Chapter 59: Half-Saint Town's Demon, Floods Intensify

Da Xia Imperial Palace.

Inside the Grand Hall.

Civil and military officials gathered, each looking more solemn than the last.

The worst thing has happened.

All the main waterway routes of Jiangning Commandery have been destroyed; aside from the provisions that were sent after the prior warning, transporting the remaining supplies into the region is now difficult.

All the plans the court had previously devised have fallen apart.

With the main road destroyed, the army cannot possibly transport provisions.

Inside the hall, Great Emperor Yongsheng wore a silent expression.

The hall was so quiet that a pin could be heard dropping.

At that moment, the voice of Great Emperor Yongsheng sounded.

"The main road of Jiangning Commandery is destroyed; do any of you dear ministers have a good plan?"

He spoke, asking the assembled ministers.

However, the officials remained silent; it is almost impossible for them to devise a flawless strategy in an instant.

But after a while, the Minister of War stepped forward.

"Your Majesty."

"I believe the destruction of Jiangning Commandery's main road is suspicious and warrants a thorough investigation,"

He opened his mouth and presented the matter.

But as soon as the words fell, Great Emperor Yongsheng shook his head.

"I am not concerned with this now."

"What I want to know now is how to transport the provisions into Jiangning Commandery."

Someone is stirring trouble behind the scenes; how could Great Emperor Yongsheng not know? Yet even if he knows, what can be done?

The incident has already occurred; now we must mitigate its impact and resolve the trouble, not linger on who caused it.

Hearing this, the Minister of War tactfully stepped back.

He has no issue with warfare, but when asked to consider civilian matters, he cannot think of a solution for the moment.

The hall fell quiet again for a while.

Soon, Minister of Personnel Hu Yong spoke up.

"Your Majesty."

"With the main road destroyed, the army cannot transport grain; I propose activating the Da Xia Flying Boat to move the provisions,"

Hu Yong voiced the proposal.

But as soon as the voice rose, Minister of Revenue He Yan immediately stopped it.

"Impossible."

"The Flying Boat is a national treasure of Da Xia; each activation requires a massive amount of spirit crystals. Deploying such a dynastic instrument to transport grain is unreasonable; moving ten thousand dan of grain would cost well over one hundred thousand,"

"Furthermore, once this device is employed and sent to Jiangning Commandery, not to mention where it would be stationed, if bandits were to damage the dragon boat,"

"Wouldn't that invite a cataclysmic disaster?"

He Yan spoke.

He outright rejected it.

There are two reasons: first, the transport cost is too high; moving a hundred dan of grain can only deliver ten dan, and considering Jiangning Commandery's rugged terrain and the flood, delivering five dan is perfectly feasible.

But if we use Da Xia dragon boats for transport, the loss would be tenfold, plus many other factors.

The dragon boat is a national treasure of the Da Xia Dynasty; only the dynasty can forge such a vessel.

One dragon boat can hold twenty thousand people and travel ten thousand li per day.

The Da Xia Dynasty possesses only thirteen dragon boats; in critical moments, these thirteen can mobilize 260,000 iron cavalry for war, sweeping everything aside.

They are the nation's heavy instrument.

Constructing a single dragon boat costs astronomical numbers, and its operation requires extremely precious spirit crystals—these are not currency but rare minerals that can only be mined underground, exceedingly scarce.

To put it bluntly, each use diminishes it.

Thus employing dragon boats for disaster relief is too costly, and there is fear of them being damaged.

Minister of Revenue's remarks are not wrong.

They just sound unpleasant.

"Minister He, if I follow your meaning, are you saying money is more valuable than people?"

"Deploying dragon boats consumes enormously; I understand that, but are the people of Jiangning Commandery to be ignored?"

A new voice sounded.

It was a Confucian scholar.

The Da Xia Dynasty has three types of officials: civil officials, such as the Six Ministries; the Censorate, which handles recommendations; and the Confucian scholars.

Confucian scholars hold no formal power, but they can appeal to higher authority; if a minister's words are unacceptable, they may voice their own opinion.

If that minister has a problem, they can also express their view.

Even if the emperor errs, they may speak bluntly.

But they may only speak up when a minister or the emperor has done something; matters of private life are beyond a Confucian scholar's purview.

Instead, it is the Censorate that can impeach.

This effectively fragments the Censorate's authority, mainly because censors sometimes fear offending others.

There are indeed outspoken censors, but their fate is often grim; after constantly impeaching one after another, if you ever impeach the emperor, you are essentially done.

When you return, will others choose to take revenge? The answer is obvious.

