"The second question is, if there is chaos in Chang'an and there is a food shortage, who will benefit the most?"
Fang Xuanling said: "Of course it's not the court, nor the people, nor you grain merchants. The court needs stability to win the hearts of the people, the people need grain to meet their daily needs, and you all need to trade grain merchants to earn money.
"
"Those who benefit the most are undoubtedly those with ulterior motives. They stir up trouble, disrupt the grain trade, amplify publicity through making troubles, and spread the influence of this matter to all parts of the country. At the least, they undermine the local people's hearts and pave the way for rebellion, and at worst,
Take this opportunity to control the source of food in a place. With the control of food, why not let them turn their hands into clouds and rain in a place far away from Chang'an?"
He paused and then continued: "The third question, I believe everyone must be very confused, since the imperial court needs you, why does it levy high prices for grain and compete with you?"
Fang Xuanling took a deep breath and raised her voice suddenly: "The imperial court has received reports from both sides of the Yellow River. There have been heavy rains in the upper reaches of the Yellow River recently, and the precipitation has far exceeded previous years. Water supervision officials from various places predict that there may be serious problems in the Yellow River this year.
, the imperial court collected grain in advance to prepare for disaster relief."
"Everyone, the flood is coming and the people are displaced. Do you want to see such a situation? Everything your Majesty and the court do is for the sake of the people!"
His touching words reached the hearts of these grain merchants, but they still held a skeptical attitude and did not dare to believe the words of this important minister of the Ministry of State.
The orphan of the Wang family who was the first to be exterminated had a haggard face. It looked like he was overly sad and affected by his emotions. He had not been able to think carefully these days. After finally meeting the people in the court, he just wanted to ask all the questions he wanted to ask.
: "What Mr. Fang said makes sense. Even if I haven't read the book for a few days, I can still feel that the imperial court is serving the country and the people."
"But I clearly heard the murderer claiming to be an official of Dali Temple that night. Is this still false?"
"Moreover, if the imperial court does not compete with the people for the benefit of the people, the Yellow River floods and food shortages can allow us to collect food and then sell it to the victims. In this way, not only can we benefit, but the victims can also have food. Isn't it the best of both worlds?"
Fang Xuanling glanced at the man. He had also mentioned this issue to His Majesty.
According to the practice in previous years, the court will provide part of the food for disaster relief. Because the silver grain is limited, it will not completely supply a sufficient amount of food. The remaining part will be provided by these grain merchants.
The explanation His Majesty gave him was this.
First, the floods in the Yellow River are coming fiercely. If these grain merchants are mobilized instead of collecting grain in the name of the imperial court, there will be no time at all. These grain merchants will definitely not pay too high a price to collect grain. In the face of a major disaster, grain merchants will
It was the most valuable, and at that time everyone was reluctant to sell it, which would inevitably lead to insufficient food collection.
The second is that before a disaster, if some sinister people maliciously stockpile grain, then sell the grain to very high prices and finally sell it to the victims, those victims who cannot afford the money will starve to death.
Qin Huaidao, who did not want to see this tragic scene in the world, naturally planned to have all expenses paid by the court, and then all the food would be used for free for disaster relief when floods occurred.
Since everything is free, these grain dealers must be unprofitable, and naturally there is no need for them.
Fang Xuanling felt warm in her heart when she thought of His Majesty's kindness and generosity.
He told these grain merchants one by one what His Majesty was thinking.
After listening to these grain merchants, they all fell silent.
How brave do you have to be to distribute food for free? The Emperor of the Han Dynasty could have such thoughts, which shows that his patriotism and love for the people far exceed everyone else.
With your benevolent Majesty on one side and their silenced relatives on the other, these grain merchants were a little shaken at this moment.
At this moment, Zhang Daozi stood up.
He is the number one grain merchant in Chang'an and the representative of these grain merchants. His every move will affect the thoughts of all grain merchants.
"Master Fang, we already know your Majesty's purpose. In this case, we are willing to believe that the court is considering the people."
Fang Xuanling smiled happily and said: "It has to be you Zhang Daozi. Since you are willing to believe it, please leave for now. If there is any news, I will inform everyone as soon as possible."
Zhang Daozi shook his head.
"Master Fang, please listen to me. We are gathered here to find a way out for all the grain merchants, and to find the murderer who killed the grain merchants. We believe that the court is considering the people, and it does not mean that
The imperial court is not the murderer of the family."
"Going one step further, if I wait to go back, who can guarantee that I won't be the next person to be wiped out?"
"So, until the court comes up with concrete evidence, I will stay in front of the palace and not go anywhere. Please forgive me, Mr. Fang."
The words of Chang'an's number one grain merchant were echoed by many grain merchants.
"Yes, we are not going anywhere. What if we are exterminated again after we return?"
"Among all the streets in Chang'an, only the palace gate is the safest with many guards guarding it. Even if the massacre was really done by Dali Temple, I don't believe they dare to run wild in front of the palace gate!"
"that is!"
Seeing the many voices of agreement, Fang Xuanling understood in her heart that the annihilation of the family had left a huge shadow on them. This matter could not be solved in a few words. If the truth was not found out, these people would probably just stay here.
It's not a bad idea, at least you can ensure your own safety at the entrance of the palace.
After thinking about this, Fang Xuanling said: "Well, since you think it is safer here, before the facts are completely found out, if you are willing to stay here, you can stay here. If you need anything, I will ask someone to give it to you.
Prepare."
He saw that these people were fully prepared, including mats and bedding, and a lot of dry food. They were obviously prepared to stay here for a long time.
"In this case, I ordered people to send you some shelter from the rain. This place is empty. If I make you sick, your Majesty will definitely blame me."
"Thank you, Mr. Fang."
After some negotiations, Fang Xuanling had figured out the crux of these people's problems, arranged for people to deliver things, and went straight to Chang'an Mansion to learn more about the investigation of the case.
Qin Huaidao summoned Xue Rengui.
"Brother Xue, I haven't had a heart-to-heart talk with you for a long time. How are you doing at the Ministry of State Affairs recently? Have any of your uncles given you any trouble?"
Qin Huaidao called him this before he became His Majesty, so Xue Rengui did not feel any embarrassment or discomfort.
This is also because in the long process of getting along with him, he has already regarded Qin Huaidao as his own family.
"It's OK, these old marshals are all national scholars, and I have learned a lot from them."
"That's good." Qin Huaidao said: "I need to find someone who is trustworthy and rarely shows up. How about your son, Xue Ne?"