"To prevent the situation where, every time thereās a natural disaster or human calamity and the court buys grain, those grain shops take the opportunity to raise grain prices, not to mention that they go and buy grain from the common people but deliberately lower the price, making profits from both ends, itās simply exploitative."
Ye Ziāan, upon hearing this, brightened up, "What you said makes sense, my wife. If the grain prices are controlled by the state, it can prevent merchants from exploiting the prices during disaster years, and at the very least, it ensures the farmersā interests to a certain extent. So that the grain they painstakingly grow each year isnāt valued solely by what merchants dictate."
Speaking of this, Ye Ziāan became excited, stood up, hugged Yang Chuxia, and planted a flurry of kisses on her face, "I need to send an urgent letter to my cousin immediately."
"Hey, why are you getting so excited all of a sudden?" Yang Chuxia touched her face, almost bewildered.
And Ye Ziāan, as soon as he entered the study, wrote a long, elaborate letter, including what Lele mentioned last time, then sent it through the eight-hundred-mile express route.
In fact, his urgency was naturally for other reasons as well, given the tense situation between the two courts at the moment. In case of war, a large amount of food supplies would inevitably be needed, and at that time, merchants would certainly take the opportunity to profit from the national crisis.
Therefore, he needed to submit the memorial beforehand, urging Baili Yan to come up with a set of regulations immediately.
As for the herbs needed on the battlefield, he wasnāt worried about the price increase, as Mu Shaoling, controlling Muās Clinic, could absolutely stabilize the medicine prices in Great Zhou.
Far away in the Capital City, Baili Yan received yet another letter from Ye Ziāan.
Truth be told, he now simultaneously anticipated and dreaded receiving Ye Ziāanās letters.
The anticipation was because Ye Ziāan always had some new ideas to share, while the dread was due to the possibility of uncovering yet more problems.
At present, just hearing there are corrupt officials makes his head ache. How did Great Zhou end up with so many corrupt officials? The sense Great Zhou gives him is akin to a piece of rotting flesh, the outer part is already unbearable to look at, and it will soon spread internally.
And all these people were left by his father. It has to be said that his fatherās judgment of character was not commendable.
The next day in court
"If there is a memorial, present it. If not, court is dismissed..." After the greetings, the little eunuch said this as per custom.
Someone seized the opportunity to raise an issue, "Your Majesty, the hundred-day mourning period for the Grand Emperor has long since passed. Thereās an old custom in the folk of lifting mourning after a hundred days. Currently, the harem is empty, and the number of princes is significantly fewer than the previous dynasty. Throughout history, the Emperorās foremost duty has been to the country and the dynasty, and yet, expanding the imperial lineage to cultivate outstanding heirs is also of utmost importance."
After saying this, the main course was presented, "Your Majesty, I earnestly request the Emperor to widely select virtuous concubines, enrich the harem, and expand the imperial lineage."
The ministers looked at each other, this old fox sure has a lot on his mind.
But this fit perfectly with their intentions, who doesnāt have a few young daughters in their family after all.
"Your Majesty, I second this..."
"We all second this..."
All at once, the hall was filled with calls for him to quickly choose concubines.
Baili Yanās face was ashen as he looked at the assembled ministers and asked sharply, "Since the founding of Great Zhou, has any Emperor taken a concubine less than a year after the previous Emperorās demise? Are you trying to put me in a position of being unfilial and unrighteous?"
"Your Majesty, the old customs are rigid, but people are adaptable."
Even the Heir of Prince He said, "Your Majesty, selecting a concubine now is not entirely unreasonable..."
Baili Yan immediately interrupted the Heir of Prince He, "Uncle Prince He, with the situation between Great Zhou and Great Qi still unclear, and the borders unsettled, how can I have a mind to choose a concubine?"