Chapter 96 Initial Public Opinion

The old man, with his white hair and beard, pointed with his thin fingers at the eight grain carts behind him, then turned around, cupped his hands, and bowed: "Everyone's life has improved a bit after the autumn harvest. This is all grain that everyone has donated voluntarily. Please don't find it too much, generals, and accept it."

Qi Rong hurriedly helped the old man up: "This, absolutely not! Fengyang County just suffered a disaster this year, so the granaries must be empty. Although our garrison is in a difficult situation, we are not yet at our wits' end. How can we accept the rations that everyone has worked so hard to save?"

The constable stepped forward and said, "Commander, our county magistrate has already reported this matter to the imperial court. It was all donated spontaneously by the people and wealthy households of Fengyang County. Please do not refuse."

Qi Rong was overwhelmed with emotion and didn't know how to express it. Lin Changning and the other commanders exchanged glances, their smiles fading as they became serious.

A moment later, Qi Rong bowed to the old man and said, "On behalf of the more than 5,000 border soldiers of Daxing Garrison, Qi Rong thanks the people of Fengyang County for their great kindness in providing grain. Daxing will remember this kindness."

Seeing the commander bow, Lin Changning pulled several other commanders around him to follow suit and bow to the old man: "The kindness of donating grain will be forever remembered by Daxingwei!"

The soldiers' shouts startled the old man, who stepped aside to avoid Qi Rong's salute. Several young men hurriedly stepped forward to help the bent-over soldiers up. Qi Rong waved for people to pull the grain cart inside, while he himself stepped aside to invite the old man and the constables to enter.

"Everyone has come from afar to donate grain, please join me at the table so that Daxing can show you the proper hospitality."

Qi Rong helped the old man and was about to go inside.

"Today is a good day. Our cavalry went north and robbed the Tartars of several thousand sheep. Today we can slaughter the sheep and eat meat together to warm ourselves up."

As Qi Rong spoke, he led a group of soldiers to welcome the people into the garrison. After the grain carts were taken away, Lin Changning, with a keen eye, and several commanders pulled the constables and young men towards the banquet.

"Someone! Prepare the wine!"

During the meal, Qi Rong and Lin Changning sat on either side of the old man. Just then, the meat and dishes were served. Seeing that the old man was a little reserved, Lin Changning served the dishes and poured wine.

"Old man, how is the recovery in Fengyang County going?"

The old man nodded slightly, his withered hand stopping Lin Changning's hand that kept pinching the meat: "That's enough, young general, there's no need to be so polite."

After seeing Lin Changning stop, he slowly replied, "We resumed production before the autumn harvest. Although this year's harvest was not plentiful, the county magistrate and the others canceled taxes, so we have enough grain to eat. We are slowly building houses, so we have food to eat and land to live in. I believe we will recover in another year."

Qi Rong sighed and looked at the old man with some shame: "The year is so difficult, yet you still donated grain to the garrison. We will always remember the kindness of Fengyang."

The old man smiled as he looked at the soldiers: "It's tough, but we can still get by no matter how hard it gets. Unlike you soldiers, you all risk your lives. You're stationed on the frontier to protect our country. No matter what, we can't let you fight on an empty stomach. You are all heroes. I may not know much about politics, but I know we can't let the soldiers suffer. Although Fengyang suffered a disaster, we survived. Things will get better eventually. It's just a pity that we don't have much surplus food at home. Otherwise, we could have helped the soldiers get through this."

The group of commanders were deeply moved, and Qi Rong was also touched. He took out a wine bowl and respectfully said, "We will always remember the kindness of the people and never forget it." After saying that, he drank it all in one gulp.

Commander Ma also raised his glass: "We're all rough men, not good at sweet talk, it's all in the wine, I'll drink it."

Lin Changning held up the bowl with a complicated expression. She had been the one who orchestrated the whole thing, and now she was filled with mixed feelings. Although she had indeed had ulterior motives back then, she was now moved by the gratitude she felt. "I'll drink it too. Thank you for your great kindness to the people of Fengyang."

As they talked, the group of people drank one after another. Then, several commanders led the way in making merry, and the atmosphere at the table instantly became lively. The group of people boasted and chatted, and toasted each other, creating an atmosphere as enthusiastic as if it were Chinese New Year.

After everyone had settled in, Commander Shi and Commander Zhou sent the people down to be settled, while the rest of the people either sat or lay down in the tents.

Qi Rong sighed: "I never expected that the people of Fengyang would come to donate grain."

Commander Ma's voice was also muffled: "Alas, how many poor families must have saved up to send so much grain? I feel ashamed to accept it."

Lin Changning, having had a few drinks, sat down in his chair, squinting and blushing, and said, "It would be too embarrassing to accept their grain for nothing. Commander, why don't you give back a few hundred of the sheep you stole? After all, they were stolen. Otherwise, I'll feel really bad."

Qi Rong nodded: "Then let's give back two hundred lambs. It's just right for each village to slaughter a few for the New Year."

The next morning, the old man and the constable were about to return in the empty carriage. Qi Rong bowed his head and instructed his personal guards to lead the sheep to the gate, while he and several commanders escorted the man to the gate.

The old man looked at the two hundred sheep bleating at the door and was puzzled. Qi Rong smiled and explained, "It's not good to take so much grain from Fengyang County for nothing. A few days ago, we robbed the Tartar tribe of their flocks of sheep, which numbered several thousand. We distributed two hundred to the people of Fengyang County, according to the villages, so that everyone can have some meat during the New Year."

The old man waved his hands in fear and refused, saying, "This, how can I take this back? It's inappropriate. Please take it back, Commander."

Lin Changning laughed heartily: "Old man, we looted several thousand this time, but we're only giving back two hundred. Please accept them. It's a give-and-take situation, and it's also a way for our soldiers to show their appreciation."

The old man still refused, so Qi Rong simply stuffed the rope for catching the sheep into the servant's hand and then bowed deeply.

"Please don't refuse, sir."

The old man waved his hand hastily to help Qi Rong up: "Oh dear, no, no, General, you are an official, how can you bow to me?"

Lin Changning also bowed, saying, "Please, sir, do not refuse."

As several commanders clasped their hands and bowed deeply, the old man hurriedly helped one person up and another. After they stood up, Qi Rong beckoned a guard and signaled him to lead a few people to herd sheep and take the old man back to Fengyang County.

They escorted them all the way to the city gate before stopping. The old man, sitting on the carriage, smiled and waved to Qi Rong and the others, saying loudly, "Go back, don't see us off any further."

After the carriage had traveled a hundred meters away, Qi Rong led his men back to the garrison.

Beijing

A group of imperial censors dressed in red official robes knelt in unison in the center of the hall.

The leading censor, Zhang, knelt on the ground and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I request a thorough investigation of the Minister of Revenue!"

A group of officials knelt down and said in unison, "Your Majesty, we request a thorough investigation into the case of Minister Chen's embezzlement of grain supplies."

Seeing the emperor remain silent and ignoring his dark expression, Imperial Censor Zhang continued loudly, "Your Majesty, aside from Minister Chen's embezzlement, there is also the issue of grain supplies in Daxing. I have heard that Daxing is in dire need of grain. Daxing is a crucial border town. If the war is hampered by delayed grain supplies, it would be a dereliction of duty by the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War. If the grain supplies cannot be delivered in time, the border will be in grave danger. I implore Your Majesty to issue an order as soon as possible, instructing the Ministry of Revenue to immediately dispatch grain supplies and to thoroughly investigate whether the Minister of Revenue has embezzled military pay and grain supplies or shirked responsibility for their distribution!"