From a humble farmer to a great martial arts master

Chapter 128, The Mind Crushing Power of a Transmigrator

The dock was bustling with people. Besides the porters waiting for work, there were also many disheveled disaster victims on the outskirts, forming long queues in front of the soup kitchens.

From a distance, it looked like a thin porridge made with water, mixed with tree bark and pebbles.

"You beast! If it's porridge, a bland version would be fine, but why add stones to it to make it disgusting?"

When Wei Bin saw the stone rice porridge cooking in the large pot, he started cursing.

He was about to go up and cause trouble.

But Ren Qingshan helped him out.

"Otherwise, how could the real disaster victims get to eat?"

He suddenly froze, pondered for a moment, and then realized what was happening.

He clenched his fist secretly and let out a long sigh.

"Later, I'll go rob a few more wealthy families!"

Ren Qingshan's eyelids twitched slightly: "This is not the worst time yet. Once it snows, I'm afraid many people will really freeze to death."

"When spring comes next year, when food is scarce, most of what can be eaten on the ground will be consumed by the disaster victims, including the seedlings planted in spring—if there are any."

Fear flashed in Wei Bin's eyes.

Just imagining that scene is extremely terrifying.

He subconsciously pulled out a hammer, put it in his mouth, and chewed it vigorously to gain some peace of mind.

"Junior brother, do you—do you have any ideas?"

"Why don't you distribute all your rice to the disaster victims?"

After a slight hesitation, he stammered.

"Fine, castrate yourself, and I'll leave."

Ren Qingshan listened to these words and said calmly.

Wei Bin's eyes flickered, and he waved his hand with a wry smile: "It was just a joke."

This was originally Ren Qingshan's occasional catchphrase, which he thought was quite sophisticated. Shamelessly, he used it and often said it.

"Let's go. Even if Qingshan Rice Shop has a lot of rice, it can't save all the disaster victims. Let's go into the city first, then go to Qinghe Prefecture. Find me a map of the mountains and rivers of the northern border."

Ren Qingshan patted him on the shoulder and led the group into the city.

There were many menacing eyes on the road, revealing greed and malice.

However, seeing that the caravan was large and powerful, and that the imperial guards were not far away, no one dared to make any rash moves.

"kill!"

Two days later, on the way from Yanshan Prefecture to Qinghe Prefecture.

A group of bandits suddenly attacked, all with ruddy complexions and burly builds.

The northern border is mountainous and has always been home to many bandits. Now, in this year of severe drought, it has become fertile ground for bandits.

Ren Qingshan, bow and arrow in hand and sword at his waist, shot arrow after arrow, killing all the invading bandits—without expression.

This is the fifth group of ruthless bandits we've encountered on the road.

I can leave!

But no one can take it!

Otherwise—living is just a waste of food, so die!

Less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The bandits, terrified of being killed, scattered and fled.

Ren Qingshan and Wei Bin, both innate masters, possessed astonishing agility. They caught up with them and killed them all.

The battlefield has been cleaned up.

The procession continued onward.

The land they passed through was barren, the earth cracked, the rivers dried up, and even the air was filled with an extreme dryness.

In just two days, everyone's faces and bodies were so dry that their skin was peeling.

The situation in Qinghe Prefecture was more serious than that in Yanshan Prefecture.

At least Yanshan has a dock, serving as the gateway to the north and a distribution center for goods.

Qinghe Prefecture is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only the Nihe River flowing through the city. The once wide river channel is now reduced to a trickle, and in some places it has even dried up.

There were already children who had starved to death by the roadside.

The imperial court dispatched troops to scatter and burn corpses to prevent an outbreak of plague.

-

Along the way, the air was filled with a faint smell of roasted meat and the stench of corpses.

Turn the corner.

Looking down from above.

The majestic Qinghe City came into view.

Outside the city gate, countless heads were densely packed, like dried-up fish waiting for water.

