Chapter 178 (2/2)

There should be something wrong with this fold.

He thought over the question carefully. He really knew nothing before he asked.

”What's the problem? The price of rice here is now 15 Liang per kilogram. How can the people of ancient Anhui afford it? The price is only temporary and will have to rise in a few days. An ordinary inn where I live now costs 50 Liang silver for four dishes and one soup. Your food in ancient Anhui is really precious.” The more Xiao Zimu said, the more dignified he became.

”How could it be? The harvest has been really bad in recent years, so the governor Mao Xianchun proposed to me that the government and grain shops should set a unified price for the grain collected from the tax, so as to avoid making trouble for the people to store grain maliciously and bid up the price of rice, which has a bad impact and is not easy to be controlled. I thought it was reasonable to give this instruction. For the reason of the scarcity of rice, some prices were added, but it was only within the fluctuation of ten Wen Inside. It's impossible to sell one kilogram and fifteen Liang. ” Zheng Zhongguang was shocked and lost his color. He explained the whole story in detail.

”Are you trying to find someone to plead guilty for the dead?” Xiao Zimu chuckled at the speech, which was full of sarcasm.

”Your Highness, if you don't believe it, go and call Mao Xianchun to ask.” Zheng Zhongguang said this and called the boy to find Mao Xianchun.

Xiao Zimu saw that he was serious on his face and anxious in his tone. He was disgusted by this kind of hypocritical appearance in his heart, so he stopped talking and waited to see how he could argue and shirk it in a moment.

In less than half an hour, Mao Xianchun was taken into the study.

”Mao Fucheng, please explain to your highness what the price of rice is.” Zheng Zhongguang ordered Mao Xianchun to kneel down.

”Ah?” Mao Xianchun was somewhat submissive and hesitated for a long time.

”You're telling the truth.” Zheng Zhongguang was angry and scolded by his attitude of trying to cover up.

”If you tell the truth, you don't have to worry about the power to detain people. Our temple will decide for you.” Xiao Zimu glanced at Zheng Zhongguang and turned to Mao Xianchun. His voice was gentle.

”Yes.” Mao Xianchun nodded.

Seems to have made a great determination, after paying homage seriously.

He then said, ”Your Highness, there has been a famine in ancient Anhui in recent years. Ten percent of the autumn harvest in previous years, and now only half of it can be harvested every year. When the people pay the grain tax, there is little left, and the most difficult time is in the midsummer. I once advised Lord Zheng to open his warehouse for disaster relief. Unexpectedly, he not only didn't agree, but also hoarded grain day by day. The officials and businessmen colluded to drive up the grain...”

”Mao Xianchun, what are you talking about?” Zheng Zhongguang couldn't bear it. He got up and yelled. His face was angry and turned into pig liver color.

Mao Xianchun trembled, his eyes misted, and looked at his highness Qi pitifully.

Seeing this, Xiao Zimu frowned, stared at Zheng Zhongguang and said in a deep voice, ”if you want to put in another word at will, in order to stop the prime minister Mao from telling the confession, I'm not asking you in this study, but going to the government office.”

Zheng Zhongguang heard the speech, his complexion changed from pig liver to iron blue, brushed his sleeves and sat down.

”Don't worry about it. You can't hide anything. This temple needs to know the truth.” Xiao Zimu gave orders to Mao Xianchun in a warm voice.

Mao Xianchun pulled his sleeves and wiped the corners of his eyes on both sides with his cuffs.

He also carefully glanced at Zheng Zhongguang and moved to the side.

After a series of actions, he took a deep breath and began to explain.

”Your Highness, as soon as summer comes, people really don't have surplus grain in their homes. Those who have money buy the grain priced by Lord Zheng at a high price, and those who have no money have to dig wild vegetables to satisfy their hunger. As the weather gets hotter and hotter, they can only eat tree roots after eating wild vegetables, and only soil after eating tree roots. Some people see others eat soil and die miserably. Finally, they lose their humanity and change their children And eat. ” Mao Xianchun paused here.

His voice was choking, his eyes were full of tears, and his expression was full of grief. He looked up and knelt straight towards Xiao Zimu for two steps, knocking his head heavily.

”Fortunately, your Highness has come. The people of ancient Anhui have a way to live...”