A million shi?
Within three days?
When Zhu Zhanjun said those words, Zhu Di and Xia Yuanji both thought they had misheard him.
That was a million shi of grain!
Not a million grains of rice!
Even if the entire Great Ming Dynasty's official granaries were emptied right now, they still couldn't scrape together that much.
You were only Prince Zheng. What gave you the nerve to make such a boast?
"Zhanjun, this is no child's play!"
Zhu Di's face was terribly stern.
"This concerns the nation and the military. How can you make wild claims?"
"Imperial Grandfather, your grandson never fights an unprepared battle."
Zhu Zhanjun's expression remained calm.
He looked at Xia Yuanji, who was still stunned, and spoke slowly.
"Lord Xia, you only need to tell me this: if I can produce a million shi of grain, how much silver can the Ministry of Revenue offer to buy it?"
Xia Yuanji's mouth opened, but for a long while, no words came out.
His mind was entirely filled with thoughts of that million shi of grain. He couldn't think straight.
"Your Highness... you... you're telling the truth?"
His voice trembled.
"Of course."
"Money... money..."
Xia Yuanji's thoughts raced.
"There isn't a single coin left in the treasury. But... but if we gather the grain stored by the powerful families and wealthy merchants inside and outside the capital, then ask them to donate some more, perhaps we could scrape together two million taels of silver!"
"Not enough."
Zhu Zhanjun shook his head.
"At least five million taels."
"F-five million taels?"
Xia Yuanji nearly jumped to his feet.
"Your Highness, you're asking for my life! Where is the Ministry of Revenue supposed to find that much money?"
"I never said the Ministry of Revenue had to pay."
The corner of