Qinglong left and Jiang Fan continued to move forward. In addition to many refugees, some caravans could also be seen.
Bai Hu explained from the side: "Sir, this was originally the junction of Ming Dynasty and Houjin, and had the largest market. However, due to the war, the mutual market was cancelled."
"Now that the Later Jin Dynasty was destroyed, the Ming Dynasty took over its territory and opened up trade routes, so the number of caravans increased."
Jiang Fan nodded: "That's fine. Business development can drive the economy. However, supervision still needs to be carried out, especially for food. It cannot be higher than 30% of the market. It is understandable for businessmen to pursue profits, but if anyone dares to take advantage of the situation, the increase will be doubled.
The price of food has greatly affected the country's wealth. If anyone is found, he will be killed, and we will never tolerate it."
"My subordinate understands."
Bai Hu nodded.
He has seen many such things.
There will be disasters one after another tomorrow, and food is precious. Many people will not be able to eat. However, those wealthy families have surplus food, so they will do nothing to help others.
Instead, they would buy food in large quantities, then hoard it, raise prices while sitting on the ground, and eat steamed buns made with human blood.
White Tiger has long been deeply disgusted by such behavior.
Jiang Fan sighed: "In a war, the people suffer the most!"
As soon as Jiang Fan said this, he saw a group of people gathered in front of him, and it was noisy. When he got closer, he saw that it was ordinary people buying rice.
Those victims who had no money were holding broken bowls and praying for alms from well-wishers.
"Have mercy on me, I haven't eaten in three days!"
"Go away, what rice do you want if you don't have money?"
"Don't squeeze!"
"Hey, the court is lying!"
...
Bai Hu looked at the rice price sign and found that the rice was sold for one tael of silver per catty. He was furious: "These profiteers!"
Jiang Fan glanced at the rice shop and said, "Did you see it? There is an article on this bag."
Baihu looked around and saw that the words "Ministry of Revenue Disaster Relief Food" were written on the sacks containing rice.
“Disaster relief food is another case of collusion between government and businessmen!”
Not long ago, a large number of officials were arrested. Unexpectedly, there are still people who dare to commit crimes now.
And being so blatant is simply audacious and reckless.
At this moment, Qinglong came over with a middle-aged magistrate who was broad and fat, and a group of government officials.
"The former governor of Ning'ankang paid a courtesy visit to Lord Commander Jiang. Lord Jiang sent his troops to pacify Liaodong and eliminate the serious troubles in the Ming Dynasty. He has made great contributions and is indeed a role model for us. I have long admired your reputation in my humble position, and I hope you will move on.
Go to the lower official's house and let the lower official take care of you."
"As for opening the warehouse to stock the grain, let's talk while walking. What do you think, sir?"
Jiang Fan looked at Ning Ankang and saw that he had a big belly and a shiny face. His first impression was that this old boy must have taken away a lot of people's wealth.
But you can’t judge a book by its appearance. Maybe the other person has a physique that makes him gain weight even if he drinks water?
Just because someone is fat, you cannot assume that they are corrupt and perverting the law.
Jiang Fan whispered to Bai Hu: "Take my token and go check the source of the relief food."
Then he nodded to Ning Ankang: "Then thank you Master Ning for your hospitality."
Hearing this, Ning Ankang breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "Please, sir."
Arriving at Ning Ankang's mansion, we sat down in the lobby. Shark's fin soup, steamed bear's paws, oven-roasted pig, and all kinds of delicacies were served on the table, with alluring aromas.
Looking at the various dishes on the table and thinking of the hungry refugees on the street, Jiang Fan said calmly: "Isn't Nakazensho City short of food?"
On the way here, Ning Ankang kept crying about poverty, but looking at the food, it was no worse than the one in the palace.
Ning Ankang chuckled: "Isn't this entertaining Mr. Jiang? Of course it has to be more grand."
"Master Jiang, please take a seat."
Gu Heng
Jiang Fan remained calm on his face and sat down in the main seat.
Ning Ankang smiled apologetically and said: "Oh, I am really lucky to see Mr. Jiang today. He bravely killed the enemy, defended the family and the country, and expanded the territory for our Ming Dynasty. I am very admired by this official!"
"Master Ning is interested."
Jiang Fan and Ning Ankang had a drink together.
After three rounds of drinking, Ning Ankang felt that the time was almost up and began to sell out. He sighed and said: "Sir, you don't know something. This official warehouse cannot be used!"
"Why?"
Jiang Fan asked.
"After receiving the imperial court's call, many victims moved outside the customs. However, the imperial court's relief food was only a drop in the bucket and could not solve the urgent need."
"The food in the official warehouse needs to be reserved for military supplies. Even if the subordinates do not eat or drink, the soldiers under their command cannot starve. Otherwise, the soldiers will not be able to eat and will easily mutiny. Please think twice!"
When Jiang Fan heard this, he already had a rough idea in his mind and said with a smile, "Really?"
"Then Master Ning, you have to explain what the disaster relief grain sold in the rice shop is about?"
"this……"
Ning Ankang's complexion changed slightly, thinking about how to deal with it.
At this moment, Bai Hu led a group of soldiers into Ning Mansion.
"grown ups."
Bai Hu nodded to Jiang Fan.
Jiang Fan suddenly thought: "Catch them."
Ning'ankang saw that the situation was not good and immediately ran away.
But how could the fat-headed Ning Ankang outrun the soldiers? Soon everyone in the Ning Mansion was captured.
"Master Jiang, what are you doing? Why are you arresting me? I am innocent!"
Ning Ankang was panicking and had cold sweat on his head, but his strong desire to survive still made him force himself to stay calm and tell lies without conscience.
"Whether you are innocent or not doesn't matter what you say."
Bai Hu said coldly, and then whispered a few times in Jiang Fan's ear.
Jiang Fan nodded and looked at Ning Ankang: "Officials and businessmen colluded to resell the court's disaster relief grain, falsely reported military strength and ate empty pay, and robbed civilian girls as concubines. Mr. Ning, Ning Ankang, under your rule, the people are really incompetent.
Not healthy."
"My lord, I am dedicated to serving the people. It is all Fan Yongdou and others who forced me to do this. I don't want to do it either. Please spare my life, my lord."
When Ning Ankang heard Jiang Fan tell what he had done these days, he knew that he could not hide it, so he immediately confessed and then revealed his accomplices, hoping that he would be given a lighter sentence.
"Pull him out, parade him through the streets, make his crime known to the public, then tie him to a stone pillar in the open space and leave it to the people to do whatever they want."
Jiang Fan knew that the victims in Zhongqiansuo City needed to vent their emotions, so he did not directly kill Ning Ankang.
But waiting for Ning Ankang is definitely more painful than killing him with a knife.
After inspecting Ning Mansion, Jiang Fan led people to the official warehouse and ordered people to open the warehouse for inspection.
As expected, the grain in the official warehouse had been stolen and replaced with stones and sand.
The grain had long been resold by Ning Ankang secretly colluding with Fan Yongdou to make huge profits.
"Qinglong, you immediately lead people to arrest all the officials and merchants involved in the case, and seize their property."
"Baihu, count the money, food, and number of victims, and then distribute them equally."
"As commanded!!"
Qinglong and Baihu took people away.
Soon, the entire Nakazensho City was boiling with excitement.