Li Mu was leaning on the main seat, rubbing his swollen forehead, and was listening to Chief Shi Ma Zhou's report.
"...We have received the flying pigeon message from Chang'an. There are no signs of locust plague near Chang'an City. We have also received news from nearby counties one after another. Currently, Lingye, Xiangcheng, Jiacheng, Lushan, Longxing,
There are signs of locusts in all seven counties of Linru. In Linru County, where the locusts were first discovered, the locusts have already become adults. Xianguan just checked the locust plague records over the years. Linru County is one of the sources of the locust plague. The locust plague that originated in Linru County is affected by the terrain.
Generally, the spread range is not very large. It is mostly limited to the north of Funiu Mountain, the south of Zhongtiao Mountain, the east of Xiaoshan Mountain, and the Xiong'er Mountain. It cannot cross these four peaks——"
Ma Zhou looked at Li Mu's face, lowered his voice and said, "This is the best news at the moment.
Li Mu could only smile bitterly. He understood what Ma Zhou meant. Luoyang City is located in a basin with mountains on all sides, and the source of the locust plague is in the basin. The experience of previous locust plagues shows that this is a small-scale locust plague that will only
It is raging in the basin. In other words, this locust plague is tailor-made for Luoyang. It is fine elsewhere and only harms the surrounding areas of Luoyang.
Targeted attack!
Li Mu gritted his teeth, looked at Dugu Jiu, and said, "Is there any news about the matter you were asked to investigate?"
"Brother," Dugu Jiu said, "I have some news. I visited some old farmers. According to the old farmers, there will be a locust plague in Linru County every few years. But it is difficult to judge the interval. It is said to be related to the rain.
It depends on the amount. In drought years, this interval will be shortened. People who understand the weather can grasp this interval. There have been examples in the past of grain merchants hoarding grain and waiting for locust plagues to make a fortune. But no one expected it.
, there will be a locust plague this year, and even the old farmers don’t know it.”
"Is there an expert?" Li Mu took a deep breath and suppressed the fire. The matter was basically clear. It was either some magical method or there was an expert to help. People knew earlier that there would be a locust plague this year, so they put the people around Luoyang
All the grain reserves have been collected, just to see your jokes.
Dare you read my jokes?
Li Mu was furious and said fiercely: "Have you found the people from Jisi Hall? Didn't they say they were in Beiman Mountain? Have you caught them?"
"No," Dugujiu shook his head and said, "I led my troops to cut down trees and went into the forest. I did find a manor, but the building was empty and no one was found."
"Then I bought the grain head office at a high price, right?" Li Mu looked at Ma Zhou and said: "Post notices to me at the docks, warehouses, and the northern and southern cities. Luoyang Prefecture collects grain. As long as there is grain and the price is easy to negotiate, how much do you want?
How many!"
Ma Zhou glanced at Li Mu and said harshly: "Master Hou, the notice has been sent out a long time ago, but the grain merchants in the city said that the grain stocks are limited and there is no way..." Ma Zhou glanced at Li Mu and did not dare to explain.
Well, it’s not that you are usually too arrogant and domineering, offending everyone to death, and if something goes wrong, there is no one to help you. This is just like living life, you have already passed the "death gate", there is nothing to blame others for.
.
Li Mu was so angry that his fingers trembled and his voice trembled: "This businessman is making fun of me, right? Well done, Xiaojiu, take people to search the house, and arrest anyone who says they have no food. I'll give him a whip and look at him."
To have food or not to have food!”
"Okay!" Dugujiu turned around to leave, but Ma Zhou held him tightly: "Master Hou, think twice! A disaster is coming. It is when people are panicked. Those businessmen have not broken the law. At this time, they are confiscating their homes and beating them.
Damn it, what do the people think? Don’t act out of emotion, we have to rely on these businessmen to solve the food problem!"
"Rely on them?" Li Mu jumped angrily: "These grandsons clearly want to see my joke, they are joining hands to deal with me! How can I let them get what they want? Okay, you can't confiscate your home if you are not guilty, right? I don't want to do that either.
Let them get what they want! The order is passed down. The locust plague is coming. Let us unite as one to overcome the difficulties. Based on yesterday's food price, from today onwards, no grain merchants are allowed to sell grain at a higher price, not even for a penny. Anyone who disobeys the order will be killed without mercy!"
"Master Marquis, this won't work!" Ma Zhou stamped his feet and said: "What we are anxious about now is not the price of food, but the availability of food! Merchants are chasing profits, and if you limit the price, no one will be willing to transport food to Luoyang. I just calculated it.
