Setting up a military camp may seem simple, but it involves a wide range of issues.
Considering Liu Zhao who was behind Gu Jiu, the Shaofu Household Director had to think more about it.
He asked tentatively, "Is this your idea, or His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's?"
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "I know what the old ancestor is worried about you. You are worried that I will use public resources for personal gain, and that Liu Zhao will interfere with the newly established military camp and threaten the safety of the capital."
The Minister of the Imperial Household sighed, "In my position, I can't help but worry. As you know, the court is in turmoil right now, and there are bound to be many people with similar ideas. Even His Majesty will become suspicious, and the eldest prince's situation will become even more embarrassing."
Gu Jiu said softly, "The old ancestor's concerns are not without reason. However, there are two sides to every coin. Your Majesty may be suspicious of your Highness's intentions, but on the other hand, you can use the opportunity of setting up a military camp to strengthen your control over the capital and further consolidate your control over the court. Your Majesty will probably not miss such a good opportunity."
The Minister of the Imperial Household nodded secretly, "You have a point. If that's the case, why did you propose building a military camp?"
"Because this is the best option for Xinmin County."
"But it will harm the interests of His Highness."
Gu Jiu laughed, "Many years ago, this place was a wasteland. I witnessed it grow from nothing to something, from worthless to worth a fortune. Xinmin County is the Xinmin County of the Great Zhou, but it is also my, Gu Jiu's, child."
For the sake of the child, it is worth sacrificing a little bit of Liu Zhao's interests. I believe that Your Majesty can also understand that my feelings for Xinmin County are far greater than the pursuit of power."
The Shaofu Household Manager frowned slightly, and suddenly, he seemed unable to see through Gu Jiu.
He thought he saw through Gu Jiu's intention of taking this step, but at this moment, he was confused again.
The chess game that originally seemed clear became chaotic again, and the outcome was difficult to determine.
The Shaofu household official picked up the teacup to hide the surprise on his lips.
After a moment, he said to Gu Jiu, "I am already in my seventies. I have lived through four dynasties and witnessed countless turbulent events. I thought I had seen through the world, but today I find myself confused."
Gu Jiu laughed, "The old ancestor can still serve as the Minister of the Imperial Household for another seven or eight years."
The Shaofu Household Manager shook his head repeatedly, "I'm too old to do this. My wish is fulfilled if my eldest grandson returns alive. I plan to serve for another two or three years, then I'll voluntarily resign. Clinging to power will only bore His Majesty."
The eldest grandson of the Shaofu Household Manager was framed by Princess Chaoyang a few years ago, which triggered a series of subsequent chaos.
In a rage, Gu Jiu threw his eldest grandson into the mine to work as a miner.
Later he was thrown into a farm as a serf.
It was not until the year before last that he was "found" by the Shaofu's family official.
After several years of slavery, this dissolute and prodigal grandson finally became obedient and no longer dared to behave recklessly.
Gu Jiu refilled the teacup of the Shaofu Housekeeper and said, "Old Ancestor, if one day you really resign from the position of Shaofu Housekeeper, if you don't mind, why not come to Shanhe Academy to teach."
The Shaofu Household Manager was stunned. He had never expected Gu Jiu's brilliant idea to invite him to teach at Shanhe Academy.
After coming to his senses, he waved his hands repeatedly and said, "I am an old man without any knowledge or skills. If I teach, I will only mislead the students."
Gu Jiu laughed, "You're too polite, old ancestor. Shanhe Academy not only teaches students how to take the imperial examinations, but also offers a subject called divination, and quite a few students sign up for this subject."
Of the successful juren students who graduated last year, all those who scored 95 or above in the numerology exam were snatched up by the Ministry of Revenue. They didn't make the jinshi exam, but they still managed to enter the imperial court thanks to their numerology skills. Even if they only became a minor official, it was still a leap forward in life.
At the beginning of this year, the Ministry of Revenue had already informed the academy that all outstanding students in the field of numerology would be reserved for them. Because of the Ministry of Revenue's favor, the number of students choosing to study numerology increased by 20% this year.
The subject of numerology has great potential. Numerology teachers are currently trying to compile new textbooks, as the old ones no longer meet the needs of students. If our ancestors are interested, they can also participate in the grand event of compiling textbooks.
I'm secretly telling my ancestors a piece of news: a student from the Imperial College has asked someone to buy our academy's textbooks. Perhaps in two years, a student from the Imperial College will transfer to our Shanhe Academy."
puff!
The Shaofu Housekeeper imitated Gu Jiu and said in a low voice, "If you steal students from the Imperial College, everyone in the Imperial College will hate Shanhe Academy to death."
Gu Jiu said lightly, "The Imperial College has been teaching for hundreds of years, but it's still the same old way. Even the textbooks haven't changed. Times have changed, and teaching should keep pace with the times. Just learning the Four Books and Five Classics is not enough to cope with the imperial examinations."
"Just say this in front of me, don't tell anyone else. Or you'll become a target of public criticism."
"Thank you for the reminder, ancestor. I know how serious it is and won't say anything nonsense."
The Shaofu Housekeeper stroked his beard and said, "After hearing your introduction to Shanhe Academy, I wish I could resign from my official position tomorrow."
