My palace is full of female protagonists.

Zhao Chengyu never imagined that his casual attention to the seemingly insignificant matter of the medicinal herb Coptis chinensis being monopolized by several powerful families would uncover such a complex web of family lawsuits. That day, he discussed countermeasures with Prime Minister Gao and Prime Minister Su in the imperial study, his brows furrowed and his heart filled with mixed emotions.

"Your Majesty, this matter of Coptis chinensis may seem trivial, but in reality, it has far-reaching consequences." Prime Minister Gao stroked his long beard, his gaze deep as he stared at the sand table before him, which was densely covered with chess pieces representing various forces.

Zhao Chengyu sighed softly, silently reciting the lyrics: "Every inch of the country's land, every footprint of the home. Country and home are linked together, creating miracles on earth. The country is my country, home is my home." He never expected that these simple lyrics would resonate so strongly with the situation before him at this moment.

"The saying 'No merchant is honest' is somewhat biased, but it is not entirely without reason," Prime Minister Gao continued. "Indeed, there are honest and charitable merchants, but such people often find it difficult to accumulate great wealth in a short period of time."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu shook his head slightly, a bitter smile playing on his lips: "Minister Gao, you are mistaken. Why do we always assume that merchants must be incredibly wealthy? Merchants certainly want as much money as possible, but money is a tool for a country to operate its market, not a measure of its value. Merchants want a lot of money to increase their own value, but this has nothing to do with the value of the country. A country is not considered powerful because it has many rich people; on the contrary, it will lead to excessive wealth disparity and widespread poverty."

Prime Minister Su, who was deep in thought, suddenly raised his head upon hearing Zhao Chengyu's words, his eyes shining as he looked at Zhao Chengyu, clearly moved by his words.

Zhao Chengyu pointed to the chess pieces on the sand table and continued, "To outsiders, the most direct manifestation of a nation's value may be its military strength; but in the hearts of its own people, it lies in whether they can live and work in peace and contentment, whether they do not have to toil all day yet still go hungry. This is the true value of a nation."

At this point, Zhao Chengyu sighed, "The country and the family are intertwined. The happiness of every family is the cornerstone of the country's prosperity. Even businessmen, who are the least favored by the people, are closely related to the rise and fall of the country."

Zhao Chengyu never expected that his discussion with the two prime ministers about the relationship between national prosperity and merchant wealth would spark such a profound debate. That day, the candlelight flickered in the imperial study as the three sat around the desk, the atmosphere both solemn and heated.

Prime Minister Su looked at Emperor Zhao Chengyu with a furrowed brow and raised his doubts: "Your Majesty, how can a country become rich and powerful if merchants don't have a lot of money? After all, since ancient times, wealth has always seemed to be closely linked to national strength."

Zhao Chengyu smiled slightly, his gaze profound, as if he had already foreseen the future: "Minister Su, you are unaware of this. A nation's prosperity does not solely depend on the wealth accumulation of merchants, but more importantly, on how to rationally guide and utilize this wealth. When merchants have money, they will naturally seek investment opportunities. They can build roads, which not only facilitates the travel of the people but also promotes the circulation of goods; they can buy weapons, strengthening the nation's military power and protecting our territory from invasion; they can also raise orphans and fund academies, making the nation's future more hopeful. Of course, merchants may also inflate prices, at which point the Ministry of Revenue needs to control the prices of goods in the market."

At this point, Zhao Chengyu paused, seemingly considering how to better explain his ideas. He picked up a pen from the table and lightly drew a line on the sand table, symbolizing market balance: "We can use state power to control this 'lever.' The lever, like this line, has the market at one end and the state at the other. When the market is unbalanced and prices soar, the state needs to intervene, stabilizing prices and protecting the interests of the people by adjusting tax policies and increasing subsidies. At the same time, for basic necessities that people rely on for their livelihood, such as food and cloth, the state should set price ceilings to ensure that people can afford them."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Su's brows remained furrowed. He shook his head, clearly still puzzled by the new concept of "leverage": "Your Majesty, what does this 'leverage' mean? I am ignorant and humbly request Your Majesty's clarification."

