Yizhou, royal palace.
Xiao Cheng was practicing sword in the courtyard, and saw the flash of sword and the sound of wind. A long sword in his hand turned into a silver dragon, sometimes like thunder breaking through the sky, and sometimes like drifting clouds.
The morning dew had not yet risen, and the hem of his dragon robe was already soaked with sweat, but he still refused to stop.
"The prince's swordsmanship has become more and more sophisticated."
When Xiao Cheng put away the knife, the butler Zhang Qian, who had been standing by, immediately handed him a sweat towel, took the knife and put it into the scabbard.
Lu Jingxuan was also there. After Xiao Cheng took a sip of tea, he said, "Your Majesty, there's a letter from Jinling."
"What is it?"
"The northern Hu people marched south, and the emperor returned to the court. The prince volunteered to supervise the army in Henan, but he was defeated."
As Lu Jingxuan spoke, he took out a scroll of silk book from his sleeve.
Xiao Cheng took the silk book and unfolded it. His eyes lingered on the words "8,000 soldiers lost" for a moment, and the corners of his lips slightly raised, "My elder brother really knows how to send heads to the Northern Hu."
He threw the silk book to Lu Jingxuan, "Is there any news from the Ministry of Revenue?"
Lu Jingxuan immediately said: "Minister Li had originally persuaded the emperor to let the Ministry of Revenue allocate 500,000 taels of military pay to fight against the southern barbarians, but..."
Lu Jingxuan paused for a moment, "The prince's party strongly opposed it, believing that the threat from the southern barbarians was not a concern and that the court's focus should be on the north, so they cut another 100,000 taels."
Xiao Cheng's lips curled up into a cold smile. "What a good one, nothing to worry about. Never mind, four hundred thousand taels is four hundred thousand taels. It's time to close the net and catch all the southern barbarians in one fell swoop."
Lu Jingxuan nodded and said, "There is one more thing. The southern barbarians invaded and many people were displaced. The grain prices in various counties also began to soar, and at one point exceeded the famine period. If this continues, I am afraid it will provoke a civil uprising."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Cheng cast his eyes towards the Yizhou city tower vaguely visible outside the courtyard and said, "Pass on my order to open the granaries and release grain immediately. Each household will be issued a certain amount of grain, and no deductions are allowed."
"Also, have each county post a notice stating that I have purchased 200,000 dan of grain from Jiangnan out of my own pocket and sold it to the people at a fair price."
Zhang Qian was shocked when he heard this, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid..."
Xiao Cheng waved his hand and said, "I am the governor of Yizhou. How can I watch the people of Yizhou suffer? From today on, the expenses of the palace will be reduced by half. In addition, I will send people to open soup kitchens outside the city to help the refugees."
He looked at Lu Jingxuan again and said, "Write a letter to Minister Li, saying that the grain prices in Yizhou have skyrocketed, and the people are resentful. I have no choice but to use the military pay to buy grain for disaster relief. See if he can get the court to allocate more funds."
Lu Jingxuan bowed and said solemnly, "Your Majesty is righteous. The people of Yizhou are blessed to have you as their judge. I will go now."
After saying that, he left in a hurry.
After Lu Jingxuan left, Xiao Cheng said to Zhang Qian, "As for the grain merchants, you know what to do, right?"
"Don't worry, my lord. I understand."
…
Bang bang bang!
The sound of breaking door broke the silence before dawn. The door of Zhouji grain merchant in Yizhou city was kicked open by the Black Feather Guards, the private soldiers of the palace.
"Search for me!"
A cold and hard voice sounded in the yard, and Manager Zhou rushed out from the inner room. Before he could even fasten his nightgown, an iron chain was locked around his neck.
"You...what are you going to do?"
Manager Zhou's voice was trembling and there was fear in his eyes. He had already recognized that these were the private soldiers of the palace, but he couldn't believe it.
"Follow the prince's order, search and confiscate the profiteers!"
"I'm not a profiteer, I'm a king..."
Snap——!
Before Manager Zhou could finish his words, his jaw was dislocated by the leader of the Black Feather Guards. He was unable to utter a word and could only groan in pain.
The Black Feather Guards rushed in like wolves and tigers and began to search everywhere. The floor tiles were lifted up and the account book in the secret compartment fell into the commander's hands in an instant.
Commander Wei Long flipped through the account book. In the firelight, the words on the last page that recorded the year and month, and how much money was paid as tribute to the royal palace were particularly eye-catching.
Wei Long sneered and burned the account book directly. Then he put a long knife on the neck of Shopkeeper Zhou. "The prince has ordered that Zhou's grain store hoarded grain and raised the price of grain, causing public resentment. Take him back to the dungeon to wait for the prince's decision. Take him away!"
Shopkeeper Zhou was trembling all over and wanted to speak, but his dislocated jaw made him unable to make a sound. He was dragged away by a black-feather guard holding an iron chain. In addition to him, his wives, concubines, and children were also taken away.
Wei Long put away his long sword, turned around and said, "Let's go to Zhao's grain store."
As the Black Feather Guards left, another group of people entered the Zhou family grain store, loaded the grain and money into the carriage, and disappeared into the night.
…
Three days later.
There was jubilation inside and outside Yizhou City. People knelt outside the palace holding rice bags printed with "Bashu King's Relief".
Xiao Cheng came out in person to meet these people, bent down and helped up an old man who was kneeling in the front.
"Old man, please stand up."
Then he looked at the other people and said, "You all should get up too."
The old man trembled as he held up the rice bag with "Bashu King's Relief" printed on it. "Your Majesty, I have no way to repay you for saving my life. Before, the palace recruited troops to fight against the southern barbarians. I was selfish and afraid that my son would die in the battle, so I did not agree to let him join the army. But today I sent him here, and I hope that Your Majesty will accept him into the army."
A young man was standing next to the old man, rubbing his hands awkwardly.
Before Xiao Cheng opened his mouth, the people behind him shouted, "Your Majesty, I am also willing to send my husband to join the army."
"And I, Your Majesty, am so grateful to you that I am willing to die for you!"
Listening to these voices, Xiao Cheng's mouth curled up slightly. When he recruited soldiers before, although many people signed up, it was still far from the number he expected.
Now these people have taken the initiative to send their sons, husbands, and brothers to join the army. I think the number of troops is about the same. These people are really simple and honest. As long as you give them something to eat, they will give you their lives.
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