Chapter 64 Grain Transfer

"Transfer grain from us? Has the imperial court gone mad?"

"That's right. There are still four or five months until the autumn harvest. The grain brought in this year is barely enough for two months. The grain we have stored is not enough for everyone to eat. Why would we need to transfer more? If the Tartars invade during the autumn harvest, how can we fight if we don't have enough to eat!"

Ma Zhong threw his handkerchief on the ground, his bronze face full of frustration.

This year, Fengyang suffered from floods, and Henan and Hebei suffered from drought last year, resulting in poor harvests. The people could not deliver their grain, and the imperial court could not issue disaster relief grain, so it transferred grain from granaries in various places. It would be fine if it transferred grain, but it just took grain from the border areas that were already poor. I wonder what the person on the dragon throne was thinking!

These border garrisons are all under the jurisdiction of vassal kings. Although they are officially under the control of the imperial court, many of the generals are actually subordinates of these vassal kings. Doesn't this annoy the king above them? It's one thing that the grain rations are usually insufficient, but every time the grain is delayed for months, it's even worse. This time, the country suffered a disaster, and instead of drawing grain from the fertile lands of Yingtian Prefecture and Suzhou Prefecture, they've come to exploit these harsh and cold places. It's simply going against the natural order!

Qi Rong sat in his seat, his brows furrowed. After a long while, he put down a decree: "The court says that the grain has already been transferred from Yingtian and Suzhou. The decree has been issued, instructing us to open the granaries and gather enough grain to make two thousand dan. Once the grain from Yingtian Prefecture and Suzhou arrives this year, we will distribute the grain on time."

Ambassador Cang frowned deeply: "This year we only brought in 3,000 dan of grain, and adding that to what we stored last year, we only have 9,000 dan in total. If we lose another 2,000 dan, it will only last until September at the latest. The Tartars should be coming down after October. Commander, if the court keeps delaying the distribution of grain, then we will..."

Ambassador Cang didn't spell things out very clearly, but everyone understood what he meant.

Commander Zhou, a tall man of 1.8 meters, slammed his fist on the table and said in a muffled voice, "The grain and fodder deliveries are delayed every year, every single year! The padded jackets that are delivered have become increasingly thinner in recent years. The brothers often patrol and stand guard on empty stomachs. In winter, their fingers become as thick and swollen as radishes from the cold, their ears are almost frozen off, and some have so many chilblains on their feet that they can't even walk."

Every year, the commander and the prince would use their own treasury to buy grain to cover the initial costs, ensuring the brothers didn't go hungry while fighting. Their salaries didn't increase, but conditions became increasingly harsh; more and more grain was requisitioned, yet less and less actually reached their stomachs.

This year is even better; they're not even putting on an act anymore, just bringing in grain from the border! The disaster-stricken refugees are suffering, but how much better off are we? Requisitioning grain, requisitioning grain—they might as well just rob us!

"Our brothers braved the wind and snow to defend against the enemy, yet they didn't think of us. When food, clothing, and weapons couldn't be distributed on time and in sufficient quantities, they still didn't think of us. But when there was a flood in Fengyang, they suddenly remembered us. We are all subjects of the Great Xuan, why should we be treated this way? Aren't our soldiers human beings? They need to eat and drink too!"

Qi Rong shouted, "Alright, not only will Daxingwei open its granaries to allocate grain, but the other garrisons will also need to do so!"

Old Zheng, his eyes red, retorted, "Which garrison gives out two thousand dan at once like we do! Commander, this is clearly bullying!"

As he spoke, the burly man burst into tears, his voice muffled, "I've inquired around. The other garrisons only manage to scrape together a few hundred loads to send out, nothing like us. We eat meat every year but never get any, and our rewards are withheld. When trouble comes, we're the ones who have to go first. That year, our pay was delayed for three months, and our kids almost starved to death. Being in command... the brothers are so resentful..."

Lin Changning patted Lao Zheng on the back to comfort him. The tent was silent, and every general looked dejected.

Lin Changning frowned as well: "Commander, you only said to gather grain, but you didn't say what kind of grain you need."

Qi Rong nodded: "He didn't say."

Lin Changning looked at Ambassador Cang and asked, "How much rice and wheat are left in the granary?"

Ambassador Cang pondered for a moment and counted on his fingers, saying, "About 1,200 dan of rice and about 3,000 shi of wheat."

Lin Changning nodded: "Commander, one jin of rice can be exchanged for one jin and two liang of millet, and wheat can be exchanged for one and a half jin of millet. Alternatively, some rice and wheat can be taken to the market to be exchanged for millet. This should save a lot of grain."

Qi Rong rubbed his temples: "Then let's do as Liu Lang says."

Ambassador Cang sighed, "Yes, Commander." He then left the tent.

After Ambassador Cang left, the other generals also took their leave. Lin Changning, however, did not leave. After everyone had left, she would take Qi An'an back to practice martial arts.

Qi Rong sighed: "Sixth Brother, have you seen any disaster victims?"

Lin Changning shook his head: "Never."

Qi Rong rubbed his head, leaned back in his chair, and sighed softly, "You must be feeling bad too."

Lin Changning shook his head: "Fortunately, the imperial edict has been issued. Whether we are dissatisfied or feel aggrieved, we cannot disobey the decree. Even if we do, the outcome may not change. Rather than being resentful, we should find another way to solve the problem."

Qi Rong chuckled: "I like your insightful nature."

After speaking, he sat up straight and sighed: "When I first came to Daxingwei, I was about your age. At that time, I had just left the Chu Prince's mansion and hadn't even reached the border when a county was hit by a flash flood. Six villages were buried under the yellow earth, and more than 3,000 people were homeless. The prefect was worried about his official position, so he concealed the news. In less than a month, the surrounding grass was almost completely eaten up. In the second month, they began to roam around, stealing food, houses, and everything else."

On our way to Daxing, we ran into a group of refugees. I took pity on them and shared some dry rations with the children and women. The next instant, a massive crowd surged towards us. I had never seen such terrifying eyes. Three of my four guards were killed by the refugees, and even the servant who had grown up with me was trampled to death. I managed to escape with their protection. Later, when I secretly returned, even their bodies had vanished...

Qi Rong sighed and remained silent for a long time before saying, "I have wronged them. Later, when I returned to the capital, I exposed this matter. The late emperor was furious and dismissed seven or eight officials. He ordered the then crown prince, now the emperor, to go and provide disaster relief, but almost one-fifth of the people died."

Lin Changning remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Commander, what do you want to say?"

Qi Rong looked at the tent above his head: "I don't know either. I just wanted to talk to you. I know everyone has suffered, but I can't change anything. The disaster victims are pitiful too. These two thousand shi of grain can save many people. The court may be in a tight spot, but it's not necessarily that they can't gather enough grain. That person is wary of us and has never been willing to provide too much grain. I know all this, but I feel powerless..."

Lin Changning cupped his hands in greeting: "Commander, I have an idea."

Qi Rong turned his head, a hint of interest appearing on his dejected face: "Tell me about it?"

Lin Changning raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling: "Good deeds should naturally be publicized, don't you think? The disaster victims should also know where their food comes from..."