Chapter 38: A Year of Famine (III)

“Have you made up your mind to submit a petition to the court to open the granaries to relieve the victims of the disaster?”
Yang Huahua stared at Li Kuo in disbelief, her voice trembling. She had tried every means to persuade him—how could this fool still not understand?
“That’s right. Earlier, my brothers from the Tongwu Camp and I prepared porridge outside the city gates to give to those in need, which deeply moved me. The people of Hedong suffered from severe drought and locust plagues, forcing them to leave their homes and come to Chang’an in search of survival. Without the court’s intervention, no one else can take on this task.”
Li Kuo nodded, his gaze resolute.
“Ah, Brother Kuo is truly loyal and righteous. But do you realize that the grain stored in the granaries is meant for emergencies? Due to the wars in Longyou, the grain there has already run out. The emperor is already worried about this issue—what good will your petition do now?”
Yang Huahua raised her eyebrows and scoffed. In her view, releasing grain was impossible, and submitting a petition now would only bring shame.
“If it’s for emergencies, isn’t this exactly such a time? If the court refuses to release the grain, these victims might not survive the winter.”
Li Kuo sighed deeply, worried. He certainly knew that the granaries should only be opened in extreme cases, but now that the victims from Hedong had flooded into Guanzhong, he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
“They originally belonged to Hedong Province. Moving without the emperor’s order is already a grave crime. It’s already a great mercy that the emperor isn’t punishing them. Now they even gather to threaten the court for food. Hehe… Besides, if war breaks out at the borders again, this grain will be essential for the soldiers. If it’s all consumed by these refugees, what will happen then?”
Yang Huahua disagreed with the young man’s view. In her eyes, these refugees were at fault from the start—moving without permission was a serious crime. After arguing with her for nearly half an hour, Li Kuo grew impatient. “By your logic, the lives of the soldiers at the borders matter, but those in Hedong don’t? Right now, the borders are peaceful, and there’s enough grain for the soldiers, while these refugees can’t even get tree bark to eat!”
Yang Huahua smiled coldly. “Do you really think the emperor will open the granaries just because of your words? Distributing grain in Jinyang Province has already forced the emperor to delay paying officials’ salaries. If we also give all the grain from the granaries to these vagrants, how will the court officials feel?”
“Ultimately, you think the lives of ordinary people don’t count.”
Li Kuo shook his head, smiling bitterly. If Yang Huahua truly thought so, he had nothing more to say. Their backgrounds were different, so their perspectives naturally varied.

“Brother Li Kuo, how could you think such things of me? Please sit down, come on, sit.”
Yang Huahua grabbed Li Kuo’s right arm and pulled him aside, sighing.
“The matter of disaster relief isn’t as simple as you think. Too many interests are involved. Just consider this: if the court orders the opening of the granaries to aid the victims, won’t those powerful families also have to open their own stores and give to the victims?”
Seeing the young man eager to stand up, Yang Huahua sighed, “Don’t glare at me. It’s not that I pity those stored grains; it’s just that each family has its own plans. We can’t assume that all high-ranking officials in the court are saints. Asking those powerful families for grain already offended them. If the court acts recklessly now, trouble might arise.”
“What should we do then? If the court doesn’t step in, which family has enough funds to provide grain?”
All Li Kuo cared about now was how to raise enough grain—countless children like Er Ya were waiting outside the city for relief.
“Sigh, you little troublemaker. Consider it a debt I owe you from my past life.”
Yang Huahua paused before saying softly, “Since it’s inconvenient for the court to step in, let me take on this role as the sinner.”
“Madam, you…”
Li Kuo scratched his head, at a loss for words.
“My Yang family already has a terrible reputation in Chang’an. I don’t mind adding to it.”
Shaking her head self-mockingly, Yang Huahua said, “But this must be done according to my plan…”
She leaned close to Li Kuo and whispered.
The sun hung high in the sky, casting intense heat. It moved slowly across the sky without showing any sign of weakening. The annoying sunlight pierced through the clouds, making people blink constantly. At such times, even the busiest merchants would close down their stalls and seek shade under elm and poplar trees.
In the mansion of the Lady of Guo State, a group of male servants in vests hurriedly carried grain bags toward a cart not far away.
“I say, Brother Qi Si, what’s with the madam today? Why so many bags of good rice to be given to those beggars at the city gates?”
Wu Dabao lifted a bag of rice, steadied it, and walked toward the cart about twenty steps away. He really couldn’t understand why fragrant rice had to be given away for no reason.
“I heard these people are poor folks from Hedong who came to Guanzhong because of famine. What a bunch of misfortunes! We in Chang’an can’t even feed ourselves, yet they come to share our food. What a sin.”
“Stop complaining, you idiot. The madam must have her reasons for giving this order. Besides, this is a good deed that earns merit. Good people are rewarded—Heaven watches over what people do.”

