Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 159

“Has the grain store opened today?” an elderly man looks expectantly at a young man coming in from outside, hoping to hear some good news from him.

Unfortunately, the young man shakes his head gloomily, shattering his hope.

“It’s been five days already. Why hasn’t it opened yet?” The old man is puzzled. The grain store is closed, and the market isn’t operating. Are these people no longer doing business? Although there’s still a bit of grain left at home, if the store doesn’t open soon, the elderly and children in his household will start going hungry.

Such concerns plague every household. The city of Cangzhou, surrounded by mountains on three sides, has little farmland suitable for growing crops, making it impossible to sustain the city’s population. Without merchants bringing in grain from other regions, the residents will inevitably live in perpetual hunger.

Seeing the growing number of questions and the increasingly intense emotions among the people, Manager Xu, the current head of Datong Trading Company, smiles. He only needs to reveal the government’s “persecution” at the height of public outrage, and someone will naturally step forward to demand justice on his behalf. By then, will the prefect who incites such public outrage still be able to sit comfortably in his position?

…

“Master Jiang, I heard some things today while I was in town…” Chan Yi sets down a basket, her face full of worry.

Jiang Miao is sorting vegetables and casually asks, “What kind of things?”

Chan Yi hesitates and stammers, “Well… it’s just… some people have been saying unpleasant things… about the young master and you. They’re saying…”

Seeing her reluctance to repeat the words, Jiang Miao turns his head to look at her and smiles. “Saying we’re greedy for profit, take bribes, oppress honest merchants, and make them too scared, so that they dare not open their doors to do business?”

“You already know?” Chan Yi is astonished. Since he knows, how can he sit so calmly at home instead of going out to explain things to everyone?

Jiang Miao replies, “Of course I know. It’s not just the people outside. Even in the back offices, some have been gossiping.” He hears it several times over the past few days.

Chan Yi suddenly realizes why no one has visited her in the past few days. Previously, the maids were always polite to her, warmly approaching her whenever they saw her. However, in the past few days, they haven’t even greeted her.

“Are you and the young master just going to let them talk about you like this?” Chan Yi asks, utterly perplexed.

Jiang Miao shrugs and replies, “Fairness resides in people’s hearts. What harm is there in a few idle rumors? Sooner or later, they’ll come to understand.” With that, he lowers his head and resumes sorting the vegetables.

Chan Yi feels Jiang Miao is oversimplifying things. She wants to persuade him further, but Jiang Miao suddenly speaks again.

“The people who go south to buy tea seedlings should be arriving soon, right?”

Chan Yi is momentarily stunned before responding, “They should be close. When we received their letter a few days ago, they were only 300 li away. But I don’t think they manage to buy the tea seedlings.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Jiang Miao says. “The tea seedlings in Tuyan Village have already taken root. Once spring arrives, we’ll be able to plant them. Most of them survive, whether from branch layering or cuttings.” He smiles, grateful for a bit of divine luck that allows someone like him, with only a superficial understanding, to succeed.

The conversation drifts off-topic, and Chan Yi soon forgets what she initially intends to say, instead continuing the discussion about tea trees with Jiang Miao.

The atmosphere here is harmonious, but elsewhere, things are far less amicable.

Pei Che convenes the officials at the yamen to discuss the recent disappearance cases. Although the officials show up, most either stay silent or look at Pei Che with disapproval. Almost none genuinely engage with the topic he wants to discuss.

“…What do you all think?” Pei Che asks after presenting his proposal, seeking their opinions.

No one speaks. After a long pause, someone finally mutters, “Since you’ve already made up your mind, why bother asking us?” Though spoken quietly, the tone of complaint and dissatisfaction is unmistakable.

Pei Che responds, “What I just proposed is not a final decision. Didn’t I call everyone here precisely to discuss this matter? If not for your excessive humility, I wouldn’t need to offer my suggestions as a starting point. Since Lord Li finds it unsuitable, why don’t you share your thoughts on how we should proceed?”

The person Pei Che calls out is the same one who speaks earlier. Embarrassed, he forces a smile and says, “That wasn’t my intention. It’s just… it’s just that I don’t have the mental clarity to discuss this matter right now.”

Pei Che raises an eyebrow, puzzled. “What’s troubling you, Lord Li? Please feel free to share.”

Lord Li sighs and says, “My stomach is growling like a drum. I’m so hungry I’m dizzy and seeing stars. How could I possibly focus on discussing how to solve the case?”

As soon as he finishes speaking, several others chime in. One laments, “It’s been a while since we’ve been able to buy grain. There’s barely any left at home, and I’m deeply worried.”

Another adds, “I don’t know how the people are even surviving these days. Hungry and underfed—it’s truly unbearable.”

In just a few words, this group paints a picture of Cangzhou as if it has suffered a catastrophic disaster—a scene of desolation and widespread suffering.

