Traveling through ancient times: daily life on the run

Chapter 161 Grain Transportation Business Starts

After struggling for half an hour, the group of people finished their food-grabbing operation.

In the end, the ship was purchased at the original price of 5,300 taels. Logically, it should have been discounted after two years of use, but the food on the ship was almost all looted, so Qin Bingrui was a little generous.

The boats were guarded by men among the disaster victims, and the yamen runners were holding big swords to manage the victims.

Women, children, old and young were busy setting up the stove and cooking porridge.

Ye Yucheng left thirty guards to guard the dock, saying that it was to prevent the victims from making trouble, but in fact he was still on guard against Miss Qin, fearing that they might sneak away again.

Luo Yu said a few words to the yamen runner A Tian in private. A Tian looked stunned, but nodded in agreement.

Luo Yu and Qin Bingrui got on the carriage and left the dock.

A group of people came to the county government office. When Gao Zhi saw Ye Chengshi, everyone was stunned. They had only heard that there would be a ship coming, but they didn't know it would be this kind of person.

If he had known, he would never have dared to agree to Miss Bai's bad idea.

Gao Zhixian told Ye Yucheng about the difficulties of Pingshan County. In fact, there was no need to say much. Looking at it along the way, Ye Yucheng was also amazed at the great changes in Pingshan County. Even if Pingshan County was not one of the largest counties in Rong Dynasty, it would never have fallen into such a state.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed it.

Seeing that Ye Chengshi was silent, Gao Zhixian asked Qin Bingrui: "Mr. Qin, what are your plans for the next step?"

Qin Bingrui didn't even breathe a word, and said straightforwardly: "Send someone to Lezhu County on the other side of the river by boat, and send a letter to the Rui Palace, asking the Rui Palace to help raise food."

"Your Highness Prince Rui?" Gao Zhixian couldn't imagine that Miss Qin and her group had such a background.

"But this person has to be very, very reliable. Sir Gao, do you have a suitable candidate?"

"Yes, I do, but my skills are not very good. If I encounter a thief, I won't be able to defeat him."

Qin Bingrui sneered, "Master Gao, we're here to do business, not to rob food. What are you afraid of not being able to defeat us?"

It's a pity he said that.

Yan Xuan then volunteered: "How about I go with him? I happen to be familiar with His Royal Highness Prince Rui's side."

Ye Yucheng's dagger-like eyes were about to cut through him, and Luo Yu couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "This time, if we don't make back the cost of this ship, we will never leave Pingshan County."

The round trip, including loading and shipping, takes at least five days. Three trips are needed to cover costs, but without losing too much, so more trips are necessary. This adds up to at least a month.

Ye Yucheng knew that they would do what they said, but he didn't know what they were trying to do. Was it just to make back their money?

When we returned to the inn, we drank watery porridge, and there was not even a single leaf of vegetable. The fish smelled of fish and mud, and it was so unpalatable that I wanted to vomit.

Qin Bingrui said lazily, "Master Ye, if you don't send people to transport grain, then we can only live a hard life in Pingshan County."

If the cargo ship is discovered and someone blocks it from entering, there will be absolutely no problem as long as the people from the Imperial City Bureau use the pretext of capturing the White Tiger.

The question is whether Ye Yucheng will cooperate.

"It's okay to have a hard time. We in the Imperial City Division have experienced all kinds of hardships. I don't believe you will stay in Pingshan County."

Qin Bingrui said with a scoundrel look: "Why don't we go to Wangzhou City? Baihu and I agreed to meet there, but I heard that there might not even be porridge to drink in Wangzhou."

At this time, the waiter brought a pickled vegetable and echoed, "Yes, I heard that the disaster victims over there are making trouble. The new prefect has lost a lot of weight due to worry. The relief grain from the court is snatched away by the disaster-stricken refugees as soon as it arrives. It's nothing compared to what we have in Pingshan County."

After all, Wangzhou suffered from drought last year and floods this year. How good can it be?

Luo Yu's eyes lit up when he heard this: "How about we divide the grain supply into several routes and have Prince Rui's Palace find a way to get another large ship and transport the grain in at the same time? Wouldn't that make a fortune?"

Wangzhou is a big city after all, and there are many rich people there.

