Chapter 1073: Chapter 909: Losing Composure

Observing the look of admiration in this person’s eyes, Gu Chengyu felt that gaining a new admirer wasn’t bad.

If this person could read and write and had some influence among the disaster victims, he could be called upon to help with affairs. Dealing with these disaster victims would definitely be more efficient.

"Lord Imperial Envoy, with your words, we can finally rest assured. These days, we have had nowhere to settle, feeling worried, and unsure of what to do in the future. Now with Lord Imperial Envoy’s care, we all feel there’s hope in life."

"Indeed! I already said that Lord Imperial Envoy would not abandon us."

"Yes, yes! We still rely on Lord Imperial Envoy to plan for us; I sincerely thank Lord Imperial Envoy!"

Perhaps the rice on those carts deeply touched the disaster victims’ hearts, causing them to admire Gu Chengyu greatly.

Then several more people knelt down to express their thanks to Gu Chengyu continuously!

"Rest assured, everyone, I will certainly deliver on my promises!" Gu Chengyu stepped forward to help them up and supported one elderly person nearby.

At this moment, Gu Chengyu was moved by the trust and admiration of these disaster victims. He felt that what he was doing wasn’t entirely for political achievements, but mostly for the lives of these disaster victims!

"My Lord, please, my Lord, you must keep your promise and help us rebuild our homeland!"

One person cried as they wiped tears with their sleeve, then knelt down as well.

Until today, they realized at last. If the court still had someone to manage them, it was none other than the young Lord before their eyes.

Wasn’t there another Lord Imperial Envoy who came before? That Lord wasn’t able to settle them either, right?

"My Lord! Please, my Lord, you must save us!" The remaining disaster victims, seeing this, also knelt down one after another.

Now their only hope was Gu Chengyu. The interminable anxiety and unease have been simply unbearable.

Having nowhere to settle and enduring hunger were bearable, but they couldn’t see hope.

If the government didn’t care for them, what should they do? Continue being wanderers?

Gu Chengyu stood at his original spot, looking at the disaster victims with sallow faces yet brimming with hope, and he softened.

Alright! Not seeking to leave a name through history or glory, but to be worthy of the heart.

Ming Mo and others were also deeply touched, beholding the thousands of kneeling disaster victims at the feet of the Lord, their hearts surging with passion.

"Everyone! Since I have promised, I will certainly do my utmost. Please, rise!"

What he previously promised was that as long as he were in Jiangnan, he would plan for these disaster victims.

But if the Emperor transferred him away from the Capital, he would be powerless, unable to prevent it!

Being moved is one thing, and soft-heartedness is another, but he wouldn’t irrationally make promises. The reconstruction work after the disaster, the Emperor will certainly appoint other officials to take over.

"Ming Mo, send someone to the warehouse to fetch Copper Coins, and start distributing money now." Gu Chengyu instructed. Two days ago, he had ordered to exchange Silver for Copper Coins at the Money Shop.

Ming Mo directed everyone to escort the grain carts back into the city, leaving only three carts of grain.

The grain carts proceeded grandly towards the city, even attracting the attention of the city dwellers.

"Look! I heard at the city gate earlier that this is the grain Lord Imperial Envoy purchased from other States, and they say around five or six hundred shi has been brought back this time! They also said more grain is still on its way."

One resident spoke enviously, watching these grain carts.

"We’re almost out of grain in the city. Whenever I go to the rice shop, I come back empty-handed, and the rice jar at home is empty too, not knowing what to do."

One among them sighed while staring at the sacks on the cart, refusing to shift their gaze.

"It’s all because of those merchants. They’ve collected all the grain nearby, even from the farmers, leaving none. If we want to buy grain, we have to buy from them. The kids at home are starving; a higher price is acceptable, but recently the rice shops haven’t opened!" One person interjected irritably.

"They’re holding out to sell at a high price! Not selling grain now is just to sell it later at a much higher price, isn’t it? I heard Lord Imperial Envoy forbids them from selling grain at high prices, but what good does that do? They’re not selling now, what can we do against them?"

Another sighed, expressing the bitterness and helplessness in their heart.

"Hey, you guys say, should we go to the government office and ask whether Lord Imperial Envoy sells grain? It’s not reasonable for the disaster victims to eat, and we can’t!"

"Indeed! My third aunt’s niece’s husband’s cousin works as a Government Official at the government office. I’ll ask someone to inquire. If we can buy grain, that would be great!"

"Alright, alright! You hurry to ask someone. If we can buy, I can also benefit a bit." This was clearly someone familiar.

Gu Chengyu climbed up the city tower, observing the orderly scene below. Taking money and selling rice went smoothly, and he nodded in satisfaction.

He set the price of coarse rice at ten coins per jin, which was actually quite low.

Because he had Ming Mo purchase coarse rice, not grain. Ming Mo mentioned earlier that the cost was about six coins per jin.

Though Sunan Prefecture was somewhat distant from the flood disaster area, they knew Changtian Prefecture suffered, so the grain price in Sunan Prefecture had already risen.

Previously, it was four coins per jin and had risen by two coins, being the purchase price, considered expensive.

The transportation costs were also considerable. Bringing back such a large amount of grain must cost money, right? So ten coins weren’t expensive at all.

Moreover, the grain price in Yingnan Prefecture had already risen to over thirty coins per jin, and even offered at forty coins, nobody was willing to sell.

Standing beside Gu Chengyu, Ming Mo watched as the disaster victims below obtained grain, rejoicing, and felt quite anxious.

"My Lord!" He intended to ask but was stopped by Gu Chengyu’s gesture.

Gu Chengyu gestured for silence, then chuckled and said, "Why so impatient? Talk later when we get back!"

...

"Master, something’s wrong. Many grain carts have entered the city, heading straight for the government office." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

A steward hurriedly entered the outer courtyard and reported to the master who was checking accounts.

"What? Grain carts? Where did the grain carts come from?" Ju Haoming stood up abruptly, sensing impending trouble.

"Master, several grain carts have just entered the city. I inquired and was told it’s the grain Lord Imperial Envoy transported from other States."

The steward looked anxious, worried about the Master’s expression.

Ju Haoming’s face turned ashen, "Go find out what’s going on?"

He was deeply concerned; if Gu Chengyu could only buy this much grain, even if it was all sold at low prices, he wasn’t afraid.

But his worry was that Gu Chengyu might have the ability to keep sourcing grain from elsewhere. No, this matter must be reported to the officials quickly.

"Yes!" The steward hesitated to speak further but seeing the Master’s grave expression, swallowed his words.