Zuo Xingjian nodded repeatedly, but he still felt uneasy. "My lord, might those men say something they shouldn't?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "Even if someone talks out of turn, His Majesty can't concern himself with everything. He sits comfortably on his throne, but does he even know how long the soldiers beneath him have gone without their rations and pay?"
Zuo Xingjian said, "My lord, I understand what I should do."
Hu Xiaotian said, "There are seven cities around Cloud Marsh. How much do you know about their circumstances?"
Zuo Xingjian said, "I know some better than others, but rest assured, my lord. Give me three months, and I will learn every last detail about all of them."
Hu Xiaotian discovered that Zuo Xingjian really was a man who could play every angle. Talking to someone like him certainly saved a great deal of effort. He smiled. "Please, have some tea!"
Only when Zuo Xingjian heard Hu Xiaotian finally use the word "please" did he feel completely reassured. He raised his teacup, his hands much steadier this time. "My lord, do you still intend to send the remaining grain to the Capital City?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "Naturally, I must keep my promise. Otherwise, wouldn't everyone under heaven call me faithless?"
Zuo Xingjian said, "My lord, I recently heard some news. They say Great Yong is going to enact a Grain Ban Lift for us."
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "Great Kang lacks grain, while Great Yong has enjoyed bumper harvests year after year. The grain they can't eat will only grow moldy and rot in their granaries. Rather than let that happen, they might as well sell it to us at inflated prices and reap enormous profits. Then they will use those ill-gotten gains to purchase weapons and turn them against Great Kang."