In the evening, the Hou Mansion.

Li Mu leaned on the main seat, rubbing his swollen forehead, and was listening to the report of Changshi Ma Zhou.

“…… A message from Chang'an has been received, and no signs of locust plague have been found near Chang'an City. In addition, we have received news from nearby counties one after another, and at present, there are signs of locusts in seven counties, including Lingye, Xiangcheng, Jiacheng, Lushan, Longxing, and Linru, and Linru County, where locusts were first discovered, have adult locusts. Xia Guan just checked the records of locust plagues over the years, and Linru County is one of the sources of locust plagues, and the locust plagues originating in Linru County usually do not spread very much due to the limited terrain. It is mostly limited to the north of Funiu Mountain, south of Zhongtiao Mountain, and east of Kunshan Mountain and Bear's Ear Mountain, and it can't go beyond these four peaks——"

Ma Zhou looked at Li Mu's face, his voice was a little quieter, and said, "This is the best news at the moment."

Li Muwei smiled bitterly, he understood what Ma Zhou meant, Luoyang City is located in a basin, there are mountains on all sides, and the source of the locust plague is in the basin, the experience of previous locust plagues shows that this is a small-scale locust plague, which will only rage in the basin, in other words, this locust plague is tailor-made for Luoyang, and there is nothing else to do, but only the surrounding area of Luoyang.

Targeted strike!

Li Mu gritted his teeth, looked at Dugu Jiu, and said, "Is there any news about the matter that asked you to check?" ”

"Big brother," Dugu Jiu said: "There is some news, I visited some old farmers, according to the old farmers, there will be a locust plague in Linru County every few years." However, this interval is difficult to judge, and it is said that it is related to the amount of rain. In a drought year, this interval will be shortened. There are people who know the time of day and can grasp this interval well, and there have been examples of grain merchants hoarding grain and making a fortune when there is a locust plague. It's just that no one expected that there would be a locust plague this year, and the old farmers didn't see it. ”

"Is there a master?" Li Mu took a deep breath and suppressed the fire. The matter is basically clear, it is not a fairy method, it is just a master to help, people have seen that there is a locust plague this year, so they have collected all the grain around Luoyang, just to see your jokes.

Dare to see Lao Tzu's jokes?

Li Mu was angry, and said fiercely: "Did the gang find the heir hall?" Didn't you say in the North Mountain? Grab it? ”

"No," Dugu Jiu shook his head and said, "I took the government soldiers into the forest and did find a manor, but the building was empty, and no one found it." ”

"Then I bought the grain head office at a high price, right?" Li Mu looked at Ma Zhou and said: "Wharves, warehouses, north and south cities, post notices for Lao Tzu, Luoyang Mansion collects grain, as long as there is grain, the price is easy to negotiate, how much you want!" ”

Ma Zhou glanced at Li Mu and said astringently: "Master Hou, the notice has already been issued, but the grain merchants in the city all say that the grain storage is limited and there is no way......" Ma Zhou glanced at Li Mu, and didn't dare to explain the words, it's not that you are usually too arrogant and domineering, and you offended everyone to death, and there was no one to help if something happened. It's like living a life, you're through the 'door of death', and there's nothing to blame for others.

Li Mu was so angry that his fingers trembled, and his voice trembled: "This ** businessman, look at Lao Tzu's jokes, right?" Good job, Xiao Jiu, take someone to raid the house, say that those who have no food will be arrested by Lao Tzu, and go down with a whip to see if he has food or no food! ”

"Good!" Dugu Jiu turned around to leave, but was pulled by Ma Zhou: "Master Hou, think twice!" The catastrophe is coming, it is the time when the people are panicking, those businessmen have not broken the law, and at this time they are raiding homes and beating people, how do the people feel? Don't be rash, if you want to solve the food problem, you have to rely on these businessmen! ”

"By them?" Li Mu jumped to his feet angrily: "This group of grandsons is clearly going to see Lao Tzu's jokes, and they are joining hands to deal with Lao Tzu!" How could Benhou let them get their wish? Okay, you can't raid your house if you're not guilty, right? Lao Tzu didn't let them get their wish! When all the people are united in overcoming the difficulties, based on yesterday's grain price, from today onwards, no grain merchant shall sell grain at a higher price, and no penny will be allowed, and those who violate the order will be killed! ”

"Master Hou, this won't work!" Ma Zhou stomped his feet and said: "What is anxious now is not the price of grain, but the availability of grain!" Merchants seek profits, if you limit the price, no one is willing to transport grain to Luoyang. Just now I calculated the grain stock in Luoyang City, it is only enough for ten days at most, and after ten days, the existing grain stock is exhausted, and if there is no food to bring in, the people of this city will starve to death! ”

