The young owner of a rice shop in the suburbs lowered the price of rice to the bare minimum, from 150 coins per catty on the first day to 100 coins per catty on the second day. Before closing at dusk, he hung a sign at the gate—

Tomorrow’s rice price: fifty cents

The price of fifty coins felt like it came from a different dynasty, something I hadn't seen in ages.

Many people asked, "Fifty coins? Could there be no food at all?"

Yes, the price is low, but what good is it if there's no food?

The young man said, "Don't worry, everyone, I guarantee there will be rice."

The Cheng'en Duke's Mansion, the Crown Prince's Mansion, and the Wu Family held another secret meeting, deeply troubled by the recent situation.

Who exactly is the mastermind behind this suburban rice shop? How did they manage to get the Imperial Guards to keep things under control?

Who else but His Majesty could command the Imperial City Guard?

"Lord Cheng'en, they're lowering prices every day. Aren't they crazy to be letting money slip by?"

With the sale of 100,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) from this warehouse, plus the grain already stockpiled, wealthy people in the capital will not need to buy grain for a while.

What will they do with the 400,000 shi of grain they have?

Forget about not being able to sell it for 400 coins, I'm afraid even 50 coins would be difficult. Stuck in my hands? A blood-sucking sale?

Duke Cheng'en remained completely unperturbed: "You lot are still young. With grain in hand, what's there to be afraid of? Looking at the entire campaign, who has 400,000 shi of grain on hand? Even I'm not in a hurry, so why are you? The urgent report from the border that the eldest brother sent has not yet arrived."

"Father, don't worry, they'll arrive tomorrow. When they do, order them to shout 'Western Xia has invaded' along the streets. I don't believe the people of the capital won't panic."

In a panic, they will frantically hoard food again.

Earthquakes, floods, plagues, food and clothing shortages, plus war on the border... let's see how His Majesty deals with them!

Once war breaks out, that's when money and supplies will be burned.

Wei Anlu said dismissively, "Does he think he can turn things around by using a greenhorn and a few poor scholars?"

If you want to challenge the Wei family, then become the former emperor!

The next day at dawn, amidst the unease of everyone in the government and the public, the sun still rose slowly.

The doors of the suburban rice shop opened, and a long queue had already formed outside. The young employees of the rice shop pushed open the warehouse door, and the shopkeeper walked out looking refreshed.

Leng Luo, who was sitting in a carriage at the entrance, walked up the steps and asked, "Is rice priced at fifty coins today?"

How much is the rice at that shop over there?

Leng Luo shook his head: "The door isn't open!"

"Then let's set the price at fifty coins."

He hung a sign at the door that read: Today's rice price: fifty coins.

By dusk, the entire warehouse was sold out.

Looking at the still-enthusiastic people, the shopkeeper said helplessly, "One hundred thousand shi of grain is enough for everyone to use for a while. That's all the grain we, the owner, could get. Everyone, please disperse."

After everyone left, the shopkeeper and the other young men greeted each other and exchanged all the silver they had recently received for silver notes.

The shopkeeper took out a box and handed it to Leng Luo: "This humble subject has been protected by Lord Leng for several days. Please take these silver notes and have a drink!"

Leng Luo took the box, clasped his hands in a fist salute to the young man, and said, "Let's go."

They escorted the young men as they rode away from the capital.

Back at the temporary rice shop in the suburbs, Leng Luo found the owner who was tidying up the yard and asked, "What are these people's names? Where are they from? When was the grain stored?"

This man wasn't the owner, just a steward. He said, "This courtyard was rented out a year ago, but I don't know who they are."

People pay rent, he rents out his house; there's no need for him to inquire about the other party's family history.

Yesterday, someone informed him that the house was no longer being rented and the contract was being terminated early.

As for the owners of the courtyard, they were a merchant couple who died of illness many years ago, and their only son has gone missing.

Therefore, you can't find anything by searching.

Just as Leng Luo was about to return to the palace to report, the deputy envoy came running up, panting, and said, "Lord Leng, something terrible has happened!"

The group rode quickly into the city, and from afar they heard shouts of chaos and panic: "The Western Xia have launched a major invasion! The border is in dire need of attention!"

Three swift horses galloped along the road, shouting their hooves.

The people were clearly terrified.

Is war about to break out?

The devastating earthquake is still unresolved, and I've heard that the south is experiencing severe flooding and an outbreak of plague. The Western Xia have also taken the opportunity to invade. What are we going to do?

Before the Great Xia even invaded, the people were already in disarray.

Some even shouted, "Why are those high-priced rice shops closed? Let's stock up on grain quickly! Even if we have silver, we won't be able to buy grain in the future. We can't just eat copper coins, can we?"

Upon hearing this, Leng Luo quickly caught up with the border messengers and whipped them off their horses, demanding, "Who told you to shout like that?"

When the soldiers saw the Imperial Guards, they stammered in fear, "The border... the border is in dire need of attention!"

"You're asking for help from your mother!"

Leng Luo took the border documents in his hand and said, "Come, come with me to the palace."

Only when someone held a knife to their throat did the three of them stop arguing.

Upon entering the palace, Emperor Hui received an urgent report from the border. He also heard from Leng Luo that these people had come shouting all the way, causing panic among the people. His blood boiled, and he covered his chest to hide his emotions.

Gu Shaoyu had already read the military report, and seeing Emperor Hui swaying precariously, he immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I believe there may be a trap in the military situation at the border."

He pointed out that the Western Xia and the Daqian had been at peace for many years, and that the Daqian was currently only experiencing an earthquake, with its foundations not shaken, so it was impossible for them to attack rashly.

These messengers, shouting so loudly along the way, clearly intended to incite panic and unrest among the people. Therefore, they must not be messengers on a major mission, but rather spies from an enemy state. I suggest they be thoroughly investigated.

He walked up to Duke Chengen and said sincerely, "The Wei family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, and the Wei family army would certainly not take this opportunity to disturb the people's hearts. Therefore, these people are definitely not messengers from the border army. Can you identify who they are?"

Duke Cheng'en was speechless for a moment. He really couldn't say such a thing in court, which was obviously disturbing the people's hearts and creating panic.

However, he absolutely could not say that the military report was fake; he could only say that these people had done a poor job.

Gu Shaoyu shook his head and said to His Majesty, "The identities of these people are questionable. Let the Imperial City Guard conduct an investigation. Also, we need to confirm the letter with the military governor again."

Emperor Hui felt much relieved and ordered Leng Luo to be taken away for a thorough interrogation.

The Duke of Cheng'en said, "This military report bears the seal of the border army commander, so it is not a forgery. Your Majesty should send grain to the border army as soon as possible."

His Majesty said calmly, "Let's discuss this further. I'm tired. Court is adjourned."

Gu Shaoyu took the lead and said, "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty," and then a bunch of ministers followed suit.

After a while, only Cheng'en Gong and his group were left looking at each other in bewilderment.

Your Majesty and that brat surnamed Gu, do they even care about military reports anymore?

That's right, no food, no money, there's nothing we can do!

The Duke of Cheng'en said to his confidants, "Go back tonight and draft memorials carefully! Tomorrow, all officials, high and low, will kneel together at the palace gate and outside the Golden Palace to urge His Majesty not to treat military matters lightly, not to chill the hearts of the 100,000 soldiers, and to protect the ancestral land even at the cost of their lives!"

If necessary, weep and plead! Get a few more hotheads to plead to the death!