Scholar-officials are different; they are literati, their students are everywhere, and even if they misspeak or offend someone to death, they can simply resign and return home to continue teaching.

Dare to move this group? If the pure literary lineage doesn't insult your ancestors eighteen generations, you haven't won.

Listening to the scholar-officials' words.

He Yan said without changing expression.

"The common people are naturally important."

"But what the So Title: Minister of Personnel says is unrealistic."

He Yan opened, still firm in his view.

Why?

Because he is the Minister of Revenue; the treasury is in his hands, and he knows exactly how much silver there is and which expenses are appropriate.

Disaster relief is a major matter, no argument there; previously he allocated funds without shortage.

But now to use more than ten times the cost for relief, can the treasury bear it?

In the future, when problems arise and there's no silver, what then? They'll ask, "Why is the treasury empty? Where did it go?"

One who doesn't run a household doesn't know the price of firewood, rice, oil, and salt.

Anyway, he disagrees.

"Alright."

At this moment, Emperor Yongsheng speaks, halting the dispute.

As an emperor, he also understands the difficulties of the Ministry of Revenue.

But the current situation is simple: either he states a decision himself, or he must think of a way to find a solution everyone accepts.

"Minister Zhou, what is your view?"

Emperor Yongsheng throws the difficult question to the prime minister.

And the latter slowly walks out.

"Your Majesty."

"I think the So Title: Minister of Personnel is correct."

"We can mobilize dragon boats to transport grain."

"However, the Minister of Revenue is also correct."

"The cost is too great for the treasury to bear, but we can compromise a bit by sending three dragon boats to Jiangning County, which will lessen some pressure."

"Secondly, it tells the people of Jiangning that the court will not stand by idly, stabilizing public morale."

"Thirdly, it buys the court time to devise a better plan."

"As for the generals dispatched by the court, a portion can take the minor roads; whatever grain they can deliver, they should, at least giving the people some hope."

"The overwhelming majority of soldiers should speed up repairs of the main road."

"At the same time, Your Majesty may issue an edict allowing all merchants in Jiangning County to sell rice at low prices, with the price difference later reimbursed by the court."

"Moreover, those who generously donate during the flood disaster can have plaques commissioned by the Ministry of Rites, receiving great commendation—a triple benefit."

"May I know whether Your Majesty finds this acceptable?"

Zhou Shan speaks.

He lays out his reasoning clearly: dragon boats must be dispatched, but not many—three are enough, and the purpose is to stabilize public morale.

Then have soldiers use the side routes for transport; though not much, a steady flow of grain will further steady morale.

As for the final merchant commendation, it is also a tactic.

It must be said, the prime minister is just the prime minister.

The entire court of civil and military officials nodded in agreement, accepting the proposal, though, to be frank, it is not the best solution.

But at present there is no better suggestion.

"Your Majesty, I agree with Prime Minister Zhou's words."

"Your Majesty, I also agree with Prime Minister Zhou's words."

"Your Majesty, we all agree with Prime Minister Zhou's words."

In an instant, the whole court of civil and military officials began speaking, all deeming the plan good.

And Emperor Yongsheng, after a brief contemplation, gave his assent.

"Good."

"Minister Zhou, draft the edict."

"However, we must constantly monitor Jiangning County; should another incident arise, all dragon boats should be on standby."

"No matter how great the expense, I cannot disregard the safety of the people; when necessary, we will fully enter a national war stage, seal everything, prevent chaos, and prioritize disaster relief."

In the Great Hall.

Emperor Yongsheng, though he agreed with the idea,

still has his own thoughts.

As long as any further mishap occurs, at any cost we must secure the safety of Jiangning County's people; money or manpower, we can simply enter a war state, never allowing needless sacrifice.

The words were spoken.

The faces of the entire court of civil and military officials all changed.

Because this is a signal that the emperor will definitely conduct disaster relief, regardless of any hidden conspiracies, relief comes first.

Even if it drains the treasury, disaster relief must be provided.

The underlying meaning is, if this truly is a natural disaster, there's nothing to do but accept bad luck.

But if there are unsavory elements behind it, everyone involved will have their heads taken.

"My emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years."

In the next moment, a thunderously loud voice rang out.

Everyone bowed deeply.

Emperor Yongsheng also rose and left, retreating from the court back to the hall.

On the way back to the hall, Liu Yan, standing nearby, spoke up.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Su Wenjing is already waiting quietly in the Hall of Nurturing the Heart."

Liu Yan announced this to Emperor Yongsheng.

"Very well."

Emperor Yongsheng replied with a single word, then quickened his pace.

In a short while, they arrived inside the Hall of Nurturing the Heart.

"Mr. Su Wenjing."

