The Fierce Teacher of Zhenguan: Starting with Teaching the Crown Prince to Make a Comeback

Chapter 137 Your Highness, it's best to be cautious!

The surrounding officials held their breath and lowered their heads, none daring to speak up at this moment.

Dou Jing's lips moved, but she ultimately did not speak.

In the dead silence, a figure slowly walked out from the end of the officials' procession.

He wore a light blue official robe, which made him stand out among the crowd of officials in scarlet and green robes.

It's Li Yichen.

He walked a few steps to the side and in front of Li Chengqian, bowed respectfully, and his voice was clear and steady in the quiet twilight, even carrying a calmness that seemed out of place with the solemn atmosphere.

"Your Highness."

All eyes immediately turned to the young study companion.

Zhou Fu and the clerks secretly raised their eyes, filled with doubt.

Some of the officials in the Eastern Palace frowned, seemingly feeling that it was presumptuous for the attendant to step forward so abruptly on such an occasion.

Li Chengqian slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on Li Yichen.

His gaze was weary, heavy, and also questioning.

He didn't speak, he just watched quietly.

Li Yichen straightened up, ignoring the various gazes cast around him, and said directly, "Your Highness, I have a plan that may temporarily alleviate our urgent crisis."

“Speak,” Li Chengqian said in a hoarse voice.

"I have just heard that many wealthy families in the city have fled, and their stored grain has either been taken away or looted by the disaster victims."

"However, I believe that there is definitely not a complete lack of grains in this county town."

Li Yichen spoke slowly, making sure that every word was clear.

“Ordinary households, especially those that have not fled, are still observing, or are unable to escape, must have some grain stored up.”

Zhou Fu couldn't help but raise his head and interject, "This... sir, you may not know this, but when news of the locust plague came, grain prices rose several times a day, and later there was no market for it."

"Which family with even a little grain reserves doesn't value it more than their own life?"

"Bury it deep in the cellar and keep it a secret from everyone! I have also tried to persuade wealthy families to donate, but... the results were minimal."

"In this state of affairs, it's as difficult as climbing to heaven to get those poor families to produce enough food to survive!"

His tone carried a sense of dejection, as if he had lived in the local area for a long time, was well aware of the people's suffering, but felt powerless to help.

Li Yichen didn't look at Zhou Fu; his gaze remained fixed on Li Chengqian's face.

“What Magistrate Zhou said is indeed true. It is certainly not easy to take food that can sustain life. However, what we give is something that can sustain life, or even…something beyond sustaining life?”

Li Chengqian frowned slightly: "What do you mean?"

"Your Highness possesses not only the authority of the court, but also tangible assets."

Li Yichen said slowly, "For example, refined salt."

The moment the words "refined salt" were uttered, a look of realization flashed across the eyes of many present, followed by a deeper doubt.

Li Yichen continued, "My plan is to use the refined salt in Your Highness's possession to exchange for the grain hidden by the people. I solemnly promise that within ten days, the grain stores in the county town will reopen, and the grain supply will be restored."

"We can send capable people with samples of refined salt to promote this policy door-to-door. Exchange is voluntary and will not be forced."

"I believe that there will always be some people who are moved."

As soon as he finished speaking, a low murmur arose from the crowd.

The previously silent official from the Ministry of Works, surnamed Zhang, who was in charge of machinery construction, looked up and said, "Your Highness, exchanging salt for grain is indeed a good strategy. However, what will the price of salt be? How will the exchange take place? If the price is too high, the people will be unable to afford it, rendering the plan ineffective."

"If the price is too low, we will have limited salt, and the grain we can exchange for it may not be enough to support the overall situation."

This is precisely the crux of the problem.

All eyes turned to Li Chengqian, and whispers rippled through the hall.

Li Chengqian looked at Wang Cong: "Minister Wang, you are skilled in document processing and calculation. In your opinion, how should the price of salt be determined?"

Wang Cong took a deep breath. He knew that this was the Crown Prince testing him and placing a heavy responsibility on his shoulders.

He closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, his mind racing as he calculated the salt prices in Chang'an that he knew from the past, the grain prices in the disaster areas that he had heard about along the way, and the quantity and quality of the refined salt he was carrying.

“Your Highness,” Wang Cong opened his eyes, his gaze sharpening.

"In my opinion, the pricing should take into account three aspects. First, it should make the people who hold grain reserves feel that it is profitable and be willing to give up their life-saving grain; second, it should allow us to exchange our limited salt for as much grain as possible; third, it should consider the potential impact of this price on the surrounding areas and even the subsequent journey, so as not to exhaust the resources or cause wider chaos."

He paused, then continued, “I estimate that Shandong is currently suffering from severe disasters, and grain prices have soared. A bushel of millet on the black market is probably worth more than a hundred coins, and there is no market for it. Ordinary people would cherish any grain they have stored up as if it were their lifeblood. The ‘jade salt’ that we are carrying is as white as snow and its quality far surpasses that of ordinary green salt and coarse salt.”

