Chapter 496 Chapter 497: It’s a good idea to take it for yourself

Song Yunzhao never expected that Xie Jinshu and Ling Yunhe would secretly go south to buy grain. Because communication is not convenient, Xie Jinshu still doesn't know how much grain Ling Yunhe can buy, but it is still a hope.

Song Yunzhao was overjoyed. Xie Jinshu also said that whether it was grain or medicinal materials, the Ministry of Revenue had begun to mobilize them from all over the country, but no one could say how much they would get.

Song Yunzhao understood that productivity was low in ancient times, and the grain types and fertility were far inferior to those of later generations, so the output was extremely low. It would be normal for there to be no harvests if there were natural disasters again.

 When there is a disaster in one area, the surrounding prefectures and counties must distribute food to save lives. Therefore, prefectures and counties that can have a surplus of grain in various places will hardly have too much surplus unless it is a fertile land.

Song Yunzhao had no choice. Firstly, she didn't know how to cultivate improved seeds, and secondly, she didn't know how to cultivate medicinal materials. She, as a time traveler, had really lost the face of her predecessors and could only be an incompetent rice bug.

The only thing she can do now is to spend as much money as possible to buy some goods from the merchants' special stockpiles.

Song Yunzhao wrote another letter to Xie Jinshu, asking him to deliver a message to Ling Yunhe, asking him to go straight to the border town with the purchased grain, without having to go back to the capital and go around, which is time-consuming and laborious.

As for the medicinal materials, we can only see how much Xie Jinshu can get.

Song Yunzhao is only so capable. The main thing is to see how the prime minister and the six ministries adjust and raise food. This is the big head.

Zhang Maoquan took the letter from the imperial concubine to the emperor, as well as some pills, snacks and other items prepared by the imperial concubine, and embarked on the return journey with the messenger overnight.

   ***

 Border town.

 Feng Yi was discussing matters with the generals.

Beiming made a sneak attack on Lincheng, which was only more than a hundred miles away from the border town where the emperor was stationed.

“Does the enemy have reinforcements?” Feng Yi asked, looking at the injured King Zhenbei.

King Zhenbei replied respectfully: "We have just received the latest news. The enemy is attacking the city with light cavalry. Light cavalry is more flexible and faster than heavy cavalry. The city wall is low and the defense is weak, so Beiming succeeded. ."

Ji Yunting and Song Weiran were caught in the process. They were ordered to come to the border town all night after the New Year.

Ji Yunting had experience in escorting grain and grass to raise food and grass. At this time, the army was short of food and asked him to help with this matter.

Although Song Weiran was a civil servant, he still had a lot of things to do in the border town after the war. Feng Yi wanted to train him, so he asked him to do odd jobs.

As spectators, the two of them listened to the emperor and the generals discussing the matter, and followed everyone out the door, walking behind in silence.

Not far away, I heard footsteps approaching in a hurry, and then Meng Jiuchang, who was beside the emperor, came out in a hurry, and then led two people into the house.

One of them was familiar to them, Zhang Maoquan, and the other was unfamiliar, but he was holding a brocade box. They were all familiar with that box, which was used to communicate with the capital.

　　 is the messenger.

The two of them looked at each other and continued walking out in silence.

As soon as I walked out of the courtyard, I saw a person walking quietly, "I have seen two adults."

Ji Yunting looked at him a little unfamiliar and asked, "Where are you on duty? What's the matter with you?"

“The official is on duty at the city gate. Today there is a person who says he is a subordinate of Mr. Song. I ask the official to deliver a message on my behalf.”

Song Weiran was stunned, subordinate?

 Could it be someone from the Song family?

 But he came to the border from far away. If there was nothing important, the Song family would not disturb him easily. "Can you tell me your name?"

 “That man calls himself Ling Yunhe.”

This name is not familiar to people in the border towns, but both Ji Yunting and Song Weiran are familiar with it. This is the name of the imperial concubine.

The two looked at each other, and Song Weiran immediately said: "It is indeed my man, let him in." After speaking, Song Weiran took off his purse and handed it over, "I'd like to bother you with this trip."

The man waved his hand quickly but did not take it back and ran away.

Ji Yunting smiled as soon as he saw it, "Master Song's reputation for integrity is very popular among the people."

Song Weiran was now familiar with Ji Yunting, so he didn't take it seriously when he was joking, "Let's go and wait at the front."

"Okay." Ji Yunting was not very familiar with Concubine Ming, but his wife and Concubine Ming were cousins. Besides, before Concubine Ming entered the palace, the two of them had met several times.

 Unfortunately, Concubine Ming did not have a good impression of him.

Ling Yunhe was helping Concubine Ming, and the Ling family almost stabbed Concubine Ming in the back because of this. Everyone in the capital knew about these things.

Ling Yunhe killed his relatives and turned the tide, thus saving the Ling family.

It is definitely not a coincidence that Ling Yunhe appears here now.

After a while, Ling Yunhe appeared in front of the two of them, with a weathered face and a wound on his right arm. The blood stains soaked through the cloth bandaging the wound, looking very miserable.

 “The common people have met these two adults.” Ling Yunhe’s eyes filled with tears when he saw Song Weiran.

 “What’s wrong with you?” Song Fanran asked in shock.

Ling Yunhe didn't have time to explain, so he said directly: "Sir Song, the common people secretly purchased grain on the orders of the imperial concubine, and arrived at the border town from Lichuan. They did not want to encounter bandits outside the city, but fortunately the officers and soldiers rescued them. The common people lived up to the high hopes of the imperial concubine, and will The food has arrived.”

 The two of them were shocked.

Ji Yunting and Song Weiran looked at each other, and Song Weiran immediately said: "I will go with him to see the grain, and Brother Ji will report back to Your Majesty immediately."

Ji Yunting nodded quickly, turned around and walked back.

 There is a shortage of food now, no matter how much Lingyunhe brings, it will be a good thing.

Ling Yunhe waited for Ji Yunting to leave before following Song Weiran out of the city, settling things down as he walked.

 It turns out that Ling Yunhe's journey to collect grain was not smooth. When he was in Jiangnan, it was better to say that the land of plenty was richer than other places. However, he made a private agreement with others to buy grain with cheap money, plus the goods from Baozhuanglou.

 This method will not work just outside the wealthy land. Except for officials and their families, few merchants are willing to exchange grain.

Ling Yunhe was a smart person. Whenever he went to a place, he would first visit the local official's wife. If the official's wife recommended him, merchants would give him some food if they didn't want to offend the official.

"As we traveled further and further, it was inconvenient to carry too much food on the road, so I asked the **** to transport the purchased food to the border town in batches. But I never expected that someone leaked the secret and the food was The border town officials secretly detained me and charged me with banditry. Fortunately, I saw the opportunity quickly and turned around and ran away when I saw something was wrong. Otherwise, you might not be able to find me even if you collect my body."

Song Weiran paused in his steps, "The food is real, but was it taken by border town officials for themselves?"

Ling Yunhe shook his head, "Whether I can take it for myself or not, ordinary people dare not guess, but the granary I rented with my colleagues here is now surrounded by the army."

Song Weiran looked at Ling Yunhe and said, "It's not something I can handle for you when we go back."

　　It can only be heard in heaven and decided by His Majesty.

The grains Ling Yunhe shipped in batches were not small amounts. According to his opinion, they were purchased with all the wealth of the Xie Ling family.

 It’s a good idea to keep it for yourself!

  How audacious!

 (End of this chapter)