Pei Che listens with interest, even allowing a faint smile to surface. If he hasn’t already learned that the Datong Trading Company secretly distributes grain to certain households, he might actually believe they’ve all gone hungry for days.

“Master Pei, don’t you have anything to say?” someone finally asks, unable to bear Pei Che’s casual demeanor. After all, he is clearly the instigator of this situation, yet he sits there looking completely innocent.

Pei Che looks up, feigning confusion. “Say what?”

“Forgive me for being blunt,” says Magistrate Xu, the Bearded, his temper finally snapping. “This entire matter stems from you, yet it’s the people of Cangzhou who are suffering. I wonder how you can sleep at night?”

Pei Che’s attitude toward Xu is surprisingly pleasant. He appreciates Magistrate Xu’s straightforward nature—he treats everyone equally and is impossible to bribe. Such a man never has dealings with corrupt officials.

“I sleep soundly and eat well. Thank you for your concern, Lord Xu,” Pei Che replies with a smile. “However, I’m confused by your statement. How exactly is this my fault? When have I ever instructed those merchants to stop doing business?”

Xu the Bearded retorts angrily, “If it weren’t for you constantly sending constables to disrupt them, how would the merchants have stopped operating? And why would the grain shops have closed?”

Pei Che chuckles lightly. “Disrupt? I send people to investigate a case, not to stop anyone from working. Besides, the investigation site is far from the grain shops. How can their closure be pinned on me?”

Xu the Bearded is momentarily at a loss for words. He begins to wonder—why have the merchants stopped their business, and why are the grain shops closed?

Deputy Magistrate Zhou Xu speaks up. “Master Pei, let’s not deflect the issue. Regardless of the reason, if we don’t handle the current situation properly, it may spark public unrest. By the time we think of a solution, it might already be too late. Cangzhou only recently faced a setback, and I’m genuinely worried that if this escalates, it will provoke the emperor’s wrath.”

The others nod in agreement. They have already been demoted by one rank. Although their titles remain the same, their privileges and benefits have significantly diminished. If another issue arises, they fear even their nominal positions will be stripped away, turning them into a laughingstock.

“Lord Zhou, you exaggerate. The situation has not escalated to that extent. Even if it does, as you say, I have my own ways to handle it. I will ensure the people of Cangzhou take no drastic actions,” Pei Che replies confidently.

Zhou Xu looks at the spirited young man in front of him, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. While Pei Che has many admirable qualities, his overconfidence is a concern. When things truly spiral out of control, they might find themselves at a loss.

The meeting ends on a sour note. After everyone has left, Pei Che asks, “How much longer until they return?”

The room is empty, but after he speaks, someone suddenly appears from the shadows and replies, “By tomorrow morning, they should enter the city.”

“Good. And the others?”

“The grain shops remain closed as usual. The merchants are spreading rumors, trying to incite the people’s anger.”

“Fan the flames. Make the situation even bigger,” Pei Che instructs.

“Understood.”

After the reply, the room falls silent again, leaving Pei Che alone. He opens the documents on his desk and begins handling official matters.

“Have you heard? The merchant caravans might stop doing business in Cangzhou altogether!” someone says.

“What? Why would they suddenly stop? I was counting on buying more affordable grain when they came!” The listeners are shocked.

“Exactly. Once they’re gone, only expensive grain will remain,” another person sighs.

The first speaker adds, “Expensive food? Haven’t you heard? Datong Trading Company is about to shut down. Haven’t you noticed it hasn’t opened for the past few days? If you think expensive food is bad now, you’ll regret it later when there’s nothing left to eat.”

“Are you serious? What about the mountain goods shop? Will it close too? Why is this happening?” This news is even more shocking than the caravans leaving.

The first speaker looks around cautiously and lowers their voice. “I heard this from a relative, so don’t spread it. But apparently, the new prefect has been taking bribes…”

“…extorting the caravan managers…”

“…smashing shops…”

“…the prefect… exploiting the people and draining their resources…”

The rumors spread rapidly, growing increasingly exaggerated. Before long, Pei Che and his group are portrayed as villains committing every conceivable atrocity—murder, theft, arson—seemingly bent on oppressing the people of Cangzhou and driving them to ruin.

Within Datong Trading Company, some sense something amiss. They have indeed been spreading rumors, but the speed at which they are escalating far exceeds their expectations. They had thought it would take a few days to ferment, but now it seems the people’s resentment has already reached a boiling point.

“Isn’t it obvious? With the greed of that lot, the local merchants probably have no way to survive. Taking advantage of the chaos and stirring the pot would be the most natural thing for them to do,” someone comments.

While the explanation seems logical, unease lingers in his heart. The way events are unfolding feels far too smooth. He can only hope it’s all just his imagination.