"promise?"
"You want me to go along with them?"
Gu Rongshan looked a little surprised. In her opinion, Song Chi was a decent person.
"It's not collusion, it's gangs robbing gangs!"
"Black eating black? What does that mean?"
Song Chi said, "The Great Zhou will definitely lose this war. Once we lose, the country will be in chaos. Who will be able to care about you taking the blame then?"
"So what do you mean?"
"Take this opportunity to stock up on food!"
Song Chi drank the wine in the bowl in one gulp.
"In troubled times, as long as you have money and food, you won't be worried. I told you last time, take advantage of this opportunity to sell all the houses and land you can and exchange them for silver!"
"You're going to embezzle grain from the imperial court under the pretext of transporting it, and then bankrupt the Gu family before the war begins. That's what you're going to do!"
These words made Gu Rongshan look surprised.
She turned to Gu Ronghua and said, "There's a jar of aged wine in the wine cellar. Go get it."
"Hasn't it been finished yet?" Gu Ronghua asked doubtfully, "You guys have just started."
"Just go when I tell you to. Why are you talking so much nonsense?"
Gu Ronghua was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized and said, "I understand, I understand."
This is the time the two of them want for their own world, and he can't disturb them.
I am a sensible brother-in-law.
Gu Ronghua left triumphantly.
Gu Rongshan moved closer to Song Chi and whispered, "My Gu family is just a merchant family. I, Gu Rongshan, would never do such a wicked thing as hoarding goods. What do I need money and grain for?"
Song Chi said calmly, "Haven't you always been unsure whether to bet on His Royal Highness the Crown Prince or His Royal Highness Prince Qing? I'm asking you now, do you dare to make a big bet?"
Gu Rongshan's breathing became a little rapid.
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you dare to bet on me?"
"you?"
Gu Rongshan suppressed her inner shock. "You are only a scholar now. Even if you pass the provincial examination, you will only be a juren. Even if you get first place in the palace examination, you will only be a zhuangyuan... In the end, you are just a minister!"
"That's why it's called a big gamble!"
Song Chi said calmly: "The chaotic times are coming, anything is possible."
"I..." Gu Rongshan drank three bowls of wine before she could suppress the shock in her heart.
Song Chi continued, "It's too early to talk about this right now. You'll know my potential next year. Even if you don't consider these things, the plan I offer you for your Gu family is the best. It can not only save your Gu family from disaster, but also ensure that your Gu family has sufficient money and food!"
"I see."
Gu Rongshan picked up the bowl and drank again.
She understood something, but didn't say it.
After the provincial examination, people in Jiangzhou were discussing the candidate who won the first place, and there were many debates about it.
However, it was soon covered up by public opinion.
The imperial court's decree was still leaked, and this was also a rumor intentionally released by the government office in order to allow the people to prepare in advance.
The autumn tax collection is imminent, and an additional 30% will be levied on the original amount.
If food cannot be produced, silver of equal value can be used instead. If neither food nor money can be produced, human heads must be used instead.
In addition to hiring merchants to transport grain, local governments could also requisition civilians to transport grain.
This was an idea from the Ministry of War.
The civilians did not have to come back after reaching the border with food, but were directly conscripted into the army as cannon fodder.
The conscription order was issued at the same time as the grain collection order.
The imperial court issued an order to recruit 100,000 soldiers to form a new army in preparation for the war against Northern Wei next year.
Your Majesty has already said it in the court meeting.
This battle will enhance the prestige of the Great Zhou and will inevitably destroy the Northern Wei.
Every household needs to provide a young man, and the time limit is tight.
The atmosphere among the people changed immediately, and even a wealthy place like Jiangzhou seemed desolate.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
