Chapter 61

Daxia Capital.

Su Wenjing's act of suppressing the demon using the nation's fortune thoroughly became the hottest topic of the day.

Whether it was the citizens of the capital or the students of the academy,

at this moment, they were all stunned.

Especially the scholars, seeing Su Wenjing's strength, they were incredibly shocked.

They yearned for such power.

With the authority to speak for heaven, suppressing a great demon thousands of miles away with just one word, eliminating a threat to the people—how could such divine abilities not be what they envied?

In the academy,

Gu Jinnian was also deeply moved.

The power of a near-Sage was so terrifying; how much stronger would a true Sage be?

He was shocked, and at the same time, he became even more determined about the Confucian path.

With the mysterious ancient tree, he was bound to achieve something in the Confucian path.

Without much thought,

Gu Jinnian returned to his residence, practiced his skills as usual, and then read by lamplight.

Perhaps due to the shock brought by Su Wenjing, Gu Jinnian did not continue to cause trouble that night but read seriously.

The seven realms of a Confucian scholar.

Reading to condense qi, understanding to nourish qi.

Gu Jinnian was now at the perfect level of reading to condense qi. To break through to understanding to nourish qi, he needed to comprehend the principles.

The talent fruit given by the ancient tree allowed Gu Jinnian to have some insights, but to completely break through, he still needed some time to mature.

In fact, Gu Jinnian understood in his heart.

The key was what he understood.

What was the purpose of his reading?

As long as he figured this out, he could smoothly break through to the second realm.

Moreover, Gu Jinnian could easily find a reason to establish it, but he did not do so.

There was no other reason.

Forcing a melon to ripen doesn't make it sweet.

To improve one's realm just for the sake of improvement is a great taboo.

Furthermore, he was still young and didn't need to take risks. It was better to be steady and solid.

Thus,

in the academy, Gu Jinnian read seriously, seeking his own Confucian understanding.

However, within Jiangning County,

the lights were still on.

Dozens of wealthy people sat together in a hall.

In the courtyard, the dishes were steaming, and the cups were filled with moonlight.

But the room was unusually quiet.

"Everyone."

"The flood in Jiangning County has been suppressed, and my servant has brought back news."

"Outside the county seat, there might be a million refugees flooding in."

"The flood is merciless, but for these people, there isn't much loss; they have brought some wealth with them."

"As long as we work together to raise the price of rice, we can make at least ten million in three months."

A middle-aged man spoke. He was dressed in brocade, with a mustache that looked cunning, but his words stirred the hearts of everyone present.

There were over forty people in the room, with three tables. Twelve people sat at the main table, all major merchants in Jiangning County, with hundreds of rice shops and countless stockpiles of grain.

"Brother Zheng, we all understand what you mean."

"But now that the flood has broken out in Jiangning County, if we take advantage of the situation, will the court punish us after the disaster is over?"

Someone spoke, agreeing with the other party but more concerned about the court.

Who in the room wasn't a shrewd person? With the flood breaking out and a shortage of food, they could definitely sell at a good price.

But the problem was, if they sold too high, the court wouldn't just sit by and watch.

If they were held accountable later, they would be the ones to suffer.

After these words, the latter smiled slightly.

"You're all overthinking it."

"I didn't ask you to take advantage of the situation."

"On the contrary, in another three hours, there might be hundreds of thousands more refugees gathering."

"At that time, we will respond to the court's call and open our granaries to distribute food. However, our capabilities are limited, and if the court can't solve the problem, how can we, mere merchants, solve it?"

"But, you all have the heart of a bodhisattva. Not only will you open your granaries to distribute food, but in the end, you will be unable to bear the sight of the city filled with starving people, so you will take out all your stored food to sell to the people."

"The price might be a bit high, but if you think about it, during a disaster, no matter how expensive silver is, it's not as valuable as food."

"In a few days, food can save lives, while silver will be worthless. We are just exchanging equally."

"Let me ask you all a question."

"If you haven't eaten for three days and three nights and will die if you don't eat, would you buy a dish for a hundred taels of silver?"

The wealthy merchant spoke, and with just a few words, everyone was enlightened.

Indeed.

I'll take out some food first to do good deeds, but you can't blame me if the food runs out.

The food I take out later is my own reserve. In a famine, who doesn't lack food?

I have a whole family to support.

But I am upright and can't bear to see people suffer, so I take out my reserve food to sell. Ask me, even though I sell it at a high price,

but what is the purpose of silver? Can silver stop hunger? No.

Food can.

Even if I sell it at an exorbitant price, I still bear the risk. If the court's relief efforts are not timely, I might starve to death myself.

Once this thought was clear, everyone's faces lit up with understanding, and they became extremely excited, with some even clapping in approval.

