The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan-Chapter 603 - 601 is naturally to be managed (first update)

Bater stopped the person who said, "The warehouse on the outskirts of the city where cotton was stored caught fire, and all the cotton was destroyed. The farmers who sold the cotton came to the shopkeeper demanding an explanation, but they found that the place was deserted. The shopkeeper had left sometime last night with his belongings, leaving the farmers with no one to hold accountable and no money. How could they not be devastated?"

Looking through the carriage window at the speaker, Li Xianyun asked, "These farmers didn’t receive any money, so how could they trustingly sell their cotton to the shopkeeper?"

The person sighed lightly, "They were tricked. At first, the shop purchased the farmers’ cotton at prices higher than the market rate. They didn’t buy much, paying cash directly for the deliveries, making the farmers feel profitable and sweetened by the deal. Later, the shop wanted to buy even more cotton, but claimed they had no liquid funds available. They promised to issue IOUs first, and to pay up once the cotton was sold."

Li Xianyun didn’t need to hear the rest to know what happened, those farmers who had a taste of profit went ahead and sold all the cotton they had.

But then the cotton warehouse caught fire, and the shopkeeper had fled, rendering the IOUs useless.

These poor farmers didn’t get any money at all.

This year’s work went in vain.

Li Xianyun arrived at the shop premises with doors flung open and in a mess, where many women were sitting on the steps hitting their legs, crying and cursing, with children crying upon seeing their elders distressed.

It was complete chaos.

The women and children were crying, while the men were angrily discussing.

"The fire must have started long before it was discovered; the cotton inside was already burnt beyond salvage by the time we found out."

"These scoundrels who just left should be captured and chopped up."

"We’ve already reported it to the authorities, but I don’t think it will be of much use. Where in the world can we find them now?"

Someone dejectedly said, "Our hard work this year has been wasted, how are we supposed to live?"

The crowd fell silent, no one able to answer.

Li Xianyun stood for a moment, then turned and got back into the carriage. As the carriage moved away, the mournful cries of the crowd grew fainter.

Youlan, sitting opposite Li Xianyun, puzzledly asked, "Master, aren’t you going to help them? These farmers are really pitiable."

Her master was known to be beautifully kind-hearted, always ready to stand up for justice when faced with wrongs.

But today, she left without saying a word.

It was very strange.

Looking at Youlan, Li Xianyun said, "Of course we must intervene, but they have just been deceived and won’t easily trust anyone. We need to find another way to help them."

"Another way?" Youlan questioned.

As they talked, Bater, driving the carriage, asked, "Young Master, where are we headed?"

"To the Official Government."

The group soon arrived at the Official Government. To Li Xianyun’s surprise, Yuchi Qian’s own brother, Yuchi Hong, had taken over the administration there.

Yuchi Hong sat in the Government Office, reviewing a criminal’s confession.

The officials caught yesterday had confessed thoroughly, implicating Kewo.

Yet, they didn’t reveal any other significant information, clearly not knowing much.

Kewo, being a spy for Houliang, naturally wouldn’t risk exposing too much.

It seemed they needed to interrogate Kewo directly to implicate more individuals.

Yuchi Hong stood up, preparing to personally interrogate Kewo.

Just as he was about to leave, he saw three people enter the Government Office. He recognized one of them instantly—it was his life-saving benefactor.

Yuchi Hong stopped, stepped forward to greet them.

Approaching them, Li Xianyun bowed to Yuchi Hong, "Greetings to Master Yu Chi."

With one hand behind his back and one hanging at his side, Yuchi Hong felt a warmth glow in his palm, slowly clenched his fist.

Li Xianyun’s concealed identity was known to those in the know.

In a usual tone, Yuchi Hong said, "Young Master Li, what brings you to the County Government Office?"

"May I request a private word with Master Yu Chi?"

The two made pleasantries outside merely for the sake of onlookers.

Yu Chi Hong welcomed Li Xianyun into the house, where Youlan and Bater stood guard, along with other soldiers.

Li Xianyun said, "Today, I have come in the hope that Lord Yu Chi, on behalf of the Official Government, issues two announcements."

"What announcements?" Yu Chi Hong asked, looking at her.

"One announcement is about the purchase of cotton from smallholders, and the other is about recruiting workers for the garment workshop."

The warehouse, having purchased a massive amount of cotton, suddenly caught fire and the cotton was destroyed—surely no accident.

Since it is no longer possible to purchase cotton on a large scale, they had to buy from smallholders.

Additionally, recruiting workers serves to solve the survival issues of those poor farming households.

Moreover, these households were originally cotton growers, well-informed and undoubtedly aware of many smallholders who had stockpiled cotton.

Thus, purchasing cotton now would save both time and effort.

Yu Chi Hong readily agreed, "Alright."

Li Xianyun smiled, "Thank you for your efforts, Lord Yu Chi. Please let me know as soon as there is any progress."

"Alright."

Yu Chi Hong escorted Li Xianyun all the way to the entrance of the Government Office.

He wanted to thank Li Xianyun once again for saving his life.

However, with so many people around, doing so would inevitably reach Yelu Yan’s ears.

Yelu Yan regarded Li Xianyun as a treasure, precious like the apple of his eye, carefully guarding her, fearing someone might snatch her away.

If he made clear their relationship, Yelu Yan would surely overthink.

Clearly, Li Xianyun also did not wish to create unnecessary complications.

They had met several times in Shangjing and Li Xianyun had acted as if she did not recognize him.

After leaving the County Government Office, Li Xianyun and her party arrived at a carpentry workshop.

It was now the winter season, and fewer people were working on projects.

The young servant who was guarding the door sat at the entrance, leaning back in his chair to soak up the sun, occasionally yawning, at ease and relaxed.

When he saw Li Xianyun and her group approaching, the young servant thought they were just asking for directions and maintained his lazy posture.

Bater said, "Tell your shopkeeper, there’s work to be done."

And it was a big job.

Upon hearing this, the servant instantly perked up, his demeanor turning enthusiastic, "Please wait a moment, gentlemen, I’ll go inform him."

Muffled voices could be heard from inside, and the next moment, an old man with a white beard came out.

His fingers were rough, his hands covered in calluses; he was both the shopkeeper and a carpenter.

The old man welcomed the group inside.

Li Xianyun looked around.

Although the workshop appeared small from the outside, it was quite spacious inside.

It was divided into several rooms. In the main hall where they stood, various tools were placed along the walls, and in the center, there was a dressing box being crafted, with rolls of white wood shavings piled nearby.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of wood.

The old man asked the young servant to pour some tea, then moved three chairs covered with wood shavings from the corner, sweeping off the fragments.

"Please, sit."

Li Xianyun sat down as instructed and asked, "Old uncle, are there only the two of you in the shop?"

The old man also took a seat, "Apart from us two, there are seven or eight carpenters. Business is slow at year-end, so I let them go home to reunite with their families."