39: Chapter 39: Outrageous Grain Prices Leave Zheng Ge'er Stunned

The First Emperor actually hadn't paid attention to grain prices for a long time.

His energy had been focused on resisting the Xiongnu, building the Great Wall, the Straight Road, dispatching armies south to conquer Baiyue, constructing the Epang Palace, and refining elixirs for immortality.

Every single thing he did was a major undertaking, yet he neglected the people's livelihood.

This is also a common ailment of the upper class—being detached from the masses for too long.

The Remnants of the Six States were also constantly stirring up trouble in the shadows, forcing the First Emperor to focus his energy on pacifying the realm, leading him to neglect the people's livelihood even further.

"What countermeasures does Fusu have on his end?"

The First Emperor asked hurriedly.

Three thousand coins for one dan of grain!

Such outrageous grain prices left even Zheng Geer dazed.

The First Emperor waited for the Shadow Guards' reply.

He was becoming more and more satisfied with Zhao Fusu's governance of Great Qin.

However, he still wanted to see what methods Zhao Fusu had to bring down these outrageous grain prices and restore them to their original level.

"Lord Li Si and Lord Feng Quji have already gone to the Forging Workshop to speak with Young Master Fusu."

"What methods Young Master Fusu has to lower grain prices has not yet been made public."

The Shadow Guard replied.

"Good, I understand."

The First Emperor said, "Report back immediately once you find out what countermeasures Fusu has come up with."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The Shadow Guard gave a respectful bow and left.

After the Shadow Guard left, Ying Zheng clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace incessantly.

When he was young, before Ying Zheng was brought back to the Qin State, he was a hostage in the Zhao State; growing up in the marketplace as Zhao Zheng, he was well-acquainted with the lives of the common people.

After reaching adulthood, he would still conduct incognito inspections.

He was quite familiar with the life of the common folk.

The normal price of grain was thirty coins per dan; now that the price had risen a hundredfold, it would inevitably cause resentment among the commoners in the city.

He understood clearly that if this matter wasn't handled properly, there would certainly be riots!

"Fusu, oh Fusu, what good ideas do you have?"

After the First Emperor muttered to himself, he called out to his surroundings, "He Zhi, He Zhi."

He Zhi, who was protecting the First Emperor from the shadows, immediately appeared before him and bowed, "Your Majesty, I am here."

"Disguise yourself and come with me for a walk outside."

"Yes."

He Zhi nodded.

After disguising themselves, they left the manor and walked toward the main street.

The First Emperor went straight to the Great Qin Empire's official grain station in Xianyang City.

A large number of people were lining up to buy grain.

Most of them were commoners dressed in hemp clothes.

They worked within the city.

They were similar to modern-day migrant workers, employed by others and working for them.

Their eyes shone as they stared at the grain being sold ahead.

A large number of soldiers were on-site maintaining order.

They watched the people in line like hawks.

If not for the soldiers standing guard with halberds...

...these commoners might have charged into the Great Qin Empire's official grain station.

Those who had purchased grain did not have smiles on their faces; instead, they were filled with sorrow.

With grain prices rising day by day, when would it ever end!

No matter who it was, paying a hundred times the original price for something would fill them with resentment.

Unfortunately, they lived in the city, unlike farmers who could still till the land in their villages and sustain themselves with their own crops.

They had to spend money to buy grain.

The First Emperor visited several official grain stations in Xianyang City, and the situation was much the same: large crowds of commoners were lining up to buy grain.

A hundredfold increase in grain prices!

Every commoner had a look of sheer agony on their face after buying the grain.

Yet, for the sake of survival, they had no choice but to buy it.

But the more they thought about it, the more depressed and angry they became.

The price of grain had risen a hundredfold.

That's a hundred times!

It was terrifying just to think about.

Everyone's temper was flaring.

At this time, if someone were to lead a "startup," they would only need to let out a shout to get a massive response. Everyone's motivation for the "business" would be through the roof.

"Let's go to the outskirts to take a look."

Ying Zheng's heart was heavy.

Having seen the situation in the city, he wanted to see the countryside.

While walking through a mountain forest, Ying Zheng and He Zhi saw a thin young man in hemp clothes, his face covered in tears, carrying a withered, skeletal old woman on his back into the woods.

Ying Zheng frowned slightly; out of curiosity, he followed behind them.

Suddenly, he was shocked to see the young man place the old woman into a newly established grave.

The grave was simple: just a cave with a tombstone outside inscribed with a brush.

"Mother!"

"Mother!"

"Mother!"

...

The young man knelt outside the grave, weeping bitterly.

"Don't cry, send Mother on her way."

The old woman spoke to the young man, fighting back her tears.

The young man gritted his teeth and nodded heavily. He brought stones and piled them up one by one in front of the cave, watching as the stones gradually obscured his mother's body.

The young man grew more and more heartbroken.

"This world!"

The young man wailed loudly.

Both the First Emperor and He Zhi felt their hearts tremble.

"Stop."

The First Emperor walked over expressionlessly and said.

"My Lord, please do not take pity on this old woman."

"I am already a useless person; I can no longer do farm work, I can no longer do farm work..."

The old woman said with a choked voice, "If I can't do farm work, I still have to pay another Poll Tax."

"It is better for me to be dead than alive."

Did the old woman want to die?

No.

Did the young man want his mother to die?

No.

But in this world, farmers like them simply could not survive.

The old woman knew well that she was useless and could no longer work the fields; only her death could reduce the burden on her family and allow them to live better.

Life is beautiful, and she was willing to leave living to the next generation, giving hope to her descendants.

Both the First Emperor and He Zhi fell silent as they watched.

The First Emperor's expression was complex.

All of this was caused by him!