The man addressed as Brother Qi Si by Wu Dabao was a burly man in his thirties, with a full beard and quite strong limbs. Yet, contrary to his robust appearance, he had a kind nature and was a devout Buddhist. Hearing his friend’s repeated complaints, he couldn’t help but chime in a few words. Coming from poor backgrounds themselves, although they couldn’t offer much help, they also didn’t want to see others in trouble. He threw the rice bag onto the cart, dusted off his hands, and headed back toward the warehouse filled with rice bags. “Tch, giving away the grain stored in one’s own jars—how is that considered kindness or virtue? In these times, there’s no room for good people; all are corrupt officials, ugh…” As Wu Dabao was speaking passionately, Brother Qi Si covered his mouth. “Have you swallowed a leopard’s heart? Why talk such nonsense?” “Ugh…” “I’ll let you go, but don’t say any more nonsense!” Brother Qi Si glared at Wu Dabao as a reminder. Wu Dabao blinked repeatedly and nodded, showing he agreed to his request. “Huh!” Wu Dabao let out a long sigh and said with a bitter smile, “Only you, Brother Qi Si, are righteous! If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t obey them!” After saying that, he didn’t argue further and picked up another rice bag, shakily walking toward the cart. It was noon, when the sun was at its hottest. Although the warehouse was only a few dozen steps away from the cart, making back and forth trips still drained a lot of energy. Big drops of sweat seeped from Wu Dabao’s forehead and dripped onto the stone ground. Each rice bag weighed about 200 jin; only strong laborers could lift them. Even a man as strong as Wu Dabao felt his bones breaking after carrying them for a long time and had to sit down to rest. “This is already the fourth trip. I guess once these ten carts are delivered, it’ll be almost done,” said Brother Qi Si, wiping the sweat from his face with a smile. “That lady is really strange. She just gives away the grain, but she also insists on pushing it back and forth on Zhuque Street. Sigh…” Wu Dabao was clearly dissatisfied with this annoying decision and complained loudly. “There must be a reason why the lady does this…” Brother Qi Si ignored Wu Dabao and pushed one of the carts toward the outside of the estate. “Brother Qi Si, wait for me! Wait for me!” Wu Dabao quickly got up and rushed after Brother Qi Si. “Oh my god! Which stupid bastard knocked down Grandpa Wu?” Wu Dabao stumbled and fell to the ground, immediately starting to curse loudly. “I’m sorry, sir,” said Li Kuo, smiling gently at Wu Dabao and extending his hand to him.

“Oh, it’s General Li. Look at me, still joking with you. Right, Brother Qi Si?”
Wu Dabao quickly stood up, blinking at Qi Si repeatedly.
“General, this kid is just like that. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Qi Si shook his head and smiled bitterly.
“It’s no problem. In a bit, I’d ask everyone to load the rice and grain onto the long carts outside the mansion. I’ve called the soldiers from the camp to transport it, so I won’t trouble you all anymore.”
Li Kuo nodded at Qi Si with a slight smile.
“That’s great. I, Old Qi, was just looking forward to taking a break.”
Qi Si casually bowed to Li Kuo. Seeing that Wu Dabao hadn’t moved, he turned to glare at his friend.
“Ah, definitely, definitely! General, please rest assured!”
Zhang Dabao wiped the sweat from his face and chuckled.