Chen Jingxi didn't care what Han Yu was thinking. She had just recovered from her illness and didn't have much strength, so she definitely didn't have the momentum.
When she goes out, no matter whether she can succeed or not, she always remains confident and has a plan in mind. She acts as whoever she wants to be, and as she acts, she becomes herself.
Chen Jingxi raised his hand and patted Han Yu's shoulder encouragingly.
Han Yu gripped the sword in his hand and said through gritted teeth, "Princess, I will leave."
Han Yu got off the carriage and walked towards the group of scholars. Her clear voice echoed among the crowd: "Excuse me, gentlemen, my princess was passing by here and saw you beating the drums to complain about your grievances. I have come to ask what your difficulties are, perhaps I can help you."
Upon hearing this, the scholars all turned to look at Han Yu, "Excuse me, which family are you from, young lady?"
"I am a maid in the Prince Su's Mansion, and my princess is in the carriage." Han Yu answered appropriately and modestly.
Upon hearing this, the scholars looked at each other in bewilderment. Then someone sneered, "I heard that Prince Su has been missing for a long time. How can a woman like Princess Su help?"
Han Yu did not get angry when she heard this. Instead, she patiently explained, "Even if the prince is not here, my princess is a princess of the first rank. Her status is enough to report your grievances to the emperor and let him know."
"Are you serious, young lady?" The scholars were skeptical.
"Of course it's true. How could I joke about this?"
The scholars exchanged glances, seemingly determined. "Alright, since the princess can help us, let's talk. This matter is of great importance, and the emperor must be informed of the actions of those unscrupulous merchants."
"Talking isn't enough," Han Yu added. "You need to write down the whole story in detail and sign it as proof."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an immediate ripple in the crowd.
"What else needs to be written down?"
Some people began to hesitate, worried that once the words were written in black and white, there would be no turning back.
No matter what they say or do here, in the end the law will not hold them responsible. But if it is really written down, the consequences will be unpredictable.
If the plan fails and instead angers the emperor, their future will be ruined.
As a result, some people began to waver, saying that they had no grievances to appeal and prepared to leave.
In a short while, more than half of the crowd dispersed.
The remaining scholars frowned and muttered softly, obviously struggling and hesitating.
Han Yu couldn't help but mutter, "Scholars are really useless."
"Girl, what do you mean by this?" a scholar said dissatisfiedly.
Han Yu raised his eyebrows slightly, with a hint of contempt, "What do you mean? Don't you claim to be well-read in the books of sages? Do you need my explanation for this?"
When the scholar heard this, his expression changed slightly and he wanted to argue with Han Yu.
"Brother Han!" Another scholar pulled him back and said to Han Yu, "Miss, there's no need to provoke us like this. This petition may be a piece of cake for the princess, but for us, it's a gamble on our lives. We're hesitant and afraid, which is human nature, and we have to consider it carefully."
Han Yu was stunned for a moment when she heard this. She also climbed up step by step.
"Han Yu, what this young master said is correct."
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a dignified and gorgeous woman with a gentle smile on her face walking towards them step by step.
Han Yu hurried forward, supported Chen Jingxi, and said softly, "Princess, why did you come down? You are not fully recovered yet."
Chen Jingxi smiled faintly. If she didn't come down, this group of people would run away.
A scholar asked in surprise, "Are you Princess Su?"
"I am Princess Su. I understand your concerns and worries. As the saying goes, 'Heroes are made by the times, and heroes are made in their times.' I believe you all understand this."
The scholar just now lowered his head, went with the flow, and did things that benefited the country and the people. Isn’t this the meaning of their hard work studying the books of sages?
After figuring this out, the scholar said, "Princess, I am willing to write this complaint."
Another person also said: "Since Brother Li is willing to write, then I will also risk my life to accompany the gentleman and write it too."
"Yes, I write too. Instead of struggling with it, I might as well give it a try. At worst, I can go home and farm."
“Yes, we write too.”
They were originally a group of children from poor families, and their chances of becoming officials were slim. Their failure was just a way to face reality in advance.
After they finished writing, Chen Jingxi picked it up and took a look. After just reading a few pages, she exclaimed, "It's awesome, it's so well written."
Chen Jingxi put away the complaint and said to them, "You gentlemen will surely have a bright future."
Upon hearing this, the scholars bowed and expressed their gratitude.
When Chen Jingxi returned to Prince Su's Mansion, she was told that Ji Yunzhou was waiting for her in the study.
When Ji Yunzhou saw Chen Jingxi, he gave her everything he had found out in the past few days.
"Princess, this is the information I found out. With the recent increase in grain prices, the Cui family has made a profit of over 800,000 taels in just five days."
"There are several others, and their combined wealth is no less than two million taels."
Chen Jingxi looked at the account book that Ji Yunzhou brought and couldn't help shaking his head. What the profiteer said was true. This is faster than a money printing machine.
The price changes every day. If this continues, these merchants will go bankrupt.
"Princess, these people are used to profiting from disasters. Every time there's a war or a disaster, the people have to endure years of hardship. Princess, what do you want to do now?"
"Enter the palace."
"Enter the palace? Based on these, I'm afraid the emperor won't punish these people severely."
If he can find out these things, the emperor can also find out. The fact that the emperor hasn't said anything for such a long time means that he condones their actions.
Chen Jingxi smiled and said, "The Emperor will. In the past, he might have weighed the pros and cons, but with the disappearance of two disaster relief funds, coupled with the huge cost of war in previous years, the national treasury is probably already stretched to the limit."
"The Emperor needs an opportunity now, and these account books in my hand, as well as the joint petition of more than 20 scholars, are the opportunity."
Ji Yunzhou looked at Chen Jingxi unconsciously. The tenacity and wisdom that emanated from her made him feel an indescribable admiration.
Chen Jingxi said nothing more, stood up and walked out.
Ji Yunzhou hurriedly chased after her, "Princess, where are you going?"
"Change your clothes and go into the palace." Chen Jingxi said without turning her head.
Ji Yunzhou was about to follow, but was stopped by Han Yu, "Master Ji, why are you still following the princess?"
Ji Yunzhou hurriedly opened his fan and coughed lightly, "Am I following the princess? I'm leaving now. Don't tell Jing Huai about this!"
Han Yu glanced at him and did not respond.
"This young master is leaving."
"I'm going back."
Ji Yunzhou spoke every few steps.
The secret guards in the dark were speechless when they saw Ji Yunzhou's actions.
"What happened to Master Ji?"
"I guess he's having a brain seizure."
"He doesn't think anyone would be reluctant to let him go, does he?"
"That should be the case. He has always been very narcissistic."
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