Chapter 39: Big Fish Takes the Hook
This piece of news instantly made those who had surplus food in Liangcheng unable to sit still.
After all, the news was spread very seriously. The next day, a master dressed as a wealthy businessman sent people to carry five large boxes of grain into the prefect's villa.
Some people are hesitant, but there are always people who like to take a chance.
On the sixth day, the Liangcheng prefect and the Duke of Zheng were worried. Why hadn't the fish taken yet? Could it be that they weren't acting well enough?
Yuchi Shuo was not in a hurry, as this kind of thing could not be rushed.
In the evening, the same thing happened again, and a different person carried six boxes of grain and swaggered into the prefect's villa.
What was different this time from the last time was that the spies discovered that the people who delivered the food this time were sent out by the mysterious master's entourage.
The subordinate also said that they would leave Liangcheng and return to the capital in two days. After sending the person away, the prefect's villa sent back the five boxes of grain.
The spy who was stationed in the prefect's villa received the letter and quickly went back to tell his master.
Those who have surplus food are getting even more restless. If they continue to wait and see, won’t someone else get such a good opportunity?
So that night, someone carried seven boxes of food and waited at the gate of the villa all night.
As soon as the door opened the next day, the person was welcomed in. This time when he came out, the master's subordinates not only came out to see him off, but also did so with a smile on their faces.
At this moment, everyone thought that the one who sent seven boxes would definitely win this time.
But unexpectedly, someone delivered eight more boxes at noon, plus several pigs.
However, this time everyone did not wait for the rich businessman to be sent out, because the rich businessman was actually invited by a mysterious gentleman to stay in the prefect's villa!
Now the adult's meaning couldn't be clearer. They donated more food, so the treasures from the Western Regions must belong to them.
However, the first few people who donated grain were unwilling to give up, and each of them spent a lot of money to buy four or five boxes of real grain and sent them to the villa.
The result was even more miraculous. Those who made additional donations were actually invited to stay in the prefect's villa.
Everyone was wondering if this meant that this gentleman might have more than one tribute in his hand.
Qian Youliang has been suffering unprecedentedly these days.
The reason was simple. Those rivals who usually competed with him for land and shops actually went to the prefect's villa to deliver food and were invited to stay there.
When it comes to food, Qian Youliang believes that none of his opponents have more than him.
As long as he donates, these opponents will definitely not get any benefits.
But he always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"Master, Mr. Zhang from the western suburbs donated eight boxes of ten pigs, and Mr. Li from the north donated nine boxes of thirty lambs. If these tributes are taken away by them..."
Qian Youliang's face was wrinkled with worry. He couldn't eat for the past few days. He kept thinking that if he donated all the grain, someone would donate more than him. Not only would he not be able to get a place in the tribute, but others would also know that he had so much grain and arouse public anger.
But then he thought that if he really donated money to become an official, his future life would be so glorious.
"You know nothing. Can donating food be that simple?"
You have to know that he spent nearly 100 taels of silver to collect these grains from the surrounding tenants. Donating them all at once is a big deal.
"Besides, I'm not the only one in Liangcheng who buys so much food."
Just as he finished speaking, he saw the servant glance around and then lowered his voice and said:
"Master, you are talking about the Grandmaster, right? But hasn't the Grandmaster's food been shipped out of the city? It's been more than half a month since he left. Even if he wanted to make a comeback, he wouldn't be back in two days."
The master's full name is Zong Hao. He was originally the aide of the Liangcheng prefect. Later, he connected with a group of wealthy businessmen in Liangcheng and sidelined the Liangcheng prefect.
Qian Youliang's eyes suddenly lit up when he heard this, yes!
How could he not have thought that even if the Grandmaster came back, the Master would have already left by then.
Most of the grain in Liangcheng had already been bought by the Grandmaster under the names of many people. He was smart enough to think of the remote tenants in the neighboring city and originally planned to make a fortune from this disaster.
Now there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to donate money to become an official. As long as he becomes an official, wouldn’t he be able to make as much money as he wants?
The food in his house plus the food in the restaurant totaled forty-three boxes of food.
The largest donation now is only equivalent to fifteen boxes of grain. As long as he takes out twenty boxes, he should be able to win.
Even if someone still wants to compete with him by then, it won’t be too late for him to take out more.
"Go and tell the servants to move twenty boxes of food from the mansion to the prefect's villa."
On this side, in the prefect's villa, everyone was counting the harvest of the past two days, which was enough to feed the victims of the entire Liangcheng for a full month.
Everyone looked at Yuchi Shuo with eyes full of admiration and respect.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is truly as foresighted as ever. He's guessed everything!"
The Crown Prince Yuchi Shuo deliberately glanced at Gu Feixue, and then said with an inexplicable smile:
"How many boxes of food are there?"
"In reply to the prince, there are already forty-three boxes of grain, as well as nearly a hundred pigs, sheep and cattle."
Yuchi Shuo nodded and looked at Gu Feixue and said, "Do you need to continue?"
Gu Feixue counted the grain and nodded, "Of course we have to continue. This is less than a quarter of what was originally circulated in Liangcheng."
The implication is that they want to take advantage of the passing geese and continue to deceive people.
This grain donation scene was a play directed by them, and the actor involved was played by Shi Anfu, a subordinate of Zhuifeng who had never appeared from beginning to end.
As well as the prefect, Duke Zheng, and the ceremonial guard that they had soldiers perform when they welcomed Shi Anfu.
As for the first two people who donated grain, except for the first box that was deliberately opened at the door, which contained real grain, the rest were filled with stones.
The things that were returned in a pretentious manner were naturally stones.
As for the third person, he is the fish that has been hooked.
Now, these people who donated grain were nominally invited to stay in the prefect's villa, but in reality they were heavily guarded and controlled.
In fact, according to Gu Feixue's idea, there was no need to control these people. Letting them go back would only confuse the sight.
However, Duke Zheng was afraid that their performance would not be convincing enough and that the news would leak out if he let them go.
As everyone was talking, another servant came to report.
"Report, Liangcheng Township gentry Qian Youcai has brought 20 boxes of grain to meet the lord from the capital."
The real big fish has taken the bait, Gu Feixue thought to herself.
This guy has a lot of money, and he has more than just the food in the restaurant. It seems that there may be a lot left in the restaurant.
When Duke Zheng heard that the other party brought twenty boxes, the most, he immediately asked to see Qian Youcai.
However, Gu Feixue said, "Your Highness, I think Qian Youcai still has more than twenty boxes of food. Why don't we give him some encouragement?"
Duke Zheng was a little hesitant at the time, but he still felt that it was better to stop in time.
Unexpectedly, the prefect agreed, saying, "Your Highness, I agree with Miss Gu's proposal. According to the information I have received, it is very likely that Qian Youliang purchased food from the neighboring city at the beginning of the disaster."
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