The food reserves in Luoyang City are only enough for ten days at most. After ten days, the existing food reserves will be exhausted. If no more food is brought in, the people in this city will starve to death!"
"They don't transport food, I will transport it myself! I don't believe it, you can't buy food with money! Ma Zhou, you don't have to do anything anymore. Take the money tomorrow and go north along the canal to collect food. I will bring you enough.
Money, as long as the price is reasonable, you will collect it from me, collect it by the boatload, ship it back by the boatload, and I will accept the compensation, but I must not swallow this breath, I am in the rivers and lakes, how can I let these businessmen be manipulated by me?"
"Water from afar cannot quench the thirst of nearer people. Lord Marquis, please think twice——"
"Stop farting!" Li Mu glared at Ma Zhou and said word by word: "Luoyang is my fiefdom. What I say here is the imperial edict. A disaster is imminent. Who dares to say more? I recognize you, but Shang Fang's sword doesn't.
! Whatever you are asked to do, do it honestly. If we run out of food in ten days, I will definitely die before the people in the city!"
"You..." Ma Zhou was so angry that his lips turned blue, and he said angrily: "Master Hou, Ma Zhou has always admired you, but I didn't expect that you would do such an unwise thing today. It seems that what I have seen in the past is not worthy of your name! Eight
There is no food stored within a hundred miles, and even if we receive it, it will be too late in ten days! If the Marquis insists on going his own way, Ma Zhou will accept the order. At worst, he will die with the people and go to the underworld. I will sue you in front of the judge!"
After Ma Zhou finished speaking, he left without looking back. Dugu Jiu glanced at Li Mu and said, "Brother, the drama is a bit too much."
"Has it passed?" Li Mu shrugged and said, "It's okay, it won't affect the overall situation. Fei Ge's letter has been sent out. Please confirm again to make sure there are no mistakes."
"Don't worry, if you release three pigeons together, there will be no problem."
"That's good." Li Mu stretched out his waist and said, "Today, I was frightened by all the surprises. I have to take a hot bath and have a good sleep. I'll wake up tomorrow.
, it still depends on how they perform. You should also go to bed early, you are tired enough today."
"Yeah," Dugujiu responded, opened his mouth, but stopped talking. Li Mu saw it and asked, "What's wrong? Is there anything else?"
"Brother, where I found the manor on Beimang Mountain, there is a small courtyard. I saw animal footprints in the small courtyard. It looks like Panda."
"Ah," Li Mu was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "Pixiu is not uncommon. It may not be Pangda. Maybe the person from Jisitang also raised a Pixiu."
"Brother, it is said that Sister-in-law Wang Ou and the eldest daughter of the Lu family have a close relationship, as good as Jin Lan..."
"Okay, I understand." Li Mu waved his hand and said: "The disaster is coming, this is all a trivial matter. No matter what, she is my woman, your sister-in-law, and a member of the family. This cannot be changed.
"And..." Li Mu paused and said: "Don't think of the people in Jisi Hall as enemies completely. They are all common people of the Tang Dynasty. They just have different ideas. They are from the same roots. There is no need to rush into fighting each other. We should treat each other as enemies.
Virtue convinces people, and influence comes first——"
Before he finished speaking, Li Tai hurried in: "Brother, something happened!"
Li Mu glanced at him and said: "My great writer, wait until you know what's going on. The food has gone cold. Is there a locust plague? I've known about it for a long time. Don't worry, there's an arrangement -"
"Oh, no!" Li Tai was so anxious that he stuttered and said: "When I first came here, I passed through Nanshi and saw banners hanging at the entrances of many grain warehouses, saying that the grain warehouses had limited grain...
"
Such methods did not go beyond Li Mu's expectations. He looked at Li Tai and said calmly: "Isn't this normal? That's what they told me too."
"Oh, no -" Li Tai took a big breath and said: "They said that the grain reserves are limited, so they simply don't sell them, keep their own rations, and deliver the rest to the Hou Mansion, so that the people can go to the Hou Mansion to buy food.
, they have no food!.”
"Ah?" Li Mu was stunned and immediately understood his opponent's trick. Don't you want food? I'll give it to you. Anyway, it's only enough food for ten days. If it exceeds ten days, the whole city will be out of food. By then,
I can only ask him.
You are really looking down on me when you have gone so far. Li Mu smiled angrily, gritted his teeth and said, "Isn't this a good thing? I posted a notice saying that I would like to thank everyone. A big disaster is coming, so I will see you."
Heart. I have made a great contribution to them. I will give all the grains according to the price. I will never let all the righteous merchants suffer. When the locust plague is over, I will hold a banquet to thank them!"
…
Luoyang, Yanqingfang.
