Chapter 30: The hundred officials are boiling, the majesty of the Duke of the State

The next day, Da Qian Imperial Palace.

On the Jin Luandian.

The scout rushed into the hall quickly.

"Report!"

"Grain prices in Qingshui City have fallen to eighty-two wen per dou, and Top Scholar Cui claims that grain prices can be lowered by another seven wen!"

Following the scout's words, the hundred officials were all surprised, and then they discussed it one after another, with no attempt to hide their praise.

"Top Scholar Cui's talent is truly admirable. In such a short time, he made grain prices in Qingshui City fall by a full eighteen wen, and they can even be lowered further. Lowering prices from greedy grain merchants without using terrifying means or losing the court's majesty—he is truly worthy of the name of Top Scholar!"

"I, Song Li, request the Empress to reward Investigating Censor Cui Xinghe!"

Among the officials, Song Li stood out, his voice resounding through the Jin Luandian.

In his heart, this competition was destined from the beginning, and the rest depended on Cui Xinghe's methods in Qingshui City.

But Cui Xinghe did not live up to his name as Top Scholar; in less than seven days, he curbed the rising grain prices in Qingshui City and lowered them by eighteen wen.

Such methods destined his path to the sky!

When he returns to the capital, he will surely be a hot figure in all of Changancheng.

Therefore, Song Li didn't mind selling him a favor; in the officialdom, back and forth, the relationship would deepen.

Not to mention, in his heart, Cui Xinghe was already the Song family's son-in-law!

Every official present was a shrewd person, so they naturally understood the stakes quickly.

Wang Zhong also stood out and said, "Merchants are driven by profit, and making a fortune from a national disaster during a disaster year is a common occurrence."

"But Top Scholar Cui stabilized grain prices in Qingshui City in just seven days. Such methods are truly admirable. This general also requests the Empress to set Top Scholar Cui as a model for officials in all regions to learn from!"

For a time, one official after another stood out.

"I agree!"

"I agree!"

On the dragon throne.

Wu Zhao wore a golden dragon robe, her whole body permeated with a nobility that could not be looked at directly.

She was also somewhat surprised in her heart.

This Cui Xinghe was really not a mediocre person; in just seven days, he not only stabilized the rising grain prices but also lowered them by eighteen wen.

This person could indeed be heavily used.

At this time, Wang Zhong asked curiously, "Qingshui City is only a few dozen miles away from Jiangcheng. Grain prices in Qingshui City are as low as eighty-two wen; I wonder what the grain prices in Jiangcheng are?"

Prime Minister Xu Xuanji said in a deep voice, "News from Qingshui City has arrived; I think news of grain prices in Jiangcheng will arrive soon."

Gao Feng's expression was solemn.

The seven-day deadline had arrived. If Gao Yang failed to lower grain prices in Jiangcheng to a stable level, then today would be dangerous.

Especially since Cui Xinghe had handed in a perfect answer sheet.

This pressure was now on the Duke Prefecture.

If Gao Yang didn't do well, I fear it would be difficult to explain.

Behind this, it was no longer just a simple competition.

"Report!"

"Latest news on grain prices in Jiangcheng: grain prices in Jiangcheng have broken through two hundred wen per dou, the commoners are complaining, and Jiangcheng Magistrate Du Jiang has sent a second urgent report to impeach Investigating Censor Gao Yang!"

Another scout rushed into the Jin Luandian.

Once these words were spoken.

The entire Jin Luandian instantly set off a stormy sea, and everyone looked at the scout with horror.

Even Wu Zhao was taken aback.

She said in disbelief, "Grain prices in Jiangcheng have broken through two hundred wen per dou?"

"Is the news confirmed?"

The scout nodded, his voice sweeping through the Jin Luandian. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the news is definitely correct. For these seven days, grain prices in Jiangcheng have been soaring!"

"And this is news from two days ago; now grain prices in Jiangcheng might be even higher..."

Once these words were spoken.

Wu Zhao's face became even uglier.

She clenched her fists, her face filled with anger.

She trusted Gao Yang so much, even suppressing all the discussions in the court for him and giving him power.

Yet Gao Yang betrayed her trust just like that!

A grain price of two hundred wen per dou, the public anger of the commoners in Jiangcheng—she could imagine it!

That was definitely heaven-sized anger!

Gao Feng was also shocked, his eyes filled with disbelief.

What is wrong with this beast?

Didn't he say that the fledgling eagle would eventually spread its wings, soar in the sky, and carry the burden of the Duke Prefecture?

Good fellow, grain prices broke through two hundred wen per dou; this is trying to send the entire Duke Prefecture to the guillotine together!

Gao Feng's expression changed.

At this time, the scout said again, "Not only that, Magistrate Du impeached Censor Gao for not only not lowering grain prices but also burning incense and worshipping Buddha every day and going on boat trips!"

"The commoners suffered such a great disaster, and Censor Gao still wants to order the renovation of the Yamen and hold a grand dragon boat race on the Qingshuihe!"

"Magistrate Du is heartbroken and ordered an eight-hundred-li urgent report to inform Your Majesty!"

Following these words, all the civil and military officials were shocked.

In a year of great disaster, it was one thing to raise grain prices in Jiangcheng to a sky-high price.

You actually wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to use disaster victims to renovate the Yamen and hold large-scale events?

Yan Zheng was so angry that he trembled, and a pair of gray beards were shaking.

"Absurd!"

"I have been in politics for thirty years and have never seen such an absurd person. Is he thinking that because of the great disaster, the commoners can't afford to eat, so he is renovating the Yamen at a low price?"

"Such a treacherous official, how can I tolerate him!"

Yan Zheng was furious.

Song Li and Wang Zhong also did not expect Gao Yang to be so foolish, not only raising grain prices but also wanting to renovate the Yamen and hold large-scale events during this disaster year!

Song Li shook his head disdainfully.

Sending Song Qingqing to the Duke Prefecture to break the engagement would be the wisest decision of the entire Song clan.

Song Li stood out. "I implore Your Majesty to punish the grandson of the Duke of the State severely to appease public anger!"

Wang Zhong followed immediately, righteous and awe-inspiring. "This general agrees!"

Yan Zheng: "I agree!"

For a time, the voices of the hundred officials echoing in the Jin Luandian were continuous.

Wu Zhao's beautiful face was filled with coldness, and she said nothing.

She firmly believed in her intuition; Gao Yang was definitely not that foolish.

These successive methods, even the most playboy military family descendant in Changancheng, would not be so stupid!

He must have his own purpose.

But now, even if she was the Empress of Da Qian, she felt great pressure!

Gao Feng's face also sank.

During a disaster year, squeezing the commoners to renovate the Yamen and hold large-scale events—this was really trying to take the entire Duke Prefecture away.

This beast, I must whip him when he returns!

But now, he still had to stand out.

I will whip my own cub, but these bastards can't kick him while he's down.

I don't know if he can hold on.

Gao Feng gritted his teeth, just wanting to stand out. ===== CHAPTER 32 =====