No Doubts

Han Zezheng's prediction was correct.

The economic war waged by the powerful elites of the Distant Harbor had already begun that morning.

As a commercial jewel, this Goth city on the west coast did not have the habit of stockpiling grain, or rather, it was not entitled to stockpile grain.

They tend to buy cooked or semi-processed foods daily from bakeries, vegetable shops, and butcher shops. The types and prices of bread vary, and of course, the tastes are also very different. From wild vegetables to fresh fruits and vegetables, from pickled fish to beef and mutton, the poor eat cheap food for the poor, and the rich eat delicacies for the rich.

This model is extremely dependent on a stable food supply.

And today, unsettling rumors are quietly growing.

There are problems with the food supply again.

Even though Kang De's purge had caught a large number of criminals who were spreading rumors in the Distant Harbor and punished them severely, the rumors still spread rapidly because they had a mass base. Food, clothing, shelter and transportation are the daily concerns of ordinary people, and the price of food is the most sensitive issue.

During the war, food supplies in Distant Harbor became a problem, but thanks to inland waterway shipping and efficient management, the supply was able to hold out until Kang De defeated the Elves. None of the garrison and nobles starved to death, but the common people who had stopped working tasted the bitterness of hunger.

Because they know what that feels like, they feel fear when they hear that there are problems with the food supply again.

Fear leads to action.

Even without the habit of hoarding food, this habit will develop.

To reiterate, it's not so much that the common people, even the poor, in the Distant Harbor didn't have the habit of stockpiling food, but rather that they lacked the capital to do so. When their daily wages were barely enough to support their families, who could afford extra bread? They were simply living paycheck to paycheck.

The problem is... they all have money now.

The money was issued by Kang De.

When the first family grits their teeth and pulls a silver coin from the cracks in their floor tiles, intending to exchange it for wheat that is easier to store, a trend will slowly form. Kang De's act of distributing money will give the city's two or three hundred thousand residents the most basic purchasing power, which is exactly what the powerful and wealthy want.

Everyone has money, but food is limited. Everyone is afraid of not being able to buy it if they wait too long, so they will be even more anxious to buy food. The more anxious everyone is to sell food, the more scarce food will become.

Grain prices will rise accordingly.

This is a vicious cycle.

"Foolish, giving money to the poor is utterly foolish."

Listening to the report about the city's grain store, Provincial Governor Norman stood in his bright and spacious office, overlooking the entire city through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

He gave a cold, mocking smile.

"This guardian is indeed powerful, his alchemy skills are unparalleled, and his Forbidden Spell sword is awe-inspiring. However, success in one field does not equate to expertise in another. Just as you may not know how to farm, an experienced captain may not know how to ride a horse. He may not know how to govern a province, nor how to manage commoners. But I do know, and the lords of Distant Harbor all know. No one knows better than us."

A chorus of snickers echoed behind him.

The governor shook his head slightly. "A commoner is a commoner. As long as they work every day, earn enough money to support their families, eat their fill every day, and spend all the money they earn each day, that's enough."

"Economic activity is a macro-level and sophisticated process, and should be controlled and regulated by wise, kind, and respectable people like us. When the common people have money, they will follow their foolish and short-sighted instincts and buy things recklessly, affecting our work in regulating prices... just like it is now."

He turned around, pointed out the window, and looked at his team and partners.

"Our guardian is a benevolent and kind idealist, but he is inexperienced and has made the foolish mistake of directly giving money to the lowly. You all have the potential to become mayors or even governors in the future, so please remember this lesson. The lowly are short-sighted and stupid. When they have money, they will drive up the prices of grain and cloth, making everyone suffer... This time, we should teach the lowly a lesson."

"They will eventually understand who the benevolent ruler is, and who will feed them."

At this point, he nodded to his secretary. "Mr. Collier, please draft a document for me, ordering the surrounding villages and towns to collect grain and supply it to the Distant Harbor... His Highness Kang De may act arbitrarily, but as the Governor of the Distant Harbor appointed by His Excellency the Grand Duke, I must fulfill my sacred duty as an official."

Everyone present smiled knowingly.

This time, it can be considered that the powerful and wealthy classes in Distant Harbor and the mainland joined forces to attack Kang De. However, everyone was afraid, so they tacitly reached a consensus that they were betting that Kang De would cherish his reputation and would not dare to use force at the risk of provoking public outrage on the mainland. Therefore, they could operate within the rules.

