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Chapter 176 Food shortage
In the summer of the 4th year of Jingyang, the drought in the provinces north of the Yellow River intensified and many rivers were cut off. However, in the south of the Yangtze River, heavy rains and flash floods continued, especially in Fujian.Faced with this situation, the ministers of the imperial court took turns to express their hope that the emperor would activate the "New Disaster Relief Law" as soon as possible and purchase grain from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Huguang and other places to provide relief to the victims.

After many confrontations, the emperor finally opened his mouth and took out 300 million taels of silver from his internal funds to purchase disaster relief grains. He sold them to wealthy businessmen at a fair price, who then transported them to the designated place on time as agreed with the government, and the clan approved them. Purchase, store and distribute.

As soon as the decree came out, the government and the public were immediately praised. From the six cabinet ministers to the state and county magistrates, they all submitted petitions to give the emperor a title. Even the "Half Moon Talk" and "Donglin Xun Talk", which had always been unconcerned, abandoned their previous grievances. In comparison, the emperor was praised beyond words.

What's more, bandits and thieves from many places also came to join in the fun and publicly proposed not to rob the fleets and convoys transporting grain. If the merchants didn't mind, they could also provide escorts.

For a time, the Ming Empire seemed to be rejuvenated, with all its old ailments wiped away. The emperors and ministers were united as one, and it looked like a prosperous and prosperous age.

Unfortunately, the good times did not last long. In just half a month, a memorial letter flew like snowflakes to the Forbidden City in Beijing.Officials responsible for purchasing grain from various places complained to the emperor in unison, but they could not buy grain with their money. The remaining grain in several grain-producing areas in the south of the Yangtze River had been purchased as early as spring!
What's worse is that with the news that the imperial court is purchasing large quantities of grain, food prices in various places are soaring, getting higher day by day.Not only are the victims unable to eat food for a long time, but areas that were not short of food are also experiencing food shortages.The people complained, and anyone who mentioned the emperor's wisdom and prowess would be spat in the face on the spot.

In a small courtyard on Jinchengfang East Street in the west of the city, Yang Lian, Gu Dazhang, Zuo Guangdou, Yang Sichang, and Jin Shijun, all dressed in regular clothes, gathered around a stone table, looking a little heavy in front of a table of wine and food.

Today happened to catch up with Xiu Mu. Yang Lian proposed to get together with a few classmates with whom he usually got along well. He prepared a few side dishes and a jar of wine in the small courtyard where Yang Sichang rented. In addition to relaxing, the focus was I would like to talk about recent work, especially the dilemma encountered by the "New Disaster Relief Law".

"Bo Qin, there is no drought or flood in Changshu County, the soil is fertile, and rice can be harvested twice a year. Has there ever been such a scene?"

What difficulties did the new law encounter? Yang Lian, who was in charge of Li Ke, could easily find out the details, but he couldn't figure out why there was no food in the former grain-producing areas.

"Huguang is well versed in the world, and the hometown of Wenru is the most blessed place. Why can't we get rich now?" Being asked by name about the strange situation in his hometown, it was still a question that he didn't show his face to. Gu Dazhang was a little annoyed, and he immediately retorted.

"..." Yang Lian was at a loss for words. He did write to his home to ask, but he still had no reply despite the long journey. Then he casually asked Gu Dazhang, but he didn't expect to be asked back again.

"It's not a natural disaster!" At this time, the fat man sitting with his back to the courtyard door spoke, partially relieving Yang Lian's embarrassment.

"Brother Wen Ruo, what do you mean by this?" Unfortunately, Yang Lian didn't appreciate it and turned around to continue asking.

The speaker's surname is also Yang, his given name is Sichang, his writing is weak, he is a fellow from Huguang, and a native of Wuling.Although they are much older than Yang Lian, Gu Dazhang, Zuo Guangdou, and Jin Shijun, they are all Jinshi in Dingweike in the third year of Jingyang, and they are all in the second place, and they all stayed in Beijing.

