Xiao Yichen straightened his clothes and walked solemnly toward the main hall of the palace. Every step he took seemed to carry the lives and deaths of the people of the capital and the fate of the Rong Kingdom. He knew that the content he was to report to the Emperor was of utmost importance and could not be taken lightly.

Stepping into the main hall, a solemn and dignified atmosphere immediately enveloped the audience. The Emperor sat high on the dragon throne, his face showing signs of illness, yet his eyes remained majestic. The ministers on either side were either deep in thought or wore worried expressions; the atmosphere in the entire court was as oppressive as the sky before a storm.

Xiao Yichen walked to the center of the hall, knelt on one knee, and clasped his hands in a salute: "Your Majesty, I have important matters to report. The capital is currently facing an unprecedented food crisis, and the situation is extremely critical." The Emperor frowned slightly and leaned forward: "General Xiao, please explain in detail."

Xiao Yichen raised his head and began to speak: "Your Majesty, after Lin Wan'er and I returned to the city, we witnessed the tragic scene throughout the capital. The grain shops were all empty, the grain had been swept away by mysterious buyers, and the people had no grain to buy. Now, the streets and alleys are filled with hungry people, fighting to the death for a little food, and social order is in chaos."

A minister couldn't help but interject, "General Xiao, have you found out who did this?" Xiao Yichen shook his head, "It hasn't been fully investigated yet, but it's certain that this was a premeditated operation. These mysterious buyers are operating covertly and their identities are unknown. All we know is that they purchased large quantities of grain in a short period of time, leading to a grain shortage in the market."

Xiao Yichen continued, “Your Majesty, the people of the capital are in dire straits. Many families have gone without food for days, and the elderly and children are on the verge of death from hunger. Corpses have been found on the streets, and disease is spreading among the population. If this is not resolved quickly, the capital will be plunged into utter ruin.” The Emperor’s face grew increasingly grim, and he gripped the armrest of his throne tightly: “What about the situation in the palace?”

"Your Majesty, the palace has not been spared either. The imperial kitchen is short of ingredients, and although there is some grain in the granaries, it is running low. The concubines, princes, and princesses in the harem are all worried about food, and the guards are also exhausted due to hunger. If the food problem continues to worsen, the safety and normal operation of the palace will be seriously threatened." Xiao Yichen reported truthfully.

Upon hearing this, the court erupted in uproar. Ministers began whispering amongst themselves, some with expressions of terror, others with fury. An elderly minister stepped forward: "Your Majesty, this is a matter of national importance; immediate action is necessary."

Xiao Yichen continued, “Your Majesty, this food crisis has already triggered a series of serious consequences. The people are dissatisfied with the court, and conflicts have broken out in some places against wealthy households and officials. If not handled properly, it may lead to a peasant uprising. Moreover, surrounding towns and villages have also been affected. After the news spread, people were in a state of panic, and many people began to hoard food, further exacerbating the food shortage situation.”

After a moment of contemplation, the Emperor asked, "General Xiao, what is your plan?" Xiao Yichen replied, "Your Majesty, I believe the most urgent task is to open the granaries and distribute grain to relieve the people. Currently, the palace and the capital's granaries still have a certain amount of grain stored, which can alleviate the immediate crisis. At the same time, we must immediately send people to thoroughly investigate the matter of the grain being bought up, find the mastermind behind it, and thwart their conspiracy."

The Prime Minister stepped forward to object: "Your Majesty, this is not advisable. Opening the granaries and distributing grain requires Your Majesty's decree. To act without authorization would be to disrupt the laws of the land. Moreover, we do not know if there are any further conspiracies behind this crisis. If we rashly distribute grain, and the grain runs out, the subsequent problems will be even more difficult to solve."

Xiao Yichen argued forcefully: "Prime Minister, the lives of the people are at stake right now. What use is the law if we just stand by and watch them starve to death? Besides, if chaos breaks out in the capital, the court will also be in danger. As for the follow-up issues, we can distribute grain while looking for new sources of food."

The court was immediately divided into two factions, arguing endlessly. Some ministers supported Xiao Yichen, believing that the people were the foundation of the country and that saving lives should be the priority; others supported the prime minister, worried that opening the granaries and distributing grain would cause more problems.

