Chapter 161: Reaping and Departing

Zhao Tang realized that he was simply no match for the Prince of Jin in terms of strategic vision.

While he was still preoccupied with the immediate gains and losses on the battlefield, Li Zhi was already contemplating much more long-term plans.

A gap in intellect and foresight immediately became apparent.

"Your Highness, grain from all over has now flooded into the Guanlong markets. In the next phase, grain prices in other regions might rise, while the price of grain here in Guanlong... will likely collapse."

Zhao Tang anticipated what was bound to happen next.

Li Zhi nodded with satisfaction, praising him, "It is commendable that you can foresee this much. What needs to be done now is to transport a portion of the grain to other regions for sale, while also preventing the aristocratic families from smuggling this batch of grain out."

"We must ensure that the grain either rots in their hands or forces them to sell it locally in Guanlong at rock-bottom prices."

Zhao Tang felt a surge of excitement.

The time to close the net had finally arrived.

Li Zhi reminded him further, "Besides, shouldn't we also go and collect on the loans I extended? If those aristocratic families cannot repay, and attempt to settle their debts with grain or supplies, reject them entirely."

"Make them pay their debts in hard cash! Let's see how they dare to fight me."

Previously, Zhao Tang could not understand why Li Zhi had lent out money in the first place.

Only now did he realize that the purpose of lending money to the aristocratic families was to provide them with more funds to purchase Li Zhi's own grain, allowing Li Zhi to sell off his inventory at exorbitant prices.

And then, he would turn around and demand repayment from those same aristocratic families.

Previously, launching a direct suppression of the aristocratic clans would have lacked just cause and legitimacy.

But demanding the repayment of debts was always righteous and justified, wasn't it?

Since ancient times, paying back debts was a matter of natural justice.

Zhao Tang thought to himself that those arrogant aristocratic families of Guanlong were about to take a catastrophic fall this time.

He wondered how many clans would be driven to ruin simply because they had foolishly set themselves against the Prince of Jin.

***

Chang'an.

Within the imperial palace.

Upon reading the memorial submitted by Zhangsun Wuji, Li Shimin slammed his hand down on the desk, stood up, and exclaimed, "Splendid!"

Everything was unfolding precisely as Li Shimin had anticipated.

Li Zhi was advancing step by step, and he had now completely seized the initiative in the market.

Taking advantage of the moment, Zhangsun Wuji offered his counsel: "The talent of the Prince of Jin can truly be described as rare throughout the ages. The moment he made his move, the aristocratic clans that had entrenched themselves in Guanlong for centuries were left utterly defenseless in an instant."

"Mmm."

Li Shimin nodded as well, appearing to thoroughly agree with Zhangsun Wuji's assessment.

Zhangsun Wuji secretly hoped that Li Zhi could help him reclaim the position of Supervisor of the Secretariat. Naturally, he would not hesitate to lavish praise upon the prince.

"Your Majesty, should we bestow honors and rewards upon the Prince of Jin?" Zhangsun Wuji proactively solicited a reward for Li Zhi.

Li Shimin smiled and shook his head. "The dust has not yet settled on this campaign, and swords are still gleaming; the final outcome cannot be determined just yet. Let us wait until the matter is completely concluded before discussing merits and conferring rewards."

"Indeed, indeed." Zhangsun Wuji replied with a smile.

Li Shimin sighed and said, "I recall that before Zhi'er left Chang'an to bid me farewell, he specifically reminded me that in his struggle against the aristocratic families, it would be best for the imperial court and myself to remain entirely out of the picture."

"If he commits faults, I may punish him; but if he achieves merits, there is no need for me to reward him."

"Ah? His Highness the Prince of Jin anticipated this stage so early on?" Zhangsun Wuji appeared utterly astonished.

Before even leaving Chang'an, Li Zhi had already foreseen today's resounding victory?

Li Shimin laughed. "Young though Zhi'er may be, he possesses extraordinary foresight in handling any matter. The strategies he employs often surpass my own capabilities. I never imagined he could wield such brilliant methods."

