Chapter 710 - 488: You Can Even Do It Like That?

Chapter 710: Chapter 488: You Can Even Do It Like That?

Many pharmaceutical merchants in the Capital City voluntarily stepped forward, lowering the prices of medicinal herbs and selling them to the court at fair market rates.

Song Yunzhao was pleased at first—it was good news—but she soon sensed something was amiss.

’If these people were so civic-minded, this matter wouldn’t have dragged on for so long.’

So she sent Xie Jinshu to investigate. A day later, she received his letter.

After reading the letter, Song Yunzhao summoned Feng Yunjin.

Feng Yunjin...

She knew the Imperial Concubine was clever, but she hadn’t expected to be found out so quickly. She promptly confessed everything.

Song Yunzhao...

"You dare to threaten pharmaceutical merchants? If this gets exposed later, you’ll all be in for it!" Song Yunzhao was furious.

’They dared to take on such a huge matter by themselves.’

Feng Yunjin rose to beg for forgiveness but argued, "Your Grace, you tried everything for this. You exhausted all diplomatic means, yet those merchants ignored you, unwilling to part with their exorbitant profits. Besides, the court isn’t asking them to lose silver; we’re just buying their herbs at the previous fair price. It’s not that they aren’t making money—they’re just making less than the massive profits they’re accustomed to."

"That may be true," Song Yunzhao said, "but you must realize how many eyes are watching in the Capital City. Han Imperial Censor has been dragged into this, and I fear he’ll face the consequences once the war is over."

Things like this have happened throughout history. These merchants made less silver, and once this crisis passes, they’ll be in deep trouble if someone decides to rake up the past.

A wartime expedient becomes a guillotine in times of peace.

’She truly hadn’t expected Han Zhengchun to be so audacious. He actually dared to do it. He was really putting his neck on the line.’

’Then again, Han Zhengchun was also betting that I could protect him.’

’And she did have to protect him!’

Song Yunzhao fell silent, deep in thought. Feng Yunjin grew uneasy.

After a long moment, Feng Yunjin couldn’t help but ask softly, "Your Grace, will this matter truly have endless repercussions?"

Song Yunzhao looked up at her. "That depends on how many people Han Imperial Censor has offended."

Feng Yunjin replied, "A great many, of course."

An Imperial Censor’s job is to make enemies.

"What should we do then?" Feng Yunjin said with a frown. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

’I can’t let Han Jinyi’s father fall. I have to do everything I can to save him, especially since I was the one who pushed for this in the first place.’

"Let me think," Song Yunzhao said, tilting her head back to look at the ceiling. "It’s not that there isn’t a way... it’s just a little dirty."

"As long as it saves him, who cares if it’s dirty or not? Your Grace, please, tell me."

"Have you ever heard the saying, ’hide your light and join the dust’?"

Feng Yunjin looked completely baffled. "Your Grace, you mean...?"

"Protecting only Han Imperial Censor makes him a single, obvious target, which gives our enemies an opening. So, why don’t we just muddy the entire pond? If everyone’s in the water, no one can laugh at anyone else for getting their pants wet."

’You can do that?’ Feng Yunjin was stunned.

’The method was a bit dirty, but it would work.’

"That’s a great idea," Feng Yunjin immediately agreed. "Your Grace, I’ll do it."

Song Yunzhao lowered her voice. "This has to be done with absolute secrecy. Quietly. No matter who asks, neither of us will ever admit to it. Lives are at stake, so you must be extremely careful."

"I understand the stakes. Who do we start with?"

Song Yunzhao glanced at Feng Yunjin. "As the saying goes, if I don’t descend into hell, who will? Let’s start with my father."

’Everyone’s name is going to be dragged through the mud anyway, so it doesn’t matter who goes first.’

’More importantly, if my father is the first one dragged into this, he’ll be under less suspicion later on.’

’Consider it compensation for having his name smeared.’

’I’m such a good daughter. If Old Song knew, he’d chase me with a stick.’

Deeply impressed, Feng Yunjin immediately said, "Then my father can be second."

’I have to follow Consort Xiang’s lead. To achieve great things, you have to be willing to make sacrifices.’

’Father, I’m so sorry.’

A day later, before the good name of the Capital City’s merchants—who were selling medicine to the court at fair prices—could fully spread, a rumor broke out. It claimed the merchants had been threatened by courtiers and had no choice but to lower their prices. All that talk about loyalty to the throne and serving the people? All lies.

Who was behind this dirty trick?

Well, who do you think is most worried about the army’s supplies right now?

Oh, right. The Minister of Revenue.

Song Nanzhen: ?

Another day passed, and Feng Bidada, who had remained in the Capital City, was also named. As Commander Feng was ordered to stay behind and oversee military affairs, and being a military general himself, it was hardly surprising that he would threaten merchants for the sake of the soldiers on the front lines.

Feng Bidada: ?

’What is going on?!’

Gossip and rumors flooded the Capital City. Xie Jinshu and Ling Yunhe felt like thieves, spreading news everywhere without daring to be seen. If they were caught, the courtiers would have them flayed alive. Life was certainly getting more and more exciting.

Ling Yunhe dragged Xie Jinshu out for a drink, but Xie Jinshu refused, no matter what.

"A loose tongue after a few drinks can cause a lot of trouble," Xie Jinshu reminded his friend. "I’d advise you to lay off the alcohol for a while, too. If you really get into trouble, I can’t protect you."

Hearing this, Ling Yunhe immediately pushed the wine aside and sighed heavily. "You’re right. I won’t drink. Someone came to me asking questions recently. It’s got me on edge, so I wanted to talk to you."

Having followed the Imperial Concubine for so long, Xie Jinshu had developed nerves of steel. "If they ask questions, just play dumb. What’s there to be afraid of?"

Ling Yunhe looked at Xie Jinshu. "So many merchants have been implicated. You know this is bound to blow up sooner or later."

"The Imperial Consort has His Majesty’s support," Xie Jinshu scoffed. "Besides, what we did was for the country, for the people, and for the Emperor. Even if the truth comes out, there’s nothing to fear. Fortune favors the bold, after all. I’d love for these people to make a huge scene. If this actually reaches the imperial court, we might just get our big break."

Ling Yunhe blinked. "What do you mean?"

Xie Jinshu just smiled. "What do you think?"

Ling Yunhe thought about it carefully, and the look in his eyes changed. "You’re really something else," he said, staring at Xie Jinshu. "How did I not think of that?"

"You’re just spooked by what happened before. Think about it. The Imperial Consort gave this her approval. If she dared to make a move, she can protect us. We can’t ask for credit ourselves, but if this whole thing blows up and reaches the imperial court, and His Majesty finds out about our loyal service to him and the country... do you really think he wouldn’t reward us?

How many soldiers’ lives will our actions save? This is a great, virtuous deed. Even if His Majesty doesn’t reward us, it’s honestly the right thing to do. Brother, others don’t dare to act because they have no one backing them. We have the Imperial Consort behind us, and we’re doing something truly good. What is there to fear?"

Ling Yunhe sighed. "I know it’s a good thing. I’m just worried that we’ve dragged so many courtiers into this and they’ll come after us for revenge. But... you’re right. A real man can’t be timid. Let’s do it."

"Now that’s my good brother. By the way, there’s one more thing. It wouldn’t be convenient for me to get involved, so I’ll have to leave it to you, my brother."

Ling Yunhe...

’I knew I shouldn’t have invited this bastard for a drink!’