Chapter 240 – The Flour Shop Dispute (1)
“The young mistress thanks her husband first…”
Meng Zhan’s friend discreetly stepped back, avoiding the courtesy of Meng Zhan’s concubine.
To put it mildly, based solely on the gossip he carelessly overheard earlier, he felt… the name “Meng” was better heard than seen.
Using a secondary wife to replace the legitimate one—such a breach of ethics was downright shocking.
He had no desire to get involved in this mess.
“Meng Junshou needs to rest and recuperate from this ordeal and mustn’t get angry again, lest it harm his very foundation.”
Before the physician could leave the street where the Meng residence was located, he was hurriedly called back. He penned another prescription and offered a few words of advice.
Taking this chance, the friend excused himself. Remaining any longer, he feared he would hear yet another explosive scandal.
With Meng Liang’s death, everyone in the Meng residence mourned, donning white mourning clothes, and the Meng family soldiers were ordered to keep vigil for the Second Young Master in solemn tribute.
Meng Zhan’s actions naturally met considerable resistance, and several elder family members fiercely reprimanded him.
Who was Meng Liang?
A “legitimate son” yet to reach his twenties!
He was recognized as a legitimate son outwardly, but the elderly family members with whispers from the past knew that Meng Liang’s status was questionable. The Meng family wasn’t so desperate for heirs that they couldn’t find alternatives.
One “legitimate son” died, and the entire Meng family military was set to mourn for him.
Who did he think he was?
The emperor of Dongqing could have died, and he likely wouldn’t receive such honors.
More importantly, they were in a critical moment; the civil unrest in Cangzhou Meng County was escalating, with mobs everywhere.
The Meng family soldiers needed to handle those issues; they didn’t have time to mourn some impetuous young man!
Speaking of which, this civil unrest stemmed from Meng Liang himself.
Had it not been for this brat’s outrageous behavior, inciting public anger, the Meng family wouldn’t find themselves in such an awkward predicament.
His death was just fine, considering his questionable origins.
If it weren’t for Meng Zhan’s deep affection for him, going above and beyond, even neglecting the legitimate eldest son of the family line, the elders wouldn’t have bothered with Meng Liang… just a piece of useless mud that couldn’t even be propped up, wasting air while alive and land when dead.
Meng Zhan seemed determined, refusing to yield even an inch.
The ongoing internal strife led to multiple factions within the Meng family military, and the carefully hidden news of civil unrest spread like wildfire, reaching the common folk who grew increasingly anxious.
“Meng family, truly a sinner!”
A modest-looking carriage stopped on the mountain road. A man in a green robe inside lifted the curtain and saw the distressed and scrappy common folk outside, pale and starving—truly a scene from a chaotic era. He sighed and let the curtain fall.
Wasn’t that the man who visited the Meng residence earlier?
At that moment, a guard outside quietly asked him, “Sir, should we return to the capital now, or…?”
The guard’s voice carried concern and tension. Their party consisted of just eleven people, including the man. If they encountered a large group of rioters, they couldn’t guarantee the safety of the man inside the carriage; the longer they lingered, the more dangerous it became.
After a moment of silence, the man suddenly said, “No, let’s head to Langya!”
He had questions, eager to verify them with his old friend.
Without a second thought, the guard nodded and flicked the reins of the carriage.
Soon, this seemingly ordinary carriage disappeared deep into the vast mountain path.
“Yuan Jing, what kind of students have you taken in…”
Faintly, one could hear the man grumbling to himself.
The discord within the Meng family military weakened their grip, allowing the already severe civil unrest to escalate.
Just half a month’s journey away in Hejian County naturally felt the effects first.
Jiang Pengji returned home as usual from the streets, her collected information casting a cold expression on her face. The viewers in the live stream could feel the low pressure around her, while even the usual comedic comments in the chat dwindled.
“The price of grain has soared to eight times its original value… and still, there’s not enough to meet demand.” Xu Ke hurriedly jumped down from the carriage, rushing to Jiang Pengji’s study, kneeling in front of her, “Young Master, it’s time for us to take action.”
If they were to wait until the price truly skyrocketed, it would be difficult to negotiate lower prices later, facing a united front of grain merchants in Hejian County, backed by the gentry. A couple of Liu family members wouldn’t suffice; a coalition would spell trouble.
“Not yet…” Jiang Pengji, expressionless, seemed deep in thought. Xu Ke grew anxious, nearly speechless, “Is this really the time for being cool and aloof?” “Let me ask you, have you noticed any refugees escaping from nearby counties?”
“Not yet around Hejian County, but there are quite a few in Zisang County…”
Zisang County was nearby, even closer to Cangzhou Meng County.
If there were refugees, they would likely be the first to appear there.
“I see.” Jiang Pengji smacked her palm, saying, “Instruct the grain shops to put up advertisements, spreading the word throughout Hejian County, ensuring every common citizen knows that large quantities of cheap rice will be purchased at our three grain shops.”
“Advertisements?” Xu Ke exclaimed, taken aback, “What’s that?”
“It means to make an announcement widely, hire a few dozen children or local ruffians familiar with the area, give them some silver to shout on the streets…” Jiang Pengji explained, “In any case, make sure the common folk know as quickly as possible.”
Xu Ke’s eyes lit up; if the situation were different, he would have wanted to praise his Young Master for this idea.
The literacy rate among the common folk was alarmingly low; even if they posted notices at the city gates, not many would get the message, yielding minimal effect.
If they sent children or local ruffians out to shout it instead, it would certainly be far swifter and have a broader reach.
And the best part? The labor cost wouldn’t be high.
“I’ll handle it right away.”
Xu Ke gathered his wits, bowed to Jiang Pengji, and began to leave.
“Wait!” Jiang Pengji suddenly called out, stopping the eager Xu Ke. “Before you do this, first find out which grain shop has the lowest prices; we must ensure ours is always twenty percent lower than that.”
Xu Ke looked bewildered, “Isn’t… the usual grain price what we should be aiming for?”
Jiang Pengji snorted, “As long as we are just a little more benevolent than the unscrupulous merchants, we’ll be the good guys, understand?”
Xu Ke remained baffled; this was not the scene he had envisioned.
“Don’t worry; this price won’t last.” Jiang Pengji calmly stated, “We’ll keep our price set twenty percent lower than the other shops, not more, not less. If they want to compete, they’ll lower their prices too, and we can drop ours another twenty percent then…”
She never intended to keep her prices while others’ soared—that would just incite hatred, and they needed to watch out for having their shop vandalized.
