Chapter 800: Talking Down the Market
Lin Yuesha was at a loss. The foreign tribes were ruthless and cruel in their treatment of the people of Daqi. They had finally managed to occupy the border city of Daqi, but before they could enjoy their triumph for long, they were driven out again. They must be furious.
“I’m not afraid of them having ulterior motives, I’m afraid they have no ulterior motives and just want to torture my cousin to death to vent their anger.”
If that were the case, Xu Da's chances of surviving in the hands of the foreign race would be slim.
It would be better to make some demands, such as coveting the grain or cloth of the Great Qi, and exchanging something to ransom the people.
Lin Yuesha was flustered and her palms were sweating.
"Young Master Qi has led his men into the border town. How to deal with him is not our concern."
Yan Yan comforted Lin Yuesha, telling her to trust Qi Heng, as he was at least a shrewd strategist and hadn't disappointed anyone yet.
"I believe him, but I don't believe in foreigners."
With the decision in the hands of her enemy, Lin Yuesha was destined to have an uneasy sleep, yet she was powerless to help and could only solve the problem of military supplies from the rear.
"You take care of the military supplies, and I'll take care of the wounded. We'll each do our own job."
Yan Yan sat by the fire, warming her hands. She had only been in the Northwest for a short time, but she already had chilblains on her hands. She had to soak them in hot water every night, otherwise they would itch terribly and she would always want to scratch them.
As a doctor, she can't cure every disease. For example, right now, Yan Yan is suffering terribly from a small frostbite.
“I saw some radishes in the tent. I just sliced them, roasted them, and applied them. That should at least provide some relief.”
Lin Yuesha only heard about it by chance in modern times. Some people also used ginger slices and garlic, but the army was short of supplies, so they had a lot of radishes stored up and could use them directly.
"Frostbite really does require folk remedies."
Yan Yan thanked Lin Yuesha and then took a large bag of medicine from her. She sorted it out and put it in a medicine box.
"Why are you thanking me? These powders and pills were all given to me by you."
Lin Yuesha and Yan Yan chatted briefly. There was only one tent for women in the military camp, which was allocated to the medical team. Lin Yuesha had nowhere to stay, so she had to turn around and return to Wucheng.
By the time they arrived in Wucheng, it was already past midnight, but the city lord's mansion was still brightly lit.
"Young Madam Qi, our city lord invites you."
The servant rubbed his hands, seeing Lin Yuesha's exhausted expression, and was somewhat embarrassed to disturb her. "General Qi led his men to the border town, and the city lord wants to consult with someone, so..."
"Okay, I'll be right there."
Lin Yuesha was travel-worn and her steps were extremely heavy. The sights and sounds of the day weighed heavily on her, and although she was very tired, she had no desire to sleep.
Upon entering the reception room, Lord Wu was pacing around with his hands behind his back, looking worried.
"Young Madam Qi, are you aware of the situation in Wucheng?"
During the day, some people caused trouble at the city lord's mansion. He called them in and only then did he realize that grain prices had spiraled out of control, whereas there had been no indication of such a thing before.
“Wu City is not large. Although I am the city lord, I do not concern myself with trade.”
There was a steward in the city lord's mansion who was in charge of the merchants' taxes and other matters. He had originally sent someone to inquire about the situation, but the steward had long since disappeared.
"I've been busy with the handover with Qi Jun lately, so I neglected it. It's my fault."
The city lord's face was full of bitterness, especially now that Wucheng was in chaos, rumors were flying everywhere, and the son-in-law he had worked so hard to get had been captured alive by the alien race. Under the repeated blows, he was about to break down.
The city lord made this choice with good intentions, not because he was willing to be a lackey of the Great Qi, as the people said.
He thought more about his daughter, but he also considered the people's welfare. However, his momentary oversight backfired.
"Lord Wu, please don't be anxious."
Regarding Xu Da's capture, our side is in a passive position, and everything depends on the arrangements of the foreign tribes. Qi Heng might have a good plan.
Foreign tribes invaded the northwestern border of the Great Qi, massacring civilians and tearing countless families apart, leaving them unable to even celebrate the New Year.
Reconciliation is impossible; the only option is to fight back with blood and teeth, marching into the enemy's stronghold to avenge our fallen comrades.
Lin Yuesha needed to find a way to stabilize Wucheng and solve the food shortage problem. She asked, "City Lord, do you know if Wucheng has any stored grain?"
"Yes, there are some, but not many left."
Wucheng has a unique topography, and its main products are wheat and highland barley. The japonica rice is transported from the north, so it is already more expensive.
It's understandable that japonica rice sells for fifty coins a pound in the grain store.
Now that the Great Qi is divided in many places, it is not easy to transport rice from the north. Merchants, driven by profit, will have to sell their stockpiles at higher prices.
“Last year, our Wucheng suffered from frost, which reduced and disrupted the yield. The people relied on growing rapeseed and medicinal herbs to earn money.”
The city lord explained that his grain reserves were only enough to keep the people from starving for a year, but they couldn't possibly eat their fill; they could only survive on thin porridge every day.
If there is another famine next year and we cannot purchase food and fodder from various places, Wucheng will also face difficulties.
These stored grain reserves must not be used; if the very foundation is shaken, the people will surely rebel.
"We can exchange oil for grain."
Rapeseed can be pressed for oil, and the oil in Wucheng is very cheap. Every household has enough, and Lin Yuesha has already purchased a large quantity for military supplies.
In the early years, Wucheng had almost no contact with the outside world and rarely traded goods, so the people stored a lot of oil in their homes.
Lin Yuesha meant that she could buy a batch and transport it south of Qincheng to exchange for grain.
However, the most difficult thing right now is the time factor; food supplies must be provided to the military first.
"The city lord's treasury is not short of gold and silver. Why not take it out and exchange it for grain?"
The city lord thought for a long time, but he didn't have any good ideas.
Furthermore, if Xu Da were captured and killed, all his efforts would be in vain.
"I agree to buy grain from the people, but unfortunately we are too late."
The price of grain is currently skyrocketing and has not been effectively controlled. If spies from other tribes continue to instigate, and a rebellion breaks out in Wucheng, the other tribes will have another opportunity to launch a large-scale invasion.
Lin Yuesha felt dizzy and had a headache.
Furthermore, the grain held by the common people is too scattered. They are already quite generous in their hatred of the Great Qi, so it is impossible for them to hand over their surplus grain.
The key issue lies with the large merchants who hoard grain and fodder; that's the only place to start.
"If I'm not mistaken, those hidden spies from the alien races should have already created the conflict."
If you want to buy from large grain merchants, you either have to spend a lot of money or you can't buy any at all.
“Young Madam Qi, our Wucheng is a little different from Daqi. The grain and fodder being stockpiled here is not from one merchant, but from several villages.”
The city lord told Lin Yuesha about the basic situation of Wucheng. He explained that the grain shops in the city would go to those villages to purchase grain.
The villagers have made a living by trading grain and fodder for generations, and they have built a special grain depot.
"These people are very extreme. We can't afford to offend them. The grain supplies are no small matter. If they start a fire, the grain supplies will turn to ashes!"
The city lord grew increasingly dejected; he was utterly helpless.
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