The Emperor watched his ministers argue, weighing the pros and cons in his mind. He knew that Xiao Yichen's words made sense, but the Prime Minister's concerns were not unfounded. He spoke up, "My dear ministers, please stop arguing. General Xiao, the matter of opening the granaries and distributing grain needs careful consideration. Tell me first how to ensure the safety and order of the distribution process, and how to find new sources of grain."

Xiao Yichen clasped his hands in a fist and said, “Your Majesty, when the grain is distributed, troops can be dispatched to maintain order. Grain distribution points should be set up throughout the capital, and the grain should be distributed to each household to ensure fairness. At the same time, those who take advantage of the situation to cause trouble should be severely punished. As for new sources of grain, people can be sent to the surrounding grain-producing areas to urgently requisition grain, and the grain reserves of wealthy households in the capital can also be investigated and they can be ordered to donate some to alleviate the crisis.”

A minister in charge of logistics said, “Your Majesty, although there is grain in the surrounding grain-producing areas, transportation takes time and may encounter obstacles along the way. Investigating the grain reserves of wealthy households may cause dissatisfaction among them and is also difficult to implement.”

Xiao Yichen responded: "My lord, time is of the essence. Although there are difficulties, we must try. As for the transportation issue, we can send more troops to escort the grain. We can reason with the wealthy households about their grain reserves, reward those who donate voluntarily, and punish those who resist according to the law."

At this moment, Lin Wan'er walked in from outside the palace, bowed to the Emperor, and said, "Your Majesty, I have discovered in the city that in addition to the food shortage, there are some suspicious people secretly inciting the people's emotions, attempting to make the chaos worse. They are mixed in with the crowd, spreading rumors that the court does not care about the lives of the people. It is clear that there is a force behind this crisis that wants to overthrow the court."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's expression darkened further: "Is this true? General Xiao, Miss Lin, you must find these people." Xiao Yichen nodded: "Your Majesty, rest assured, we will do our utmost. But stabilizing the situation in the capital is the key now. Only by solving the food problem and reassuring the people can we better find the mastermind and these suspicious individuals."

The Emperor rose and paced back and forth in the hall, pondering a solution. After a while, he stopped. "I have decided to open the granaries and distribute the grain, but we must strictly follow General Xiao's instructions. Prime Minister, you are responsible for coordinating all parties to ensure the distribution of the grain proceeds smoothly. General Xiao, you will lead the army to maintain order and, at the same time, intensify your investigation into the grain shortage. Miss Lin, you will assist General Xiao and keep an eye on the movements of suspicious individuals in the city."

The ministers answered in unison, "As you command!"

Xiao Yichen clasped his hands in a fist salute again: "Your Majesty is wise. However, I have another matter to report. This food crisis may be related to the forces of the martial arts world. During my investigation, I discovered traces of some martial arts figures, who may be involved." The Emperor frowned: "Martial arts forces? Why would they be involved in court affairs?"

Xiao Yichen explained, “Your Majesty, although the martial arts world and the imperial court seem to be separate, the interests involved are complex. Some martial arts forces may collude with certain ambitious individuals in the court in order to pursue their own interests. I suspect that this food crisis is jointly planned by martial arts forces and forces within the court.”

The Emperor nodded: "I understand. General Xiao, in handling this matter, if any figures from the martial arts world are involved, you may act as you see fit, but be careful not to provoke a large-scale conflict between the martial arts world and the imperial court."

"Your Majesty, I obey your decree. This food crisis is a major test for our Rong Kingdom. I will certainly live up to your mission and work together with all of you to overcome this difficulty," Xiao Yichen said firmly.

The Emperor looked at Xiao Yichen with eyes full of expectation: "General Xiao, I believe in you. The stability of the capital and the safety of the people are entrusted to you. I hope you can resolve the crisis as soon as possible and restore the prosperity of the capital."

After receiving his orders, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er left the main hall. They knew that the upcoming operation would be fraught with difficulties and dangers, but for the sake of the capital and the Rong Kingdom, they were prepared and marched forward towards the goal of resolving the food crisis. Meanwhile, the capital was still struggling in chaos and hunger, awaiting the dawn of hope.

After leaving the main hall, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er immediately began preparations for opening the granaries and distributing grain. They gathered soldiers, assigned tasks, and arranged for the distribution points to be set up. At the same time, they did not forget to investigate the mastermind behind the food shortage and those suspicious individuals stirring up trouble in the city. Every action concerned the fate of the capital, and they dared not slacken in the slightest, like travelers groping in the dark, striving to find a path to light for the capital.