Within the rules, the goal is to handle the matter perfectly so that Kang De cannot find any fault with it.

For example, as the highest administrative official, the governor had to ensure the food security of the residents in his jurisdiction, so in order to solve the food problem, he had to order the surrounding areas to transfer food.

He did just that, fulfilling his duty and leaving Kang De speechless.

Giving an order is one thing, executing it is another.

When orders reach the lower levels, their execution is often compromised. For example, due to the war's depletion of resources, there is no grain available for distribution. After the strict orders are issued, officials at all levels barely manage to gather some grain. One day, the grain carts break down; the next day, they are attacked by mountain bandits; the day after that, mudslides block the road. By the time the grain is finally transported to the Distant Harbor, it is all bought up by starving people outside the city. This is something that can only be done helplessly, and everyone has done their duty.

If Your Highness Kang De wishes to pursue this matter, then kill everyone from the governor-general to the grain collection officer.

Fortunately, they were mindful of Kang De's military power and did not forcibly requisition food from local farmers or cause Goth People in other regions to go hungry, instead blaming everything on Kang De.

"Let's teach His Highness Kang De a lesson... force cannot rule a country."

After the secretary drafted the order, the governor checked it, stamped it with his seal, sealed it, made a copy, and filed it. Then he said calmly, "We need to make him understand one thing: Goth is our noble Goth. We are grateful for his protection and contributions and are willing to share this country with him, provided he joins us. If he wants to kick us out or rise above us... then I'm sorry."

Just then, someone behind him asked in a low voice.

"Can we win? I don't doubt our strength, but Kang De..."

He said, "He has ways to get food from many places— Valentan, the Empire, the Council, the Elves... If food keeps coming in, we'll have to keep eating it, which will deplete our currency. And once our cash reserves aren't enough to buy all his food, then..."

The panic will then shift from the untouchables to them.

Panic selling of grain will result in a major defeat for the party involved.

"Don't worry, my friend. Prince Kang De is too arrogant. He thinks he's invincible and makes enemies everywhere instead of friends. Whether it's the Empire, the Council, or the Elves, these vast kingdoms have many enemies who hate him. Even if he tries to buy grain from these places, he'll definitely be prevented..."

Even if he did manage to get his hands on some food...

At this point, the governor sneered, "We're not fighting alone. Our uninvited allies will provide us with a steady stream of funds. No matter how much grain Kang De produces, we can consume it all."

A buying frenzy is gradually taking shape.

This process would normally take three to five days to develop, but Kang De distributed money to all the city's residents, which greatly increased the city's consumption capacity. In a country with abundant resources, this could indeed boost the economy, but in the case of food shortages or even artificially induced panic, it could lead to terrible inflation.

The silver coin given to each resident was Luke Silver Coin minted by Goth.

Kang De weighed it and found that it contained about five grams of silver. It was the largest denomination currency that Goth's lower and middle classes could access on a daily basis. As for the larger denominations of the ultra-international Elifer Silver Coin that were in line with the standards of various countries, or even various gold coins, they were far, far away from the lives of ordinary people.

These Luke Silver Coin could be exchanged for about twenty Simir Copper Coin, the latter being the most frequently used small denomination coins in Goth City.

Distant Harbor, four copper coins could buy one pound of coarse grain bread or four loaves of black bran bread, which were the daily rations for ordinary citizens and lower-class people, respectively.

Six copper coins could buy less than half a pound of pork, or a regular lamb chop.

Forty copper coins can rent a carriage for an hour at a carriage shop, and a strong stevedore working eighteen hours at the dock can earn a maximum of thirty copper coins.

An ideal meal for a respectable citizen, consisting of dessert, eggs, bread, vegetables, meat, and a tip, is served in a clean, ordinary restaurant and costs approximately twenty copper coins.

These prices are carefully calculated, achieving a strange balance under the control and manipulation of the powerful and wealthy, thus maintaining relative social stability.

Even the lowest-class laborers who sell their labor can support their families as long as they work hard. Although they are likely to suffer from malnutrition and health problems, they will not starve to death immediately.

Ordinary citizens can maintain a relatively decent life, thus developing a sense of superiority over the lower classes.

And the upper level...

