Li Jue took the seal of the General Commander and immediately began issuing orders.
Just as Wang Ji, the magistrate of Xinfeng County, was about to pack up and close the door, he saw his yamen runners rushing over.
"My lord, something terrible has happened! The General Commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Army has sent a document!"
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Ji felt a headache coming on. Local officials like him were most afraid of the army passing through their territory.
According to the Tang Dynasty's system, the local government along their route had to prepare not only grain but also vegetables and other supplies.
Moreover, if preparations are inadequate, not only will you not get any benefits, but you may also be punished.
Therefore, local officials would try every means to shirk responsibility whenever they encountered such a situation, either claiming that there had been a disaster in the territory or that the year's corvée labor had already been used up.
In short, they simply refused to cooperate.
However, when Wang Ji opened the document and read its contents, he was completely stunned.
"Buy at market price?"
"Fried noodles cost ten coins a pound, seasoned with butter, salt, and other ingredients, and cooked in an iron wok..."
"Fresh vegetables are one coin per pound, and they must be fresh, seasonal vegetables!"
"Dried vegetables are half a coin per pound..."
"Pork, mutton, chicken, etc..."
This was the first time Wang Ji had ever seen such a document; it was more like a procurement list than a document.
Moreover, the documents did not require it; they simply told him to do as he pleased, and that he could buy as much as he could afford, with cash settlements and no delays.
Is the messenger here?
"Your Excellency, the messenger is waiting outside the yamen..."
"Send it quickly!"
"promise!"
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