As preparations progressed, some new problems began to emerge. Soldiers reported that some grain in the granaries had become moldy, which only compounded the problem. Xiao Yichen immediately went to investigate and found that due to previous negligence and prolonged storage, some grain in some granaries was already inedible. He frowned, worried that this would affect the quantity and quality of the grain distributed.

Lin Wan'er overheard some complaints from wealthy households in the city. Some were dissatisfied with the court's grain inventory, believing their property had been violated, and some even began to organize to resist the court's actions. Lin Wan'er informed Xiao Yichen of this, and the two realized that solving the grain crisis required not only confronting external conspiracies but also managing internal conflicts.

They decided to first appease and persuade the wealthy households, explaining the critical situation in the capital and the court's helpless measures. Xiao Yichen personally visited some influential wealthy households, explaining the greater good and emphasizing that the interests of the nation and its people were paramount. Through his efforts, some wealthy households began to understand the court's actions and expressed their willingness to donate some of their stored grain. However, some stubborn wealthy households remained unmoved and even verbally abused Xiao Yichen.

Faced with these stubborn individuals, Xiao Yichen did not back down. He warned these wealthy households that they would be severely punished if they continued to resist the imperial court's orders. At the same time, he also arranged for soldiers to closely monitor their every move to prevent them from sabotaging the grain distribution operation.

While dealing with the issue of wealthy households, Xiao Yichen did not neglect the problem of moldy grain in the granary. He convened the granary managers and some experts in grain preservation to discuss solutions. After some deliberation, they decided to remove the moldy grain as soon as possible, while inspecting and processing the remaining grain to minimize losses.

Amidst the tense and busy preparations, the day for opening the granaries and distributing grain finally arrived. On this day, the people of the capital lined up early at various grain distribution points, their eyes filled with anticipation and hope, as if they saw the dawn of survival. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er stood at the front of the grain distribution line, ready to face this challenge that would determine the fate of the capital.

Although the capital city remained fraught with crisis, thanks to the efforts of Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, a glimmer of hope had begun to emerge. Whether they could successfully resolve the food crisis and restore the capital city to its former prosperity remained uncertain, but their unwavering belief burned like an inextinguishable flame.

The morning sun shone through the dappled clouds onto the golden bricks of the imperial palace, but it failed to dispel the somber, gloomy atmosphere that hung over the court. The ministers, dressed in their court robes, wore a variety of expressions—some with furrowed brows, others with worried faces—all gathered to discuss the crucial issue of food supplies that threatened the very survival of the capital.

The Prime Minister spoke first, holding his tablet and bowing slightly: "Your Majesty, the current food crisis in the capital is unprecedented in our dynasty for decades. I believe that the most urgent task is to thoroughly investigate the reasons for the massive purchase of grain and find out who is behind it, so as to solve the problem at its root."

A Minister of Rites nodded in agreement: "The Prime Minister is absolutely right. However, the capital is currently in chaos, and the people are starving and will eat anything. The most urgent task is to stabilize the situation. If we allow the people to riot, even if we find out who is behind it, the capital will have already suffered a severe blow."

The Minister of Revenue then spoke up: "A stable situation requires the support of grain. Although there is grain stored in the granaries of the capital, the quantity is limited. If we rashly open the granaries and release the grain, what will happen if the subsequent supply is insufficient? Moreover, we do not know if there are any conspiracies behind this grain shortage. If someone takes the opportunity to hoard grain, releasing the grain may not be able to solve the long-term problem."

Xiao Yichen stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, “My lord, if we don’t open the granaries and distribute grain, the people will not be able to survive, and the capital will immediately descend into chaos. As for the subsequent supply, we can take a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, we can urgently requisition grain from the surrounding counties; on the other hand, we can investigate the grain reserves of wealthy households in the capital and order them to donate some to alleviate the immediate crisis.”

These words immediately sparked a heated discussion in the court. An imperial censor stepped forward to object: "General Xiao, requisitioning grain from surrounding counties may encounter unforeseen circumstances during transportation and could affect the local people's livelihood. Investigating the grain reserves of wealthy households is without legal basis and could easily incite discontent among them, or even lead to their alienation from the court."

