Chapter 489: This Lowly Official Wasted It All
Chapter 484 of "The Great Ming in the Box" begins unfolding events: Shi Kefa dared not allow the thirty thousand bandit family members into the city, fearing... Continue reading!
Shi Kefa dared not allow the thirty thousand bandit family members into the city, fearing they would plunge Pingyang Prefecture into chaos. So he left them camped outside and proceeded alone, lightly dressed and without ceremony, accompanied only by a small squad of servants to Pingyang Prefecture.Of course, Pingyangâs Governor Dou Wenda noticed such a massive crowd outside the walls and came to investigate, personally meeting Shi Kefa at the city gates.
Shi Kefa held a lower rank than Dou Wenda. He paid deep respects and dutifully reported, âThis lowly official is under orders from His Excellency Lord Wu Shen to transport thirty thousand surrendering bandits from Hequ Prefecture to Chengcheng County. Passing through your esteemed territory, we require lodging here.â
Dou Wenda replied, âAs long as they cause no trouble, itâs fine. Should they dare mischief, our Pingyang Prefecture has the means to deal with them.â
He then gestured to a military officer beside him and introduced, âThis is a favored officer under General Wang Chengen of Shaanxi, Wang Xiaohua, Captain Wang. He now commands the defense of Pingyang Prefecture.â
âWang Xiaohua?â Shi Kefa inwardly groaned at the name bestowed by some unfortunate parents. He cupped his hands towards White Cat, âCaptain Wang, your efforts are appreciated.â
White Cat felt deeply wronged, fighting the urge to leap from the wall every time his name was mentioned. He returned the salute curtly without a word, then leaned out over the city wall to observe the thirty thousand bandit families camped below. Silently pondering, he thought the Deity would surely be delighted seeing so many people. Though lacking strong laborers, the elderly could be put to weaving bamboo goods or making soy products⌠women could operate sewing machines or print and bind books⌠children could be sent to the prison schoolâŚ
While deep in thought, Shi Kefa spoke up, âThis lowly official has exhausted our grain.â
Dou Wenda instantly interjected, âPingyang Prefecture has no grain either! None at all!â
Shi Kefa felt both exasperated and amused, âNot for free! This lowly official has silver. We will purchase it.â
âOh!â Dou Wendaâs expression relaxed visibly. âPurchasing? Thatâs no problem! Ah, this official should have guessed! Governor Shi was sent by Imperial Censor Lord Wu. You must have the disaster relief funds personally approved by His Majesty â those hundred thousand taels! HahahaâŚâ
Shi Kefa thought glumly: Everyone knows Lord Wu was granted one hundred thousand taels. Few realize His Excellency is practically scraping the bottom of the barrel⌠Poor Lord WuâŚ
He cleared his throat, âMay this humble one inquire about Pingyangâs current grain priceâŚâ
Dou Wenda splayed his hands, âOur grain here carries no small price.â
Shi Kefaâs heart tightened.
Then Dou Wenda raised three fingers, âThree hundred coins per dou.â
âWhat!?â Shi Kefa was aghast. âThree hundred coins?â
He had come straight from Taiyuan, where the price was eight hundred coins. He had argued desperately, even flaunting authority, merely to push it down to seven hundred for his purchases. To find Pingyangâs price instantly halved to three hundred⌠Damnation!
âWhy is it so cheap here, Governor Dou?â
Dou Wenda pointed once more to White Cat, âAll thanks to XiaohuaâŚâ
âPtui!â White Cat nearly spat blood. He hastily corrected, âCaptain Wang, please!â
Dou Wenda ignored him, âXiaohua comes from wealth. His esteemed elders, supporting his career, transported vast quantities of grain from Shaanxi and sold it to this official at low prices! Hahaha! Thus, our Pingyang Prefecture settled down overnight.â
A vein pulsed on White Catâs forehead. âCaptain Wang. Please.â
Shi Kefa ignored the awkwardness, seizing on the crucial fact: grain in Pingyang was cheap. Elated, he turned to his steward, âQuick, quick! Fetch all our remaining silver! Buy every grain you can!â
Having already spent fifteen hundred taels in Taiyuan Prefecture, he now had only fifteen hundred left. Without hesitation, he pushed all his remaining funds onto the table.
This gamble yielded fifty to sixty thousand catties of grain. Shi Kefa rejoiced, Hahaha! With this grain, I will unquestionably reach Chengcheng County! Hahaha! Unquestionably!
He allowed the elderly and weak, women and children a hearty meal. Bidding farewell to the Governor and White Cat, he pressed southwards. Carrying fifty thousand catties of bargain-priced grain put Shi Kefa in high spirits, his whole body seeming brimming with energy.
On they marched,
and marched,
and marched again.
Several days later, they reached Hejin County.
Ahead lay ruins â the remains of Hejin County. Its walls were dismantled, half its houses burned down. Not a single soul was in sight. Shi Kefa couldnât help shedding tears, âSo pitiful⌠Hejin suffers terribly. As I possess grain, were refugees present here, this official could have provided succor⌠Alas⌠Thereâs no one here.â
âA sigh. Continue onward.â
Arriving at Hejin County signified proximity to Longmen Ferry. Crossing Longmen Ferry meant returning to Shaanxi territory.
Shi Kefaâs spirits soared. He urged the convoy forward vigorously.
Soon, they reached Longmen Ferry. Shi Kefa expected a modest crossing point. Instead, he beheld an immense water fortress teeming with ten thousand residents, bustling and lively.
âAh! So the commoners of Hejin County have all relocated here!â
Rushing with pride, Shi Kefa hastened to the base of the city walls. Guarding this water city was Shi Jian â the âStone Generalâ Shi Kefa had encountered in official dispatches for lifting the siege of Pingyang Prefecture. The junior officer one remembered as Corporal Shi had risen â Captain Shi now.
Shi Kefa cheerfully hailed him, âEsteemed General Shi! Tales of your valor! That you routed the fierce rebel Nan Ying Eighth Great King, repelling ten thousand bandits with but two hundred men! A feat so heroic, you stand as a model for all military officers!â
Shi Jian demurred, âHardly! Hardly! All credit rests with Deputy General Li Huai.â
Shi Kefa countered, âOnly Beijing officials tucked safely away in the capital would credit Deputy General Li Huai! Those of us in Shaanxi and Shanxi â who remains ignorant of the truth?â
Shi Jian could only offer a faint smile. âYou flatter me.â
Shi Kefa glanced at the surging crowds in Longmen Ferry City and leaned in, whispering, âGeneral Shi, hosting so many refugees⌠Have grain issues been resolved? Let this official recommend a fine location: Pingyang Prefecture. Their grain price is but three hundred coins per dou!â
Shi Jian laughed, âAh! Three hundred? Thatâs expensive! Here at Longmen Ferry, the grain price is merely one hundred and fifty coins per dou!â
âWhat!?â Shi Kefa gasped. âOne hundred and fifty coins?â
âYes! One hundred and fifty.â
Shi Kefa: âPtui!â
His body reeled backward.
Attendants rushed to support him. âMaster! Master! What ails you?â
Shi Kefa beat his breast and stomped his feet. âWhy did I spend all the silver in Pingyang Prefecture!? I should have saved a thousand taels! To buy grain here! Lord Wu! This lowly official has wasted your silver! I have wasted it!⌠I am utterly worthless⌠the silver you worked so hard to secure for me⌠Wasted!â