"Brother Zheng is truly a bodhisattva."

Someone praised, and the others all cheered.

But a few people still looked serious.

"Although this method is good, I'm still worried the court won't agree."

At this moment, someone remained clear-headed and asked.

But they seemed upright, but were actually afraid of the court. Faced with such terrifying profits, how many wouldn't be swayed?

It was just that the risk was too great, making them somewhat hesitant.

"Everyone, rest assured."

"As long as you listen to me, I can guarantee the court will not severely punish us."

Zheng Gong was very confident and slowly took out a token.

On it was clearly engraved the character "Qi."

"Prince Qishan?"

"Is this the token of Prince Qishan?"

"I see."

In an instant, everyone's expressions changed, especially the few who were wavering. Seeing the token of Prince Qishan, they finally understood.

Prince Qishan.

A prince of the Daxia dynasty. When Emperor Yongsheng rose up, Prince Qishan provided both people and resources, even lending his strongest elite, the Red Lotus White Riders, to Emperor Yongsheng.

Thirty thousand Red Lotus White Riders, cutting down a hundred thousand enemies, establishing great merit.

Therefore, after Emperor Yongsheng ascended the throne, Prince Qishan controlled the northwest, and it would not be an exaggeration to call him a local emperor.

Such an existence, if he protected them, they would truly have nothing to fear.

"Brother Zheng, speak, and we will follow."

Finally, those who were still wavering completely changed their minds and directly agreed.

"Alright."

Seeing everyone believe him,

Zheng Gong spoke directly.

"Tomorrow, each of you will open your granaries to distribute food. Our three families will each distribute five thousand dan of grain to help with the disaster."

"Everyone, look at it, don't be too stingy, at least three hundred dan."

"After the donation, I will have someone write a memorial to the palace to silence some of the officials."

"For the rest, we will gradually raise the price, twelve taels of silver per dan, selling only a hundred dan per day, not one more."

"Wait until the government is in a hurry, then we will adjust the price."

Zheng Gong said confidently.

Everyone also understood.

"May I ask, Brother Zheng, how high do you estimate the price will go?"

Someone asked curiously.

"Sixty taels per dan."

Zheng Gong spoke, and in an instant, everyone swallowed hard.

Sixty taels per dan?

Ten times the usual price.

If this really sells, their assets will greatly increase.

For a moment, everyone was excited.

Seeing the excited crowd, Zheng Gong coughed slightly.

"Everyone can earn silver together."

"However, I hope everyone remains firm and doesn't change their minds halfway."

He reminded everyone.

What is the biggest obstacle to raising the price of rice? It's someone selling privately at a lower price. He invited everyone today to say this.

"Please rest assured, Brother Zheng, we will not betray your trust."

"Yes, yes, Brother Zheng is leading us to wealth, how could we do such a thing?"

"Come, come, let's toast to Brother Zheng."

Laughter filled the room, and for a moment, it was incredibly lively.

While a hundred miles away from Jiangning County,

it was already night.

People moved like zombies, heading towards Jiangning County.

Some fell down, looking at the moon, taking their last breaths.

Some had hope in their eyes, dragging their families, step by step, towards their hope in the distance.

Some, holding infants, walked tirelessly towards Jiangning County.

However,

the infants did not cry.

Daxia Academy.

The second hour of the day.

The sky was not yet fully bright.

But the Hall of the Sage was almost full, and outside the hall, it was also crowded.

This year, over two hundred new students were all present.

Not only that, but the elites from other academies also came, including some scholars and Confucians gathered outside the Hall of the Sage.

The reason was simple.

Su Wenjing set up a one-day teacher, attracting many people's curiosity, and the first class was taught by Gu Jinnian.

How could they not be attracted to gather?

A person who could write a timeless article was naturally talented and erudite.

Gu Jinnian's name had already spread in the literary world of Daxia.

Although there were many doubts, the phenomenon of the timeless article could not be denied.

So, they gathered here to see what Gu Jinnian could teach and to test his abilities.

Outside the Hall of the Sage.

Most people came out of curiosity, wanting to see what Gu Jinnian could teach.

But a small part of them had other intentions.

Among them were a few acquaintances of Gu Jinnian.

Zhang Yun and the Crown Prince Li Ji.

Yes, the Crown Prince also came. This time, the Crown Prince was not selected for Daxia Academy, but with the efforts of the Crown Prince, he obtained the right to audit.

In other words, although he was not a student of Daxia Academy, he could come to audit, which indirectly meant he was admitted.

As for Zhang Yun, because he was injured, he did not participate in the final exam, but was eventually admitted to the Hall of the Sage by a great Confucian.

The two came to find trouble with Gu Jinnian.

Zhang Yun was fine, always having a grudge.