Qin Bingrui nodded repeatedly: "Wangzhou is also close to Jiangzhou, and we can also use the dry road to transport grain to Jiangzhou. As long as we use the pretext of the Imperial City Bureau stationed there to capture the White Tiger, the grain will definitely come in."

After saying that, the two of them turned their gazes and pressure towards Ye Yucheng.

Ye Yucheng snorted coldly: "Why do you want to do this kind of business? The grain can't be brought in because there must be someone behind the scenes. Aren't you afraid of provoking these people?"

"You are the emperor's man, what are you afraid of? We will rely on you."

“I may not be able to help.”

"That's fine. Let's make some money while we can. It's either us or them that's going to make the money, so why not us? If we're lucky, we can even help the local disaster victims. Why not?"

Yan Xuan also agreed, speaking on behalf of Qin Bingrui and the others: "Envoy Ye, just think about it. We have to wait here to capture the White Tiger. We can't go hungry. If we eat these things every day, how can we be a match for the White Tiger?"

Qin Bingrui secretly gave Yan Xuan a thumbs up.

The boy is teachable. It was not in vain that I treated him well some time ago.

Ye Yucheng finally nodded his noble head and agreed to help them transport several loads of food. After all, their people really needed to eat.

Regarding the waterway, Qin Bingrui dispatched Yan Xuan and He Yuan to seek cooperation with the Rui Wangfu. Rice was primarily divided into three categories: polished rice, brown rice, and aged rice. For the time being, approximately 30 jin of polished rice was prepared, and the remaining quantities would be shipped as needed. Five thousand jin of both fine and coarse flour were also prepared. As for fresh meat, to prevent spoilage, only pickled and smoked meats were needed. For fruits and vegetables, long-lasting and durable fruits and vegetables were imported. A ship carrying approximately tons of cargo could generate considerable profit, but given the population of Pingshan County, this amount was barely enough to feed the entire city for a day.

Ye Yucheng, Yan Xuan and He Yuan understood immediately after hearing Luo Yu's analysis. No wonder the cargo transportation channel was blocked. If there were a few more large ships to transport cargo, wouldn't they be able to earn millions of taels of silver?

If prices increase several times again, it will really affect the huge interests of someone behind the scenes.

Yishouzhaitian is indeed powerful, but it's a pity that he met Qin Bingrui and Qin Luohong, worldly scoundrels who are fearless.

Ye Yucheng didn't want to abuse his power, but was moved by Qin Bingrui and his gang's words.

Qin Bingrui even swore to the heavens, "Until the crucial moment, there's no need for you to reveal your identity as Imperial City Division officers. Simply deny the grain sales. I bought the ship anyway, so no one can trace it back to you, the Imperial City Division. At most, they'll trace it back to a commoner like me. I guarantee with my life that I won't betray any of you."

She also repeatedly instructed Yan Xuan and He Yuan not to reveal their visit to Prince Rui's Mansion to discuss cooperation. She also reminded them that they only needed to secretly help Princess Rui to collect food. She didn't even let them bring any letters, for fear that the people behind the scenes would get evidence.

After giving the instructions, Luo Yu asked the waiter to give dozens of steamed buns to Yan Xuan and the other person, so that they could eat them on the road.

Before noon, a group of people, including Master Wan from Kochi County, sent Yan Xuan and He Yuan to Pingshan Wharf.

He led a few of the victims who knew how to sail, ten guards from the Imperial City Bureau, and the captain and boatmen on the original ship, and set off together.

Qin Bingrui and his gang only need to wait quietly at the inn in Pingshan County.

After seeing off the ship, Gaozhi County Magistrate Wan immediately expressed his gratitude to Qin Bingrui and his three companions as well as Ye Chengshi.

Luo Yu smiled slightly: "Since we want this deal, we must make it stronger and bigger."

The Kochi prefect was confused and asked humbly, "How does Miss Bai plan to become stronger and bigger?"

"Of course we're going to Wangzhou City. It should be close from Pingshan County, right?"

"If we ride fast, it will only take two and a half hours. If we use a carriage, we can arrive in four hours."

"Miss Qin, Master Murong, how about we go to Wangzhou City tomorrow?"

Luo Yu smiled but did not ask Ye Yucheng directly.