Aside from flattering Li Zhi, Zhangsun Wuji felt a profound sense of shock within his heart.

If things were truly as Li Shimin described, then Li Zhi's capabilities were simply unfathomable.

"By subduing the Guanlong aristocracy without even invoking the name of the imperial court, this serves as an invaluable reference for dealing with entrenched factions in other regions."

"Whenever similar matters arise in the future, I shall continue to entrust them to him."

"Fuji, my old friend, make a trip to Hanguang once more. See what assistance Zhi'er might need, and act as my liaison to support him."

"Whatever he requires, relay it back to me. I hope you can serve as his capable assistant!"

Li Shimin was effectively assigning Zhangsun Wuji to officially serve under Li Zhi.

Yet, deep down, Zhangsun Wuji felt a sense of honor.

He pondered inwardly:

Could this be part of the Emperor's plan to groom a successor?

Appointing him nominally as Li Zhi's subordinate was actually a disguised appointment as Grand Tutor, laying the groundwork for Li Zhi to become the Crown Prince in the future?

"This subject obeys the imperial decree." Zhangsun Wuji gladly accepted this prestigious assignment.

***

Hanguang.

At this moment, massive quantities of grain were being transported into the storehouses.

Earlier, vast amounts of grain had been shipped out; now, massive quantities were being shipped back in.

The selling price had been more than triple the repurchase price.

In other words, a mere third of the profits Li Zhi had made from selling the grain earlier was now sufficient to buy back everything he had previously unloaded.

Were it not for the fact that Li Zhi was still buying up grain in large quantities on the market, local grain prices would likely have collapsed long ago.

Those commoners and merchants who had heeded Li Zhi's advice and sold off their excess grain early on were now rejoicing that they had followed the imperial court's admonitions.

Currently, market grain prices were nearly half as low as in ordinary years.

The price of grain had plummeted to about one coin for six dou, and it was still showing signs of further decline.

As for those ordinary citizens who had lacked grain reserves, they were finally able to purchase food at very affordable prices with complete peace of mind.

On this day, Li Zhi met with representatives of merchants from various regions in Hanguang.

"Greetings to Your Highness the Prince of Jin!"

When these individuals saw Li Zhi again, they looked at him almost as if he were their savior reborn.

Though the grain war had not yet officially ended, they had already filled their pockets to overflowing.

"Everyone, please take a seat."

Li Zhi was exceptionally courteous.

After sitting down with the merchants, Li Zhi said, "Throughout this entire affair, you aligned your steps with mine and performed deeds that benefited both the state and the people. However, most of you must have profited handsomely."

The merchants nodded repeatedly.

"If you have any remaining difficulties, do not hesitate to speak of them."

Li Zhi spoke as though he were specifically there to solve their problems.

One merchant said with a bitter expression, "Your Highness, we followed your lead and transported grain from distant places like Jiangnan to Guanlong. But because we arrived somewhat late, the market price of grain has now plummeted to a point where we face total ruin."

"You must seek justice for us, Your Highness."

Hearing this, Li Zhi narrowed his eyes as he looked at the group before him.

These people nominally marched in step with him.

In reality, they were merely slow-witted bandwagon-jumpers.

When Li Zhi ordered the procurement of grain, they watched from the shadows. Only after witnessing other merchants turning a massive profit did they hurriedly scramble to source grain from various places and ship it to Guanlong. As a result, while the smart money successfully harvested the aristocratic families and exited the market, these latecomers found themselves trapped holding the bag.

Li Zhi remarked coldly, "You are all seasoned experts in trade. The price of grain in other regions right now is surely more than fifty percent higher than in normal years, isn't it?"

"This..."

The merchants present exchanged awkward glances.

"Do I really need to remind you what must be done next?"

Li Zhi sneered.

The merchant who had spoken earlier tried to say something more, but a merchant beside him scoffed disdainfully, "Just ship the grain right back to where you brought it from! Even if you suffer some losses, that is simply the consequence of failing to keep pace with the Prince of Jin. You have no one else to blame."