Zong Zheng came to Xianyang Prison, and Li Zhao was leisurely drinking tea, which Ah Chao had brought over a few days ago. He was really bored and could only relieve his boredom with tea.
Seeing Li Zhao's leisurely look, Zong Zheng was furious.
But now I'm asking for help from Li Zhao, so he doesn't get angry easily, and he even bows to him for the first time, which seems quite polite.
Li Zhao's attitude was neither salty nor cool, and he didn't have a good impression of this person, even if he was the acting minister appointed by the emperor.
"General Li, how are you doing these days?"
Li Zhao politely handed over his hand.
"Of course it's great! It's just extremely boring. Some people just don't want me to have it easy, don't you think so? Master Zongzheng."
Li Zhao glanced at Zong Zheng deliberately.
Zongzheng knew that Li Zhaoyi had something to say, but he was not angry. He bowed and said, "General Li, I, Zongzheng, have wrongly accused you before. Please forgive me."
"There's no need to forgive me. I'm a person who deserves to be punished. I can't bear such a great gift from you."
"No, I am announcing that you are not guilty now. It was all Jia Xiong's nonsense before. You can afford it."
"Really? Then why did you listen to Jia Xiong's nonsense? Did he give you any benefits? Or did I offend you somewhere?"
Li Zhao wanted to know why Zongzheng was so hostile to him.
"This? General Li is joking. What benefit does Jia Xiong give me? I, Zong Zheng, am just confused for a moment."
"Forget it, since you said that, what can I say? But, why did you come to me?"
Li Zhao's movements were relatively casual.
Zong Zheng was slightly unhappy, but still said: "Now that food prices are soaring and people's livelihood is damaged, I need you to solve it. I hope you won't refuse."
When Li Zhao heard this, he turned coldly and said, "Why should I help you? I am your Majesty's personally appointed general. Unless your Majesty orders it, there is no need to discuss it."
He refuses without mercy, and he will not show off when dealing with such a person.
Zong Zheng's face darkened.
However, he also learned something from it, that is, Li Zhao was very likely to be able to solve the matter. He suppressed his anger and said, "How do you want to take action?"
Li Zhao glanced at him indifferently and said, "Answer my question. If I am satisfied, maybe I will consider it."
Zong Zheng thought for a moment and nodded helplessly, "Ask me!"
"Why are you targeting me?"
"Because you cured His Majesty and took away my position. After all, the imperial doctor is under my control." Zong Zheng made no secret.
Li Zhao secretly thought that it turned out to be the fault of being in the limelight.
"How will you deal with me without going through His Majesty's hands?"
This question was a bit tricky. Zongzheng asked solemnly: "Did you kill the student?"
"No! I can tell you the truth about this, but only if you believe me."
"If you are telling the truth, I will naturally believe you."
"That's what it is."
"Say it!" Zong Zheng became serious and no longer targeted as before.
"Actually, there are no students at all. The so-called students brought by Shusun Tong are bad guys. They wanted to attack and kill me, but they were captured by my guards and they were not killed."
"Bad guy?" Zong Zheng was confused. He completely believed Jia Xiong's words and didn't think about it. Li Zhao didn't cry out for injustice, so he naturally didn't know the truth.
"Yes, they are all top-notch killers. If my guards hadn't had special weapons, I wouldn't be standing here today."
"You mean, Shu Sun Tong is going to attack and kill you?"
Li Zhao did not nod. He must have thought that Jia Xiong wanted to attack him, but there was no evidence. He could only say: "He is an accomplice. The main culprit is someone else. As for who it is, I have my eyebrows, but there is no evidence. No." It’s easy to tell, but one day I will find this person.”
It’s hard to do without evidence! Of course it's hard to say it out loud, otherwise it would just be a warning.
Zong Zheng frowned and then asked: "Since you have captured the villain, why don't you submit it to defend yourself?"
"It's all my fault. After going to court that day, the person was robbed. It must have been the crime of the culprit, so naturally he couldn't report it."
Wu Quan later told him this when he came to visit him in prison.
"It's really abominable. Attacking and killing the general is a capital crime. If I know who it is, I will seek justice for you." These words were Zong Zheng's inner thoughts. Although he was vain, his heart was still upright.
"But Shusun Tong deserves to die as an accomplice. General Li, please don't worry, I will give you an explanation."
Li Zhao nodded, he saw that Zong was sincere.
He used to think Zong Zheng was a bastard, but after today's conversation, he gained a little understanding. He was not an unreasonable person.
"Thank you then!" Li Zhao thanked him sincerely, bending down and handing over his hand.
Zong Zheng smiled slightly, narrowed his eyes and said, "What about the price of food?"
