I, Am a Living Yama; Empress Advises Me to Stay Calm

Chapter 19: The Apology of the Hangzhou Citizens! Public Opinion Rises!

A few days later, most of the local grain merchants began to join the ranks of those selling grain at low prices.

With their participation, the already shaky grain prices began to fall further, even dropping below the initial market price.

The local grain merchants were in a state of utter desperation. They could only swallow their pride and sell their grain at a loss.

For the next half month, the citizens of Hangzhou bought grain at extremely low prices, each one overjoyed.

Eventually, rumors began to spread that the plummeting grain prices were all due to the Imperial envoy’s scheme.

The news that he had raised the grain prices to attract foreign grain merchants, then bought the grain at a low price and sold it to the locals, spread through Hangzhou like a hurricane.

Although Yang Yi didn’t publicize his actions, it didn’t mean that no one could see through his plan by that time.

At that moment, the citizens of Hangzhou suddenly realized why the Imperial envoy had raised the grain prices upon his arrival.

In the government office, a small official rushed over panting.

“Sir, there are… there are many citizens outside the office who want to see you…”

Yang Yi raised an eyebrow.

See me?

He closed the system panel. The value of the Poison Expert System had just skyrocketed.

Those local grain merchants must hate him now.

He thought for a moment, and then walked out of the government office. Now that these citizens had grain to eat, they shouldn’t come to curse him as a corrupt official.

A moment later, he opened the main gate of the government office.

Looking out, he saw a dense crowd of hundreds, if not thousands, of people standing outside.

As soon as they saw him come out, they became excited. The noise was deafening! The cheering almost lifted the roof of the government office.

Yang Yi’s mouth twitched.

What’s going on?

He hadn’t reacted yet when an old man not far in front of him suddenly knelt down with a thud. Yang Yi’s eyelid twitched as he hurriedly helped him up.

“Old man, what are you doing?”

The old man, his face full of shame, said,

“Imperial Envoy, you saved Hangzhou. I came here earlier to curse you as a corrupt official and even spat at you. Now that I think about it, I was really foolish. I kneel down to apologize to you. I’m sorry for what I did earlier…”

As he spoke, he was about to bow to the ground.

Of course, Yang Yi would not allow it and quickly stopped him. But while he could stop the old man, he couldn’t stop the hundreds and thousands of others.

Countless people knelt down, thanking him and apologizing to him.

“I apologize to you too!”

“And so do I.”

“Ah, we all misunderstood the Imperial Envoy.”

“This humble woman will never forget the Imperial Envoy’s kindness.”

“I would like to set up a longevity tablet for the Imperial envoy.”

“…”

The scene was extremely noisy, with voices rising and falling.

All the citizens looked at the Imperial envoy who had saved them with admiration and awe!

Behind Yang Yi, countless government officials walked out, stunned by the magnificent scene in front of them.

Their faces showed shock and awe, their hair standing on end. They had been officials for many years, but this was the first time they had seen someone so revered by the citizens, and Yang Yi had achieved this in less than a month!

For a moment, all the officials looked at Yang Yi’s back with admiration. Their eyes showed awe and respect.

…

In the Tang Dynasty.

“Is that so, is that so…” Li Shimin repeated twice, his eyes shining with unprecedented brilliance. He clenched his fist.

“This person deliberately set a trap, invited the enemy into the urn, feinted in the east, attacked in the west, and secretly crossed the Wei River.

What a brilliant Imperial envoy Yang is! This strategy not only resolved the disaster in Hangzhou but also bankrupted those unscrupulous merchants. Truly a plan that kills several birds with one stone!”

He was very interested in Yang Yi, so as soon as the situation in Hangzhou was resolved, he immediately received the news.

Unexpectedly, the situation that had previously puzzled him and made him think that Yang Yi had run out of ideas was instantly reversed! It made him want to applaud and cheer.

In the hall, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Changsun Wuji all gasped, their faces showing shock.

Unbelievable, simply unbelievable. Even they did not expect such a dramatic turn of events! Yang Yi was truly a genius among geniuses.

Changsun Wuji stroked his beard, his eyes showing admiration.

“So young, yet able to handle everything so thoroughly. This person is truly a genius.”

Fang Xuanling sighed.

“Indeed, the audacity, meticulousness, and ruthlessness of this strategy are far beyond me. I am old now; this is the era of the young.”

Du Ruhui smiled wryly.

“Even we old bones couldn’t do it this well. Yang Yi is truly a genius among geniuses. But to be his enemy must be terrifying; each of his strategies tortures the enemy to death.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

They had been watching Yang Yi for a long time. When Yang Yi made a move, it was always ruthless and decisive.

Li Shimin sighed with a bit of envy.

“Such a genius, why is he not in my Tang Dynasty? What a pity.”

…

In the Imperial Palace.

“Your Majesty, the citizens of Hangzhou escorted Lord Yang for several miles, showing how much he has won their hearts,” Shangguan Wan’er said with a smile.

Wu Zhao put down the memorial in her hand, a slight smile appearing on her cold and noble face.

“He did very well this time and taught those grain merchants a hard lesson. It was truly satisfying!”

“But…” she suddenly frowned, “he has achieved such great merit again. I am worried about how to reward him. Should I simply give him my third sister?”