Volume One: The Young Monk Returns to Secular Life Chapter Sixty-Five: Unsure If It’s Mere Coincidence…
Page (1/3)
Li Guo glanced in confusion at the official who had just entered, then at the strange expression on Qin Shirong’s face. He asked in bewilderment, “So this booklet hasn’t yet been approved? Does that mean this excellent disaster relief strategy wasn’t written by you, Minister?”
Qin Shirong shook his head. “Indeed, it wasn’t authored by me. This booklet was a gift from Master Huiren of Jinshan Temple. I had intended to spend a few days organizing its contents, keeping the good and discarding what didn’t fit, before handing it to you, Lord Li, to implement.”
He chuckled, “But now, it seems there’s no need for revision. Let us use this version as it is... In due course, I shall report to His Majesty and hand the booklet to the relevant officials for further development. From now on, this will be our primary disaster relief strategy. What say you, Lord Li?”
“This is excellent! Truly excellent, Minister Qin…”
Li Guo had witnessed much; he had personally overseen and observed the entire process of executing the booklet in the disaster area. The results were unlike anything seen in previous relief efforts.
When he first saw the booklet, he thought some parts made too much of minor details. But after witnessing the entire relief process, he gained new insights.
In fact, not only were no details exaggerated, but some aspects were perhaps insufficient—such as matters of sanitation and public awareness, which had been completely neglected in previous relief efforts. These were key reasons why epidemics had not been effectively controlled.
“But this booklet is absolutely invaluable. The author of this booklet... Minister Qin, what do you think? Could it be Master Huiren whom you mentioned? If so, might it be possible…” Li Guo’s gaze grew a bit unnatural as he looked at Qin Shirong, as if probing, “I believe this person may possess extraordinary talent!”
Qin Shirong was amused, teasing, “Ah, Lord Li, I see your intentions… The booklet is indeed a great achievement, but it wasn’t written by Master Huiren. So if you’re hoping to recommend him for official post, I’m afraid that’s impossible…”
“But… then who wrote this booklet?” Li Guo pressed on, unwilling to give up.
“Well… Master Huiren merely found it along the road, but from his expression, I believe he knows the author. He’s just worried that if the booklet turns out poorly, he might be implicated,” Qin Shirong analyzed.
“Then… how can we find this person?”
Li Guo remained persistent in his inquiry.
Qin Shirong rather admired this tenacity.
“Lord Li, are you not being too impatient? If this person truly possesses world-shaking talent, yet didn’t come forward himself to submit the booklet, he must have his reasons… If you dig him out so forcefully, wouldn’t that be somewhat unfair?”
“But such talent—if not brought into the government—would be a great loss!”
Li Guo was relentless.
This showed just how highly he valued the booklet.
“Enough, Lord Li. Let us leave this matter be. I must draft a memorial to inform His Majesty of this tremendous news…”
Qin Shirong smiled as he spoke.
Page (2/3)
“Wait, Minister Qin, I have another matter to discuss…” Li Guo hurriedly said.
“Oh? What is it? Speak freely, Lord Li.”
“Have you perhaps noticed the price of grain these past few days?” Li Guo asked cautiously, since he was responsible only for front-line relief work, and not for grain prices.
It was, perhaps, meddling beyond his remit…
But Qin Shirong didn’t mind, knowing Li Guo’s character. He replied, “Indeed, the price of grain has risen sharply lately…”
“In just a few days, it’s doubled… Now it’s sixty taels of silver… Even my own household… sigh… Ordinary wealthy families might sell all their land and still starve!”
As Li Guo spoke, his eyes reddened.
Qin Shirong fell silent, deep in thought.
“Minister… Though the new disaster relief strategy has achieved much, the root problem is grain prices, as you surely understand. Because of this issue, the number of local refugees has multiplied, and at this rate, the grain will never be enough… Many will die! Minister, I implore you to investigate this matter thoroughly!” As he spoke, Li Guo suddenly dropped to his knees, pleading.
Qin Shirong had not expected Li Guo’s sudden outburst, and quickly stepped forward to help him up. “Lord Li, do not do this. I will do my utmost to investigate…”
“I thank you, Minister…”
……
After Li Guo departed, Qin Xuanxuan finally spoke, “Father, do you think what Hero Chen is doing now is related to the grain prices?”
Qin Shirong frowned slightly, pondering for a long while before raising his head. “Someone, go to the marketplace and make a record of all large-scale transactions. Find out which families have been buying grain continuously…”
“Yes.”
The servant answered and went to make arrangements.
Soon, the servant returned with the statistics. It didn’t take long, since it was simply a matter of asking and recording.
Qin Shirong took the booklet of statistics and began to examine it closely.
What met his eyes was a series of startling numbers:
The Huang family, Green Mountain Sect—purchased six hundred piculs.
Page (3/3)
The Li family, Heavenly Profound Sect—purchased two thousand piculs.
The Fang family, Eight Trigrams Sect—purchased ten thousand piculs.
The Mi family, Heavenly Blade Sect—purchased thirty thousand piculs.
…
This string of numbers made Qin Shirong’s scalp tingle…
“Damn it! These bastards! Still feeding on the people—drinking blood… How could they be so ruthless? Those are living people! Outrageous! Outrageous!”
Qin Shirong’s veins bulged, nearly fainting with rage, his words tumbling out in disarray. “Murderous fiends! I must find a way to deal with you… I must think… Let me think…”
“Father… are you all right? Here’s the list of prominent families Hero Chen pressured to donate grain, along with the quantities…” Qin Xuanxuan handed Qin Shirong a small notebook.
Qin Shirong looked down at it, sighing as he read.
All the wealthy families who had bought grain were on the list, and had systematically bought double the amount from the market…
No wonder the price of grain kept rising…
“Xuanxuan, you… foresaw this?”
“I overheard a monk speculate about it, and I’ve been pondering ever since… Since many things weren’t certain, I didn’t dare mention it to you…”
“A monk?”
“Yes, his name is Xiao Yan… I don’t know if it’s just a coincidence…”
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
PS: New book, begging for recommendation votes. If you like it, please help promote the book through any channel… Your humble servant will be eternally grateful…
Page (3/3)