Yanqingfang is located in the east of Luoyang City, next to the east city wall, close to Luoshui, and has a dock. Most of the people who live here work on the dock to eat, and the people coming and going are also mixed, with accents from all over the country. News
He is also extremely well-informed.
Zhang San is now among the Jinyi secret guards, responsible for collecting intelligence. Naturally, such a well-informed place will not be missed.
This is a foot shop specially designed for Pier Lipa, with a few tables and a shed. The food is not particular, mostly soup cakes and Hu cakes. The rich can add some muddy wine, or drink a bowl of haggis soup.
, even if it is excellent.
Zhang San has been traveling around the world for many years, and he is very familiar with this kind of place. He found an empty table and sat down, put the parcel aside, called the waiter, and ordered a bowl of haggis soup and two cakes. The waiter saw him
He was dressed like a rich man and asked him if he wanted some wine. Zhang San waved his hand and took out a small jar of wine from his bag. It was common for customers to bring their own wine, which is common in foot shops like this, and the waiter was not annoyed.
, brought him an empty bowl, served him haggis soup and biscuits, and went to serve other guests.
Zhang San unscrewed the seal of the wine jar, poured a bowl, and took a sip happily.
The wine he brought was Three Cups of Pour, which was just brewed by the winery a few days ago. The winery had just resumed production not long ago, and Three Cups of Pour had not yet been distributed. To Lipa on the dock, muddy wine was
It was extremely rare. To them, three glasses of it was like a fine wine. The aroma of wine filled the air, and even Lipa, who was eating in the foot shop, subconsciously looked over and sniffed subconsciously.
"Uncle, this wine of yours——"
A man licked his face and came to Zhang San. The licks were dripping down his front, and he almost wrote "Give me a drink" on his forehead. Zhang San looked at him and said with a smile: "This brother, What is this wine for? Do you want to drink it?"
"Think about it!" Liba swallowed, shrank back, and said humbly: "It's just that I don't have any money in my pocket..."
"You're talking about money," Zhang San said with a warm look: "We are all people who love wine. I have just arrived in Luoyang. I am not familiar with the place. I have something to do and want to find a local place." Let me ask around and see if my brother is from the local area? I wonder if you can tell me about this wine. Let's drink it separately."
"Uncle, you've got to ask the right person." Lipa sat down unceremoniously, patted his chest and said, "Five generations of my family have been in Luoyang, so there is no big thing or little thing that I don't know about." His eyes were straight. Staring at the wine bowl, he saw that the wine he brought was Three Cups of Pour, which had just been brewed by the winery a few days ago. The winery had just resumed production, and Three Cups of Pour had not been spread out yet. For Liba on the dock, , clear wine is extremely rare. Three glasses of it is like fine wine to them. The aroma of wine is so permeating that even Lipa, who was eating in the foot shop, subconsciously looked over and sniffed subconsciously.
"Uncle, this wine of yours——"
A man licked his face and came to Zhang San. The licks were dripping down his front, and he almost wrote "Give me a drink" on his forehead. Zhang San looked at him and said with a smile: "This brother, What is this wine for? Do you want to drink it?"
"Think about it!" Liba swallowed, shrank back, and said humbly: "It's just that I don't have any money in my pocket..."
"You're talking about money," Zhang San said with a warm look: "We are all people who love wine. I have just arrived in Luoyang. I am not familiar with the place. I have something to do and want to find a local place." Let me ask around and see if my brother is a local, right? I wonder if you can tell me about this wine, let’s drink it separately.”
"Uncle, you've got to ask the right person." Lipa sat down unceremoniously, patted his chest and said, "Five generations of my family have been in Luoyang, so there is no big thing or little thing that I don't know about." His eyes were straight. Staring at the wine bowl,
The wine he brought was Three Cups of Pour, which was just brewed by the winery a few days ago. The winery had just resumed production not long ago, and Three Cups of Pour had not yet been distributed. To Lipa on the dock, muddy wine was It was extremely rare. To them, three glasses of it was like a fine wine. The aroma of wine filled the air, and even Lipa, who was eating in the foot shop, subconsciously looked over and sniffed subconsciously.
"Uncle, this wine of yours——"
A man licked his face and came to Zhang San. The licks were dripping down his front, and he almost wrote "Give me a drink" on his forehead. Zhang San looked at him and said with a smile: "This brother, What is this wine for? Do you want to drink it?"
"Think about it!" Liba swallowed, shrank back, and said sarcastically: "It's just that it's hard to open your mouth when you don't have money in your pocket..." It's just that it's hard to open your mouth when you don't have money in your pocket.