Xiao Yichen looked at the censor with a firm gaze: "Your Excellency, if the capital is in chaos, the surrounding counties will also find it difficult to remain unscathed. As for wealthy households, we can reason with them and appeal to their emotions. The crisis in the capital concerns the very foundation of the nation, and wealthy households also have a responsibility to overcome the difficulties together. Moreover, the court can reward those who donate grain, such as with honorary titles or appropriate tax reductions."

The Minister of War said, "The safety of transporting grain is of paramount importance. If we need to requisition grain from surrounding counties, we must dispatch a large army to escort it along the way to prevent anyone from robbing the grain en route. At the same time, we also need to strengthen the deployment of troops in the capital to maintain order in the distribution of grain."

The Minister of Works proposed: "Your Majesty, the granary facilities in the capital also need to be inspected and repaired. The current problem with the grain may be due to issues with the granaries themselves, such as poor storage conditions leading to mold growth. I suggest that a special person be dispatched to oversee this matter to ensure that the granaries are in normal working order and that the grain is well preserved."

The Minister of Personnel, speaking from the perspective of official management, said: "Your Majesty, in this food crisis, officials at all levels must perform their duties. Those who are negligent or obstruct the process should be severely punished. At the same time, some capable and responsible officials can be selected to be specifically responsible for food allocation and crisis management."

At this moment, a young minister stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I believe we must also pay attention to the sentiments of the people in the city. Rumors are spreading throughout the city, and the people are already dissatisfied with the court. We can arrange for someone to explain the court's measures to the people while distributing grain, so as to appease their hearts."

An old minister stroked his beard and pondered for a moment before saying, “The people’s hearts are certainly important, but the source of food is fundamental. The surrounding counties have limited food supplies, so we can consider transferring grain from other major grain-producing provinces. However, this requires the court to coordinate, and the journey is long, so transportation costs and time must be taken into account.”

Xiao Yichen responded, "My lord, although the journey to transport grain from major grain-producing provinces is long, we can use multiple routes in parallel. In addition to land transportation, if there are suitable waterways, we can use waterways to improve efficiency. At the same time, we can negotiate with local governments along the way to establish supply points to ensure the safety of transportation."

Lin Wan'er chimed in, "Your Majesty, I have discovered several suspicious individuals operating covertly within the city. They are deliberately inciting the people and causing chaos. While dealing with the grain issue, the court must also send people to secretly investigate these suspicious individuals to prevent them from further disrupting the situation in the capital."

The Emperor sat on his dragon throne, listening to his ministers' discussions and weighing the pros and cons in his mind. He knew that every decision concerned the life and death of the capital and had to be made with utmost care. After a long while, the Emperor spoke: "What my ministers have said is all reasonable. Prime Minister, I hereby order you to take overall control and coordinate with all parties. First, send people to investigate the grain reserves of wealthy households in the capital, and at the same time, communicate with surrounding counties and major grain-producing provinces to prepare for the relocation of grain."

The Prime Minister accepted the order: "As Your Majesty commands. I will do my utmost. However, the requisition of grain involves many steps and requires the cooperation of multiple departments, including the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War." The Emperor nodded: "The Ministry of Revenue is responsible for grain allocation and accounting, the Ministry of War ensures transportation safety, and the Ministry of Works inspects and repairs transportation roads and granary facilities. All departments must cooperate closely."

The Emperor looked at Xiao Yichen: "General Xiao, you are in charge of maintaining order and distributing grain in the capital. Lead the Imperial Guards and the capital's garrison to severely crack down on those who take advantage of the situation to cause trouble. At the same time, work with Miss Lin to investigate suspicious individuals in the city and eliminate potential threats as soon as possible."

"Your Majesty, I obey your decree. I have another suggestion. We can set up reporting points in the capital to encourage people to report suspicious individuals and cases of grain hoarding, and reward those whose reports are verified," Xiao Yichen said.

The Emperor approved: "This plan is excellent. Notices should be posted to inform the people of the reports, so that they can participate in maintaining stability in the capital."

The Minister of Personnel advised: "Your Majesty, the court should commend the officials and common people who have performed outstandingly in this food crisis, set an example, and inspire more people to overcome the difficulties together. As for those wealthy households who are unscrupulous and refuse to donate their stored grain, they should also be punished according to the law to uphold the law of the country."

