She refused to believe that a small city like Guangning couldn't be handled, was it just the president of the Chamber of Commerce?
Did he have three heads and six arms? While she was thinking about it, she heard the voices of the guards outside.
"Reporting the arrival of Guangning Chamber of Commerce President Gao Huan, Vice President Yang Qian, and Supervisor Quan Jingyan."
Prefect Yuan Xiu unconsciously stood up. This small movement was seen by Yun Xiao as taking bribes.
She snorted from her position at the head of the table. Yuan Xiu immediately became alert, sat down with a "swoosh," wiped the sweat from his forehead, and ordered, "Please invite the supervisors of the Chamber of Commerce."
At his command, three people walked in from outside the hall.
The leader was a strong man around sixty years old, showing no signs of age. On the contrary, his steps were steady, and he looked like a martial artist. His bright eyes revealed the shrewdness and wisdom of a lion and tiger, neither humble nor arrogant, showing no fear.
The second person following him, dressed in a blue robe and jade belt, was arrogant and overbearing. Although he was thirty years old, he was quite self-important. He held a jade fan in his hand and also showed no timidity.
The last person was somewhat obese, with a round face and eyes narrowed into slits. Sharp glances shot out from these slits, quickly surveying everything in the hall.
Finally, the three glanced at the woman seated at the head of the table, dressed in fine clothes, her belly slightly rounded. A hint of contempt appeared on their lips; how could a woman interfere in state affairs?
Just this glance revealed their intentions. Yun Xiao sneered inwardly, realizing they were nothing but arrogant and ignorant fools. What Chamber of Commerce president? Nonsense. Today, she would deal with these self-righteous individuals.
A faint, cold smile played on Yun Xiao's lips, but her eyes were icy as she fixed her gaze on the three men. The three clasped their fists in greeting.
"Your humble servant, Gao Huan, President of the Guangning Chamber of Commerce."
"Your humble servant, Yang Qian, Vice President of the Guangning Chamber of Commerce."
"Your humble servant, Quan Jingyan, Supervisor of the Guangning Chamber of Commerce."
After the three announced themselves, Yun Xiao nodded slightly. She didn't tell them to rise but lazily opened her mouth, "The Chamber of Commerce has ceased operations. Today, I have invited the three supervisors here. What does your Guangning Chamber of Commerce intend to do?"
After speaking, Yun Xiao picked up a cup of tea, gently unscrewed the lid, blew on it, and looked at the three below without even glancing at them.
The three were surprised that the Empress had immediately put them in their place by not even asking them to stand.
Since she didn't ask them to rise, these people didn't dare to get up casually. After all, the person seated above was the Empress, not an ordinary person. The three exchanged glances, guessing inwardly.
Did the court have no intention of rescinding the decree? Where had the rumor come from, causing them to sit in the Chamber of Commerce waiting in excitement early in the morning?
Among the three, Supervisor Quan Jingyan, who was always bold, bowed and spoke calmly.
"Reporting to the Empress, we who engage in business also support our families. Now that the court has increased taxes so much, we are truly unable to continue our operations, and thus have no choice but to close the Chamber of Commerce."
As soon as Quan Jingyan finished speaking, dozens of pairs of eyes uniformly turned towards the woman at the head of the table. She still said nothing, lowering her head to sip her tea, as if trying to discern some theory from it.
Quan Jingyan couldn't help but show a smug smile. He thought he had presented a difficult problem for the Empress.
Prefect Yuan Xiu, whose heart had been hanging precariously, now relaxed somewhat, a smile appearing on his lips. All the officials, big and small, in Guangning breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the Empress was thinking of a solution, and they wondered how she would handle the current situation.
Shangguan Yin, who had been standing not far from Yun Xiao, had incredibly cold eyes and a bloodthirsty aura. With a furious glare, he truly wished to teach these fellows a lesson. Anyone with eyes could see that this was clearly an collusion between officials to trouble the imperial court.
Although the hall was silent, it was like a battlefield. Within the short space, everyone had clearly engaged in a mental battle.
