Chapter 9
The two of them were sitting on the ground, and the two were sitting on the ground.
Outside the Duke Dingguo's mansion.
A carriage and more than a dozen imperial guards were waiting.
Gao Yang saw this and got into the carriage with Luluo, but when he saw Shangguan Wan'er's delicate face, he was surprised.
"Why is Lord Shangguan here?"
Shangguan Wan'er sat upright with a cold face, "Your Majesty has ordered me to go to Linjiang City with you."
Gao Yang thought about it for a while and understood it.
He sat down generously and nodded, "Yes, after all, we are the people of the city, and we can't afford to make mistakes."
Shangguan Wan'er was a little surprised, and her beautiful eyes fell on Gao Yang.
She didn't expect that Gao Yang would realize the purpose of Wu Zetian sending her to follow so quickly.
"Mr. Gao is indeed smart. No wonder His Majesty values him so much." Shangguan Wan'er said slowly.
"No wonder? Valued?"
"It seems that His Majesty is assessing more than just me. If I'm not mistaken, there is also Cui Zhuangyuan."
As soon as these words came out, Shangguan Wan'er's face changed wildly.
She subconsciously asked, "How do you know?"
When Gao Yang saw Shangguan Wan'er's reaction, he understood everything.
He asked calmly, "How much power do I have on this trip?"
Shangguan Wan'er replied in a deep voice, "The Censor-in-Chief inspects the world on behalf of His Majesty and holds the power of life and death. Everything in Linjiang City, from the county magistrate to the people, can be commanded by Mr. Gao!"
"Does it include you?"
Shangguan Wan'er hesitated for a moment and nodded.
Judging from the imperial edict, unless Gao Yang did too much, she would have to listen to Gao Yang's command.
"Shangguan Sir, look at your legs." Gao Yang suddenly said.
As soon as these words came out, Shangguan Wan'er's face changed wildly, and the temperature in the entire carriage suddenly dropped by eight degrees.
"Mr. Gao, are you being too presumptuous?"
Gao Yang touched his nose, and it was confirmed.
Shangguan Wan'er held the imperial sword from Wu Zhao, but as long as he was the boss in Linjiang City.
This matter was easy to handle.
A group of grain merchants who made money from the national crisis raised the price of grain.
There was a chill in his eyes.
Luluo felt the atmosphere in the carriage, her pretty face turned pale, and she carefully turned her two straight and slender legs to Gao Yang.
"Mr. Big Master, why don't you take a look at my legs first?"
The few people were speechless.
The carriage quickly left Chang'an City. After Gao Yang looked at Luluo's beautiful legs for a few more times, he opened the carriage and looked at the towering Chang'an City in the distance.
"..."
Two days later.
Linjiang City.
Linjiang City County Magistrate Du Jiang stood at the gate of the county government office with a group of officials.
"How long will it take for the imperial censor to arrive?" Du Jiang asked in a deep voice.
On the side, the master with a mustache looked into the distance and said, "Don't worry, County Magistrate Du, the censor is expected to arrive soon."
"Grain prices have skyrocketed. The four major grain merchants Qian, Zhao, Han, and Lin are more cunning than each other. They all secretly disobeyed the order. The grain price has risen from 40 wen per dou to 100 wen per dou, a full 60 wen increase. The people can no longer afford it. How can this county magistrate not be anxious!"
When Du Jiang said this, his eyes were tired.
In the past few days, he has almost exhausted all means, but even if he opened the warehouse to release grain, the grain price still rose uncontrollably!
He was almost desperate.
Merchants are only interested in profit. When they encountered the continuous rainstorm disaster in Linjiang City, how could they not make a fortune from the national disaster?
Now, he could only pin his hopes on the imperial censor sent by the court.
Otherwise, hundreds of thousands of people in Linjiang City would starve to death!
"Master Du, someone is coming from afar."
Suddenly, the voice of the master sounded.
Du Jiang looked up and saw a carriage slowly approaching among dozens of soldiers wearing armor and riding horses at the end of the road not far away.
When the carriage stopped, Gao Yang lifted the curtain, stepped off the carriage, and took a deep breath of fresh air.
"Finally here!"
Gao Yang looked at Du Jiang, who was in his forties, wearing a blue robe, with bloodshot eyes. It was obvious that he had been very busy these days.
On the side, Shangguan Wan'er held the imperial edict and said coldly, "Lord Du, this is the censor specially appointed by the empress, who is responsible for the disaster in Linjiang City. From now on, all matters of Linjiang City will be controlled by Master Gao!"
Du Jiang took the imperial edict and was shocked after confirming its authenticity.