"They don't transport grain, Lao Tzu will transport it himself! I don't believe it, money can't buy food! Ma Zhou, you don't have to do anything, tomorrow with the money, along the canal north to collect grain, I brought you enough money, as long as the price is reasonable, you will collect it for Lao Tzu, collect a boat, transport back a boat, lose money Lao Tzu admitted, but this breath must not be swallowed, Ben Hou crisscrossed the rivers and lakes, how could these businessmen give Lao Tzu a pinch? ”

"Far water can't quench your thirst, Master Hou, think twice-"

"Less fart!" Li Mu glared at Ma Zhou, and said word by word: "Luoyang is the fiefdom of Ben Hou, Ben Hou is here, speaking is the holy decree, the catastrophe is imminent, who dares to say more, I recognize you, Shang Fang Sword does not recognize it!" Whatever you want to do, you can do it honestly, if there is no food in ten days, Benhou will definitely die in front of the people of the city! ”

"You ......" Ma Zhou's lips turned blue with anger, and he said angrily: "Master Hou, Ma Zhou has always admired you, but he didn't want you to do such an unwise act today, it seems that what I have seen in the past does not live up to the name!" There is no grain stored for 800 miles, and even if it is received, it will be too late for ten days! If the Hou Ye insists on going his own way, Ma Zhou will receive the order, the big deal is to die with the people, go down to the Netherworld, and I will sue you in front of the judge! ”

After Ma Zhou finished speaking, he left without looking back. Dugu Jiu glanced at Li Mu and said, "Big brother, the play is a bit too much." ”

"Is it over?" Li Mu shrugged his shoulders and said, "It's okay, it doesn't affect the overall situation, the flying pigeon has been sent out, confirm it again, don't leave it wrong,"

"Don't worry, there are three pigeons in one piece, and it's no problem."

"That's good." Li Mu stretched his waist and said: "Today, on this day, I was shocked, and I was scared a lot, I have to take a hot bath and sleep well, and when I get up tomorrow, I have to see how they perform." You should rest early, you are tired enough today. ”

"Hmm," Dugu Jiu answered, opened his mouth, and stopped talking. Li Mu saw it and asked, "What's the matter, is there anything else?" ”

"Big brother, where I found the manor on the north mountain, there is a small courtyard, and I saw the footprints of the beast in the small courtyard, which looks like Fat Da."

"Ah," Li Mu was stunned for a moment, then smiled, and said: "Pixiu is not uncommon, it doesn't have to be fat, maybe the one in the heir hall also raised a Pixiu." ”

"Big brother, it is said that Wang Ou's sister-in-law and the eldest lady of the Lu family have a good relationship, and they have the good ...... of Jinlan."

"Okay, I got it." Li Mu waved his hand and said: "The catastrophe is coming, this is all a trivial matter, no matter what, she is my woman, your sister-in-law, and a member of the family, this can't be changed, and it's ......" Li Mu paused and said: "Don't treat the people of the heir hall as enemies completely, they are all the people of the Tang Dynasty, they just have different ideas, they are born from the same root, why are they too anxious to fry each other, we must convince people with virtue and reform first——"

Before the words fell, Li Tai hurriedly ran in: "Big brother, something happened!" ”

Li Mu glanced at him and said, "My great writer, what's the matter, when you know that the dishes are cold, the locust plague is right, I already knew, don't worry, there are arrangements-"

"Oh, no!" Li Tai was so anxious that he stumbled, and said: "When I first came, I passed through Nanshi and saw banners hanging at the door of many grain stacks, saying that the grain stacks have limited grain storage......

This kind of means, as Li Mu expected, he looked at Li Tai and said indifferently: "Isn't this normal?" That's what they told Ben Hou. ”

"Oh, no-" Li Tai took a big breath and said: "They said that the stock of grain is limited, so they simply don't sell it, keep their own rations, and deliver the rest to the Hou Mansion, so that the common people can go to the Hou Mansion to buy food, they have no food!." ”

"Huh?" Li Mu was stunned for a moment, and immediately understood the opponent's tricks, don't you want food, give it to you, anyway, it is only enough for ten days' food. After ten days, the whole city was left without food, and then they had to go to him.

