When the commoners heard this, some of the young and strong people began to have ideas. Rebuilding their homes after a disaster was a long process. If they stayed at home, when would they be able to return to their former days of self-sufficiency?
They were all men in their prime. In this famine, it was simply "one person can eat his fill while the whole family starves". They couldn't remember how long it had been since they had a full meal. If they followed Wang Ye to fight the Tatars, they could eat. Perhaps they could even make a name for themselves and give their families a chance to turn things around. Why wouldn't they do it?
Those who had lost their families because of the famine and "one person can eat his fill while the whole family starves" wanted to follow Pang Xiao even more. If they stayed here and farmed for the rest of their lives, their lives could be considered stable. However, they didn't know when natural or man-made disasters would strike, so they might as well follow Wang Ye and make a name for themselves. Wang Ye was a kind and honest person. He wouldn't use their lives to make up for his own merits. If they followed someone like this, their chances of success would be higher and their safety would be guaranteed.
Many of the men immediately signed up with Pang Xiao, hoping to join the army.
There were also some who still had family members. They returned home with heavy hearts to discuss this matter with their families.
Qin Yining could clearly hear the conversation outside the tent. He couldn't help but smile. It seemed that doing good deeds for others had its benefits. It was unknown when the good deeds they had done before would have a positive impact.
If there were people who were willing to join the army, then they were all sincere followers of Pang Xiao. These people were much better than those who were unwilling to join. Moreover, when the military supplies were insufficient and the war was tense, it was a battle of numbers that mattered.
Just as Pang Xiao and Qin Yining were taking their people to rest outside the city, other than many people wanting to follow Pang Xiao, there was also a rumor that spread like wildfire.
"What? Your Majesty is going to punish us? "
In the main hall of the Xie Clan's main branch, the Xie Clan's patriarch gathered all of the clan's elders and young men together and announced the "inside information" that he had just received.
The few of them had already been scared stiff. Some of the more impatient ones loudly said, "Why? Why should we be punished? What did we do wrong? "
The Xie Clan's patriarch frowned and shook his head, saying, "What did we do wrong? Your Majesty is going to punish us. Who can question it? Can anyone ask why? Your Majesty previously asked for grain, we did not respond, instead, we sold the grain to Prince Zhongshun. Now Prince Zhongshun's disaster relief is going smoothly, but because Your Majesty is unable to support the army, the Tatan army is marching straight into our territory. Tell me, as long as Your Majesty can breathe through this, will he not settle accounts with those who sold grain to Prince Zhongshun at a high price? "
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
Although they were well-off, they were still ordinary commoners. How could they guess the intentions of their superiors? However, if he were to put himself in their shoes, the imperial court would need to feed the Tiger Army during the invasion of foreign enemies. They would need to "collect" grain, but they could not do so. The reason was that these merchants had sold the grain to someone they had always been afraid of.
If it were them, they probably couldn't wait to cut off these people's heads!
"What should we do?!"
"That's right, what should we do?! Since these words have reached our ears, it must mean that Your Majesty is really angry. He must have already punished some people nearby. We can't bear the wrath of the Emperor! "
Everyone was gloomy and gloomy.
There were even some people who stood up and complained, "We should have said that we didn't need to sell the grain and just gave it to the army. In such a big famine, so many commoners have starved to death, yet we are holding onto the grain and selling it at a high price. Aren't we profiting from a national disaster?! What do you think? Just do as I said, and there will be trouble in the future! "
"What's the point of saying all this now?! Right now, how can we avoid Your Majesty's wrath?! We have already sold the grain to Prince Zhongshun. We can't ask for the grain back! "
Some of the smarter ones immediately thought of a way, "It's impossible to get the grain back. The grain has already been eaten. However, we can return the money! "
Everyone's eyes lit up.
Xie Laoye said, "That's reasonable. If we didn't sell the grain and instead helped Prince Zhongshun relieve the disaster, we would be a benevolent and righteous family. No matter how angry Your Majesty is, he can't punish us like this. This money is hot, so we can't keep it. "
They had sold so much grain and earned a lot of money. Now that they were asked to take out the money, everyone was a little reluctant. However, when they thought about how their entire family could be destroyed under the Emperor's wrath, the money was nothing.
Thinking of this, everyone gathered together to discuss. In the end, they decided that Xie Laoye would personally take the grain and money to see Pang Xiao outside the city.
At Pang Xiao's side, Huzi and the others who had gone to the city to spread the news in advance had already returned. After hearing about the situation in the city, Pang Xiao ordered Huzi to arrange for people to continue to set up according to the address of the large family who had sold them the grain in the account book.
Early the next morning, Qin Yining woke up in Pang Xiao's arms. As soon as he opened his eyes, he heard footsteps outside the tent.
Qin Yining quivered and completely woke up. He raised his head to look at Pang Xiao.
Pang Xiao smiled and said, "You're awake?"
"Yes." Qin Yining nodded and propped himself up. His soft long hair scattered behind his back. He looked outside in confusion, "Is there someone outside?"