Upon entering the Hall, Emperor Yongsheng spoke directly; toward this Half Saint, his tone was also very gentle.

"I, Su Wenjing, have seen Your Majesty."

Seeing Emperor Yongsheng, Su Wenjing calmly performed a bow.

"You are being modest, sir."

"I have summoned you today for an important matter to discuss."

Emperor Yongsheng did not beat around the bush; he spoke directly, while giving Liu Yan a glance.

The latter instantly understood, ordered two eunuchs to close the main doors, leaving only Emperor Yongsheng and Su Wenjing inside.

"Is it about the matter in Jiangning County?"

Su Wenjing also asked directly.

"Yes."

Emperor Yongsheng nodded, then spoke straight away.

"All the main roads in Jiangning County have been destroyed. Scouts reported that the demon beast is a black flood dragon, with vast powers and vanishing without a trace. I have already dispatched ten Warrior Kings and, in addition, three Great Scholars, yet none could subdue such a demon beast."

"However, this demon beast was clearly manipulated by someone; it destroyed the main roads but did not damage the smaller paths."

"Someone must be trying to incite internal chaos in Da Xia from the shadows; I am not worried about the rest, only fear that even these minor paths will be destroyed."

"Therefore, I have invited you today hoping you will go to Jiangning County to suppress the demon beast, lest the situation worsen again."

He spoke, also stating the actual situation.

"I understand,"

"I will handle this matter, but while the demon beast is easy to subdue, I believe the people's hearts will be hard to pacify."

Su Wenjing nodded.

He has a way to subdue the demon beast, yet he does not think that suppressing it will resolve the calamity.

Hearing this, Emperor Yongsheng let out a deep sigh.

"I have decided to dispatch another hundred thousand troops to the disaster relief, mobilize all dragon boats, and transport grain for rescue."

Emperor Yongsheng spoke; this was his trump card.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Su Wenjing shook his head.

"Your Majesty."

"The flood in Jiangning County is obviously far from accidental; there must be someone behind it. If Your Majesty sends another hundred thousand troops and all dragon boats, it may play right into the enemy's hands, and a major disaster could occur."

Su Wenjing warned.

He believes the flood is not as simple as it appears; it is highly likely that someone is orchestrating it behind the scenes, and since someone is doing so, they have anticipated how the court will act.

If they truly follow the opponent's intentions, the cost could be enormous.

"I understand."

"But if we do not take the initiative, countless innocent citizens of Jiangning County will die every hour."

"I will never allow famine to occur during the Yongsheng era."

"Moreover, the Suspended Lantern Office has already filed a petition; rice merchants in Jiangning County have raised grain prices to profiteer. I will send a hundred thousand troops to Jiangning County; at the critical moment, if there truly is no retreat, we will kill the merchants and release the grain."

Emperor Yongsheng spoke, his words cold and ruthless.

He had already made the worst-case plan.

But as soon as he said that, Su Wenjing immediately spoke.

"Your Majesty."

"Killing merchants and releasing grain will invite greater trouble; merchants in Jiangning County are connected with various aristocratic families."

"If we truly kill merchants and release grain, these families will never be satisfied. The Jianwen Faction still operates among the people, and in the past ten years several new forces have emerged, forming their own sects, swaying public opinion; Your Majesty's action may further fuel their ambitions."

Su Wenjing immediately halted Emperor Yongsheng's such thoughts.

Killing merchants and releasing grain.

It sounds gratifying, and executing it would also seem good.

But any action must consider its consequences. In the end, what is it really? It is because Emperor Yongsheng's ascension is illegitimate; he values reputation above all, and that is his only weak point, which has become the target of hidden adversaries.

"After all, cutting down merchants is tantamount to cutting down aristocratic families, and attacking those families would have terrifying repercussions."

"When the Jiangning County trouble is resolved, the other conflicts it provokes will be far from simple compared to the flood."

"What you say, I…"

But the matter has come to this point; I can only do this.

"At worst, we will purge completely."

"Leave none alive."

Emperor Yongsheng spoke slowly; his tone was not fierce, yet the calm in his eyes radiated unparalleled dominance.

At this moment, Su Wenjing fell silent.

Indeed.

The emperor before us is no meek fellow; an immediate emperor could never be swayed by others. If it were a gentle‑natured person, perhaps they would not dare to burn both jade and stone, but this emperor is different.

He rose from a mountain of corpses and bones.

Twelve years have caused many people to inexplicably overlook this emperor's ferocity.

But Su Wenjing still sighed.

