Chapter 174

Chapter 174: How Much Can There Be?

Before Jiang Mang could speak, Lin Yi ordered the doors shut and posted guards outside to prevent eavesdropping. Then he said, “First, the Heir Apparent wants three hundred thousand taels of silver. Second, we must save as many Northern Desert commoners as we can!”

“What—what silver?” Jiang Mang felt as if a great hammer had struck his head. “Impossible! The Heir Apparent bought this cotton for the commoners. How could he want to profit from it?”

“Naturally, it’s for the commoners. Even earning silver is ultimately for their benefit!” Lin Yi cut him off.

“You know clearly how much cotton we have. The amount of cotton determines how many people we can save. But should you not eat or drink? Should our brothers not eat or drink either?”

“Besides, you and I both know the Heir Apparent’s character. If he seeks silver, it surely isn’t for himself. Perhaps these three hundred thousand taels will save even more lives in the future!”

Jiang Mang met Lin Yi’s gaze, only feeling utterly confused.

Lin Yi patiently explained, “In disasters, deaths are inevitable. We can only do our utmost. At the same time, we must help the Heir Apparent solidify his position at court. Only then can he achieve his grand vision of peace!”

Eyes reddened, Jiang Mang asked, “Then, Master Lin, when will you release the cotton?”

“At least not until the price reaches five taels per jin,” Lin Yi had calculated precisely.

Jiang Mang’s lips trembled before he finally forced out a bitter laugh.

“Those who can afford five taels per jin don’t even need to be guessed—they’re definitely not ordinary commoners. Are the lives saved truly commoners’ lives?”

“Everyone is a commoner. Does having silver mean one is not?” Lin Yi firmly rebuked Jiang Mang.

Speechless, Jiang Mang staggered from the room, muddled, back to his quarters.

He still had some silver…

He stepped out, then hesitated. [With this little silver of mine, how many could I truly save?]

Jiang Mang felt utterly helpless for the first time.

At that moment, someone outside suddenly rushed in—

“Master Lin, something terrible has happened!”

Lin Yi stepped out swiftly.

Jiang Mang recognized the speaker as Lin Yi’s servant boy, bundled thickly in cotton clothes and shoes, angrily reporting, “Some merchants from out of town have started selling cotton at low prices!”

Jiang Mang froze in shock.

Lin Yi frowned deeply. “How low?”

“Three hundred fifty wen per jin—three jin per tael!”

“What?” Lin Yi’s expression darkened.

A spark flashed through Jiang Mang’s eyes.

“I’ll go take a look!” Jiang Mang and Lin Yi said simultaneously. They exchanged glances and hurried out together.

The signboard reading “Prosperous Hall” was crudely made, obviously rushed.

Yet, beneath this simple gate were two very long queues.

A dozen sturdy men maintained order. At the head of each line were clerks carefully registering buyers, collecting silver, and distributing cotton.

An elderly man exchanged one tael of silver for three jin of cotton, clutching it tightly, reluctant to let go.

Those behind him watched enviously.

People farther back anxiously wondered if cotton would run out. When some became restless, strong men pulled them aside and sternly warned that troublemakers would lose their chance to buy altogether.

Immediately, everyone behaved obediently.

Commoners were naturally honest. Give them a glimmer of hope—a chance to eat, to survive—and they’d endure any hardship.

The lines moved steadily, yet continued growing longer. Some who’d already bought cotton volunteered to maintain order.

There were, of course, opportunists attempting multiple purchases. Du Yi Zhi had commoners report them immediately—cotton was limited, extra buying meant depriving others.

Moreover, cotton wasn’t consumable like grain; such hoarding was rare.

When Jiang Mang and Lin Yi arrived, this was the scene before them.

“What hall?” Jiang Mang squinted at the signboard.

Lin Yi narrowed his eyes. “Prosperous Hall?”

Jiang Mang paused. [These words, where had I heard them before?]

Ah!

His eyes widened suddenly—it was Princess Qing Ning!

She’d mentioned donating military supplies to the frontier under the name “Prosperous Hall.”

At the time, Jiang Mang had ignored it entirely. If true, why hadn’t Wang Huai Zhi, who’d wagered against her, opened soup kitchens?

How could a woman have such magnanimity? The noblewomen he knew argued endlessly over mere trifles, a little land, a bit of water.

Even within the royal household, they merely bickered over greater valuables.

Donating military funds—he hadn’t believed it.

Miss Meng was already the boldest woman he knew.

Yet now, he stared at the very signboard of Prosperous Hall…

Jiang Mang stood frozen.

Nearby, a neatly dressed nanny hurried back to Du residence with news.

Madam Du had already heard that Du Yi Zhi brought cotton into the city. Originally, she’d intended to leak this information, creating trouble due to soaring cotton prices.

Unexpectedly, Du Yi Zhi proved foolish instead.

While others sold cotton at high prices, he stubbornly chose to play hero, pricing cotton at a mere 350 wen per jin.

She hardly needed to act; Ji Prefecture’s powerful cotton merchants would tear him apart.

After all, cotton was selling wonderfully at three taels, possibly rising to four or five. Suddenly, Du Yi Zhi disrupted their profitable market.

If no one acted yet, it was likely out of respect for his Du surname.

Madam Du’s assumptions proved correct.

Within two cups of tea’s time, major cotton merchants came to test her reaction.

Madam Du would naturally not protect Du Yi Zhi.

Facing their veiled questioning, she bluntly stated, “There’s no need to consult me. Du Ming Hao was expelled from the clan years ago, and now his son has nothing to do with our Du family.”

These merchants were cunning. [Did Madam Du perhaps hope they’d stir trouble? The greater the fuss, perhaps the more pleased she’d be.]

With that thought, they swiftly decided to teach Du Yi Zhi a lesson.

But before they could act, another piece of news arrived—

Prosperous Hall was indeed Princess Qing Ning’s charitable banner for frontier donations!

Du Yi Zhi’s low-priced cotton was actually bought by Princess Qing Ning to make winter clothes for Northern Desert troops.

The merchants were dumbstruck.

Even Lin Yi was incredulous hearing Jiang Mang confirm it. “Are you certain?”

“Absolutely,” Jiang Mang answered, his emotions complicated.

Lin Yi pondered briefly. “No matter. Ji Prefecture has countless commoners. Even if she has cotton, how much can she possibly have?”

Perhaps it would all be sold within a day, having little overall effect.

Lin Yi thought thus, as did other cotton merchants. If this royal princess wished to be charitable, let her.

How much cotton could one woman possess?

A tiny trickle could hardly quench a drying ocean.