As soon as these words were spoken, Du Jiang's expression changed.

He looked at the extremely confident face in front of him, his own face turning ashen.

In his view, this Gao Yang must be a fame-seeker, somehow having gained the Empress's trust through unknown means.

The lives of hundreds of thousands of people in a city cannot be trifled with so recklessly!

If the people truly suffer, what good is one man's life?

Du Jiang made up his mind internally; if the situation became uncontrollable, he would risk his official position to take this man down!

Even if he was backed by the Empress, even if he wielded immense power!

But in Du Jiang's heart, the lives of the people were above all else!

For now, he would watch to see what Gao Yang would do!

Gao Yang looked at Du Jiang and said, "Bring me the map of the Linjiang City area."

With a glance from Du Jiang, one of his subordinates quickly brought over a map.

The map was spread out on the table, revealing the entire geographical layout of Linjiang City at a glance.

Gao Yang glanced over it briefly and frowned, "How is grain usually transported in Linjiang City?"

Hearing this question, Du Jiang felt even more disdain for Gao Yang.

He replied coldly, "Naturally, it's transported by both land and water, but Linjiang City is famous for being near the Clearwater River, so water transport is more common, faster, and less wasteful."

"Does Young Master Gao already have a brilliant plan in mind?"

Du Jiang spoke directly, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Gao Yang.

Gao Yang's fingers traced along the path of the Clearwater River, a slight smile playing at his lips.

He didn't directly answer Du Jiang's question but instead asked, "Does County Magistrate Du know the largest grain merchants in Linjiang City?"

"The Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin families. These four have been entrenched in Linjiang City for a century, with great power. Taking advantage of this disaster, they have been frantically sweeping up the market's grain, causing local small merchants to follow suit and hoard grain, making a fortune from the national crisis!"

"This has led to the grain prices in Linjiang City nearly doubling in just a few days!"

"But now, with Her Majesty newly ascended and the people of Linjiang City being fierce, we cannot suppress them by force, or it could lead to chaos, and then the consequences would be unbearable for anyone."

Gao Yang smiled faintly, "Please prepare a table of fine wine and food, and invite the Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin families to a banquet for me!"

Du Jiang shook his head even more, "Young Master Gao, to be honest, I've already tried this tactic, but with little effect. Merchants are profit-driven, and having seized this heaven-sent opportunity, they are hoarding grain on a large scale. They won't easily relent."

"Just do as I say," Gao Yang said, striding directly into the government office.

Du Jiang watched Gao Yang's retreating figure, angrily shaking his sleeves as he left, "Then I'll see what Young Master Gao can do!"

Beside him, Shangguan Wan'er looked at Gao Yang without speaking.

However, her heart was filled with curiosity about what Gao Yang intended to do.

"......"

Linjiang City.

Lin family.

As a century-old family in Linjiang City, the Lin family residence had deep courtyards, with artificial mountains and waters arranged in a picturesque manner, like a miniature landscape painting.

The pavilion in the center of the lake, with its octagonal flying eaves, was quaint and elegant. The interior was exquisitely decorated, with carved beams and painted rafters, and carp leaping out of the water, showcasing its prosperity.

"Old Lin, Lord Du has sent a message saying that the court has dispatched a Censor to take over all affairs in Linjiang City and has summoned us. It seems to be about lowering grain prices. What should we do?"

Inside the pavilion.

Three middle-aged men centered around an elder, who wore a luxurious robe with the collar and cuffs adorned with precious jewels and gold thread.

The Patriarch of the Qian family couldn't help but speak, his face full of worry.

Upon hearing the news, Elder Lin's expression remained calm as he spoke, "It's just a banquet, what is there to fear?"

"He says to lower the grain prices, and we just lower them?"

Elder Lin sneered, glancing at the three, "As long as we are united, the Great Qian has suffered consecutive natural disasters, and Linjiang City's granaries have little stock. Whatever the granaries release, we will consume. The grain prices in Linjiang City won't just fail to drop; they can rise to one hundred and ten wen per dou!"

"As long as we seize this opportunity, it will be enough for our descendants to never worry!"

Upon hearing this, a glint of greed appeared in everyone's eyes.

One hundred and ten wen per dou, with the grain they currently had in stock, would be a fortune!

"Elder Lin is right. As long as we are united, the Empress has just ascended; they wouldn't dare to force us, would they?"

But the Patriarch of the Zhao family, who had a large mole on his face, was somewhat worried, "I've heard that this new Investigating Censor is very young and comes from Chang'an, possibly with a significant background. If we show such disrespect, we might provoke a disaster from the big figures in Chang'an!"

Hearing this, Elder Lin's expression changed slightly.

But he still said, "The Empress has ascended, and the world ultimately follows the law. But what the Patriarch of the Zhao family said makes sense. With the Investigating Censor's arrival, we should show some respect."

