Chapter 173

Chapter 173: How Could We Wait?

Jiang Mang had lost his military achievements for delivering Meng Yang’s letter. Now, he worked closely beside Qi Shu Xian. This time, he was tasked with transporting cotton.

Yet, the true leader of this task was a middle-aged man named Lin Yi.

Since arriving in Ji Prefecture yesterday, Master Lin had ordered Jiang Mang to gather information three times daily.

Cotton prices had already risen to 450 coins per jin.

Jiang Mang even witnessed a corpse frozen to death carried through the streets.

Didn’t Heir Apparent Qi say he hoarded cotton only to ensure commoners wouldn’t be left empty-handed, even with silver in their pockets? Why hadn’t he released the cotton yet?

Jiang Mang wished to ask Master Lin, but Master Lin was unlike the Heir Apparent; he was impatient and didn’t explain matters to rough men. Thus, Jiang Mang kept his worries hidden in his heart.

Meanwhile, at the Du household—

Du Cheng fell sick.

Seeing his beloved horse beheaded in the ice and snow, then frightened by Du Yi Zhi, Du Cheng returned home with a burning fever.

He lay in bed, mumbling nonsense.

One moment, he gritted his teeth, ordering Du Yi Zhi to kneel down and lick his shoes. The next moment, he flailed in terror, begging Du Yi Zhi not to approach, not to take his head…

The women of the Third Branch wept in heartache.

Old Madam Du heard the news and visited Du Cheng herself, but after saying a few indifferent words, she quickly left again.

Third Madam Du blamed the First Branch for tricking her son into becoming their pawn, but hated even more deeply that little brat Du Yi Zhi!

That wretched child who should have died long ago—why did he have to harm her precious Cheng?

And now, Du Yi Zhi even wanted to open a shop in Ji Prefecture!

Third Madam Du pondered deeply and decided to send word to her younger brother at the Prefectural Office tomorrow. After all, dealing with a mere merchant was an easy matter for an official.

However, early the next morning, before the message was sent, the skies of Ji Prefecture changed once again.

The overnight snow had frozen solid, turning waterways into thick ice. More commoners froze to death.

As the Du family’s servant opened the door, she saw a beggar frozen stiff, leaning lifelessly against the gate.

Outside the city gate, a man with cracked, frostbitten cheeks trudged along, wrapped in a tattered cotton coat. In his arms, he clutched a small pouch containing a few pieces of silver.

Three taels of silver. Not much, but it had taken him several months of hunting to save this.

His wife had just given birth and couldn’t withstand this freezing weather. Who knew this year would be so terribly cold?

At home, there was only one cotton coat. He’d worn it out, leaving his wife and child huddled beneath quilts, warmed only by burning firewood.

Thankfully… thankfully, the silver he had saved from hunting should buy plenty of cotton.

Enough cotton to make coats for his wife and child and even an extra quilt. Then, his family could spend a warm winter.

When the man reached the city gate, he saw many others like himself, all here to buy cotton.

“It’s so cold… yesterday Old Li’s child went out to relieve himself and never returned.”

“Even the waterways have frozen!”

The city gates opened.

Everyone surged forward, desperate to buy cotton.

Yet, when the eagerly awaited shop opened and the shopkeeper saw the crowd holding silver, he curled his lip and hung out the price sign.

“What… what does it say?” The man couldn’t read. “Is it still 250 coins? I don’t know words, but it doesn’t look right…”

Behind him, an elderly auntie stared in shock. “Two… two taels?!”

“Today’s cotton price is two taels per jin! Those buying, line up. If not, get out of the way!” the shop assistant shouted.

The commoners stood stunned. The man froze in place.

Two taels of silver per jin?

His wife clearly said 250 coins per jin!!

He opened his mouth to question the shop assistant, but the young man sneered coldly, “Blame this terrible weather! Northern Desert is freezing—not just Ji Prefecture, but Yi Prefecture, Sheng Prefecture, Lang Prefecture, all waterways are frozen! If you don’t buy, plenty of others will!”

“Two taels per jin! Line up or move aside!”

The man stood motionless, stunned. Behind him, the elderly auntie fell to the frozen ground with a thud.

Turning around, he saw her shivering lips. “Two taels… even if my entire family’s bones were sold, it wouldn’t be enough!”

The man wanted to comfort her, to help her stand.

But he thought of his wife and child waiting at home. Pain pierced his face as his tears froze upon his eyelashes.

Two taels…

He had no choice. He had to buy!

Taking a deep breath, he joined the long line.

There were so many ahead of him. Soon, a plump, warmly dressed middle-aged man ran up from afar, shouting, “No more two taels! No more!”

The elderly auntie’s eyes brightened hopefully.

The middle-aged man excitedly announced, “Three taels per jin! Now the whole Ji Prefecture is three taels per jin!”

“Wh-what?” The pouch in the hunter’s hand nearly fell to the ground.

Three taels per jin!

Just moments ago, it had been two. Now, months of his hard-earned silver could only buy a single jin of cotton!

Scenes like this happened in every city and county across Northern Desert’s four states.

Jiang Mang watched, grief tightening his heart painfully.

He, too, had once endured floods, buying just one jin of corn husks for one tael of silver. His mother had traded that silver to save him, yet starved to death during their escape.

Now, he saw the same tragedy unfold again.

He quickened his pace, desperate to tell Master Lin their cotton could help!

They didn’t need to charge such outrageous prices. It was enough to earn a profit!

He believed Heir Apparent Qi would agree.

Jiang Mang walked a few steps, hesitated, then stopped. He returned to the elderly auntie, helped her up, and discreetly placed a few pieces of silver in her hand.

While she stared dumbfounded at the silver, Jiang Mang vanished quickly into the crowd.

Never had Jiang Mang moved so swiftly.

He raced back to the residence, barging directly into Master Lin’s room without knocking.

Lin Yi raised his head in displeasure. Seeing it was Jiang Mang, he snorted dismissively.

Jiang Mang knew he was looked down upon and didn’t care. “Master Lin, cotton outside has risen to three taels per jin! The commoners cannot afford this! Thankfully, we brought plenty of cotton. Master Lin—”

“No hurry.” Lin Yi interrupted him.

Jiang Mang paused, stunned. “What?”

“I said, no hurry. Wait a bit longer.”

“How could we wait?” Jiang Mang grew anxious, pointing outside. “These are human lives! The Heir Apparent sent us here for these commoners. Releasing the cotton now could save them. If we don’t, how many more will die tonight?”

Lin Yi frowned impatiently, unwilling to explain.

“Fine!” Jiang Mang shook with anger. “Master Lin may wish to wait, but I, Jiang Mang, will not. I’m releasing the cotton right now!”

Jiang Mang turned toward the door.

“Stop!” Lin Yi’s sharp voice halted him.

Jiang Mang turned back, meeting Lin Yi’s cold gaze.

Lin Yi pursed his lips, his voice icy. “Did you know, when the Heir Apparent sent me here, he gave me two tasks?”