"Little official, where are we going?"
After getting into Han Mo's carriage, Niu Deyì became incredibly reserved.
"What place in Bianliang City has the most grain?"
Han Mo asked instead of answering his question.
"The most, of course, would be the imperial granaries. Besides them, the largest two among the eight major grain merchants in the East and West Markets are the businesses of Shenxiao Palace in the southern part of the city and the Great Xiangguo Temple!" Niu Deyì quickly replied.
"It's quite laughable, isn't it? The devout men and women of this world constantly offer incense money to Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries. Now that there's a disaster, these Taoist priests and bald monks are truly stingy." Han Mo couldn't help but sneer after hearing him speak.
"Little official, then we..."
"Now even His Majesty believes in Taoism. Since His Majesty is providing disaster relief, let's patronize the businesses of Shenxiao Palace." Han Mo pondered for a moment and suddenly had an idea.
"But those Taoist priests are not to be trifled with. What if we provoke them, and they then speak ill of us to the Emperor..." Niu Deyì said urgently upon hearing Han Mo.
"I have my own plan. We won't go there just yet. Let's go home first, I need to fetch something!" Han Mo smiled and said casually.
"Little official, Your Highness has already instructed that if you need any money, you only need to say the word." Niu Deyì quickly said.
"Who said I needed money? I originally thought these grain merchants were ordinary businessmen, but I didn't expect their backers to be those Taoist priests from Shenxiao Palace and those bald monks from Xiangguo Temple! They've enjoyed the incense oil for so many years, it's time they coughed some up." Han Mo said with a smile.
"Make them cough some up?" Niu Deyì's eyes widened.
In fact, in the entire Bianliang City, besides Shenxiao Palace, the richest was the Great Xiangguo Temple. Whether it was the Taoist priests or the monks, they were always only taking and never giving. The monthly incense money, apart from their own daily expenses, was mostly used to lend out usury money. What is known as usury money is actually high-interest loans from later generations. Don't think that the usury money lent out by these temples and monasteries is any more merciful than that of other merchants. The interest rates, like "nine out of thirteen" and "donkey rolling," were not one bit less. On one hand, it was a business without capital, and on the other hand, they collected high interest. In addition, both monasteries and Taoist temples owned a large amount of land. The grain they produced each year did not require them to pay taxes to the imperial court. On one hand, they exploited the farming peasants, and on the other hand, they sold the grain at a high price. With dozens or hundreds of years of accumulation, how could any Taoist temple or monastery in Bianliang City not be rich and prosperous? Even now, although the Emperor, instigated by Lin Ling Su, vigorously suppressed monks and nuns, even changing Guanyin to "Great Bodhisattva" and Arhats to "Venerables," their fundamental interests were not shaken. In this era, having money provided the basis for befriending high officials and noble lords. Furthermore, whether monks or Taoist priests, as long as they possessed some literary talent, they were very popular among high officials and noble lords. To extract grain from them at this time would be no different from plucking teeth from a tiger's mouth.
"Alright, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. Just watch my performance." Han Mo patted the carriage door and instructed Xu Fengnian. Returning to his study, Han Mo didn't bother with pleasantries. After a moment of thought, he picked up his brush and began to write furiously.
"I wonder what our little official is getting. It's almost noon, and if we don't go today, we'll be out of food tomorrow or the day after." Niu Deyì was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, seeing that it was almost noon.
"Didn't the little official just say not to disturb him? So, we just wait. Don't worry, our Han little official is very capable." Compared to the agitated Niu Deyì, Xu Fengnian was much calmer.
"I..." Seeing Xu Fengnian's confident face, Niu Deyì felt extremely dejected. It truly was the case of "if the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked." If Zhao Zhen hadn't instructed him before coming not to offend Han Mo no matter what, he would really feel like cursing right now. Offending those Taoist priests and bald monks for a little money was no different from poking a hornet's nest!
"Alright, are you two hungry? If we go now, we can even grab a vegetarian meal. I heard that the vegetarian meals at Shenxiao Palace are also superb." As they were talking, Han Mo finally came out holding a box.
"Little official, we actually still have some money on us. How about we..."
"Alright, I have this matter handled. You don't need to say any more." Han Mo naturally knew what he wanted to say, but this money was hard-earned. There would be many more expenses after sending Zhao Zhen to that position. It was better to save a little now if possible.
"Yes!" Since Han Mo had already said so, what else could he do? He could only follow Han Mo with a wry smile, all the way towards Shenxiao Palace by the Bian River.
"What a grand palace. If one didn't know, they might think it's a prince's residence..." Even Han Mo couldn't help but exclaim when they truly arrived outside Shenxiao Palace.
"Little official, you mustn't speak carelessly. This is where the divine immortal Lin resides..." Hearing Han Mo's nonsensical talk, Niu Deyì felt like running away. In Bianliang City, these monks and Taoist priests were the most difficult to provoke. Coming to their doorstep and speaking sarcastically was like courting death!
"Are you gentlemen here to offer incense?" Seeing that Han Mo was alone with two young attendants, a doorkeeper from Shenxiao Palace immediately stepped forward.
"No, no, no, please don't misunderstand. I am here to beg for alms today!" Upon hearing the young Taoist's question, Han Mo replied with a cordial smile.
"What did you say?" The young Taoist's eyes widened. In his entire life, this was the first time he had heard of someone coming to a Taoist temple to beg for alms.
"I said I am here to beg for alms. A little Taoist like you cannot make decisions on such matters. You should find someone who can make decisions and talk to me." Han Mo said again.
"I..." If it weren't for the scholar's robe of a Tai student that Han Mo was wearing, and the neat attire of Niu Deyì and Xu Fengnian behind him, he would truly want to call someone over to throw him out right now.
"What do you mean 'I'? Hurry up and go call someone!" Before the young Taoist could react, Han Mo rolled his eyes. After carefully sizing up Han Mo and seeing that he was clearly two heads taller than himself, the young Taoist gritted his teeth and scurried towards the back hall...
"Little official, he's probably going to call someone. I think we should run before they come!" Niu Deyì had initially thought Han Mo knew people here, but he never expected him to come directly to beg for alms. At this moment, he truly felt like smashing his head against a wall.