As soon as these words were spoken, Du Jiang's expression changed.
He looked at the confident face before him, his face turning pale with anger.
In his eyes, Gao Yang was certainly someone who sought fame and recognition, someone who must have used some means to gain the trust of the Empress.
The lives of hundreds of thousands of people in a city—how could they be handled so recklessly?
If the common people truly suffer, what use would one person's life be?
Du Jiang made a resolution in his heart: if the situation becomes uncontrollable, even if he had to give up his official hat, he would still capture this person!
Even if he had the Empress behind him, even if he wielded immense power!
But in Du Jiang's heart, the lives of the people were above all else!
For now, though, he would watch and see what Gao Yang would do.
Gao Yang looked at Du Jiang and spoke, "Bring me the map of the Linjiang area."
At a glance from Du Jiang, one of his subordinates quickly brought a map.
The map was laid out on the table, and the entire geographical layout of Linjiang City was clearly visible.
Gao Yang scanned it briefly, furrowing his brow. "How is the grain usually transported in Linjiang City?"
Du Jiang's contempt for Gao Yang deepened upon hearing this question.
He coldly replied, "Naturally, there are both water and land transport methods. But since Linjiang City is near the Clear Water River, water transport is more common—it's faster and has less wastage."
"Has Young Master Gao already come up with a brilliant plan?"
Du Jiang asked directly, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Gao Yang.
Gao Yang's finger traced the route of the Clear Water River on the map, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
He didn't immediately answer Du Jiang's question, instead asking, "Du County Magistrate, are you aware of the largest grain merchants in Linjiang?"
"The Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin families. These four families have been entrenched in Linjiang for over a century, their power is immense. They have taken advantage of this great disaster to hoard grain, causing local small merchants to follow suit and stockpile grains, profiting from the national disaster!"
"This has led to the price of grain in Linjiang skyrocketing almost double in just a few dozen days!"
"However, His Majesty has just ascended the throne, and the people of Linjiang are known for their fierce nature. We cannot suppress them by force, or it might lead to chaos. If that happens, I fear no one will be able to bear the consequences."
Gao Yang smiled faintly, "Please, Magistrate Du, prepare a table of fine wine and dishes. I would like to invite the four major grain merchants—Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin—for a banquet."
Du Jiang shook his head even more, "Young Master Gao, I must confess, I have already tried this approach, but the results were minimal. Merchants care only for profits, and given this heaven-sent opportunity, they won't easily relent."
"Just do as I say," Gao Yang said, and walked directly into the County Office.
Du Jiang stared at Gao Yang's retreating figure, his anger flaring as he waved his sleeve and left. "Then I'll see what Young Master Gao is capable of!"
Beside him, Shangguan Wan'er watched Gao Yang without speaking.
Yet, in her heart, she couldn't help but wonder—what exactly was Gao Yang planning to do?
Linjiang City.
The Lin Family.
As one of the oldest and most influential families in Linjiang, the Lin family estate was vast, with courtyards deep and layered. Ornate rocks and flowing water were carefully arranged, like a miniature landscape painting.
The pavilion in the center of the pond had eight corners and flying eaves, exuding an ancient charm. Inside, the décor was exquisite, with painted beams and carved columns, and koi fish leaping out of the water, adding to the scene's splendor.
"Old Master Lin, we've received news from Magistrate Du that the court has sent an Imperial Inspector to take over all matters in Linjiang. They've called us to the banquet, probably to discuss lowering the grain prices. What should we do?"
Inside the pavilion, three middle-aged men surrounded an elderly man. The elderly man wore a splendid robe, adorned with precious jewels and golden threads at the collar and cuffs.
The head of the Qian family could not help but speak up, his face filled with worry.
Upon hearing the news, Old Master Lin remained calm. He spoke, "What's there to fear about attending a banquet?"
"Do they want to lower the grain prices? Do we simply lower the prices?"
Old Master Lin scoffed, sweeping his gaze over the three men. "As long as we work together, the Daqian Dynasty has been plagued by disasters for years, and there is little grain left in Linjiang's reserves. Whatever the grain reserves are, we will consume them all. The price of grain in Linjiang will not only fail to drop, but we can raise it to 110 wen per dou!"
"As long as we seize this opportunity, our descendants will never worry about grain again!"
Upon hearing this, greed flashed in the eyes of the others.
At 110 wen per dou, considering the grain they had in stock, it would be a fortune!
"Old Master Lin is right. As long as we work together, the Empress has just ascended the throne. They wouldn't dare push us too hard, would they?"
But the head of the Zhao family, who had a large mole on his face, looked somewhat concerned. "I've heard that this new Imperial Inspector is very young and came from Chang'an. He probably has a powerful background. If we disrespect him, we might anger someone from Chang'an's high ranks, and that could lead to disaster!"
Old Master Lin's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.
However, he still said, "The Empress has ascended the throne, and the world is ultimately governed by law, but Zhao's words have some truth. We should show the Imperial Inspector some respect."
