"Huh?"
The Charcoal Seller looked up and froze on the spot.
Zi Shou asked again, "How much is this charcoal?"
"Th-this..."
The Charcoal Seller stammered, involuntarily reminding Zi Shou of Shen Gongbao half a year ago.
"How many coins for this charcoal?"
The Charcoal Seller jolted. "Grass-"
Zi Shou frowned. Why are you swearing at me?
"This humble commoner offers it to Your Majesty! This charcoal is free, free! Your Majesty is Sagacity, Your Majesty is Sagacity!"
Ever since Ding Ce had coined the term "humble commoner," people had gradually come to accept it.
Grass was good! Tough and resilient, it sprang to life again when the spring breeze blew.
Zi Shou's brow relaxed slightly. The Charcoal Seller offered a glimpse of the negative effects of public executions.
Your Majesty is Sagacity?
Anyone could hear the fear in those words.
And with a little instigation, that fear could easily turn into resentment.
Zi Shou said solemnly, "I asked you how many coins this charcoal costs per catty."
The Charcoal Seller dared not speak for a long moment. Was he really supposed to charge King Zhou?
He dared not take the money! Would he even live to spend it?
Would he be sent off for Death by a Thousand Cuts or Waist Chopping?
Seeing that the Charcoal Seller was on the verge of wetting himself, Yin Pobai could not quite bear it. He stepped forward to rescue him. "This charcoal costs two coins per catty."
Zi Shou blinked. "Two coins? Why only two?"
This damn charcoal is cheaper than Heartless Vegetables?
Zi Shou's gaze fell on Yin Pobai's crooked, haphazard steps.
Yin Pobai realized the problem too. "It should be three coins per catty. Since I know the Loyalty Step, I always get a discount when I buy things."
His words