Chapter 10: Inviting the Four Major Grain Merchants to a Banquet

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

He looked at this extremely confident face in front of him, his face turning livid.

In his opinion, this Gao Yang must be someone seeking fame and reputation, not knowing what means he used to gain the trust of Her Majesty the Empress.

The lives of the people of a city, the lives and deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, how could one be so reckless!

Once the people really have no means to live, what use is your life alone?

Du Jiang made up his mind in his heart. If the situation gets out of control, even if he risks losing his official position, he will arrest this person!

Even if he is backed by the Empress, even if he has overwhelming power!

But in his Du Jiang's heart, the lives of the people are above everything else!

But for now, he will see what Gao Yang is going to do!

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

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

The map was spread out on the table, and the geographical locations of the entire Linjiang City were all clearly visible.

Gao Yang took a cursory glance and frowned, "How is the grain usually transported in Linjiang City?"

When Du Jiang heard this question, he looked down on Gao Yang even more in his heart.

He coldly said, "Naturally, it is transported by both land and water. But Linjiang City is famous for being close to the Qingshui River. Water transportation is more common, it's fast and has less loss."

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

Du Jiang spoke directly, his hawk-like eyes looking at Gao Yang.

Gao Yang's fingers followed the flowing direction of the Qingshui River one by one, and the corners of his lips slightly curled up.

Instead of directly answering Du Jiang's question, he asked, "Does County Magistrate Du know the largest grain merchants in Linjiang City?"

"The Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin families. They have been entrenched in this Linjiang City for a hundred years and have strong power. Taking advantage of this major disaster, they have been frantically sweeping up the grain on the market, causing some local small grain merchants to follow suit and hoard grain, making huge profits during the national disaster!"

"This has also led to the price of grain in Linjiang City rising almost twice in just a few dozen days!"

"But now that Her Majesty has just ascended the throne and the people of Linjiang City are fierce, we cannot suppress them forcefully. Otherwise, there might be chaos. At that time, no one can bear the consequences."

Gao Yang smiled faintly, "Please, County Magistrate Du, prepare a table of good wine and food and invite the Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin families on behalf of this Young Master!"

Du Jiang shook his head even more, "Young Master Gao, to be honest, this move has already been used by this official, but the effect was very little. Merchants value profits. Seizing this heaven-sent opportunity to hoard grain, they will never give in so easily."

"Just do as I say." After Gao Yang finished speaking, he directly walked into the yamen.

Du Jiang stared at Gao Yang's back, angrily flicked his sleeves and left, "Then this official will see Young Master Gao's methods!"

Beside him, Shangguan Wan'er looked at Gao Yang but did not speak.

However, she was curious in her heart about what Gao Yang was planning to do.

"..."

In Linjiang City.

The Lin Family.

As a century-old prominent family in Linjiang City, the Lin family's residence had deep courtyards, with artificial hills and waters placed artfully, like a miniaturized landscape painting.

The lake pavilion was located in the middle of the pool, with octagonal eaves and an ancient style. The interior of the pavilion was exquisitely decorated with carved beams and painted pillars, and carps were jumping out one after another, showing all the prosperity.

"Old Lin, County Magistrate Du sent a message saying that an imperial censor was sent by the court to take over all matters, big and small, in Linjiang City and summoned us. It's probably to reduce the grain price. What should we do?"

Inside the lake pavilion.

Three middle-aged men centered around an old man. The old man was wearing a luxurious robe with precious jewels and gold threads sewn on the collar and cuffs.

The head of the Qian family couldn't help but speak, his face showing a hint of worry.

Hearing the news, Old Lin's expression was calm. He said, "What are we afraid of for a mere banquet?"

"Will we lower the grain price just because he says so?"

Old Lin scoffed and glanced at the three of them, "As long as we are united, the Great Qian has suffered consecutive natural disasters. There is definitely not much stored grain in the Linjiang City granary. We will buy up as much grain as they release from the granary. Not only will the grain price in Linjiang City not drop, it can even rise to 110 wen per dou!"

"As long as we grasp this opportunity well, it will be enough for our descendants to have no worries!"

Hearing this, greed flashed in everyone's eyes.

At 110 wen per dou, based on the stored grain they currently have, that's an astronomical amount of silver!

"Old Lin is right. As long as we are united, the Empress has just ascended the throne. How dare they be forceful?"

But the head of the Zhao family, who had a large mole on his face, was somewhat worried, "I heard that this new supervisory censor is very young and came from Chang'an. I'm afraid he has a powerful background. If we don't give face like this and anger the big shots in Chang'an, I'm afraid there will be a disaster!"

When Old Lin heard this, his expression also changed slightly.

But he still said, "The Empress has ascended the throne, and this world is ultimately ruled by law. But what Master Zhao said also makes sense. When the supervisory censor arrives, we should give some face."

"Now the grain price in Linjiang City is 100 wen per dou. At the dinner party later, we will lower it by another 5 wen. These 5 wen will be regarded as giving face to the supervisory censor!"