Li Ji was different. On that day, he was tricked by Gu Jinnian to injure the Minister of Rites, and he was beaten for three days by his father and grandfather.

This was a blood feud.

A huge blood feud.

Hearing that Gu Jinnian was teaching today, he had already contacted several Confucian elites and was waiting for Gu Jinnian.

The purpose was only one.

To nitpick.

To harshly nitpick.

As soon as Gu Jinnian said something wrong, they would immediately point it out.

For a moment, the Hall of the Sage was incredibly lively.

But at the third hour of the day,

Wang Fugui appeared.

"Everyone."

"Master Gu has ordered everyone to gather at the foot of the academy mountain."

Running, Wang Fugui had some sweat on his forehead. He had just received the message and came to notify everyone.

"Gather at the foot of the academy mountain?"

"Why are we gathering at the foot of the mountain again?"

"Isn't the class in the hall?"

Hearing this, everyone was curious, their eyes filled with doubt.

"Truly ridiculous."

"Exactly, why make us run around instead of teaching properly?"

Some voices of dissatisfaction arose, slightly angry.

"If you don't want to listen to the class, just leave. Why make noise here?"

"The master's arrangement, just follow it. If you can do better, you step up."

Hearing these complaints, Wang Fugui and Jiang Yezhou spoke up. After they spoke, Xu Ya and others also joined in.

Gu Jinnian's arrangement was indeed mysterious, but not a big problem.

Could this be nitpicked?

They weren't stupid; they could see that some people came to cause trouble, so they naturally wouldn't be polite.

Sure enough, after these words, those who were dissatisfied became slightly silent.

Then, the people in the hall stood up, without any complaints, and walked directly out of the academy.

As for the others, they didn't think much and followed.

Some scholars and Confucians looked at each other, their eyes also filled with doubt.

But there was no major issue, so they followed, wanting to see what Gu Jinnian was going to do.

Thus,

three to four hundred people walked out of the academy in a large group.

At the hour of the hare.

The sky was already bright.

In the fields,

Gu Jinnian quietly looked at the golden wheat fields, his expression calm.

Hearing the footsteps,

he then looked at the old man in charge of the wheat harvest.

"Old man, my people have arrived. Have someone count them."

Gu Jinnian spoke calmly.

"Alright."

The old man nodded and then looked over.

Just one glance, his expression changed.

"Master."

"Are these the students of Daxia Academy?"

The old man asked, his expression somewhat panicked.

"Old man, you don't need to worry. Leave it to me."

Gu Jinnian knew what the old man was concerned about, so he said and then walked towards Wang Fugui and others.

Soon,

the two groups met.

Hundreds of eyes fell on Gu Jinnian, and he remained calm.

"Wang Fugui, Su Huaiyu, Xu Ya, Xu Changge, Shangguan Baiyu, Zhao Siqing, Yang Hanrou, Jue Xin, Jue Ming, An Ran, Jiang Yezhou."

"The above eleven people, step forward."

Gu Jinnian spoke, calling out.

Immediately, Wang Fugui and others stepped forward, but their eyes were also full of doubt, not knowing what Gu Jinnian was up to.

In the crowd, Gu Jinnian also saw two acquaintances.

Zhang Yun aside,

Li Ji was also there.

"Ji, why are you here?"

Seeing the Crown Prince, Gu Jinnian was somewhat surprised and called out.

Hearing Gu Jinnian's voice, Li Ji's eyes showed a cold look, but the word "Ji" made him feel somewhat strange.

"My grandfather sent me to attend the class."

"Gu Jinnian, why did you make us come from the Hall of the Sage to here? What's your purpose?"

Li Ji still gave no face, calling him by name and asking directly.

Seeing this troublemaker, Gu Jinnian understood his intentions.

Just in time, a willing laborer.

"Everyone."

"Except for those I just called, the rest, go into the fields and harvest wheat. When you finish, class is over."

Gu Jinnian spoke, stating his purpose.

But as soon as he said this,

a huge controversy arose.

"Harvest wheat?"

"What do you mean?"

"Make us harvest wheat?"

"Master, isn't this a bit too much?"

"We came here to study, not to do farm work. I won't do it."

In an instant, voices of protest arose.

Who would have thought that Gu Jinnian brought them here to harvest wheat?

To put it bluntly, they wouldn't even eat this kind of wheat, let alone harvest it?

Among the three to four hundred people, who wasn't from a noble family? Who lacked rice?

"Gu Jinnian, is there something wrong with you? Making us harvest wheat?"

Finally, Li Ji's voice also joined in.

He was angry, making a Crown Prince harvest wheat?

Are you crazy?

Seeing the ongoing debate, Gu Jinnian was not angry but looked at everyone and said,

"If you don't want to harvest wheat, take a step forward."