It was initially thought that the grain sold by the Royal Granary would not last long, merely a gesture by Princess Xin Yue to win popular favor and gain a good reputation. However, three days later, the three storefronts of this royal business were still selling grain. Moreover, royal granaries had appeared in other prefectures and counties of Shuangyue Prefecture, also selling grain. This put the grain merchants of Shuangyue Prefecture in a difficult position.
Therefore, Old Master Mo, along with a group of grain merchants, visited the mansion of Li Fu. After discussing for over an hour, they finally departed.
"Quickly, have someone send word to Prince Jing, and also prepare some generous gifts. I need to pay a visit to the officials and dignitaries in the capital."
Li Fu instructed his steward. After the steward left, a bead of cold sweat trickled down his forehead. He sensed that something was amiss and feared there would be great trouble.
Although he was known as a major grain merchant in the city, he was in fact the grandson of Prince Jing's steward, and thus had no choice but to get involved in this messy affair.
Despite several days of investigation, he knew that the Royal Chamber of Commerce's grain was sold at twenty-five wen per dou, not because it was rice, flour, or wheat flour, but because they were selling novel and usable items called potato starch, potatoes, corn, and corn flour.
It was said that these powdered foods had a strange taste, and apart from corn, were not very delicious. However, they were still popular with the poor masses because they could be eaten at half price!
Six days later, at the imperial court.
The Empress sat on the dragon throne, listening to the ministers report on the domestic situation.
"Your Majesty, the other matters are not of great concern, as long as the officials below do their jobs diligently. However, there is an old problem that must be addressed."
Qian Jieren said this and then looked towards Chu Chen.
"Oh? Minister Qian, please continue."
The Empress also glanced at Chu Chen and waved her hand with some curiosity.
"Your Majesty, every year when winter arrives, many people in the country freeze to death, especially those in extremely poor households. Last year, an entire family, young and old, froze to death, which was simply horrifying and inhumane."
"Now that the autumn harvest is over and the weather is gradually getting colder, the winter solstice is not far off. What shall our dynasty do this winter?"
"..."
The Empress fell silent. This problem had no solution.
Why were poor families poor? It was not just because they had no money, but also because they had no grain and no time.
For tenant farmers and long-term laborers who toiled day and night, if they themselves had the ability to work, they could at least manage to get by with food and clothing when they were not sick or in distress. However, their families would certainly not fare well.
One would think that with grain from the autumn harvest, winter would be easier. However, after paying seven-tenths of the rent, they also had to pay taxes to the court. This resulted in only one-tenth of the year's produce remaining for their consumption.
A family of five, with one father, one mother, and three children, had only one and a half working individuals. If they also had elderly parents to support, life would be even more difficult.
Firewood, rice, oil, salt, cloth – firewood for cooking and heating in winter, rice and flour for daily sustenance, oil for supplementing fat, salt for maintaining physical strength and energy, and clothing and bedding for warmth.
Like a five-fingered mountain, these burdens pressed down on all the common people, making it impossible for them to escape, no matter how hard they struggled their entire lives.
Shuangyue City, being the capital, was slightly better. Every year, the imperial family and the Ministry of Revenue would allocate funds to subsidize the poor with firewood and money. However, other places could not be managed. The Empress had heard about the situation last year.
She had been furious and had conducted strict investigations, but ultimately, it was all useless.
"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?"
Qian Jieren called out repeatedly.
"I was indeed lost in thought," the Empress explained with a sigh and asked, "Is there a solution for this winter to prevent a large number of people from freezing or dying of illness?"
"Uh, Your Majesty, this... I am incapable."
Qian Jieren stammered for a moment and then sighed.
The Empress looked away in disappointment and turned to the other ministers.
Facing the Empress's gaze, all the civil and military officials stammered, and no one dared to speak up.
Only Chu Chen, with his head held high and his gaze fixed forward, remained silent.
"Minister Chu, do you have a solution?"
Seeing his demeanor, the Empress's heart rejoiced, and she quickly asked.
The other ministers then dared to look up at Chu Chen, their expressions carrying a hint of inexplicable meaning.
This was like challenging the heavens. Chu Chen, Chu Chen, could you continue to win as always?
"Your Majesty, I have heard of traditional Chinese medicine. A person's illness often has early signs. When treating it, one must prescribe the right remedy according to the symptoms. Treat the headache first, then the foot pain. After the patient recovers, prescribe a long-term solution to nourish the internal organs and prevent future illness."
Chu Chen spoke leisurely, uttering a series of seemingly unrelated matters, causing the Empress and the ministers to frown and analyze.
"Furthermore, a physician's skill is judged not only by their knowledge but also by the variety and completeness of the medicinal herbs in their shop. If treating someone who has been bedridden for a long time, one must also provide gentle food and tonics to nourish their body while treating the illness. Only when their body is strong enough to withstand it can strong medicine be used to resolve the ailment."
"I believe that the current Yun Yue Kingdom is like a patient who has been bedridden for a long time. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
After speaking, Chu Chen looked at the Empress with a solemn expression.
The ministers were stunned. This Prime Minister Chu truly dared to speak. Was he not pointing at the Empress and saying that the Yun Yue Kingdom was like a chronically ill patient, on the verge of collapse?
They expected the Empress to be furious, but instead, she took a deep breath and said coldly, "I naturally know this, and I am also determined to improve the situation. That is why I am asking Minister Chu if there is a method of treatment to prevent the condition from worsening and to avoid the cold affliction."
"..."
The civil and military officials looked at the Emperor and her minister in shock. They sensed something extraordinary. Perhaps the Yun Yue Kingdom was about to undergo a great change. What could be done?
Unlike the old officials, the newly admitted scholars, who were attending the court as minor officials, were extremely excited.
A great change in the country, wouldn't this be their opportunity?
If not for this, where would there be so many positions for them to fill, and where would they earn merits for promotion?
Chu Chen ignored the ministers in the court and cupped his hands, saying loudly, "Reporting to Your Majesty, winter is approaching, and it is the first challenge of my tenure as Prime Minister! However, I have long been prepared and have gathered the gentle and effective medicines needed to treat the patient. As soon as Your Majesty gives the order, they can be administered to the patient to help them overcome this winter's hardship!"
The Empress was overjoyed. She stood up and asked, "What is Minister Chu's ingenious plan? Can you tell me?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, the winter is difficult to overcome due to the cold climate, and the common people have no means to resist it, hence the difficulty. The root cause is simply a lack of money. The lack of money is the source of everything."
"Now, if Your Majesty follows my suggestion and mobilizes the people during the agricultural off-season to transport military grain for the army, they will receive some income. The winter provisions for all the people in Shuangyue City are already sufficient, but they lack the time to obtain items for heating."
"I have long been prepared!"