Hu Xiaotian smiled. "You probably don't know yet that Zuo Xingjian has already returned to White Spring City. He even submitted a memorial to the Imperial Court, accusing you of colluding with the Jadeheart Mountain river pirates to steal the imperial grain entrusted to your care."
Jiang Zhengyang ground his teeth. "That despicable villain! His shamelessness knows no bounds." He turned to Hu Xiaotian. "I was forced into this predicament. Back then, I sent Zu Dacheng to ask you for a grain loan, but you refused him without mercy. Yunyang had run out of provisions and military pay. Civilians and soldiers were starving to death every day. We had no way left to survive. Hu Xiaotian, why did you give your hard-earned grain to the Imperial Court? Don't you realize that even if he gets the grain, he won't distribute it to the people? Even if his conscience awakens and he uses it for famine relief, those corrupt officials will skim off their shares at every level. By the time it reaches the people, next to nothing will remain."
Hu Xiaotian reflected that Jiang Zhengyang was not wrong about that.
Jiang Zhengyang said, "I've never understood why you insisted on refusing to lend me grain. Are you truly so unwaveringly loyal to the Imperial Court?" At this, he shook his head again. "Sending you to Eastern Liang Commandery was no different from banishing you. When Tang Boxi led thirty thousand naval troops against you, the emperor ordered everyone else to hold their positions. Surely you knew that? He's tried to harm you time and again, yet you're still willing to serve him?"
"My affairs need not concern you, Lord Jiang," Hu Xiaotian said calmly.
Jiang Zhengyang gave a despondent sigh. "True. In my present situation, what right do I have