The Emperor nodded: "The Ministry of Personnel is responsible for recording the performance of officials in this incident, and rewarding or punishing them after the war. As for wealthy households, they shall be dealt with according to the law, without any favoritism."

The ministers continued to discuss the specific implementation details. The Minister of Revenue proposed the quantity and distribution plan for the grain requisition: "Your Majesty, based on the population of the capital and the current grain shortage, the first batch of grain to be requisitioned from the surrounding counties is [x] shi, with subsequent adjustments made according to the situation. The first batch of grain to be requisitioned from the major grain-producing provinces is [x] shi, to be transported in [x] batches. Part of this grain will be used to open granaries to provide relief to the people, and part will be kept as reserves."

The Minister of War continued, “Your Majesty, to ensure the safety of transportation, each transport convoy must be equipped with [x] soldiers. Increase troop deployments at key sections of the route and checkpoints to prevent the thieves from seizing the grain. At the same time, establish a joint defense mechanism with local governments along the route to jointly deal with emergencies.”

The Minister of Works reported: "Your Majesty, the repair of the granaries in the capital is expected to take [x] days, requiring the allocation of [x] craftsmen and [x] materials. Special personnel have also been assigned to oversee the inspection and repair of the roads along the route, aiming to complete the work before the grain is transported."

When discussing how to investigate the grain reserves of wealthy households, a minister suggested: "Your Majesty, we can start with the wealthy households in the capital. These households are rich and should have a lot of grain reserves. We can send officials with soldiers to investigate, and also bring along accountants to accurately count the amount of grain."

Another minister added: "For wealthy households who voluntarily cooperate in donating grain, their good deeds can be publicly commended in the city. For those who resist, a warning should be given first, and if they still do not comply, they should be dealt with according to the law."

Regarding stabilizing public sentiment, the Minister of Rites suggested: "Your Majesty, officials can be stationed at grain distribution points to explain the court's measures and current efforts to the people, so that they understand that the court is thinking of them. At the same time, some charitable activities can be organized in the city, such as distributing porridge and helping the sick, to demonstrate the court's care."

Regarding the investigation of suspicious individuals, Lin Wan'er said, "Your Majesty, I suggest we start by investigating the source of those rumors. Send people to track down those who spread them and find the mastermind behind them. At the same time, pay attention to any unusual gatherings and movements of people in the city; these places may be problematic."

As the discussions deepened, the plans were gradually refined. The ministers knew that this food crisis was a major test for Rong Kingdom, and every link in the chain could not be compromised. They analyzed the problem from various angles, proposed solutions, and strived to minimize the impact of the crisis and save the people of the capital from their suffering.

After a full day of discussion, a complete plan to deal with the food crisis was finally formulated. The Prime Minister presented the plan to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, this is the result of our discussions. Please review it. If there are any improprieties, we will revise it accordingly."

After carefully reviewing the plan, the Emperor's face lit up slightly: "My beloved ministers, you have worked hard. This plan is very comprehensive. I hope that you will all work together to implement it and resolve the food crisis in the capital as soon as possible and restore order to the capital."

The ministers shouted in unison, "As you command! Your Majesty is wise!"

Subsequently, the ministers received their orders and departed to begin preparing for the implementation of the plan. The Prime Minister returned to his residence and immediately summoned his subordinates, assigning them the task of investigating the grain reserves of wealthy households. The Minister of Revenue communicated with local governments to arrange grain requisition. The Minister of War deployed troops, preparing for transportation and security. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er also began working tirelessly to maintain order in the capital and investigate suspicious individuals.

The entire capital city resembled a vast battlefield; though no gunpowder smoke was visible, a tense atmosphere permeated every corner. The ministers knew they bore the fate of the Rong Kingdom and the hopes of the capital's people on their shoulders; in this battle against the food crisis, they could only win, not lose. Meanwhile, the people of the capital, still suffering from hunger and fear, awaited the court's aid. They didn't know what the future held, but they all longed for this nightmare to end soon.

During the implementation of the plan, new problems and challenges continued to emerge. The Prime Minister encountered resistance when investigating the grain reserves of wealthy households. Some wealthy households received advance notice and hid their grain reserves, even bribing the investigating officials in an attempt to slip through the cracks. Upon learning this, the Prime Minister was furious and immediately ordered severe punishment for the bribed officials and intensified the investigation.

