Chapter 144: Once the Pot Is on the Fire, Why Worry About a Lack of Grain?

“Today’s situation is not bad; there seems to be enough rice for relief.”

An official standing nearby, seeing the scene, leaned toward Ye Chang with a smile.

Such steady porridge, where chopsticks could stand upright, was unimaginable just days ago.

Ye Chang nodded silently, saying nothing. But at that moment, an official dressed in light blue robes by the porridge tent proudly declared, “This is thanks to all of us. Over these past months, we have tirelessly worked here every day, comforting the disaster victims, which is why it is like this now.”

This man, clad in light blue, was a minor official newly promoted to mid-level status, holding a position roughly equivalent to Ye Chang’s nominal title of Recorder. The way he looked at Ye Chang was clearly disdainful, even bordering on hostility.

Seeing Ye Chang’s lack of reaction, the man continued, “Deputy Commander Ye, since you are from the Fang family and initially settled over two hundred victims for a dozen days in Yanshi, you must know that accommodating several thousand people for months is no easy task.”

“Yes, yes,” Ye Chang smiled and nodded.

A familiar clerk nearby exchanged a glance with the man, who just shrugged indifferently.

However, his expression changed when two Taoist priestesses approached.

“Oh my, why would you two masters come to a place like this?” The official almost ran over to them, stopping beside the two women.

Ye Chang was surprised—it was the same two Taoist priestesses, Li and Cai, whom he had met at the Dafu Xiansi Temple. What were they doing here?

The petty official eagerly greeted them, and seizing the opportunity, Ye Chang asked the nearby clerk, “Who is this man?”

“He’s the county’s Ding Dian Shi.” The clerk immediately brightened, apparently expecting some entertainment, and whispered to Ye Chang with a crooked smile, “He’s already passed his merit exams and is about to be promoted to mid-level rank. He’s so eager to wear the blue robes, but you, Recorder Ye, are blocking his way.”

Ye Chang instantly understood why the man was hostile: unintentionally, he had taken a meal that this man coveted.

For a Ding Dian Shi, a low-ranking official, transforming into a mid-level bureaucrat was no easy feat. Besides enduring the years of service, one had to earn merits and pass evaluations. This Ding Dian Shi could have advanced this year, becoming a respectable ninth-rank Recorder, but since Ye Chang was brought in to assist, this title was assigned to Ye Chang instead.

To Yang Shenming, this was an insignificant post, but to the Ding Dian Shi, it was a lifelong goal—there was little difference between ordinary clerks and low-ranking officials, but entering the mid-level ranks was like crossing a chasm.

Once again, Ye Chang found himself an unwitting victim of circumstance…

The Ding Dian Shi followed closely behind Li and Cai, who circled the tent, handing out porridge. After a while, curiosity got the better of them, and they returned.

“Thank you, Young Master Ye, for the help the other day,” they said, bowing respectfully.

Judging by their attendants, it was clear these two women were of distinguished status. The Ding Dian Shi lingered nearby, but they ignored him completely, which made him awkward. When they turned to greet Ye Chang, he was resentful: “These two masters must have thanked the wrong person. Young Master Ye only just arrived today and has no merits regarding the victims’ resettlement here.”

Since their arrival in Luoyang, the two Taoist priestesses had visited this relief station every few days, showing genuine concern for the victims. The Ding Dian Shi had interacted with them twice and knew their identities, so he tried to ingratiate himself.

Unexpectedly, despite his efforts, the two ignored him, yet Ye Chang merely stood nearby, and they came forward to thank him.

Ye Chang stepped aside and said, “No, I have no merits, and you need not thank me. If thanks are due, they belong to the officials and clerks who have been working tirelessly.”

The Ding Dian Shi nodded eagerly, like a dog wagging its tail for a reward. Li and Cai smiled softly, but their warm eyes were still fixed on Ye Chang.

They were curious about the secret arts shared between Ye Chang and Cao Shaokui, wanting to know whether they truly possessed immortal techniques, so their demeanor toward Ye Chang was especially respectful: “Young Master Ye, please understand that our gratitude is not for that matter.”

The Ding Dian Shi’s gaze toward Ye Chang was filled with jealousy and hatred.

