Not a Loss

Shunan Prefecture · Granary

There was a granary in the northeastern part of the city. Its roof was paved with bricks, with twelve waterways built around its four sides and crenellated walls encircling it for protection. There were not only aboveground warehouses, but also grain cellars.

The grain cellars had openings ten meters wide and were ten meters deep. Their bottoms were rammed solid, dried with fire, then lined with straw mats and wooden boards for storing grain. Once grain was placed inside, mats were spread over it and the opening was sealed with earth.

Inscribed bricks recorded the locations of the storehouses and cellars, the sources of coarse grain, the dates it was stored, and the positions and names of the officials who issued and received the millet.

Now, the crowd had formed into lines. People continuously brought cartloads of locusts in by the stone, then weighed out stone after stone of grain to take away. Though the exchange had continued through the night, the flow of people remained unceasing in the early dawn.

"This method is effective, but it consumes too much grain. The locusts exchanged for it are useless. If this goes on, I fear that even if the locust plague is resolved, the deficit will only grow worse."

As Su Ziji stood on the steps, watching the bustling scene of locusts being exchanged for rice not far away, someone came over and spoke.

Zeng Nianzhen's hand immediately settled on the hilt of his sword. Su Ziji merely glanced over, gently shook his head, and bowed to the approaching Liu Zhan. "Lord Liu, we meet again. But Your Excellency is mistaken in this matter. Please follow this official over here."

As he spoke, he extended a hand in invitation.

Liu Zhan looked around. This area was all