Chapter 184: Ministers

Nalan Cui looked at his back with a gloomy look in his eyes.

Elder Zheng returned to the Zheng family. There was no trace of panic on his face. Instead, there was a trace of a smile.

He summoned the butler and gave a few instructions.

A few ministers of the court gathered at the Zheng family. They came for a meeting.

When they left, they had smiles on their faces.

They had long known that Nalan Cui would leave this matter to them and had long thought of a way to deal with it.

Perhaps not only would they not have to pay out of their own pockets, but they would also be able to profit from it.

Elder Zheng had really thought of an idea, which was to encourage the shops to raise funds. Originally, they had all been appointed by the previous emperor, Nalan Chen, as Imperial Chamber of Commerce.

As the Imperial Chamber of Commerce, how could the country not help when it was in trouble?

Nalan Cui sneered when he heard this idea.

These people really didn’t give a single cent. They just wanted to find money from others.

He didn’t refuse and let them do whatever they wanted.

Once this news was released, the shops in the capital exploded.

Merchants were originally treacherous. If they wanted to exchange a piece of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce’s signboard for real gold and silver, they definitely wouldn’t buy it.

Elder Zheng didn’t want to pay out of his own pocket, so he could only use his power to pressure them.

The shops also joined forces and cried about being poor.

Some even prepared to close their doors for a while. In any case, the business was not doing well recently due to the refugees.

In the capital, the biggest pressure was still on the grain and oil trading companies. It was fine if they did not pay out. After all, silver was used to buy grain.

These trading companies were very amiable on the surface and gave the silver straightforwardly.

Although Elder Zheng felt that it was too little, it was better than hitting a wall previously. He praised their righteousness and even said that he would put in a good word for them in front of the Emperor.

The grain and oil trading companies were naturally flattered.

When they went back, they immediately raised the price of grain and oil.

Whenever there was such a disaster, it was time for them to make money. Therefore, they couldn’t wait for this difficult matter to last longer.

Naturally, it was much more straightforward to give money. After all, there were only a few grain and oil trading companies in the capital. These silver would eventually return to their hands.

Every time Elder Zheng and the others took the silver, the price of grain and oil would rise.

At this moment, not only were the refugees rioting, even the citizens of the capital were faintly in chaos.

The price of grain and oil had already increased more than five times. If this continued, they would become refugees too.

Elder Zheng and the others were discussing in the Zheng family.

Only did they realize that not only did they not get any benefits from this operation, but they had also lost a lot.

If this continued, they would really lose both their wives and soldiers.

In the morning court, Nalan Cui asked about this matter.

Elder Zheng spoke bitterly about their grievances and scolded these merchants as iron roosters who did not give a single cent. The grain and oil merchants even took the opportunity to increase the price.

Nalan Cui said coldly, “Why did I hear that it was you who used your power to force these grain and oil merchants to raise their prices?”

Elder Zheng almost gritted his teeth. These grain and oil merchants had actually plucked themselves clean.

However, did he have anything to say to defend himself?

He could only bear the bitter consequences this time.

Nalan Cui harshly reprimanded a few people in the imperial court.

The few ministers led by Elder Zheng were all elders of the imperial court. When had they ever suffered such humiliation? They were all somewhat unwilling.

Elder Zheng cupped his hands. “Emperor, this matter was handled improperly by the ministers, but we are also thinking for the sake of the people.”

Nalan Cui sneered and said, “I think you are thinking for your own pockets.”

The expressions of the ministers were extremely ugly.

Elder Zheng said, “Since the Emperor does not like my abilities, then please find someone else to help you with this matter.”

He looked like he was going to throw the matter aside.

Nalan Cui said, “Elder Zheng, you still remember what I said back then.”

Elder Zheng said fearlessly, “As long as the Emperor can resolve this matter, I am willing to give up my position as elder.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep