Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Sweet potatoes, ah, so fragrant, one bite after another!

What scholarly decency, what civility! Fang Zheng-yi will tear down your hypocritical masks. Do you really think you're perfect beings who don't defecate?

One by one, acting all high and mighty, it won't be long before I make you lose all face!

It would be best to fence them in and sell tickets for tours. Promoting it at Banshan Ward might even earn some money....

While Fang Zheng-yi was pondering his little scheme, Emperor Jing had already begun discussing serious matters.

Zheng Qiao said, "Your Majesty, yesterday the Ministry of Revenue reported that the grain disaster in the South is still expanding. I wonder if Your Majesty has reviewed it."

Emperor Jing said sternly, "I have already read it. I wonder what opinions the ministers have."

Zheng Qiao said, "Your Majesty, I believe that an order should be issued immediately to release grain from the granaries in an orderly manner. If we delay any longer, by the time the news spreads throughout the South, it may lead to civil unrest. We only need to hold out until the autumn harvest to alleviate the situation."

Emperor Jing pondered for a moment, "The Jianjiang River has suffered severe flooding, and most of the granaries have been submerged. I wonder if we can hold out until the autumn harvest."

Zhang Shi stepped forward, "Your Majesty, the grain is definitely not enough. Even with the autumn harvest... I'm afraid this year's harvest will be greatly reduced. At this time, we must order all regions to lower grain prices as soon as possible, so that the common people can afford to buy grain."

"In addition, the gentry and wealthy households in various regions must have a large amount of stored grain. We can requisition or borrow grain from the gentry in various regions."

Fang Zheng-yi sighed incessantly upon hearing this.

The people from Peach Blossom County had already left some time ago, and their reply stated that the grain prices in the South had not only not been impacted by the sweet potato news but had instead risen sharply.

Moreover, the prices were increasing day by day.

He didn't know what the problem was, but this situation was already within Fang Zheng-yi's expectations.

There must be someone in the court who could see through his tricks, but he didn't expect them to act even faster than him.

He didn't know who had leaked the information.

Now that these few were offering suggestions, Fang Zheng-yi felt that they were basically nonsense.

Releasing grain from the granaries was a must, but the grain would inevitably be insufficient.

Then the only reliance was on the gentry and wealthy clans, but whether it was requisitioning or borrowing, it was certain that they would not get any grain, or could only get a little.

After all, who would be willing to cut off their own flesh?

If you come to ask for it, I'll just say I don't have any. Can your government possibly rob me of my grain?

Fang Zheng-yi had even fantasized about erecting monuments to commemorate the contributions, but such a bad idea would definitely be useless at the local level.

In years of famine, tangible benefits are more important than anything else.

Furthermore, if the gentry and wealthy clans cared about face, they wouldn't be gentry and wealthy clans.

This group can basically be seen as a combination of elementary capital and power, essentially both greedy and selfish.

In short, it was very difficult.

He wondered how the people sent out from Peach Blossom County were doing now. It takes more than twenty days for news to travel back and forth....

Emperor Jing noticed Fang Zheng-yi's abnormality and asked, "Fang Qing, what are your thoughts?"

Fang Zheng-yi cupped his hands and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I believe that we should not suppress grain prices but should let them run their course. When grain prices reach a high level, grain merchants from all over the country will flock to the disaster areas."

"In this way, we only need to endure for a period of time, and grain prices may be alleviated."

However, this would inevitably starve some people to death, a point Fang Zheng-yi did not mention.

Market problems should be regulated by the market. Compared with modern times, ancient governments reacted extremely slowly. The efficiency of the market is beyond doubt.

Even in modern times, regulating economic problems must prioritize the market. After all, it is difficult to have good results when going against the laws.

When grain prices in disaster areas skyrocket, countless wealthy merchants will rush to sell their surplus grain, only to find countless families squeezed together. When supply exceeds demand, grain prices should plummet.

However, such a method is contrary to the common sense of most people, and Fang Zheng-yi didn't think Emperor Jing would agree.

Sure enough, before Emperor Jing could speak, Zhang Shi was already dissatisfied.

"If it is really as Master Fang says, the people of the world will be in uproar, and the government will be doing nothing. Would this not damage the dignity of the imperial family!"

Fang Zheng-yi said, "Master Zhang, governing by doing nothing is also governing. Local governments only need to do their job, protecting the peace of their regions and preventing the people from being bullied. The people will naturally find their own way to survive and do not need others to teach them."

"Moreover, if you choose the wrong path, the more you work hard, the more tragic it will be."

"Your Majesty, I believe this method is feasible. Why not give it a try?"

Zhang Shi immediately said sternly, "No! If we really let it go, wouldn't we be letting people make a fortune from the national crisis!"

Fang Zheng-yi said unceremoniously, "For the disaster victims, this is a time of life and death!"

"A person who is about to die has no chance of survival. The so-called people who make a fortune from the national crisis can provide them with another choice, even if the standard of this choice is so high that it is unattainable, at least it can give people hope to live. What's wrong with that!"

Zhang Shi sneered, "According to your words, where is morality and ethics? If this continues, wouldn't everyone in the world be thinking about scheming and taking shortcuts."

"Wouldn't those who harbor ulterior motives deliberately cause national disasters?"

Fang Zheng-yi snorted coldly, "Master Zhang, you're off-topic. We're talking about disaster victims now. Which is more important, face or life?"

"You keep talking about the world and morality! What's the use of just saying big and empty words? Can they be eaten?"

"Your Majesty, I want to impeach Minister of Revenue Zhang Shi! Occupying a position without doing anything, not seeking its politics in its position!"

"You! ! !" Zhang Shi was dumbfounded. You impeach me if you disagree? Why!

The faces of the people present also darkened.

This kid Fang Zheng-yi usually doesn't say a few words, but if anyone talks to him, he will probably impeach them... He doesn't follow the rules at all! Random impeachment!

How many times has Zhang Shi been impeached?

Emperor Jing glanced at Fang Zheng-yi and said unhappily, "Alright! Fang Zheng-yi, you're talking more and more nonsense!"

"Master Li, what are your thoughts?"

Li Yansong hesitated, "I think Lord Fang's words make some sense."

Fang Zheng-yi smiled.

Sure enough, the ancients were extremely intelligent, especially these shrewd people in the court.

They may not understand economics, but they must understand the way of economics. After all, economics is also a summary of laws.

They couldn't possibly not understand such a simple logical relationship as supply.

Li Yansong changed his tone, "However, the risk is too great. At that time, the world will definitely be in uproar. I still agree with Master Zhang's suggestion."

"I second the motion."

"We second the motion."

Emperor Jing nodded, "Okay, then deal with it according to this method. Zhang Shi, after returning to the palace, draft a detailed memorial and present it."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Fang Zheng-yi smacked his lips disdainfully.

Sure enough! It's useless to say it, it's superfluous!

What power fears most is risk, and no one dares to bear the consequences of being scolded by the world.

Everyone understands the truth, but no one can break through this barrier of the human heart.

I, Fang Zheng-yi.... It's difficult.....