Yang Mou has played this part, and I really can't afford to look at it. Li Mu smiled angrily, gritted his teeth and said, "Isn't this a good thing?" Post a notice, Ben Hou thanked everyone, the catastrophe is coming, and you can see your heart. Ben Hou gave them a credit, all the grain, Ben Hou will be paid according to the price, and will not let all the righteous businessmen suffer, and when the locust plague passes, Ben Hou is holding a banquet to thank them! ”

……

Luoyang, Yanqing Fang.

Yanqingfang is located in the east of Luoyang City, next to the east city wall, close to Luoshui, and has a wharf. Most of the people who live here eat on the dock, and the people who come and go are also mixed, with accents from all over the world, and the news is also very well-informed.

Zhang San is now in the brocade secret guard, specializing in the collection of intelligence. This kind of well-informed place will naturally not be let go.

This is a foot shop specially designed for the pier Liba, a few tables, a shed, and the food is not particular, mostly soup cakes, Hu cakes, rich people add some muddy wine, or drink a bowl of haggis soup, even if it is excellent.

Zhang San has been walking the rivers and lakes for many years, and he has long been familiar with this kind of place, so he found a table where no one sat down, put the package aside, called a man, and asked for a bowl of haggis soup and two cakes. The man saw that he was dressed like a little rich, and asked him if he wanted wine, Zhang San waved his hand, and took out a small jar of wine from his package.

Zhang San twisted the seal of the wine jar, poured a bowl, and took a sip.

The wine he brought was just three cups poured, and it was just brewed in the winery a few days ago. The winery has just resumed production, and the three cups have not yet been rolled out. For Liba on the dock, muddy wine is extremely rare. Three cups of pouring are like elixir to them. The aroma of wine was pervasive, and Liba, who was eating in the foot shop, subconsciously looked over and sniffled subconsciously.

"Uncle, your wine-"

A Liba came to Zhang San with a licking face, and the harazi was about to flow to the placket, so he almost wrote 'give me a drink' on the door of his head. Zhang San looked at him and said with a smile: "This brother, what do you want to do with this wine?" ”

"Think about it!" Liba swallowed and spit, shrank back, and said, "It's just that I don't have any money in my pocket......"

"What do you mean by not having money," Zhang San showed a warm look, and said: "They are all people who love wine, and I, I have just arrived in Luoyang, and I am not familiar with the so-called life, and I want to find a local to inquire about something, and see that my brother is a local, right?" I don't know if you can tell me about this wine, let's drink it separately. ”

"Uncle, you're just asking the right person." Liba sat down unceremoniously, patted his chest and said: "The five generations of the small family are in Luoyang, and there is nothing I don't know about big and small things." His eyes were staring straight at the wine bowl, and the wine he brought was exactly three glasses poured, which had just been brewed in the winery a few days ago. The winery has just resumed production, and the three cups have not yet been rolled out. For Liba on the dock, muddy wine is extremely rare. Three cups of pouring are like elixir to them. The aroma of wine was pervasive, and Liba, who was eating in the foot shop, subconsciously looked over and sniffled subconsciously.

"Uncle, your wine-"

A Liba came to Zhang San with a licking face, and the harazi was about to flow to the placket, so he almost wrote 'give me a drink' on the door of his head. Zhang San looked at him and said with a smile: "This brother, what do you want to do with this wine?" ”

"Think about it!" Liba swallowed and spit, shrank back, and said, "It's just that I don't have any money in my pocket......"

"What do you mean by not having money," Zhang San showed a warm look, and said: "They are all people who love wine, and I, I have just arrived in Luoyang, and I am not familiar with the so-called life, and I want to find a local to inquire about something, and see that my brother is a local, right?" I don't know if you can tell me about this wine, let's drink it separately. ”

"Uncle, you're just asking the right person." Liba sat down unceremoniously, patted his chest and said: "The five generations of the small family are in Luoyang, and there is nothing I don't know about big and small things." His eyes were fixed on the bowl,

The wine he brought was just three cups poured, and it was just brewed in the winery a few days ago. The winery has just resumed production, and the three cups have not yet been rolled out. For Liba on the dock, muddy wine is extremely rare. Three cups of pouring are like elixir to them. The aroma of wine was pervasive, and Liba, who was eating in the foot shop, subconsciously looked over and sniffled subconsciously.

"Uncle, your wine-"

A Liba came to Zhang San with a licking face, and the harazi was about to flow to the placket, so he almost wrote 'give me a drink' on the door of his head. Zhang San looked at him and said with a smile: "This brother, what do you want to do with this wine?" ”

"Think about it!" Liba swallowed and foamed, shrank back, and said: "It's just, it's hard to open your mouth if you don't have money in your pocket......" It's just that it's hard to open your mouth without money in your pocket