Chapter 482

The next day.

A ray of sunlight shrouded the entire Changancheng, as if nothing had happened.

Gao Yang sat in the main hall, drinking tea.

With the Empress's special permission, he could handle the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue as he pleased, and with Gao Feng supporting him in all matters large and small, he was able to be a hands-off manager, relaxed and comfortable.

Today was also the final day for the three great families: the Xie, Wang, and Zhao families.

Gao Yang was particularly curious about how these three families would choose and how much silver they could produce!

Soon, the three of them walked into the Duke Prefecture and bowed to Gao Yang.

"Commoner Xie Anran pays respects to Lord Gao!"

"Wang Dezhi pays respects to Lord Gao!"

"Zhao Jifa pays respects to Lord Gao!"

Gao Yang sipped his hot tea and said to them, "Family heads, how have you considered what this official previously mentioned?"

Wang Dezhi looked at Gao Yang and said confidently, "How could we not take Lord Gao's words to heart?"

"These past few days, we have naturally considered it carefully!"

Gao Yang looked at them with a meaningful expression.

"Uncle Fu, bring the brush and ink!"

Hearing this, Uncle Fu immediately stepped forward to prepare them.

Gao Yang then said to them, "Everyone, for the sake of the fairness I mentioned earlier, please write the amount of your franchise fee on the paper."

"This official stands by my word: the highest bidder wins!"

Hearing this, Xie Anran thought back to her previous conversation with Gao Yang.

She took a deep breath, her beautiful eyes fixed on Gao Yang.

"Then let this old man throw out a brick to attract jade!"

Wang Dezhi said, then stepped toward the table and began to write with bold, sweeping strokes.

Just a short while ago, he had specifically spent money to bribe people from the Xie and Zhao families and obtained their quotes: Xie Anran had prepared 80,000 taels, and Zhao Jifa had prepared 50,000 taels!

These two figures were certainly not small.

But he had prepared a full 200,000 taels!

He was determined to obtain the royal special supply brand for Bai Yu Sugar.

Gao Yang remained calm, turning his gaze to Xie Anran and Zhao Jifa.

"Two family heads, please."

Soon, Xie Anran and Zhao Jifa also wrote down their prepared franchise fees.

Seeing this, Uncle Fu handed the three sheets of paper to Gao Yang.

Gao Yang picked up the first sheet of rice paper and said in surprise, "The Wang family is indeed wealthy; you have actually prepared a franchise fee of 200,000 taels. This is quite a grand gesture!"

Hearing this, a look of pride appeared on Wang Dezhi's face.

He turned to look at the expressions on Xie Anran and Zhao Jifa's faces; this figure was definitely one that would crush the other two families, but to his surprise, both of them were extremely calm, with not a hint of shock on their faces.

In that very instant, Wang Dezhi realized a deep sense of unease.

Following that, Gao Yang opened the second sheet of rice paper.

"The Zhao family, 500,000 taels!"

As the words fell, a smile appeared on Zhao Jifa's aged face.

He bowed to Wang Dezhi and said, "Family Head Wang, I concede."

According to Gao Yang's rules, this figure was far greater than the Wang family's 200,000 taels, and with three families competing for two spots, no matter how much the Xie family offered, he was already sitting securely on the fishing platform.

Wang Dezhi's face suddenly darkened; he clenched his fists, his gaze fixed intently on Xie Anran, the sense of unease in his heart now reaching its peak.

Gao Yang glanced at Xie Anran, then looked at the third sheet of rice paper.

Afterward, he drew a sharp breath.

"Hiss!"

"The Xie family, 800,000 taels!"

Even though Gao Yang was prepared, he was still startled by this figure.

This was equivalent to the Xie family's century of savings, all pressed into this.

Once these words were spoken.

Wang Dezhi's face turned deathly pale, and even Zhao Jifa looked shocked.

Only Xie Anran remained calm.

Once a decision is made, one must bring out the greatest sincerity!

This had always been her style.

By now, Wang Dezhi knew he had been tricked!

It was all fake, all of it!

These two had both wiped a zero off their numbers.

He had been fooled!

Even the so-called bribery of his confidants might have been part of the scheme!

These two were even more insane than he had imagined!

But the Wang family's black sugar business had always been the largest; with this, the Wang family's business would undoubtedly plummet!

Gao Yang said indifferently, "The results are out. This official will report to His Majesty, and today, the royal special supply brand for Bai Yu Sugar will be bestowed upon the Xie and Zhao families!"

Xie Anran and Zhao Jifa hurriedly bowed, "Many thanks, Lord Gao!"

Both of them let out a sigh of relief, the heavy stone in their hearts finally dropping; they had at least not been squeezed out.

But they couldn't help but sigh that this tactic of "killing three warriors with two peaches" was truly vicious!

It had almost hollowed them out completely!

"Serve tea."

Gao Yang said to Luluo, who was to the side.

Seeing this, Wang Dezhi said with extreme reluctance, "Lord Gao, can you give my Wang family another chance?"

Gao Yang cast a glance over and said coldly, "This official already said that I only accept one quote. Does Family Head Wang not take this official's words seriously?"

Wang Dezhi's face turned pale instantly.

"This commoner would not dare!"

Gao Yang said coldly, "Uncle Fu, see the guests out!"

Although Wang Dezhi was extremely unwilling, when he saw Gao Yang's cold face, he dared not show it.

Instead, as he passed Xie Anran and Zhao Jifa, he cast an extremely cold glance at them.

But Xie Anran and Zhao Jifa remained calm, looking straight ahead.

Gao Yang watched the direction in which Wang Dezhi left, sipped his hot tea, his gaze cold.

He said indifferently, "This person has a rebellious heart; he must not be kept!"

As the words fell.

Xie Anran and Zhao Jifa's pupils both constricted.

Xie Anran asked cautiously, "Does Lord Gao intend to kill Family Head Wang?"

Gao Yang said indifferently, "This official dislikes trouble the most. The expression on the Wang family head's face already shows he is courting death!"

"The principle of 'thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, never bully a young man for being poor' is one this official understands all too well."

"But do I look like such a brutal person?"

Xie Anran and Zhao Jifa were shaken, looking at Gao Yang.

"Using commercial means to suppress him so he can never recover is enough."