implemented?

The seven kingdoms were not peaceful right now; the Xiongnu in the north were still rampant and restless, and the overall situation of the world could change at any moment.

Moreover, Gao Yang had taken out all the money he had embezzled.

This made it extremely difficult for her to handle.

But as her gaze swept over, she discovered that Gao Yang was loosening his clothes.

She immediately reprimanded him, "Lord Gao, what are you doing?"

"Didn't Your Majesty say to be frank with each other?"

"Your subject will take a small loss; my father often taught me that taking a loss is a blessing."

His expression was extremely sincere, filled with the thought that it was so cold, and in public, he didn't understand, but he respected her wishes.

Wu Zhao's face darkened, "I meant opening our hearts to have a frank talk today as monarch and subject!"

"What are you thinking about?"

Gao Yang feigned a blush, "Your subject is guilty, your subject is ashamed!"

Wu Zhao glanced at Gao Yang, amused by this fellow's thick skin, and most of her anger dissipated, "Enough, do you really think I don't know your intentions, playing the fool to try and muddle through?"

"Get up."

"To know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue; I will not hold this against you."

"But I do not like being deceived, so I want you to reveal everything to me truthfully, otherwise the consequences will be even more severe than you imagine!"

Gao Yang stood up and sat on a stone chair.

He said to Wu Zhao with a serious expression, "Your Majesty, you know that your subject has no other merits, only that I am honest with Your Majesty and never tell lies."

Wu Zhao couldn't be bothered to pay attention to Gao Yang. ===== CHAPTER 1075 =====