Listening to Feng Yuanbao's words, even Ping Zheng Sheng, who had seen much, felt like cursing his shamelessness.
If it weren't for the fact that they were still somewhat useful in evaluating the current situation, he would likely have been squeezed dry of every last drop of oil by this bone-sucking, marrow-draining fat man.
After many days, this fatty's daily discussions with them had shifted from the customs and traditions of Japan to the geography of its mountains and rivers.
He understood, of course, that this guy was gathering intelligence to prepare for their upcoming actions. But even knowing that, what could he do?
At this moment, they were the knife and he was the flesh on the chopping block, waiting to be butchered. Even if they knew this fat man had ulterior motives, what could they do?
As questions and answers flowed, time quietly slipped by. Only when dusk was approaching did Feng Yuanbao, with his few henchmen, leave Ping Zheng Sheng's residence.
"Everyone has worked hard recently, but we've collected most of the intelligence we need. Tell the brothers below to triple the manpower around this residence. No matter what these people do, you must follow them! Even if they go to the latrine, you must follow. Not one of them is allowed to escape!"
"Yes!"
Although Feng Yuanbao had purchased an official position for himself before, this was truly his first time genuinely navigating the officialdom.
However, it was fortunate that he was currently under Han Mo, with Han Mo backing him from behind. He didn't have to worry too much about the intricate schemes of the bureaucracy, which allowed him to thrive in Mingzhou City.
"By the way, help me arrange a meeting with the two head shopkeepers of the Zhang and Yu families later. Tell them I have something to discuss with them. I'm treating them to dinner at the Zhuangyuan Tower tonight!"
After walking a few steps, Feng Yuanbao suddenly stopped again and instructed one of the attendants behind him.
"Yes!"
"Organize our conversations from today, and then bring all the previously compiled documents to the Zhuangyuan Tower!"
"Yes!"
---
Although it was almost New Year's Day, the high-ranking members of the major families in Mingzhou City were all too preoccupied to celebrate.
Families that, like the Qian family, did not venture overseas were in a better situation. However, it was different for the Huang, Yu, and Zhang families.
The Huang family was currently working day and night to prepare their fleets for sailing.
Meanwhile, the Yu and Zhang families were mobilizing all their connections to acquire mining supplies on a large scale, recruiting experts in mineral exploration, and simultaneously repairing their own ships.
Everyone was now looking forward, partly waiting for the intelligence collected by Feng Yuanbao and partly waiting for Han Mo's safe return.
Influenced by them, the entire Mingzhou City had become even busier than before.
Nearby shipyards, large and small, were working around the clock to repair ships, and countless ordinary citizens of the city had joined in the labor of transporting supplies at the docks.
Li Yueyang's newly constructed granary had barely been completed before it was filled with shiploads of grain.
To preserve this grain, he had been the most exhausted person during this period.
Mingzhou was not originally a place suited for the construction of such large granaries. Moreover, for ease of transfer, Han Mo had chosen a location by the sea.
While transportation was indeed much more convenient, it brought him countless troubles.
To prevent the grain from getting damp, he had employed every possible method. After many attempts, following the advice of an old boatman by chance, he had filled the foundation beneath the granary with a large amount of quicklime and then laid a layer of quicklime at the bottom of the granary. Only then was the problem barely solved.
The solution was found, but new problems arose. Although there were several lime kilns near Mingzhou, their output was insufficient for their needs.
In desperation, he mobilized civilian laborers and, through a night of intense effort, expanded ten lime kilns in one go, which barely solved the lime issue.
Of course, what would happen to these lime kilns after the granary was built was not within his considerations.
After all, once Han Mo had completely subdued the seven major families, he, the Prefect of Mingzhou, had truly become powerful.
He truly had money, he had people, and with a single order, he received a hundred responses. It was no exaggeration.
Although Han Mo did not intend to sell this accumulated grain on a large scale in Mingzhou City, the grain prices in Mingzhou City had plummeted under the influence of this grain.
Those profiteers who had planned to hoard goods and make a fortune from the national crisis had now suffered greatly.
Just by looking at the shiploads of grain on the sea, no matter how much money they had, they could not withstand such psychological pressure!
In the beginning, the grain price in Mingzhou could still be maintained at around 800 wen per dou. However, in the past few days, the grain prices in several small towns near Mingzhou had directly fallen to 300 wen per dou.
Those profiteers had suffered heavy losses this time, but the common people of Mingzhou City had greatly benefited.
After all, in these times, even Bianliang City did not have such prices!
For this reason alone, in less than ten days, Li Yueyang had received three "Wanmin San" (banners of popular acclaim).
Before, when Li Yueyang went out, the city's common people would still treat him with great respect.
However, that respect was tinged with fear. But now, it was different. When the city's common people saw him, they treated him as if he were a savior. Sometimes, elderly people with white hair would insist on stopping him to give him some trivial gifts.
Either it was a few still-warm eggs, or fish caught by their nephews and nieces at sea.
Although these items were not valuable, Li Yueyang's heart was filled with mixed emotions every time he received them.
After all, these were the sincere affections of these common people for him.
Looking at those eyes filled with gratitude, even Li Yueyang, who had once been an incorrigible corrupt official, could not help but exclaim, the feeling of being an honest official was truly damn good.