Ye Chang didn’t waste words; he had business to attend to. He beckoned to the Ding Dian Shi: “You have been in charge of the victims’ affairs here for several months and have done well. I respect that. May I see the detailed statistics of the victims?”

“Detailed statistics?” The Ding Dian Shi sneered, “Why do you need that? I can tell at a glance how many people are here.”

“You misunderstand,” Ye Chang smiled. “What I need is the gender ratio, age distribution, literacy, and skills of the victims to aid in their resettlement. Also, their places of origin, whether they wish to return home, and if so, whether they still have relatives or property there—this is necessary for repatriation.”

Before Ye Chang could finish, the Ding Dian Shi suddenly flung a booklet onto the ground.

“How laughable! We’ve worked hard for months, and you arrive to boss us around, demanding this and that. Recorder Ye, you do it yourself then—I want to see what you’re capable of.”

The official’s reaction was excessive, and Ye Chang was taken aback. Then he caught a fleeting smile at the corner of the Ding Dian Shi’s mouth.

Apparently, he thought he was throwing a mess onto Ye Chang’s lap…

Ye Chang smiled wryly and picked up the fallen booklet.

It contained basic information on all the victims—gender, origin, and age—but none of the more detailed data Ye Chang requested. The Ding Dian Shi noticed Ye Chang’s calmness and sneered, “This list was compiled following the Emergency Post-Disaster Questionnaire issued by Lord Ming. These days, our relief efforts strictly follow that questionnaire. Do you, Young Master Ye, have any objections?”

“The Emergency Questionnaire is too simplistic,” Ye Chang shook his head. “Every place has its own circumstances; one cannot generalize.”

“What arrogance!” The Ding Dian Shi retorted, “I’ve served as an official for over twenty years and participated in nearly ten disaster relief efforts. I’ve never heard anyone speak of disaster relief with such detail. Recorder Ye, you say ‘too simplistic’ as if you’re smarter than those before you?”

Ye Chang was stunned. The “Emergency Post-Disaster Strategy Questionnaire” had originally been created by him and the magistrate of Yanshi. He knew its weaknesses well—it was designed for local disaster victims, so it barely addressed relief for these migratory victims; that was why he called it “too simplistic.”

But from the Ding Dian Shi’s words, he had read it but didn’t realize Ye Chang himself was behind its creation.

If this had been when Ye Chang first arrived in Chang’an, he would have blasted the Ding Dian Shi. But now, after several incidents, he no longer wished to make enemies.

“Ding Dian Shi, this… come with me for a moment,” Ye Chang said gently.

The Ding Dian Shi stubbornly lifted his chin. “What is it?”

“I have a few matters to discuss with you,” Ye Chang replied tactfully.

“I conduct my duties openly and have nothing to hide,” Ding Dian Shi insisted. “If you have something to say, say it in front of everyone.”

Ye Chang could only smile bitterly.

If he hadn’t courted trouble, he wouldn’t be in this predicament. If the Ding Dian Shi had been less obstinate, he wouldn’t have lost face.

Just as Ye Chang was about to speak openly, revealing that the so-called “Emergency Questionnaire” was his own creation, he glanced at the over two thousand blank-eyed victims. His thoughts shifted.

Though the number wasn’t large, Ding Dian Shi had done a decent job settling them.

Why bother quarreling over pride?

“Very well, forget it,” Ye Chang’s voice turned cold. Though he wanted to give Ding Dian Shi a way out, he wouldn’t be overly kind. “Officials Mo and Chen,” he called to two clerks nearby, who exchanged glances.

“You two work harder. Using this list, compile the detailed data I requested—accurately. If you succeed, I will report your merits to Lord Ming.”

The two clerks smiled but internally schemed about how to slack off. Ye Chang’s leniency toward Ding Dian Shi made them see him as soft, not the aggressive man they had heard about, so they began to underestimate him.

But Ye Chang smiled coldly inwardly; he was not afraid of their tricks.

“The porridge this morning was too thin. Each victim only gets one bowl, which won’t fill them. Have them cook more,” Ye Chang ordered.

The officials’ expressions immediately changed.

