The price of grain was three taels or thirty taels, and the death of fifty thousand or a hundred thousand people in one winter was too far away from the capital.
After Li Pin left, the capital was once again covered in the autumn rain. However, this autumn rain could not stop the festive atmosphere in the capital. The gatherings and banquets gave people the illusion that the ground had never been wet before. The news that Medicine Master Guo had captured Grand Tutor Alu alive and obtained the title of Yelu Deguang and the seal of Liao Taizong spread like wildfire in the capital. The commoners in the capital talked about the triumphant return and the surrender of the captives. They also wondered if they were invincible now, when would the diplomatic note from the Jin Kingdom to take back the sixteen prefectures, and so on.
In such an atmosphere, the Right Minister's residence also held several big banquets in succession. One or two of these banquets also invited Grand Preceptor Cai, Tong Shumi, Wang Ci, Liang Shicheng, Li Gang and other important officials of the capital.
On the other hand, the business of the many fireworks venues in the capital was also booming. The Fan House was unusually busy. Ning Yi wanted to meet Li Shishi, but he delayed it again and again, mainly because it was not urgent. Later, he heard that Miss Shishi was running around for an unjust case in a brothel in the capital.
It was said that there was a courtesan named Tong Shu 'er in a brothel in the capital. She used to be in love with a poor scholar and often used her own money to subsidize the other's food and lodging. The poor scholar had recently become an official and no longer cared about her. This was originally a normal thing to do, but recently, Tong Shu 'er had met a hot-tempered foreign official from the Ministry of Personnel when she was receiving a guest. For some reason, he accidentally killed Tong Shu' er. When the brothel asked Tong Shu 'er's old lover to help her, they found out that he had already betrayed her. On the other hand, the official of the Ministry of Personnel used his connections to shirk responsibility. The two matters added together and caused a huge uproar. The two officials had incurred the wrath of the public. A group of prostitutes went to the yamen to stand up for them. Many scholars also joined in and wrote articles condemning the two officials. For a time, it became a hot topic in the capital.
The capital was the most benevolent place, so it was easy to talk about such topics every few days. The tragedies that came from romantic relationships were the ones that touched on human nature and resonated with bystanders. Amidst the hustle and bustle, Ning Yi and the others were working hard in the dark. It was more like they were working in the shadows of society.
Qin Siyuan had already negotiated with Cai Jing and the others in detail. In a sense, he had obtained the other party's approval. In a sense, the other party's approval was actually meaningless. That was how the helmsman or spokesperson of a big family was. At most, Qin Siyuan had greeted those who needed to be informed: I'm going to take action on the grain price issue. If there's anything I offend, please don't take it to heart. After that, the friendship between the two sides could be maintained on the surface. The true victor would still depend on the fights between the people below.
Almost at the same time that Li Pin left, Yao Zunian, Monk Jueming, and the others also left the capital and began their journey of lobbying. Qin Siyuan had already written a letter to the south and told Kang Xian the whole plan. Ning Yi, on the other hand, gathered the eighteen carts of the Bamboo Shop's traveling merchants and sent them to different places.
At this time, it was almost the 15th of August.
*****
August 13th, 150 miles away from Bianliang, Heng County.
"… The general situation is as I have said. Hedong and Huainan are now short of grain, too much. That's why the Right Minister's Residence is taking the lead in this matter. To be honest, as long as Lord Hou can provide grain, he will send someone to accompany him. When he arrives at the place, the first batch of grain will be sold at at least ten times the price. I hope that the price in that place will be lowered and some people will have a way to survive. "
In the hall where Lord Hou's family received guests, the person speaking looked young, but his words and expression were sincere. He put his palms together and looked at the old Lord Hou, nodding as he drank a mouthful of tea.
"… Our boss is a kind-hearted person, and he also knows that Lord Hou is a kind-hearted person. The memorial arch at the entrance of the village, the bridges and roads nearby all have Lord Hou's name. That's why he asked me to come here early. You know Fang Ji from the capital, right? After he heard about the situation in the disaster area, he said that he wanted to directly donate grain, sell it at a low price, and distribute it for free. But our boss said that this can't be done. We can't lower the price. I believe Lord Hou understands the reasoning behind this. So the most important thing is to let people do business. The few routes that the government has decided on are like this … "
The young man who spoke took out a map. "Our side is closer to the East River Road. On your side, you will first transport the grain to Qiao Xi. Once there, the government will distribute the grain. The boats will be arranged by the government, and the transportation fee will be based on the current market price. It will be calculated according to how much grain you provide. We will first go by water, then by land. Along the way, we will be escorted by soldiers. Five hundred dans of grain will be transported. Now, this matter should have already been announced in Qiao Xi. You can go and inquire about it. We are just a middleman … "
At this point, the Lord Hou nodded and revealed a kind smile. "Little Luo, what you said is a good deed. This old man will definitely provide the grain. However, this old man's family lives in Heng County. We have two stewards and three sons. We haven't been to any big places. From what you said, this journey is very long. I heard that the public security in the disaster area isn't good. If something really happens on the way, we won't be able to report it to the government. Since it's like you said, there is a shortage of grain in the north and south, why don't the government personally collect it and transport it … "
"Squire Hou is absolutely right." Hearing him say this, the young man called Luoluo smiled and nodded. He recalled the words that Ning Yi had taught him when he left Bianliang. "But what we know is that if the government fully intervenes, first of all, it will damage their reputation. Second of all, Prime Minister Qin said that disaster relief is a good deed, but also a great battle. We can only win if there are more people supporting us. Frankly speaking, if the government directly intervenes, the situation will be different … "
He lowered his voice and said, "Some other people will also get involved."
