Chapter 43

Gao Yang smiled and said, "Official Du's praise is too much. What this official has done is just following the trend, and it is also just for self-preservation."

Du Jiang heard the implication and thought of the situation of the Dingguo Duke Prefecture.

His gaze became slightly solemn.

"Report!"

"Latest news: the Four Great Grain Merchants—Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin—have completely torn their faces. The head of the Qian family took the lead in pressing the grain price to seventy wen per dou!"

Shangguan Wan'er was filled with disbelief.

How much time has passed, and the grain price in Linjiang City has dropped by another five wen!

She looked at Gao Yang with complex expressions.

Seventy wen per dou—this is a full twelve wen lower than the eighty-two wen per dou in Qingshui City!

Gao Yang stood up and patted the dust off his robe.

"The grain price in Linjiang City has dropped; this young master's task is completed, so I will return to Chang'an. I will leave the rest to Official Du."

Du Jiang was stunned, "Is Official Gao leaving now?"

Gao Yang smiled and said, "The grain price in Linjiang City is a foregone conclusion. There is no big significance in this official staying here."

"This is a personal letter I wrote to the abbot of the temple I visited these past few days. When the yamen starts renovation, you can send someone to deliver it."

"Official Du's ability is witnessed by all the commoners in Linjiang City, so this young master is very relieved. This merit is enough for this young master to eat up to here. Staying longer doesn't have much significance; rather, Official Du needs this political achievement."

Gao Yang took out several letters from his bosom and handed them to Du Jiang.

Du Jiang reached out to take the envelope, his eyes filled with emotion.

"My lord's treatment of this subordinate is simply something this subordinate cannot repay."

Gao Yang smiled and said, "Holding large-scale events, with the condition of exempting commercial taxes for three years, according to Da Qian's rules, requires His Majesty's nod. This young master will handle this matter when I return to Chang'an."

"As for the rest, with Official Du's ability, this young master is very relieved."

Gao Yang paused again, his eyes becoming serious, "This young master only has one reminder for Official Du: you must not increase wages out of pity for the commoners during the disaster years; this will backfire!"

Du Jiang nodded heavily, "My lord's words, this subordinate will remember every word in my heart."

Gao Yang nodded and stretched again.

"Alright then, everything in Linjiang City is left to Official Du."

Du Jiang was shocked, "Is Official Gao in such a hurry to leave? This subordinate hasn't entertained you properly these past few days; why not stay one more night..."

Shangguan Wan'er also said, "His Majesty did not specify a deadline."

Gao Yang shook his head and said, "Counting the time on the road, I fear Chang'an is about to explode. This young master must return personally."

Gao Yang's eyes were deep, making people wonder what he was thinking.

Du Jiang said with some guilt, "It's all because this subordinate was stupid and submitted two memorials, putting Young Master Gao in the limelight. This subordinate will see you off!"

"Sorry to trouble Official Du." Gao Yang said to Luoluo, "Luoluo, follow this young master to pack up the luggage."

Shangguan Wan'er frowned; she always felt something was wrong.

"..."

One hour later.

Linjiang City, city gate.

Du Jiang brought the officials of the Linjiang City County Yamen and stood on the side of the carriage.

Gao Yang sat in the carriage, lifted the curtain, and said, "The news spreads slowly. In the next few days, outside grain merchants will continue to arrive at the Linjiang City wharf. You can stifle them all and force them to cut their losses."

"But the grain price cannot keep going down, otherwise the commoners will think it can be even lower. There must be ups and downs in the middle. As for how to regulate it, this official has written it all down. Official Du, just do it according to this."

Private Secretary Bai and the others' mouths twitched.

Ruthless!

Too ruthless!

These merchants who wanted to seek huge profits rushed to Linjiang City, thinking it was a gold mine, but it was actually a big pit.

Du Jiang was moved, "This subordinate thanks Young Master Gao."

"This is some local tea from Linjiang City. I hope Young Master Gao will accept it as a token of this subordinate's gratitude."

Du Jiang handed a tea box to Gao Yang.

Gao Yang took the box, weighed the weight, and a bright smile appeared on his face.

"Official Du is truly thoughtful."

"The mountains are high and the road is long. This official will wait for Official Du's good news in Chang'an."

Du Jiang stood at the city gate, watching the departing carriage, feeling a wave of emotion.

Behind him, Private Secretary Bai couldn't help but say, "My lord, that is your full three years' salary! And Official Shangguan is beside you. If His Majesty finds out..."

Du Jiang's expression changed, and he said, "What three years' salary? That is local tea from Linjiang City! Besides, this official is upright and has never oppressed the commoners, nor have I asked Young Master Gao to do anything; it is purely a feeling of gratitude."

"Even if the Empress knows, so what?"

Du Jiang suddenly flicked his sleeves, "This subordinate scolded Young Master Gao twice in memorials, so that Young Master Gao had to rush back to Chang'an as soon as he lowered the grain price in Linjiang City. If this subordinate doesn't express my gratitude, am I still a human?"

"Return to the prefecture, this subordinate wants to submit a memorial to the Empress three times!"