She mistakenly got into the bridal sedan chair and married a sickly but powerful minister, becoming

Chapter 442 Framed

Jiang Mu asked in surprise, "What does the Prefect want with you?" His expression darkened as if he had just thought of something. "Could it be about your grain sale?"

Zhao Yi gave Jiang Mu a look, signaling him to calm down, and then called Jiang Chao in to talk.

Jiang Chao entered the study and closed the door. "I heard that all the soldiers guarding the beggars have been killed." He asked suspiciously, "The prefect is here to see you at this critical juncture, could it be about this matter?"

Jiang Mu interjected, "Does the prefect suspect that the master was the one who killed him?"

Jiang Chao glanced at him but didn't say anything.

Jiang Muyi understood, and his expression grew even more solemn. He feared the prefect might take some action, forcing his master to reveal his identity prematurely. He looked at Zhao Yi worriedly, afraid that revealing his identity would affect the subsequent plans.

Zhao Yi had a clear understanding of the situation; the grain issue had been resolved, so he wasn't afraid of revealing his identity.

He left Jiang Mu behind and took Jiang Chao to meet Feng Zhihuan.

Feng Zhihuan was already waiting in the front hall. The moment he saw Zhao Yi, he put down his teacup, looked up at Zhao Yi, and his eyes were full of scrutiny.

Zhao Yi seemed oblivious to Feng Zhihuan's probing gaze. Instead of bowing to Feng Zhihuan, he walked straight to the head seat and sat down.

Seeing this, Feng Zhihuan frowned deeply, becoming even more certain that Zhao Yi was a man of the Prince of Guangling.

Otherwise, how could they dare to be so presumptuous in front of him?

They showed him no respect whatsoever.

There wasn't even a respectful title, let alone a bow.

Remembering his purpose for coming here, Feng Zhihuan temporarily suppressed his dissatisfaction. Before he could speak, Zhao Yi asked, "May I ask what brings Lord Feng here today?"

Feng Zhihuan raised his eyebrows and smiled, "You've been in Yongqing County for a while now and know the situation here quite well. Most people can't afford to eat, and I have no choice. To help the suffering people, I can only ask you to sell grain at high prices and use the tax revenue to make up for it. But this is not a long-term solution; the shortfall is too big, and it's just a drop in the ocean."

He sighed: "I heard you came from the capital. I would like to ask you to help me make a connection with an important person and see if it is possible to transfer grain to Yongqing County to solve the urgent problem here."

Zhao Yi sensed Feng Zhihuan's probing and said in a clear, elegant voice, "I do have an idea; there's no need to ask a powerful person for help."

Feng Zhihuan raised an eyebrow: "Oh? I wonder what your brilliant idea is?"

Zhao Yi said, "Yongqing County is rich in silk products and also has lead mines. Why don't you take advantage of these two things to attract merchants to transport grain to Yongqing County?"

Feng Zhihuan said with a worried look, "You don't know, the lead ore production is not enough. The quota that is handed over to the court every year has to be bought from other places. Where is there any extra to exchange for grain with merchants? And then there are the silk products, which also have to be given to the court as tribute."

In short, neither of the two things Zhao Yi wanted were available.

Zhao Yi said helplessly, "Then there is no other way."

Seeing that Zhao Yi was pretending to be confused, Feng Zhihuan bluntly stated, "I heard that Plum Garden is the residence of the Marquis of Shou'an. Since you are able to stay here, it is clear that you have a close relationship with him. The Marquis of Shou'an is the maternal family of the Empress Dowager and cares about the people. I believe that when the Marquis hears about the plight of Yongqing County, he will be willing to lend a helping hand."

"Oh? The house actually belongs to the Marquis of Shou'an?" Zhao Yi frowned, seemingly unaware of the situation. "To be honest, I heard that someone was selling this house, so I asked someone to help me buy it."

Feng Zhihuan had previously investigated the owner of Meiyuan, only to discover that it was the old residence of the Marquis of Shou'an.

Because his father revealed the true identity of the Prince of Qi, the Prince of Qi was imprisoned. The Empress was sent to guard the imperial tomb. Fearing that the Empress's power would join forces with the Prince of Guangling, she deliberately found this excuse to test Zhao Yi.

It seems Zhao Yi is keeping his mouth shut; he can't get any useful information out of him.

Feng Zhihuan's face darkened, and he clapped his hands. The officials entered the front hall from outside.