In a famine year, the rich gave out porridge. In Xiaoyi County, the Guo family was the most benevolent, but the Guo family was not the only one who gave out porridge. In Xiaoyi County, there were a few other families who would occasionally come out to give out porridge, including the government's aid. After the disaster, although there was not much food left, the government had to ensure that some people could survive. This was in line with the interests of the rich and powerful families.
However, this kind of relief couldn't be too much or too full. Some people had to give up their dignity and beg for it in order to survive. In this way, those who still had land did not want to suffer too much and could only sell their property. Thus, the rich and powerful families completed their land acquisition and capital accumulation.
In a sense, people who only cared about benefits and living without caring about dignity were more common after the rise of modern capital. In ancient times, especially in villages where productivity was not high, people were quite unyielding. Of course, this kind of unyielding character was also relatively simple. As long as there was food at home, they would not ask for help too much. Those who had a little bit of property would be more concerned about face than the average person.
Because of this, when a famine came, most people first moved their own food, then borrowed from relatives and friends. When everyone had no more, they could only sell their land. If they went one step further, they would give up their dignity and beg for alms.
Usually, when the Guo family gave out porridge in the small square in front of their house, because the square was large and there were many people, the government would occasionally set up porridge stalls here. There were also two horse carriages that would sometimes bring porridge and coarse grain buns over to give out. It was said that these were kind-hearted people who came from other places. Seeing that the people were hungry and cold, they felt compassion and came over to help.
The Guo family welcomed these things. After all, it was in their square. In the future, when people talked about it, they would only say that the Guo family was kind. Today, to incite the crowd, Guo Mingyi had people bribe some government runners who were nearby to prevent riots. After checking that the government did not pay too much attention to this side, he began to announce. Who knew that as soon as he finished speaking, someone in the crowd shouted, "He's lying!"
As soon as that person opened his mouth, his voice was loud and clear. Guo Mingyi knew that something was wrong and immediately shouted, "Who are you? You are that dog official's lackey …"
He shouted himself hoarse. Someone immediately agreed, "Drag him out!" But that person continued, "Fellow villagers, he's lying to you. The Guo Family has been investigated for deliberately raising the price of grain by hoarding grain in their house! Today, he even tried to incite you to attack the government. This is a great crime! Nine familial extermination! The soldiers were already on the way and would arrive in half an hour! Whoever believes his words will be the same as the Guo Family! "
That person lifted his tattered clothes and saw that he was tall and had a bald head. However, he was not a monk. Someone recognized him. He was one of the people in the two carriages who often came to give out porridge and rice. Although his figure looked a little scary, when he gave out porridge and rice, he had a kind countenance. Many times he even treated some people's injuries in the crowd, so he had long since become familiar with the crowd. At this time, when he opened his mouth, he said 'rebellion', 'nine familial extermination', 'the soldiers will arrive soon'. Although they did not know if it was true, it really gave Guo Mingyi a rude awakening. It was like pouring a bucket of cold water over everyone's heads.
Guo Mingyi originally wanted to use his voice to suppress him, but he still shouted, "These are the dog official's men. Everyone, if they want to punish us, they can always find a way to do so. These dog officials are insatiably greedy. Seeing that I have grain in my house, they came to extort me …"
Someone in the crowd also shouted, "Master Guo is a good man."
Guo Mingyi had been doing good for many years. After all, he had a good foundation. Someone then added, "My life was saved by Master Guo."
"Yes, the government must have made a mistake …"
"Master Guo is not a bad person …"
At this time, everyone looked at each other and spoke, but because of the words of the bald man, no one dared to act rashly. Only Guo Mingyi's men in the crowd tried to incite the crowd to help, "Catch this dog official's men … Drag him out …" Some people shouted and squeezed through the crowd, waving sticks and ropes to catch him. However, the man grabbed a rope and swung it. Only to hear a roar, "Who dares to act rashly!" The rope broke in the air, and the servant who wanted to catch him fell to the ground more than ten feet away.
"Everyone, don't be incited by this old man. The price of grain in Xiaoyi County has risen because of these people. It's not that there is no grain now, it's because they are holding onto it tightly and not letting it out! Now, the new official Li from Hedong will be here soon. He will give everyone justice. Also, the court has prepared thousands of dan of grain for disaster relief. They are now outside the city. If the Guo family doesn't give out porridge, the government will not ignore you … "
The biggest problem with inciting the starving people to rebel was that it had to be done quickly. As long as some people lost their minds and did something extreme, the rest would be dragged into it and unable to turn back. However, the bald man's response was here at the first moment. No one knew how trustworthy his words were, but a few simple words had successfully frightened the crowd. Guo Mingyi's vision immediately darkened. He knew that the other party must have been preparing for several days to be able to suppress the commotion so quickly. He really didn't expect that just as he was about to do something, he would immediately be met with such a thunderous attack.
He directly collapsed in front of the crowd. When he was carried back home, he immediately called his most valued son and asked him to immediately go to the Zuo family to inform the Zuo family and at the same time seek protection.
