177: Chapter 0177 A Person of Discerning Taste

Xie Juner suddenly remembered that Lin Xiao's poetry was extraordinary—he could produce masterpieces with a mere flick of his wrist!

That made sense... only a man who excelled in both scholarly and martial arts could write such verses.

Xie Juner felt fortunate; when she heard the Zhenbei Army was summoning business representatives, she had come despite the risk of embarrassment.

If she had given up on such a peerless man without even meeting him, she would have regretted it for the rest of her life!

Little did she know, Lin Xiao was currently feeling quite depressed!

Damn, how could he forget? Yangquan Commandery was exactly where Ning Junzhu's base of operations was!

Could this Princess Ningxiang be holding a grudge because he didn't attend her welcome banquet, and now she was here to cause trouble?

Since the woman didn't intend to drop her disguise, Lin Xiao was more than happy to play dumb.

Otherwise, dealing with the baggage of an imperial marriage decree would make it difficult to give her orders.

“Manager Ning, since you are a major merchant here in Yangquan, you should be aware of the current grain situation in the city, right?”

“Is the General referring to the fact that Inspector General Jiang Shengyuan emptied the granaries?”

As soon as Xie Juner mentioned official business, her expression immediately became serious.

Lin Xiao nodded. “Correct. My army currently requires two hundred and sixty dan of rations daily, and that's not counting other expenses. This matter needs to be resolved as soon as possible.”

Xie Juner gave a confident smile. “The world is in a difficult state right now. Based on the grain prices in Yangquan, daily expenses would exceed a thousand taels of silver.”

“However, General Lin, rest assured. We can afford this small amount of silver and will prioritize solving the Zhenbei Army's urgent needs!”

Xie Juner had known before coming that Lin Xiao was likely worried about grain.

Inspector General Jiang Shengyuan had emptied the granaries, and the commoners had long been suffering; how could she not be aware?

Current Yangquan was a massive pit where the local gentry and nobles inflated prices, the lower classes were filled with resentment, and the government and military were riddled with holes!

If Lin Xiao wanted this place to prosper, he would certainly need her help.

Taking this opportunity, Xie Juner wanted to prove to this man that she was not just a useless, pretty face!

From childhood until now, no man had ever dared to look down on her!

At this point, she wasn't fighting for a title; she just wanted to prove her worth!

“No, you've misunderstood.”

Lin Xiao waved his hand. “The matter of money—I've already solved it!”

“Ah?”

Xie Juner stood frozen on the spot, thinking to herself: *You carried out a long-distance raid in the middle of winter, and you still brought silver with you?*

Lin Xiao pointed to several wooden chests placed not far away.

“These are the silver, jewelry, and ornaments confiscated from Jiang Shengyuan.”

“There isn't much silver, only about seventy thousand taels, but it will cover expenses for a while.”

Lin Xiao was actually quite surprised. Compared to prefects like Official Lu Yang and Prefect Wu Yonghe, Jiang Shengyuan was actually somewhat poor?

But a careful thought made it clear: Jiang Shengyuan wasn't poor, but rather most of his silver had been 'gifted' away!

His goal was the higher centers of power; currying favor with Prince Bai was the key, unlike the lower commandery governors who only thought about amassing wealth for pleasure.

“I see...”

Xie Juner was puzzled. “Then, General, for what reason have you summoned us?”

“You are certainly more familiar with the major merchant houses of Yangquan Commandery than I am,” Lin Xiao said.

“I want you to take the silver and buy up all the surplus grain on the market.”

“If those gentry and nobles also have surplus grain, you can acquire it at market price.”

“Don't let them lose money, but they can't ask for exorbitant prices either. Within one day, I want this grain stored in the granaries.”

Xie Juner and the others looked at each other, extremely bewildered.

Could it be that General Lin intended to hoard grain himself to drive up prices?

But military orders were absolute, and they didn't dare ask directly, so they all agreed one by one.