Ding Dian Shi sneered sarcastically, “Recorder Ye is truly wise.”

“I’ve also heard there’s only one porridge meal each morning. With the cold weather, one bowl of hot porridge a day won’t suffice,” Ye Chang continued without acknowledging him. “Besides the morning meal, there should be another in the evening…”

“No, no, that’s impossible!”

One of Ye Chang’s clerks finally couldn’t hold back. He was a trusted aide of Yang Shenming, sent to assist and supervise Ye Chang. Hearing these orders, he panicked.

“Why not?” Ye Chang tilted his head, slightly displeased.

“Well, Young Master Ye, could I have a word in private?”

“Though I’m not as forthright as Ding Dian Shi, I have no secrets in official business,” Ye Chang said. “Speak freely.”

“Well… the relief grain supply is fixed. If more is distributed, there won’t be enough… The porridge today is already thicker than usual because a wealthy young master in the city generously donated ten shi of rice,” the clerk stammered. “Otherwise, it would take quite a skill to get chopsticks to stand in the usual thin porridge.”

“If not for our diligent work moving Lord Pang, how would he have donated ten shi of rice?” Ding Dian Shi sneered.

Ye Chang shook his head. “I see. Don’t worry, I will find a way to procure more rice. First priority is to ensure these victims have enough to eat. Starving them is step one, feeding them adequately is step two, and step three is enabling them to rebuild their homes.”

Ding Dian Shi couldn’t help but chuckle—mere empty talk.

The court could not provide more grain. The Tang Empire was vast, and every year some region suffered famine. The court could only offer temporary relief, not oversee reconstruction.

Once through the initial crisis, it was a matter of survival on their own.

“Don’t trust me?” Ye Chang’s patience thinned, seeing the clerks still standing idle.

“Recorder Ye, do you think you can conjure grain with just words?” Ding Dian Shi said bluntly. “If we exhaust the current food supply, how will we survive the coming days? Without seeing more grain, we cannot follow your plan.”

His words were rude but reasonable. The clerks, even those who disliked Ding Dian Shi, hesitated.

Ye Chang nodded, realizing he needed to show results. He looked toward Anxi Gate of Luoyang and pointed. “The grain has arrived.”

Everyone turned in surprise to see several large carts emerging from the city gate.

Ding Dian Shi was astonished—it was impossible. Yang Shenming could not have supplied more rice, and although Ye Chang had many attendants, no one had heard of him buying rice.

A bluff?

Ye Chang was not foolish enough to bluff, as it would be quickly exposed.

Ding Dian Shi scowled and, along with the other officials and the watching victims, looked toward the carts.

There were six large carts, followed by a group of well-dressed, proud young men.

Li and Cai, seeing these wealthy youths, murmured softly—they were mostly familiar faces from the Dafu Xiansi Temple. Why had they come here?

Since arriving in Luoyang, the two priestesses had come to distribute porridge every couple of days but had never seen these wealthy youths before.

Their eyes shifted back to Ye Chang.

Both were sharp and quickly realized the reason: at last night’s banquet at the Peony Tower, Ye Chang must have made some arrangement with these wealthy sons, leading to today’s rice delivery.

“Ye Eleven, Ye Eleven,”

The carts stopped before the porridge tent, and voices called out. Ye Chang bowed deeply, “Brothers, I thank you all.”

“Nonsense, this isn’t just your matter, Ye Eleven. Every man shares responsibility for the nation’s rise and fall. Your words yesterday were wise. I’ve brought ten shi of rice for you to use.”

“Me too, ten shi...”

Six men had come, each bringing rice, ranging from eight to fifteen shi, totaling sixty-two shi of rice. After greeting everyone, Ye Chang turned to the officials: “Now that the rice has arrived, why not start cooking the porridge?”

The officials said nothing and immediately got to work. The two who had planned to shirk their duties moved faster than anyone.

Their eyes were sharp—they knew that Ye Chang had persuaded the wealthy youths of Luoyang to donate rice, and the force behind this was not ordinary.

Arguing over grain now would be unwise.

Even Ding Dian Shi, though still unwilling, showed some embarrassment in his gaze.