"Don't worry, I keep it in my heart."
Zong Zheng was extremely satisfied and quickly handed over his hand, "Then General Lao Li will be here."
"My sect leader is here to capture Shu Sun Tong and declare that you have been wronged."
Soon, Zong Zheng left. An hour later, the jailer welcomed Li Zhao out of Xianyang Prison with a smile.
Zhangtai Palace.
Feng Quji met Ying Zheng. At this moment, Ying Zheng was completely recovered, but he did not announce it to the outside world.
"Your Majesty, Zong Zheng went to see Li Zhao, and Li Zhao was also released from prison."
"What did they say?"
"Zong Zheng said that the reason why he targeted Li Zhaoquan was because Li Zhao cured His Majesty, and he was jealous and malicious."
"But he was still sensible. He believed Li Zhao's words and prepared to arrest Shu Sun Tong."
Ying Zheng smiled, "This old immortal is still unwilling to tell the truth, but he doesn't have evil intentions, he is just greedy for money."
"Did he mention Jia Xiong?"
"Not a word was mentioned!" Feng Quji paused and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that although Zong Zheng is a little vain and loves money, he will not commit treason."
Obviously, the two of them had already set their sights on Zong Zheng.
Ying Zheng did not respond and changed the subject: "How much have food prices soared?"
"It's ten times that."
"Ten times? It has never happened before. If it is not allowed to come down, our Great Qin will be in danger!" Ying Zheng frowned deeply.
Feng Quji quickly said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, Li Zhao's method is wonderful. He said it will not only bring down the price of food, but also defeat the wealthy businessmen in one fell swoop."
"How wonderful? You have said this several times, but you understand how wonderful it is."
"This?" Feng Quji was stunned. He heard what Li Zhao said clearly and thought it was very wonderful, but he didn't know how to do it, and he seemed to understand it.
But he remembered the saying, "When things go to extremes, they must turn against each other." He couldn't figure out how this had anything to do with food prices.
"That's all, let's see what Li Zhao does. If Li Zhao can't do it, he can only hate him. However, I still hope that he can solve this matter through means. I'm looking forward to it."
Ying Zheng was not very worried, he believed in Li Zhao.
One day later, news came out from the court that Shusun Tong was executed for sending people to attack and kill the general Li Zhao. The crime was unpardonable and Jia Xiong was not aware of the right and wrong. He deliberately slandered Li Zhao and fined him a year's salary to set an example.
Those courtiers who made trouble that day were also punished to varying degrees.
Zong Zheng also apologized to Li Zhao at the court meeting, saying that he was stupid and did not know right from wrong.
This incident made many people gasp. It is not easy for Zong Zheng, who loves to be flattered so much, to be able to do this!
When Li Zhao also heard about this, he just smiled slightly and soon returned to Chang'an Township. He was warmly welcomed by the people of Chang'an Township, as if they were celebrating a new year.
The first thing Li Zhao did when he came back was to ask the yield per mu of fertile land. The result he got surprised him. The yield per mu was beyond everyone's expectation. It was up to twenty stones. This is an amazing number. Even in the previous life, It is also difficult to do this.
He had to lament that the system was different.
But this was not the time for him to dwell on this matter, but rather to be happy.
Yes, you should be happy. The price of food has reached sky-high prices now, and it is time to sell the rice.
All the fertile fields given to him by His Majesty were planted, and the weather was good, and the output was astronomical.
The housekeeper has already reported the amount. There are two million dan of rice, which according to the previous life is hundreds of millions of catties. But now the price of food has soared to a terrible figure. How to sell all the rice, how many and a half taels of money will it cost.
He can no longer calculate it.
There is also maize, the output is also high, and although the price is not as high as the staple food, it has soared several times, and it is also a big income.
"Master, shall we sell the rice now?"
The butler asked. He couldn't wait any longer. At this moment, his eyes were full of yellow and orange gold.
"Of course, but I'll give you a thousand stones first."
"A thousand dan?" The housekeeper was unhappy. He had two million dan at home, but only one thousand dan was sold. When can all be sold?
This is not the main thing. The main thing is that it would be tragic if food prices suddenly fell.
"Zhao'er, no, you have to sell most of it." Li Jinong interrupted. He also thought that one thousand dan was too little.
Li Zhao shook his head and did not explain.
In a luxurious manor, a middle-aged man with a heavy belly and luxurious clothes was standing in a garden. In front of him was a small lake. There were fish jumping out of the water, making bursts of splashing sounds, which was very pleasant to the ear.
"Sir, it's not good. The imperial court has distributed food for disaster relief, and many people have queued up to receive it." Steward Jiang Minglian hurriedly came to report.
