Chereads / The Female Emperor calls me the Grim Reaper / Chapter 15 - The powerful authority of the Duke of Dingguo

Chapter 15 - The powerful authority of the Duke of Dingguo

The next day, in the Imperial Palace of Da Qian.

In the Golden Luan Hall.

A scout rushed into the hall quickly.

"Report!"

"The grain price in Qingshui City has dropped to 82 wen per dou. Scholar Cui has declared that the price can drop another 7 wen!"

At the scout's words, all the officials were shocked, and then they began to discuss excitedly, openly praising Cui's achievements.

"Scholar Cui's talent is truly impressive. In such a short time, he has managed to reduce the grain price in Qingshui City by 18 wen, and he even says the price can still drop further. He has lowered prices from the greedy merchants without using any extreme measures or losing the authority of the court. Truly worthy of the title of the top scholar!"

"I, Song Li, request that His Majesty rewards the Imperial Censor, Cui Xinghe!"

Among the officials, Song Li stepped forward, his voice echoing in the Golden Luan Hall.

In his mind, this competition had been decided from the start. The only remaining question was how Cui Xinghe would handle the situation in Qingshui City. 

But Cui Xinghe did not disappoint his title of top scholar. In less than seven days, he had stabilized the rising grain prices in Qingshui City and even managed to lower them by 18 wen. 

Such skills were sure to lead him to greatness! 

Once he returned to the capital, he would be a hot figure in the entire Chang'an!

Thus, Song Li had no hesitation in doing him a favor. In the official world, relationships ran deep.

Moreover, in his heart, Cui Xinghe was already the son-in-law of the Song family, a match made in heaven!

All the ministers present were clever and quickly understood the implications.

Wang Zhong also stepped forward and said, "Merchants are greedy, and taking advantage of a disaster year to profit from the people's misfortune is all too common."

"But Scholar Cui has stabilized the grain price in Qingshui City in just seven days. Such methods are truly admirable. I also request Your Majesty to make Scholar Cui a role model for officials to follow."

One after another, ministers stepped forward.

"I support this!"

"I support this!"

On the dragon throne.

Wu Zhao, dressed in a golden dragon robe, exuded an aura of nobility that was impossible to look at directly.

She was also a little surprised.

Cui Xinghe was truly no ordinary person. In just seven days, not only did he stabilize the rising grain prices, but he also reduced them by 18 wen.

This person, it seems, is someone worth promoting.

At this moment, Wang Zhong curiously asked, "Qingshui City is only a few dozen miles from Linjiang City. The grain price in Qingshui City has dropped to 82 wen per dou. I wonder what the grain price in Linjiang City is?"

Prime Minister Xu Xuanji said in a deep voice, "The news from Qingshui City has arrived. The news from Linjiang City should be arriving soon."

Gao Feng's face grew serious.

The seven-day period was up. If Gao Yang did not manage to bring down the grain prices in Linjiang City to a stable level, today's situation would be dangerous.

Especially with Cui Xinghe having submitted a nearly perfect answer.

The pressure was now on the Duke of Dingguo's residence.

If Gao Yang had failed, it would be hard to explain.

Behind this, the situation was no longer just a simple competition.

"Report!"

"Latest news from Linjiang City: the grain price in Linjiang City has exceeded 200 wen per dou. The people are in an uproar. Linjiang's county magistrate, Du Jiang, has sent a second urgent report, impeaching the Imperial Censor Gao Yang!"

Another scout burst into the Golden Luan Hall.

At these words, a storm of shock erupted in the hall. All the officials looked in horror at the scout.

Even Wu Zhao was stunned.

She could hardly believe it, "The grain price in Linjiang City has exceeded 200 wen per dou?"

"Is the news confirmed?!"

The scout nodded, his voice echoing through the hall, "Your Majesty, the news is absolutely accurate. Over the past seven days, the grain price in Linjiang City has been soaring!"

"Furthermore, this news is from two days ago. The price in Linjiang City may have risen even higher by now…"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Wu Zhao's face grew even darker.

She clenched her fists, her face filled with anger.

She had trusted Gao Yang so much, even suppressing all the criticisms in the court and giving him full authority.

But Gao Yang had betrayed her trust!

A grain price of 200 wen per dou! The people's fury in Linjiang City, she could already imagine!