That day, Kang De issued nearly 240,000 Luke Silver Coin, a ton and 200 kilograms of silver, which consumed more than half of the silver seized by the Tinston Family. They also had gold coins of even greater value, as well as other antiques, jewelry, famous paintings, magic crystals, and enchanted equipment of astonishing value.

And even more valuable assets such as real estate, land, fleets, chambers of commerce, and so on.

This is just one of the wealthiest families in Distant Harbor.

There isn't even the so-called wealth disparity in this other world.

But that's not the point. The point is that, under the scheme of interest groups manipulating this city and even the entire province, the stable prices in the Distant Harbor suddenly shook. The silver coins issued to the common people came from the Tinston Family and other powerful families, and now they have become a weapon of the aristocracy, starting to drive up grain prices.

Having received Kang De's orders, the progressive forces led by Han Zezheng, who had sided with Kang De, began to gather strength and launch a counterattack to suppress grain prices—this was their first battle.

"Distribute grain... Keep the grain stored at home, in the granaries of the farms outside the city, and the grain you have secretly hoarded. Keep enough for your own use for one month, and gather the rest together to sell in the city."

The large conference room on the second floor of the Sound of the Tide Manor became the command center for the grain price defense battle. Han Zezheng was authorized to take full charge of this matter. He represented Kang De's will and also had Kang De's military support.

Kang De's words seemed to ignite the ambition of this fifty-year-old man. He gazed at the nobles, merchants, and people from all walks of life seated on either side of the conference table. "I know that many of you here are like me—ambitious, driven, and intelligent—and that's why you've chosen to side with His Highness Kang De."

"To the gentlemen of Distant Harbor, we are all traitors, but we know we made the right choice. Now that we have made our choice, we should always trust our new master. A second act of loyalty is not a disgrace, but a wise one, provided there will be no third."

He placed both hands on the table and leaned forward in a highly aggressive posture.

His eyes were sharp as swords, and his will was unquestionable.

"I know that among you here, there may be fickle opportunists, or even enemy spies. You should know the bodies that were torn apart, cut up, strangled, and severed in front of the city square. Even if we take a step back and assume that His Highness Kang De lost this battle, it does not change the fact that he used the Forbidden Spell sword to intimidate the continent. He still has the power to kill any traitor. Do not repeat the mistakes of the fools."

So I'll repeat it one last time.

"Keep at most one month's worth of rations. Gather everything else, and the Shogunate will buy it from you at market price. Whether you're hoarding food for self-preservation or to make a fortune, now is not the time."

"His Highness Kang De will not allow you to profit from this matter. Now that you have pledged allegiance to His Highness, you need not worry about your safety. Would His Highness Kang De sit idly by and watch you starve to death? Are the grains you have hoarded as delicious as His Highness Kang De's sweets, Biscuit, bread, and pastries?"

Please make the right choice.

At this moment, a businessman cautiously raised his hand.

"Mr. Furide, is there a problem?"

"Yes, Your Excellency Han." The gentleman with the mustache rose and bowed. "Please forgive my bluntness, but even if we hand over all our stored grain, we still cannot contend with the enemy. You are all from Distant Harbor; you should know just how much power and influence the enemy we are facing possesses. If we simply dump our stored grain in an attempt to stabilize prices, it will soon be wiped out by the panicked populace..."

"Thank you for your frankness, Your Excellency."

Han Zezheng said, "But this is His Highness's order, and Lord Kang De has his own arrangements."

Upon hearing this, even though he harbored a thousand grievances in his heart, Mr. Furide could only bow and sit down.

Is there any other way?

His Highness Kang De really doesn't understand economics or people's livelihood.

These are the private complaints of these "progressive forces".

However, on the surface, they still agreed to all of Han Zezheng's requests and orders.

Grain depots and silos were opened one after another, and grain was mobilized to supply Distant Harbor.

After the people left, Han Zezheng sat back in his chair and slowly exhaled.

Han Guangcheng, who was serving as the clerk, stepped forward and massaged his father's temples.

"... Father."

The young son glanced around cautiously, then lowered his voice. "This isn't how you usually teach me... We're dumping grain now without any restrictions, like carrying firewood to put out a fire. Isn't this just making things worse? Why doesn't Kang De Highness send troops to control prices?"

