Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 177: Hoarding and Inflating Grain Prices

Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Hoarding and Inflating Grain Prices

Seeing the two walking away hand in hand, Xie Xun silently put down his hand. He should have known that when these two got together, there was no place for him.

When Yu Zhong walked over, he glanced at Xie Xun, "The Princely Heir is not going with them?" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

There was a rumor in the capital that these people were very close friends, with a very harmonious relationship?

Xie Xun’s expression was disdainful, "I am a man, how can I gather with them, a bunch of young ladies."

Yu Zhong smiled without saying anything and walked inside, probably with the hardest mouth.

Xie Xun waved his fist towards Yu Zhong’s back and kicked, cursing: Laughing at what! You big butt have the nerve to laugh at me, big butt, big butt!

...

Having finished dealing with He County’s affairs, the group followed Prefect Zeng to Xu State Prefecture, worried by what they saw along the way.

The situation in Xu State Prefecture was the most severe, Prefect Zeng sighed, "We have already opened the granaries to distribute grain, but it’s really not enough. Now the merchants who still have stockpiles are raising the rice prices tenfold. Ordinary people simply can’t afford it and can only starve. They used to still be able to drink some gruel, but now with the epidemic outbreak, there aren’t enough medicinal supplies. They really don’t dare to drink it anymore."

Originally, we were hoping that when the relief silver arrives, we could purchase grain and build some wooden shelters for the disaster victims, but now they still have to wander the streets.

Yu Zhong consoled him, "The relief silver issued by the court is already on the way. Soon, we can purchase food and medicine, and then build a few more porridge sheds."

Prefect Zeng listened and sighed, "I hope everything goes smoothly."

The people of Xu State really can’t endure more suffering.

Su Juan and Liu Miaoying exchanged a glance, understanding Prefect Zeng’s worries in their hearts.

This flood was severe; the farmland was flooded. Coupled with the theft of relief silver, a lot of time was delayed. Now with the serious epidemic, even if relief funds arrive for a period of porridge distribution, the situation may not improve. Rice prices are so high, after all, funds are limited. Continuing like this will eventually lead to depleting resources.

Prefect Zeng’s concern is that after the disaster, Xu State’s situation might still not recover.

That day, Yu Zhong and his subordinates went to investigate clues, while Su Juan and Liu Miaoying stayed to discuss with Prefect Zeng how to handle and resettle disaster victims when a new batch of relief funds arrives in the next two days.

Liu Miaoying spoke softly, "I think distributing grain and giving porridge is not a long-term solution. We need to bring rice prices down; otherwise, let alone ordinary people not being able to eat, even those with a little money at home won’t be able to afford it."

Prefect Zeng sighed, "I’m thinking the same way. I have approached those rice merchants several times before, but even after selling my old face, it was of no use. Later, when I went again, they wouldn’t even let me in the door, saying people were not home."

When the flood first started, rice prices hadn’t fully risen, and these merchants invested heavily to hoard grain. When the common people had no grain to eat and were starving, they sold it at high prices, intending to make more silver during the disaster.

Liu Miaoying frowned tightly, "Truly the rich are unkind. Is there really no way to deal with these people?"

Prefect Zeng shook his head, it really is difficult. In fact, besides Xu State, other places have experienced floods and famines in previous years. Raising rice prices is common and it can’t be completely eradicated.

Su Juan rubbed the pads of her thumb and forefinger, and seeing Prefect Zeng and Liu Miaoying stop talking, she finally spoke slowly, "I do have an idea, maybe we can make them lower the rice prices themselves."

The two exchanged a glance and both looked at Su Juan, with Prefect Zeng being particularly urgent, "Lord Su, please speak."

Su Juan pursed her lips slightly, "This plan is dangerous. Mr. Zeng, the key to success is on you."

Prefect Zeng was taken aback, "Me?"

Liu Miaoying immediately became curious, "Ah Juan, tell us, what is the method?"

Su Juan smiled, "Don’t rush, listen to me explain in detail."

...

When Yu Zhong and others returned, they happened to encounter Prefect Zeng instructing his subordinates to send invitations to the rice merchants of each prefecture, inviting them to discuss a profitable plan tomorrow.

At this moment, Prefect Zeng’s mood was obviously much better, and he didn’t look as worried as the day before.

Seeing Yu Zhong, he couldn’t hide his smile and praised anyone he caught, "Mr. Yu, you wouldn’t believe it, this Miss Su is truly very wise."

Yu Zhong was puzzled, "Mr. Zeng?"

Xie Xun, who was running back and forth busily with Yu Zhong, immediately perked his ears when he heard Su Juan’s name, "What did she do again?"

Prefect Zeng smiled, "Miss Su suggested stopping grain distribution and porridge distribution, anonymously buying the remaining stockpiles of rice merchants, and distributing part of the relief funds to let the people and disaster victims buy rice at the shops, encouraging rice merchants to transport grain from outside."

As he spoke, he suddenly patted his head, "Oh right, I have to hurry and oversee the consolidation of the grain warehouse."

Prefect Zeng hurriedly ran off, and Xie Xun picked his ear, "Did I hear wrong? The rice prices are so high now, yet they still want to buy rice from those greedy rice merchants, this is madness!"

Isn’t this rushing to give money to those heartless wealthy rice merchants?!

If the relief funds are squandered, how will they explain to the Emperor upon returning to the capital?

Yu Zhong was silent for a moment, "Perhaps there are other plans."

Over time, having interacted with Su Juan, he realized that Su Juan is actually a very decisive person and considers things from all angles.

He believed that Su Juan wouldn’t suggest this for no reason, and there must be another plan behind it.

Xie Xun found some self-affirmation here with Yu Zhong because he felt he wasn’t the only one who couldn’t understand what Su Juan was up to in this world.

...

The next day, Prefect Zeng went to meet the merchants of Xu State Prefecture, hinting at the severe disaster, the court’s relief silver being hijacked, and not much grain remaining. In such a case, this may last two to three years.

As he spoke, he sighed, worried about being blamed by superiors, fearing he might lose his official position, and subtly suggested to the ten richest merchants in Xu State that if they wanted a peaceful and prosperous old age, they should find stability.

These merchants weren’t foolish and naturally understood the implications in Prefect Zeng’s words: they were being asked for tribute!

But Prefect Zeng had one attitude previously, and now had a completely different one, making it suspicious, and they dared not fully trust him, everyone played dumb and avoided commitment.

Prefect Zeng was not in a hurry, and after a meal, he left first, leaving the merchants looking at each other, all with doubts.

"Can we believe him?"

"It might be a scam..."

"Perhaps he’s just afraid of losing his position as prefect, and is eyeing our money for a comfortable retirement?"

They said they wouldn’t believe him.

Just then, one of the rice merchants’ subordinates rushed in, breathless, "Master! The government didn’t distribute grain or porridge today! They’re saying the relief silver was hijacked, and the granaries have no grain! Now everyone is rushing to buy grain!"

"And many, fearing there won’t be grain later, bought all the rice in our shop!"

The ten or so people jumped up, overjoyed, "Really!?"

So Prefect Zeng was serious! This is great news!

"Quick! Double the price again!"

"Release the stockpiled grain immediately! If it’s not enough, send people to other places to procure more grain, make it fast!"

In an instant, everyone was rushing, afraid to lag behind and let the money slip into the pockets of a ’competitor.’