IDWBE -Chapter 74 Stockpiling Grain

Look at the life he was living.

Others who transmigrated—glorious and successful, second only to the emperor, cheered everywhere they went, surrounded by attendants and concubines, enjoying every earthly pleasure.

And him? Because of some ridiculous sense of shame and conscience, he was still single!

No chance of lunch, no hope for dinner!

At dinner, Hong Ying handed Lin Yi the gift list that Xie Zan and the others had prepared for the emperor.

“My corals, jade, luminous pearls, silver…”

Lin Yi winced, “These aren’t even theirs—they truly don’t feel any attachment.”

Hong Ying nodded, “Your Highness, should we reduce some of the items?”

Lin Yi sighed, “Forget it. There isn’t much to begin with. Reducing more is pointless—it might as well not be sent at all.”

Hong Ying took the list and stepped back.

But on the third day, Lin Yi brightened up.

Du Sanhe’s one million taels of silver arrived, along with three large ships.

The three ships sailed from the sea into the West River, their high bows and masts attracting schoolchildren who, ignoring their teachers’ warnings, skipped class to climb trees and shout at the ships.

Even the people of Baiyun City rushed out to watch—the streets emptied as thousands flocked to see.

Many had seen ocean-going ships before, but never one entering the West River.

“Your Highness, this way please.”

The prince’s guards cleared the path. Tian Shiyou led Lin Yi through the crowd to the riverbank.

Lin Yi boarded via a steep gangway and went straight to the third deck.

Looking out over the wide river, he said, “I didn’t expect the river to be so deep. Even such a large ship hasn’t run aground.”

Tian Shiyou smiled, “Your Highness, it’s said that years ago, before Baiyun City even existed, countries from the South Seas and Ayu would bring tribute by sailing directly into the West River, then transport it overland to the capital.”

Lin Yi, curious, said, “I didn’t know that.”

Tian Shiyou grinned, “Your Highness, do you like these ships? Du Sanhe really spared no expense.”

“Oh, right, you also promised to give me a ship,” Lin Yi looked at Tian Shiyou. “Where is it?”

Tian Shiyou replied, “Your Highness, rest assured. It’s at Yuanhai—I wouldn’t dare deceive you.”

Lin Yi said, “From now on, you belong to me. No more dividing into ‘yours’ and ‘mine.’
What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine remains mine.”

Tian Shiyou’s face fell.

“Look at you—do you think I’m taking advantage of people?” Lin Yi said, annoyed.

Clearly, it was a good deal!

Tian Shiyou almost blurted it out but smiled instead, “Of course not.”

Lin Yi continued, “List how many large ships you personally have and how many you can contact outside. Don’t hide anything. Bring all the ships into the partnership—earn money together.”

“What do you mean, Your Highness?”

“Still don’t get it?” Lin Yi gave him a side-eye, spat out a blade of dogtail grass, and watched it drift into the river. “I’ll be their backing. They provide the ships, manpower, and money—is that clear?”

Tian Shiyou grinned, “Your Highness, that’s perfect!”

Sometimes he really enjoyed chatting with the prince.

Though he could be infuriating at times, he was direct—no beating around the bush. It saved thought and effort.

Seeing Lin Yi look at him, he hurriedly said, “If I start contacting people, I can probably gather ten large ships! And that’s not counting the Southern Province—if I reach out there, even more!”

Lin Yi was surprised, “You can contact the Southern Province too?”

Tian Shiyou said, “Your Highness, you have no idea how many people want to do business in the South Seas!”

Lin Yi asked, “So all these years, nobody went to do business there?”

“Of course not. Otherwise, who would Du Sanhe be stealing from? Many have gone, but they suffer pirate attacks—losing both goods and money. Only those with strong backing can truly profit, avoiding trouble with pirates like Du Sanhe.”

Lin Yi nodded, “So when can you be ready to depart?”

Tian Shiyou said, “Going to sea involves countless preparations—not something done in a day. Goods must be gathered, loaded—it will take two months. Once ready, we stockpile grain. With the disasters and famines in recent years, food is scarce. Shipping it out will definitely be profitable.”

“Ship grain?”

Lin Yi’s eyes widened, “Are you insane? Remember this—every grain of Sanhe’s food stays here!”

“Your Highness, this is a money-making venture!”

Tian Shiyou stomped anxiously.

“Can’t you cook salt?”

Lin Yi rested on the railing, letting the river breeze stretch his arms. “Then continue with salt trading.”

“Your Highness, Yuezhou is in chaos; I can’t go. I’ve already said that,” Tian Shiyou hesitated. “I’m not familiar with the northern route.”

“Then learn slowly.”

Lin Yi continued, “Minister Xie, continue purchasing and stockpiling grain. If there isn’t enough storage, have Mr. Bian build more granaries.”

Xie Zan beamed, “Your Highness, wise indeed!”

This was a suggestion he had made earlier—now the prince accepted it, he was thrilled.

With unrest on the horizon, the most valuable resource was grain.

So stockpiling was wise.

Tian Shiyou pointed to the river, “Your Highness, look.”

Lin Yi shielded his eyes from the sun, squinting. A small boat detached from one of the large ships, with Du Yinniang and Wen Qian aboard, drifting downstream.

“They didn’t even greet us—so rude,” Lin Yi remarked, feeling a tinge of regret as the small boat floated away.

Mingyue said, “Your Highness, shall I call them over?”

Lin Yi shook his head and smiled, “Forced fruit isn’t sweet.”

Zixia looked puzzled, “But Your Highness said it might be sweet in the end?”

Wen Zhaoyi glanced over, and Lin Yi quickly coughed twice, turning away.

Two days later.

Tian Shiyou requested leave to go to Yuanhai; Lin Yi thought for a moment and decided to follow.

Idle time is still idle—better to see the blue sky and ocean.

With the prince, he ran tirelessly.

Just gathering the prince’s belongings filled twenty chests; servants and guards numbered sixty-seven, leaving Tian Shiyou astonished.

On the day of departure, Lin Yi sat in a large chair on the deck, holding a tea cup, with Hong Ying to his left and Wen Zhaoyi to his right.

Wen Zhaoyi adjusted her hair lifted by the river breeze and smiled, “The last time I went to sea was about fifty years ago.”

Lin Yi laughed, “This time, we’ll eat all the seafood we want.”

Baiyun City had seafood, but it wasn’t fresh; occasional large shrimp still smelled fishy.