"In this situation, any solution that is the opposite will not work and will inevitably have some adverse effects."

So I decided to play along. I'll use their current famine rumors against them to deal with them.”

Upon hearing this, the magistrate looked puzzled and said:

"Your Highness, what do you mean by that?"

Zhu Yunwen revealed a mysterious smile and said:

"Once, when I was in the Northwest, in a place called Hukou County, I went to solve a grain disaster. I used a method to deal with some local gentry and landlords."

I made them hand over all their grain unconditionally, but in the end I didn't give them a single penny, causing them a huge loss.

Because they felt ashamed about this matter and couldn't talk about it openly, they kept it a secret and didn't let any word of it out.

After all, this not only concerns their reputation, but also the shady dealings of some local gentry and landlords. Once it is brought to the light, it will have a huge impact on them.

Moreover, in that situation, they were forced to play the good guy; if they exposed the truth, they would not only lose money but also ruin their reputation as good people.

What Zhu Yunwen was referring to was, on the surface, his plan to get the local gentry and landlords to cooperate with him and encourage the wealthy people in the area to donate grain and money.

Then all the money and grain donated by the local gentry were returned, and the money and grain donated by the wealthy were split 50/50 among them.

In the end, Zhu Yunwen did not distribute the profits with those gentry and landlords at all.

Instead, they used all the grain they invested in, as well as the grain donated by others that they obtained through bribery, for the benefit of the people.

Zhu Yunwen prepared to use this method as well.

The magistrate had no idea what Zhu Yunwen had done in Hukou County, nor did he know what Zhu Yunwen's so-called plan was.

So I'm still completely confused.

Therefore, Zhu Yunwen did not offer much explanation and simply said:

"Issue the order that I, the Crown Prince, will host a banquet in the county government office for all the gentry and landlords of Hekou County to discuss how to deal with the drought and famine."

The magistrate, looking completely bewildered, said:

"Your Highness, but this drought and famine is a hoax. Why have we summoned them here to discuss ways to deal with it?"

Zhu Yunwen said, "Didn't I say that whether it's true or false is no longer important? What's important is that many people probably think it's true."

Then we should pretend it might be true, and take an unconventional approach to deal with this. Just do as I say, and you'll understand when the time comes!

Upon hearing Zhu Yuntong's words, the county magistrate had no choice but to believe him.

So, following Zhu Yunwen's wishes, an invitation was sent out in Zhu Yunwen's name, announcing in a very high-profile manner that the gentry and landlords of Hekou County were invited to attend a meeting to discuss how to deal with the possible drought and famine that might occur in the future.

The news spread quickly, and the people all knew about it. When Old Master Sun of the Sun family received the invitation, his previously smug face immediately turned into one of utter bewilderment.

Everything was proceeding as he had imagined. He had assumed that Zhu Yunwen and the county government would issue announcements one after another.

In this way, the people would not believe such nonsense about drought and famine, and various assurances would be given to the people that there would be no drought or famine.

However, things did not turn out as he had imagined; it seemed that the county government and Zhu Yunwen actually believed it.

This caught Old Sun off guard, and he couldn't help but wonder if they really believed it to be true.

Otherwise, how can we explain that the county government wants to consult with them about this matter?

If they don't believe in this, why consult them?

So there can only be one possibility: they really believed it.

Thinking of this, Old Sun gave a mocking laugh and said:

"What talk of a wise and brave grandson, what talk of intelligence and wisdom... it's laughable. My little tricks could only fool those ignorant people, let alone this grandson.

He actually believed it and even wanted to consult with us local gentry and landlords about how to deal with it? It's utterly ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! It makes us a laughingstock!

He suddenly realized that Zhu Yunwen was not as terrifying as he had imagined.

All my previous worries seem to have been unnecessary.

Now Old Sun was completely relieved, and even a little proud.

That very evening, Old Sun, along with several other local gentry and landlords from Hekou County, arrived at the county government office in a very high-profile manner.

As the saying goes, if you're going to put on an act, you have to go all the way. Now, this fool Zhu Yunwen has also believed in the so-called drought and famine, and actually invited them to discuss it.

Isn't this a perfect opportunity?

This clearly proves that the government and the Crown Prince also believe there will be a drought and famine.

This is an incredible stroke of good news for Old Master Sun. If the county government and the Crown Prince believe it, how could the common people not believe it?

Wouldn't this be more advantageous for Old Sun's plan to sell off his grain?

Therefore, Sun Lao felt that Zhu Yunwen had done a great favor under these circumstances.

He could even double the price of the grain in his home.

With these thoughts in mind, Old Sun smugly entered the county government's reception room.

A banquet had already been prepared in the side hall of the county government office.

Zhu Yunwen was already seated. When he saw Old Man Sun and the local gentry and landlords come in, he immediately stood up and asked them to sit down.

At this moment, Old Master Sun looked at Zhu Yunwen with great enthusiasm. He originally thought that Zhu Yunwen would bring him down, but he never expected that Zhu Yunwen would be his benefactor.

Zhu Yunwen looked at Old Man Sun with the same expression one would give a distinguished guest.

Both of them harbored ulterior motives, but Zhu Yunwen's thoughts were clearly more deeply hidden.

At least Old Sun doesn't know what he'll face next.