Chapter 24

Following a voice, a guard clad in black armor rushed into the imperial palace, then knelt and held up a memorial.

"Jiangcheng?"

"An eight-hundred-li urgent report?"

Wu Zhao wore a golden dragon robe, her phoenix eyes carrying the majesty of one who looks down upon the world. When she heard the name Jiangcheng, her brows suddenly relaxed.

"Present it!"

Wu Zhao put down the memorial she was reviewing, a rare smile hanging on her face.

Jiangcheng—this was Gao Yang's territory.

Even though a few days had passed, when Wu Zhao thought of Gao Yang casually throwing out the "monkey-playing game" in the Jin Luandian, she still could not help but be shocked.

Such a vicious game appearing on the grandson of a military family's Duke was too incredible.

Therefore, she was very much looking forward to Gao Yang's methods in Jiangcheng!

But when Wu Zhao opened the memorial, her expression changed again and again.

Finally, her beautiful face was filled with anger: "This Gao Yang dares to collude with merchants to raise grain prices; not only does he not let the local grain merchants lower prices, but he also wants to sell grain at a high price. This is simply outrageous!"

Just as Wu Zhao was about to issue an order, she suddenly paused.

"No!"

"This Gao Yang doesn't seem like a mediocre person. Could there be another intention?"

Wu Zhao frowned tightly. She never expected that this Gao Yang would give her such a big surprise.

To be precise, it should be a shock.

She looked at the memorial again, her gaze falling on Du Jiang's words about Gao Yang boastfully claiming he would drastically lower Jiangcheng's grain prices within seven days.

"On one hand, you want to lower Jiangcheng's grain prices, and on the other, you raise them to a sky-high price. Gao Yang, oh Gao Yang, what exactly are you trying to do?"

"You certainly know how to find trouble for me," Wu Zhao sat on the dragon throne and could not help but rub her temples.

Tomorrow's morning court would not be peaceful.

The Duke of the State's tree is tall and attracts the wind; too many people in the court wanted to see him fall.

According to Da Qian's rules, this impeachment, besides one copy sent to her Imperial Study, would also have one sent to the Censorate.

Tomorrow was destined to be a storm!

"..."

The next day, a ray of golden sunlight pierced through the dense dark clouds on the horizon, enveloping all of Changancheng.

Da Qian Imperial Palace.

Jin Luandian.

Wu Zhao sat high on the dragon throne, her brows cold, her whole body permeated with majesty.

Civil and military officials stood on both sides.

Wu Zhao knew that undercurrents were surging beneath the calm court.

"Your Majesty, I impeach Gao Yang, the son of the Duke of the State!"

"Gao Yang is highly valued by Your Majesty and serves as the Investigating Censor for Jiangcheng, but he has colluded with merchants, ordering that grain prices in Jiangcheng must not be lower than 150 wen per dou, and he even wants to renovate the Yamen on a large scale. This act is truly foolish. I request Your Majesty to order severe punishment to serve as a warning to others!"

From the Censorate, an old man with a straight posture and gray hair stepped forward. His face was livid, and he was full of righteousness.

Censor-in-Chief Yan Zheng was known for being upright and unyielding; whoever he didn't like, he would criticize—from the heavens above to the earth below—and no one dared not to be criticized.

Even one of the three regents left behind when the late Emperor passed away, Prince of the Blood Wu Long, dared to be impeached by him in public!

He was so angry that the Prince of the Blood had been claiming illness at home for the past two days and didn't even come to the morning court.

With his appearance, everyone's expressions changed.

If Yan Zheng impeached someone, the person impeached would basically lose a layer of skin even if they didn't die.

Gao Feng widened his eyes, feeling as if he had been struck hard upon hearing this.

Gao Yang colluded with merchants, manipulated grain prices, and ordered that grain prices in Jiangcheng must not be lower than one hundred and fifty wen per dou?

Hadn't he told Gao Yang that if he couldn't do it, he shouldn't show off? The Duke Prefecture was still a camel even if it was dead, and it could always protect him.