"Now, the grain price in Linjiang is 100 wen per dou. At the banquet tonight, we'll lower it by five wen, just as a sign of respect for the Imperial Inspector!"
"But I'll say this upfront—whoever blocks my path to wealth, I won't let them off easily."
Old Lin's eyes flashed with a cold gleam.
"Lin Lao is right!"
"We follow Lin Lao's lead. As long as we are united, the grain prices in Linjiang City will be determined by us!"
The three of them echoed in unison.
A smile appeared in Old Lin's eyes as he adjusted his slightly wrinkled robe.
"Change into a plain robe and accompany me to the banquet."
The others looked down at their luxurious robes and suddenly understood.
"Lin Lao's words make perfect sense!"
"Lin Lao's methods are truly remarkable!"
"...."
In the courtyard of the county office.
Gao Yang sat at the head of the table, with Shangguan Wan'er and Du Jiang sitting on his left and right, and Lv Luo standing behind him.
The table in front of them was filled with exquisite food and wine, both rich in flavor and aroma.
Gao Yang's fingers tapped lightly on the table, slow and rhythmic.
Du Jiang couldn't help but speak, "Young Master Gao, these grain merchants are all old foxes. Getting them to lower the prices will be harder than killing them. At best, they'll lower it by five coins!"
"Five coins is already their limit!"
Du Jiang spread his hand out, his expression agitated.
"County Magistrate Du, calm down. As the magistrate of a county, if even you lose your composure, how can we control the grain prices?"
Gao Yang spoke淡淡, with an air of detachment. Du Jiang was a good official, but he was too impatient.
This was also a lesson for him.
Du Jiang, suddenly rebuked, turned pale, "Then I'll wait to see the methods of the high-ranking inspector!"
Just then, a soldier walked in quickly and reported, "Your Excellency, the heads of the four major families—Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin—have arrived."
"Invite them in!"
At Gao Yang's command, the heads of the four major families soon entered.
"We greet Your Excellency, the high-ranking inspector!"
"We greet Your Excellency, the high-ranking inspector!"
They all called out in unison.
Gao Yang glanced over them, a smile unconsciously appearing on his face.
"I've heard that the four major families—Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin—have been established in Linjiang City for a century and are among the wealthiest merchants in the region. But today, why do I see you so downcast?"
Shangguan Wan'er also showed a look of disdain. Despite their wealth, they had deliberately dressed in old-fashioned robes typically worn by lower-class people.
The intention was too obvious.
But she was also somewhat worried. Gao Yang's idea of lowering grain prices might be dashed today.
Old Lin bowed respectfully and said, "Your Excellency, the high-ranking inspector, may not know this, but Linjiang City was struck by heavy rains, which destroyed the fertile fields, causing a flood of refugees. The people are starving. We are deeply pained."
"During this time, we have continually provided rice porridge and donated large sums for disaster relief. We are already running out of funds!"
Seeing Old Lin speak, the other three heads of the families quickly chimed in, "In recent years, disasters have plagued Da Qian, and the people have suffered terribly. As local gentry, loved by the people, how could we stand idly by? But despite our generous contributions, we are now nearly out of grain!"
"With Your Excellency's arrival, our pressure has been greatly relieved!"
This speech almost made Du Jiang want to turn and leave in disgust.
So shameless!
The estates of these wealthy families were extremely prosperous, no less than the Duke's residence in Chang'an. They kept hundreds of servants, and if they had just released some of the stored grain, the people of Linjiang City wouldn't be starving!
Shameless!
These merchants deserve to die!
Du Jiang was furious.
But Gao Yang remained calm and unperturbed.
He simply said, "The four heads of the families are of high moral character, showing compassion for the people. I admire you!"
"However, this young master is here on the orders of Her Majesty the Empress to take charge of all matters in Linjiang City."
Old Lin realized something and looked at the other three before speaking first, "Your Excellency, with your arrival in Linjiang City, my family, the Lin family, will show our sincerity and agree to reduce the price by five coins, selling the grain at a loss!"
"The Qian family will also!"
"The Zhao family will also!"
"The Han family will also!"
The four men looked like they were gritting their teeth, acting as if they were making a huge sacrifice.
Du Jiang was not surprised. No one understood these wealthy merchants better than he did.
Gao Yang shook his head.
"Reducing by five coins?"
Old Lin's face changed. He hadn't expected Gao Yang to have such high demands.
"Reducing by five coins per dou of grain means losing tens of thousands of taels of silver!"
"Eight coins!"
"How does Your Excellency feel about that?"
Old Lin spoke in a low voice.
Gao Yang shook his head again.
Hiss!
The faces of the four major grain merchants turned pale in unison!
This Gao Yang was forcing them to tear their masks off!
Du Jiang sneered and looked at Gao Yang. This was pretty much what he had expected!
He was curious to see what Gao Yang would do next!
Just as Old Lin was about to turn away, Gao Yang coldly spoke, "I want all the grain you have to be sold at one hundred and fifty coins per dou. No lower, only higher. If anyone dares to sell at a price lower than one hundred and fifty coins per dou, I will have them executed!"