After saying this in a low voice, Luoluo looked outside the door before continuing. "As for the problem that Lord Hou mentioned if something happens. Honestly speaking, the yamen is open. If something really happens, it will be troublesome. But this matter is different. Old Hou, I will tell you this. You can send people to inquire. Before the first batch of grain is shipped, anyone who provides more than one thousand dans of grain will be personally entertained by the prime minister. He will also be given a handwritten note. "
"Oh?" The old man's expression changed. Then, he thought about it with some difficulty. "One thousand dans …"
"Lord Hou, this one thousand dans is not something that one person can provide. It can be gathered. For example, in this Heng County, if your Hou clan gathers one thousand dans, one person will be personally received by the prime minister. You can also tell some other people about this. It's all good deeds. If one person isn't enough, a group of people is also a good intention … "
The sky outside was overcast, and it seemed as though it was going to rain, but it had yet to fall. After more than two hours, when Luoluo and the accompanying tailor came out of the courtyard, the cart with the Suning symbol also arrived. His companion asked, "How did it go?"
"Aiya aiya aiya." Luoluo tapped his forehead. "It's still the same. He said he would consider it, but he bought something from me that cost more than thirty taels of silver … You know, it's the same as the previous few. They want to sit at home and someone will come to collect the grain. Then, the money and goods will be settled. They are not very willing to send their own people to Hedong or Huainan. These people don't lack money … But this seems like it will work. "
"Then little brother Luoluo, how did you convince him?"
"Hehe." Luoluo laughed. "He has three sons. I told him that there was such an opportunity for his family to go out and see the world. Didn't the books say … Er, rather than reading ten thousand books, it's better to walk a thousand li. Also, you can get to know some officials. This is what the boss taught me. In any case, I said I would come back in a few days. "
As he spoke, he took out a small book from his bosom and a charcoal pen. He drew a line in the crooked handwriting on the book. When he put away the book, he turned his head and sighed.
He had been out of the capital for three days. He had sold many expensive things, but he had not made any progress in persuading others to sell grain. Before this, he was the most outstanding shopkeeper that the boss had trained. At this time, he was worried that he might be surpassed by others …
In reality, in the first few days, the people who took on the task of persuading others could only receive intentions. This was not a bad start. The real problem was in other areas. When more than ten groups of people gradually began to persuade others with Bianliang as the center, and all kinds of intentions were brewing, Luoluo's side almost lost Hou Yuanwai's business.
That was a few days later. When Hou Yuanwai personally went to Qiao Xi to inquire about the situation, he did not receive any news regarding the government's unified protection of grain. The government advisor directly chased him out. "Our county's yamen is a public tool of the country. How can we participate in your kind of merchants' business? You are already old, and you don't seem to be a reckless person. Why would you suddenly become muddle-headed and participate in this kind of peddling business? Aren't you afraid of losing your reputation?"
At this time, although the practice of peddling was very popular, and there were many big merchants everywhere, but in books and in the government, the position of merchants was still very low. Hou Yuanwai built bridges and paved roads locally. His status was already between the scholars and farmers. At this time, he was suddenly scolded as a peddler seeking profit. He almost fell ill from anger.
And on Qiao Xi's side, the county magistrate also received a note from the Right Minister's residence. This county magistrate was a rather talented scholar, and also had some relationship with Qin Siyuan. This time, the influence of Qin Siyuan's arrangement of a few trade routes could not be too big. He was originally arranged because he believed that he could understand. But after the county magistrate returned, he thought about it and discussed with the advisor. In the end, he decided not to do it. He even wrote a letter of advice to Qin Siyuan. He strictly stated that the resources of the imperial court could not be used as a public tool, and that peddlers seeking profit were despicable acts that went against the teachings of the saints. The imperial court's disaster relief should also be carried out in a dignified manner.
