The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

ha?

Li Chengqian's little mind went blank for a moment. "Is...is this even possible?"

"Why not?" Chen Huai'an retorted. "What's wrong with that?"

"Last year we fought such a long war, and construction was still underway in many places. I ask you, if I didn't provide these 180,000 shi of grain, would the imperial court truly be without food?"

"Hmm... that's not quite right. It's more like there's surplus grain without enough to guarantee the normal operation of the imperial court, right?"

Li Chengqian nodded hesitantly: "Yes...that's how it is!"

"But...how will you tell these grain merchants the news? How will you convince them that you're still relying on Wang Bai?"

"Of course not!" Chen Huai'an sneered. "Wang Bai can be a troublemaker, but the grain merchants aren't stupid. How could they easily trust him?"

"Convincing grain merchants is actually quite simple!"

"All I have to do when I go to court is say that we haven't received much grain."

"The news naturally got out."

Li Chengqian: ?

The little guy was a bit confused, but after thinking for a while he understood what Chen Huai'an meant.

He asked incredulously, "Sir, do you mean there are people in the imperial court colluding with grain merchants?"

"Do you really think all these officials in the court are truly incorruptible?" Chen Huai'an glanced at him indifferently. "Do you think these grain merchants can build such a large business without powerful backers?"

"Chengqian, have you forgotten that our Beauty Pass was threatened with all sorts of threats as soon as it opened? And this is just wine. Grain has always been an absolute necessity, the most profitable trade, even surpassing salt and iron!"

Li Chengqian was speechless and could not utter a single word in rebuttal.

Chen Huai'an said with a hint of sarcasm, "Chengqian, you're too naive."

"You still don't understand the principle that everyone in the world is driven by profit."

"You see, even though grain prices haven't reached outrageously high levels yet, quite a few grain merchants have already brought their grain to the Guanzhong region, haven't they?"

"If I were to tell you in court tomorrow that the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue haven't found much grain, do you believe that many grain merchants would immediately bring grain to Chang'an?"

Li Chengqian remained silent for a long time before saying, "Sir, I would like to take a look."

"Alright, then I'll show you."

"..."

The next day at court, Li Shimin said directly to the civil and military officials: "My dear ministers, the price of grain began to soar a few days ago. Now, the price of one shi of millet has reached 360 wen."

"Although I ordered the redemption of many children who had been sold by the people, as time goes by, there is still no sign of rain from the heavens. Therefore, the price of grain will definitely continue to rise."

"The number of people affected by the disaster will continue to increase."

"It's time to put work-for-relief programs on the agenda!"

Many officials agreed with this and had almost no objections.

Li Shimin looked pleased and asked Chen Huai'an and Pei Ju, "Minister Chen, Minister Pei Ju, you said a few days ago that you had a way to buy a batch of grain at a low price. I presume you have already acquired it?"

Pei Ju remained silent, while Chen Huai'an stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I am ashamed to say that not only in Chang'an and the Guannei region, but also in other areas, grain prices have begun to rise."

"Several grain merchants, who had originally agreed to the deal, reneged on their promise due to profit concerns and refused to sell us grain at a low price, resulting in Minister Pei and I not being able to purchase much grain..."

"What?!" Li Shimin roared in anger. "How could this be?"

"Your Majesty, it was my dereliction of duty. I shouldn't have made such a boast. I am willing to accept the punishment," Chen Huai'an said in a low voice.

The other officials in the court reacted in various ways upon hearing this, some with indignation, some with sorrow, and some with schadenfreude.

Du Ruhui sighed, "Merchants are inherently profit-driven, no different from petty men. Now that grain prices have soared, how could they possibly be willing to sell to the imperial court at a low price?"

"It seems we need to think of other solutions."

Wei Zheng scoffed, "That's right, it's better to rely on yourself than on others, especially for merchants."

Chen Huai'an said with shame, "I was too trusting of a villain."

Li Shimin comforted him, saying, "My dear minister, there's no need for that. No one expected the other party to go back on their word, did they?"

"Besides, this matter wasn't even within your scope of responsibility, so why blame yourself?"

"Yes," Changsun Wuji echoed, "This wasn't your responsibility to begin with, so there's no need to blame yourself for it."

"The most urgent task is to solve the food problem first."

Chen Huai'an roused himself: "Your Majesty, although many grain merchants have gone back on their word, Minister Pei and I have still managed to purchase a considerable amount of grain. At least we can implement work relief first, relocate the disaster-stricken people, and sustain the effort for a period of time."

"Oh?" Li Shimin feigned surprise. "Can we hold out until we can collect grain from the granary?"

Chen Huai'an shook his head: "I'm afraid that won't work."

"Leaving aside the fact that we didn't buy much food to begin with, the number of people affected by the disaster is still increasing, and it will probably be several more months before the harvest season."

"The little food we have is hardly enough!"

Li Shimin's face was grim. Pei Ju stepped forward at the right moment and said, "Your Majesty, I suggest that we purchase grain from the people as soon as possible. Grain prices are rising continuously and will probably become more and more expensive."

"If we buy grain now, 360 coins can still buy one shi (a unit of dry measure), but if we wait any longer, it will probably cost 400 coins to buy one shi."

Li Shimin was furious: "Are you saying I should bow down to these profit-driven scoundrels? With the nation in peril, these grain merchants are taking advantage of the situation to raise prices, and I'm still expected to buy their grain?"

"Your Majesty, the people are the most important," Pei Ju pleaded again.

At this moment, many officials stepped forward: "Your Majesty, we hope that Your Majesty will prioritize the well-being of the nation."

"Your Majesty, I second that you should prioritize the well-being of the people and the nation, and not be concerned with short-term gains or losses. The relief of the people should be your top priority."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you prioritize the greater good..."

When the officials presented their memorials, Li Shimin's face turned ashen: "Enough!!"

The court immediately fell silent.

Li Shimin rubbed his temples and said, "The Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue should first provide grain and hire disaster-stricken people to reclaim wasteland. Let's settle these people down first."

"As for purchasing grain from the people... I will consider it."

"..."