Zhao Chengyu patiently explained, "Leverage is actually a metaphor. It's like the two ends of a balance scale. One end is the free competition of the market, and the other end is the macro-control of the country. The country acts as the fulcrum of the lever, adjusting policies to balance market fluctuations and ensure that it neither becomes excessively prosperous, leading to a bubble burst, nor becomes excessively depressed, affecting people's livelihoods. In this way, it can both stimulate the enthusiasm of businessmen and guarantee the basic livelihood of the people, thereby achieving long-term stability and sustainable development of the country."

Prime Minister Gao nodded in agreement, his eyes gleaming with wisdom: "Your Majesty is absolutely right. The prosperity of a nation depends not only on the wealth of its merchants, but also on how to wisely utilize that wealth to make the great machine of the nation run more smoothly. And the 'lever' theory undoubtedly provides us with a new way of thinking and a new method."

Prime Minister Su slumped to the ground as if struck by a heavy blow, his eyes staring blankly ahead, his mouth slightly open, unable to utter a single word. His action startled everyone present; even Zhao Chengyu couldn't help but rise from his throne, his gaze filled with a mixture of doubt and concern.

"Minister Su, what's wrong? Are you unwell?" Zhao Chengyu asked, gesturing to the eunuch beside him to help Prime Minister Su up.

Prime Minister Su was helped to his feet by the eunuch, but he still seemed a little dazed. It took him a while to recover. He shook his head and said in a hoarse voice, "It's alright, Your Majesty. It's just that I was a little shocked. I didn't expect that business matters were so complicated, that a single move could have such far-reaching consequences."

Prime Minister Gao nodded, a resolute glint in his eyes: "It seems I really must accompany the Crown Prince to see for myself what those charlatans in business are really up to."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu smiled. He understood the two prime ministers' concerns and the importance of commercial prosperity and stability to the nation. He slowly said, "Actually, everyone knows how much things cost, so there's no need to overcomplicate it. As long as people can afford grain during natural disasters and not go hungry; can afford sugar when they're full and enjoy the sweetness of life; can afford paper to study; and can afford a decent dowry when they get married, that's enough. Commerce is inherently the closest thing to life; it concerns everyone's daily life and the prosperity of the nation."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Gao's eyes flashed with admiration. He bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I will immediately assemble a group of people and set off tomorrow! I will do my utmost to share Your Majesty's burdens and bring happiness to the people."

After saying this, Prime Minister Gao turned and left, his steps hurried, as if he didn't want to waste a moment. When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned around and bowed to the Crown Prince, saying, "Your Highness, please rest well tonight and get plenty of rest. After the investiture ceremony tomorrow, we will depart immediately."

The Crown Prince nodded, his expression solemn and resolute: "Prime Minister Gao, rest assured, I have heard what Father Emperor said, and I will do my utmost to assist you in completing this task."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Gao felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He knew that with a crown prince like the Crown Prince and a wise ruler like the Emperor, the future of the country was sure to be full of hope.

The next morning, sunlight bathed the palace as the investiture and sacrificial ceremony proceeded in a solemn atmosphere. The Crown Prince and Prime Minister Gao, dressed in court robes, stood with grave expressions. They knew this trip was not merely a simple investigation, but a commitment and responsibility to the future of the nation.

After the ceremony, Prime Minister Gao and the Crown Prince, accompanied by a large contingent of capable officials and guards, left the palace in a grand procession, heading towards the newly named Yuyao County. The name Yuyao County was specially chosen by Zhao Chengyu to match the Crown Prince's noble status, and also to announce to the world that this county was about to undergo an unprecedented transformation and reshuffling.

The procession marched along the wide official road, kicking up dust, but the determination and anticipation on their faces remained undiminished. They knew that this trip was not only a trial for the Crown Prince, but also a profound examination and rectification of the entire country's business environment.

