My father is a Confucian sage, but the system forces me to be a crude warrior

Chapter 408 Zeng Anmin: You have money but nowhere to spend it, who can you complain to?!

"The taste of this golden elixir..."

Zeng Anmin looked at the golden pill in Guan Qingliu's hand.

He raised an eyebrow slightly.

As a martial artist with the combat strength of a fourth rank, his sense of smell is much more acute than that of ordinary people.

He could faintly smell that the scent of the pill in the clear stream's hand was different from the faint fragrance he had just smelled.

"how?"

Guan Qingliu was actually somewhat impatient before Zeng Anmin came in.

Hearing that Zeng Anmin still wanted to take the pills from his hand, he raised an eyebrow slightly, reached out and held up the pills, offering them to Zeng Anmin:

"Would Zeng Tidu like to try some too?"

As he handed it over, the taste of the pill became clearer.

Zeng Anmin narrowed his eyes slightly.

The smell of this pill is different from the fragrance I just smelled.

He was somewhat surprised and glanced at Guan Qingliu in front of him.

He gently pushed away the hand that Guan Qingliu offered, and then smiled:

"I never expected that Young Master Guan was also a master alchemist."

"A mere trick or skill, it doesn't deserve such praise from Zeng Ti." Guan Qingliu shrugged indifferently.

"Since there's nothing to do here..."

Zeng Anmin glanced at Dongfang Sheng indifferently: "Fall back, return to the ship."

"Yes." Dongfang Sheng then gave the order.

……

More than a dozen small boats from the Imperial City Guard sailed down the river and joined the relief fleet.

Xuanlun Manor.

Zeng Anmin stood on the small boat, gazing into the distance, murmuring this name:

"Eastern, what is the background of this Xuanlun Manor? Why are you so hesitant to act against it?"

Dongfang Sheng followed behind Zeng Anmin, a look of astonishment flashing across his face.

"Hehe." Zeng Anmin chuckled and turned to look at Dongfang Sheng:
"Just now on the boat at Xuanlun Manor, when I saw you bringing that old man over, you looked a little worried."

"For a high-ranking official like the Imperial City Guard of the capital to be so wary of a small fleet, the background of Xuanlun Manor must be quite strong."

Upon hearing Zeng Anmin's words, Dongfang Sheng gave a wry smile: "I'm just a rough man, I can't hide anything on my face, and you saw through me."

As he spoke, he scratched his head somewhat awkwardly and explained to Zeng Anbian:

"If we're really talking about the origins of Xuanlun Manor, it's somewhat related to the founding emperor of our Great Holy Dynasty."

"However, the master of Xuanlun Manor was not interested in the court back then. Emperor Taizu summoned him to serve in the government several times, but he refused each time."

"And in the martial arts world, Xuanlun Manor holds an extremely high position."

“Jianghu…” Zeng Anmin murmured this name that was both strange and familiar.

"What kind of Supreme Court?" He raised an eyebrow and looked at Dongfang Sheng.

Dongfang Sheng took a deep breath:

"In the world today, there are only four living second-rank Heavenly Realm martial artists, and our Great Holy Dynasty has only two."

"The first one is our Great Sage Dynasty's Ancestor Wang Dong."

"The second one is Guan Hanfeng, the patriarch of Xuanlun Manor."

Hear this.

Zeng Anmin narrowed his eyes slightly.

Second-rank military officer.

Whether in the martial arts world or the imperial court, the martial arts system is the least chaotic of all systems.

From the ninth rank to the first rank, each level represents a significant increase.

In the martial arts world, a fifth-rank martial artist is considered a grandmaster, capable of founding their own sect or becoming a guest elder of a sect and enjoying a comfortable life.

Even a fifth-rank military officer holds a very high position in the imperial court, while some generals in the army are only fifth-rank.

The fourth rank is the Grandmaster realm.

Once you reach the fourth rank, you've mastered the ability of "domain," and you'll be respected wherever you go.

As for the third rank... they are known in the martial arts world as "Grandmasters of the Earth Realm".

It actually means that it is invincible on the ground.

"Left and right" is just a name; it doesn't matter what you call it.

It mainly depends on its strategic position.

Reaching the third rank already puts them among the world's top combat forces; they are old monsters who rarely appear.

Do you not see Li Jian, the Duke of Ningguo? He was a duke of a country, with an extremely noble status.

As for the second rank.

He was then known as the Grandmaster of the Heavenly Realm.

There's only one way to describe him: wherever he goes, he moves as if he's in an empty place!

It means that I am the only one who reigns supreme in heaven and earth.

There was even a legend that a second-rank martial artist, when fighting at full strength, could go toe-to-toe with a first-rank martial artist from another system.

This is the essence of a martial artist.

"Unexpectedly..."

Zeng Anmin clicked his tongue: "So, does that mean Xuanlun Manor is like Wudang and Shaolin? The leader of the martial arts world?"

"what?"

Dongfang Sheng looked somewhat bewildered:
"What do you mean, 'covering up'? You slut?"

Zeng Anmin's lips twitched. He glanced at Dongfang Sheng and silently moved forward a little.

A crude and vulgar martial artist.

