Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Emperor Jing looked at Li Yuanzhao in surprise.

He hadn't expected that in such a short period, he had grown so much, and his consideration of issues had become much more comprehensive.

It seems that Fang Zheng Yi really put his heart into teaching him!

Fang Zheng Yi was also surprised.

As expected, the Crown Prince has talent; even when left to his own devices, he has such comprehension abilities.

It seems that the market teaching people a lesson really works.

In the future, I can let go and wander around; I might as well just throw all the other work to the Crown Prince.

Wonderful!

At this time, Zhang Shi was naturally unconvinced; he was old and had seen several grain shortages, yet he was repeatedly refuted by the Crown Prince and Fang Zheng Yi.

Immediately, he said loudly: "What Your Highness said is reasonable, but not comprehensive enough."

"Grain is the foundation of the nation. The large and small grain merchants across Da Jing are all registered.

If the government orders the release of grain, none would dare to disobey. Those who practice favoritism and bend the law are simply courting death."

"Secondly, the government can ban all activities related to grain. Grain merchants can only sell grain and are not allowed to combine sales or gifts with other items.

Under strict orders, there will be no hidden dangers."

"These methods have been in practice for many years; Your Highness is overthinking it."

Fang Zheng Yi immediately interjected loudly: "The fish that slip through the net are definitely more than those caught!

How can Lord Zhang be sure it will be effective!"

"Fang Zheng Yi! You are just being deliberately difficult!" Zhang Shi was finally annoyed.

Are you ever going to be done?

"Alright, alright! There's no need to argue anymore; I already know the opinions of all of you ministers!" Emperor Jing impatiently knocked on the table.

"Since both sides are deadlocked, those who support Fang Zheng Yi, please raise your hands."

As soon as Emperor Jing finished speaking, Li Yuanzhao was the first to raise his hand, followed by Yang Fengfan.

"Then those who support Zhang Shi, please raise your hands."

A large number of people raised their hands.

Emperor Jing's eyes suddenly widened, and he scolded loudly: "Fang Zheng Yi, why are you raising your hand!"

Yang Fengfan and Li Yuanzhao simultaneously felt as if they had been stabbed in the back.

Fang Zheng Yi embarrassedly lowered his hand.

My people skills are not working! Surely no one agrees with me; raising my hand just seems safer, a bit more sociable... a conditioned reflex, a conditioned reflex....

Emperor Jing calmed down a bit.

"Very well! Then we shall follow what Zhang Shi said! Order all regions to open their granaries and release grain to stabilize prices!"

.....................

Inside a residential house in Jianjiang City.

The twenty-five people from Taoyuan County gathered in the house, the atmosphere was silent.

The leader, named Xie Xian, was wearing a Confucian robe, holding a letter in his hand, reading it over and over again before putting it down.

Someone asked curiously: "What did the master say?"

Xie Xian spread his hands: "The master said we're spending public funds and not getting anything done, and we'll get a good scolding when we get back."

"Anyone who wants to go back to Taoyuan County can go back directly."

"Damn it! We've been out for more than two months and haven't done anything except buy a house. What good scolding will we get when we go back!"

Xie Xian sighed: "Whether we get a scolding or not... the master definitely won't severely punish us, after all, it's the will of heaven.... Since the master is letting us go back, it means he can't do anything about this matter either."

"I want to go back; I want to go back to the county and eat fried chicken and drink milk tea... Damn it, I shouldn't have come to this damn place!" The person speaking was named Lian Gui.

"Hiss~ How much can we be punished for spending public funds? We've been running business for the master for so many years, and we've never been this miserable, doing absolutely nothing!"

Xie Xian glanced at him: "Hehe, there won't be any physical punishment; most likely, we'll be stripped naked and hung on the city wall for three days, with good food and drink served."

"Eating, drinking, and relieving ourselves will be done while hanging. If you dare to drip on the ground... then you're finished; wait for Zhang Biao to serve you."

Lian Gui shouted angrily: "Damn it, isn't that the same as being dead?"

"No way! This time, we must get things done!"

Someone said: "That's right. If we go back with our tails between our legs, how will we face people in the county in the future? If we leave like this, my wife will remarry."

Xie Xian said helplessly: "The master said to do our best and leave the rest to fate. If it's the will of heaven, there's nothing we can do."

Lian Gui's eyes suddenly lit up: "That's right! Do our best! The grain prices on the market are like this, someone must be playing tricks!

How can that be the will of heaven? When we first arrived, the news of sweet potatoes spread, and the price immediately plummeted."

"Since some grain merchants are playing tricks, let's just rob them; it's not like we haven't done it before!"

"If you don't rob grain, can that be considered doing your best?"

"Makes sense!"

"Makes sense!"

"Makes sense!"....

"Bang!" Xie Xian slammed the table and roared: "What makes sense!

We've been running business for several years; do you still think we're bandits!?

The master is now a official in the capital; what will happen to the master if things get out of hand!"

"Furthermore, if the government finds out that someone is robbing grain, our heads will fall first."

Lian Gui looked at Xie Xian askance: "Damn it, Lao Xie, you came late but you're acting like our boss!"

"Do you really not know what we do! I was originally a bandit!"

Then Lian Gui pointed to several people one by one.

"Shen Zhaoxuan, leader of a heretical sect."

"Bai Rui, habitual thief."

"Jue Juezi, grave robber."

"My name is Wei Cai. Jue Juezi is what Master calls me!" Wei Cai looked resentful.

"You say that all of us, in our early years, lived lives of licking blood from knives. When have we ever been afraid of trouble!

It's just robbing grain.... If things continue in this direction, it won't be long before there's a civil uprising."

"When the time comes, who will care about us? Just do it!"

After speaking, Lian Gui crossed his arms with a smug expression.

After listening, Xie Xian was stunned. He didn't expect that after everyone had been together for so long, they all had such hidden identities.

He hesitated: "The master even robbed graves?"

Wei Cai said in a muffled voice: "He robbed them... but only once. A few years ago, when I was robbing a grave, I ran into the master who robbed me back."

"Afterwards, we discovered a big tomb. The master was curious and insisted on going down with me. Just that once! The tomb collapsed."

"I've robbed tombs for half my life and never encountered such a thing!

The master was too greedy; he wanted to take everything, even gold teeth. It was retribution......"

Speaking of this, Wei Cai still looked frightened.

"If it weren't for my experience, we would have all died back then. Later, I washed my hands and quit.... I was scared, scared."

Xie Xian looked strange after hearing this: "Lao Shen, you used to be the leader of a heretical sect."

Shen Zhaoxuan blushed and waved his hands: "There's nothing to say... there's nothing to say...."

Lian Gui grinned: "You're still embarrassed!

I know about this! Back then, he started a small heretical sect in Hengjiang City. The master got dozens of roasted chickens, and all his followers betrayed him! Hahaha!"

Shen Zhaoxuan was both ashamed and angry: "Wasn't that because they were hungry!

I didn't have any money; the people below were starving. Could you have done better?!"

Everyone laughed loudly upon hearing this.

Xie Xian didn't know whether to laugh or cry, rubbing his brow: "Stop it, everyone; let's quickly think of a solution, or we'll just go home!"

...............