"That official Li has already prepared for this. If this plan doesn't work, our family will be doomed eternally. Quickly go to the Zuo family and tell the third young master that I, Guo Mingyi, will not relent. Ask him to find a way to save the Guo family … Hurry! There's no time … "
The son immediately wanted to leave, but the old man suddenly opened his eyes and grabbed his hand tightly, "Wait, wait, don't go to the Zuo family. Send a servant to inform the Zuo family. Find a place to hide. If, if the Guo family can't survive this time, at least you will have your only son …"
The old man was clear-headed. He knew that if the plan didn't work, the Guo family would be in a hopeless situation. He hadn't thought about this before he acted, but the moment he was interrupted by the bald man, he realized this. That official Li's methods were swift and fierce. This time, he had delivered himself to his doorstep. As expected, not long after his son left, the first group of people that came first surrounded the Guo family's front and back doors. Half an hour later, an army stationed outside the city arrived. Li Pin led the troops straight in through the gate and came to Guo Mingyi's bed.
"Master Guo, you are not smart."
Guo Mingyi had already cried his eyes out, "Sir Li, I admit defeat. I was just blinded by greed."
"Then … release the grain?"
"Sir Li, you are merciful. If we release the grain, the Guo family will be finished. My death is not enough. Please give the Guo family a way out." He cried and lowered his voice, "Sir Li, Sir Li, there are fifty thousand taels of silver and jewels. They are the Guo family's silver. You can't copy them, so I am willing to give them to Sir Li. Please, Sir Li …"
He was still talking. Li Pin, who was bowing and listening, straightened her back expressionlessly and waved to the back.
"Seal."
*****
Li Pin's actions against the Guo family were swift and decisive. The first thing she did was to imprison, seal the door, confiscate the property, and appease the victims. Cheng Zhouhai was a part of the conspiracy behind the scenes.
Not only that, five days after Guo Mingyi's family was imprisoned, Cheng Zhouhai successfully pried open the Guo family's loosened guard. Five days in prison had also worn down Guo Mingyi's stubbornness. In fact, the day Guo Mingyi arranged for his son to leave, his whereabouts had already been tracked by the Office of Secret Investigations. At that time, Li Pin tried to persuade Guo Mingyi, but he pretended not to know. It was not until five days later that she told him the news. Not long after, the two sides completed the transaction.
Guo Mingyi would keep the fifty thousand taels of silver and move his family to Jiangnan, never to return to Hedong. The Guo family would also release all their food and belongings to help with the disaster.
Although Guo Mingyi understood that once his family changed sides, it would definitely anger Zuo Jilan. On the other hand, if he did not change sides, he would at most be killed and his family exiled. But everyone knew how to weigh the pros and cons. The problem was that not everyone was a man who was not afraid of death. Once there was a glimmer of hope, he chose to compromise.
Guo Mingyi's loosening of the line caused a gap in the price of grain in Fen Zhou. First, it increased the amount of grain that the government could use by about eight thousand taels. The hidden impact was not limited to this. The collapse of the big families made a small number of small traders believe that the price of grain would fall and began to sell grain to make a profit. After that, the Zuo family and Qi family's anger came as expected.
Zuo Jilan and Qi Fanghou visited all the parties. Their actions were frequent and the pressure on the government increased. Many people found Li Pin. They pretended to be friendly but secretly advised her, "Leave a way out." With Zuo Jilan and Qi Fanghou's agreement, Wang Zhizhen and Xu Mai put in a lot of effort. In a short period of time, the grain near Fen Zhou was swept up like a whale sucking in water. At this time, it was not only about the grain price, but also the reputation of the two families. Zuo Jilan said in front of the people, "I will definitely get to the bottom of this!"
The well-informed merchants felt the atmosphere. As the weather fell, the grain price rose again and then fell again under the pressure of the government. In this kind of seesaw war, both sides fell into a stalemate. In the capital, Ning Yi was waiting for an opportunity after the snow fell. For Wang Zhizhen and Xu Mai, as local tyrants, it was a big slap to their faces that they could not make the grain price rise after the weather fell. After increasing their intelligence, they finally found out the name of the trader in the capital.
"The person in charge of the grain price in the Prime Minister's residence is called Ning Yi. Take a look."
Zuo Jilan passed the information to them. Xu Mai frowned, "Ning Liheng?"
Wang Zhizhen glanced at him and asked, "Which poem was well written?"
"I don't care how good his poem is. I also don't care how powerful he is against the Liangshan bandits!" Zuo Jilan's face was livid, "I must not lose face!"
Qi Fanghou said, "I also don't want to lose face."
Ever since they realized that the situation was not simple, Zuo Jilan and Qi Fanghou's actions were quite remarkable. They were swift and decisive and did not have the sloppiness of other rich young masters. After a few more words, Wang Zhizhen and Xu Mai looked at each other, "Third Young Master, Young Master Qi, the key to the grain price is the first snow. If you don't want to lose, you have to act fast. Before the snow falls, whoever does more will win."
"Of course I understand." Zuo Jilan nodded, "No one can be without weaknesses. He is in the business world, I am in the people's heart. Young Master Qi, my uncle is in the capital. I will go to the capital and talk to Ning Yi personally. You stay here, how about it? "
Qi Fanghou nodded, "My family has some connections in the capital. I will write a few letters for Third Young Master to deliver. This matter should not be delayed. I will wait for Third Young Master's good news. "
"Humph," Zuo Jilan sneered, "When I get hold of Ning Yi, I will kill him!"
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