"That's right, all the money was drawn into the New City. The cost of a single plot in Tianshui New City was an enormous sum for a well-to-do family; and for even wealthier merchants and gentry, they wouldn't buy just one plot—they'd start with ten or twenty, even borrowing from the Qi family to do so."
Granny Zhu was puzzled: "But it's the well-to-do and wealthy families you mentioned who are buying land in the New City. If ordinary commoners can't afford it, how are they affected?"
"Before the grain shortage, they weren't affected; in fact, they earned more, as the market was flourishing." During prosperous times, it seemed like anything could make money, easily making people overconfident and spend lavishly. "As far as I know, some people disregarded their financial limits and borrowed money just to buy land in the New City. They weren't just stretching on tiptoes; they were on stilts."
"When I served as a consultant during the New City expansion, I heard many examples. Some commoners would gather family and friends—as few as seven or eight households, or as many as thirty or forty—to pool money and buy plots in the east of the city. This was commonly known as 'pooling shares.'"
If one family couldn't afford it, surely dozens pooling their funds would work?
Granny Zhu seemed to understand: "The money earned would be divided according to each person's share, right? Just like when my sisters and I used to hunt together, we'd all share the prey we caught."
He Lingchuan nodded. "Something similar."
This method was very common in rural counties. Where clan power was strong, not to mention buying land, even doing business was done this way.
"Logically, this method indeed reduces risk. However, they also felt that with more people involved, the profits would be diluted, so they usually wouldn't buy just four or five plots. Especially after making money from one or two transactions, their boldness would grow significantly." He Lingchuan continued, "In Helu Township, south of Tianshui City, a minor local official named Chen mobilized over 400 households from two townships to collectively purchase thirty-five plots in Tianshui New City! There were many intricate dealings involved; others, hearing how well he managed things, would travel hundreds of miles just to give him money. But in short, a portion of the common people were also swept along and got on board."
"Got on board?" What 'on board'?
"Of course, most commoners didn't buy because they lacked the means, unable even to contribute to the pooled funds. Think about it: they didn't buy land because they had no money, their finances were already tight, so when grain prices rose, they were the first to suffer." Whether in a strong or weak nation, this group represents the vast majority.
He Lingchuan glanced at the night sky. The moon was bright, the stars sparse, and a gentle breeze caressed his face, none of it understanding human sorrow.
"You must understand, money is like flowing water. Its source is high, and it must flow down from elevated places to reach lower ones. If the wealthy hoard their money and it doesn't circulate, it becomes very difficult for the poor to earn anything."
Granny Zhu simply uttered, "Oh."
She had little concept of "money," as the things she needed usually didn't require purchase. But through her eyeball spider, she had observed Tianshui City's recent extravagant indulgences and its fiery, oil-fueled prosperity, so she knew He Lingchuan wasn't wrong.
"But now, even the wealthy have little silver left." He Lingchuan asked, munching on a peach, "Guess where the money went?"
"Even the wealthy are out of money?" Granny Zhu stopped sipping from her wine jar. After pondering for a while, she tentatively asked, "Then, did it go into the hands of even richer people?"
He Lingchuan immediately gave a thumbs-up. "Granny, you're brilliant! Your explanation goes straight to the heart of the matter; it's far better than Dong Rui's."
Praised, Granny Zhu was pleased, but still feigned modesty. "Hmph, can he compare to me? So, where is the money, really?"
He Lingchuan smiled and told her directly, "The money is in the state treasury and with King Yao. What about the grain?"
This time, Granny Zhu genuinely didn't know. She rubbed her eyes. "In your and Qingyang's hands?"
"Qingyang and I took less than 20% of it, in fact. It's too complicated to explain, so for now, just assume that the Yao Nation's grain was sucked into a bottomless pit."
The Yao Nation's money was siphoned off by the state treasury and officials led by King Yao.The Yao Nation's grain was consumed by a mysterious, bottomless black hole that appeared.
"In the end, if the people at the very bottom have neither money nor grain—" He Lingchuan pointed to the last jug of wine. "What do you think they'll do?"
Granny Zhu pondered intently.
"Throughout history, this is what the poor ultimately resort to." He Lingchuan prompted her, "Haven't the displaced people already set an example?"
"Rebellion?"
"Currently, it's only displaced people rioting. The situation hasn't reached its worst point yet, and most commoners still have a little leftover grain at home." Displaced people have no savings and live hand-to-mouth, making them the most vulnerable to risk, which is why they were the first to revolt. "But the Yao Royal Court has a very short time window. It must find a solution, or true disaster will strike. Don't forget, there are also forces lurking in the shadows, watching intently. They worked hard to bring about the current situation; why would they stop halfway?"
"Look what good you've done!" Granny Zhu's comment was actually a compliment.
He Lingchuan shook his head. "Things must rot from within before maggots can breed. I merely offered a few suggestions."
Granny Zhu pulled the last jar of wine towards herself. "When are you leaving? On the very day the Emperor's Dew erupts?"
"Not necessarily." He Lingchuan finished his last peach. "Everyone knows the eruption of the Emperor's Dew is a great opportunity to create chaos. Since King Yao has grown suspicious, Qingyang might be forced to act earlier. If she acts early, we'll have to leave early."
Timing—everything hinges on "timing." Too early or too late, and he wouldn't see the brilliant sparks.
Granny Zhu snorted. "That old King Yao is so indecisive! If I were him and discovered Qingyang's conspiracy, I'd strike first and kill her!"
"How many people in this world can be as decisive and straightforward as you, Granny?" He Lingchuan subtly flattered her. "After all, Qingyang has Beijia and the Demon Emperor behind her. How would King Yao dare to move against Qingyang without substantial evidence? If Beijia investigates later, the Yao Nation would be hard-pressed to explain."
"He harbors fear, yet clings to hope," Granny Zhu scorned. "Hesitation and timidity achieve nothing great!"
He Lingchuan clapped his hands. "Exactly. I reckon that when he's truly desperate, he'll still consider it. But by then, Qingyang won't be someone he can just eliminate at will. King Yao is suspicious but indecisive. In this struggle between dragons and tigers, I don't favor him."
That said, facing a colossal entity like Beijia, how many people could remain composed?
"I'm not too worried about Qingyang; she always prioritizes the bigger picture and won't bother with me right now," he mused. "It's Bai Ziqi, though... I always feel he'll reappear; he shouldn't have died so easily at Peng Yukui's hands."
Granny Zhu drank the last drop of wine and pushed the jar away: "Don't worry, I'm here. Oh, we have guests at Spirit Lake Cottage."
"Who?"
"I don't know, haven't seen them before." Granny Zhu had placed scouts outside Spirit Lake. "They arrived by carriage, with fifty or sixty mounted guards behind them, dressed differently from the Yao Nation's style. Oh, someone just stepped out of the carriage. They must be under thirty."
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