"Perhaps people from the Xie family came." Pang Xiao sat up and put his cloak on Qin Yining's shoulders, "They came early in the morning before the sun rose."
"Then why don't you go out and meet them?" Qin Yining tightened his collar, "What if they don't have the patience?"
"They won't. Since they came, it means that they really believe that Your Majesty will settle the score with them. Compared to money, the lives of the entire family are naturally more important. " His large hand caressed Qin Yining's cheek, "You have to have confidence in yourself. When will the plan you come up with not work?"
Qin Yining was amused by him and laughed out loud, shaking his head, "You only know how to coax me. Recently, I feel that my brain is not working well. When I was pregnant with Brother Zhao and Brother Han, I didn't think that I would become so stupid. Sometimes, I'm afraid that I'll give you the wrong advice. "
Pang Xiao laughed out loud and caressed Qin Yining's fair face again, "If you're willing to be a little stupid, perhaps the other women in the world will feel better. At least, they won't feel inferior."
"Sweet words." Qin Yining reprimanded softly.
Pang Xiao smiled and went to call Bing Tang and Ji Yun to serve Qin Yining. He got up and went outside by himself.
Old Master Xie came with food before the sun rose. He didn't expect Pang Xiao to immediately agree to meet him, but since it was for the survival of the entire family, he had to show his sincerity. He couldn't let Wang Ye feel unhappy at all.
Finally, when the sky was dark, the people in the other tents in the camp were moving around, but Wang Ye didn't come out. Old Master Xie was a little anxious.
Wang Ye must have known that he came with people but avoided meeting him. Could it be that Your Majesty gave Wang Ye an imperial edict and was determined to take their lives?
The more Old Master Xie thought about it, the more afraid he became.
Just as he was about to reach the peak of his anxiety, someone finally came to pass on a message, "Old Master Xie, Wang Ye invites you."
Old Master Xie let out a long sigh of relief. He straightened his expression and went to Pang Xiao's tent. When he saw him, he wasn't as arrogant as last time when Pang Xiao came to buy food. He respectfully bowed, "This commoner greets Wang Ye."
"Old Master Xie." Pang Xiao had a smile on his face, "Old Master Xie, why have you come this time?"
"I don't dare, I don't dare." Old Master Xie thought of the arrogance in his words last time and regretted it. His attitude became even more humble and respectful, "I heard that Wang Ye is leading an army to the capital to rescue the Emperor. This old man has specially prepared some food and money. Please accept it, Wang Ye."
"Oh?" Pang Xiao raised his eyebrows, "Old Master Xie means?"
Old Master Xie said righteously and sternly, "As a citizen of Da Zhou, when the country is in danger, I will naturally do my best. Wang Ye, please don't mind. "
As he spoke, he took out a stack of banknotes and presented them with both hands. Even his fingers were trembling.
Pang Xiao solemnly took the banknotes and said in a deep voice, "Old Master Xie is indeed kind-hearted and cares about the country and the people. This King truly admires you. The Xie family is truly a benevolent family!"
Xie Laoye repeatedly said, "I don't dare." He then said, "Your Highness, the journey to the capital is long. Please take care. You are the Zhou Dynasty's God of War. If you fall ill from exhaustion, how can you resist the Tatars?"
This kind of compliment was very superficial. Pang Xiao smiled, and then chatted with Xie Laoye for a while. Pretending to be unintentional, he said, "If Xie Laoxiansheng is a great philanthropist who cares for the common people and the country, this prince will definitely report this to His Majesty, so that he can reward him in the future.
”
Old Master Xie was delighted, but his expression remained normal. He didn't dare to let Pang Xiao see his pride and excitement. He only said, "This is what this old man should do."
Old Master Xie left behind several carriages of food and left with his servants.
Pang Xiao returned to Qin Yining's side and counted the banknotes. He smiled and said, "I remember it was written on the palm. This is what he took from us. Sister Yi, you really are a female Zhuge! Things really are as you said. These people are here to 'return the money' for the sake of their families. "
"But spreading rumors and causing trouble is not honorable."
Pang Xiao smiled and said, "In order to achieve their goals, they will do anything. These people who profited from the country's calamity have harmed countless people. Today can be considered a small punishment. Moreover, I feel that you have understood Your Majesty's heart very well. Based on my understanding of Your Majesty, he is vengeful and jealous. In the future, he will definitely settle accounts with these people who sold the banknotes to us but refused to donate them to him. You letting people say this outside is exactly what he wants."
Qin Yining nodded slowly. He patted his cheek and said, "You are right. This is a matter of life and death. It is not the time to be soft-hearted."
Pang Xiao felt that since Qin Yining was pregnant, she began to be sentimental again. Her mind became more sensitive. He hugged her and shook her. "Your idea is excellent. If it weren't for you, I don't know how to feed 100,000 people. With the treasure they returned, I can buy food. The Southern Pacifying Army can only defeat the Tatan when they are full. Only when the Tatan is driven away, the people can live a stable life. So what you did was right. You helped most people. "
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