Gao Yang is so young, but he is responsible for the life and death of hundreds of thousands of people in Linjiang City. Isn't this a joke?
But with the imperial edict in hand, even if Du Jiang is dissatisfied, he can only bear it.
"I am Du Jiang, the county magistrate of Linjiang City, and I pay my respects to Master Gao.
"
Du Jiang bowed respectfully, unable to hide the fatigue on his face.
"Master Du, there is no need to be polite."
Gao Yang smiled and waved his hand, then went straight to the point, "This young master was delayed on the road for two days, going there and back. What is the situation in Linjiang City now?"
Du Jiang felt a little relieved. Gao Yang had just arrived in Linjiang City, and at least his attitude was good.
"Master Gao, please come in." Du Jiang extended his hand and invited Gao Yang to the county government office.
He walked and said, "In the past few days, the heavy rain has just stopped. Linjiang City is close to the river, and it rains frequently. After being washed away by this heavy rain, the people's grain harvest this year is poor."
"In Linjiang City, major grain merchants took the opportunity to frantically hoard grain, causing the grain price to soar from 40 wen a dou to 100 wen a dou in just ten days. If this official had not ordered the warehouse to open and release grain, the grain price would have soared. "
"In addition, the heavy rain caused some farmland outside the city to be washed away, and the people were left homeless. A large number of refugees entered Linjiang City and urgently needed to be resettled, otherwise there might be riots..."
Shangguan Wan'er frowned when she heard this, and she couldn't help but look at Gao Yang.
Everything in Linjiang City is far more serious than what was reported in the memorial. At present, not only must the grain price in the capital be quickly reduced, but the victims must also be resettled. This is not easy!
"Mr. Gao, how can we solve this situation?" Du Jiang asked.
Gao Yang had no expression on his face and listened quietly until he heard Du Jiang's voice. He smiled and said, "This situation is not difficult to solve."
As soon as these words came out.
Not only did Shangguan Wan'er look at Gao Yang in shock, but Du Jiang on the side was even more shocked.
"Please give me some advice, Censor Gao. I would like to thank Mr. Gao on behalf of the 100,000 people in Linjiang City. "
Du Jiang bent down and saluted respectfully.
This is enough to show that Du Jiang is a fatherly official who is dedicated to the people!
Gao Yang looked at the skinny refugees outside the county government office, and he said leisurely, "First close the granary in Linjiang City."
As soon as these words came out.
Shangguan Wan'er was stunned.
Du Jiang was stunned, and then said with anger, "Mr. Gao, are you deliberately teasing me?"
"Now that the granaries are opened to release grain, the grain price in Linjiang City is still difficult to curb, let alone closing the granaries. I am afraid that if the county government issues an order, the grain price in the city will instantly exceed 100 Wen a dou!"
"How can the people afford such sky-high grain? "
Du Jiang felt that Gao Yang in front of him must be crazy. What a bad idea.
Shangguan Wan'er was also puzzled, but she did not say anything.
Wu Zhao had ordered that all matters of Linjiang City should be handed over to Gao Yang, and she should not interfere unless it was absolutely necessary.
Gao Yang's face was calm, and he said lightly, "In the past few years, Daqian has been either drought or rainy, and my Daqian's grain harvest is not much."
"How much grain is left in the granary in Linjiang City? Is it enough for 100,000 people in Linjiang City to eat for five days?"
As soon as these words came out, Du Jiang was stunned for a moment.
"No... not enough, but once the granary is closed, the grain price in Linjiang City will definitely soar again. Wouldn't the people be even more unable to afford food?"
"Mr. Gao, please forgive me for not agreeing with what I said."
Gao Yang looked directly at Du Jiang, "Even if we continue to open the granary to release grain, at the price of 100 Wen a bucket, how many people do you think can afford it, Lord Du? "
Du Jiang's face changed wildly.
Before he could speak, Gao Yang continued, "And, I am not explaining to you, but ordering you!"
"You have no right to choose!"
This was a domineering and arrogant remark, filled with an air of unquestionableness.
Du Jiang clenched his fist, but Gao Yang had the imperial edict in his hand. If he dared to disobey, Gao Yang could even chop him with a knife!
"I will immediately send someone to close the granary in Linjiang City and post a notice."
"But Mr. Gao, you have to think about it. Once the grain price in the city soars and it is difficult to contain it, this responsibility..."
Du Jiang's voice was somewhat threatening. He was reminding Gao Yang to consider the consequences of his actions.
Gao Yang put his hands behind his back and said lightly, "If the grain price in Linjiang City does not drop within seven days, all the consequences will be borne by this young master!"
"Even if it is my life!"