She cherishes it very much...
Cheng Tingrui lowered his head, the corners of his lips curving into a soft line.
He Youyou led him inside.
Upon arriving at the reception area, he plopped down in a round-backed chair.
She was a little tired after a long day.
"Minzhi, the tea is on the table. Please help yourself. Don't be shy with me."
She simply took off her shoes, curled up in the armchair, rested her head against the back of the chair, and closed her eyes.
Cheng Tingrui poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her.
Are you tired?
"Hmm, I'm tired." He Youyou held her teacup, her eyes closed.
"Then I'll get to the point. What happened with the sorghum?"
Yesterday, He Youyou only gave him a letter, instructing him to stockpile sorghum and sorghum liquor.
The letter did not explain why it was done.
Cheng Tingrui knew that He Youyou must have her reasons for asking him to do this, and he did as she said.
The sorghum in and around Jizhou City, except for the sorghum that had already been reserved by others, was basically all in Cheng Tingrui's hands.
But this question remained unresolved in his mind.
He Youyou opened her eyes and took a sip of tea.
He rested his arm on the armrest of the round-backed chair, propping his head up.
"This year's sorghum has been infested with pests. I went to the sorghum fields yesterday and there were pests in every single one."
"Both?" Cheng Tingrui frowned. "Then it's not just a pest infestation, it's an insect plague."
"Yes, that's why I guessed that this year's sorghum harvest would be lower and the price would rise, and that's why I'm asking you to stock up."
At this point, no further explanation is needed.
Cheng Tingrui's own brain was already working at lightning speed.
They even started estimating how much sorghum would cost per shi (a unit of dry measure) by the end of this year.
How much do you think production will be reduced?
He Youyou shook her head: "It's hard to say. Today I went to the prefectural government office to see Prefect Xie Zhihong and told him about the pest infestation on the sorghum. He must have already started to make arrangements for pest control. As for the reduction in yield... it depends on how well he manages to control the pests."
Cheng Tingrui nodded thoughtfully: "If the prefectural government issues the order to each county to control the pest control efforts, the situation will definitely change."
He Youyou said, "That's right, it will take at least seven or eight days, and at most ten days, for this news to reach the ears of grain merchants and wine merchants. At that time..."
“If the price doubles then, we will not linger and will sell off our stock in batches. We won’t be envious no matter how much the price rises later,” Cheng Tingrui continued her words.
He Youyou looked at him and smiled knowingly.
This is precisely the tacit understanding among top businessmen.
He understood instantly what she was trying to say.
She was the same.
In the ancient environment of "emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce," hoarding, especially of grain, was easily noticed by the government.
While nominally there is no "price suppression" for grain prices, other means are used to regulate grain prices and curb monopolistic behavior.
For example, "banning the purchase of grain".
"Prohibition against cross-border grain trade" refers to the strict prohibition and suppression of cross-border grain trade.
In other words, the ban on inter-regional grain trade is lifted.
When famine strikes, grain can be transported from fertile lands to disaster-stricken areas to provide relief.
Therefore, Youruitang needs to sell its stockpiled sorghum quickly and promptly.
If it is stockpiled for too long, sorghum from other regions will flow in, and the government will start to pay attention.
Both economic and political risks will increase.
"Minzhi, come over for dinner tonight. It must be boring for you to be all alone over there. I brought some local specialties from my hometown today, and I've had the kitchen make some for you to try."
“Okay.” Cheng Tingrui agreed without hesitation.
"Then come back when it's mealtime. I'm tired and want to sleep for a while."
He Youyou was really tired today, and all she wanted to do right now was to get some rest.
Seeing how tired she was, Cheng Tingrui had no choice but to get up and say goodbye.
He Youyou hummed in agreement but did not get up to see her off.
The two were already long-time partners, so there was no need for much formality.
Cheng Tingrui slowly descended the stairs.
The sky-blue bamboo leaf pattern on the headband fluttered with the rise and fall of her body.
As he was about to descend to the first floor, he suddenly remembered the dye shop.
He then turned around and went up the stairs again.
Arriving at the armchair where He Youyou was sitting, they were surprised to find—
He Youyou has disappeared.
He looked around but didn't see anyone.
The armchair where she had just been standing was now empty.
Where did He Youyou go? Of course, she went to sleep on her own big bed in her own space.
In the backyard of the government office, Xie Zhihong held a long-spouted teapot and watered a bonsai of a cliff pine tree.
Xie Yuwan stayed by his side.
"Father, how did your talk with him go today?"
Xie Zhihong put down the teapot: "He has the people in his heart, is pure and upright, and is truly rare. He is worthy of the word 'righteousness'."
Xie Yuwan was very happy to hear him say that.
"Then... Father, do you think... we can... be together?"
Xie Zhihong said with difficulty, "Her family has just experienced a death. The male head of the family passed away at the end of last year. According to custom, they need to observe three years of mourning before they can remove their mourning clothes. This matter... cannot be rushed. We need to proceed slowly. Wan'er, don't be impatient."
Xie Yuwan blushed upon hearing this and said, "I'm not in a hurry... I'm still young, there's no rush to get married. I can wait another three years..."
Xie Zhihong was deeply moved.
Knowing he would have to wait three years to remarry, his daughter, wanting to stay with him, actually said she wouldn't get married for three years.
It wasn't for nothing that I spoiled her.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
