Chapter 72: Awake Minds, Powerful Families Besiege the Grain

Hei Xuan's next move was not assassination.

It was grain.

The Jiangnan granaries are of critical importance to the world.

After the New System was first established, the Council Hall needed to reduce land taxes in war-torn regions, provide relief to the Western Desert, support the Yu Gu Yuan, rebuild the East Sea Fishing Village, and still maintain the military expenses of the Anti-Heaven Bureau.

All of this depended on the Jiangnan grain route.

Yet just at this moment, powerful families across many areas of Jiangnan began to "hoard" their grain.

They did not say they opposed the New System.

Nor did they say they supported the Heavenly Gate.

They only claimed the rains were poor this year and there was not enough grain.

They would not sell.

Or they would sell at high prices.

Rice prices rose every three days.

In the city of Jinling, ordinary people began to panic and rush to buy grain.

Some queued for a day only to buy half a dou of old rice.

Some children in households cried from hunger.

Yet in the granaries of the powerful families, new rice was piled high.

The Local Assembly Hall sent people to negotiate, and the Local Representative of the powerful family said with a smile:

"The grain was produced on my family's fields."

"Doesn't the New System speak of people's rights?"

"So, since Jiang Che is not Emperor, does the Council Hall intend to forcibly seize people's grain?"

These words were extremely poisonous.

If they forcibly requisitioned it, they would give their enemies an opening.

If they did not forcibly requisition it, the grain prices in Jiangnan would drag down the entire New System.

Jiang Che personally went to the Wu Family, the largest grain family in Jiangnan.

The Wu Family estate covered a vast area, with granaries like a city.

Wu Shenxing, the Steward of the Wu Family, personally welcomed him with a gentle smile.

"Sword Master Jiang's grand arrival brings honor to our humble home."

Jiang Che looked at him.

"The Wu Family has grain."

Wu Shenxing sighed: "We do have some, but not much."

Shen Wanjin could not help but say: "Your Wu Family has seventy-two granaries, enough to feed Jinling for three years, and you say not much?"

Wu Shenxing smiled: "Shopkeeper Shen is joking. That is ancestral property and cannot be moved lightly."

Jiang Che said: "The refugees in the Western Desert are waiting for grain."

Wu Shenxing said: "The Wu Family is willing to donate one thousand shi."

Shen Wanjin laughed in anger: "Are you treating us like beggars?"

Wu Shenxing's face grew slightly cold.

"Shopkeeper Shen, the Wan Tong Merchant Association is a business, and the Wu Family is also a business."

"Why should you play the benefactor and make my Wu Family bleed?"

Just as Shen Wanjin was about to curse, Jiang Che raised his hand to stop him.

"What do you want?"

Wu Shenxing smiled.

"Sword Master, you are straightforward."

"The Wu Family does not oppose the New System; we only ask the Council Hall to acknowledge that land ownership shall never be investigated, grain prices shall be free, and Local Representative seats shall be weighted by the amount of tax paid."

Shen Wanjin gasped in shock.

This was not about grain prices.

This was an attempt to buy the Council Hall.

Jiang Che looked at Wu Shenxing.

"What if we do not give?"

Wu Shenxing smiled: "Then the Wu Family is also powerless."

"If the granaries suffer natural disasters or fire, it would be even more troublesome."

This was a threat.

Better to burn the grain than to hand it over.

A hint of killing intent moved in Xie Tingxue's eyes.

But Jiang Che remained very calm.

"Dare the Wu Family granaries be publicly inspected?"

Wu Shenxing's smile froze.

Jiang Che said: "You said there is not much grain."

"Then let the Jinling Local Assembly Hall, the people's representatives, the Merchant Association Accountant, and the History Camp inspect it together."

Wu Shenxing narrowed his eyes: "This is an invasion of private property."

Jiang Che nodded: "So we will not force an inspection."

"You may refuse."

Wu Shenxing breathed a sigh of relief.

But Jiang Che's next words made his face change.

"But if you refuse, the Wu Family may not participate in any Council Hall seat elections."

"You may not undertake public grain trading."

"You may not enjoy the trade route protection of the New Laws."

"If grain prices are maliciously manipulated, you will be tried for the crime of disturbing people's livelihood."

Wu Shenxing roared, "Jiang Che, you are forcing merchants!"

Shen Wanjin said softly, "No, this is called rules."

Wu Shenxing said coldly, "Behind the Wu Family lies not just Jiangnan. If the grain clans unite, can you bear the burden of famine across the world?"

Jiang Che looked at him and suddenly asked:

"How many Tenant Farmers does the Wu Family have?"

Wu Shenxing was stunned.

Jiang Che asked again, "Who grew this year's harvest?"

Wu Shenxing's face darkened.

Jiang Che turned and walked out of the Wu Family's main hall, addressing the Tenant Farmers and common people gathered outside:

"The Wu Family says the grain is ancestral property."

"I will not seize it today."

"But I must ask one question."

"Who plows the fields?"

"Who harvests the grain?"

"Who builds the granaries?"

The common people fell silent.

The Tenant Farmers looked at one another.

Jiang Che continued:

"The New System will establish a Grain Audit."

"Any great clan that hoards grain to raise prices may be reported by Tenant Farmers."

"Once verified, the Council Hall may requisition grain according to the law, not at market price, but at a fair price."

"Those who report will be exempt from one year's rent."

Wu Shenxing's face changed drastically.

"Jiang Che! You dare incite Tenant Farmers to rebel against their masters!"

Jiang Che turned to look at him.

"I am merely letting them know."

"Grain does not grow out of the granaries by itself."

That night, in the Wu Family's seventy-two granaries, thirty-six were voluntarily reported by Tenant Farmers.

The History Camp, the Accountant, and the Local Assembly Hall conducted inspections through the night.

Grain piled up like mountains.

Jinling was shaken.

The next day, the Wu Family was forced to sell grain at a fair price.

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, other grain clans in Jiangnan quickly relented.

Grain prices fell back.

The grain route to the Western Desert was saved.

Shen Wanjin looked at Jiang Che and sighed deeply:

"Young Master, even without a sword, you are quite terrifying now."

Jiang Che smiled, "Am I terrifying?"

Shen Wanjin said seriously, "To the great clans, you are more terrifying than a sword."