Nanhai Prefecture, Ke County.
morning.
As the heat of summer passes, the weather gradually cools down. There is no need to worry about drinking water. But the people in the city were not happy at all.
Zhangjiaxiang. Zhang Menban's house, in the kitchen. Zhang Menban and his wife lowered their heads, looked at the rice vat without a grain of rice with a sad expression, and sighed together.
"Dad. I'm hungry."
"Dad, I'm hungry too."
The five children stood in a row and looked at their parents eagerly. The eldest and the third child spoke.
They are both thirty years old this year. Zhang Menban earns a living by working as a carpenter, and his wife weaves cloth to support the family. Their life is pretty good, and they are not starving to death.
But now the labor price has not changed, and the price of rice has become frighteningly high.
Moreover, many grain and oil shops have closed.
I heard there were profiteers and started hoarding food. I plan to wait until the price is higher before selling the grain.
"Let me go take a look on the street. If this continues, our whole family will starve to death." Zhang Menban sighed, then took off the rice bag hanging on the wall, went back to the bedroom, gritted his teeth, and took out A lot of copper coins went out.
"This is money reserved for the boss to marry a wife." Zhang's wife looked on and shed tears.
But now that the world is like this, why does it matter if the boss marries a wife? If the whole family does not starve to death, it is considered an Amitabha Buddha.
After Zhang Menban left the door, he immediately rushed to the nearest grain and oil store, but it was closed. The streets were full of people looking for grain and oil shops like headless flies.
Soon, Zhang Menban's heart felt cold. All the grain and oil shops in the city have been closed. Either there is really no food, or a big businessman has hidden the food.
"It's over!!!"
Zhang Menban tugged at the rice bag in his hand, his eyes suddenly turned red. Memories passed down orally from ancestors came to mind. If there is no food, then you can only become a refugee.
And how can refugees do so well? Countless people starved to death on the road and were killed.
Liaodong Governor's Mansion, inside the hall.
Qian Neng was wearing formal official uniform and a black gauze on his head, sitting on the main seat. He looked like an ant on a hot pot, with an ugly face and his right leg shaking.
There were more than a dozen officials on the left and right, and their faces were ugly.
"Open a porridge factory, open a porridge factory immediately. The situation has been maintained. I will submit a statement immediately and ask the court for rescue. Nanhai Mansion cannot be in chaos."
Qian Neng made a palm with his right hand, slapped it heavily on the coffee table, stood up and said loudly.
"But sir, we don't have much food reserves. According to this situation, we can only give out thin porridge, and it won't last long."
One official smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"Immediately go to the big rice merchants. Either beg or rob them. Let them provide some grain. If there is real chaos in Nanhai Mansion and the people rush into their homes, their families will be destroyed."
Qian Neng said categorically, then stood up and walked out, saying aggressively: "I'm going to find Wang Zhongbi and get some military rations."
The officials all looked at each other.
If only this big businessman and grain merchant could be so easy to exploit and so easy to talk to. Then they won’t call them big merchants or grain merchants.
Even though Nanhai Mansion is small, every big household and grain merchant may have connections with the imperial court. Who are they looking for to exploit?
As for threatening them, saying that the refugees attacked large households and grain merchants?
How could they get rich if they weren't greedy? They won't actually take out the food unless the knife is held to their necks.
As for Wang Zhongbi.
That's the Iron Rooster. Do you want to get military rations from him? It's just a fool's errand.
The officials looked at each other with great frustration.
The commander-in-chief and the commander-in-chief of Shanhaiguan were fighting each other, let alone guarding Nanhai Mansion. After losing the Nanhai Mansion, the court held them accountable, and everyone had to lose their official positions, or even their heads.
Qian Neng left the Governor's Mansion in a sedan chair and came to the Yamen of the General Military Mansion. The guard guarding the door recognized Qian Neng and did not dare to stop him, so he let him in.
"Where is General Wang?" Qian Neng asked first, and after learning that Wang Zhongbi was in the study, he immediately came to the study.
Wang Zhongbi was sitting on the imperial chair reading a book, with a casual posture. There were two beautiful Jiangnan maidservants serving beside him.
He has gray hair, a majestic face with Chinese characters, and a strong body, but he has a double chin and a big belly. If you don't look at his face or resume, he seems to be a salt merchant with a big belly in the south of the Yangtze River.
Seeing Wang Zhongbi like this, Qian Neng became angry.
Why did this court equip me with such a bastard? Although Xiong Wuwo was defeated, he was still ten times stronger than Wang Zhongbi.
On a daily basis, the two of them don't deal with each other and compete with each other for power. Although Wang Zhongbi was a military commander, his background was very tough. Money can't help him.
But at this time, money can ask for help from others, so he tolerated the anger in his heart and said politely: "General Wang. Today, I want to discuss something with you."
"Hey, Mr. Qian. What a rare visitor." Wang Zhongbi pretended to be surprised, put down the book in his hand, and then asked Qian Neng to sit down and then asked the maid to make tea.
When the tea came, they both picked up the tea cup and took a sip before putting it down. Wang Zhongbi then asked: "Master Qian, if you have anything to say, just tell me. As long as I, Wang, can do it, I will definitely do it."
Qian Neng was patient and said to Wang Zhongbi: "General Wang, this year's autumn grain harvest is not bad, but it's almost there. Farmers still have grain in their hands, but the people in the city are in dire straits. If we don't do something, I'm afraid they will have to go out." It's a big deal. I'm asking the general to open the granary and send out military rations so that I can use it to make porridge and open a porridge factory."
Wang Zhongbi shook his head quickly and said with a serious face: "Master Qian, please forgive me. I cannot make the decision to hand over the military rations entrusted to me by the imperial court to you without permission."
"Otherwise, I cannot bear the guilt imposed by the court."
Having said this, Wang Zhongbi said to Qian Neng very politely and apologetically: "Sir Qian, I'm so sorry. You'd better go elsewhere and think of a solution."
Qian Neng couldn't suppress his anger at all and said loudly: "Wang Zhongbi. Your duty is to guard Shanhaiguan and Nanhai Prefecture. If the people of Nanhai Prefecture get into chaos and Wu Nian attacks us outside, can you defend the city?"
"Hurry up and hand over the food and let me help the people. Otherwise, I will make excuses and accuse you of reselling military supplies, including military rations."
"Qian. Don't think I don't know. You've already received discounts. But I, Wang Zhongbi, am still alive and well. You can't do anything to me."
Wang Zhongbi also put aside his disguise and said with a sneer. Not to mention giving money for food can do it, not even others can do it.
This ration is all mine.
I want to collect grain, and then take all the wealth of Nanhai Mansion into my arms at a high price.
Make a fortune.
Ha ha ha ha.
As for Wu Nian. In terms of food, he himself is like a clay Buddha crossing the river and cannot save himself. The soldiers and horses have not moved, but the food and grass go first.
Will he send troops to attack Nanhai Mansion? I do not believe.
