A clerk from the governnt office, who seed to have had a quarrel with soone, walked over. Upon seeing Zhao Douan, he was startled and said respectfully, "Greetings, governor."
Zhao Douan was not familiar with this clerk but vaguely rembered that he was one of Governor Sun’s n. He casually asked, "What’s going on with that person?"
The clerk hesitated for a mont and sighed, "He’s one of the grain supervision officers downstairs..."
With a few words, he explained the reason:
Since the war began, there has been a gradual shortage of resources and silver coin in Linfeng. Due to the need to defend the city, the soldiers under Xue Shence have consud a lot, in accordance with the usual practice, the governnt office and military mansion jointly ordered the temporary appointnt of several "grain supervision officers" to buy and collect military grain from the city’s citizens to support the war efforts.
In these tis, most of the grain stockpile is held by powerful families. Initially, they didn’t mind the grain requests, but as the collections increased, resistance beca inevitable.
"Look, that person is one of the grain supervision officers responsible for collecting grain from the Lu Mansion within the city. But the Lu Family refuses to give any, and after being rebuffed several tis, he ca back dejected, hoping to see Lord Prefect and explain the situation. But with so many affairs in the city now, Lord Prefect is so overworked that he barely sleeps an hour each day, his feet never touch the ground, where would he find the ti to see him? I asked him to return and wait for updates, but he wouldn’t leave and argued a bit." The clerk explained in a soft voice.
Zhao Douan raised his eyebrows: "The Lu Family? The Taicang Lu Family that ranks first among the powerful families in Taicang Prefecture? They dare not to pay grain?"
He had a slight impression of this Lu Family, recalling that last year at a banquet, Old Mr. Lu sat at the edge.
The clerk, a bit indignant, said:
"Before the governor arrived, the soldiers in the city were insufficient, we had to rely on these powerful families to mobilize citizens for city defense and to appease them, preventing them from siding with the rebel. Therefore, Lord Prefect’s attitude was sowhat lenient; even though the Lu Family raised the grain prices significantly, Lord Prefect accepted it to maintain stability. The grain from the Lu Family was bought by our governnt office with silver, to feed the troops."
He paused, seemingly realizing he had shifted the topic, and cautiously pulled it back:
"Of course, the Lu Family is still willing to sell grain, they’re just intentionally dragging it out. A re grain supervision officer can’t move the Lu Family; if Lord Prefect goes personally, they surely can get the grain..."
However, Zhao Douan sneered coldly:
"What a powerful family! They dare to manipulate the court? You say the Lu Family raised the grain prices? Are they the only ones delaying paynt?"
The clerk’s heart skipped a beat and stamred, "Naturally... many families are like this..."
Zhao Douan suddenly asked without cause:
"Have these wealthy families accumulated wealth over many years? Do they also like collecting strange objects? Especially those related to cultivation?"
The clerk was stunned for a mont, then nodded instinctively, "Certainly many, and those related to the Magician’s field are particularly sought after... What? Sir, where are you going?"
...
...
Outside the courtyard by the side door of the governnt office, down the high bluestone steps.
A grain supervision officer nad Zhao Shande stood despondently in the corner, lonely and lost. Although he held the title of "grain supervision officer," it appeared grand, but in reality, it was nothing but an impressive na with no actual power.
As a middle-aged clerk from a Qingshui governnt office in Taicang Prefecture, Zhao Shande was a typical "living person," relying on his duties in the governnt to slowly accumulate wealth over ten years. He eventually managed to save enough to buy a house in the Prefecture, moving his family into the Inner City.
Initially, he hoped to work peacefully until retirent, then save so money to bribe superiors and pass his small position to his descendants.
He didn’t expect a war to co, where he was recruited as a "strongman," appointed as grain supervision officer. Initially, he was secretly excited, thinking there might be benefits to enjoy.
But later, he realized that others dared not touch the trouble brought by the Lu Mansion. Instead, they brought him, a clerk without connections, to bear the brunt.
Zhao Shande stood helplessly at the entrance of the governnt office, head hanging low. Though he knew Lord Prefect was swamped with work and couldn’t see him, and the clerk wouldn’t trouble the Lord Prefect with such a small matter...
Yet all he could do was wait here, hoping for the chance, a slim chance, that he might encounter Lord Prefect returning to the office?
"Are you called Zhao Shande? The grain supervision officer for the Lu Family?" Suddenly, a young man’s voice sounded.
Zhao Shande raised his head and saw a handso stranger smiling as he approached.
Zhao Douan ca over, patted his shoulder, and smiled, "Let’s go. Lord Prefect has sent to accompany you to collect grain."
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