If this method succeeds, it would be fine—it could eradicate the calamity of the aristocratic families in one stroke. Yet throughout the ages countless emperors have tried to eliminate the aristocratic families, and none have succeeded.

Even the founding emperor, who rose from humble cloth, could not resolve this disaster.

Let alone the emperor before us. "The calamity of Jiangning Commandery lies in the food."

"As for the demonic‑beast calamity, I am confident we can suppress it completely within three days."

"Regarding the food supplies, I will contemplate carefully on my return, hoping to end Da Xia's turmoil."

Su Wenjing spoke.

He was not worried about the demonic beasts, but about the food supplies.

In fact, solving the food problem would indeed perfectly resolve the flood disaster.

With the demonic beasts suppressed, they will no longer stir up trouble; the rivers will run smoothly, and at worst we only need to rebuild homes.

As long as the people have enough to eat, the court allocates funds, the whole nation donates, and the people are united, Jiangning Commandery will flourish again in less than three years.

But if the food problem cannot be solved.

The people would have nowhere to live, be empty‑stomached, inciting rebellion; rumors would spread, and some bandits would swarm out, pointing every accusation at the Da Xia emperor.

Then the nation's fortunes would be damaged, the people's hearts would shift fourfold, and the populace elsewhere would inevitably be affected.

Therefore, food is the most crucial matter.

"Very well."

"I have troubled you, sir."

"If you can solve this trouble for me, I will have your saint statue repaired, using the nation's strength, to help you become a saint."

Emperor Yongsheng said earnestly.

However, the words carry a double meaning.

Repairing the saint statue, mobilizing the whole nation, helping him become a saint in Da Xia, means a mutual binding and also solving this great matter—a win‑win.

"Your words are weighty, Your Majesty."

"A scholar should worry for all living under heaven."

Su Wenjing did not appear overly agitated; compared with repairing the saint statue, he hoped more to resolve the issue.

Because if mishandled, famine could spread for thousands of miles, causing countless deaths and injuries.

Soon.

Su Wenjing left.

And watching Su Wenjing depart.

Emperor Yongsheng's gentle visage once again settled into calm.

"Liu Yan."

A quarter hour later, he spoke.

"I am here, my lord."

Liu Yan immediately stepped forward, bowing his head.

"Has the rice‑merchant grain warehouse of Jiangning Commandery been surveyed?"

Emperor Yongsheng asked.

"Your Majesty, we have roughly surveyed; if the rice‑merchant grain warehouses are fully opened, they would sustain half of Jiangning Commandery's populace for three months."

The latter replied, informing the other.

"Very well."

"Then everything remains as before."

"Tell the Marquis of Night Robes: at the critical moment, when my golden edict arrives, kill the merchants and release the grain."

Emperor Yongsheng said.

His voice was cold and ruthless.

He had already prepared for the worst.

If truly forced, it becomes urgent.

Then all those who hoarded grain to sell at high prices shall be killed outright.

In the disaster, anyone who dares to act rashly, he cares not about reputation.

Be willing, be willing.

If one is not willing to give, how can one obtain? The emperor's resolve lies here; hesitation is the greatest flaw.

Even if it truly brings greater trouble, it is still better than sitting idle awaiting death.

"I obey your command, my lord."

Liu Yan spoke.

"And also."

"Urge the Suspended Lantern Office to investigate thoroughly for me, to uncover whose shadow lies behind this. Within three months, if they cannot clarify, the office will no longer be necessary."

Emperor Yongsheng continued.

He issued another decree.

Afterwards, he returned to the jade table.

His expression was extremely grave.

At this moment, he very much hoped, hoped that a capable minister would step forward to resolve the grain and fodder issue.

It wouldn't need to be too troublesome.

Being able to buy the court three months would suffice.

No.

Even one month would do.

Let alone eating rice, having anything to eat would be acceptable.

He feared most that there would be nothing to eat at all.

After all, he couldn't guard against scheming people in the dark.

What a pity that among all the civil and military officials, not a single one could devise a good plan, forcing him to prepare a backup.

Meanwhile,

It was fast approaching noon.

Da Xia Academy.

In Wang Fugui's room.

Gu Jin Nian's voice involuntarily began to sound.

"What do you mean?"

"Is the amount of grain stockpiled by the Jiangning Commandery rice merchants enough to feed half the populace for three months?"

Inside the room.

Gu Jin Nian was somewhat surprised.

It was now the midday break; he had some matters to discuss with Wang Fugui concerning the Jiangning Commandery rice merchants.

Others wouldn't know about this, but Wang Fugui surely would.

The Suzhou Wang family's business is extensive; they also deal in rice, so naturally they know more.

"That's for sure."

