After our homes were confiscated and we were exiled, the women in my clan and I raised a million sol

Zhang Liang looked at the worried Zhong Tian and the others and said slowly, "How much grain is left in the granaries of Ninggu City? How many days will it feed the people of Ninggu City?"

As soon as these words came out, Liu Yu was stunned for a moment.

"No...it's not enough. But once the granary is closed, the price of grain in Ninggu City will definitely skyrocket again. Wouldn't the people be even more unable to afford food?"

Zhang Liang looked directly at Liu Yu and said, "Even if we continue to release grain, at a price of 100 coins per bushel, how many people do you think can afford it, Mr. Liu?"

When Liu Yu heard his words, his expression changed.

It is indeed as Zhang Liang said, not many people can afford the current price of grain, so even if the price is a little higher, it will actually make no difference.

"In that case, after the porridge distribution is finished, I will immediately send people to close the Ninggu City granary and post a notice."

Zhang Liang nodded, then looked at Liu Yu and said, "Bring me the map of Ninggucheng."

Liu Yu gave a look and Liu Hu, who was standing behind him, quickly walked to the study and brought out a map.

The map was spread out on the table, and the geographical location of the entire Ninggu City was clearly visible.

Zhang Liang took a quick look and frowned, "How is Ninggu City's food usually transported?"

Liu Yu walked forward and pointed to the map on the table. "Of course, it can be transported by land and water. However, Ninggu City is close to the Jiangzhu River, so water transportation is more common. It takes less time and has less loss."

After hearing Liu Yu's words, Zhang Liang nodded, and he already had an idea in his mind.

In the blink of an eye, seven days passed and Zhang Liang's soup kitchen was dismantled.

On this day, the bulletin board suddenly became lively, and the posted notices attracted the attention of many people.

The crowd quickly gathered, their eyes fixed on the notice. The news revealed between the lines was like a bolt from the blue, instantly igniting the anger of the people.

The notice stated that starting today, Ning Gucheng would close the granary and no longer open it to release grain, and at the same time, the price of grain would be raised.

When the people saw this scene, they all started cursing, and even the newly appointed officials were labeled as corrupt officials by these people.

After seeing the notice on the bulletin board, the servants sent by the four grain merchants hurried back to their respective mansions and reported the news to their masters.

After hearing this, Zhou Xia couldn't help but burst into laughter, his laughter filled with pride and contempt: "That old guy Liu Yu actually bowed his head. I thought he would continue to be stubborn, but I didn't expect him to give in so quickly."

There was a gleam of victory in his eyes, as if he had foreseen the rich rewards he was about to receive.

Zhou Xia became even more excited when he thought that his decision to join Zhang Liang was so correct.

He immediately stood up and ordered his servants, "Hurry up, go to our grain store and raise the price! We must take advantage of this opportunity today and make a fortune!"

At the same time, the other three grain merchants received the same instructions and took action.

As soon as these four grain merchants took action, the people in the city began to wail.

After a few days, the price of grain became higher and higher, from 150 wen at the beginning to 170 wen.

The angry people could no longer bear it and surrounded the county government office. They could not control their anger and vented it towards the county government office.

"One hundred and seventy coins a bushel, is this enough to keep us alive?"

"Sir, we kneel before you and beg you to show mercy and open the granary to release the grain. Otherwise, my family will starve to death!"

"Today's price has already exceeded 170 coins per dou, and it's already exceeded 200 coins per dou. These damn things won't sell for 200 coins per dou!"

"These beasts who profit from human blood will get their comeuppance sooner or later!"

Wave after wave of sound spread far away, making the newly appointed county magistrate Shen Zui in the county government office look worried.

Shen Zui and others were pushed up by Liu Yu, and they were naturally selected by Liu Yu and were loyal to Zhang Liang.

At this moment, he couldn't help pacing back and forth in the lobby of the county government office, with an annoyed look on his face.

The legal advisor beside him said, "Sir, if this continues, we will most likely be torn to pieces by the people!"