"But I'll make it clear in advance. Whoever blocks my path to wealth, I will never let it go."

A fierce glint flashed in Old Lin's eyes.

"Yes, Old Lin!"

"We will all follow Old Lin. As long as we are united, the grain price in Linjiang City will be up to us!"

The three agreed in unison.

Old Lin's eyes showed a smile, and he straightened his slightly wrinkled robe.

"Change into an ordinary robe and follow me to the banquet."

Everyone looked down at their luxurious robes and suddenly realized.

"What Old Lin said is very true!"

"Still, Old Lin is highly skilled!"

"..."

In the backyard of the county yamen.

Gao Yang sat in the main seat, with Shangguan Wan'er and Du Jiang on his left and right, and Luobu standing behind him.

The table in front was filled with fine wine and meat, with excellent color, aroma, and taste.

Gao Yang's fingers tapped on the table intermittently, slowly and rhythmically.

Du Jiang couldn't help but say, "Young Master Gao, these grain merchants are all old foxes. Trying to get them to lower the price is harder than killing them. At most, they will lower it by 5 wen!"

"5 wen is their limit!"

Du Jiang extended a palm, his expression excited.

"County Magistrate Du, be more calm. As the parent official of a county, if even you lose your composure, how can you stabilize the grain price?"

Gao Yang spoke faintly. Du Jiang was a good parent official, but too impatient.

This time, it can also be regarded as a lesson for him.

Suddenly being scolded, Du Jiang's face turned livid, "Then this official will wait to see the methods of Supervisory Censor Gao!"

At this time, an accompanying soldier quickly walked in and said, "Supervisory Censor, the heads of the Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin families have arrived."

"Let them in!"

Following Gao Yang's voice, soon, the heads of the four families of Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin entered.

"We pay our respects to Supervisory Censor Gao!"

"We pay our respects to Supervisory Censor Gao!"

Several people shouted in unison.

Gao Yang's gaze swept over them and couldn't help but laugh.

"I have long heard that the Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin families have been in Linjiang City for a hundred years and are well-known wealthy merchants within a hundred miles nearby. Why, upon seeing you today, you are so down and out?"

Shangguan Wan'er also had a look of disgust.明明 being wealthy, but deliberately wearing the plain robes that only servants would wear.

The intention was too obvious.

But she was also somewhat worried. Today, Gao Yang's idea of lowering the grain price might be in vain.

Old Lin bowed neither humbly nor arrogantly and said, "Supervisory Censor, you don't know. Linjiang City was hit by heavy rain, and good farmland was all destroyed, resulting in a large number of refugees and the people having no grain to eat. We are truly heartbroken."

"We have been distributing porridge continuously during this period and have even spent a large amount of money for disaster relief. Now we are already running out of funds!"

Seeing Old Lin speak, the other three heads of the families quickly echoed, "The Great Qian has suffered consecutive natural disasters in recent years, and the people have suffered greatly. As local wealthy gentry and being loved by the people of this area, how could we just stand by and do nothing? But after generously donating, we are almost running out of resources!"

"With the arrival of Supervisory Censor, our pressure has also lessened a lot!"

This statement made Du Jiang unable to resist the urge to leave in a huff.

So shameless!

The mansions of these families are extremely luxurious, not inferior to the Duke's Mansion in Chang'an at all. They have hundreds of people in their mansions. If they were to release the hoarded grain, the people of Linjiang City would not be without food!

Shameless!

These merchants are truly despicable!

Du Jiang was so angry that he was about to explode.

But Gao Yang was not angry at all.

He just said faintly, "The four heads of the families are noble and righteous, with a heart of compassion for the world. Gao Yang admires!"

"But this Young Master was appointed by Her Majesty to take over all matters, big and small, in Linjiang City."

Old Lin sensed something and looked at the other three. He was the first to speak, "When the Supervisory Censor arrives in Linjiang City, my Lin family should naturally show sincerity and is willing to lower the price by 5 wen and sell the grain at a loss!"

"The Qian family is the same!"

"The Zhao family is the same!"

"The Han family is the same!"

Several people had expressions as if they were biting the bullet and suffering a huge loss.

Du Jiang was not at all surprised. The faces of these wealthy merchants were clearer to no one than him.

Gao Yang shook his head.

"Lower by 5 wen?"

Old Lin's expression was ugly. He didn't expect Gao Yang to have such a big appetite.

Lowering the price of one dou of grain by 5 wen meant losing tens of thousands of taels of silver behind it!

"8 wen!"

"How about it, Supervisory Censor?"

Old Lin said in a deep voice.

Gao Yang still shook his head.

Hiss!

The expressions of the four major grain merchants all turned extremely ugly at the same time!

This Gao Yang was forcing them to break ties!

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

He wanted to see what Gao Yang would do!

Just when Old Lin was about to leave in a huff, Gao Yang coldly said, "This official wants all the grain in your hands to be raised to 150 wen per dou. It can only be higher, not lower. Whoever dares to sell grain lower than 150 wen per dou, this official will kill them!"