"Currently, the grain price in Linjiang City is one hundred wen per dou. At tonight's banquet, we will lower it by five wen. These five wen will be a gesture of respect to the Investigating Censor!"

"But let me make it clear in advance, whoever blocks my path to wealth, I will not let it go easily."

A fierce glint flashed in Elder Lin's eyes.

"Elder Lin is right!"

"We will follow Elder Lin's lead. As long as we are united, the grain prices in Linjiang City will be determined by us!"

The three echoed in agreement.

A smile appeared in Elder Lin's eyes as he adjusted his slightly wrinkled robe.

"Change into ordinary robes and accompany me to the banquet."

Everyone looked down at their luxurious robes and showed a look of realization.

"Elder Lin is wise!"

"Elder Lin's methods are indeed superior!"

"......"

In the backyard of the county office.

Gao Yang sat in the main seat, with Shangguan Wan'er and Du Jiang sitting on either side of him, and Lüluo standing behind.

The table in front of them was filled with fine wine and meat, looking and smelling delicious.

Gao Yang's fingers tapped on the table, slow and rhythmic.

Du Jiang couldn't help but say, "Young Master Gao, these grain merchants are all old foxes. Getting them to lower prices is probably harder than killing them. At most, they'll lower it by five wen!"

"Five wen is already their limit!"

Du Jiang held out a hand, his expression agitated.

"County Magistrate Du, keep calm. As the parental official of a county, if even you lose your composure, how can you stabilize the grain prices?"

Gao Yang spoke calmly. Du Jiang was a good parental official but too impatient.

This time, it would also serve as a lesson for him.

Suddenly reprimanded, Du Jiang's face turned ashen, "Then I'll wait to see Young Master Gao's methods!"

At this moment, a soldier hurried in and said, "Censor, the heads of the Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin families have arrived."

"Let them in!"

With Gao Yang's command, the heads of the Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin families soon entered.

"We pay our respects to Censor Gao!"

"We pay our respects to Censor Gao!"

They all shouted in unison.

Gao Yang glanced over them and couldn't help but smile.

"I've heard that the Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin families have been in Linjiang City for a century and are famous wealthy merchants in the surrounding area. How is it that today, you appear so destitute?"

Shangguan Wan'er also looked on with disdain. Clearly wealthy, yet deliberately wearing the simple robes of commoners.

The intention was too obvious.

But she was also somewhat worried that Gao Yang's plan to lower grain prices today might be in vain.

Elder Lin bowed, neither humble nor arrogant, and said, "Censor Gao may not know, but Linjiang City has been hit by heavy rains, destroying good fields, leading to refugees everywhere, and the people have no grain to eat. We are truly heartbroken."

"During this time, we've been distributing porridge and have even taken out large sums of money for disaster relief. Now we're already running at a loss!"

Seeing Elder Lin speak, the other three family heads quickly chimed in, "In recent years, the Great Qian has suffered continuous natural disasters, leaving the people in dire straits. As local gentry, beloved by the people, how can we stand by and do nothing? But after generously donating, we're nearly out of resources!"

"With Censor Gao here, our pressure is much relieved!"

This speech made Du Jiang want to leave in a huff.

Shameless!

These families' residences were extremely luxurious, not inferior to the Ducal Residence in Chang'an. They housed hundreds of people. If they just released their hoarded grain, the people of Linjiang City wouldn't be without food!

Shameless!

These merchants deserved to die!

Du Jiang was about to explode with anger.

But Gao Yang showed no sign of anger.

He merely said calmly, "The four family heads are noble and compassionate. I admire that!"

"But I have been appointed by the Empress to take over all affairs in Linjiang City."

Elder Lin realized something and looked at the other three, speaking first, "With the Censor's arrival in Linjiang City, my Lin family will show sincerity and willingly lower the price by five wen, selling at a loss!"

"The Qian family as well!"

"The Zhao family as well!"

"The Han family as well!"

They all acted as if they were gritting their teeth, suffering a great loss.

Du Jiang wasn't surprised at all. No one knew these wealthy merchants' faces better than he did.

Gao Yang shook his head.

"Lower by five wen?"

Elder Lin's face turned ugly, not expecting Gao Yang's appetite to be so large.

Lowering the price by five wen per dou meant tens of thousands of taels of silver down the drain!

"Eight wen!"

"How does the Censor feel about that?"

This novel is available on bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

Elder Lin said in a deep voice.

Gao Yang still shook his head.

Hiss!

The faces of the four great grain merchants all turned extremely ugly!

Gao Yang was forcing them to tear their faces off!

Du Jiang looked at Gao Yang with a cold smile. This was not much different from what he had expected!

He wanted to see what Gao Yang would do!

Just as Elder Lin was about to leave in a huff, Gao Yang coldly spoke, "I want all the grain in your hands to be raised to one hundred and fifty wen per dou, only allowed to go higher, not lower. If anyone dares to sell grain for less than one hundred and fifty wen per dou, I will kill them!"