Chapter 240: Not Believing or Spreading Rumors

The madam is well aware we've deliberately kept expenses low. Our manor doesn't dare to hire freely; besides Nanny Qian and me, we currently only have two maids, two cooks and general laborers, three permanent workers, and one gardener. When we're short-staffed, we plan to hire temporary workers.

He Chunhua nodded. Other manors of the same size couldn't function without at least twenty or thirty servants. Even Manager Qian, who secretly handles affairs for him and merely acts as an agent for the Zhu family's business in Dunyu, has seven or eight servants of his own.

He slumped onto the couch, feeling weariness wash over him. "What about Chuan’er?"

It was just a casual question, but Old Mo unexpectedly replied, “The Young Master has been quite active these past few days.”

He Chunhua, still with closed eyes, asked, “Is that boy causing trouble again?”

He was used to it, and his mood remained unfazed.

“Not exactly causing trouble,” Butler Old Mo chuckled. “The Young Master has taken on a few people and started spending money to acquire properties in Dunyu and the surrounding rural counties.”

“Acquiring properties?” He Chunhua opened his eyes, genuinely surprised. “What has he acquired?”

Acquiring properties didn’t seem like something his eldest son would do. "Wait, what kind of people has he taken on?"

“He took on a few private soldiers dismissed by the Li family, and a local steward named Ding.” Butler Old Mo had clearly done his homework. “These properties were all arranged and acquired by Steward Ding, one by one.”

“The people he’s taken on seem quite astute,” He Chunhua nodded. “The assistance of local people should not be underestimated.”

“Indeed, indeed, we’ve also taken on many people. Many things simply can’t be managed without these locals.” Old Mo continued, “To my knowledge, the Young Master has bought several shops, dozens of acres of prime irrigated farmland, a fishery west of Qing Lake, the old established Hesulou Restaurant in Dunyu, and even acquired a trading company. This company had two complete trading caravans that were on the verge of disbanding.”

“He secured a fishery?” He Chunhua stroked his chin. “That’s interesting.”

“I heard that the east side of Qing Lake has the most abundant aquatic plants and the most fish, while the west side is slightly less productive.”

“It’s good that he could buy it; he’s lucky.” Fisheries are not something you can just buy with money. All major rivers, lakes, forests, and mines within the Great Kite territory are state-owned, and unauthorized fishing or logging is not permitted. However, local authorities find it difficult to manage them independently, so they often lease them out and share the profits with the tenants.

Qing Lake, located on the outskirts of Dunyu, is a vast freshwater lake fed by three water sources, teeming with fish, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish. It is consequently divided into twenty-seven fisheries, each with an owner. To allow for rest and recuperation, official regulations stipulate two closed fishing seasons and two open fishing seasons each year.

Once the fishing season begins, only the fishery’s own staff are permitted to operate. Outsiders who wish to dig for clams on the mudflats must pay a fee first.

Simply put, this is a semi-monopolized industry. Holding a well-resourced fishery is like owning a hen that lays silver eggs.

“I heard that this fishery was originally coveted by the Shu family, but Steward Ding intervened, and even displayed our He manor’s name.”

“Alright, that boy is quite the speculator. Where did he get so much money? Did he resort to force?”

Butler Old Mo was stumped by the question. “I’m not clear on that.”

This single fishery alone would likely command a hefty price, even in these extraordinary times. He Chunhua thought back: had he ever given He Lingchuan that much money before? Could it be that the boy had saved it all?

It was very strange. Perhaps Chuan'er had gained something from the previous bandit suppression campaign, or looted Lu Yao’s belongings. Moreover, from Heishui City to Shiheng, and then to Dunyu, there were quite a few people who wanted to curry favor with him through Chuan'er; perhaps some had offered substantial bribes.

Or perhaps the boy had privately engaged in forced buying and selling, accumulating some assets.

However, he still had a host of troubles to deal with, and his eldest son’s minor affairs didn’t even rank. He Chunhua chuckled, “Alright, don’t bother with him. If he wants to buy, let him buy.”

To be honest, he was quite pleased.

The wealthy gentry of Xiazhou were selling off their assets at a loss, indicating their complete lack of confidence in Xiazhou’s defenses and in him as the new Commander-in-Chief, simply wanting to flee south. Although this was partly a result of He Chunhua’s covert encouragement, the thought still irked him.

His eldest son entering the market at this time to buy at rock-bottom prices, however, demonstrated his full confidence in his father through his actions.

The old father was deeply comforted.

“But I want to know how much property he ultimately acquired.”

“Understood.”

The next morning, Dunyu City issued a formal announcement: from dusk today, which is the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), the entire city would allow entry but prohibit exit. Merchants and travelers wishing to leave the city would require a special permit from the relevant authorities for the city gates to allow passage.

The announcement also specifically mentioned that the northern front was peaceful, the government troops were fighting successfully, and the situation was steadily improving. It urged everyone not to believe or spread rumors, but to live their lives in peace.

As soon as the notice was posted, a wave of panic immediately swept through the city!

Just as restricting price increases in a bad market often leads to higher prices, and restricting price drops often leads to further declines, the moment this announcement was released, many people's first thought was:

It's over, run!

Something must be happening in the north, and the Xunzhou army is almost certainly about to attack!

If they ran too late or too slowly, they would be trapped and perish in Dunyu.

