Two Days Later
"Report!"
"An urgent dispatch from Linjiang City—delivered via eight hundred li express!"
A black-armored guard hurried into the imperial palace, knelt down, and raised a memorial.
"Linjiang City?"
"An urgent report?"
Wu Zhao, adorned in a golden dragon robe, her phoenix-like eyes exuding the majesty of an empress, softened her stern brow at the mention of Linjiang City.
"Present it!"
Setting aside the memorial she had been reviewing, Wu Zhao allowed a rare smile to surface.
Linjiang City—this was Gao Yang's assignment.
Though several days had passed, Wu Zhao couldn't help but recall Gao Yang's casual yet cunning unveiling of the Monkey Trap on the imperial court's golden dais. The sheer audacity and precision of that scheme still astonished her.
For such a ruthless stratagem to originate from the heir of the General's Mansion, the grandson of Duke Dingguo—it was nothing short of extraordinary.
Thus, her expectations for Gao Yang's actions in Linjiang City were high.
However, as Wu Zhao unfolded the memorial, her expression darkened, shifting from intrigue to rage.
"This Gao Yang dares to collude with merchants, artificially raising grain prices! Instead of lowering prices for the people, he's selling grain at exorbitant rates! Outrageous!"
Just as she was about to issue a decree, Wu Zhao paused.
"No… something doesn't add up."
"Gao Yang isn't an incompetent fool. Could there be more to this?"
Her brows knitted tightly. What she had initially dismissed as audacity now began to seem deliberate—perhaps even strategic.
She reexamined the memorial, her gaze lingering on the line where Du Jiang accused Gao Yang of boasting that Linjiang City's grain prices would plummet within seven days.
"Raising prices to an astronomical level while claiming he can lower them drastically within a week? Gao Yang, just what are you plotting?"
"You really know how to create headaches for me," Wu Zhao muttered as she rubbed her temples, her tone a mix of annoyance and reluctant admiration.
Tomorrow's court session would undoubtedly be tumultuous.
Duke Dingguo's influence and prestige had made him a prime target for many in the court.
According to the imperial procedures, alongside the memorial sent to the emperor's study, another copy would have been submitted to the Censorate.
Tomorrow's court session was destined to be a storm.
The Next Day
As the first rays of golden sunlight pierced through the dense clouds, they bathed Chang'an in a luminous glow.
Within the grand hall of the imperial palace, the Golden Dais.
Wu Zhao sat high upon the dragon throne, her icy gaze scanning the gathered officials. An aura of authority and dominance emanated from her.
Civil and military officials lined both sides of the hall. Though the court appeared calm on the surface, Wu Zhao could sense the undercurrents of tension.
"Your Majesty, this humble servant accuses Gao Yang, the son of Duke Dingguo, of misconduct!"
"Entrusted by Your Majesty as Censor of Linjiang City, Gao Yang has instead colluded with merchants, issuing an order that grain in Linjiang City must not be sold below 150 wen per dou. Furthermore, he has initiated grand renovations of the city's administrative offices. Such reckless behavior is unacceptable! I implore Your Majesty to mete out severe punishment to set an example!"
Yan Zheng, the upright and unyielding Grand Censor, stepped forward. His iron-gray hair framed a face marked by righteous indignation. His reputation as an incorruptible force was well known.
When Yan Zheng found something—or someone—displeasing, he would rain criticism down upon them, sparing neither the heavens above nor the earth below. Few dared to cross his path unscathed.
Not even the late emperor's appointed regent, Prince Rong, had been spared Yan Zheng's wrath, and the prince's health had visibly suffered for it.
As Yan Zheng concluded his indictment, the gathered officials exchanged wary glances.
Whenever Yan Zheng made accusations, the accused rarely emerged unscathed. At best, they might escape with their reputation in tatters; at worst, their careers would be destroyed.
High Duke Gao Feng's eyes widened, his face paling as if struck by a heavy blow.
Gao Yang, colluding with merchants and manipulating grain prices? Issuing orders to set a minimum price of 150 wen per dou?