"Haha!" Mou Tian seemed to have expected it, and said loudly, "Why are you panicking? Isn't it just disaster relief? This will happen sooner or later. The court will not see Xianyang fall into chaos."
"But... we have spent a lot of money, isn't it in vain?"
"How could it be? There are so many people in Xianyang, how long can the court provide disaster relief? I can guarantee that within a month, the court's tax and grain supplies will be exhausted. And it is the time of spring plowing. Without supplies, Xianyang will not be in chaos?"
Mou Tian was pacing, with a smile on his face.
When Jiang Minglian heard this, he clapped his hands and said happily: "Wonderful!"
"The chaos in the court is exactly what Duke Xiang wants. Then Duke Xiang will definitely appreciate me even more."
"When his grand plan is implemented, the imperial court will definitely be destroyed. When Duke Xiang takes the throne, I will be the hero. I will be awarded officials and nobility. Why don't you get rid of your business status and become a master?"
Mou Tian became more and more excited as he talked.
Jiang Minglian was overjoyed when he heard this and felt very happy.
If the master were granted an official title, he would naturally be promoted as a housekeeper. Such a wonderful life would be great. He could imagine how pleasant it would be for a noble person to call him "Master".
"I would like to congratulate you in advance on your appointment." Jiang Minglian flattered.
"Haha!" Mou Tian's smile became even stronger, "According to what you said, I will never treat you badly when the time comes."
Jiang Minglian quickly knelt down to thank him, "Thank you, Master!"
"Get up! You have been with me for so many years, you don't need to be so polite."
Jiang Minglian stood up, but frowned the next moment, and said regretfully: "It is wonderful to be granted an official title, but our huge investment has been wasted."
"No!" Mou Tian smiled and shook his head, "We will earn more."
"How do you say it?" Jiang Minglian's eyes lit up and he asked with interest.
Mou Tian paced, walked half a circle around the small lake, and then said: "When the court has no food and is completely in chaos, do you think if we throw the food out again, will there be many people to grab it? After all, no matter how much there is, Money is not as important as life."
Jiang Minglian's eyes brightened and he said, "So, if we sell all the grain we have hoarded, wouldn't we make ten times the profit?"
Mou Tian waved his hand, "Ten times? Less, at least twenty times."
"Twenty times?" Jiang Minglian's pupils dilated, twenty times. He couldn't believe how much it would cost.
"My master is really a business genius! I admire you!"
The next day, Jiang Minglian hurriedly came to report.
"Master, it's not good."
"What happened again?" Mou Tian asked reproachfully, always startled.
"There is a lot of rice in the market and it is being sold at the current price."
"What? Isn't there no food in Xianyang? How can there be rice?"
Yes, after this period of acquisitions, all the grain reserves of the dignitaries in Xianyang have been purchased. Ordinary traders have no grain to buy. There is no more grain to sell in the market. The appearance of a large amount of rice is a bit strange.
"Have you found out who did it?"
"It was found out, it's Chang'an Township."
"Chang'an Township? No wonder, how many are there?"
"A thousand stones!"
Hearing this number, Mou Tian breathed a sigh of relief. For the current situation, one thousand shi was indeed a lot, but for those with abundant hoards, one thousand shi was just a drop in the bucket.
"Can anyone buy it?"
"Yes, they are snatching it up like crazy, but our people are quick and have bought most of them." The butler showed off like he was taking credit, hoping to get the master's praise.
Sure enough, Mou Tian praised him, "Very good, you did a good job." He patted his shoulder and said, "It's worthy of my high regard for you."
The butler was flattered.
Mou Tian then said: "If Chang'an Township sells grain again, buy it directly and don't let anyone get involved, do you know?"
"Yes! The old slave knows how to do it."
…
In Chang'an Township, Li Jinong and the housekeeper were laughing happily as they held the yellow and orange gold in their hands.
"This gold came really fast. In less than half an hour, one thousand dan was sold out. It was still at such a high price. My Li family used to do business. I knew money came easily, but I didn't know it was so easy."
Li Jinong cried with joy and shed tears.
The butler comforted: "Master, don't be excited. We only sold one thousand dan. Are there many more?"
"Yes, there are two million stones, all of which are gold!"
"No, I have to sell Wanshi tomorrow."
Remembering that his nephew only asked him to sell Qianshi yesterday, he was so regretful that he was beating his chest.
The next day.
Li Zhao still asked them to only sell a thousand stones, but he released one condition, which was to increase the price to twelve times.
Li Jinong was helpless, but he could raise the price, and he became happy again.
Even if it is twelve times, there will still be a lot of people fighting for it, because food is more important than anything else at the moment.
(End of chapter)
