Who put the yellow robe on me?

Chapter 192 Borrowing Food from Four Places

Jiang Chen suddenly raised his head and said in a firm and powerful voice, "Have you found out the cause of the riot in Gaochang?"

The guard bowed and responded, his expression slightly nervous. "Your Highness, Gaochang recently experienced a riot due to the withdrawal of troops from the Western Regions, who took away a large amount of food. This has left the people starving, and the people are therefore left with nothing to eat."

This news struck Jiang Chen like thunder, leaving him feeling weightless. Gaochang was the hub connecting Daliang and the Western Regions. If even Gaochang was in turmoil, any future attack on the Western Regions would be even more difficult.

Jiang Chen thought to himself that the riots must not be allowed to spread.

At this moment, Zhou Liangwei strode in, his face solemn: "Your Highness, the same situation has occurred in Yizhou and Tingzhou."

Jiang Chen's heart sank, and he gripped the edge of the table tightly with both hands, his knuckles turning slightly white.

The situation was worse than he had imagined, and the spread of the food crisis was beyond his control. Suppressing the riots required not only courage but also a comprehensive strategy.

He took a deep breath, tried to keep himself calm, and said to the general: "General, we must stop this riot first."

"What does Your Highness mean?" General Zhong Wenbin was slightly stunned, with a hint of confusion in his eyes. He understood that some action needed to be taken at this time. In recent times, Jiang Chen's strategy had amazed him.

Even General Zhong Wenbin did not realize that he had become increasingly dependent on the Sixteenth Prince.

Jiang Chen's eyes were determined, and a spark of decisiveness flashed through his mind: "First, take some of the grain from Liangzhou City to Gaochang, and then have the Second Young Master lead his men to quickly intercept the grain that the Western Region soldiers have taken away from Gaochang and other places."

Upon hearing this, the general frowned and thought to himself: This strategy is indeed bold.

Giving food to the people of Gaochang temporarily calmed their anger, but then sending the Second Prince to intercept the food, implied both risks and opportunities. Forcing the people to choose between famine and rebellion required tremendous courage and wisdom.

"Your Highness, although food is extremely important, if we provide Liangzhou's food to Gaochang, how will the people of Liangzhou survive?" The general looked worried and spoke in a low voice.

Jiang Chen smiled faintly, his tone firm, "General, if we don't appease the people of Gaochang first, their anger will turn into endless violence amidst the endless famine. As for the food in Liangzhou City, where is General Zuo Yongyu?"

Zuo Yongyu stepped out and said, "Your Highness, I am here!"

Jiang Chen said, "Take my jade pendant with you and go to Suzhou and Nidu immediately to borrow 10,000 dan of grain for emergency use!"

"What if they don't lend it?" Zuo Yongyu said hesitantly.

"Kill without mercy!" Jiang Chen's heart was set, "Whoever dares to stop me now will surely die!"

"Yes!" Zuo Yongyu immediately took the order and left!

At this moment, the guards secretly exchanged glances. Although this decision was bold, the logic behind it seemed to make sense.

After Jiang Chen finished speaking, he waved his hand to Zhou Liangwei and ordered him to quickly prepare food for Liangzhou City and support Gaochang as soon as possible.

Zhou Liangwei nodded immediately, his expression more determined than ever. "Yes, Your Highness, I'll do it now! I'll make sure the food arrives in time."

"Also," Jiang Chen added, "we must ensure safety on the road and avoid any possible robbery and obstruction."

Zhou Liangwei left as soon as he was told. Jiang Chen's eyes were determined as he secretly thought to himself: Whether this plan will succeed or not, it will take time to test, but he knew that if he didn't try, the future of Liangzhou would be even more precarious.

Time passed slowly, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window onto Jiang Chen's face, as if covering him with a layer of golden glow.

Just as Jiang Chen was lost in thought, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. A guard came hurriedly, looking panicked and uneasy. "Your Highness, the situation has become more serious. The riots in Gaochang have spread to the surrounding villages and towns. The troops in the Western Regions are accelerating their withdrawal, which may lead to a greater conflict."

Jiang Chen was shocked, his heart tightening. He quickly stood up and said in a deep voice, "Go and inform Zhou Liangwei immediately to speed up the transportation of grain and send personnel to maintain order in Gaochang."

The guard responded immediately, turned around and ran away.

Jiang Chen was secretly anxious, and this action seemed more urgent, but he knew very well that if measures were not taken quickly, irreversible consequences might occur.

Jiang Chen's heart tightened, and he quickly ordered people to investigate the situation. He then said to General Shang, "General, please inform the Second Young Master and others. We must take immediate measures and cannot let this riot continue to spread."

The general nodded, his eyes solemn. He then ordered his guards to mobilize the city guards and told Zhong Xiaodan and the others to be ready to move out at any time. He knew that the key to controlling the riot was timing; any hesitation would have disastrous consequences.

"Your Highness," the general suddenly spoke, "should we send a special envoy to Gaochang to communicate with the people there and calm their anger?"

Jiang Chen nodded, an idea forming in his mind: "Okay, once the food is ready, I'll go there myself. No matter what, I want the people of Gaochang to see our sincerity."

After a while, Zhou Liangwei reported back, "Your Highness, Liangzhou City has prepared 50,000 dan of grain, which is enough to feed the people of the three cities for a while."

"Okay! Now follow me, we're going to Gaochang!"

Jiang Chen quickly tidied himself up, put on his armor, held his sword, and headed towards Gaochang with his accompanying guards.

Along the way, the surrounding scene became increasingly chaotic. From time to time, people's roars and quarrels could be heard on both sides of the street, and the air was filled with a strong anger.

Walking out of the city gate, Jiang Chen faced the breeze, with a resolute light flashing in his eyes. Angry voices and sad cries intertwined in his ears. He clearly realized that this riot must be resolved in order to restore stability in the three cities of Gaochang.

After a day and a night, Jiang Chen and others finally arrived at the city of Gaochang while escorting food and fodder.

When he arrived in Gaochang, Jiang Chen saw the excited people at the city gate. They looked haggard and angry, and seemed to be full of dissatisfaction and despair with everything they saw.

"My fellow citizens!" Jiang Chen stood in the square of Gaochang City, his voice deep and firm. "I know you are suffering from famine. You have lost not only food but also the hope of life. To save your lives, I have decided to send you grain from Liangzhou to help you overcome this difficult time!"

As soon as the words fell, the square fell silent, and everyone's eyes showed a hint of astonishment and confusion.

Seeing this scene, Jiang Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief and decided to continue to encourage people: "Gaochang has now been annexed by Daliang. The Western Regions doesn't care about your life or death, but we in Daliang won't!

We don't want to see you suffer and despair. I will do my best to restore your life to normal. Please believe me, Daliang will never abandon you! "