Chapter 2073: Chapter 2070: Private Treasury

Liu Ruying knew that he couldn’t keep secrets, and as long as he knew this matter wouldn’t be harmful to him, it was enough. As for probing Emperor Xuanming’s true thoughts, on the off chance that he let something slip someday and got caught, he would be wronged.

Meanwhile.

Chu Heng walked side by side with Huo Zhengming into the palace.

Nearby, officials coming forward and behind were also entering for a court session. Today was a grand assembly, so there were indeed quite a few officials present.

Many, upon seeing Chu Heng, showed a hint of peculiarity in their eyes, and after he passed by, quietly fell back to discuss with their close friends.

Huo Zhengming observed this, sighed with concern, and said, “Zi Qiu, why are you clashing with Grand Tutor Deng again? There’s a rumor going around that you’re contending with Grand Tutor Deng over a shop, and so you went to the palace to accuse him.”

“Then, Grand Tutor Deng was reprimanded by the Emperor; it frightened him so much that to prove his loyalty, he dug up some transaction records of the Deng Family from the past two or three years to make up the difference.”

Hearing this, Chu Heng was not only unperturbed but rather leisurely: “Teacher, you’re not wrong in saying that.”

“You actually did it? I thought it was just some fabrication.” Grand Tutor Deng was quite startled by his words, knowing well that Chu Heng was no fool.

Realizing that doing so would offend many powerful figures, they might ally with Grand Tutor Deng to impeach Chu Heng later, and he might not be able to handle it.

Yet Chu Heng didn’t conceal the truth: “Teacher, you misunderstood; have you ever considered that Grand Tutor Deng’s actions are leading by example?”

“You… you’re saying?” Grand Tutor Deng was startled, taking a moment to understand his implications, unsure whether to say he was bold or deep-minded.

The fact that Grand Tutor Deng was doing this might just be to gauge the court’s reaction should the Emperor also express his opinions.

By then, how would the officials react if the Emperor brought up this topic?

Bear in mind, with Grand Tutor Deng setting the example, regardless of whether he did it to attract animosity towards Chu Heng or for other reasons.

No matter what, this would make the officials hate Grand Tutor Deng just as much.

The people targeting Chu Heng would be fewer.

And this aligned with His Majesty’s intentions.

Huo Zhengming, understanding the intricacies, realized why Chu Heng remained passive these past two days despite Grand Tutor Deng slandering his reputation.

To be precise, there was a reaction.

Grand Tutor Deng’s offered shop was bought by Chu Heng directly, and at the original price.

At that moment, Grand Tutor Deng probably thought it was just provocation from Chu Heng, not realizing the pit laid out ahead for him.

Indeed, it turned out as Huo Zhengming speculated.

After discussing the skirmish in the Northern Region at court, Emperor Xuanming brought up the reform of commercial law, stipulating that no one should disrupt the market through coercion or inducement, and if the buying price was eighty percent below market value, they would be punished.

Specific amounts were also defined to decide punishment.

“There have been minor skirmishes in the Northern Region recently. Regardless of the outcome, preparations must be made. If any of you disrupt the market, are you not treating the imperial court as your private treasury?” Emperor Xuanming said ambiguously.

Once these words were spoken,

the officials present dared not speak rashly.

Emperor Xuanming’s words weren’t without reason; currently, commercial taxes were indeed high, reflecting the ancient policy of prioritizing agriculture over commerce.

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