As soon as these words were spoken, Cui Xinghe's face changed drastically.
It's one thing to deceive the entire village of elders and children to dig the mountain overnight by luring them with the promise of gold in the barren mountain.
But the gold could be gold on the outside and copper on the inside. How could a person be so malicious?!
His mouth twitched as he looked at Gao Yang, his heart trembling wildly.
On the dragon throne, Empress Wu Zhao was also greatly moved and shocked.
"Gold on the outside and copper on the inside. Ruthless enough."
Gao Yang walked leisurely in the Golden Luan Hall as if he were on flat ground.
This confident and flamboyant appearance was very presumptuous, but at this moment, no one dared to scold.
Gao Yang had a faint smile on his face. "As long as there is the cooperation of the county magistrate, one can completely cut open the returned gold on the spot and then accuse the villagers of stealing the gold and torture them in court."
"Ordinary villagers couldn't withstand the harsh punishment."
"With just a few severe punishments, these villagers who dug the gold will be forced to confess under torture. By this time, even if they understand everything, it's too late."
"Without silver to repay, they can only sign a contract of indentured servitude and become tea slaves for life."
"Of course, if I were that tea merchant, I would definitely be on guard against retaliation and bring several guards when going out. At the same time, I would promise these indentured tea slaves that as long as they work for me for another five or ten years, they will regain their freedom. The more diligent they work, the sooner they will regain their freedom."
"After making money and expanding the business, for the convenience of transporting tea, one can also build a road and a bridge. Of course, it is definitely claimed to be for the convenience of the villagers' travel, and this can also earn the reputation of a great philanthropist."
As soon as these words were spoken.
In the Golden Luan Hall, it was so quiet that a needle dropping could be heard.
All the civil and military officials stared at Gao Yang in unison, their lips quivering.
In their hearts, a huge wave of shock was set off.
Even the empress's hand couldn't help but clench the dragon throne tightly, and her gaze stared straight at Gao Yang.
This answer even shocked her, the one who set the question.
In her opinion, this question was to test the reaction speed and the control over human nature.
The chaos in the world has persisted for a long time, and conventional methods are difficult to eradicate.
In extraordinary times, extraordinary people and unconventional methods should be used!
Only by taking advantage of the evil of human nature can one govern the country, bring peace to the land, and become her Wu Zhao's capable minister!
This question was to test the control over human nature. Simply increasing the wage was destined to be an inferior method.
Burying gold in the barren mountain or using rumors and other means, she had thought about it.
In her heart, this was the perfect answer.
But she didn't expect that Gao Yang had follow-up measures. In a remote and poor area, bribe the county magistrate first.
Then use copper as gold, make false accusations, force confessions through torture, and make the villagers who dug the gold become tea slaves.
And this guy thought very thoroughly, giving a deadline, so that these indentured villagers have something to look forward to and won't fight to the death.
An extremely dirty scheme. In the end, he, Gao Yang, actually became a great philanthropist in the local area!
Gao Yang gave her a satisfactory answer.
No wonder this scheme is called the Monkey-Tricking Scheme. The villagers regarded the tea merchant as a monkey, but little did they know that they themselves were the funny monkeys.
This son, even if he doesn't become an official in the court, he must not be allowed to engage in business!
The empress made a decision in her heart. If he were to engage in business, no one knew how many common people would be played to death!
Cui Xinghe was stunned and couldn't believe it.
He didn't expect that Gao Yang would give the answer so quickly.
He began to consider the feasibility of this matter.
But the more he thought about it, the more frightened he became.
Gao Feng also turned around unbelievable, stared at Gao Yang, his heart trembling wildly.
Such a sinister and cunning person, is he really the descendant of the Gao family, a century-old military family?
Such a poisonous scheme, not to mention the other ministers in the Golden Luan Hall, even he, as the father, was a little scared.
Gao Yang's gaze fell on Wu Zhao and he said regretfully, "Your Majesty, the time was too tight. There are still some loopholes in this scheme. If I could be given some more time, this scheme would be more perfect."
Gao Yang felt a little regretful. In setting up schemes, he was a perfectionist.
In his eyes, Wu Zhao's question was a typical scheme.
This scheme was still a little rough and he wasn't very satisfied.
As soon as these words were spoken.
All the officials immediately felt their scalps go numb and their eyes widen.
They looked at Gao Yang, their faces filled with shock. "This scheme can still be made more perfect?"
This imperfect scheme spent a small amount of wage, completed the land clearing, and incidentally tricked a group of villagers into becoming tea slaves.
If this were perfect, how could it be?
Would those villagers still have a way to live?
This son is too ruthless.
All the ministers thought unanimously in their hearts.
Mr. Zhou was so angry that his whole body trembled. He stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this scheme is too vicious. Please punish Gao Yang severely!"
"I second the motion!"
"I second the motion!"
Some ministers stepped forward and bowed to Wu Zhao one after another.
Gao Feng's face turned cold and his gaze swept over the group of ministers.
Among them, more than half were political enemies of his Gao family.
The Gao family has been too low-key. Any random person dares to step forward and cause trouble.
He hurriedly took a step forward, cupped his hands and said, "Just as the saying goes, there is no good or bad scheme, it all depends on the intention of the person using the scheme. Although my son's scheme is a little... a little vicious, please, Your Majesty, see clearly!"
Cui Xinghe's expression changed. The empress has just ascended the throne. The secretary of the Central Secretariat is responsible for drafting imperial edicts and is extremely important. Currently, the position is vacant.
He thought that this secretary of the Central Secretariat, the confidant of the empress, would definitely be him, the current number one scholar.
But at the critical moment, a Gao Yang emerged.
He stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I also agree with Mr. Zhou. This scheme is too vicious and cannot be adopted!"
Wu Zhao's phoenix eyes swept over the group of ministers, her eyes cold.
"Since all of you dear ministers think this scheme is too vicious, do any of you have a better scheme than this?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of Mr. Zhou and Cui Xinghe changed simultaneously.
If they had a scheme, they would have spoken out long ago.
Wu Zhao wore a cold expression and exuded a domineering aura around her. "In my eyes, there is no good or bad scheme. A scheme that can achieve the goal is a good scheme."
"The scheme of Minister Gao's son, Gao Yang, although somewhat vicious, from the perspective of the tea merchant, is reasonable and even the best approach."
"If everyone in the world has a clear conscience, then why would there be corrupt officials? Governing a big country is like cooking a small delicacy. All the corrupt officials in the world are evil-minded. For the evil, evil schemes should be used!"
"Not to mention that Minister Gao's son was able to come up with such a vicious scheme in such a short time, which shows his talent!"
These words carried some warnings to the ministers. Mr. Zhou and Cui Xinghe also hurriedly lowered their heads.
"I am tired. Dismiss the court!"
After saying that, Wu Zhao, with her stunning face, got up and left directly.
Gao Yang was stunned for an instant.
She just left?
What about the reward?
If not ten thousand taels of gold, at least give two beauties.
This empress is too unrefined.
While Gao Yang was complaining in his heart, the ministers looked at each other. They all turned their astonished gazes to Gao Yang.
Everyone knew that today's events would surely spread throughout Chang'an at the fastest speed.
"..."