"Jiangning Commandery itself is a land of fish and rice; this is a conservative estimate, and all the grain is top-quality. If some aged rice were taken out, not to mention half the populace, even if all the people of Jiangning Commandery gathered together, they could eat for three months."

"Moreover, with the harvest still two months away, although Jiangning Commandery suffered a flood, relying on stored rice to last two months, saving a little, then directly starting the harvest, continuing for another half a year would pose no major problem."

"However, Elder Brother Gu, I completely believe what you said a few days ago."

"Merchants seek profit; this time the Jiangning Commandery rice merchants will surely seize the opportunity to make a fortune, raise grain prices, and even the several major rice merchants likely have already banded together; if nothing unexpected happens, today or tomorrow these merchants will halt grain supplies."

"They are profit-driven, seize any gap; as soon as news arrives that the main grain transport route has been destroyed, they will immediately stop selling rice, wait a few days, as the number of refugees grows and they pressure the government, the authorities, to resolve the trouble, will only tacitly allow these rice merchants to sell at high prices."

"This tactic is quite common, and the big merchants all have connections behind them, utterly unafraid of the court; if things really blow up, they'll sacrifice a few scapegoats, at worst exile them to the frontier, or at most chop off a few heads."

"But the solid silver ends up in the pockets of these corrupt merchants."

Wang Fugui, true to his merchant background, his insights are truly pearls of wisdom.

But is it really alright to curse oneself like this?

"Understood."

Upon hearing this news, Gu Jin Nian felt a weight on his heart.

He had originally thought Jiangning Commandery's grain supplies were extremely abundant, enough to last a year and a half.

But he hadn't expected it could only last a little over half a year. Even counting aged rice, at most half a year; as for the harvest, Gu Jin Nian hadn't really considered it—never mind the local situation; even if a true harvest were possible, the whole process would require much time and is prone to mishaps.

"It's still too simplistic a thought."

Gu Jin Nian couldn't help but sigh.

He had originally planned to quell the flood disaster in Jiangning Commandery.

Now it seems he must still rely on the court's strength.

Relying solely on stratagems can only delay matters, not fundamentally resolve the trouble.

Just then,

Wang Fugui's voice sounded again.

"Elder Brother Gu."

"Tomorrow when you come to serve as an instructor, have you decided what to lecture on?"

Wang Fugui spoke, asking Gu Jin Nian.

"I've decided."

Gu Jin Nian nodded.

"What is it?"

Wang Fugui immediately spoke up, showing great urgency.

"You'll find out tomorrow."

Gu Jin Nian did not inform him.

Su Wenjing acting as a hands-off manager, I couldn't possibly go to class honestly.

Teach people to read?

It's completely unnecessary.

First, teaching profound things—would they be able to understand?

Come up with a phrase like "unity of knowledge and action," and I'd probably have to ask myself, Master Gu, what is the unity of knowledge and action?

If I taught some ordinary things, later they'd think, "Just this? Just this?" Second, controversy—no matter what you teach, good or bad, it will provoke dispute.

Why? Because there is no prestige.

The classic work indeed brought fame, but age became a sore point; if I were sixty or seventy and wrote a classic work, whatever I said would be taken as truth, and no one would dare to refute.

But being this young and having written a classic work, some people admire me, yet that's all it is—just admiration; most peers my age, however, refuse to acknowledge it.

Exactly, they refuse to acknowledge.

They will try every means to find loopholes, for example, asking whether you had someone else write this article, or claiming that your article was a fluke and not your true ability.

Even more extreme, they simply say, 'I haven't seen any omen, so I don't accept it.'

Such people are by no means few.

In short, one sentence applies anywhere there are people.

It is hard to get others to recognize one's excellence.

But it is easy to make others pity you.

That's how people are: they can pity a poor person, even not caring that the poor person, when young, was lazy, gluttonous, gambled, and stole.

But they absolutely refuse to acknowledge that someone is excellent, especially a peer, or even someone slightly younger than themselves.

Getting them to acknowledge is no less than killing them.

So, Gu Jin Nian could not possibly teach them to read.

Tomorrow, it's just a matter of saying one sentence.

"Open to chapter three of the Plain Text, each review it, and after returning home write an essay of no less than eight hundred characters."

Class dismissed.

"Gu brother, tomorrow when we go to the Holy Hall, there will be more people than just this; you'd better prepare your lesson well."

Wang Fugui kindly reminded him.

But this sentence let Gu Jin Nian keenly sense something.

"Gu brother, what do you mean?"

Gu Jin Nian asked curiously.

"Nothing much."

"Gu brother, your article has become a classic; some praise it, others don't believe it. Tomorrow, when you go to the Holy Hall as the instructor, this news has already spread."