"I'm honored! You can come to the academy at any time. I will also have someone contact you regarding the compilation of teaching materials."
"There's no rush for this. I came here today for another matter."
Gu Jiu knew it all, "Is it for disaster relief food?"
"As expected, nothing can be hidden from you." The Shaofu Household Manager did not hide anything.
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Your ancestors don't need to explain to me how serious the food crisis is. I know it all. I won't keep you in suspense. I have food, but why should I give it away? The food business is extremely profitable right now. I can make much more money selling food myself than selling it to the court."
When it comes to food, Gu Jiu's previous gentleness changes and he becomes very sharp. His attitude is completely businesslike.
The Shaofu Housekeeper frowned, "We can negotiate. Can you tell me how much food you have?"
Gu Jiu laughed, "The granaries of the wealthy families are filled with grain. But they are unwilling to take it out. They are waiting for the lean season when grain prices will rise to the highest level before selling the grain they have.
Furthermore, as far as I know, grain hoarding has occurred in every prefecture. This has further inflated grain prices. Unfortunately, the government's warehouses are completely empty, and there's simply no grain left to stabilize prices. Furthermore, the grain in the capital warehouses can't be moved. It's a truly urgent situation!
If things go wrong, chaos will break out. With a single call, officials will be killed and rebellion will ensue. By then, we will have to pay a price ten or a hundred times greater than we are paying now to quell the chaos."
The Shaofu Household Manager's face was serious. "Since you already know the severity of this disaster, as a member of the Liu family, how can you sit back and do nothing?"
Gu Jiu sneered and said, "I am not the only one in the Liu family. I am not the only one who has food."
"The little food they have isn't even enough to fill their stomachs. Your Majesty has forced me into this situation, so I have no choice but to come to you. The current situation is that even with money, it's difficult to buy food. As you said, those aristocratic families are waiting for a price, and won't sell their grain until the price is the highest. The court's repeated orders not to hoard grain have no effect on these aristocratic families."
The Minister of the Imperial Household did not hide anything and laid out the court's difficulties one by one.
"The imperial court urgently needs to release a large amount of grain into the market to stabilize grain prices and force the wealthy families to sell their stored grain. After much deliberation, I believe you have the most solutions. Perhaps you have a way to solve this problem."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows and smiled, "We can use the grain stored in the Beijing warehouse to stabilize the grain price."
"The capital's warehouses cannot be moved. They absolutely cannot be moved. The capital's population of one million and the three major military camps all depend on the capital's warehouses for their food. Even the troops stationed at the border rely on the capital's warehouses."
"No food? Who are you kidding? When I passed by this morning, there was clearly so much food."
The grain store across the street was under siege, and a large group of ordinary people who had not been able to buy rations were making a fuss.
"The food has been sold out. If you want to buy food, please come early tomorrow."
"It's clearly a lie. I saw with my own eyes that there was so much food piled up in the backyard."
"Why don't you sell us food? It's not like we won't pay."
"Yes, why don't you sell us food?"
"You can buy it if you want. Thirty cents a pound."
"It's a money grab. Thirty cents a pound, double the price from before."
"If you think the price is too high, you don't have to buy it. Go away, we are closing."
"There's still food in the Sihai Grain Shop, and it's still at morning prices. Hurry up, everyone! If you're late, it'll be gone."
Someone shouted, and the people gathered in front of the grain and oil shop all rushed to the Sihai Grain and Oil Shop at the end of the market.
The Shaofu Housekeeper frowned, "The price of grain in the capital has risen so high. What should we do?"
Gu Jiu took a few glances and asked casually, "Is that the Zhu family's grain and oil shop across the street?"
The maid Ah Qing nodded, "It is the Zhu family's shop."
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Grandfather, I remember that the Zhu family of Cheng'enbo Mansion is the largest grain merchant in the capital. At this time, the Zhu family should stand up and share the worries of the court. How could they take the initiative to raise prices? It's too much. Why don't those censors impeach the Zhu family?"
The Shaofu family official frowned, "I'll ask Lord Cheng En about the situation."
Gu Jiu laughed. "Why doesn't the imperial court ask the Zhu family to hand over the grain at this time to stabilize the price? As the largest grain merchant in the capital, you must have this awareness."
"The Zhu family has long ceased to be the largest grain merchant in the capital." Others may not know, but the Shaofu Household Secretary knows it clearly.
The Zhu family's fortunes have been declining over the years. Every profitable business has faced powerful competitors, leaving the Zhu family in dire straits. Their market share has continued to shrink.
By investing in Gu Jiu's business, he can still make a considerable income every year.
"Xiao Jiu, I'm not asking you to give me food for nothing. As long as you're willing to help the court, you can ask for any conditions you want."
Gu Jiu refused to give him any face. "There's no benefit in sharing the burden of the imperial court. For such a thankless task, it's better for you to find someone else. For example, the Zhu family. I believe they will be happy to share the burden for Your Majesty."
The Shaofu Household Officer gritted his teeth and simply promised a huge profit, "If I promise to let His Royal Highness the Crown Prince return to the court, can you share the burden of the court and take out the grain?"
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