"The second question, if Chang'an is chaotic and food is in short supply, who will benefit the most?"

Fang Xuanling said: "Of course it's not the court, it's not the people, it's not your grain merchants, the court needs stability to win the hearts of the people, the people need food to meet their daily needs, and you guys need to trade grain merchants and earn silver taels." ”

"The most beneficial, of course, are those who have ill intentions, they play right and wrong, sabotage the grain trade, amplify the propaganda through trouble, and spread the influence of this matter to all parts of the country, the light ones undermine the local people's hearts to pave the way for rebellion, and the heavy ones take this opportunity to control the source of food in a place, and with the control of food, they are not allowed to turn their hands into clouds and rain in a place far away from Chang'an?"

He paused, and then continued: "The third question, I believe you must be very puzzled, since the imperial court needs you, why is it collecting grain at a high price and competing with you? ”

Fang Xuanling took a deep breath, and his voice was raised reluctantly: "The imperial court has received a report from both sides of the Yellow River, and the rainstorm in the upper reaches of the river has been raining for several days in recent days, and the precipitation has far exceeded that of previous years. ”

"Ladies and gentlemen, do you want to see the flood approaching and the people displaced? Everything that Your Majesty and the court have done is for the people to consider! ”

His heartfelt words entered the hearts of these grain merchants, but they were still skeptical, and did not dare to believe the words of this important minister of state affairs.

The orphan of the Wang family, who was the first to be wiped out, looked haggard, and was overly sad at first glance, affected by emotions, he couldn't think well in the past few days, and finally saw the people of the court, and just wanted to ask the questions in his heart: "What Lord Fang said is so reasonable, even if I haven't read for a few days, I can still feel that the court is serving the country and the people." ”

"But I waited that night and heard the murderer claiming to be an official of Dali Temple, is this still fake?"

"And if the imperial court does not compete with the people for profit, and the Yellow River is flooded and there is a shortage of food, it is completely possible for me and others to collect the grain, and then sell it to those disaster victims, so that not only we can benefit, but also the disaster victims can have food, wouldn't it be the best of both worlds?"

Fang Xuanling glanced at the man, he had also mentioned this question to His Majesty.

According to the practice of previous years, the imperial court would provide a part of the food for disaster relief, because the silver grain was limited and would not provide a full supply of grain, and the rest would be provided by these grain merchants.

His Majesty's explanation to him is this.

First, the Yellow River flood is menacing, if the grain merchants are mobilized instead of collecting grain in the name of the imperial court, there is no time to say that these grain merchants will definitely not pay too high a price to collect grain, and the grain is the most valuable in the face of the disaster, and everyone is reluctant to sell it at that time, which will inevitably lead to a shortage of grain.

The second is that before the catastrophe, if there are sinister people who maliciously stock up grain, and then fry the grain to a very high price and finally sell it to the victims, those who cannot afford to give the silver taels will be starved to death.

Qin Huaidao, who didn't want to see this tragic scene in the world, naturally planned that all the expenses would be spent by the imperial court, and then all the food would be used for disaster relief when the flood occurred.

Since they are all free, these grain merchants must be unprofitable, and naturally they will not be needed.

Thinking of His Majesty's generosity and benevolence, Fang Xuanling's heart warmed.

He told all the things His Majesty thought to these grain merchants.

When the grain merchants heard this, they all fell silent.

How bold does it take to give out free food to dare to do this? His Majesty the Emperor of the Han Dynasty can have such thoughts, which shows that his patriotism and love for the people far surpass everyone else.

On one side is the benevolent Majesty, and on the other side is the relatives who have been wiped out, and these grain merchants are a little shaken at the moment.

At this moment, Zhang Daozi stood up.

He is the No. 1 grain merchant in Chang'an, and he is also the representative of these grain merchants, and his every move will affect the thoughts of all grain merchants.

"Lord Fang, we already know Your Majesty's purpose, and since this is the case, we are willing to believe that the imperial court is for the sake of the people."

Fang Xuanling smiled with relief: "It has to be you Zhang Daozi, since you are willing to believe it, please disperse for the time being, if there is any news, this official will notify you as soon as possible." ”

Zhang Daozi shook his head.

"Please also ask Lord Fang to listen to me, we are gathered here, one is to find a way out for all the grain merchants, and the other is to find the murderer of the grain merchant, we believe that the court is for the people, it does not mean that the court is not the murderer of the door."

"Further, if I wait to go back, who can guarantee that I won't be the next one to be destroyed?"

"Therefore, before the court comes up with tangible evidence, I will not go anywhere in front of this palace, and I ask Lord Fang to forgive me."

The words of the first grain merchant in Chang'an caused many grain merchants to echo him.

"That's right, we're not going anywhere, what if we get wiped out again when we go back?"

"The streets and alleys of Chang'an, only there are many brocade guards guarding the palace gate is the safest, even if the destruction of the door is really done by Dali Temple, I don't believe they dare to run to the palace gate to spread wild!"

"That's it!"

Seeing that there were many voices of echoing, Fang Xuanling knew in his heart that the shadow left on them by the destruction of the door was too huge, and this matter could not be solved in a few words, if the truth was not ascertained, these people were probably only willing to stay here.

It's also a good idea, at least to keep yourself safe at the gate of the palace.

After thinking of this, Fang Xuanling said: "Well, since you think it's safer here, before you completely find out the facts, if you are willing to be here, just stay, what do you need, this official has asked people to prepare for everyone." ”

He saw that these people were well prepared, with mats and bedding, and a lot of dry food, and they were obviously ready to be here for a long time.

"In this way, this official ordered someone to send you something to shelter from the rain, this place is empty, if you are tossed and sick, Your Majesty will definitely blame me."

"Thank you, Lord Fang."

After some negotiations, Fang Xuanling had already figured out the crux of these people, and after arranging for someone to send things, he went straight to Chang'an Mansion to prepare for an in-depth understanding of the investigation of this eucalyptus.

And Qin Huaidao called Xue Rengui.

"Brother Xue, I haven't talked to you for a long time, is it okay to work in the Ministry of State recently? Have several uncles and uncles embarrassed you? ”

Qin Huaidao had called him like this before he became His Majesty, so Xue Rengui didn't feel embarrassed or uncomfortable.

This is also because in the process of getting along for a long time, he has long regarded Qin Huaidao as his family.

"It's okay, several old marshals are all national soldiers, and the minister has learned a lot from them."

"That'll be fine." Qin Huaidao said: "I need to find someone who can be trusted and doesn't show up much, how about your son Xue Ne?" ”