  That was certainly a fury beyond measure!

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

What is this wretch thinking?

Wasn't he supposed to be the young eagle, ready to soar into the sky and bear the weight of the Duke of Dingguo's estate?

This is unbelievable—grain prices breaking 200 wen per dou? Does he intend to send the entire Duke of Dingguo's family to the executioner's block?

Gao Feng's expression changed dramatically.

At this moment, the scout spoke again, "Not only that, but County Magistrate Du has impeached Imperial Censor Gao Yang, claiming that he has not only failed to lower the grain prices but has also been burning incense and praying every day, spending his time on boat rides and leisurely activities!"

"The common people are suffering from this great disaster, yet Imperial Censor Gao still wants to order the renovation of the county office and hold a grand dragon boat race on the Qingshui River!"

"County Magistrate Du, in his deep distress, has ordered an urgent report to the Emperor, covering eight hundred miles in just two days!"

Upon hearing this, the entire court was stunned.

In times of national disaster, raising the grain prices in Linjiang City to astronomical levels might be understandable.

But to take advantage of the situation and use the disaster to renovate the county office and host large events?

Yan Zheng trembled with anger, his gray whiskers shaking.

"Preposterous!"

"I have been in politics for thirty years, and I have never seen such a ridiculous person. Does he think, in the midst of a nationwide disaster when the people cannot even afford food, that it is a good time to cheaply renovate the county office?"

"This traitor, I cannot tolerate him!"

Yan Zheng was enraged.

Song Li and Wang Zhong were also astonished at Gao Yang's incompetence. Not only had he allowed grain prices to rise, but he also wanted to use this time of national disaster to renovate the county office and hold large events!

Song Li shook his head in disdain.

He ordered Song Qingqing to go to the Duke of Dingguo's estate to break off the engagement. This would be the wisest decision of the entire Song family.

Song Li stepped forward and said, "I humbly request that Your Majesty punish the grandson of the Duke of Dingguo severely to quell the people's anger!"

Wang Zhong immediately followed, standing with righteous indignation, "I second this!"

Yan Zheng: "I second this as well!"

For a moment, voices of agreement echoed throughout the Golden Luan Hall.

Wu Zhao's stunning face was filled with coldness, and she remained silent.

She trusted her instincts—Gao Yang could not possibly be so foolish.

These consecutive actions were so erratic that even the most spoiled sons of the highest military families in Chang'an wouldn't make such foolish decisions!

He must have his own motives.

But now, even though she was the Empress of Da Qian, she felt an immense pressure!

Gao Feng's face also darkened.

In a year of disaster, exploiting the common people to renovate the county office and hold large events—this truly seemed like an attempt to drag the entire Duke of Dingguo's family into the mud.

This wretch, once he returns, I'll make sure he's punished!

But now, he still had to step forward.

His own son had to be disciplined by him, he couldn't let these bastards take advantage of the situation.

He didn't even know if Gao Yang could withstand this pressure.

Gao Feng gritted his teeth, about to stand up.

But then, outside the Golden Luan Hall, an imposing figure in worn armor appeared, radiating authority without even trying.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

In an instant, all the officials' eyes turned to the newcomer, and their expressions changed drastically.

"The Duke of Dingguo!" someone exclaimed.

Gao Tianlong stepped into the hall.

As the Duke of Dingguo, he had the privilege to enter the palace anytime and did not have to kneel before the Emperor.

Gao Tianlong walked to the center of the hall, then bent slightly at the waist and said, "Your humble servant, Gao Tianlong, pays respects to Your Majesty."

Wu Zhao exhaled in relief, "The Duke of Dingguo may rise."

Gao Tianlong scanned the entire Golden Luan Hall and then spoke indifferently, "I have come here with only one purpose."

"The skyrocketing grain prices and the renovation of the county office, these are all news that arrived from Linjiang City two days ago. Why all the rush, gentlemen?"

"Two or three days' time, Linjiang City will not be in turmoil. Can we wait another two or three days?"

His calm voice carried an undeniable pressure, and his words clearly reached every minister in the hall.

After Gao Tianlong's words, all the officials fell silent.

Even Wang Zhong, who had often been at odds with the Duke of Dingguo's family, stayed quiet for once.

As long as the Duke of Dingguo, one of Da Qian's six great dukes, was still alive, the entire court had to show him respect!