Kong Changyu, an aide at the Prince's Residence, noticed the odd expressions on several officials' faces and repeatedly shot the Prince of Badong meaningful looks. But the prince did not so much as glance at his trusted adviser, merely saying to Wang Yang:
"Two days ago, before your grain even arrived, grain prices fell by seventy or eighty percent. When your fleet arrived this morning, they actually dropped straight back to their original level! Once the grain was unloaded and carried into the city sack by sack, the price fell another thirty percent! I had someone check the accounts from previous years, and only then discovered that grain prices here in Jingzhou have now returned to the level of the fifth year of Yongming! When grain prices stayed high, I heard some imperial censors were preparing to impeach me over it. Surely they'll furl their banners and silence their drums now? Hahahaha! Wang Yang, you've rendered no small service this time!"
Wang Yang replied politely, "It was all thanks to Your Highness's masterful planning. How could I dare claim the credit?"
The Prince of Badong said as though it went without saying, "Naturally, my planning was masterful, but you deserve credit too."
Wang Yang: ...
The officials: ...
"I've already ordered someone to arrange the transfer of that Soldier Household's registration. Besides, don't you still have another thirty boatloads of grain coming? With grain prices so low now, we can't let you suffer a loss. Here's what we'll do: however much you bring in, the government granaries will buy it all at a hundred coins per hu. Master Kong, have the granary officer take the government granaries'-"
Looking rather awkward, Wang Yang interrupted, "Your Highness, there's something I'd like to report to you in private..."
In the hall, the