“By the way, Manager Ning, find me some artists as well. The more the better. They don't have to be great; just passable will do!”

Lin Xiao gave one last instruction.

Xie Juner was completely confused but still nodded and replied, “Yes.”

After leaving the Inspector General's estate, several managers gathered around Xie Juner and whispered:

“Princess, what does General Lin mean? Does he plan to become a grain merchant himself?”

“If that's the case, then the lives of everyone in the city will be in his hands!”

“Sigh... could it be because Jiang Shengyuan led his troops to resist, and so this god of slaughter is enraged?”

Xie Juner shook her head. “Others might not know the reputation of the Zhenbei Army, but don't you all know?”

“General Lin is not that kind of person. He must have other plans. We should just do as instructed.”

The managers thought it over and agreed, then dispersed to carry out their tasks.

The merchants, landlords, and nobles across the city who were hoarding grain were all surprised to hear that the Zhenbei Army was buying grain at market price.

To be honest, according to 'tradition,' it was normal for an army to spend a few days looting after capturing a city.

This Zhenbei Army was actually using money to buy grain?

General Lin is truly a man of principles!

Naturally terrified, they obediently handed over all their surplus grain.

They originally thought it would take at least a day, but by evening, the granaries were already more than half full!

Lin Xiao then summoned Xie Juner and the other representatives overnight to the Inspector General's estate for another meeting.

After several consecutive orders were issued, everyone present was dumbfounded!

The next morning.

The streets and alleys of Yangquan City were covered with various notices.

As soon as the commoners left their homes, they gathered around, pointing and discussing excitedly!

The language of the announcements was very simple, without any official jargon.

But the content was absolutely explosive!

First, the Northern Trade Alliance would start selling grain at a price of fifty wen per dan!

The requirement was to be a local resident, with limited purchases based on household registration.

Even though it was limited, one must know that the previous price was a hundred and fifty wen!

It was cut directly to one-third, returning to the price before the war broke out!

Second, those without money to buy grain could go directly to the government office to register and work for food!

The Zhenbei Army needed to repair houses in the city, reinforce the walls, and fix bridges and roads.

Skilled craftsmen could apply directly to join the Zhenbei Army Workshop, where they would not only have food but also earn money!

Third, residents of Yangquan Commandery would gradually begin to enjoy the same treatment as residents under the Zhenbei Army's jurisdiction.

This included free porridge for the elderly, weak, women, and children, and access to heated tents for warmth.

Two half-price honeycomb coals daily, free schooling for boys and girls, Militia recruitment, and so on...

Various policies were expected to be implemented one after another within a month.

...

This announcement, packed with substance, truly opened the eyes of the Yangquan people!

“Is this for real!? Only fifty wen?!”

“That was last year's price, wasn't it? Could it be a mistake?”

“It's true! I just passed by Northern Cottage, and many people are already lining up there!”

“I heard General Lin bought up all the surplus grain from the merchants. I thought he was going to hoard it, but he's actually selling it to us at a low price?!”

“Could there be something wrong with this grain? Is that Lin Xiao really so kind-hearted?”

“Don't be so cynical!! When the Zhenbei Army entered the city, they didn't steal or loot. Have any of you ever seen such soldiers?”

“True. I thought they'd come to snatch our food; I was hiding in the cellar and didn't dare come out...”

“If it's really fifty wen a dan, I'll eat it even if there's sand mixed in!! Let's go! Buy some grain!!”

“I have no money left, so I'm going to the government office to register for work. Who's coming with me?”

“Me, me, me...”

For a time, the streets all over Yangquan became lively as people left their homes.

Long lines formed at the storefronts of Northern Cottage and Northern Coal.

At the government office entrance, Zhenbei Army soldiers maintained order while officials registered people; every one of them had been 'trained' to be perfectly pleasant and kind.

However, the commoners soon discovered that in these places where people were queuing, many fresh, never-before-seen pictures had been hung up overnight.