Two days later.
"Report!"
"An urgent dispatch from Linjiang City, eight hundred li away!"
Accompanied by a voice, a guard clad in black armor hurried into the Imperial Palace, then knelt and raised a memorial.
"Linjiang City?"
"An urgent dispatch from eight hundred li away?"
Wu Zhao, dressed in a golden dragon robe, her phoenix eyes exuding an imperial majesty, relaxed her brows upon hearing the name Linjiang City.
"Bring it here!"
Wu Zhao set aside the memorial she was reviewing, a rare smile gracing her face.
Linjiang City, this was Gao Yang's territory.
Even though a few days had passed, Wu Zhao couldn't help but be shocked when she recalled how Gao Yang casually mentioned the Monkey-Show Scheme in Jinluan Hall.
Such a ruthless scheme, appearing on the grandson of the Duke Dingguo from a military family, was simply unbelievable.
Therefore, she was very much looking forward to Gao Yang's methods in Linjiang City!
But as Wu Zhao opened the memorial, her expression changed repeatedly.
In the end, her beautiful face was filled with anger: "This Gao Yang dares to collude with merchants, raise grain prices, not only refusing to let local grain merchants lower prices but also selling grain at high prices, this is simply outrageous!"
Just as Wu Zhao was about to give an order, she suddenly paused.
"No, this isn't right!"
"This Gao Yang doesn't seem like a fool, could there be another purpose?"
Wu Zhao furrowed her brows tightly, never expecting that Gao Yang would give her such a big surprise.
To be precise, it was a shock.
She looked at the memorial again, her gaze falling on Du Jiang's words about Gao Yang's audacious claim to drastically lower Linjiang City's grain prices within seven days.
"On one hand, he wants to lower Linjiang City's grain prices, on the other, he raises them to astronomical levels. Gao Yang, oh Gao Yang, what exactly are you trying to do?"
"You certainly know how to cause trouble for me," Wu Zhao, sitting on the dragon throne, couldn't help but rub her temples.
The morning court session tomorrow would not be peaceful.
The Duke Dingguo's prominence attracts attention, and too many in the court want to see him fall.
According to the Great Qian's rules, this impeachment, besides a copy sent to her Imperial Study, another would be sent to the Censorate.
"..."
The next day, a ray of golden sunlight pierced through the densely woven clouds on the horizon, enveloping all of Chang'an.
Great Qian Imperial Palace.
Jinluan Hall.
Wu Zhao sat high on the dragon throne, her brows cold, an aura of authority surrounding her.
Civil and military officials lined up on both sides.
Wu Zhao knew that beneath the calm court, undercurrents were surging.
"Your Majesty, I impeach the son of Duke Dingguo, Gao Yang!"
"Gao Yang, heavily relied upon by Your Majesty, serves as the Investigating Censor in Linjiang City, yet he colludes with merchants, orders that grain prices in Linjiang City must not fall below 150 wen per dou, and even orders extensive renovations of the government office. This action is truly foolish. I request Your Majesty to order severe punishment to set an example!"
From the Censorate, an elderly man with a straight posture and graying hair stepped forward, his face ashen, exuding righteousness.
Chief Censor, Yan Zheng, known for his integrity and fearlessness, would criticize anyone he found disagreeable, sparing no one from his scrutiny.
Even when the Late Emperor passed away, he dared to publicly impeach one of the three regent ministers left behind, Prince Rong Wu Long!
This even angered Prince Rong to the point of feigning illness and staying in his residence, skipping morning court sessions.
With his appearance, the faces of many changed.
When Yan Zheng impeaches, the one being impeached is bound to suffer greatly, if not utterly destroyed.
Gao Feng's eyes widened, the words hitting him like a heavy blow.
Gao Yang colluding with merchants, manipulating grain prices, ordering that grain prices in Linjiang City must not fall below 150 wen per dou?