Rumors had already been rampant for days, and with the announcement, their indecision instantly solidified into an unshakeable will to flee.

Prices plummeted across the board, including for grain.

Wealthy merchants and large households, holding massive stocks of grain that couldn't all be transported out at once, resorted to urgent large-scale sell-offs. Grain prices on the market, which had risen to around six wen per catty, dropped back to two wen in less than half a day, with bulk purchases of ten piculs or more costing only one wen!

These were absolutely rock-bottom, no-cost-considered prices.

If this was the case for grain, it went without saying for other industries, all rushing to clear their inventories with tearful, massive sales before the city was sealed.

The prefectural government sent bailiffs into the streets to beat gongs and tell the people not to panic, while also maintaining public order and preventing looting.

Even He Chunhua himself made an appearance, speaking at the market entrance to calm the public.

Seeing his decisive words, and the government's unprecedented swift and resolute actions, the emotions of most common people were indeed assuaged and somewhat calmed.

However, strong undercurrents churned beneath the surface.

The gentry and noble families instructed their subordinates to sell off assets and left first. For example, the lengthy convoy of the Zhan family stretched from their doorstep all the way to the city gate, almost causing a massive traffic jam.

Under these circumstances, Ding Zuodong was still not home all day, and his wife and children were anxiously waiting, their hearts burning with anticipation.

When had their man ever been so unreliable?

Fortunately, Ding Zuodong finally rushed home during the hour of Shen (3-5 PM). Despite the cold weather, he was drenched in sweat. “Water, food, bring them to me! I’ve been running all day, I’m starving!”

His wife quickly poured him a cup of water, anxiously asking, “The officials have issued an announcement, everyone is running! The neighbors, the Wang and Yin families, have already left, carrying boxes and children. Should we, should we run?”

Ding Zuodong gulped down water. "Run where?"

“Flee south to safety. We’ve packed all our belongings, and the horses are harnessed and pre-fed their fodder. Your son is outside watching, so no one steals our horses!”

“He’s right to watch the horses; they’re more valuable than anything else right now.” Ding Zuodong, however, was calm. “Put the things back where they belong, and then heat up the food and bring it to me.”

“But, but what if the Xunzhou soldiers attack…”

“Who told you that?”

“Everyone is saying it, master; it’s not groundless rumors. The situation in the north is not good.” His wife quickly clutched her handkerchief. “Did you hear any news from Lord He?”

“Yes, and all the news I heard was good news. We’re staying. Let those fools leave if they want to.”

Although his wife was skeptical, she always deferred to her husband’s judgment. Since he spoke with such certainty, she went into the kitchen to busy herself.

Just then, their five-year-old grandson scurried over and hugged Ding Zuodong’s leg.

When his wife came out with the food, seeing Ding Zuodong playing with their grandson, she wiped her hands on her apron and said, “I don’t know which scoundrel stole the money you gave Ba’er! We couldn’t even buy the bamboo horse you promised him.”

Ding Zuodong looked up at her words. “I took that money.”

His wife froze.

What? He took back money given to their grandson? The old miser!

“That large mansion at the east end of the street—you know the one I mean, with the peach orchard inside its walls—the owner was selling it off cheaply. I didn’t have enough money, so I added Ba’er’s pocket money to it.” Ding Zuodong took out the property deed from his embrace and waved it in front of his wife. “Look, from now on, you are the mistress of this mansion!”

Such a beautiful mansion was about to become hers! His wife was dumbfounded, and it took her a while to react. “All our money, you, you put it all in?”

“I also bought two small shops,” Ding Zuodong said, laughing more heartily than he had in a long time. “Today, not only did I handle affairs for Young Master He, but we also snagged some good deals for ourselves.”

Sweat beaded on his wife’s palms. “Master, this is a huge gamble.” If the gamble failed, they would be penniless and trapped in Dunyu, waiting for the Xunzhou people to arrive at their doorstep.

Ding Zuodong clenched his fist, his smile fading. “Haven’t you had enough of being looked down upon? If we want to turn our fortunes around, we have to make a big gamble.”

He quickly finished his meal, wiped his mouth, and stood up. “I’m leaving.”

His wife watched him leave, seeing the last ray of sunlight from the setting sun in the west.

Night was falling, and Dunyu was about to be sealed.

Under the same sky, lost in thought while gazing at the setting sun, were not only the Ding family but also Xiazhou’s foremost influential family.

The Li family was also in a state of panic. The servants had all packed their luggage, but the head of the Li family had not yet given the word.

Family members took turns trying to persuade him, but Li Zhi closed his study door and refused to see anyone.

At this point, the relatives remembered Li Shuang. After all, Old Master Li had always praised Little Sixth for being clever, thoughtful, and insightful.

Li Shuang, however, shook his head. “We’re not leaving.”

“Why not?”

“If the front line were to fall, why would Young Master He be spending money and acquiring shops and properties all over the city these past few days?”

Li Shuang continued, “If Dunyu were in danger, why would the prefectural government still be buying grain from us and repurchasing reclaimed farmland at this time?”

He Lingchuan’s actions and the prefectural government’s moves, of course, could not escape the notice of these local powerhouses.

The reasons Li Shuang gave, though logical, were insufficient and failed to convince everyone.

When people are anxious, they need concrete evidence to support their confidence. Thus, some family members, unable to endure the uncertainty, soon left with their families.