Chapter 329 - 327 I will tell you what is called a win-win situation_1
"Imperial Master, there’s something I must say," Huangfu Xing couldn’t stand it any longer and stood up, "The three county towns have always had little grain stockpiled, and we have over ten thousand soldiers.
If you return the money and grain to the gentry, the remaining supplies will hardly last long. The people in the towns need to live, and once you have exhausted their resources, I fear the three towns could erupt into riots at any moment..."
"Huangfu General is right, you should just concern yourself with waging war," Duge chuckled and put away the rattan, "As for the rest, I will take care of it, and in fact, I have already taken care of it. I will not let down the soldiers who have followed us into battle."
"Already taken care of it?" Huangfu Xing was stunned.
Luo Shuang also looked over.
"While levying grain from the people, I had already sent envoys to North Sea Country and Dachu Country, seeking their support, and have made clear to them the current force and ambition of the Fourth Princess."
Duge chuckled, an expression of having everything under control, "Those two countries border Chongming Country, and as long as their rulers are not fools, they would certainly be happy to see a fragmented Chongming Country, delighted at the prospect of a Qingwu Country on the brink of war."
"Now that there’s an opportunity, surely they are also more than willing to support us with money and grain, and perhaps even send some talented individuals our way.
With their money and grain, we can use Silver Tael above the market price to repay those wealthy families, eliminating the need to return the grain to them.
We can also pay some money to those commoners who have donated grain to us, to comfort them and simultaneously garner more popular support for the Fourth Princess. I believe those who were hesitant before will be more proactive next time opportunities arise for donations."
Saying this, he turned to Luo Shuang and smiled, "How could I possibly allow the Princess’s reputation to be truly tarnished? I won’t let rumors of dividing the spoils three-seven get out. At most, what will spread is that we bought the gentry’s money and grain at high prices, right?"
Luo Shuang let out a long sigh of relief, her gaze towards Duge filled with gratitude.