Han Zezheng opened his eyes and looked at his son with satisfaction; at least he had made some progress.

He slowly exhaled. "It's a game of strategy! Your Highness's ambition isn't about the gains or losses in grain prices in a single city. If you start with war, you weaken your position by three-tenths. If you start with war this time, and then the same thing happens again, and you start war again, and so on, the rules will be broken. Not to mention anything else, if merchants see that you always resort to war, sending troops to intervene whenever grain prices rise, who will dare to do business here? In that case, the Distant Harbor will be completely ruined."

"Moreover, by repeatedly overturning the table and resorting to war to resolve economic and commercial issues, this only demonstrates the ruler's incompetence and makes him a laughingstock and a source of contempt among the other rulers."

Han Guangcheng muttered, "We can't just act recklessly like this. The grain we can procure is barely enough to meet demand. If we set the price too low, it will be swept away. What's the point except raising the price of grain? I think Prince Kang De is great at fighting, his magic is unparalleled, and his alchemy skills are unmatched, but he's terrible at business..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was struck on the head. Han Zezheng angrily said, "Insolence! How dare you criticize our lord? My Han Family has already taken refuge under our lord's tutelage, so he is also your lord! The hierarchy and respect for superiors and inferiors—what can be said and what cannot be said—have you forgotten it all?"

Enraged by his father's outburst, Han Guangcheng had no choice but to kneel down. "Your son was wrong!"

Before he could finish speaking, he received a kick from his father. "Don't kneel! Stand up!"

Han Guangcheng had no choice but to scramble to his feet, bow his head, and endure the beatings and scoldings.

Old Han sighed, "You... you're still young. Loyalty to the emperor sometimes means speaking frankly, and sometimes it means trusting him without question. Now is the time for trust, yet you want to speak frankly. What good will it do except increase his dislike? At least His Highness has never lost since he came into this world."

Han Guangcheng understood the implication and looked up. "You mean... Your Highness can win this time?"

"Yes."

"But... why?"

"I don't know, but I don't need to know. Before the Battle of Valentan, Battle of Danfeng Lucerne, did you know how His Highness Kang De was going to defeat the five Dragon Banner Legion? Did you know how he was going to defeat the entire Elf Expeditionary Force single-handedly? So now, it's normal that you don't know."

Han Zezheng down in his chair and said slowly, "Now, all we need to do is trust."

"... Father."

The son asked softly, "You said that loyalty to the emperor sometimes lies in speaking frankly and sometimes in trusting him without doubt. I don't understand. When should I speak frankly and when should I trust him without doubt?"

The Cathay merchant remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "In my view of history, there has never been anyone like Your Highness. You are an unprecedentedly wise ruler. When should one speak frankly, and when should one not doubt? It's very simple."

"Before our lord suffers his first defeat... all orders must be obeyed without question!"

He glanced at his son. "Come here! I'll teach you literature. You like arithmetic, so I'll teach you astrology so you can calculate directions. You've always wanted to set sail, so you've learned arithmetic for that. Now, put what you've learned to use here. His Highness said no one in the Distant Harbor should starve to death. Calculate for me how much grain we need to reserve for emergency relief, and also..."

The battle to protect grain prices in Distant Harbor has begun.

Amidst the frenzied and anxious buying and price hikes, the next day, rumors and anxieties intensified, and the cheap grain that had been transported was completely swept away. The grain that Han Zezheng had collected and put into the market was like a stone falling into a whirlpool, making a splash and then disappearing.

Kang De received Han Zezheng, who was in a hurry.

"Your Highness, there is a problem."

The old man said in a deep voice, "The funding for this business war is more complex and substantial than we imagined. Our enemies are not just the local powerful figures in Distant Harbor."

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PS1: Update...

PS2: The currency setting in this book is not a simple and crude one-to-ten-to-one ratio of gold, silver, and copper. It strives to strike a balance between reasonable setting and reading cost. Related economic and monetary settings will be released little by little in the future as adjustments. For example, the price setting of the Distant Harbor in this chapter is based on the prices of major France cities before and after the France Revolution, so as to ensure realism and rationality as much as possible.

PS3: The reason for choosing France is simply because the works of Balzac, Alexandre Dumas, and others provide very detailed and realistic records of the society and people's lives at that time. It's a ready-made setting that I can get for free—okay, I've got the free stuff.