The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 180 Nightmare Returns
"Elder sister, I've just returned home, so I'll have to trouble you with the grain purchase." Shang Mingshu turned to Shang Wenshu and instructed her.

Shang Wenshu is thoughtful and sensitive. Even though she knows the real reason, she can't help but feel bad if Shang Mingshu doesn't let her contribute money. So, Shang Mingshu lets her contribute her labor instead.

Since this matter is being handled in the name of Shang Mingshu's deceased mother, Shang Jinliang can step in to help inquire and negotiate the price, but he cannot participate in the entire process. Otherwise, it would seem that he is taking this matter too seriously and would arouse too much speculation.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," Shang Wenshu said solemnly.

She just wants to be needed; she just wants to be involved in family matters, no matter how.

The family members accommodated each other and happily hosted a welcome dinner for Shang Mingshu, each going about their own business the following day.

Even though they had prepared their explanations, after Shang Jinliang met with Wang Ping and explained his purpose, the head of Wang's Rice Shop still looked at him with a probing gaze: "Brother Shang, we've known each other for a long time, and I owe a great deal to you. With Wang's Rice Shop gone, my business has been much easier this year, and I'm very grateful to you. To tell you the truth, I happen to have a batch of clean, old grain at the dock..."

The shrewd and calculating Wang Ping used both heartfelt words and bait, constantly observing Shang Jinliang's expression. Seeing that Shang Jinliang remained unmoved and listened attentively, he sighed softly towards the outside: "A few days ago, the people from the dock warehouse reported that due to months of continuous rain, the granaries are filled with dampness. Even with careful methods of storing grain, it is difficult to avoid the invasion of dampness. If it is not dealt with soon, it may become moldy and rotten."

This batch of grain needs to be handled properly and moved to a better storage location. Labor costs will be another expense. The government allows a slight increase in rice prices during special times. There is no shortage of new grain now. Except for the poor, the old grain is difficult to sell. This is the prefectural city, and rainy weather prevents the poor from entering the city...

If Chen Liang is left unattended, he will only become a liability. Shang Jinliang's arrival can indeed solve his immediate problem, but precisely because it is Shang Jinliang who is coming, Wang Ping is afraid that Shang Jinliang may have some information and try to take advantage of him...

Rainwater, falling in a continuous line from the eaves, pounded on the bluestone floor. Since May, the courtyard had never been dry. He was worried, fearing that his guess might come true, in which case his grain would be extremely precious. If the flood occurred, the entire Huizhou Prefecture would be besieged, and grain from outside would not be able to get in.

He'll definitely make a profit if he invests money to transport the grain back from the dock warehouses. If there's no flooding, selling all this old grain won't be difficult; the challenge is making a profit!

This year's harvest in the Jiangnan region is bountiful!

Shang Jinliang, feigning ignorance, asked with a pleased expression, "How much grain do we have?"

“Eight hundred bushels of grain,” Wang Ping said truthfully. “I got a bargain from the Wang family.”

It just so happens that the grain was purchased from the Wang family at a low price last year. In previous years, the total amount of grain stored in each rice shop, both new and old, would not exceed five hundred shi.

Shang Jinliang could see that Wang Ping was sincere, but there were some things he couldn't be sure about. No one can control fate. He carefully said, "Brother Wang, give me half, and I'll help you transfer the other half as well."

Wang Ping's eyes lit up. Because of the rain, it was difficult to hire the cheapest labor. It wasn't a matter of money, but rather the trouble that might arise if someone got hurt or even died from a cold during transport...

"Brother Shang, you have relieved my worries, so I cannot just take the profit. Two strings of cash and three bushels!"

He had four hundred bushels of grain, which meant he had a place to rent a warehouse. Warehouses on the highlands were in high demand but not available, and everyone was busy transferring goods from the docks.

The merchant had several large tea shops, so the storage of tea required extra care. Each tea shop had a good storage cellar or warehouse. The merchant's residence had few people but many houses, so Shang Jinliang, considering the worst-case scenario, transported most of the tea to the residence.

