The Comeback of the Charming Farmer's Wife-Chapter 2211 - 2213: Fear of Stirring Up Turmoil

"Moreover, choosing consorts is my personal affair. Should my personal affairs be discussed in the court?" Baili Yan looked at the crowd displeased, "Have you all forgotten where you stand? This is the Golden Throne Hall, a place for discussing state matters, not my personal affairs. I hope you can all focus your thoughts on the livelihood and economy of the people."

After speaking, Baili Yan threw down a booklet with great momentum. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"This is a letter sent by Marquis Changning from Xining. I had it transcribed; take a look."

Everyone was curious about what trouble Marquis Changning had stirred up again.

Inadvertently, they all craned their necks to see the booklet in the hands of the Heir of Prince He.

The heir of Prince Qing was the first to applaud, "Not bad, this method is good. At least during years of famine, there’s no fear of buying grain at high prices, nor a lack of grain to buy."

"Indeed, it’s good."

"..."

Seeing that everyone endorsed it, Baili Yan’s expression improved considerably. He then reprimanded, "Look at you, fixating on my harem affairs. Then look at Marquis Changning. In seeking a son, he achieves great merits. First, he seeks out..." The matter of the Grand Emperor’s return to the capital couldn’t be revealed yet.

So he switched the topic, "Not to mention retrieving so many abducted children in Yunchuan, solving a major case in Liangchuan, and capturing corrupt officials in Zhejiang. Now, having just arrived in Xining, he’s already conceived ways to balance grain prices and elect virtuous officials. And you all..."

Baili Yan’s extremely disdainful tone caused everyone to bow their heads.

However, State Duke Tong had a question. Of course, he wasn’t trying to cause trouble but merely discussing the matter at hand.

"Emperor, unifying grain prices is a good thing, but wouldn’t this provoke the displeasure of the major grain merchants? If these merchants collectively resist the court and shut down the grain shops, by then the people would find no grain to buy. Wouldn’t that trigger unrest?"

"Indeed, State Duke Tong’s considerations are spot on."

The Ministry of Personnel expressed that they shared the same view.

The Ministry of Rites stated they had long been aware of this problem, but being from the Ministry of Rites, they felt it inappropriate to voice it.

The Ministry of War stated they disagreed with the unification of grain prices.

Other ministries expressed their respect for the Emperor’s decision.

In response to the ministers’ concerns, Baili Yan, both domineering and sinister, said, "What is there to fear? If anyone dares to obstruct the unification of grain prices, I don’t mind making an example of them."

The unspoken words were that I am just about to need an immense amount of grain and fodder for the army, and if anyone dares to hinder matters regarding grain prices, I will make them donate all the grain from their homes.

Seeing that the Emperor’s stance was so firm, the ministers ceased their dissuasion.

They all knew that this ruler, like the Grand Emperor, was not one to be trifled with.

Thus, a few days later, Great Zhou’s new grain price was announced, with a fluctuation not exceeding two wen per unit. The merchants wept while the people laughed.

The court’s image, which had been falling in the public’s heart since last year, finally rose slightly.

The news reached Xining by the twelfth month, and Ye Zi’an was quite satisfied with this.

Yet some people were not so pleased.

"This Ye Zi’an is sincerely making life difficult for me," Prefect Liu felt very frustrated. He had hoped to raise grain prices once Ye Zi’an, this great deity, had left.

But now, with the court issuing a proclamation, if he raised prices then, it would be knowing the law and violating it.

"How much silver have we lost now?" Prefectural Magistrate Song felt very distressed.

"Do you think he’s targeting us?" Prefect Liu asked, "There are plenty of places in Great Zhou where grain sells at a high price, not just Xining."