Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 178: Trouble at the Rice Shop

Just as Prefect Zeng was about to attend the banquet, Su Juan disguised herself as a wealthy merchant’s daughter, taking several subordinates to buy grain in large quantities, and then distributed money to many commoners, instructing them to buy in batches.

In just half a day, the rice shop’s prices increased several times over, but buyers kept coming.

Many locals with some silver, upon learning the government would no longer distribute grain or provide porridge, rushed to buy rice, fearing they might not be able to buy any later.

Seeing that the previously hoarded rice was almost depleted, these rice merchants hurriedly sent people to other regions, willing to pay high prices just to get rice quickly. Once the rice returned to Xu State, there would be no worry about selling it at several dozen times the original price!

The allies who initially stood united, refusing to lower rice prices, now viewed each other as competitors, afraid of earning less than the others.

Under the government’s deliberate indulgence, rice prices continued to soar, and the people lamented ceaselessly. Yet the government no longer set up shelters or distributed porridge, leaving everyone to starve if they did not purchase rice.

Half a month passed, and nearby counties were also affected. They all sought Prefect Zeng, hoping to find a way to curb these unscrupulous merchants, but he remained behind closed doors, refusing to see anyone.

In the meantime, Prefect Zeng went out once and, seeing the dire situation before him, felt sympathy. But recalling Su Juan’s instructions before she left, he could not afford to be soft-hearted, so he turned back to the residence, resolute not to leave again.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Just as the rice merchants of Xu State transported large quantities of rice back, Su Juan returned from Jiang State with Xie Xun and others, along with the grain, having spent nearly all the disaster relief funds.

Xie Xun observed that rice prices in Xu State were nearly sky-high, and those still buying were mostly prearranged by Su Juan.

He became even more curious about Su Juan’s intentions, but no matter how he probed, she remained secretive, claiming that the timing was not right to reveal her plans.

Watching as the last bag of rice was stored in the warehouse, Prefect Zeng heaved a sigh of relief and asked Su Juan, "Miss Su, it’s almost been a month now. Rice prices can’t go any higher, can we proceed to the next step?"

After all, the remaining disaster relief funds were running low and couldn’t support the victims in buying grain any longer.

Su Juan smiled, "No rush, let’s wait two more days. In these two days, don’t distribute any more silver. Let them starve for a few days."

When the remaining rice merchants bring back their grain, and the people are starving but can’t afford the high-priced rice, that will be the perfect moment. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Seeing Su Juan’s confident and strategic demeanor, Prefect Zeng had no doubts, thinking that since it had come this far, waiting a few more days wouldn’t hurt.

...

After arranging things, Su Juan followed Liu Miaoying out to her temporarily rented shop, located at the far end of the street where all the major rice shops were. From this vantage point, they could see many people going to buy rice, cursing as they bought it, almost all of them hired by Liu Miaoying.

"I thought, since we’re selling rice, this street is the perfect location," Liu Miaoying smiled. "This way, they can better see us selling rice, making them more anxious."

"When we sell rice, every person can only buy a day’s worth. No more, no less. This way, it will last longer, and there will be no fear of the rice selling out too quickly or people going hungry."

"We’ll also need a few people to watch over the shop. If anyone causes trouble, we’ll throw them out."

Su Juan nodded, "You’ve thought of everything. You’re indeed the best choice to handle this."

Liu Miaoying was meticulous, considering even these details.

Now that the disaster and epidemic are under control, as long as the rice prices are lowered and the money from selling rice is used to repair houses and fields, Xu State can return to its normal life, and it could serve as a lesson to those merchants who profited from the nation’s misfortune.

"Miss Su?" A familiar silhouette approached from afar. Yu Zhong was surprised, "You’re back?"

Su Juan smiled, "Yes, just returned, and all the rice has been moved to the granary."

"I heard Mr. Yu has made some progress with the investigation?"

Yu Zhong nodded, "We tracked down the bandits involved in the robbery that day, but unfortunately, by the time we arrived, they were all dead, and the disaster relief funds are still missing."

It was evident the culprits knew someone was investigating and silenced the bandits in advance, transferring the silver.

Seeing Su Juan and Liu Miaoying standing before the shop, which had long since closed down, and hanging up a rice shop sign, Yu Zhong was taken aback, "You’re going to sell rice?"

The two exchanged a glance and smiled, "Yes, sell rice."

Those following Yu Zhong were extremely curious; could it be that Miss Su was deliberately inflating rice prices to take advantage of the situation and make money?

But upon closer thought, it seemed unlikely... After all, Prefect Zeng was known to care for the people like his own children. If Su Juan truly had such intentions, how could he possibly cooperate?

Suddenly, everyone was filled with curiosity, wanting to know exactly what grand scheme Su Juan had planned.

...

Two days passed, and because Su Juan no longer arranged for people to buy rice as a faҫade, many commoners could no longer afford the high-priced rice, and their complaints and spittle nearly buried the rice shops.

On an entire street, seven or eight rice shops were desolate, with no one visiting.

At this moment, Su Juan and Liu Miaoying’s shop officially opened, and they arranged for some people to shout everywhere, "Unnamed Rice Shop is open! A dou of rice for only 30 wén! Limited to one dou per person per day!"

"Only 30 wén!?"

"Other shops are selling for over ten taels!"

"Everyone, hurry to the Unnamed Rice Shop! If you’re late, there won’t be any left!"

The news spread rapidly, and soon, everyone rushed to the Unnamed Rice Shop.

Su Juan and Liu Miaoying stood aside while the hired helpers sold rice, shouting, "Only one dou per person! Only one dou!"

Many were starving, but as long as there was food, they didn’t care how much they could buy; it was better than nothing for a day.

But there were also troublemakers, getting angry at the staff and acting as if they wanted to demolish the shop, "I want ten dou! It’s not like I can’t afford it! Why aren’t you selling!?"

"Everyone, don’t you agree!?"

"Yes, yes!"

"Since you’re selling rice, isn’t selling more also selling? Why can’t we buy more, it’s not like we’re not paying..."

The crowd became rowdy, all clamoring to buy more, threatening to wreck the shop if not.

Su Juan glanced at Xie Xun, who understood instantly. He grabbed the troublemaker demanding ten dou and kicked him several meters away. Then he dusted off his hands as ten guards lined up in an imposing stance.

Immediately, the uproar ceased, and no one dared to make a fuss again.

Xie Xun, hands on his hips, shouted to the crowd, "Buy it or leave! One dou per person per day, or get lost! The high-priced rice shops are in front, go buy there if you want more, buy as much as you like!"