As the sedan chairs of Prime Minister Gao and the Crown Prince slowly descended into the barbican, an unexpected figure suddenly appeared beside the Crown Prince. Startled, the Crown Prince whirled around and saw a handsome young man dressed as a man standing before him, his eyes gleaming with unwavering determination. Upon closer inspection, the Crown Prince recognized him as none other than Consort Zhen from the palace.

"I can't stop the massacre of the village, but at least I can control the plague. Take me with you." Consort Zhen's voice was firm and powerful. She knew the importance of her mission and understood everything she could do.

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Gao frowned slightly. He had already organized a group of doctors and medicine merchants to accompany the expedition to Yuyao County to help the people suffering from the plague. In his view, it would be safer for Consort Zhen to remain in the palace, where she could better utilize her medical skills.

"Your Majesty, I have already organized many doctors and medicine merchants. Why don't you stay in the palace?" Prime Minister Gao advised.

However, Consort Zhen shook her head, her eyes gleaming with unwavering determination: "I know which villages are under lockdown and which villages have infectious diseases. Only by going there can I find the root of the plague as quickly as possible and control its spread most effectively."

The Crown Prince looked at Consort Zhen before him, a surge of inexplicable admiration welling up within him. He knew that Consort Zhen's journey was not for her personal safety, but for the sake of those innocent people. Therefore, he raised his hands and made his decision: "If Your Highness wishes to go, then go! It was Your Highness who returned to report the news. Even Father didn't object, so what can we say? However, if anything happens to you, my guilt will be immense. Therefore, you cannot leave my sight, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhen felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She knew that the Crown Prince cared about her and was protecting her. Moreover, this time the Crown Prince should be able to lead the army out, so she wouldn't have to charge ahead alone as before. Thinking of this, Consort Zhen nodded and agreed to the Crown Prince's request.

So the group continued on their way, heading towards the garrison outside the city. Consort Zhen changed into men's clothing and mingled with the group. Although it was somewhat inconvenient, she didn't mind. She knew she had a more important mission: to help the people suffering from the plague and restore their health and hope.

On the way to the garrison, Consort Zhen, along with Prime Minister Gao, the Crown Prince, and others, sat around a campfire, discussing their upcoming operation by the dim light. The night was deep, but their eyes shone brightly, filled with determination and hope.

"Upon arriving in Yuyao County, our primary task is to remove that corrupt prefect and round up all his advisors and cronies." Prime Minister Gao's voice was steady and powerful. He clenched his fists tightly, as if he could already see the moment when those corrupt officials were brought to justice.

The prince nodded and added, "At the same time, we must further seal off those villages that have already been infected with the plague to ensure that the epidemic does not continue to spread. This is our responsibility and our promise to those innocent people."

Consort Zhen frowned slightly, her heart filled with concern for the people: "We must organize doctors and medicine merchants as soon as possible to go to various villages to provide medical treatment and medicine assistance to the people. Time waits for no one, and every moment of delay may mean the loss of more lives."

After several days of arduous travel, they finally arrived at the garrison camp outside the city. Looking at the brightly lit camp in the distance, the Crown Prince felt a surge of pride. But then his brow furrowed, and he said worriedly, "What I'm worried about is that once the Yun family army joins us, the commotion will be huge. At that time, those confidants and officials will surely flee at the first sign of trouble. How can we deceive them?"

Prime Minister Gao pondered for a moment, a sly glint in his eyes: "I have an idea. Your troops should not directly join up with the Yun family army, but head directly to Yuyao County. The Yun family army should also go directly to Yuyao County, but they should form an encirclement, leaving those corrupt officials nowhere to escape."

Upon hearing this, the crown prince's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea! This way, even if they want to escape, it will be too late."

Consort Zhen nodded in agreement: "Moreover, any plague can be cured as long as there is medicine. The Yun family army, coming from the border, can actually buy Yunnan medicine through the Gao family's merchants, thus avoiding the impact of this monopoly. This way, we can solve the plague problem and also crack down on those unscrupulous merchants."