Gao Feng's expression changed.

The hundred officials also fell into a huge disagreement after their shock.

Wang Zhong, wearing armor, took the lead. "One hundred and fifty wen per dou—if this continues for a long time, it will cause huge public anger, and even lead to starvation everywhere, a living hell!"

"This general agrees with Censor Yan's words. I request Your Majesty to punish him severely!"

Minister of Rites Song Li wore a sneer as he also stood out and said in a deep voice, "Guangyang Prefecture has suffered severe rain disasters during this period, and the commoners have had no harvest and are struggling to survive the disaster year. With such high grain prices, if we sit idly by, it will surely provoke heaven-sized public anger!"

"I implore Your Majesty to take action in time to avoid causing irreversible consequences!"

For a time, the hundred officials echoed.

"I agree!"

"I agree!"

Gao Feng's face was livid, his expression cold.

He could not help but look at Wu Zhao; right now, only the Empress could make the final decision!

Wu Zhao scanned the officials and took a deep breath. "The grandson of the Duke of the State does not follow the beaten path. Since I have promised that extraordinary talent requires extraordinary people, it has only been two days; why are you all so anxious?"

"Perhaps the grandson of the Duke of the State will hand in a satisfactory answer!"

Wu Zhao's gaze swept over the officials, her powerful majesty forcing everyone to lower their heads.

But Wang Zhong sneered subconsciously, "If you want grain prices to fall, how can you raise them to the sky?"

"This Gao Yang is an incompetent person; how can he take on such a great responsibility?!"

Wu Zhao's eyes were cold, her voice chilling: "Old General Wang, are you questioning my judgment?"

Wang Zhong panicked, cold sweat seeping from his forehead.

"This general has no such intention!"

Wu Zhao scanned the crowd and landed on Yan Zheng. "Jiangcheng will not be chaotic; I have already arranged a backup plan!"

"Since Magistrate Du says that the grandson of the Duke of the State, Gao Yang, is talking big and will lower grain prices within seven days, then give him seven days. My mind is made up on this matter; no more need be said!"

"..."

Minister of Rites' residence.

Song Li laughed loudly. "Whether this Gao Yang is a dragon or a worm, one can see at a glance. It's a waste of the Empress's trust. It seems my Song family's decision to break the engagement was correct."

Hearing the news, Song Qingqing asked curiously, "Father, has news come from Jiangcheng?"

Song Li nodded. "That's right. That Gao Yang went to Jiangcheng, and the first thing he did was summon the four major grain merchants. Not only did he not think about lowering grain prices, but he also strictly ordered the four major grain merchants not to sell grain for less than one hundred and fifty wen per dou."

"The impeachment memorial reached the Jin Luandian today. If it weren't for the Empress protecting him, this Gao Yang would be in deep trouble!"

After hearing this, Song Qingqing's face remained expressionless.

She shook her head and said, "This Gao Yang is truly foolish. Fortunately, my Song family broke the engagement early, otherwise, we would inevitably be implicated."

"Merchants are greedy. Not only does he not lower grain prices, but he also wantonly raises them. If these greedy grain merchants don't raise grain prices to the sky, I, Song Li, might as well hit my head against a piece of tofu and die!"

Song Li looked disdainful and took a sip of tea.

Then, he said earnestly to Song Qingqing, "Top Scholar Cui went to Qingshui City, and Gao Yang went to Jiangcheng. The disaster situations in the two places are similar; it is clearly a competition!"

"But in this competition, Gao Yang is destined to suffer a miserable defeat. Top Scholar Cui will become the most prominent figure in all of Changancheng and is destined to soar into the sky. Qingqing, you must seize this well."

Song Qingqing smiled faintly. "Father, rest assured. Young Master Cui's talent is known throughout Changancheng, and his demeanor is captivating. I have already been in contact with him, and Young Master Cui should have a good impression of me."

Song Li looked pleasantly surprised and could not help but stroke his beard. "If we can win over Top Scholar Cui, my Song family will surely flourish!" ===== CHAPTER 26 =====