Dongfang Sheng could naturally sense the disdain on his face.

"I do not……"

"Alright, stop talking. Let them hurry on their way. We still need to go to the county town of Linhe to purchase grain after we get back."

Zeng Anmin waved his hand, interrupting Dongfang Sheng.

"Yes!"

Dongfang Sheng withdrew.

…………

Another night passed.

Finally, at dawn, Zeng Anmin saw the relief fleet.

Where are you going?

As soon as the outline of the fleet came into view.

Zeng Anmin then heard Liu Shishi's distinctive accent.

He looked up helplessly.

Directly above her head, Liu Shishi stood on a flying sword, looking down at Zeng Anmin:
"You've arrived at just the right time. We had just arrived in Qiuling County when you came here."

"Alright, senior sister, enough of this nonsense. Let's go ashore and buy grain from a grain merchant."

Zeng Anmin couldn't very well say, "We went after someone, but it turned out to be a complete waste of time."

"Fine." Liu Shishi landed in front of Zeng Anmin, her delicate face showing dissatisfaction.
"You went to chase after the fleet without even saying goodbye."

"We didn't dare to act rashly. After waiting for you all night, we realized you still hadn't returned, so we stopped waiting and headed towards Qiuling County."

"I never expected to run into you here."

"Where exactly did you go?"

"It's a long story, let's buy the grain first." Zeng Anmin didn't answer, but just shook his head and walked forward.

………………

"No food?!"

Upon hearing Liu Shishi's words, Zeng Anmin frowned:

"What do you mean?"

"It means exactly what it says. Someone beat us to it and bought up all the grain in Qiuling County."

“The people loaded the grain onto the ship and left last night.”

Liu Shishi entered the cabin, took a sip of tea, and looked up at Zeng Anmin, saying:
"There is not much food left in Qiuling County now."

"How much is left?" Zeng Anmin stared blankly at Liu Shishi.

"What we can sell... is less than 10,000 koku."

"What??"

Zeng Anmin's expression changed slightly: "Only ten thousand shi?"

In his plan, the fleet would pass through a total of eight prefectures.

Purchase approximately 200,000 shi of grain from each prefecture.

When the grain reached Xiliu, 1.6 million shi (a unit of dry measure) was basically enough to help the local disaster victims get through a relatively good period of famine.

Now Liu Shishi is telling him that there are only 10,000 shi of grain left in Qiuling County?

Isn't this a joke?
It was far from what he had expected.

Sun Chuanfang sat opposite Zeng Anbian, a hint of solemnity showing on his aged face:
Did you ask who bought it?

Liu Shishi spread her hands and looked at Sun Chuanfang, saying:
"I don't know. The grain sellers said that the fleet that came to buy grain had no flags. They bought grain at high prices as soon as they arrived, and in just one day and night, they emptied out all the grain that could be sold in Qiuling County."

"Have we encountered someone profiting from the national crisis?" Zeng Anmin's expression was rather grim.

There are indeed many unscrupulous merchants who hoard goods during times of national crisis and then sell them to the country at high prices.

But that was in a previous life.

Now we live in a great and prosperous era. There are indeed merchants like this who smile at you on the surface, but once the disaster is over, they will directly confiscate your property.

Therefore, merchants nowadays dare not do this. "Buy these 10,000 shi first."

Sun Chuanfang said seriously, "Then we will reach the next county town as quickly as possible."

As he spoke, he looked up at Zeng Anmin: "Commander Zeng, I suspect that someone has leaked our route information."

"Now we can only race against time and hope to get ahead of those people in the next prefecture."

“Alright.” Zeng Anmin immediately stopped talking and ordered someone to go and buy grain.

…………

"1500 coins per stone?!"

Zeng Anmin was furious when he heard that 10,000 shi of grain had been sold for such an outrageous price.

He immediately wanted to find the local prefect to hold him accountable.

But the results can be imagined.

The prefect and the local powerful families and merchants were mutually supportive; they certainly wouldn't offend these local bullies for his sake.

"To buy or not to buy?"

Liu Shishi's expression also showed some anger.

Liu Shishi is always the one who tricks others, but today she actually got tricked in this small Qiuling County?
"purchase."

Zeng Anmin took a deep breath: "No matter how expensive it is, we have to buy it. This grain isn't money..."

"It's a human life."

Holding his nose, Zeng Anmin bought 10,000 dan of grain. As the grain and merchants' transport boats entered the river, the disaster relief team slowly moved forward again.

……

Suibo County.

Qing County.

Liuzhou Prefecture.

……

Three counties in a row.

Zeng Anmin bought a total of 70,000 shi of grain.

Yes, 70,000 koku, which is 1.53 million koku short of his target of 1.6 million koku.

Moreover, the money spent far exceeded the market level.

With each prefecture they passed through, Zeng Anmin's expression grew increasingly grim.

In each county we arrived at, the news we received was that the grain had already been bought up in advance!

"Who is it?!"

Zeng Anmin's eyes were a little red at this moment. He stood on the shelf with an extremely cold expression on his face.

He even wants to find the person who stole his grain and tear him to pieces.

