Capítulo 1429: Chapter 1429: Grain Store
“Last ti when we ca to collect the grain, the governnt already took away a lot. Now with the grain prices so high, how are we supposed to survive?”
“It’s precisely because grain is scarce that it becos more valuable. The price of rice and flour going up is only natural. If you want to buy, then buy. If not, then leave imdiately. All gathering here… beware, or I’ll report you to the authorities to have you evicted.”
Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian followed the source of the voice into the crowd, where they saw a group of citizens arguing with the manager of a grain shop. Although the argunt was noisy, Ye Shikai could roughly guess the reason: the grain prices were too high, making it unaffordable for the citizens and thus causing the dispute.
Ye Shikai knew that in order to fight the Wolf Clan, the Qin Army had mobilized 400,000 troops, consuming a large amount of grain daily. At the ti, a single Shangshui Village alone had contributed 1,500 stone of grain, and that was just for the first ti. Perhaps more collections would continue in the future. But whether in the village or in the county, there are warehouses storing grain. Unless the war drags on for years, there shouldn’t be a situation where there is no grain to eat, and it was natural for grain prices to rise. However, if it reaches a point where citizens can’t afford it, then it becos severe. Moreover, the Wolf Clan had ceased major actions two weeks ago, and similarly, Qin would not continue increasing its troop numbers. So why would the grain shortage situation continuously worsen?
“Old Ye, these people don’t seem simple,” Shangguan Jian suddenly said.
“What do you an?”
“This grain shop has recruited so many strong n as guards, and each of them is ard with weapons like long spears, long knives, and swords. The Emperor had long ordered that private possession of weapons is strictly prohibited. If it were just one or two, it could be overlooked, but look at these people, there are as many as thirty or forty, and perhaps this is just a part of the gatekeepers.” As Shangguan Jian said this, Ye Shikai seed to understand sothing. If it weren’t for the County Magistrate’s permission, they couldn’t possibly be equipped with so many weapons.
“If you continue to gather here, I’ll report it to the authorities!”
“Guards, drive them away.”
“Move along, move along.”
Dozens of store guards brandished their weapons. Although the gathered citizens felt defiant and even resentful in their hearts, they dared not rush forward, seemingly wary of sothing…
Suddenly, a man sprang from the crowd, rushed forward, and scooped two scoops of rice into his clothing directly with a ladle.
“Guards, soone is trying to steal grain, stop him!” The shopkeeper shouted loudly, and several strong guards imdiately surrounded him, kicking the man to the ground, with one even drawing his sword, intending to kill him.
“Stop.” Ye Shikai drew his long bow, fired an arrow, and instantly released it. The arrow’s point collided with the sword’s edge with such force that the guard’s arms went numb, his grip lost, and the sword fell to the ground. Man Cang imdiately sensed sothing was wrong and dismounted to follow Ye Shikai.
Ye Shikai walked over directly, followed by a group of fully ard soldiers, and the guards dared not stop them for a mont.
“Who are you people?” The shop manager was perplexed, looking at the military uniforms, which didn’t seem like the garrison of Yang County.
“And who are you, daring to seize a life in broad daylight? According to Qin Law, it’s a capital cri.” Ye Shikai said coldly.
“But… didn’t you see? He was trying to steal grain just now.”
“Attempting to steal is against Qin Law, but your n killing soone is still a capital cri, and it was your order, so you’re also guilty of a capital cri.” Ye Shikai’s face was stern as he spoke loudly, thinking that if he hadn’t acted just now, the man might really have died.
“Sir, this county’s grain shops are all run by this family. The grain prices have skyrocketed recently. They are deliberately trying to make us suffer. Please ensure justice, sir.”
“Yes, please ensure justice.” The citizens all spoke up, seeming deeply aggrieved.
“This… please allow us to explain,” the shop manager, seeing Ye Shikai and the others fully ard, toned down his domineering attitude.
“Are you the shopkeeper? Explain clearly.” Shangguan Jian also ca over and said softly.
“Recently, the entire county has been facing a grain shortage, and the rising prices are inevitable,” the shopkeeper explained, appearing troubled.
“Don’t believe their nonsense. They’re hoarding goods to inflate prices and reap profits,” shouted a citizen.
“Warti hoarding and profiteering is a serious cri. Are you tired of living?” Man Cang drew his sword and shouted loudly, known for his hatred of unscrupulous rchants, especially those disregarding the people’s lives.
“This… Please investigate clearly, my lord. There’s indeed a shortage of surplus, and to prevent the citizens from raiding, we have set daily purchase limits.”
Ye Shikai didn’t take action imdiately, but he already had an answer in his heart. Now he just needed a piece of evidence.
“What’s behind there?” Ye Shikai noticed several two-story buildings behind the grain shop, connected to each other.
“These were originally shops, but they’ve been deserted for a long ti; no one has co for ages,” the shopkeeper hurriedly explained. Ye Shikai noticed his eyes constantly darting towards the shops, a typical sign of a guilty conscience.
“Are you sure… no one has been here for a long ti?” Ye Shikai stepped forward and touched the outer door, finding no dust on his hand.
“Of course, of course.”
“Hmm, very well.” Ye Shikai turned and shouted, “Man Cang, break down these doors for .”
“Yes, n, break it open,” Man Cang commanded as he led the soldiers to kick down the wooden door, their speed so swift that the shopkeeper couldn’t react in ti.
“Gentlen, don’t…”
The wooden door was kicked open, and everyone surged inside, only to find the interior empty, except for so broken tables and chairs.
“Well, gentlen, I wasn’t lying, was I?”
“Really? If these shops haven’t been visited for so long, why is this outer door so clean? Do you send people to clean it daily?” Ye Shikai sneered; such a crude “trick” couldn’t fool him.
“Man Cang, lead the n inside to search and see if there’s a hidden passage.”
“Yes, sir.”
anwhile, Ye Shikai had the soldiers seal off the doorway, preventing anyone from entering, and he slowly turned to face the grain shopkeeper.
“Since you say, these shops are deserted, naturally they aren’t yours, correct?”
“Yes, yes, sir, you’re right.”
“Then if I find grain inside, it naturally wouldn’t be yours either, right?”
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