The Ministry of Revenue also encountered difficulties in communicating with neighboring counties and major grain-producing provinces. Some local officials were unwilling to requisition grain, citing local food shortages. The Minister of Revenue personally went to these areas to talk with the officials, explaining the greater good and promising that the court would provide some compensation, which finally resolved the problem.

When the Ministry of War was deploying troops to transport grain, they discovered that some sections of the roads had been affected by natural disasters such as landslides, which had disrupted the transport routes. They had to replan the routes and arrange for soldiers to repair the roads.

While investigating suspicious individuals, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er discovered that these people were extremely cunning. They frequently changed their identities and hiding places, greatly complicating their investigation. However, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er did not give up. Through meticulous observation and analysis, they gradually uncovered some clues.

Despite the numerous difficulties, the ministers steadfastly carried out the plan. They knew this was a battle of life and death, and every obstacle overcome was a step closer to victory. The fate of the capital rested in their hands; they had to do everything in their power to bring hope to the people of the capital and restore the Rong Kingdom to its former glory.

The atmosphere in the imperial court was so heavy it seemed like water could be squeezed out of it; every breath the ministers took was filled with worry for the fate of the capital. After a long and intense discussion, the decision to open the granaries and distribute grain to relieve the people finally emerged after overcoming numerous difficulties and weighing the pros and cons.

The Prime Minister cleared his throat, breaking the brief silence in the court: "Your Majesty, after careful consideration, we believe that although opening the granaries to distribute grain carries risks, it is the only option at present. The people of the capital are on the verge of death; if we do not act immediately, the consequences will be unimaginable." The Emperor nodded slightly, a resolute glint in his eyes: "I also know that this action is of great importance, but the people are the foundation of the nation and cannot be abandoned."

The Minister of Revenue stepped forward, holding his official tablet, his expression solemn: "Your Majesty, the opening of the granaries and the distribution of grain requires detailed planning. Although the granaries in the capital have a certain amount of grain stored, it needs to be allocated rationally to ensure that it can provide relief to the people to the greatest extent possible, while maintaining a certain reserve to prevent any unforeseen circumstances."

"Your words are quite right, my esteemed minister." The Emperor looked at the Minister of Revenue. "Tell me how you intend to distribute the grain." The Minister of Revenue stepped forward and unfolded a prepared list: "Your Majesty, the capital has a large population, roughly estimated at [specific population number]. Currently, the granaries hold approximately [amount of grain] shi (a unit of dry measure). I suggest that the initial distribution of grain be based on [amount of grain] per household, distributed on a household-by-household basis. This will address the immediate hunger of the people. This round of distribution is expected to consume [an estimated amount of grain for the initial distribution] shi of grain."

A minister raised a question: "If grain is distributed according to this standard, how can fairness be ensured? There is a risk that some unscrupulous individuals may fraudulently claim or receive more than their share." Xiao Yichen replied: "A strict verification mechanism can be set up at each grain distribution point. Each household should send a representative with proof of household registration. Soldiers and officials will verify the information on-site before distributing the grain. Those who fraudulently claim grain will be severely punished."

“In addition,” Xiao Yichen added, “to prevent chaos during the distribution of grain, a cordon can be set up around the distribution points, with the Imperial Guards and the capital's garrison maintaining order. People must queue to receive their grain and are not allowed to cut in line or crowd.”

The Minister of Works continued, "Your Majesty, the granary facilities also need attention. Frequent opening and closing of the granary doors during the grain release period may affect the preservation conditions of the grain. I suggest that a dedicated person be assigned to be responsible for the maintenance of the granary, and that the condition of the granary be checked after each grain release to ensure that the remaining grain does not become damp or spoil."

The Prime Minister looked at the Minister of War: "When distributing grain, security is of paramount importance. The Ministry of War must ensure that no riots occur in the capital. If any lawless individuals take the opportunity to cause trouble, they must be swiftly suppressed." The Minister of War clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Prime Minister, rest assured, I have already arranged [specific troops] to be deployed in various key areas and near the grain distribution points. At the same time, patrols have been strengthened, and suspicious persons have been closely monitored."

The Minister of Personnel advised: "Your Majesty, this distribution of grain involves many officials, and it is necessary to supervise them. Those officials who conscientiously perform their duties and are fair and honest should be rewarded, while those who neglect their duties or engage in favoritism and fraud should be severely punished. An inspection team composed of officials drawn from the Ministry of Personnel can be formed to be in charge of this matter."

