Chapter 183: The Civilian Grain - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter
Chapter 183: The Civilian Grain
“By the way, how is the eldest daughter-in-law’s health? She’s pregnant now, and Ah Xu isn’t at home, so you need to keep a close eye on her.” Madam Feng reminded.
“Don’t worry, my dear. She’s being well taken care of. Before Ah Xu left, he informed me that he had reported to the Road Town Office. It’s likely that our in-laws will visit the capital around April.”
Feng Hai nodded. Although they had been allied with the Wen family for years, they had only had two family reunions. This opportunity would be a good chance for more interaction. “That’s good. Ah Yao is also coming 23of age at the end of April. If they can come earlier, it would be great to catch up with the festivities and make everyone happy.”
Madam Feng smiled, “That’s exactly what I was thinking! I’ll let the eldest daughter-in-law know to mention this in her letter.”
“That sounds perfect.”
While the couple discussed family matters, Elder Xu was having a fit in the inner cabinet.
“I’m not a fool. It’s reasonable to mobilize grain and supplies for the Ninth Prince’s campaign to the Northwest, but not to this extent. We’ve lost four out of eight granaries to Duke Wei’s manipulation. What if something happens in the capital? Should we raid Duke Wei’s granaries?”
Elder Xu vented his frustration at the Minister of Revenue, who was often in conflict with Duke Wei and had been summoned to explain. The Minister was feeling overwhelmed.
In the past, such thankless tasks were handled by Feng Hai. Even if done imperfectly, people would overlook it due to the favor of the Bai family. Now, both the father-in-law and son-in-law were at home dealing with illnesses and injuries, leaving Elder Xu to face the brunt.
Duke Wei had a strong influence and a legitimate reason for his actions. Although he felt the pain of losing supplies, there was nothing to be done. Elder Xu’s fiery temper could use scathing words without resorting to vulgarities, but his criticism aimed at planning for the future of the Great Jin.
The Minister of Revenue found himself in a difficult position, trying to please both sides while receiving complaints from both.
“Calm down, Elder. The grain has been mobilized. Even if you shout at the heavens, it won’t change the situation. If the Ninth Prince’s departure is delayed, it could affect the war in the Northwest, so…”
“So what? Should I come up with a way to fill the national treasury? Dream on! As a servant of the state, you should share in the concerns. You should focus on how to keep your position safe!”
With that, Elder Xu stormed off, leaving the Minister of Revenue feeling helpless.
If it weren’t for the timing, the Minister would have considered retiring, but at sixty, he felt he still had to endure. He couldn’t afford to let his lifelong efforts go to waste.
Returning to the Ministry of Revenue, he issued an urgent order for all officials to come up with ideas to replenish the granaries as quickly as possible.
Soon, a suggestion came up for collecting additional grain from the people.
“Sir, last year’s harvest was good and the grain from the Grain Transport Department was twenty percent more than usual. The people might have extra grain. How about requesting another round of grain collection? We could ask for thirty percent of last year’s amount. This would surely replenish the treasury!”
This method was feasible but was against public sentiment.
However, with the urgency of the war in the Northwest, if the city were to fall, the common people would also suffer. It was better to collect grain now and ensure peace.
With this idea, the Ministry’s immediate problem was resolved.
The Minister of Revenue, finally relieved of his worries, turned to the proposer and said, “Young man, you have done well. This matter will be entrusted to you. If you handle it properly, I will personally recommend you for a reward before the Emperor!”
The official’s eyes brightened, and he vowed, “I will not let you down!”
While the Ministry of Revenue worked overnight to figure out how to collect more grain from the people, the Ding Wang Mansion sent news to Jiangnan.
Yang Zhao looked at the letter written by the Prince with some confusion.
“Your Highness, can the old man handle this matter effectively?”
“Don’t worry. The grandfather has some reputation among merchants in Jiangnan. He’s secretly stockpiling grain at a ten percent higher price. By the time the Northwest campaign is over, he should be able to meet the quota.”
Yang Zhao frowned, worried about the number.
Thirty million piculs of grain were a huge amount. Even the Grain Transport Department might not manage that in years. Could the old man really gather that much with his prestige?
He was concerned.
In contrast, Xiao Tingyi was confident.
Merchants valued profit, and even a small increase of ten percent could yield substantial gains. A ten percent price hike wouldn’t disrupt the market or alert others but would make it difficult for the Ministry of Revenue to refill their empty granaries.
With the war as the priority, everything else could be sacrificed.
But when the campaign was over, it would be time for reckoning. Duke Wei had already taken half of the national treasury under the pretext of war. It was clear that some of it had gone into his own pockets.
Seeing the news from Xuzhou, Xiao Tingyi felt that the old fox had been living in peace for too long and underestimated the intelligence of others. It was pitiful and disgraceful.
Such is the world: those in power can influence everything with a single word or statement. Unfortunately, the common people in the capital were unaware of what was to come, living their annual, exhausting lives in bustling ignorance.
The Western Market had been open for over half a month, and Bai Siruo had been eager to go.
Unfortunately, the elders at home were always occupied, so she decided to go alone, taking Feng Jinyao with her to the Western Market.
Indeed, the foreign merchants in the market had increased several times over.
The items brought were also unprecedentedly exquisite and unusual.
Bai Siruo happily showed Feng Jinyao around, but Feng Jinyao had been feeling uneasy lately.
“Cousin, be careful. You’re out without any bodyguards. What if something happens?”
Bai Siruo looked dismissive. “Ah Yao, don’t worry. This is the capital. What could happen? Besides, the Western Market has deployed a thousand soldiers for patrol, all elite troops from Auntie’s family. Aren’t they better than bodyguards?”
While speaking, she was putting a hairpin on Feng Jinyao.
They stopped at Hu Xuanlou, a renowned jewelry store in the Western Market known for its distinctive Western Region styles.
The latest trends in the Eastern Capital were all from this store, which was why Bai Siruo brought Feng Jinyao to see it and to select her coming-of-age gift.
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