Fighting Bloody Battles To Defend The Border, The Love-Brained Empress Ordered The Troops To Withdraw? - Chapter 38

Li Yunfei’s brows furrowed deeply.

He reached down to help the grain and fodder officer to his feet and said, “Slow down. What exactly are you trying to say?”

“What do you mean by ‘exploited’?”

“If they’re bringing their own provisions, how are they being exploited?”

Li Yunfei was puzzled, but the officer didn’t pause: “General Li, after conducting an investigation, we’ve confirmed that the majority of residents in Shanhe City are struggling just to survive. They have no surplus grain to offer us.”

“But they couldn’t bear to see the soldiers starve.”

“So, they did what they could.”

“The only way they saw was to pledge the grain they haven’t even harvested yet—this autumn’s crop—as collateral.”

“They used those future harvests to borrow grain from large merchants.”

“And they brought that grain here, to the front lines.”

“But now food is running short again. We suspected the merchants were behind it, so we looked into it—and sure enough!”

“These profiteers have been hoarding grain in bulk.”

“They’ve been profiting off the war from the start. But now that the people are relying on them, they’ve started hiking prices even more.”

“At first, we thought it was just the natural price fluctuation from supply and demand.”

“Given the scarcity, a modest rise was understandable.”

“But what we found was outrageous.”

“They’ve been driving prices sky-high!”

“And not just once a day. The price changes by the hour!”

The grain officer took a breath, then continued: “Now, to get one unit of food, the people have to promise 90% of their future harvest.”

“In other words, for every ten parts of grain, only one remains with the farmer. The other nine go to the merchant.”

“And come harvest time, those merchants will have people overseeing the fields, making sure they collect every grain.”

“But just today, the rate dropped again. It’s now 50%.”

“And in some places, even worse—only 40%.”

“That means more than half the grain disappears before it even reaches the soldiers.”

“They’re bleeding the people dry!”

Tears of frustration welled in the officer’s eyes. He said through clenched teeth, “The commoners are desperate. They want to support our army. But the grain merchants are squeezing them too hard.”

“They don’t want to accept these terms—but they have no choice.”

“That’s why the food reaching our camp is getting scarcer.”

“This isn’t the people’s fault.”

“But because so many of them are delivering grain, they’ve started to feel guilty, like it’s their fault the army isn’t getting enough!”

The official was trembling with fury by the time he finished, his face red with anger and grief.

But Li Yunfei—his heart was burning even hotter.

Shanhe City was even worse than he’d imagined.

There were corrupt officials who had exploited the city and its people for years.

There were military supervisors who betrayed their post, letting barbarians through the gates for the sake of personal gain—leading to bloodshed.

And now, greedy merchants were pushing food prices beyond reach.

“The people have been cornered!” Li Yunfei roared in his heart.

“Fine, if they want to drive the people to the brink—and if they want to push me to the brink—then let’s see if my sword still has its edge!”

A cold, murderous glint lit up his eyes.

Without hesitation, he gave the order.

Two thousand troops from his newly formed White Robe Army were to rest and prepare that night.

At dawn, they would march straight into Shanhe City.

And they would find out just how bold these merchants really were.

Profiting from war?

He wouldn’t tolerate it.

At sunrise, the White Robe Army moved through the streets like rolling thunder.

Two thousand strong. Heavy boots. Steady pace.

A wave of white surged toward the city’s largest grain business: Li Kee Grain Shop.

When they arrived, the shop hadn’t opened yet—but already a long line of townsfolk had gathered outside.

They clutched their grain contracts, anxious and waiting.

Waiting for the store to open.

The door creaked open with a groan.

Out stepped a smug clerk with a lazy gaze. He looked at the crowd and muttered, “Quite early today, aren’t you?”

Then, with a raised voice, he said: “Our boss said prices go up again today!”

“Now it’s 30%.”

The moment those words left his lips, the crowd erupted.

“Why is it getting worse?” a woman cried. “It was 90%, then 80%, then 40%—and now just 30%?”

“If we give away that much, we’ll have nothing left to eat!”

“We were barely scraping by, eating weeds, begging for food in Jiqing Town. But 30%—that’s certain death for many of us!”

Another called out: “The grain is for the soldiers! They’re protecting us with their lives—how can they fight if they’re starving?”

“You’re raising prices to the point we can’t support them at all!”

But the clerk’s expression hardened.

He barked, “Enough!”

“You think we want your grain?”

“We’re forced to take it. Do you know how troublesome it is to collect your future harvests?”

“Our boss is already losing sleep over it.”

“So what if we charge more?”

“Today, it’s 30%. Take it or leave it.”

“And let me be clear,” he added with a sneer, “we control all the grain trade in Shanhe City.”

“If you don’t exchange today, don’t think you’ll get another chance.”

“Tomorrow, the price goes up again!”

The crowd was stunned into silence. Some wept quietly.

They had no options left—but they still felt ashamed, bringing so little to the army.

But amid the quiet sobs, a voice thundered from the street.

“I’d like to see which merchant dares to hoard grain and profit from my soldiers’ hunger!”

Li Yunfei’s shout shook the street.

The crowd parted instinctively, making way for him as he approached.

He hadn’t brought all his soldiers—just a few trusted guards.

But even so, his presence was overwhelming.

He walked up to the smug clerk and seized him by the shoulder.

“You work here?”

The man trembled. “Y-yes, General!”

“Go get your boss.”

“Tell him General Li Yunfei demands his presence!”

Panicked, the man scrambled back inside.

Soon, a plump middle-aged man appeared and dropped to his knees the moment he saw Li Yunfei.

“G-General Li! Your humble servant greets you!”

“You’re the one in charge?”

“Yes, yes! I am the owner of this shop!”