At the end of June, the scorching sun hung high in the sky. People in Kaifeng City braved the heat and gathered around the door of Yu's Grain Store, waiting for it to open.
The siege of Kaifeng has been going on for more than a month, and during this period, the situation in Kaifeng has become more and more serious. The prices of food, vegetables, and firewood are getting higher and higher, and the wealthy families are starting to think of everything they can.
There are many ways to stock up on food, which makes food prices rise even more.
Xu Luzhang wore a long empty bag tied to his body and was crowded in the crowd waiting for the food store to open. No matter how expensive the food was, he had to buy food, otherwise the whole family would starve to death.
Although Gao Mingheng, the governor of Henan Province, had issued an order prohibiting the hoarding of grain merchants in the city, and even sent people to kill several grain dealers and then distributed some grain, the fundamentals could not be changed in the end - that is, Kaifeng City was still under siege.
The food surplus in the city will only become less and less day by day.
In order to give Gao Mingheng an explanation, the grain bank has reopened its doors for business, but the food taken out every day is very limited. You have to queue for a long time to buy it, and many people even cannot buy it at all. People fight every day to buy food.
, killing and wounding countless people.
Everyone knows in their hearts that as long as Kaifeng City is besieged for one day, the food shortage situation will also exist for one day.
Xu Luzhang was already aware of the danger when he came to the bottom. Unfortunately, he and his family were trapped in the city and could not escape successfully. As a last resort, he used various methods to buy some food at a high price - in the pawn shop at that time
He also collected things, and he took out almost all the money-making items in his home and pawned them.Correct update@
Even so, this amount of food was far from enough for the family, so they had to choose their food very carefully every day. At the beginning, they could eat two meals a day, one of which was thin and the other dry.
The elderly at home can still eat half full, but the younger ones are so hungry that their eyes are green.
But now, the whole family can only eat a little thin food every day. Even if they want to go out to dig some wild vegetables, it is impossible, and the whole family can only live in poverty.
"The world is declining. The officers and soldiers are really shameless and incompetent... They actually retreated directly when they arrived at Zhuxian Town..."
While waiting in line, Xu Luzhang heard someone talking loudly in front of him. He seemed to be a scholar.
(First update M..COM)
, this person has a bun on his head and a green scarf on his forehead, and he is spitting heavily.
"In this dark world, corrupt officials are rampant, and Master Wang brutally harms the people... We are already dead in Kaifeng City, we might as well surrender to King Chuang..."
After everyone heard what the scholar said, they began to whisper. Most of them were ordinary people. Although they did not understand national affairs, they could vaguely understand that what the scholar said was dangerous, and they fell into a strange mood for a while.
of quietness.
Seeing that no one responded, the scholar couldn't help but said anxiously: "If you want to live, you must find a way out as soon as possible. If you want to die, just pretend that I didn't say this."
Xu Luzhang's heart suddenly pounded. He felt that these words of the scholar spoke to his heart. Xu Luzhang had really had enough of this dark and decadent Ming Dynasty!
"Brother, what you said is absolutely true. Now we are breaking through the king's siege, but the king retreated in Zhuxian Town without fighting, and made it clear that he wanted us to die... Tell me, do you still have food at home? Still
How many days can it last?”
Compared to what Xu Luzhang said was more down-to-earth and more recognized by the common people, many people began to nod subconsciously.
When the scholar heard what Xu Luzhang said, he couldn't help but be overjoyed and said loudly: "What brother said is absolutely true!"
"My dear friend, what I said is also what I think!"
The two men immediately looked at each other and smiled, but at this moment, they saw a group of Ming army soldiers appearing on the street. The scholar's expression suddenly changed, he winked at Xu Luzhang, and whispered: "The Ming army is coming.
If brother believes in me, you might as well come with me."
"But I haven't bought any food yet..."
Although Xu Luzhang resented the Ming Dynasty, it would not be a problem to join him in scolding him, but he did not want to go with this scholar of unknown origin. It would be bad if he caused trouble.
The smile on the scholar's face did not change, and he whispered: "The food is simple, I will give you a batch later. (This chapter is not finished yet!)
Chapter 386 Food shortage in Kaifeng
, to ensure that your family can live well until the city is destroyed..."
"If that's the case, I'm naturally willing to..."
Xu Luzhang's heart was beating loudly and he couldn't help but secretly swallowed a mouthful of saliva. This is great!
The scholar smiled slightly and led Xu Luzhang along a small road and into a small
(First update M..COM)
In the alley, he quickly avoided the sight of the Ming army soldiers and disappeared at the end of the alley.
In the Kaifeng government office, several Ming officials wearing scarlet robes were sitting in the hall. Among them, sitting in the main seat was Gao Mingheng, the governor of Henan with the highest official position in Kaifeng City, followed by Chen Yongfu, the commander-in-chief of Henan, Liang Bing, the supervisor, and Su Zhuang.
, Wu Shidao, fellow acquaintance Su Maozhuo, general judge Peng Shiqi, recommended official Huang Shu and others all looked gloomy and did not say a word for a long time.
In fact, ever since the officials in Kaifeng City received the news that the Ming army had retreated outside Zhuxian Town, everyone no longer smiled, and even felt a bit resentful in their hearts. What was the imperial court planning?
Why leave without a fight?
Of course, they didn't understand, but they didn't dare to submit a memorial to ask for the reason. They could only hope that the imperial court would send reinforcements again.
Gao Mingheng, the governor of Henan, was in his early years. He was originally a Jinshi in the fourth year of Chongzhen. Later, he worked as a local official, supervising the people, controlling floods, and relieving refugees. He had outstanding political achievements, and he accumulated merit along the way and rose to the position of governor of Henan.
However, Gao Mingheng's luck was not very good. Ever since he was promoted to governor, he has been facing rebel attacks. From the 14th year of Chongzhen to today, Kaifeng City has been facing the third siege by Li Zicheng, and these three times he defended the city.
His career made Gao Mingheng a very capable civil servant.
At least so far, Kaifeng City is still under the control of the Ming army and can continue to hold on.
"Well, the imperial court has its own arrangements. As ministers, we must strictly abide by the imperial court's orders. Besides, although the bandits are numerous and powerful, trying to capture Kaifeng is tantamount to wishful thinking. If Li Zicheng dares to come again, I believe Chen
The general's arrow not only blinded one of his eyes this time."
Gao Mingheng stroked his beard and smiled softly. He understood that reinforcements were unlikely to be available in a short period of time, so he could only rely on himself at the moment. He had to boost the morale of others.
A tall man sitting on the right smiled, cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Gao, this is not the first time that the general has dealt with the bandits. With their siege skills, it is still too early to take over Kaifeng."
!As for Li Zicheng..."
When he said this, a sneer appeared on the man's face.
"The general will definitely kill this thief in the future!"
(End of this chapter).
Chapter 386 Food shortage in Kaifeng This chapter has been completed!