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Therefore, Zhang Cheng did not say anything when those officials stood up and accused Mu Yangling of fighting with the people for benefits. To him, it was just a small benefit. If he could get an important position from Qi Xiuyuan, everything would be worth it.

However, it was impossible for him to stand on Mu Yangling s side because he would offend many people by doing so. Hence, Zhang Cheng simply told Qi Haoran that he had already signed a contract with another grain store and the arrangement could not be changed.

When Qi Haoran heard this, he sneered in his heart. If Zhang Cheng wanted to curry favor with both sides, he would have to see if he and Big Brother were willing. Qi Haoran simply shut up and lowered his head to drink his tea.

Zhang Cheng’s expression gradually stiffened. How could he have forgotten that Qi Haoran and Qi Xiuyuan were famous for their stubborn tempers?

The atmosphere instantly froze. Fei Bai came in from outside and bowed. “Fourth Master, Fourth Madam wants you to go back.” Fei Bai looked up at Zhang Cheng and said in a low voice, “Fourth Madam said that you don’t have to beg anyone. Our grain store doesn’t lack grains at all, and we don’t have to fight with anyone. With the Qi family’s status outside, no one will come to cause trouble for us.”

Qi Haoran raised his eyebrows and put down his teacup. Then, he stood up and said, “Since Lord Zhang is busy, I’ll take my leave first.”

Although Fei Bai’s voice was low, Zhang Cheng still heard it. His expression froze. Seeing that Qi Haoran was about to walk out, he hurriedly went forward to stop him and said, “General Qi, please wait. Since Fourth Madam wants to open a grain store, I naturally have to show my support. So don’t worry. In the future, our Zhang family’s grain stipend will be handed over to Fourth Madam’s grain store.”

“In that case, Lord Zhang, get someone to send your grain stipend to the shop later.”

Zhang Cheng’s face twitched. In the blink of an eye, the terms had already changed for the worse. However, he had no choice. Since he had already said it, he could not take back his words.

Mrs. Zhang came out from behind the screen and asked in confusion, “Master, didn’t you say that you wouldn’t get involved? Why did you agree?”

Zhang Cheng sighed. “What can I do? Qi Haoran’s attitude was so unyielding. If I didn’t express my stance, I might have to resign in two years.”

Zhang Cheng had been feeling fearful because he used to be Minister Qin’s man. At least, that was how others labeled him. When Minister Qin and the Second Prince plotted a rebellion previously, he stayed at home under the excuse of being sick and did not participate. However, it did not mean that his previous sins could be cleared. Now that Great Qi had just been established, the Emperor only kept him around because he was in need of talent. In two years, when Great Qi got on the right track, it would probably be time to settle accounts with the old ministers of the previous dynasty.

Otherwise, why would he work so hard for the Qi family?

Initially, he wanted to play dumb and muddle through this matter, hoping to offend neither side. However, it was obvious that despite being rash, Qi Haoran was not easy to fool.

Seeing Qi Haoran leave with a dark expression, Fei Bai followed him back to the Qi Residence in fear and trepidation. It was only when he saw Qi Haoran smile again did he heave a sigh of relief.

Qi Haoran went to the backyard to see Mu Yangling.

Mu Yangling was digging a hole in the backyard with Little Treasure and Little Bear to plant flowers. This was a hobby that the two children had developed from digging for treasures. Seeing Qi Haoran return, she handed the two children to their wet nurse. Then, she went forward and wiped his face with her handkerchief. She asked, “Why did you think of going to the Zhang residence?” “That old man Zhang Cheng is still thinking of playing both sides.” Qi Haoran wiped his hands dry and touched Mu Yangling’s face. “I originally wanted to help you rope in more officials and get those people to tone it down. But since you said that there’s no need, then forget it.”

“You don’t have to suffer that grievance.” Mu Yangling said with a smile, “Anyway, no one will dare to come and cause trouble at our shop. They can’t mess with our source of goods, and our employees are very loyal. There’s really no need to worry too much.”

This was the benefit of having solid capability. Mu Yangling finally knew why so many people loved power.

If this wasn’t Great Qi but Great Zhou, Mu Yangling would definitely face countless difficulties if she dared to do such a thing. However, because this was Great Qi, she had the backing of Qi Haoran and even Qi Xiuyuan. Therefore, even if those people were furious, they couldn’t do anything to her.

Mu Yangling originally wanted to wait for the corn seeds to arrive before opening the shop, but from the looks of it, there was no need to wait until then. Mu Yangling did not mind intervening in advance.

Thus, “Harvest Grain Store” soon opened.

The grain store mainly sold coarse grains. There were also fine millet and flour, but they were in much smaller ratios comparatively since their target customers were the middle and lower classes which made up the bulk of the population.

Mu Yangling’s grain prices were not low either, typically set at two to three copper coins higher than during bumper harvest years. Still, it was almost twice as cheap as other grain stores. The difference in price made the other grain stores gnash their teeth in hatred, but they could not do anything to her.

They resented her for not playing by the rules of the industry. By setting the price so low, wasn’t she trying to monopolize their business?

Some people expected to see customers make a mad rush for the grains, and they hoped to see the Harvest Grain Store close down as a result.

However, Mu Yangling had set a limit from the beginning. The shop would only sell 5,000 catties of grains a day, and each person could only buy to catties a day at most.

She did not specially advertise it, and the grain store was inconspicuously located at the corner of an alley. The only great thing about the shop was that it was big enough, occupying the size of four shops.

As soon as the Harvest Grain Store opened, there were many people watching it closely. But soon, those people realized that there was no advertisement for this newly-opened shop. Nor was there a mad scrambling for its grains as they had expected. Instead, the shop was rather deserted.

It was only when a nearby resident discovered that this grain store s prices were much cheaper than other grain stores, that the shop managed to seal its first deal.

For three consecutive days, although the Harvest Grain Store managed to sell some grains, it was completely different from what the grain merchants had imagined. They did not expect Mu Yangling to not conduct any publicity for her shop.

Of course, Mu Yangling would not do any publicity. She did have a lot of grains, but there wouldn’t be enough should everyone find out and flock to her shop. Hence, she could only do business quietly while waiting for the trade caravan to return.

She didn’t think there was anything wrong with this. At least the business volume was increasing every day, right?

Because the Harvest Grain Store limited the amount of grains each person could buy, the nearby residents all thought that this was just a limited-time promotion and that the price would increase in two or three days. Therefore, in a day, entire families went to the Harvest Grain Store and each of them brought back ten catties of coarse grain.

However, on the fourth and fifth day, the Harvest Grain Store s price was still the same. The nearby residents could not help but ask curiously. Only then did they find out that this was the shop’s official price. Everyone was excited. Which family didn’t have poor relatives?

Moreover, they themselves were not rich. That day, the news spread to the villages in the vicinity and some of the slums in Lin’an City.

The next morning, there was a long queue in front of the Harvest Grain Store.

Wang Quan asked someone to stand at the door and read the signboard in front of the door every once in a while. Then, he said, “Everyone, please forgive us. Although our Fourth Madam has the intention to help everyone, it takes time for the grains to be transported here. Therefore, she’s limiting the amount that everyone can buy each day and also stipulated that the shop can only sell 5,000 catties a day. Once we hit this amount, we will close the shop for the day.” Although the people below felt that it was a pity, they did not complain. They knew she was already doing them a huge favor to be willing to sell grains at this price.