Hadn't he explicitly told Gao Yang not to overreach? Even if the situation became dire, the Duke's household, for all its waning power, could still shield him!
Gao Feng's expression shifted dramatically.
After the initial shock, the officials fell into deep disagreement.
Wang Zhong, clad in armor, was the first to speak, "If the price of grain remains at 150 wen per dou for too long, it will provoke a massive public outcry—perhaps even lead to widespread famine and turn the land into a living hell!"
"I agree with Doctor Yan's statement. Your Majesty, please impose severe punishment!"
Cui Li, the Minister of Rites, sneered coldly and stepped forward to add his voice, "Guangyang Prefecture has recently suffered severe flooding, and the people are already struggling with crop failure. The exorbitant grain prices will make it even harder for them to survive this year. If left unchecked, it could spark enormous unrest!"
"Your Majesty, please act swiftly to prevent irreparable consequences!"
For a moment, many of the officials voiced their agreement.
"I second that!"
"I second that!"
Gao Feng's face turned ashen, his expression cold as ice.
Unable to suppress his gaze, he looked at Wu Zhao—only she, the Empress, had the authority to make a decision.
Wu Zhao's eyes swept over the assembly. She took a deep breath and spoke, "The grandson of Duke Dingguo doesn't follow the conventional path. Since I've promised that he possesses extraordinary talent, he deserves to be treated as such. It has only been two days, so why all the urgency, my esteemed ministers?"
"Perhaps Duke Dingguo's grandson will deliver a satisfactory solution."
Wu Zhao's gaze swept over the officials, and her overwhelming presence forced them all to lower their heads.
But Wang Zhong couldn't help but scoff, "How can raising grain prices to sky-high levels possibly bring them down?"
"This Gao Yang is a fool! How could he possibly handle such an important position?"
Wu Zhao's gaze turned icy, her voice cold as steel: "General Wang, are you questioning my judgment?"
Wang Zhong's heart skipped a beat, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
"I did not mean that, Your Majesty!"
Wu Zhao's eyes swept over the assembly once more, settling on Yan Zheng. "Linjiang City won't fall into chaos. I've already made preparations."
"Since County Magistrate Du has said that Gao Yang arrogantly claims the price of grain will drop in seven days, let's give him that seven days. My decision is final, there is no need to discuss further!"
The Ministry of Rites
Song Li laughed heartily, "Whether Gao Yang turns out to be a dragon or a worm, it's clear from the start. Luckily, the Empress trusts him so much—if it weren't for the Empress's support, Gao Yang would be in deep trouble now!"
Upon hearing the news, Song Qingqing asked curiously, "Father, has the message come from Linjiang City?"
Song Li nodded, "Indeed, Gao Yang has arrived in Linjiang City. The first thing he did was summon the four major grain merchants, and instead of lowering the prices, he ordered them to sell grain at no less than 150 wen per dou."
"The memorial accusing him has already reached the Golden Dais. If not for the Empress's protection, Gao Yang would not have a chance!"
Song Qingqing showed no emotion on her face.
She shook her head and said, "Gao Yang is truly foolish. Thankfully, my Song family broke off the engagement early; otherwise, we would have been dragged into this."
"Merchants are greedy, and not only did he fail to lower the prices, but he also inflated them. If these greedy merchants don't raise the prices to sky-high levels, I, Song Li, will simply bash my head against a stone!"
Song Li's face twisted in disdain as he sipped his tea.
He then turned to his daughter with a serious tone, "Cui Zhuangyuan has gone to Qingshui City, and Gao Yang has gone to Linjiang City. Both places have suffered similar disasters, and it's obvious this is a test."
"But Gao Yang is already destined to fail miserably. Cui Zhuangyuan will become the most prominent figure in all of Chang'an, destined to rise to great heights. Qingqing, you must seize this opportunity."
Song Qingqing smiled faintly, "Don't worry, Father. Young Master Cui is talented and renowned across the capital. I've already made contact with him, and I believe he has some affection for me."
Song Li's face lit up with excitement, and he couldn't help but stroke his beard, "If we can secure Young Master Cui, my Song family will certainly rise to prominence!"