Every few steps there was a porridge stall, with a fair amount of rice.

Ren Qingshan led his large group toward the city gate, whereupon the guards immediately came to inquire.

After the caravan identified themselves, a garrison escorted them throughout the journey, leading them into the city and directly to the government office.

There were guards every three steps and sentries every five steps on the streets of the city, and even the pedestrians were always in a hurry.

Ren Qingshan saw the sign for Qingshan Rice Shop, but the doors were tightly closed and a sign said "Sold Out".

His eyes flickered slightly, his expression remained calm, and he passed by his home without entering, heading straight for the government office.

The government office was heavily guarded, with sacks of grain piled up like mountains, stretching from the courtyard to the gate and filling the square in front of it, all under close watch.

A man dressed in a scarlet official robe, whose features bore an eighty percent resemblance to Feng Jingxian, must be his son, Feng Zhenjiang.

Officials of all ranks in the prefecture, from various systems, should all be gathered here.

Even Feng Zhenjiang wasn't the highest-ranking person on the field, as there was also a middle-aged man dressed in a reddish-yellow outfit.

These are the prince's clothes.

I just don't know where it ranks.

The situation in Qinghe Prefecture was more serious than he had imagined—Ren Qingshan suddenly realized that he had been outmaneuvered by Feng Jingxian!

He brought 800,000 taels of silver with him, which he had borrowed from the Feng family. He originally intended to use it to acquire land, but Qinghe Prefecture had been placed under military control, and all supplies were being allocated by the government.

This 800,000 taels of silver is truly like throwing meat buns to a dog; it's meant to boost Feng Zhenjiang's political achievements.

Sniffing, Ren Qingshan's eyes remained calm. "At most, I'll freeload off your shipping and labor. There's no way I'll pay you back. If you push me too far, I'll repay you with my body and offer myself to my senior sister."

Damn it, you old dog Feng, you're truly treacherous!

After exchanging information about each other's identities.

Ren Qingshan soon learned the prince's background: the current crown prince, Zhou Shiqian.

Although his eyes showed some anxiety, he still maintained his elegant demeanor. He had just been discussing various decrees in Hefeng Town, and now he was warmly receiving Ren Qingshan.

Those who can transport grain to Qinghe nowadays are all great philanthropists!

Ren Qingshan immediately understood why he hadn't seen any other caravans along the way.

Once it arrives, it's gone.

Their approach is foolish; it's like draining the pond to catch all the fish.

"How much grain is left in the city?"

Ren Qingshan asked in a deep voice.

Feng Zhenjiang answered fluently: "Based on the current number of disaster victims, we can hold out until the New Year."

"Fortunately, the autumn harvest is underway in various places, and with His Highness the Crown Prince overseeing Qinghe, the national treasury will receive a steady stream of grain."

"Your Highness, Qingshan is a disciple of Master Gongshu Ce, and his wisdom and strategies are astounding."

Feng Zhenjiang responded casually, helping Ren Qingshan improve his favorability.

Anyway, it costs no money and doesn't waste food.

Zhou Shiqian looked at Ren Qingshan and, for the sake of the silver and grain, politely asked, "Qingshan, do you have any good ideas? No problem. If you have any thoughts, please feel free to speak them. We just hope to broaden the channels of communication and gather everyone's wisdom."

A group of officials from Qinghe Prefecture all looked at it.

A disciple of Gongshu Ce?

Gongshu Ce was famous throughout the world, and his disciples must have been both wise and brave.

But what could he do?

Rice appeared out of thin air?

"Hmm? I remember now, you used to be Fang Yanping's subordinate in Huaiyin County. It was you who proposed the policies of granting favors and relocating officials to Hao!"

At this time.

The Crown Prince seemed to suddenly remember something, and exclaimed with some surprise, his attitude immediately becoming very enthusiastic as he reached out and grabbed Ren Qingshan's arm.

The Emperor spoke highly of this matter, and so did I.