"Send more to the nursing home and orphanage as well," Shang Mingshu instructed.

She hired porters to escort the goods, which was perfect for the whole trip. She specially purchased a batch of medicinal herbs from the Yao family and gave each porter a bowl of herbal soup to keep them warm. She also selected the best raincoats and straw hats and changed them for each trip. She assigned guards with martial arts skills to accompany them. She was willing to be slower and spend more money to ensure everyone's safety.

Her kindness was rewarded with even more meticulous work from the porters, and it took them several days to complete the transfer. "Ming Shu, are you worried about flooding?" Lin Yuan Yuan specifically came to find Shang Ming Shu.

With no one around except the two of them in their boudoir, Shang Mingshu nodded confidently.

Just yesterday, she had a nightmare. She doesn't know when it started, but it seems that she can foresee the misfortunes she is about to suffer through her dreams. Last year, the dock warehouse burned down, which was one such incident. Actually, there was another one a long, long time ago, in the second year after her mother passed away. She dreamed that she was being robbed of her money, and she believed that the dream was how she cleverly avoided it.

This time she dreamed that she was swept away by a flood. There were not many clues, but she firmly believed that the flood would come.

Lin Yuanyuan didn't ask Shang Mingshu why she was so certain, just as she didn't need a reason to believe in Shang Mingshu. She turned around and went back to the Yao family to start preparing the medicinal herbs. How much and which herbs to prepare was something she and Yao Zongsi discussed together.

"You trust her so much?" Yao Zongsi asked, still unable to resist, as he helped Lin Yuanyuan tidy up.

Lin Yuanyuan had an unparalleled trust in Shang Mingshu. Sometimes he even suspected that Shang Mingshu had bewitched him, and that if Shang Mingshu ever asked Lin Yuanyuan to commit suicide, Lin Yuanyuan would not hesitate to pick up a dagger and slit his throat.

“Mingya can’t be wrong.” Over the years, she and Shang Mingshu have grown up together. Although Shang Mingshu is two years younger than her, she is the one who is taken care of and protected by Shang Mingshu. Shang Mingshu has never made a mistake.

"The medicinal materials are more durable after processing, so we can buy more without affecting our business."

"Buy it if you want." Yao Zongsi's sickly face broke into a doting and indulgent smile. Since the last incident, the people in the clan had become much more obedient. They had some complaints, but dared not cause trouble.

The actions of the Shang and Yao families caused unease among the merchants of Huizhou Prefecture. They inquired with both families and were told that they could buy peace of mind by spending money.

Others are dissatisfied; having surplus money is the only way to buy peace of mind. What's the point of hoarding if you don't have a lot of money? Once a lot of money is spent, many people's livelihoods can't withstand even the slightest setback...

Despite their inner grumbling, they didn't stop themselves from starting to calculate the money and begin raising funds...

Such undercurrents alarmed Prefect He, who came in the rain that night. Disregarding etiquette, he had Shang Jinliang wake Shang Mingshu.

"There's a landslide at Zixia Mountain." Prefect He's face was pale and hard to read.

Both Shang Mingshu and Shang Jinliang were startled.

Zixia Mountain is high in the northwest and low in the southeast, with a terrain resembling a winnowing basket. If a landslide occurs on Zixia Mountain, the three rivers of Fengle, Fuzi, and Bushe on the north side will converge at Yuliang to form the Lian River, which will rush straight towards Shexian County!

The business also owns a large tea plantation on the main ridge of Zixia Mountain!
Shang Mingshu could even imagine the terrifying scene of Zixia Mountain collapsing, with boulders carrying flash floods rushing straight to Yuliang Dam.

"Unstoppable?" Shang Jinliang held onto a sliver of hope.

“These past few days, the river workers and government officials have been digging flood discharge channels. Tonight, I will withdraw them all…” Prefect He closed his eyes in anguish and helplessness.

Human beings are as insignificant as ants in the face of natural disasters.