Lin Wan'er said from the side, "Your Majesty, while providing relief to the people, we must not ignore their emotions. The people in the city have many misunderstandings about the court due to hunger and panic. We can arrange for special personnel at the grain distribution points to explain the court's measures to the people, informing them that the court is working hard to solve the food problem, including plans for subsequent grain requisition, so that the people can feel at ease."

The Minister of Rites nodded in agreement: "Miss Lin is absolutely right. We can also post notices at the grain distribution points to publicize the court's policies and its care for the people. At the same time, we can give priority to distributing grain to the elderly living alone, children, and the sick, and provide them with additional assistance."

At this point, a minister suggested, "Your Majesty, while opening the granaries to distribute grain is a benevolent act, it may also attract a large influx of refugees from surrounding areas into the capital. If a large number of refugees flood in, the capital's food supply will become even more strained, and public security will face even greater challenges."

After a moment's thought, Xiao Yichen replied, "My lord, checkpoints can be set up around the capital to inspect those entering the city. For those who are truly displaced due to the food crisis, temporary relief points can be set up at the checkpoints, and after distributing a certain amount of food, they can be persuaded to return to their place of origin. In special circumstances, such as having relatives in the capital to rely on, they can be allowed to enter after verification, but they must be registered."

The Emperor approved of the suggestion: "We shall follow General Xiao's advice. Each checkpoint must be strictly guarded, while the court's benevolence must be shown, and the refugees should not be treated too harshly."

When discussing how to deal with the potential food shortage, the Minister of Revenue stated: "Your Majesty, this release of grain from the granaries is only to alleviate the immediate crisis. I have already communicated with the surrounding counties and major grain-producing provinces to urgently requisition grain. The first batch of grain from the surrounding counties is estimated to be [estimated initial amount of grain from surrounding counties] shi, [estimated arrival time] and can reach the capital; the first batch of grain from the major grain-producing provinces is estimated to be [estimated initial amount of grain from major grain-producing provinces] shi, and due to the long distance, [estimated arrival time] it can arrive. However, these quantities of grain may still be insufficient, and we need to find other means."

One minister suggested: "Your Majesty, you could encourage the people of the capital to grow their own grain. Although the current season may not be suitable for large-scale planting, you can plant some easy-to-grow coarse grains, such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, in open spaces within the city and around houses to supplement the food shortage."

The Minister of Works responded: "This plan is feasible. The court can arrange for specialists to guide the people in planting and provide some seeds. In addition, for some abandoned land in the capital, the people can be organized to cultivate it and plant food crops."

When discussing how to ensure the safe transport of grain, the Minister of War said, "Your Majesty, to ensure the safe arrival of grain from surrounding counties and major grain-producing provinces in the capital, I have arranged for a large number of troops to escort them. Each transport team is equipped with [number of troops] soldiers, divided into three groups: front, middle, and rear, to ensure the safe transport of grain throughout the entire journey. At the same time, we are working closely with local governments along the route to set up supply points and temporary barracks in various places to deal with emergencies."

The Prime Minister added, "If bandits or outlaws appear along the way, we can eliminate them while also recruiting some people who are willing to serve the court to help maintain local security and ensure the safety of grain transportation."

Regarding the issue of grain reserves held by wealthy households in the capital, a minister suggested: "Your Majesty, while opening the granaries to distribute grain, the investigation of grain reserves held by wealthy households in the capital should not be relaxed. Officials can be sent to explain the situation to the wealthy households again and persuade them to donate some of their reserves. Those who respond positively should be given honors and substantial rewards, such as erecting a memorial archway in the city or reducing or exempting taxes; those who resist should be forcibly collected according to law and punished."

The Emperor nodded in agreement: "This matter is entrusted to the Prime Minister. He must handle it properly and avoid causing excessive conflict between the wealthy households and the court."

During discussions on how to stabilize prices in the capital, the Minister of Revenue proposed: "Your Majesty, the food shortage has led to soaring prices, especially for food-related items such as rice, flour, cooking oil, and salt. The court can release some of these supplies from the official granaries into the market to stabilize prices. At the same time, those who engage in price gouging should be severely punished."

