Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 1072 - 908: Just a Little Bit More

"Everyone, I have promised you that I will not let you suffer from hunger any longer. The shelter has been set up, and you have all seen the grain situation. From today onward, we will never lack food. I have already negotiated with the neighboring State, and they will supply us with grain."Gu Chengyu spoke with great bravado, using his profound Inner Strength to ensure his voice reached everyone’s ears.

"Starting tomorrow, all registered river workers will begin work. Today, you can advance your first day’s wages to buy grain. Each household, based on its size, is limited to purchasing two to three pounds of grain, no more."

They had already investigated how many households there were.

Gu Chengyu couldn’t support the disaster victims indefinitely, as his grain supply was quite limited. Naturally, he also wouldn’t allow the disaster victims to buy grain without restraint. Gu Chengyu knew very well how much grain Ming Mo had brought.

The disaster victims had no Silver Coin in hand, and if no one bought grain today, all his efforts would be wasted.

So Gu Chengyu advanced a day’s wages to them, reducing the supply of free grain by one day.

"What? We can advance copper coin to buy grain? Is there such a good thing?" one disaster victim asked suspiciously upon hearing this.

He had never heard of receiving wages before work began.

"What do you know? With the money given, you have to buy your grain, and the government surely won’t distribute porridge anymore."

Another old man with a goatee understood Gu Chengyu’s intentions and couldn’t help but admire the young imperial envoy.

The calculation was quite precise, but with so many disaster victims, such a calculation was understandable.

The grain carts arrived in grand procession at the city gate. Gu Chengyu turned and descended from the city tower, leading people towards Ming Mo.

Upon seeing Gu Chengyu coming personally, Ming Mo immediately dismounted his horse, "This humble servant greets the Lord!"

Gu Chengyu nodded, then set his gaze on the carts behind Ming Mo. They were loaded with numerous bulging sacks, appearing very heavy.

"No need for formalities! How much grain is in there?" Gu Chengyu asked, circling the first cart with a glint in his eye.

"Reporting to the Lord! A total of six hundred dan, this is only part of it. In a few days, more grain will be transported here," Ming Mo replied respectfully, bowing his head.

"Good! This time you have performed a meritorious deed; the disaster victims and citizens in the city are all waiting for this life-saving grain. It is their hope for survival."

Gu Chengyu patted Ming Mo on the shoulder with excitement, which quickly infected Ming Mo with enthusiasm.

"My Lord..." At this moment, Ming Mo felt as if he had accomplished a world-creating act beneficial to humanity. Just as he turned to express his feelings, Gu Chengyu’s next action frightened him out of his wits.

Gu Chengyu drew the sword he carried and thrust it towards the sack.

As soon as the sack was pierced, the grain inside poured out noisily.

The yellow-brown husked rice spilled down, flowing over the cart’s boards and then onto the ground in a clatter.

"Rice! It’s rice!" Seeing the rice falling to the ground, the disaster victims were so excited that their eyes turned red.

They were both distressed and thrilled. Distressed by the waste of so much rice, thrilled that they would surely not lack food in the future.

The guards escorting the grain were also startled by Gu Chengyu’s actions, staring open-mouthed at his wild behavior.

Gu Chengyu lifted his sword again, thrusting it into each of the carts one by one.

This action completely stirred up the disaster victims, "Rice! All of it is rice!"

Their eyes were red as they watched the cascading rice, itching to move. Some could not hold back any longer and took a few steps forward.

Seeing things getting out of hand, the guards and Government Officials hurriedly surrounded them. They raised their swords and glared fiercely at the disaster victims.

The disaster victims, driven mad at the sight of so much grain, could no longer control themselves.

Under the temptation of the grain, all sorts of desperate actions were entirely possible.

Gu Chengyu was fully aware that his actions had incited intense emotions among the disaster victims, and this was precisely the outcome he desired.

Feeling it was enough, Gu Chengyu finally stopped after piercing the sacks on five carts.

Ming Mo, relieved that Gu Chengyu had ceased, wiped the sweat that had formed on his brow.

Just a little more, just a little more, and he would have been at a loss.

He almost burst into tears. Lord! Why do you act so recklessly? At least give a warning beforehand! He nearly scared him to death.

"Everyone! You have all seen it, right? We no longer lack grain. As long as you do your work properly, I assure you that you will not go hungry. The court will not abandon you, and neither will I. As long as I am in Jiangnan for a day, I will do my utmost for you. Come, move the grain to the porridge shelter, receive wages on the left, and buy grain on the right."

At Gu Chengyu’s command, everyone sprang into action. When better to gain favor than now? He worked so hard and tirelessly for the disaster victims, not just for unacknowledged good deeds.

The disaster victims rejoiced. How long had it been? They finally saw hope.

"Lord Imperial Envoy is a good official! Everyone, it’s Lord Imperial Envoy who has given us our lives!"

One disaster victim spoke with deep emotion, reflecting that without this Lord Imperial Envoy, they might have already starved to death.

Though his methods were harsh, his intentions for them were genuine. From Hangtian Prefecture to Yingnan Mansion, no one had died from starvation despite the hardships.

"Indeed! Without Lord Imperial Envoy, we’d have perished already. We once blamed Lord Imperial Envoy, but our consciences were fed to the dogs; it’s truly shameful!"

Compared to those officials who ignored them, this Lord Imperial Envoy had done a lot for them, which was commendable.

"The court’s disaster relief silver is still on the way. For these past days’ sustenance, we relied solely on Lord Imperial Envoy’s efforts. The Lord shouldered all the burden for us tens of thousands of disaster victims. He negotiated with merchants and officials and lowered himself to ask for help. We won’t be ungrateful; should Lord Imperial Envoy need anything in the future, we’ll readily follow his orders."

A man stepped out from the crowd and knelt before Gu Chengyu, bowing his head deeply.

Gu Chengyu was startled, quickly stepping forward to help him up.

"Please, get up. As an official of the court, it is my duty to do these things. It was indeed difficult for you recently; you have my apologies. Please look to the future. Once the waters of Changtian Prefecture recede, and the river embankment is repaired, your homes will surely be rebuilt."

Gu Chengyu, smiling broadly, pledged earnestly to the crowd. He took a deep look at the man kneeling before him, who spoke rather eloquently, indicating he had some learning experience.