"If nothing unexpected happens, I estimate the students from the other two halls will all come to our Holy Hall to see how you teach."

"It is also said that the students from the previous cohort will come over, and some Confucian scholars from other academies in the capital will come as well, just to see how you teach people."

Wang Fugui spoke up, informing Gu Jin Nian of this matter.

"Everyone's coming?"

Gu Jin Nian frowned slightly.

"Hmm, I expect they all come prepared, so tomorrow when you lecture, Gu brother, you must be extremely careful with your words, lest they seize on something you say; there is a group that bears great hostility toward you, just waiting for you to make a mistake."

Wang Fugui is thoughtful; he roughly guessed some of this, so he kindly reminded Gu Jin Nian.

"Understood."

Gu Jin Nian nodded.

Indeed, whatever is said, comes to pass.

"Then we need to give it some thought."

Gu Jin Nian thought to himself.

If they came to study or just to look, Gu Jin Nian would have nothing to say; but hearing Wang Fugui's words, he estimates that many came just to cause trouble.

Wang Fugui likes to speak tactfully; he feels there are some issues, and estimates that there is no shortage of gossip outside.

We need to prepare well.

"Alright, I'll go out for a walk; if anything comes up, tell me when I return."

After receiving the information, Gu Jin Nian rose and left, not intending to linger.

"All right, Gu brother, take care."

Wang Fugui called out.

Thus.

Gu Jin Nian left his residence, really without any particular aim, simply taking a walk alone to clear his mind.

But as he walked, a familiar figure appeared.

It was Jiang Yezhou.

However, Jiang Yezhou not far off had his pant legs covered in yellow mud and some weeds on his body, which aroused Gu Jin Nian's curiosity.

"Jiang brother."

Gu Jin Nian called out.

Jiang Yezhou, who was walking toward the residence, involuntarily lifted his head.

He looked toward Gu Jin Nian.

"Gu brother."

Hearing Gu Jin Nian's voice, Jiang Yezhou was somewhat surprised, then broke into a gentle smile and walked over slowly.

"Jiang brother, where have you been? Why are you covered in mud?"

Gu Jin Nian opened his mouth, somewhat curiously.

"Down below there are good fields; the people are harvesting and transplanting rice, and since I was idle I helped them bring in the harvest."

"That's why I ended up so dirty; Gu brother, please excuse me."

Jiang Yezhou smiled slightly and explained the reason.

"Jiang brother, you are truly a person of feeling."

Gu Jin Nian indeed didn't know how to respond; as the son of the Marquis of Night Clothes, he never imagined he would also go transplanting rice and farming.

Gu Jin Nian can understand this matter; he is a person of temperament, but in the circles of the powerful and noble, this makes him an oddball.

"Gu brother, you're joking."

"Also just idle and bored."

"Gu brother, tomorrow's lesson, I, your younger brother, am greatly looking forward to it."

"Those who can compose timeless writings will surely benefit for life from tomorrow's lesson."

Jiang Ye Zhou smiled and spoke.

"Do you want to know what will be lectured tomorrow?"

Hearing the other's praise, Gu Jin Nian smiled slightly and said.

"Want."

Jiang Ye Zhou nodded.

He indeed looks forward to it, unlike others; Gu Jin Nian's composition of timeless works, he greatly admires, especially the poem 'Ten Years to Sharpen a Sword,' which really speaks to his heart.

"Then keep wanting."

Gu Jin Nian laughed and patted Jiang Ye Zhou's shoulder.

In that instant, the latter was stunned.

Then he let out a bitter laugh and said.

"Gu brother, you are truly humorous."

Seeing that the other had no resentment, Gu Jin Nian was also somewhat surprised; however, he still felt quite fond of Jiang Ye Zhou.

But just then, a voice sounded.

"Please make way, two young masters, and be careful."

The voice sounded.

Soon several carriages appeared, on the carriages were large wooden barrels, overall emitting a greasy smell.

Leading them were two burly men, their expressions showing panic.

This is swill.

Gu Jin Nian stepped back, letting the carriages go forward.

At the same time, he couldn't help but frown and say.

"Just transporting this swill requires four carriages; does Da Xia Academy really have that many people?"

He spoke up, unable to resist complaining.

"Indeed, there aren't many people, but they can't stand waste; those who can enter Da Xia Academy are all aristocratic nobles; a plate of food, eating just two bites is considered enough; I, your younger brother, previously proposed to the Great Scholar of the academy, to pack these meals well and send them to the commoners down the mountain for consumption."

"Just after being lectured by the Great Scholar, I didn't continue thinking about it."