This kind of feedback, in the first few days, was not only sent to the Minister's residence. The first wave of obstacles began to appear. And the Minister's residence's response, in the next few days, also came down like thunder and wind!
And the Minister's residence's response, in the next few days, also came down like thunder and wind! After realizing the seriousness of this rising grain price, Qin Siyuan and the others spent more than a month before they officially decided to adopt it. In the process, it was unknown how much psychological construction Qin Siyuan had done. After realizing the seriousness of this rising grain price, it took more than a month for Qin Siyuan and the others to officially decide to adopt it. In the process, it was unknown how much psychological preparation Qin Siyuan had done.
This old man understood the Confucian school the best. But also because of this, when he really raised his hand and put down the chess piece, he could no longer be shaken by this little bit of obstruction.
At the same time, Li Pin had already arrived at East River Road.
The carriage rattled along on the uneven dirt road. The scenery on both sides of the road was bleak. Occasionally, he could see passers-by in rags walking in the opposite direction, towards the south. As they neared Shangdang, more and more people like this appeared. Some of them were dragging their families along, walking like zombies. When they saw the carriages approaching, they would stretch out their hands to beg. Some would cry and say a few words, but most of them did not make a sound.
When the grain price rose, it was actually not yet the autumn harvest. Along East River Road, the truly affected areas were not widespread. But the sudden rise in grain price caused the autumn harvest to be sloppy and chaotic. It was said that in some places, people were beaten to death. Until now, the grain price inflation had already continued for two months. From the original two and a half strings of coins per stone to the current thirty strings of coins per stone, everything had become like this. According to Ning Yi, the grain price would probably stabilize for a period of time, and the inflation would not be very fast. This situation would continue until winter. At that time, the truly fatal moment would arrive.
Occasionally, he would lift the curtain of the carriage to look at the scene outside.
As they neared the city, there was a faint commotion on the road ahead. People were crying, shouting, and cursing. The carriage stopped nearby, and Li Pin looked out from the carriage. There were injured people dressed in rags on the side of the road, and blood was flowing all over the ground. A cart was lying on the ground, and the man who seemed to be the cart owner was dressed in slightly better clothes. He was surrounded by three to five men holding sticks, and they were glaring angrily in all directions, but the cart owner was also crying.
After a few glances, Li Pin understood that the cart was dragging some things and was originally going to the city. Due to the recent situation, the owner had also invited a few men to follow to prevent it from being robbed. But when they reached here, the wheels were suddenly smashed, and the cart fell over. The few vegetables and grains on it fell to the ground. At this moment, the people on the side of the road began to fight over them. The few men who followed them first stopped them, then picked up sticks and began to beat them. But even so, more than half of the things on the cart were still taken away.
Some of the people on the roadside who robbed were beaten away, while others were beaten until their heads were bleeding. They knew they were in the wrong, so they did not pursue the matter. They could only fall on the road and cry. As they cried, the cart owner also cried. The woman in his family had contracted a terrible disease. The cart was originally going to be taken to the city to be sold at a high price, and at the same time find a doctor to bring it back. But now, that plan was ruined.
Li Pin, the advisor, and the guards who followed him watched this scene. Not far from the cart, a dirty and skinny little girl was lying on the road. Her mother was hugging her and crying. The little girl had been beaten, and her head was bleeding. She was holding two pieces of rotten vegetable leaves in her hands. She was probably very hungry and injured. She opened her mouth, but the sound of her crying could not be heard.
Advisor Chen, who followed him, seemed to want to say something but hesitated. Li Pin looked at her a few times, and finally spoke dryly. She asked the guard who was proficient in bruising to quickly bring medicine to treat the girl. The surrounding people shifted their attention to this side.
Sitting there, Li Pin remembered the conversation she had with Ning Yi when they left the capital. "For this disaster relief, will Liheng go to the south or the north?"
"If I don't go, that's your business. I'll stay in the capital."
"Oh, Liheng knows this the best, so it's reasonable for him to stay in the center."
"Ah, not really. It's just that what the eyes don't see, the heart doesn't grieve over."
"Hm?"
"Because …" He remembered that at that time, Ning Yi paused for a long time before saying, "Because when you go there this time, you will see a lot of people. You will go there in order to let them live. But the moment you see them, you will understand that many of them will starve to death. There will definitely be … a part of them that you can't do anything about … "
At that time, he had sighed because of these words. But now, he truly understood what Ning Yi was talking about.
He watched for a while. Advisor Chen told him not to get off the cart for fear of causing trouble, but he finally got off. He looked at the little girl whose head was bandaged, and secretly put two steamed buns in her clothes before returning to the cart. At this moment, he knew that it was meaningless.
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