What's more interesting is that Yang Sichang's father, Yang He, also participated in this examination. He also passed the exam, but his grades were worse than his son's. He was born in the same third-place exam as a Jinshi, and was sent to Shanxi as a county magistrate. "Yang's family has some acres of land and a granary. Two months ago, my father wrote a letter saying that someone was purchasing a large amount of surplus grain, whether it was new or old rice, and the price was good. Now it seems that the lack of grain for sale in various places may not be due to lack of grain, but I don’t know who stocked it in advance.”

Yang Sichang's source of information is not too new. His family is a big landowner, and it happened that someone bought grain on a large scale, which made the Yang family make a lot of money.When Yang He wrote the letter, he included a few sentences, which now became the basis for reasoning.

"It must be the work of Jiujiang grain merchants. They are present in my little brother's house every year. They are stealing money and lowering grain prices. They do all kinds of evil!" Yang Lian's hometown is in Yingshan County, De'an Prefecture. Although it is not as wealthy as Yang Sichang's family, it is still a small town. Landowners are no strangers to buying and selling grain.

"What Brother Wen Ruo said is true. The situation in my hometown is even worse. After last year's autumn classes, outsiders came to the countryside to collect a large amount of grain. Ships carrying grain from various places were lined up in the canal for more than ten miles. After more than ten months, they slowly Disperse." Gu Dazhang also felt the same way when it came to collecting grain.

Changshu is not far from Wuxi. It was one of the largest rice markets in the Ming Dynasty. In addition to being shipped to the north, most of the rice in Jiangsu and Zhejiang that can flow into the market will be traded here, which is very representative.

"Yes, my younger brother's family also wrote about this in a letter last year. My father, Shoucheng, is unwilling to sell more grain. Third brother is radical and thinks we should sell more while the price is high. Now it seems that my father's vision is still profound."

When talking about food issues, Zuo Guangdou cannot be left out. His home is at the foot of Taohua Mountain in Tongcheng County, Anqing Prefecture. Although it is not a land of plenty, it is a good place where he can eat and drink.There are five major families in the local area, including Zhang Yao, Ma Zuofang, and the Zuo family ranks fourth. With a prosperous population, there will naturally be no shortage of fields.

"Could it be said that someone can predict God's will!?" Yang Lian stopped arguing now. If it was just that the grain in some areas of Huguang was bought on a large scale, it could be explained as speculation by businessmen in Jiujiang Rice Market. If even Wuxi Rice Market also bought it If there are too many people to sell to, then the problem will be serious.

"How can there be such a thing as God's will? It's not just seeing profit and forgetting one's righteousness!" Jin Shijun, who had been just listening and saying nothing, finally spoke. He is from Yiwu and is well-read, but his Mandarin is not good and his accent is too strong. He is often criticized. My colleagues in the book department made fun of me, and I developed the habit of talking less and listening more.

"It's so annoying, it deserves to be killed! Why don't the local officials care?" After talking about this, Yang Lian roughly figured out the whole story of the food shortage. It turned out that some unscrupulous businessmen had purchased a large amount of food in advance and prepared to hoard it.

But when I think about it, something doesn’t feel right. How many grain merchants would it take to buy up the surplus grain in Huguang and Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and still be so unified? If it was true, it would have attracted the attention of the government long ago.

"Wen Ru, all your work this year has been in vain. How can there be so many grain merchants who have the same understanding? The "New Disaster Relief Law" was only promulgated in July last year. In September, people were collecting grain from all over the country. Sima Zhao's heart was clear to everyone. I know!"

Not only was Yang Sichang older, he was also appointed as a member of the Central Academy of Sciences. He often came into contact with the cabinet's bachelors, and his vision and experience were broader than those of the six subjects.He has his own unique insights into the causes of food shortages.

(End of this chapter)