Jiang Ye Zhou gave a bitter laugh and said.

"What did they lecture you about?"

Gu Jin Nian was slightly curious.

"Food waste is indeed a pity, but if transporting it down the mountain, if there is any problem with the food, who would be responsible? Furthermore, these dishes are all top-grade; initially giving grain can win popular favor, but if one day we stop giving it, it will invite trouble."

"A bushel of rice breeds gratitude; a peck breeds resentment."

Jiang Ye Zhou spoke up.

Gu Jin Nian nodded; what the Great Scholar said is not wrong at all; having a benevolent heart is good, but one must also consider the consequences.

"Gu brother, I, your younger brother, will first go back to tidy up a bit; I hope you will excuse me."

"Alright, Brother Jiang, take your leave slowly."

Gu Jin Nian waved his hand, didn't think much, and headed straight down the mountain.

Gu Jin Nian walked for two hours.

Sure enough, Gu Jin Nian saw many commoners harvesting wheat.

Within Da Xia Academy there is good farmland; these were opened up by the headmaster of two generations ago, in order to provide a livelihood for some nearby commoners.

This can also be considered accumulating virtue.

After all, Da Xia Academy is too large; some places are purely wasteful, and the headmaster of two generations ago was not a pedantic person.

Now the good farmland also spans a hundred mu; at a glance it is yellowish, inexplicably pleasing to the eye.

"Speed up a bit, finish harvesting early and return home early."

Just then, an old man with a loud voice shouted toward the dozens of sturdy men in the field.

Gu Jin Nian directed his gaze over.

Soon his eyes showed a look of surprise.

This surprise was not because of the old man.

But because the old man had erected a sign beside him.

"Hiring workers."

"Fifty wen per day."

Seeing this sign, a plan instantly appeared in Gu Jin Nian's mind.

"Elder."

"Do you still hire workers here?"

The next moment, Gu Jin Nian's eyes showed joy as he walked toward the old man.

"Recruiter, sir, what is this?"

The old man instinctively answered 'recruiter', but upon seeing Gu Jin Nian, his voice suddenly lowered, his eyes full of doubt.

"Elder, I mean no harm; I know many strong men who can come to harvest the wheat field."

"But the work efficiency won't be very high; you can accept thirty coins a day, and you don't have to provide meals—you prepare them yourself. Does that sound acceptable?"

Gu Jin Nian spoke, but didn't say anything particularly clearly, just vague.

The elder heard this and immediately nodded, saying.

"Alright, no problem, just don't be too lazy and don't ruin the crops, and it'll be fine."

The elder agreed outright.

Fifty coins a day wasn't much to begin with; dropping to thirty coins and no meals is practically a free grab.

"Then fine, at dawn tomorrow I'll bring people over; as for the silver, just settle it with me. By the way, how many people do you need here?"

Gu Jin Nian spoke.

He had been wondering earlier how to conduct the lesson, and now the topic has arrived, hasn't it?

Recall the bitterness and think of the sweetness.

It fits the main line, and you can still scoop up some silver, stable.

"Any amount works."

The elder smiled.

To harvest all the hundred mu of fertile fields would require at least forty to fifty robust men, taking about half a month to reap.

Now is the late‑rice harvest season; cutting early lets you sell sooner, mainly a matter for Jiang Ning Commandery, where everyone knows the flood disaster has arrived and food is scarce.

Although Da Xia Capital is not a coastal area, it's not far from the sea, separated by a single commandery.

The neighboring coastal commanderies are a bit panicked, stockpiling grain, which makes food prices easy to sell; naturally they hope to finish harvesting early, take advantage of the rising market price, and quickly earn silver.

"Alright."

"See you tomorrow."

Gu Jin Nian smiled.

Then he left.

The elder was somewhat puzzled, but in the end said nothing.

"One hundred people, three thousand coins; two hundred people, six thousand coins; three hundred people, nine thousand coins."

"For one trip, a hundred taels can still be earned."

"My little brain is really damn clever."

Gu Jin Nian felt rather cheerful.

But at that moment.

Da Xia Academy instantly fell into darkness.

Then a beam of sky‑piercing light shot out from Da Xia Academy, soaring toward Jiang Ning Commandery.

"I am Su Wenjing, today I act by imperial decree to slay demons."

A booming voice rang out.

It echoed throughout the entire Da Xia Dynasty.

This is the might of a Pre‑Half‑Saint.

It summons celestial phenomena.

With the nation's fortune and Heaven's Mandate bolstering it, it shakes the world.

Holy light surged skyward.

The speed was incomprehensible; after three breaths, it arrived at Jiang Ning Commandery.