"Zeng Tidu, Sima Tisi, and Dongfang Tisi request an audience!"

Dongfang Sheng and Sima Nan, the two henchmen, hurried over and headed towards Zeng Anmin.

"Let them in!"

A sharp glint flashed in Zeng Anmin's eyes.

Ever since he bought a shi of grain for 1,500 coins.

He then ordered Sima Nan and Dongfang Sheng to ride their horses at full speed and head towards the county ahead.

We must stop those people who are competing with him for food.

Now the two of them have returned, weary from their journey.

Zeng Anmin knew that since these two dared to come back, they must have received news.

"Greetings, Lord Tidu."

"Enough with the nonsense, who is it?"

Zeng Anmin stared intently at the two men.

Dongfang Sheng and Sima Nan did not hesitate at all and immediately reported.

"During the journey, I realized that we could not continue along the way, but should skip ahead and search further into the more distant county towns to have any chance of finding them."

"So we skipped four prefectures directly, and together with Sima, we traveled non-stop for five days to reach Wanghai Prefecture."

"After arriving in Wanghai County, we happened to run into the fleet that was fighting for grain."

"The fleet wasn't large. Sima and I are both skilled and daring, so we boarded the ship and went straight to ask their leader."

At this point, Dongfang Sheng smiled slightly:
"We were overthinking it. The fleet that bought the grain came from Xiliu, and their purpose was also to provide disaster relief."

"Who?" Zeng Anmin's expression froze.

Xuanlun Manor.

Xuanlun Manor?

Xuanlun Manor again?

"It turned out to be them."

Sun Chuanfang's voice rang out.

“Lord Sun.” Zeng Anmin looked up towards the door.

Sun Chuanfang slowly entered the cabin from the doorway, a relaxed expression on his face.
"Although Xuanlun Manor is a Jianghu force, its ancestors were extremely close to the founding emperor of our Great Sage Dynasty."

"Since they've taken action, we don't need to be in such a hurry."

"Moreover, they are located in the Xiliu region, which is suffering from a severe drought. The people there are in dire need of help, and Xuanlun Manor is the one in the most urgent need."

"is it?"

An unknown light flickered in Zeng Anmin's eyes:

"Then we cannot let our guard down. His Majesty has ordered us to provide disaster relief, and we must give His Majesty an explanation."

At this point, he slowly raised his head and looked at Dongfang Sheng and Sima Nan, saying, "You two take Tizi and go to other counties to find food. Since there is no food along the waterways, you two will travel by land."

"Even if we can't get 1.6 million shi of grain, we must at least gather 1 million shi."

"Don't worry about money, we have plenty on board."

"Yes." Dongfang Sheng and Sima Nan received the order and headed outside.

Only Sun Chuanfang and Zeng Anmin remained in the cabin.

"Zeng Tidu was still too cautious."

Sun Chuanfang looked at Zeng Anmin with a smile.

"It's good to be cautious during special times."

Zeng Anmin shook his head and smiled.

…………

Xiliu Grand Canyon.

After the fleet arrived near Xiliu.

There were only 120,000 shi of grain on board.

This was something Zeng Anmin had to beg and plead with his family to scrape together.

I'm speechless.

He has so much money he doesn't know what to do with it...

"Click~"

After Zeng Anmin's foot landed on the ground, he broke off a piece of withered yellow tree branch.

His face showed a serious expression.

"It seems that the drought in Xiliu is much worse than I imagined."

The Xiliu Grand Canyon, being adjacent to the Ganges River, should be a place with abundant water resources.

But the once flowing waterfall is now just ruins.

The ground was parched, the earth was withered and yellow...

Patches of dry ground cracked like a spider web.

In fact, wherever they went, there were many white, withered bones.

Birds do not fly over, and nothing grows in the mountains.

It's like the end of the world.

Looking up again, the sky was filled with an aura of despair.

“Zeng Tidu, the officials of Xiliu Road are waiting for us ahead.”

The officials who had come with him to provide disaster relief respectfully approached Zeng Anmin.

"Ah."

"Let's go and meet these officials from the west."

"Yes!"

The relief fleet stopped in the Ganges River, less than twenty miles behind.

Meanwhile, the officials in charge of disaster relief gradually followed Zeng Anmin forward.

……

"Greetings, Your Excellency Angel. May I ask how much food you have prepared for this disaster relief effort?"

From afar, Zeng Anmin saw an elderly man in official robes emerge from among the officials ahead. Upon seeing him, the man rushed over in a fluster to offer his congratulations as if he had seen a savior.

Zeng Anmin hesitated for a moment:
"My ship currently holds 120,000 shi (a unit of dry measure)."

"What?! Only 120,000 shi?! We're doomed..."

"It's alright. Xuanlun Manor in Xiliu has also bought grain for disaster relief. Their grain should have arrived by now."

Zeng Anmin smiled and patted the official in front of him on the shoulder to comfort him.

The official, pale-faced, addressed Zeng Anmin:

"Lord Tidu, you may not know this, but this very morning, Xuanlun Manor reported to the authorities that the fleet that was purchasing grain had disappeared!!"

"What?!" Zeng Anmin's expression changed drastically!
(End of this chapter)