Happy Emperor

Chapter 27 Change your mind

Lin Tian really didn't expect this.

Duan Chengming is truly a talent. At least when it comes to food management, Lin Tian feels inferior to him.

"If we want to control the grain prices in Shengjing, the only method I just proposed is feasible."

Duan Chengming suggested to Lin Tian again.

"Not necessarily!"

Lin Tian pondered for a moment and replied coldly.

Duan Chengming's method is an open conspiracy and a formal approach.

But if open conspiracy doesn't work, you can resort to secret conspiracy!

As the saying goes, all roads lead to Rome.

Baturin and Ji Feng wanted to use the Shengjing refugees against him, and he could also use these people against them.

"I am stupid, please enlighten me, Your Majesty!"

Duan Chengming didn't believe that Emperor Li could come up with any good ideas.

"Duan Chengming, you must return to the granary now and order the officials in charge to open the warehouses and sell the grain."

After thinking for a moment, Lin Tian said to Duan Chengming.

"Selling grain?" Duan Chengming was stunned after hearing this.

Didn’t I make it clear just now? Even if we sell grain, it will only be a temporary solution and will only make us more passive.

This Emperor Li is indeed still the same as before.

Duan Chengming thought to himself.

He had also heard some rumors about Emperor Li's changes recently, but it seemed that they were just rumors.

"Your Majesty, are you sure you want to open the warehouse and sell grain?"

Duan Chengming still wanted to dissuade him, saying that his official position was not important.

But he didn't want the people of Shengjing to fall into crisis because of Emperor Li's wrong decision.

"Sure!"

Lin Tian replied coldly.

"Your Majesty, if we really sell grain, it might..."

"Do you want to disobey the order?"

Although Lin Tian's voice was cold, he was not angry.

He knew that Duan Chengming did this out of good intentions.

At least they are much stronger than Baturin and his group.

"I dare not!"

Duan Chengming bowed and replied, "If Your Majesty is prepared to sell grain, I suggest that you immediately send people to other provinces to purchase grain."

"No, I have my own arrangements."

Lin Tian's tone softened slightly, and he urged, "Go and execute it!"

"Your Majesty, I have another favor to ask of you."

Duan Chengming did not leave and spoke again, "If Your Majesty does not agree to this request, I would rather retire than sell grain!"

After hearing this, Lin Tian was completely overwhelmed.

He now had some understanding of why Qianlong liked Heshen so much.

Although Heshen was corrupt, at least he would carry out the orders from the emperor without any hesitation.

In ancient times, these loyal ministers were even more capable of causing trouble for the emperor than those treacherous ministers.

"Tell me! What do you want?"

Lin Tian replied reluctantly.

"First, Your Majesty, please send soldiers to assist me in selling grain to prevent grain merchants from snatching it up. Second, limit the amount of grain each person can purchase."

"No, we'll sell it to anyone who wants it! And there can't be any purchase restrictions!"

Lin Tian thought for a moment and said, "We can just sell the grain at normal prices."

Duan Chengming stood up suddenly, not caring about the etiquette between the emperor and his subjects.

He said sternly, "You...you are a tyrant. What's the difference between releasing grain and not releasing it? As long as the grain merchants rush to buy it, do you think those refugees will still be able to buy life-saving food?"

"Ignorant! So stupid!"

"I'd rather die than obey!"

Duan Chengming looked as if he was ready to die.

The purpose of opening the warehouse to sell grain was to level the market price of grain so that the people of Shengjing would have food to eat.

But if these grains are bought by grain merchants, what is the point of releasing the grains?

Seeing Duan Chengming like this, Lin Tian was also a little angry.

But he couldn't tell him the plan. Although Duan Chengming acted like he was concerned about the country and the people, Lin Tian was still not sure whether he had any connection with Baturin and Ji Feng.

He tried his best to remain calm and said in a deep voice, "Duan Chengming, I want to make a bet with you. Do you dare to accept it?"

"bet?"

Duan Chengming thought that Emperor Li would be furious and throw him into the Heavenly Prison.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Li was not only not angry, but also wanted to make a bet with him.

"Yes, as long as you follow my orders. Within three days, I guarantee that the price of grain in Shengjing will drop back to fifty coins per dou."

Duan Chengming now finds it difficult to understand Emperor Li’s thoughts.

But with all his years of experience, this is impossible!

"What if the price of grain doesn't drop within three days?" Duan Chengming asked in a deep voice without any fear.

"If food prices don't fall, I'll do as you say!"

Duan Chengming thought for a moment and nodded slightly.

In three days, even if Shengjing is in chaos, it will not become unmanageable.

It won't be too late to mend the situation then.

"If I lose, I am willing to accept your Majesty's disposal and have no complaints." Duan Chengming bowed.

"But you must remember! If you disobey my orders within these three days, I will kill your entire clan."

Lin Tian finally looked serious and said something harsh.

After Duan Chengming left.

An Bilie was called in by Lin Tian.

"Hurry up and send some people to disguise themselves as civilians and go to the major grain merchants in Shengjing."

"Spread the word, the Shengjing granary is selling grain today, first come, first served."

"According to the order!"

An Bilie didn't even ask Emperor Li why he did this, and turned around to leave.

"and many more."

Lin Tian called out to An Bilie and said, "Seal off the two entrances to the south of Shengjing. Not a single grain of food is allowed to leave Shengjing."

"Go do it!"

at the same time

In the study of Ji Mansion.

Ji Feng's face was full of pride.

I wrote four big characters on the rice paper with a brush.

"Strategic planning."

"Excellent calligraphy! Lord Ji's calligraphy is truly unique in Shengjing!"

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue used waste paper to deal with the wet ink, and kept flattering the emperor.

"Hahaha!"

Ji Feng was quite proud and laughed a few times.

"It doesn't matter whether the calligraphy is good or not, the main thing is that the meaning of the calligraphy is exactly what I want!"

"That's right, that's right. Lord Ji's trick of using a borrowed knife to kill someone is really brilliant, using those fools to cause trouble. I estimate that in a few days, Shengjing will be back in Lord Ji's hands."

"Humph!"

Ji Feng snorted coldly.

"I was careless at the time, otherwise how could I have lost control of Shengjing!"

"How can the incompetent Emperor Li be compared with Lord Ji?" The Left Vice Minister quickly agreed.

Just when Ji Feng was feeling very proud.

There was an urgent knock on the study door.

Then the Ji family’s housekeeper came in with an anxious look on his face and whispered in Ji Feng’s ear.

"The tyrant emperor released the grain?"

Ji Feng sneered. He had long expected Emperor Li to do this.

"Yes, now all the people have rushed there."

"Send people there immediately and collect all the food, no matter how much is left."

"Don't worry, sir. I have already started sending out troops to collect food."

The butler replied in a low voice.

"According to the plan, send a large number of people to buy dog ​​food. I guess they will use the old trick to limit the amount of food each person can buy." Ji Feng ordered in a cold voice.

"My lord, the emperor did not restrict the amount of grain that could be purchased, and he didn't even check the identities of those who bought the grain," the butler replied smugly.

"There's none?"

Ji Feng was stunned when he heard this, and then burst into laughter.

"The tyrant emperor is still the same tyrant emperor. I thought he had finally come to his senses, but I didn't expect him to be so clueless. I really overestimated him and even made ample preparations."

"Master Ji, it's better to be safe than sorry."

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue reminded him, "It's better to contact Baturin and get the grain quickly. In case the emperor reacts..."

"Minister Zuo's words make sense. I will go find Baturin myself right now!"

After saying this, Ji Feng strode out of the study.