Late at night.

The palace of the Wei Dynasty, in Tianxiang Courtyard.

Xu Shouyun was called over again to be reasonable. Calling him so frequently made him understand a truth more and more.

As a contact person, I have a really big background.

Otherwise, after meeting yesterday and meeting again today, it would be difficult not to arouse suspicion in others.

However, thinking that the battle in the court had reached a fever pitch, and perhaps the emperor really did not have time to take care of the people below him, Xu Shouyun did not think much about it.

"Shouyun."

"The Empress of Wei has done exactly what you wanted. Now Liu Yanming and Li Jie have left to prepare food."

"How much food do you think you can get?"

As soon as they met, Jiang Ling waved her hand and asked Xu Shouyun to ask about the matter straight to the point without having to salute.

To be honest, Jiang Ling didn't want to call Xu Shouyun so often, but she couldn't help but meet Xu Shouyun and let Xu Shouyun come up with ideas, so that An Yi could ease her mind.

The matter of converting rice into mulberry was already at the final stage, and tomorrow was the day when the final decision would be made. She did not want any mistakes to be made, let alone any trouble in this matter.

It’s normal to feel anxious.

"Sir, if nothing happens, at least 30 million shi of food will be available."

"If we don't have 30 million shi of grain, we will directly hand over the site selection to Li Jie."

As Jiang Ling asked, Xu Shouyun gave this answer without even thinking about it.

"Thirty million stones?"

"Isn't this a little too greedy?"

For a moment, Jiang Ling couldn't help but make a sound. It wasn't too big, but it was a little gaffe.

Don't blame her for losing her composure, her inner thought was 10 million dan, and Liu Yanming's offer of 8.5 million dan in court today made her a little tempted.

How could she not lose her composure after hearing thirty million stones?

"Sir, please don't let the empress agree if it's less than 30 million dan."

Xu Shouyun answered firmly.

"What do you need so much food for? Thirty million dan? Is it enough for all the people in Zhening Prefecture to eat for three or four months?"

Jiang Ling frowned, not because she didn't want it, but because she thought the number was too exaggerated, and there was no point in asking for more food.

As soon as he said this, Xu Shouyun immediately shook his head: "Sir, these 30 million stones of grain are not used to give the people of Zhening Prefecture free food and drink."

"We still have to let the people of Zhening Prefecture farm their own land. Changing rice to mulberry is only converting half of the fertile land. It is absolutely not possible to become fat in one go."

"This grain is for grain merchants."

Xu Shouyun spoke up.

"Show it to the grain dealer?"

Jiang Ling was a little confused.

"The biggest key problem in converting rice to mulberry is that people have gone to plant mulberry trees instead of farming. As a result, there may be a shortage of food."

"If there is a shortage, merchants will take this opportunity to stop selling grain, causing panic. Silkworms can make a living by eating mulberry leaves, but ordinary people cannot."

"So food prices will skyrocket. As a result, food prices will become more and more expensive, and even rice is more expensive than gold."

"And if there are 30 million shi of grain, we won't be afraid of these rice merchants spreading rumors and causing panic among the people, and everyone will have no worries when working."

"This is the core reason for asking for food. If we give them free food, 30,000 shi of food will not be enough."

Xu Shouyun explained patiently.

"That's it."

Jiang Ling nodded, indicating that she understood. She really didn't expect this meaning. Live until you are old and learn as you grow old.

"Then if no one pays this price, will His Majesty give the right to choose the site to Li Jie?"

Jiang Ling asked.

"Yes, but theoretically it's impossible not to give it."

"Even more will be given. Zhening Prefecture has been preparing for it for two years. During this time, my subordinates estimated that at least one million acres of fertile land will be divided up by them."

"As I said before, the Liu Party has lost the initiative since buying the land in advance."

"There are only two roads before them."

"Either the right to choose the site is taken away by Li Jie, and the Zhening government is filled with sorrow. The wealthy gentry family sells their land at a low price and joins the King of Yan."

"Either, honestly provide enough grain, in order to directly seize the right to select the site. My subordinates estimate that not only 30 million shi of grain will be given tomorrow, but even 50 million shi of grain is possible, and the possibility is extremely high.

”

Xu Shouyun clearly knows how uncomfortable it is to be passive. It's just like gambling. You buy the banker and player for 10 million. The banker draws nine points and you draw four points. At this time, you have two choices. One is to draw cards.

One is to deduct a handling fee from you.

This one is invalid, how do you choose? Anyone with some sense will choose the latter.

And in the end, the sane people are in the court, the irrational ones, the passionate ones, are either sent to be officials far away, or are still waiting for reincarnation.

In addition, officials who can go to the morning court are considered extremely young at forty years old, and most of them are in their fifties and sixties, and have long since lost their enthusiasm.

Ideals and integrity are worthless in this place.

Jiang Ling thought for a while, and then asked for a few more details. She finally felt at ease and left Tianxiang Courtyard. However, she also informed Xu Shouyun that the next time she would meet at Jing'an Courtyard, she had changed her address.

Looking at the contact person leaving, Xu Shouyun also took advantage of the night to go back. He has been reading a book by burning the midnight oil these days, and he will go to the inner study hall for class in a few days, so he must prepare.

So.

The next day.

Before dawn, hundreds of officials have gathered outside the palace.

Everyone is looking forward to it, looking forward to seeing the fight between Liu Dang and Li Dang today.

Eight million stones of grain is the starting price, and it is indeed unknown who will get the site selection rights.

Liu Yanming came outside the palace. His face was calm, making it difficult for anyone to tell any clues. The same was true for Li Jie, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that Li Jie's confidence seemed to be obviously lacking.

As the eunuch's shrill voice sounded, hundreds of officials entered the palace one after another.

In the main hall, the empress appeared early again, sitting on the dragon chair, waiting for the two parties to hand over their answers.

After meeting with Xu Shouyun yesterday, she couldn't sleep. It was impossible to say she wasn't nervous.

So when the morning meeting started, not only the officials were looking forward to it, but even she, the emperor, was looking forward to it.

"Long live my emperor, long live the emperor."

As the shouts rang out, the empress glanced at the ministers, and then slowly said: "Ping Shen."

At that moment, all the officials stood up, and Li Jie stood up directly.

"Your Majesty, this is the food distribution list sent by me. I hope your Majesty will take a look at it."

He handed over the grain book, which not only included his quotation, but also explained the source of the grain, how to use it, etc. The instructions were clearly written and he put a lot of effort into it.

"Your Majesty, I have also written the food distribution list, and I hope your Majesty will read it."

Liu Yanming also spoke and handed over the grain book.

The two grain books were handed over to Chu Yunrou, and then handed to Jiang Ling. The latter was excited in his heart, but he was calm on the outside.

Opening Li Jie's grain book, Jiang Ling was shocked to see the amount of 30 million shi of grain. Xu Shouyun guessed it again, but on the outside she was particularly calm.

He read it carefully and then nodded: "Not bad."

Just two words made the officials even more curious, wondering what price Li Jie would offer.

Then, the empress opened the food book that Liu Yanming had brought up incrementally, and with just one glance, Jiang Ling couldn't help but admire Xu Shouyun's wisdom.

Fifty million stones.

At this moment, Jiang Ling's recognition of Xu Shouyun's talent reached its peak.

Perhaps because this matter was completely settled, Jiang Ling felt more relaxed than ever before, and her anxious heart completely calmed down.

"Intended purpose."

The next moment, Jiang Ling spoke, her face extremely calm.
Chapter completed!