Hadn't he told Gao Yang not to overreach if he couldn't manage it, that the Duke Dingguo Manor, even in decline, was still formidable enough to protect him?
Gao Feng's expression shifted.
After the initial shock, the officials were plunged into a huge divide.
Wang Zhong, clad in armor, was the first to speak, "At 150 wen per dou, if this continues for long, it will incite massive public outrage, even leading to widespread famine and a living hell!"
"I agree with Chief Censor Yan's words, Your Majesty must punish severely!"
Minister of Rites, Cui Li, wearing a cold smile, also stepped forward and said gravely, "Guangyang Commandery has suffered severe rain disasters recently, the people have no harvest, struggling to survive the disaster year. Such high grain prices, if left unchecked, could trigger immense public anger!"
"I urge Your Majesty to intervene promptly to prevent irreversible consequences!"
For a moment, the officials echoed in agreement.
"I second the motion!"
Gao Feng's face turned ashen, his expression icy.
His eyes couldn't help but look towards Wu Zhao, as at this moment, only the Empress could make the final decision!
Wu Zhao's gaze swept over the ministers, taking a deep breath, "The grandson of Duke Dingguo does not follow the usual path. Since I have promised, he must have extraordinary talent, and extraordinary people must be given extraordinary opportunities. It has only been two days, why are you all so anxious?"
"Perhaps the grandson of Duke Dingguo will deliver a satisfactory answer!"
Wu Zhao's gaze swept over the ministers, her formidable authority forcing them to bow their heads.
But Wang Zhong instinctively sneered, "How can grain prices fall if they're raised to the skies?"
"This Gao Yang is incompetent, how can he be entrusted with such a major responsibility?"
Wu Zhao's eyes turned icy, her voice cold, "Old General Wang, are you questioning my judgment?"
Wang Zhong's heart panicked, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"I meant no such thing!"
Wu Zhao's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Yan Zheng, "Linjiang City will not fall into chaos, I have already arranged a backup plan!"
"Since County Magistrate Du claims that the grandson of Duke Dingguo, Gao Yang, made bold claims to lower grain prices within seven days, then give him seven days. My decision is made, no more words!"
"..."
Minister of Rites' Residence.
Song Li laughed heartily, "Whether Gao Yang is a dragon or a worm, it will soon be clear. The Empress trusts him so much, it seems our Song Clan's decision to break off the engagement was correct."
Song Qingqing, upon hearing the news, curiously asked, "Father, has news come from Linjiang City?"
Song Li nodded, "Indeed, that Gao Yang went to Linjiang City, and the first thing he did was gather the Four Great Grain Merchants. Not only did he not think of lowering grain prices, but he also strictly ordered that the price must not fall below 150 wen per dou."
"Today's impeachment memorials have reached Jinluan Hall. If not for the Empress's protection, Gao Yang would be in deep trouble!"
Song Qingqing listened, her face expressionless.
She shook her head, "Gao Yang is truly muddle-headed. Fortunately, our Song Clan broke off the engagement early, otherwise, we would have been implicated."
"Merchants are greedy, and instead of lowering grain prices, he raises them. If these greedy grain merchants don't raise prices to astronomical levels, I, Song Li, might as well bash my head against a piece of tofu!"
Song Li sipped his tea with disdain.
Then, he spoke earnestly to Song Qingqing, "Cui, the Top Scholar, went to Clearwater City, Gao Yang to Linjiang City. The disasters in both places are similar, it's clearly a competition!"
"But in this competition, Gao Yang is destined to lose miserably. Cui, the Top Scholar, will become the most prominent figure in all of Chang'an, destined to soar. Qingqing, you must seize this opportunity."
Song Qingqing smiled faintly, "Rest assured, Father. Young Master Cui's talent is renowned in the capital, his charm captivating. I have already been in contact, and Young Master Cui seems to have a favorable impression of me."
Song Li's face lit up with joy, unable to resist stroking his beard, "If you can win over the Top Scholar, our Song Clan is bound to prosper!"