Chapter 19: Hosting a banquet for the four major grain merchants

Once these words were spoken, Du Jiang's expression changed.

He looked at the extremely confident face before him, his own complexion turning livid.

In his view, this Gao Yang must be a person who seeks fame and reputation, having obtained Empress Wu Zhao's trust through some unknown means.

How could one act so recklessly with the lives of a city's commoners, hundreds of thousands of people!

Once the people are truly destitute, what use is your life alone?

Du Jiang made a resolution in his heart: if the situation became uncontrollable, even if he had to sacrifice his official cap, he would take this person down!

Even if he had the Empress behind him, even if he possessed monstrous power!

But in Du Jiang's heart, the lives of the commoners were above all else!

For now, he would wait and see what Gao Yang intended to do!

Gao Yang looked at Du Jiang and said, "Bring me the map of the Jiangcheng area."

With a glance from Du Jiang, a subordinate quickly brought over a map.

The map was spread out on the table, and the entire geographical layout of Jiangcheng was clear at a glance.

Gao Yang scanned it roughly and frowned. "How is grain generally transported in Jiangcheng?"

Hearing this question, Du Jiang felt even more contempt for Gao Yang.

He said coldly, "Naturally, it is transported by both water and land, but Jiangcheng is famous for being close to the Qingshuihe, so water transport is more common; it is faster and has less loss."

"Does Young Master Gao already have a brilliant plan in mind?"

Du Jiang spoke directly, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Gao Yang.

Gao Yang's finger traced along the flow of the Qingshuihe, the corners of his lips curling slightly.

He did not answer Du Jiang's question directly, but instead asked, "Magistrate Du, do you know the largest grain merchants in Jiangcheng?"

"The four major families—Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin. They have been entrenched in Jiangcheng for a hundred years and possess great strength. Seizing this great disaster, they have been frantically sweeping up the grain on the market, causing some small local grain merchants to follow suit and hoard grain, making a fortune from the national disaster!"

"This has also led to grain prices in Jiangcheng nearly doubling in just a few dozen days!"

"But right now, the Empress has just ascended the throne, and the people of Jiangcheng are fierce and tough; we cannot suppress them by force, otherwise, a great chaos might arise, and at that time, I fear no one will be able to bear the consequences."

Gao Yang smiled faintly. "Please, Magistrate Du, prepare a table of fine wine and food, and host a banquet for me with these four major families—Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin!"

Du Jiang shook his head even more. "Young Master Gao, I must tell you the truth: I have already used this tactic, but the results were minimal. Merchants are driven by profit; having caught this heaven-sent opportunity to hoard grain, they will never loosen their grip so easily."

"Just do as I say," Gao Yang said, then walked straight into the Yamen.

Du Jiang watched Gao Yang's back, so angry that he flicked his sleeves and left. "Then I shall wait to see Young Master Gao's methods!"

Beside him, Shangguan Wan'er looked at Gao Yang but did not speak.

However, deep in her heart, she was curious about what Gao Yang actually wanted to do.

"..."

Jiangcheng.

The Lin family.

As a century-old clan in Jiangcheng, the Lin family residence had deep courtyards, with rockeries and water features arranged in an orderly fashion, like a miniature scroll of mountains and rivers.

The Lake Pavilion was located in the center of the pond, with eight-cornered flying eaves and an antique style. The pavilion was exquisitely decorated with carved beams and painted pillars, and carp leaped out one after another, fully displaying prosperity.

"Lin Lao, Magistrate Du sent word that the imperial court has sent a Censor to take over all affairs in Jiangcheng and has specifically summoned us to go. I fear it is to lower grain prices. What should we do?"

Inside the Lake Pavilion.

Three middle-aged men centered around an old man. The old man wore a luxurious robe, the collar and cuffs of which were inlaid with precious jewels and gold threads.

The head of the Qian family could not help but speak, his face filled with worry.

Hearing the news, Lin Lao's expression was steady. He said, "It's just a banquet; what is there to fear?"

"If he says to lower grain prices, we lower grain prices?"

Lin Lao sneered and scanned the three men. "As long as we are of one mind, Da Qian has suffered natural disasters for years, and the Jiangcheng granaries definitely do not have much reserve grain. For every bit of grain the granaries release, we will buy it up. Not only will grain prices in Jiangcheng not fall, but we can completely drive them up to one hundred and ten wen per dou!"

"As long as we seize this opportunity, it will be enough for our descendants to have no worries!"

Hearing this, a look of greed appeared in everyone's eyes.

One hundred and ten wen per dou—based on the grain they currently held, that was a sky-high sum of silver!

"Lin Lao is right. As long as we are of one mind, the Empress has just ascended the throne; would they dare to use force?"

But the head of the Zhao family, who had a large mole on his face, was somewhat worried. "I heard that this newly arrived Investigating Censor is very young and came from Changancheng, so he likely has a great background. If we don't give him face, what if we anger the big shots in Changancheng? I fear we will face a disaster of extinction!"

Hearing this, Lin Lao's expression also changed.

But he still said, "The Empress has ascended the throne, and the world is ultimately governed by law. But what the Zhao family head says makes sense; since the Investigating Censor has arrived, we should give him some face."

"Currently, grain prices in Jiangcheng are one hundred wen per dou. At the banquet later, we will lower the price by five wen. These five wen will be considered giving face to the Investigating Censor!"

"But I will say this in advance: whoever blocks my path to wealth, I will never let them off easily."

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Lao's eyes.

"Lin Lao is right!"

"We follow Lin Lao's lead. As long as we are of one mind, the grain prices in Jiangcheng will be decided by us!"

The three men echoed in unison.

A smile appeared in Lin Lao's eyes as he straightened his slightly wrinkled robe.

"Change into ordinary robes and accompany me to the banquet."

The others looked down at their own luxurious robes and revealed looks of realization.

"Lin Lao's words are very true!"

"Lin Lao's methods are truly superb!"

"..."

The back courtyard of the County Yamen.

Gao Yang sat in the main seat, with Shangguan Wan'er and Du Jiang sitting to his left and right, and Lv Luo standing behind him.

The table in front of them was filled with fine wine and meat, complete in color, aroma, and taste.

Gao Yang's fingers tapped on the table rhythmically, slowly and with a steady beat.

Du Jiang could not help but say, "Young Master Gao, these grain merchants are all old foxes. Wanting to make them lower prices is probably harder than killing them. At most, they will lower it by five wen!"

"Five wen is already their limit!"

Du Jiang held up a palm, his expression excited.

"Magistrate Du, keep a peaceful mind. As a parent-official of a county, if even you lose your composure, how can you stabilize grain prices?"

Gao Yang said faintly. This Du Jiang was a good parent-official, but too impatient.

This time, it could be considered a lesson for him.

Suddenly rebuked, Du Jiang's face turned livid. "Then I shall wait to see Censor Gao's methods!"

At this moment, a soldier accompanying them walked in quickly and said, "Censor, the heads of the four major families—Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin—have arrived."

"Send them in!"

Following Gao Yang's voice, the heads of the four major families—Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin—soon walked in.

"We pay our respects to Censor Gao!"

"We pay our respects to Censor Gao!"

The few of them shouted in unison.

Gao Yang scanned them and could not help but smile.

"I have long heard that the four major families of Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin have been in Jiangcheng for a hundred years and are famous wealthy merchants for a hundred miles around. Why do you look so destitute today?"

Shangguan Wan'er was also full of disgust; clearly wealthy, yet they deliberately wore these simple robes that only servants would wear. ===== CHAPTER 21 =====