“In Chang’an, such fine salt could easily cost several strings of cash per ounce.”

Dou Jing nodded in agreement: "What Wang Cheng said is very true."

Zhang Langzhong also said, "Moreover, although salt is precious, it is not a staple food. The most important thing for disaster victims is to survive and have food. If the price of salt is prohibitively high, they would rather hold onto their meager food supplies than exchange them for salt that cannot fill their stomachs."

Li Chengqian listened silently.

He understood that Wang Cong and the others had considered things much more deeply.

This is not a simple transaction; it concerns the hearts and minds of the people and whether disaster relief can truly benefit the most vulnerable.

They also knew that Li Yichen's words at this moment must have a deeper meaning.

"Then, in your opinion, what is the specific plan?" Li Chengqian pressed.

Wang Cong was clearly confident. He said in a deep voice, "I suggest that the price should not be too high or too low. I have checked the accompanying records. We have about 500 shi of jade salt. If we want to support the initial relief and keep reserves for the future, we need to exchange it for at least 2,000 shi of millet."

He looked around at everyone and presented his well-thought-out plan: "I believe that it is appropriate to exchange one ounce of refined salt for three liters of millet."

"Three ounces of salt can be exchanged for about a peck of rice?" someone muttered as they calculated.

Wang Cong explained, “Yes. At this price, one tael of refined salt is worth about thirty to forty coins. When converted into the price of rice in a peaceful year, it is an extremely high premium, enough to tempt people who have stored grain.”

"But compared to the current black market rice prices in the disaster area, this price seems 'fair,' or even 'cheap.'"

"In this way, ordinary people with limited grain reserves can be attracted to exchange some of their stored grain for this high-quality salt, which is usually hard to come by. They can use it for their own consumption or hoard it to sell at a higher price."

"More importantly, the spread of this price can slightly quell the public's panic about salt prices and even government policies, demonstrating the court's sincerity and restraint."

Dou Jing pondered for a moment and said, "One ounce of salt for three liters of rice... Although it is not enough to completely solve the food shortage, if we add the military rations we brought with us, as well as the food resources that we may be able to raise later, it should be... barely feasible to support the relief efforts here and allow us to leave for the next disaster area."

Zhang Langzhong nodded in agreement: "This price is indeed the result of careful consideration. It is neither too high nor too low, but just right, enough to stimulate grain hoarding among the people without letting the benefits go entirely to the powerful. Wang Cheng is a wise and experienced strategist."

Li Chengqian carefully considered the price, weighing the options in his mind.

He knew this was perhaps the best option to balance the interests of all parties under the current circumstances. He looked at Wang Cong: "Then let's proceed as Wang Qing suggests. Draft a notice immediately and post it tomorrow morning in front of the county government office and at key intersections throughout the city, stating that 'the Crown Prince's disaster relief expedition is exchanging jade salt for rice, one ounce of salt for three liters of millet,' and..." He paused, emphasizing his words, "...and add a sentence, 'His Highness the Crown Prince promises that within ten days, the grain supply to Yexian County will be unimpeded, and the markets will be filled with grain!'"

These words were like a thunderclap from a clear sky. The officials who had just been secretly calculating the exchange rate between salt and rice changed their expressions drastically in an instant.

Dou Jing, who had been holding back, could no longer restrain herself. She suddenly took a step forward, her voice sounding somewhat sharp due to her urgency.

"Your Highness! Ten days is absolutely not enough!!!"

He practically shouted it out, the veins on his forehead bulging slightly, revealing his extreme anxiety.

Li Chengqian's gaze sharpened as he looked at Dou Jing.

"Why do you say that, Minister Dou? Ten days is already the limit of my estimation. The disaster victims cannot wait any longer!"

"Your Highness!" Dou Jing took a deep breath, trying to make her tone more composed and persuasive, but her speech was still very fast.

"Your Highness knows that you care deeply for the disaster victims and wish to alleviate their plight. However, a ten-day deadline is far too short and carries enormous risks!"

He counted on his fingers, explaining the pros and cons one by one.

"Your Highness, please consider this: although we have issued bonds to attract grain merchants with salt and profits, it will take time for the news to spread, and even more time for the grain merchants to procure grain and organize transportation!"

"Transporting grain from Guanzhong, the Jianghuai region, and even Sichuan to this place involves high mountains and long roads. Although the canal is convenient, it still requires loading, unloading, and transshipment. Ten days? I'm afraid even the grain from the nearest prefectures and counties might not be fully gathered by then!"

"This is one of them."

Dou Jing paused, then continued, her tone growing increasingly heavy: "Secondly, Your Highness, the foundation of trust is heavier than Mount Tai, especially in times of crisis, it is the very basis for maintaining people's hearts!"

"We are newcomers and have already relied on the Crown Prince's reputation by exchanging salt for grain. If we now make a promise that 'there will be grain within ten days,' the entire city and even the surrounding disaster victims will eagerly await it, regarding it as a lifeline and a promise from the imperial court!"