Yun Xiao put down her teacup and slowly looked at the supervisor of the Ning Chamber of Commerce, Quan Jingyan, speaking word by word.
"Your Chamber of Commerce's intention is for the court to withdraw this decree?"
"Yes, we implore the Empress to grant our request."
The three spoke simultaneously. Yun Xiao slowly pursed her lips and smiled, then her expression suddenly turned cold. A fiery light erupted from her dark pupils, like lava erupting from the depths of a volcano, scorching hot. Her voice was sharp as a blade cutting through the sky.
"Guards, apprehend Gao Huan, Yang Qian, and Quan Jingyan! Insolent commoners, daring to use the decree to suppress commerce for the benefit of agriculture to commit treason and rebellion! They deserve to die, and their entire clans will be exterminated."
At Yun Xiao's command, dozens of people outside the hall surged forward, apprehending the three from the Guangning Chamber of Commerce. They were bound and restrained, leaving them completely unable to move.
They hadn't expected this woman to immediately accuse them of treason and rebellion, a crime punishable by death and extermination of nine generations. The faces of the three turned pale, and they couldn't help but protest.
"What does the Empress mean by this? What do you mean? You are arresting your humble subjects."
Yun Xiao descended from her seat, exuding a fierce aura, and spoke coldly.
"Insignificant commoners, daring to oppose the imperial court! Do you think Guangning cannot function without you? Very well, I will use you as a sacrifice for the city. In two hours, let's see who dares to keep their shops closed."
As Yun Xiao spoke, Gao Huan, Yang Qian, and Quan Jingyan broke out in a cold sweat. They fully believed that this woman would do as she said.
Even if it meant destroying an entire city of Guangning, they might not be able to abolish this regulation. They had been too naive, harming their families.
As soon as the Empress finished speaking, Prefect Yuan Xiu and other officials all knelt down and pleaded, "Empress, absolutely do not act so rashly. If these three families are killed, it is likely to incite public anger, leading to riots."
"Riots? Such ignorant and foolish Guangning city, easily manipulated, is not worth keeping. Those who dare to riot will be killed without mercy."
Yun Xiao shouted sternly and waved her hand, ordering the guards behind her to escort the three away: "Execute them! The Gao family, Yang family, and Quan family, all thrown into prison. The nine generations will be exterminated."
Upon hearing this, the three from the Chamber of Commerce, their faces already pale, cried out, "Empress, spare our lives, Empress, spare our lives!"
Yun Xiao raised her hand and coldly stared at the three men. Only then did the three realize the ruthlessness of this Empress, unable to even meet her gaze. Yun Xiao's lips curved into a smile.
"Immediately issue orders. In one hour, I want to see all the shops open. Otherwise, your three families will be the first to be punished."
These three knew very well that this ruthless master would do as she said. Without a moment's delay, they repeatedly nodded.
"Yes, yes."
Chamber of Commerce President Gao Huan immediately gave orders to the people who had accompanied him outside the hall, instructing them to go out.
Indeed, within a quarter of an hour, the shops of various chambers of commerce began to open. The streets were filled with the cheers of the people, especially the rice and salt merchants, whose shops were quickly emptied. The streets returned to peace.
The tension in Yun Xiao's heart eased. She looked up at Shangguan Yin by her side.
In truth, she hadn't been fully confident just now. If these three were not afraid of death, and she were to kill them, involving their entire families, it might indeed have led to riots in Guangning city.
And they would not have escaped unscathed. But she had taken a gamble, gambling that these people were greedy for life and afraid of death. The three were all wealthy and powerful individuals; who would want to be killed?
This was why they had won this battle.
"Bring the three men in."
Yun Xiao commanded in a deep voice. Dozens of people outside the door escorted the three in. Their faces were extremely grim.
Even the Prefect of Guangning city and other officials looked extremely grim. Hearing the woman's command at this moment, everyone felt exhausted and weak, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Yun Xiao sat regally at the head of the table, looking at the three below, a cold smile on her lips, and spoke in a deep voice.
"Gao Huan, Yang Qian, Quan Jingyan, do you know your crime?"
The three no longer dared to say a word, and quickly nodded.