When Shen Zui heard his words, he stopped and looked back at his master.

"We must trust the Lord. He will definitely find a way."

"But a few days have passed, and the price of grain in Ninggu City has not only not dropped, but has actually risen to two hundred coins per bushel. The county government is now refusing to open its warehouses to release grain. In a few days, with the public outrage sweeping across the country, chaos is sure to break out!"

Seeing that no one responded to their plight, the people became discouraged and their eyes were filled with despair.

The streets and alleys were filled with gloom, as if even the sky had lost its color.

However, at this moment, a commoner suddenly seemed to have thought of something, and a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes.

He said excitedly, "Since these damn officials are so cold-blooded, why don't we go find Prince Wang! I believe he will definitely not sit idly by!"

These words were like a ray of light, instantly illuminating the darkness in people's hearts.

The people responded one after another and gathered towards Zhang Liang's mansion.

They ran all the way, their hearts full of expectation and hope, as if all problems could be solved as long as they found Zhang Liang.

Finally, they arrived at Zhang Liang's residence. The people loudly told their difficulties, their voices filled with hope and pleas.

They hope Zhang Liang can lend a helping hand and help them through this difficult time.

However, the gatekeeper told them a disappointing news: Zhang Liang had left Ninggu City for several days for some business.

Upon hearing the news, the people's last bit of hope disappeared without a trace.

They looked at each other, their eyes filled with disappointment and despair.

Gradually, the crowd began to disperse, and everyone left Zhang Liang's mansion with a heavy heart.

The streets were silent again, but this time it was a deathly silence, as if even the air had frozen.

Inside the mansion, Qin Youlan and others heard the noise and despair of the people outside, and the expressions on their faces became extremely serious.

Qin Youlan looked at Zhang Liang worriedly and asked, "Uncle, isn't the time ripe yet? Judging from the condition of those people, they're probably nearing their limit."

Wang Yuehan took over the conversation, his voice filled with urgency: "Yes, the people are in dire straits. If we don't help them, I'm afraid the tragedy of cannibalism will happen again."

Her words were weighty and cut to the heart of the current crisis.

Zhong Xueqing said with some fear: "The current situation is so chaotic that I dare not go out recently."

"Not going out is a small matter. If this matter becomes a big deal and is known by the imperial court, then we will be in trouble."

Zhao Ruoruo sighed, her tone full of worry.

Zhang Liang sat upright on the chair, holding a teacup in his hand. Hearing this, his fingers paused slightly, and then he slowly took a sip of tea, looking calm and unhurried.

He put down his teacup, swept his eyes firmly over everyone present, and said, "Don't worry, sisters-in-law, that kind of situation will not happen."

"I have already dispatched Yan Sheng and Zeng Guodong to lead the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to maintain order in the city and ensure stability."

Having said this, Zhang Liang paused for a moment, his eyes deep, as if everything was under control.

Then, his tone changed, with unquestionable determination: "However, now is indeed the best time for us to act."

As soon as these words were spoken, a glimmer of hope instantly appeared in the eyes of Qin Youlan and others.

Just as Zhang Liang finished speaking, Zhong Tian and others hurried in from outside, their expressions revealing a sense of urgency.

They came before Zhang Liang and asked anxiously, "Lord, are we not going to take action now?"

"Small-scale unrest has begun to occur in Ninggu City. Although it has been suppressed by Yan Sheng and his men, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, I am worried that the situation will continue to deteriorate..."

Zhong Tian's words were full of worry, and he was obviously uneasy about the current situation.

"Not only that, the government office is about to be demolished by the people. Shen Zui has sent people to ask many times what to do!"

Liu Yu told the current situation of the yamen.

Upon seeing Zhong Tian and his companions arrive, Qin Youlan and other female relatives tactfully stood up and left, leaving room for discussion for everyone.

Zhang Liang waved to them, motioning them to sit down, and personally poured them a cup of tea to ease the tense atmosphere.