"But what if... I mean what if, when the ten-day deadline arrives, the grain carts haven't arrived, perhaps due to delays on the road or other unforeseen circumstances... then what will happen when the people's hopes turn to despair?"

Dou Jing's voice trembled slightly, as if she could already see that terrible scene.

"That will no longer be a simple famine, but a complete collapse of trust! Public resentment will boil over, all previous efforts will be in vain, and it may even trigger greater unrest!"

"Your Highness, if we have no grain in hand, how will we appease them? How will we quell the unrest? The court's prestige and the Crown Prince's reputation will be completely destroyed. The damage will be far more severe than a temporary famine in one place!"

After Dou Jing finished speaking, she bowed deeply, almost burying her head in the ground.

The surroundings were deathly silent, with only the crackling of the burning torches reflecting the extremely solemn expressions on everyone's faces.

Dou Jing's words were all reasonable and insightful.

It's not that they don't want to be fast, but the price of this "speed" might be unbearable for them, or even the entire court.

Wang Cong also took a deep breath and stepped forward to echo his sentiment.

“Your Highness, what Grand Tutor Dou said is indeed a wise and experienced advice for governing the country. The ten-day deadline is indeed like riding a horse on a cliff; the slightest mistake could lead to utter ruin. I second this proposal: this deadline should be postponed.”

Zhang Langzhong and other officials also bowed and said, "We second that proposal!"

"Your Highness, it's best to be cautious!"

On one hand, there is the imminent threat of life and death; on the other hand, there is the risk of triggering an even greater disaster.

This choice is too heavy.

His gaze unconsciously swept across the crowd and landed on Li Yichen again.

Li Yichen sensed the Crown Prince's gaze and knew that he had to come up with a solution that could both reassure people and be relatively feasible.

He bowed again and spoke in a steady voice, breaking the deadlock.

“Your Highness, the concerns of the officials are very valid. The ten-day deadline is indeed risky. However, the will of the people is like water; it is better to guide than to suppress. Once a promise has been made, a sudden cancellation or vague statement would raise suspicions.”

He changed the subject: "How about we take the middle way and set the timeframe at... twenty days?"

"The 20th?" Everyone was taken aback and looked at Li Yichen.

“Yes, the 20th,” Li Yichen explained. “Compared to ten days, twenty days gives grain merchants more time to react and transport the grain, greatly reducing the risk of missing the deadline.”

"For disaster victims, having a clear and relatively 'reliable' hope is better than waiting aimlessly in despair."

"We can announce to the outside world that the imperial court has mobilized all available resources to urgently transport grain and fodder, and that due to the long distance, it will arrive within twenty days."

"At the same time, we will use our own salt-for-grain exchange program to fill these twenty days, so that the people can see that the court has been taking action and is not just waiting idly."

He looked at Dou Jing and Wang Cong: "Lord Dou, Lord Wang, wouldn't a twenty-day deadline be more prudent?"

Dou Jing pondered for a moment, exchanged a glance with Wang Cong, and slowly nodded.

"The 20th... is still a tight timeframe, but it is much more relaxed than the 10th. The grain merchants' operations and transportation can be roughly expected. If the coordination is effective, it is not impossible."

Wang Cong also said, "Twenty days is a manageable risk. Moreover, as Li Banshu said, having such a clear deadline can reassure the people and make it easier for us to implement other relief measures during this period."

As Li Chengqian listened to the discussions, the scales in his heart gradually tipped.

He knew that this was perhaps the best option under the current circumstances, one that could be done as quickly as possible while minimizing risks.

He took a deep breath, made his decision, and his voice regained the composure and dignity of the Crown Prince.

"Very well! As you all agree, the timeframe is set at twenty days!"

"Dou Jing!" Li Chengqian continued to select his generals.

"Chen is here!"

"You will oversee this salt-for-grain exchange and subsequent publicity efforts! Select quick-witted and capable subordinates and guards, divide them into groups, and have them carry samples of refined salt and newly drafted notices. Tomorrow at dawn, they will go door-to-door to spread the word!"

"We must not only make sure everyone in Yexian County knows about this, but also spread the news to surrounding towns and even to places where migrants gather!"

"Tell them that the court has not forgotten them! The Crown Prince has not forgotten them! The grain will arrive within twenty days!"

"Before that, you can exchange stored grain for high-quality refined salt."

……

The next day, early in the morning.

As the first rays of light barely dispelled the gloom over Yexian, groups of officials and clerks dressed in the attire of the Eastern Palace or in the robes of low-ranking officials, escorted by elite guards, knocked on the still intact gates of the city's neighborhoods and headed towards the area outside the city where disaster victims had gathered.

Dou Jing personally led a team to the area in the city where wealthy families used to live and where there might still be stored grain.

He arrived at a tightly closed vermilion gate and gestured for the guards to knock on the door knocker.

After a long while, the door was opened a crack, revealing a pair of wary and cloudy eyes.

"Who...who are you?" an old voice asked, trembling.

(End of this chapter)