Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

However, grain in Liaodong is already soaring in price, from the original two taels per stone to six taels.

This was not because someone was driving up grain prices, but a normal market reaction.

Zhao Yunxing and other official merchants had not had the chance to drive up the prices, as they were kept on edge by Ding Qiu and Luo Jingsong, and were no longer interested in inflating prices.

If they did manipulate the prices, grain might currently cost as much as sixteen, eighteen, or even twenty taels per stone.

”Hmm, we can start by recruiting a batch of refugees, which happens to be a good opportunity to train the constables, so they won’t be caught off guard when the time comes!” Mr. Pang agreed.

Accepting and settling refugees is a complex matter.

This time is unlike in Tenglong Guard, where only tens of thousands of refugees were received, with each Hundred Households and garrison being able to take people away for settlement.

With the support of old military households, those refugees could quickly assimilate into Tenglong Guard.

But this time, Chongshan Town was tasked with creating a new home for a possible number of refugees that could exceed one million.

This could be said to be an incredibly massive task, involving almost the entire official apparatus of Chongshan Town.

”I was thinking the same, and since it’s only July now, the first batch of refugees will have some time to adapt. The most difficult will be the refugees that come after winter!” said Yang Zhenshan with a somewhat helpless expression.

It’s hard to leave one’s homeland; people won’t easily choose to leave unless they are truly desperate.

It would be best to move to Chongshan Town at this time, as there’s some time to adapt and prepare before winter.

However, this was clearly impossible.

As long as there was a sliver of hope, the people of Liaodong would not readily migrate to Chongshan Town.

Yang Zhenshan estimated that this migration wave would begin in October and continue until after May next year.

”We can only prepare as much as we can!”

Mr. Pang also felt helpless; dealing with the affairs of millions of people was not something that could be changed with a few words.

All they could do was provide guidance, even enforcement was not an option.

Because enforcement could potentially lead to even more chaos.

Without reaching the last resort, we must not forcibly relocate the common people.

The two discussed the details in the hall. The reception of refugees this time will be mainly led by the Governor’s Office and various local state and county governments. After the refugees arrive at the resettlement points, the General Mansion and various Assistant General Mansions will be responsible for management.

Compared to reception, managing the refugees is even more difficult.

In times of chaos, harsh laws must be applied.

It’s certainly more appropriate for soldiers wielding swords to manage those refugees who have nothing than for officials armed with pens and paper.

After sending off Pang Tang, Yang Zhenshan went to inquire about the construction progress of the official roads and villages at the engineering department.

It was not until nightfall that Yang Zhenshan returned to the Marquis Mansion.

Inside the main courtyard, Yu Qingyi and Ming Zhao were already waiting for him for dinner.

”Dad!” Ming Zhao called out obediently.

”Mm!” Yang Zhenshan responded, quickly washed up, and ruffled Ming Zhao’s little head.

Dinner was already prepared, and upon seeing Yang Zhenshan return, Yu Qingyi immediately had Qingxia and Red Cloud serve the dishes.

”This afternoon, the manager from Ningyuan Prefecture came back and said that the manors there will have a total crop failure this year!” Yu Qingyi said while serving food to Yang Zhenshan.

”What about Jing’an Prefecture?” asked Yang Zhenshan.

”There will be a decrease in yield, but we should still be able to harvest some!” Yu Qingyi said.

The Yang family owned many manors in Liao Yuan Province, in Jing’an Prefecture, Ningyuan Prefecture, Qinghua Prefecture, and Liao’an Prefecture.

After some thought, Yang Zhenshan said, ”Tell everyone, let’s exempt the rent for all the manors in Liao Yuan this year. Times are tough, but it shouldn’t be to the point where we can’t make it through!”

Most of the Yang family’s manors were cultivated by tenant serfs and tenants.

Tenant serfs are those who sold themselves into servitude to the Yang family, and tenants are those common people who rent and cultivate the Yang family’s land.