I originally planned to summon him again next year for the imperial military examination.

I never expected to see it here now.

"Ren Qingshan, just say what you're thinking!"

"I have high expectations for your wisdom!"

Zhou Shiqian's eyes were quite eager.

Tsk ————

You, the Crown Prince, are you really that lacking in cunning?

He doesn't seem like the kind of person who can be an emperor.

Your brother is vying for the title of martial arts legend, and you're here to provide disaster relief—hey, can a benevolent ruler defeat a tyrant?

Ren Qingshan silently complained to himself.

However, seeing the expectant looks in everyone's eyes, he thought for a moment and then spoke up: "Who made the decision to confiscate the merchants' grain and silver?"

"I."

Feng Zhenjiang immediately took the blame.

This decree was issued eight days ago and initially had a great effect, but after a few days, he began to feel that something was wrong.

No merchants are coming in!

Only a small number of people, like Ren Qingshan, are righteous businessmen.

After all, these businessmen are all well-informed, and if the wind turns slightly wrong, they immediately stop coming.

"idiot!"

Ren Qingshan curses Feng Laogou's son without any qualms.

Feng Zhenjiang looked embarrassed, but he forced himself to endure it in front of the Crown Prince.

Zhou Shiqian, however, helped him share the burden, looking ashamed: "I also bear responsibility for this matter. The unscrupulous merchants have been driving up grain prices to the point where they must be dealt with."

"First, open up trade routes and spread the word that anyone who can transport grain into Qinghe will be paid at market price, or they can exchange it for cultivation techniques, official titles, elixirs, or even have their descendants benefit from it. You can decide the specific exchange amounts."

"Secondly, any martial arts practitioners who can transport grain can also exchange it for martial arts techniques and elixirs—transporting these is much simpler than transporting grain."

"Third, suppress bandits. Bandits must have stored grain and silver. Suppress them all, leave no one alive."

"Fourth, for the disaster victims, we should provide work relief instead of other forms of assistance. I have already seen this when I came here. Although the Qinghe River is winding and large boats cannot sail on it, if we take advantage of the drought and the loss of water level, we can widen the river channel so that small boats can sail on it. We can also incorporate the Qinghe River into the Jingnan Canal and give the disaster victims something to do, so that they don't have to become bandits."

"7

Is that enough?

Zhou Shiqian's sharp Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes grew brighter and brighter, and his mind was clearly opened up completely.

They had discussed the first three points to some extent, but hadn't thought about them in such detail.

As for the fourth point, it is an even more brilliant plan!

Work relief instead of financial aid!

If disaster victims have work and food, they will naturally not cause trouble.

"Anything else?"

"Qingshan is a man of great talent; do not keep his abilities to yourself!"

Zhou Shiqian gripped Ren Qingshan's arm tightly, his thirst for knowledge almost overflowing.

Feng Zhenjiang licked his lips, his eyes also full of anticipation.

Wei Bin stared blankly at his junior brother, and suddenly realized—being an official seemed much more lucrative than being a chivalrous thief!

A chivalrous thief can only save a portion of the poor, while an official can save countless people!

"Fifth, the imperial court has never held a martial arts sect conference before, so why not hold one here? Those who register need to bring in grain, and the winner will be crowned the supreme martial arts master, rewarded with qi cultivation techniques, divine weapons, and plaques—if the royal family has many daughters, it wouldn't be a bad idea to find a consort for them."

"Sixth, write letters in the name of the Crown Prince to retired senior officials, such as Feng Jingxian, inviting them to come and continue to contribute their remaining energy. They have the power to manage people and do things, and they can also gain fame."

"Seventh, mobilize women from various brothels to donate money to the northern border. Those who donate more can be freed from their lowly status."

Is that enough?

Ren Qingshan's mind was completely opened; this was the mind-overwhelming power of a time traveler.

Everyone on the field was stunned.

"good!"

"good!"

Zhou Shiqian was also completely excited.