Chapter 252: Chapter 252 Proposal
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Zhou Ying’s hand holding the cup of tea stiffened for a moment. This change of words was so fast; she was told it was three days later previously and was changed to tomorrow.
“That can’t be. I know that there are two large manors and nearly 10,000 acres of fertile land under Hongyun Restaurant.
“There’s even a manor that specializes in breeding livestock. How did it get to the point of having to shut down?” Tian Jingzhong looked at him in shock.
Hongyun was a well-known wealthy restaurant in town. If they also quit, the porridge stall would be unable to continue.
“You also know my relationship with General Zhou, so I have nothing to hide.
“Although there was no tax last year, I took 70% of our food rations and sent them to the military camp. In addition to the restaurant’s expenses this year, I’m really running out of money.”
When Tian Jingzhong heard this, he had nothing to say. Instead, he looked at Zhou Ying and asked, “Manager Zhou, what about you? I heard that you bought a lot of grain last spring. It can’t be that you can’t continue running your business, right?”
…..
Zhou Ying shook her head. “But we don’t have any foundation for continuing to produce food supplies. Besides, the manor didn’t have much income last year, so we don’t have much left either.
“Besides, once everyone quits, we’ll be the only ones left. I can only hold out for one day, so there’s no need for that.”
“What are we going to do about the 10,000 refugees outside? If they cause a ruckus, we’ll be in trouble.” When Tian Jingzhong heard their reply, he had a headache.
Manager Liu and Zhou Ying looked at each other, but neither spoke. After all, this matter was difficult to solve, and they were powerless to do anything.
Zhou Ying had food, but she didn’t dare to take the risk. Besides, they weren’t really at the end of their rope.
“Help me think of a way. The refugees will have no food to eat and will riot tomorrow.” Tian Jingzhong saw that the two of them didn’t answer and could only raise his head to ask.
“I think it’s better to have the prominent families donate some surplus grain for sale. We’ll sell a limited amount every day and make them more active.
“Otherwise, even a normal year wouldn’t be able to support so many people, let alone now.” Zhou Ying spoke after hesitating for a moment.
“How much can we collect if we do it that way?” Tian Jing Zhong smiled bitterly.
“Request it to be mixed with bran, deep-fried hardtack, tofu dregs, and grass.”
“Ahem, don’t come up with such ideas. We aren’t feeding animals.” Manager Liu coughed dryly and looked her in the eyes.
“It’s better than eating dirt. Besides, there are wild vegetables and leaves on the mountain. As long as they don’t starve to death, it’s okay.
“Otherwise, if we just hand food out to them constantly, they’ll become dependent on us, and it’ll be more troublesome.” Zhou Ying continued, “If they agree to this, I can also take out 10,000 pounds of wheat bran.”
“I’ll agree, but we’ll have to discuss it first.” Tian Jingzhong nodded thoughtfully.
Since they were really short on food, there was nothing wrong with eating inferior food to save their lives.
If they don’t want to eat these, they can just leave.
“Then we’ll take leave.” Zhou Ying stood up and said.
To be honest, she only thought of feeding people grass because she had a flash of inspiration and thought of the words a former minister in ancient times had said on TV in her previous life.
When she had heard it before, she had been angry and felt that he wasn’t human.
However, after learning about the food production here, hearing about the locust plague, and thinking about the people’s current situation, she realized that what he said wasn’t without reason.
Although the food was rough, it could at least save more lives.
Besides, if it weren’t for her interspace, they would have been in danger of running out of food too. So, she wouldn’t entirely abandon the refugees..