As soon as these words were spoken, Cui Xinghe's face changed dramatically.
To deceive the entire village into digging the barren mountain overnight with the lure of gold was already shocking enough.
But for the gold to be real on the outside and copper inside, could someone really be so malicious?
His mouth twitched as he looked at Gao Yang, trembling inside.
On the dragon throne, Empress Wu Zhao also showed a deeply moved expression, stunned.
"Gold on the outside, copper on the inside, that's ruthless."
Gao Yang walked leisurely around the Golden Luan Hall, as if on level ground.
His confident and flamboyant demeanor was extremely bold, but at this moment, no one dared to reprimand him.
With a faint smile on his face, Gao Yang said, "As long as the county magistrate cooperates, we could easily cut open the returned gold on the spot and then accuse the villagers of stealing it, punishing them right there in court."
"How could ordinary villagers withstand such harsh punishment?"
"With just a few severe punishments, those who dug up the gold would quickly confess. By then, even if they understand the whole scheme, it would be too late."
"Without money to repay, they would have no choice but to sign a contract to sell themselves into servitude, becoming tea slaves for life."
"Of course, if I were the tea merchant, I would make sure to prevent any retaliation, bringing several guards with me when I go out. At the same time, I would promise these tea slaves that if they work for me for another five or ten years, I'll give them their freedom. The harder they work, the faster they'll earn their freedom."
"Once the money is made and the business grows, we could even build a road or a bridge for easier tea transportation. Of course, we'd claim it's for the villagers' convenience, which would earn me a reputation as a great benefactor."
As these words fell, the Golden Luan Hall was so silent that one could hear a pin drop.
The civil and military officials all stared at Gao Yang, their lips trembling.
A huge wave surged in their hearts.
Even the empress could not help but grip the armrests of the dragon throne, her eyes fixed on Gao Yang.
This answer was so shocking that even she, the one who had set the problem, was stunned.
What she had expected from this challenge was to test the response speed and control over human nature.
The world had been in turmoil for a long time, and conventional methods couldn't eradicate it.
In extraordinary times, one needed extraordinary people and unconventional methods!
Only by exploiting human evil could one govern and secure the country, becoming her Wu Zhao's capable minister for peace!
This problem was all about mastering human nature. Simply raising wages was a low-level tactic.
She had also thought of burying gold in barren mountains or using rumors as methods.
In her mind, this was the perfect solution.
But she hadn't anticipated that Gao Yang had an even more profound follow-up, bribing the county magistrate in the remote, impoverished mountains first.
Then, he used copper instead of gold, falsely accusing the villagers and using severe torture to make them confess and become tea slaves.
Moreover, he had thought it through carefully, setting a deadline for these enslaved villagers, giving them hope so they wouldn't feel like they were stuck with no way out.
A thoroughly dirty scheme, and in the end, Gao Yang would end up as the local great benefactor!
Gao Yang had delivered a satisfying answer.
No wonder this plan was called "The Monkey Play." The villagers took the tea merchants as monkeys, but little did they know, they themselves were the ridiculous monkeys.
This child, even if he didn't enter the court as an official, must never be allowed to go into business!
The empress made a decision in her heart. If he went into business, who knew how many villagers would be played to their deaths!
Cui Xinghe was dumbfounded, unable to believe it.
He never expected that Gao Yang would give an answer so quickly.
He began to consider the feasibility of the plan.
But the more he thought about it, the more alarmed he became.
Gao Feng also turned around in disbelief, staring at Gao Yang, trembling inside.
Could such a sinister and cunning person really be the descendant of the Gao family, a prestigious family that had been around for a hundred years?
This poisonous plan—let alone the other ministers in the Golden Luan Hall, even Gao Yang's own father was somewhat frightened.
Gao Yang's gaze landed on Empress Wu Zhao, and with a touch of regret, he said, "Your Majesty, time is too tight, and this plan still has some flaws. If I had more time, it would be even more perfect."
Gao Yang was somewhat regretful; when it came to scheming, he was a perfectionist.
In his eyes, Wu Zhao's question was just a typical scheme.
This scheme was still a bit rough; he wasn't entirely satisfied with it.
As soon as these words were spoken, the officials immediately felt a chill run down their spines and their eyes widened in disbelief.
They looked at Gao Yang, their faces filled with shock. "This plan could be made even more perfect?"
This imperfect plan had already spent little on labor, completed the land reclamation, and even tricked a batch of villagers into becoming tea slaves.
If it could be more perfect, what would happen then?
Would those villagers have any way out?
This child was too ruthless.
The ministers all thought to themselves.
Old Lord Zhou trembled with anger and stood up. "Your Majesty, this plan is too cruel. Please, Your Majesty, severely punish Gao Yang!"
"I second this motion!"
"I second this motion!"
Some ministers stepped forward, bowing to Empress Wu Zhao.
Gao Feng's expression turned cold, and he swept his gaze over the group of ministers.
Among them, most were political enemies of the Gao family.
The Gao family had been too low-key, allowing anyone to come forward and challenge them.
He hurried forward, clasping his hands and speaking, "As the saying goes, there's no such thing as a good or bad plan, it all depends on the user's intent. My son's plan, though... though somewhat ruthless, Your Majesty, please see it clearly!"
Cui Xinghe's expression shifted. The Empress had just ascended the throne, and the position of the Director of the Central Secretariat was crucial. It was currently vacant.
He had initially thought that, as the top scholar of the court, the position would undoubtedly go to him.
But now, at the critical moment, Gao Yang had emerged.
He stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I also agree with Old Lord Zhou. This plan is too ruthless and should not be adopted!"
Empress Wu Zhao's phoenix eyes swept over the ministers, her gaze cold.
"If you gentlemen think this plan is too ruthless, do you have a better one?"
At this, Old Lord Zhou and Cui Xinghe's faces changed in unison.
If they had a plan, they would have already presented it.
Wu Zhao's expression remained icy, and her aura was domineering. "In my eyes, there is no good or bad plan. A plan that achieves its goal is a good plan."
"Gao Yang's plan, although somewhat wicked, is reasonable from the tea merchant's perspective. In fact, it may even be the best solution."
"If everyone in the world had no guilt in their hearts, how could there be corrupt officials? Governing a large country is like handling small fish—those who are corrupt are all evil-minded, and against such people, we must use evil methods!"
"Moreover, Gao Yang, the son of the Vice Minister Gao, was able to come up with such a wicked plan in such a short time. It shows his talent!"
These words served as a reprimand to the ministers, and both Old Lord Zhou and Cui Xinghe quickly lowered their heads.
"I am tired. The court is dismissed!"
With that, Empress Wu Zhao, with her stunning beauty, stood up and walked out.
Gao Yang was momentarily stunned.
She's leaving just like that?
Where's the reward?
No ten thousand taels of gold, at the very least, two beautiful women would do.
This Empress has no sense of propriety.
While Gao Yang was silently complaining, the ministers looked at each other, their astonished gazes fixed on him.
Everyone knew that what had happened today would spread throughout Chang'an at the fastest speed.