The Minister of Rites suggested: "Notices should be posted in the city to announce the reasonable prices of various goods so that the people are aware of them. Merchants who violate the price regulations should have their illegal gains confiscated and be punished accordingly based on the severity of the offense."

When discussing how to further investigate the conspiracy behind the food crisis, Lin Wan'er said, "Your Majesty, General Xiao and I will continue to investigate suspicious individuals in the city. At the same time, we can start by examining the grain transaction records to investigate the mysterious buyers who purchased large quantities of grain. In addition, we will investigate grain merchants, transporters, and other related personnel in the capital to see if anyone is colluding with the mastermind behind the crisis."

Xiao Yichen continued, "Your Majesty, I suggest that we spread the word in the martial arts world and seek help from martial arts practitioners. There are many well-informed people in the martial arts world who may be able to provide some valuable clues. At the same time, we should also investigate the personnel within the court to see if there are any traitors who leaked information or were involved."

The Emperor frowned: "I agree with General Xiao's suggestion, but we must be cautious when cooperating with martial arts figures, and we must not allow them to use this to disrupt the capital. The investigation of personnel within the court must be conducted in secrecy, and we must not cause panic among officials."

After a full day of detailed discussions, a comprehensive and complex decision-making plan gradually took shape. This plan covered many aspects, including the specific operation of opening granaries to release grain, the subsequent supply of grain, maintaining security in the capital, appeasing public sentiment, stabilizing prices, handling the grain reserves of wealthy households, and investigating the conspiracy behind the grain crisis.

The Prime Minister presented the revised plan to the Emperor again: "Your Majesty, this is the final decision we have reached. Please review it. If there are any shortcomings, we will revise it accordingly." After carefully reviewing it, the Emperor solemnly stood up: "My beloved ministers have put in a great deal of effort; this plan is comprehensive and meticulous. I hereby declare that this plan shall be implemented immediately, without the slightest negligence. This food crisis concerns the survival of our Rong Kingdom; I hope that everyone will work together to overcome this difficulty."

The ministers shouted in unison, "As you command! Your Majesty is wise!"

Subsequently, the ministers received their orders and departed, each beginning to diligently implement the decisions made. The streets and alleys of the capital bustled with activity. Soldiers rushed to their posts to maintain order during the distribution of grain; officials went to granaries and distribution points to organize related matters; officials from the Ministry of Revenue intensified communication with local governments regarding grain requisition; officials from the Ministry of Works inspected granaries and prepared to guide the people in planting grain; while Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er led their subordinates to investigate suspicious individuals and maintain order in the capital.

The entire capital city seemed to start operating at high speed like a giant machine. Although the future was still full of unknown challenges, the ministers and the people of the capital were filled with hope. They knew that this was a battle for survival and for the country, and everyone was working towards the same goal: to help the capital overcome this terrible food crisis and restore its former prosperity and peace.

Difficulties continued to arise during the implementation of the decision. When setting up grain distribution points, it was discovered that some locations had limited space and could not accommodate the large numbers of people queuing, requiring replanning. Meanwhile, some household registration certificates were damaged or lost, causing problems for verification. Officials had to temporarily adjust the layout of the grain distribution points and assign personnel to verify and reissue household registration issues.

During the escort of grain, the Ministry of War encountered an attack by a small group of bandits. Although the soldiers quickly repelled the bandits, some of the grain was damaged. The Minister of War immediately adjusted the transport route and escort strategy, and strengthened the protection of the transport team.

When the Prime Minister investigated the grain reserves of wealthy households, some of them banded together to resist the investigation and even hired thugs to confront the court officials. The Prime Minister decisively ordered the deployment of more troops to suppress the unrest and increased the punishment for these wealthy households as a warning to others.

While investigating suspicious individuals, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er discovered clues pointing to some underground forces in the capital. These forces were intricately connected, with numerous ties to both the martial arts world and the imperial court. They ventured deep into these powerful figures, engaging in a thrilling confrontation in an attempt to uncover the true conspiracy behind the food crisis.

Despite numerous difficulties, the distribution of grain from the granaries proceeded smoothly thanks to the joint efforts of the imperial court and the people of the capital. The people's eyes shone with a thirst for survival and gratitude towards the court as they received their food. This glimmer of hope brought light to the entire capital amidst the dark food crisis, inspiring everyone to continue striving for the city's future.