Zhu Qing was originally just a small business owner trying to make a living, but he seized the opportunity during the court's new policies to quickly expand his business.

Not long ago, with the help of Xu Churen, Zhu Ji Grain Shop began to lower its grain prices when all other grain shops raised their prices, and the grain sold out every day.

This aroused the jealousy of many grain shop owners.

But now, no one resents Zhu Qing anymore.

Because in the face of that small roasted sweet potato, Zhu Qing's Zhu Family Grain Shop had already begun to tremble.

Only the grain merchants knew what Yongle Grain Shop was really doing with its roasted sweet potatoes that cost 1 coin per tael.

In the eyes of ordinary people, it is naturally delicious.

But in their eyes, it was a fatal blow to them!

A decisive blow!

Zhu Qing and the others began to discuss how to quickly contain the attack of roasted sweet potatoes.

But at the same time, Zhu Qing was also looking for people to study this sweet potato.

Where can I get the seeds?

Zhu Qing couldn't just sit idly by and wait for his doom. On one hand, he had to curb Yongle Grain Shop, and on the other hand, he had to continue to expand Zhu Ji Grain Shop.

Zhu Qing was not alone in his thoughts; while they conspired to bring down Yongle Grain Shop, they also each had their own designs on sweet potatoes.

Zhu Qing was unaware that Xu Churen, whom he relied on, was also ordering the Ministry of Agriculture to continue planting sweet potatoes day and night, producing large quantities of sweet potatoes continuously.

The Song Dynasty is currently facing a severe food shortage.

The sweet potatoes have been grown, and it doesn't matter if they're a bit more expensive than those from Yongle Grain Shop. After all, there's still a vast untapped market outside of Jingji Road.

The method of propagating sweet potatoes is currently known only to the imperial court.

Not making this money would be the act of a bastard.

After Xu Churen and Tang Ke hid in the house and made a decision, they decided to set a small goal for themselves regarding the sweet potato business: to make a whopping 100 million!

The next day, the streets of Tokyo were bustling with people as usual.

However, something happened today.

I heard that Wu Dalang from the west of the city is suffering from diarrhea and vomiting today—no, vomiting and diarrhea!

I heard it was poisoning; Dr. Xu from Baoan Hall said it was caused by eating something unclean.

As for Wu Dalang, the only difference he ate these past two days compared to his usual diet was that he ate a few more roasted sweet potatoes from Yongle Grain Shop.

The news spread immediately.

It immediately caused a sensation.

Now we can infer that the roasted sweet potatoes at Yongle Grain Shop were poisonous.

These days, many people have eaten roasted sweet potatoes from Yongle Grain Shop.

Panic is spreading!

As evening approached, a beautiful woman named Pan Jinlian arrived at Yongle Grain Shop. She shed tears of grief and told everyone that her husband was seriously ill because he had eaten roasted sweet potatoes from Yongle Grain Shop.

This immediately drew sympathy and concern from countless men.

"Don't be afraid, your husband will be fine. He's just been poisoned."

“Your husband is in pain, let him go, I will protect you.”

"Don't worry, leave it to me. I will avenge your husband and punish Yongle Grain Shop. Here, you can borrow my shoulder."

"It's so late, it's dangerous for you to go home alone. Let me take you. I can also help you take care of your husband tonight. It's okay, I'm not afraid of being tired. After all, I'm a good person!"

...

That evening, more and more people gathered in front of Yongle Grain Shop. They weren't there to buy roasted sweet potatoes, but to stage a protest!

That evening, Ye Chong was forced to close Yongle Grain Shop.

The remaining branches also closed one after another.

The next day, the Kaifeng prefectural government intervened and began an investigation.

Ye Chong was taken back to the Kaifeng government office.

Yongle Grain Shop, which had been incredibly popular for less than half a month, has closed down and been sealed off.

Rumors spread everywhere that the sweet potatoes at Yongle Grain Shop contained poison, and that Wu Dalang had gone mad.

He used to be able to move stones at construction sites, but now he can only sell pancakes on the street to make a living.

It is also said that after this incident, Wu Dalang's wife was unable to support the family on her own. Fortunately, the kind-hearted men in the neighborhood often went over to help. Wu Dalang felt that the world was full of love.

However, people are more concerned about the Yongle Grain Shop.

Those paying attention to this matter include two bigwigs from the Political Affairs Hall.

Xu Churen's face turned pale; it was clear that someone was sabotaging him behind the scenes.

Even a toenail could tell he was a grain merchant from Tokyo!

You guys are incredibly bold!

Sweet potatoes were the emperor's favorite!

Moreover, the emperor had high hopes for sweet potatoes. Although that damned Yongle Grain Shop got there first, it didn't mean that anyone could frame someone for it.

This is a protest against the imperial court's new grain policy!

Going against the emperor!

Before the emperor could get angry, Xu Churen rushed into the palace to reassure him, promising to find the mastermind behind the scenes within three days and give Hongshu justice!

That evening, when Wu Dalang returned home after selling his pancakes, he found three men helping with housework.

He felt that the world was full of love.

However, soon, officials from the Kaifeng Prefecture government arrived and took everyone present away.

The neighbors only knew that the Kaifeng Prefectural Government was investigating the case, but they didn't know that the Kaifeng Prefectural Government had secretly sent these five people to the Imperial City Office.

He Liming's subordinate asked curiously, "Boss, aren't we the Emperor's personal guard? Shouldn't we be keeping an eye on the court officials and the evil forces in the capital? Why are we investigating the sweet potato case?"

He Liming was eating a roasted sweet potato, which had been delivered by someone from the Political Affairs Hall.

An hour ago, a message came from the government office saying that they wanted to investigate the sweet potato case at Yongle Grain Shop.

He Liming's expression at the time was the same as his subordinate's: Damn it! Moron! I'm the emperor's personal guard, and you want me to investigate the sweet potato case!

What's a sweet potato anyway!

Moreover, by what right does your Council of State have to order me around?

But before He Liming could refuse, the Political Affairs Hall threw a huge accusation at him: "By imperial decree, this matter must not be made public!"

He Liming said to his subordinates, "Sweet potatoes are a delicious food. The fact that sweet potatoes have suffered this calamity is a loss for us. In order to ensure that the people of the Song Dynasty can have delicious sweet potatoes in the future, we should step forward!"

When He Liming walked into the prison, he couldn't help but frown: "Why are there five people?"

"Reporting to my superior, it was when we went to Wu Dalang's house that the three of them came to be!"

The three men quickly said, "Shangguan, we are innocent! We did nothing! I was just worried that Jinlian was hot, so I helped her take off a piece of clothing!"

He Liming: "..."

“I didn’t do anything. I knew I was worried she might fall when she went out, so I helped her up with both hands.”

"Me too! Me too! I felt so sorry for her, so I rubbed her skin to help her relax..."

Everyone: "..."

Wu Dalang chimed in from the side, "Yes, yes, they are all good people!"

Everyone: "..."

He Liming ignored these people and said to Physician Hu, who was standing to the side, "Physician Hu, thank you for your trouble."

P.S.: There will be two more chapters tonight.