"My lord, something terrible has happened. All the officials who resigned have been arrested by the Dali Temple. Right now, the officials are still surrounding their residences."
"A bunch of useless trash, they can't even hold on after just a few days?"
As he spoke, Prime Minister Wei waved his hand, and with a "crash," the empty teacups and teapots on the table flew out.
Prime Minister Wei never expected that his first plan to undermine the new emperor would fail, and that he would even be arrested and imprisoned in the Dali Temple.
The families of the arrested officials didn't care on the first day.
The next day, a group of family members came to the Prime Minister's door, asking him to go to the palace to demand the release of the person.
It was he who instigated everyone to submit their resignations, so it was only right for him to step in and demand their return.
When Prime Minister Wei inquired, he learned that the person was not in the palace, but had gone to the Dali Temple.
He then sent someone to the Dali Temple to ask Du Zhong, who replied, "It's nothing serious. The Emperor is unaware of the political affairs left by the previous dynasty and asked everyone to help organize the records before resigning."
With a valid reason, Prime Minister Wei didn't think much of it and immediately ordered his men to manipulate grain prices.
In the past, Du Zhong always listened to him. Prime Minister Wei never expected that on the third day, he would hear that the person he had pushed out had his home confiscated.
Prime Minister Wei's eyes were contorted with rage, his anger barely contained.
The servant who came to report was so frightened that he knelt on the ground, trembling. Tea was spilled all over him, and a shard of porcelain cut his hand, but he didn't dare to utter a sound.
Footsteps sounded outside the door, and the eldest son, Wei Mingchen, rushed in.
"Father, what should we do? The new emperor is making a big show of things. If they start implicating us, the fire will spread to us." Wei Mingchen asked anxiously before even bowing.
Prime Minister Wei glared angrily, "What are you afraid of? Your father isn't stupid. Even if they make baseless accusations, they'll need solid evidence!"
Prime Minister Wei was corrupt and only gave orders verbally; he was certain that the new emperor could not do anything to him.
Wei Mingchen waved his hand, signaling the servant to leave.
The servant was overjoyed and quickly got up and left.
With no one else in the room, Wei Mingchen sat down, lifting his robe. “Father, I’m afraid your trick of feigning illness and shirking your responsibilities won’t work. I’ve heard that the man surnamed Xiao used to be in the military for many years. He’s a real troublemaker. He arrested several government officials without a second thought.”
This was a bizarre move that even Prime Minister Wei had never encountered before.
"Did the Imperial Censor raise any questions during the morning court session today?"
Wei Mingchen shook his head and sighed, "Father, don't count on that opportunist. You asked me to pass on a message to him, but he refused outright, saying that he couldn't figure out the new emperor's temper and that if he raised any questions and angered the new emperor, he would lose his official position. I hope Father can understand his difficulties."
Seeing his father's beard trembling with anger, Wei Mingchen sighed and said, "They say that with each new emperor comes a new court, and that's true. In the past, those people tried their best to please our family, but these days I've come to understand that people's hearts are fickle, and even a slight bond of mutual benefit can last a long time."
"Hmph! Some people are short-sighted. My Wei family is deeply rooted and powerful. They will regret it someday." Prime Minister Wei gritted his teeth, his eyes sinister.
The Wei family is deeply rooted and powerful. Without the support of the Wei family, the new emperor's throne will certainly not be secure.
"What Father means is..."
"Pass down the word that they should double the price of grain again in a day or two, and raise the prices of dishes in restaurants by 30% as well."
The Wei family had branches that went into business, and the business in the Prime Minister's residence was all managed by their cousins. In the past, the Wei family could do whatever they wanted in the capital, and their members made a fortune.
Since the new emperor doesn't respect him, he has to continue to annoy the new emperor.
"Father, will you be attending the morning court session tomorrow?"
"I'm not going. That guy surnamed Xiao ignored me completely. Doesn't your father have any shame?"
Speaking of this, even Prime Minister Wei is troubled.
No imperial physicians came from the palace, nor did they send a single word. It was as if that young man surnamed Xiao was unaware that a prime minister was missing from the court.
Wei Mingchen then carefully recounted the decrees issued by the emperor during the morning court session. Before leaving, he called a maid into the room to collect the broken porcelain shards.
Prime Minister Wei had never been so angry before; he felt frustrated and his chest ached slightly.
Knowing that he was feeling down, the First Madam sent a maid to bring him a bowl of calming soup to relieve his internal heat.
"Madam, the master went to Concubine Chen's courtyard after finishing his soup."
The maid returned and reported that the First Madam was preoccupied with her granddaughter who had been sent to guard the imperial tombs, and had no intention of vying for favor.
With a wave of his hand, he said, "Let him be. The old lady is still ill. Let that vixen Chen do whatever she wants."
...
The next day, Nangong Zeyue actually closed the gambling den. Jiang Shuyue had the manager clean out the useless equipment and also had Cangyun buy wooden boxes for storing grain.
"Miss, something terrible has happened! The price of rice has doubled again today, and the grain shop has to close after only half an hour of sales."
Seeing Qiuju rush in in a panic, Jiang Shuyue smiled faintly, "Don't worry, there's more than just rice to eat. I've already arranged for other goods to be delivered."
Jiang Shuyue checked the space last night and found that the mountains of sweet potatoes, corn, and potatoes were enough to sell for several months, and the corn in the spiritual soil was still growing continuously.
She couldn't even estimate how many of those meat rabbits she had.
As long as she sells them, there won't be a famine, not only in the capital, but also in the surrounding cities.
"Miss, something's strange. Why are those grain shops raising prices but not selling more? Are they planning to raise prices again tomorrow?"
Jiang Shuyue gave Qiu Ju a thumbs up, "That's right, their goal isn't just rice prices, they want to create chaos, instill panic among the people, and then direct their anger towards the Emperor."
"Don't panic, Gao Mu will be back later. As long as we have the estate, at least the Jiang family won't go hungry."
Jiang Shuyue comforted Qiuju, but she had her own plans. She wanted to support more than just the people in the Jiang family; she wanted to use the space to do something bigger.
This morning she sent Gao Mu to buy a manor outside the city. With her own manor, she could help more people.
However, what shocks people today is not just the rising price of rice.
"Everyone come quick! The new emperor has found a corrupt official!" someone shouted from the street, and people swarmed around him like a tide.
"Where are the corrupt officials? Are they from the Ministry of Revenue?"
"Will rice prices drop after corrupt officials are investigated?"
Everyone craned their necks, each chiming in with their own opinion.
"A new broom sweeps clean, and the new emperor is ruthless in his work. I believe rice prices will fall."
A scholar-like man said, "You don't know yet, do you? His Majesty abolished the recommendation system at the morning court session today. The autumn examinations will be held at the beginning of next month, so even children from poor families can become successful."
"Your Majesty is wise. By abolishing the recommendation system, officials and nobles can no longer inherit their positions. This is a great thing."
The crowd erupted in cheers, their mood unaffected by the rising rice prices.
"Everyone hurry to the palace gate to watch! The gold and silver treasures that were confiscated are about to be transported here."
Someone shouted, and the crowd surged toward the palace gate.
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