At that moment, a righteous aura turned into a divine sword, slashing into the river.

"Roar."

A terrifyingly fierce roar sounded.

In an instant, a blood‑red river appeared.

A thousand‑zhang black flood dragon writhed in the water, raising hundred‑zhang waves, destroying fertile fields and houses.

It finally plunged into the river, its fate unknown.

And Jiang Ning Commandery returned to complete tranquility.

The wind and rain ceased.

The river gradually receded.

However, within Jiang Ning Commandery, the land was already scarred, and no civilians remained near the river.

Days earlier, they had already begun fleeing.

Jiang Ning Commandery Office.

As the black clouds dispersed.

Commandant Zhang Yang showed no hint of joy; instead, he wore a solemn expression.

Because the monster disaster had been resolved.

It was the incoming refugees that truly terrified him.

"Commandant."

"Scouts report that around the city, refugees are countless; today alone, another four hundred thousand refugees surged in from outside the walls."

"Moreover, Lord Liu hopes that the city's granaries can hold out at most a month; adding more refugees would be problematic."

"Lord Liu wishes to set up defensive lines to block refugees' advance, directing them toward other commanderies to lessen our burden."

A figure appeared, a civil official, who bowed his head to inform Commandant Zhang Yang of the matter.

"Do not establish defensive lines."

"Set up four more relief stations, but reduce one meal."

"Wait until the court brings the grain, then restore two meals."

Zhang Yang spoke.

A moment later, he inhaled deeply and said to the latter.

"What are the major rice merchants in the city saying?"

He asked.

"Sir, all four major rice merchants say they have no rice to sell, willing but unable, and still hope to buy some grain from you to mitigate the disaster."

The latter spoke.

Zhang Yang's complexion instantly turned extremely grim.

"These damned guys, talking about no rice."

"They merely want to use this as an opportunity to force me to turn a blind eye to grain prices."

"Tell them."

"Anyone who sells rice at a high price will have their head fall tomorrow."

Zhang Yang lowered his voice, anger blazing in his eyes.

"Yes."

The latter bowed his head and agreed.

But immediately, a middle‑aged man entered and spoke slowly.

"Sir."

"Cannot."

He was Zhang Yang's aide.

"Sir, the official grain reserves are now almost depleted, and the townsfolk are in a panic."

"These unscrupulous merchants are waiting for the granaries to run dry; if we now clamp down on grain prices, it won't be bad for them."

"Money and silver are ultimately external to the body; right now we must let these rice merchants sell grain to share the government's burden."

"During this period, cut all disaster‑relief expenses and wait for the court's grain to arrive; the pressure will naturally lessen."

"Sir, please do not act on impulse."

The middle‑aged man spoke.

The cost‑benefit analysis left Zhang Yang's expression ashen.

"Then, should we just let these rice merchants commit wrongdoing?"

"Do you know how much a stone of rice is being sold for privately in Jiangning Prefecture now?"

"Thirty taels of silver per stone."

"That's a full five times higher than before."

"If we do nothing, within ten days the rice price will at least double again."

Zhang Yang's expression turned ashen.

Thirty taels equal three thousand wén, and although Jiangning County is considered a prosperous region, a commoner's monthly income is only about twenty taels.

A stone of rice weighs 120 jin; a family of five, eating frugally, can last at most two months.

That is even if the sale is restrained.

If there is no government suppression, selling at sixty taels is possible.

Who could afford that?

"Sir."

"Just now I slipped out of the prefecture; within two hundred li there are massive numbers of refugees arriving, and many are already gnawing at bark."

"I estimate that within three days the number of refugees in Jiangning Prefecture could increase more than tenfold."

"When the refugees gather, I fear the prefecture's grain stores may not even last three days."

"Then, if a popular uprising occurs, you will inevitably be impeached by the court's Confucian officials."

"Moreover, those silver taels are ultimately dead money."

The latter spoke.

He relayed a piece of information.

In an instant, Zhang Yang fell silent.

About half a incense stick's time.

A weak, breathless voice sounded.

"Let them sell."

"Only, the price must not rise further."

"Twelve taels per stone is my bottom line."

"Submit another memorial to the court and ensure the grain is transported as soon as possible."

The voice rang out.

It shows utter helplessness. — When you finish this chapter it's already Monday, your account's recommendation votes have definitely reset; please cast one, thanks. (Don't say there isn't one, I posted the chapter at a specific time.)

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This is written by a reader of the previous book Daiwei; at first they were anti-fans, saying my updates were slow, then they rewarded an alliance leader just to come and criticize me.

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(End of chapter)