Ever since the news spread that the court had sent Franklin Reed to attack Haozhou, the city was in a state of panic, and grain prices changed three times a day. After Stephen Wood arrived, the price hikes became even more drastic, and the common people were full of complaints.

Whether there would be war or not, grain was something people needed for two meals a day—missing even one meal left them starving.

Throughout history, most failed city defenses were due to a lack of food, with people starving to death.

“Old man, I’m not on the same side as the Yuan court, why would I help them?” Mr. Cooper the Grain Merchant thought for a moment and understood what John Washington meant. “I understand. With war at our doorstep, food is needed. I am willing to donate five hundred shi of grain to General Harris as military provisions. Please, Young Master Washington, pass this on to the commander.”

Five hundred shi was not a small amount, but John Washington shook his head.

“Then, then eight hundred shi? Even a thousand shi is fine!”

John Washington still shook his head.

Mr. Cooper the Grain Merchant was baffled. What kind of situation was this?

You arrest the grain merchants and make such a big scene—don’t you just want us to hand over some grain? Fine, I’ll give it to you!

Even for the sake of the commander, you should show some mercy and let us live!

“Young Master Washington, don’t be too greedy!”

John Washington gave a cold laugh. “Let’s not beat around the bush. From now on, every grain shop—how much grain is in stock, how much is sold each day—all will be under our control!”

After John Washington finished speaking, he turned to look at all the townsfolk and cupped his hands to everyone.

“Fathers and elders, I know everyone is afraid, worried about not having enough to eat. I also know what it’s like to go hungry. Since I was a child, I’ve hardly ever had a full meal.”

John Washington’s words drew a burst of laughter, and the people looked at him with much softer eyes. Clearly, he was someone who understood the hardships of the common folk.

“I’ve been thinking, every household can buy grain once every five days, up to ten jin each time. Maybe it’s a bit little, but in times like these, we can’t just eat our fill—we all have to cut back. But rest assured, all the grain will be sold at fair prices. No one will be gouged!”

After John Washington finished, the people around began to silently calculate.

Once every five days, ten jin each time—that’s two jin of grain per day.

Assuming a family of four, that’s half a jin per person per day.

If it’s during the busy farming season, with hard labor all day, half a jin isn’t enough to feed a strong worker. There’s no help for it—in times of severe shortages of side dishes and fats, everyone lives on plain rice, and they really can eat!

But then again, with half a jin, at least you won’t starve, and with old and young in the family, it can be averaged out.

Most importantly, the grain is at a fair price. At a time like this, can anyone hope for more?

“Young Master Washington, can we trust your word?”

Someone mustered up the courage to ask.

John Washington replied loudly, “With the enemy at our gates, the soldiers and civilians in the city are all one family. Even if there’s only a single grain of rice, we’ll share it! No one will starve! But the soldiers have to fight, have to risk their lives. You can’t drive out the Yuan invaders on an empty stomach. Think about it, if the Yuan troops break in, what will happen to Haozhou? By then, men, women, young and old—if not killed, will be taken and humiliated, reduced to slaves and beasts. Is that what you want?”

Faced with John Washington’s question, the people of Haozhou quickly made up their minds.

“Alright, we’ll listen to Young Master Washington!”

“Young Master Washington, you must hold Haozhou—don’t let the Yuan dogs break in!”

With the support of the people, John Washington felt even more confident. He turned to look at Mr. Cooper the Grain Merchant and the other four grain merchants. Their faces changed again and again.

They all understood what Old Zhu meant—he was going to seize their grain shops, and not just a little, but the whole lot.

What should they do?

They all looked at Mr. Cooper the Grain Merchant, thinking, “You’re the most confident and well-connected among us—say something for everyone!”

Mr. Cooper the Grain Merchant gritted his teeth. “Young Master Washington, are you going to take all my business away?”

“No!” John Washington said firmly. “It’s only a temporary requisition. When the Yuan invaders are driven off, the grain shops will be returned to you, and the grain will be compensated.”

“Hahaha!” Mr. Cooper the Grain Merchant suddenly burst out laughing. “I’m not a three-year-old child! John Washington, I know exactly what kind of person you are! You’re just a little monk from Huangjue Temple! Suddenly climbed up the ranks and got carried away, now you dare to bully me! Let me tell you, someone has already gone to see General. Back then, I lent General Harris a hundred carts of grain—we have a life-and-death friendship. You can’t take it from me!”

He mentioned the little monk from Huangjue Temple, and John Washington’s brows twitched several times, but in the end, he held back.

“So, you’re determined not to cooperate?”

Mr. Cooper the Grain Merchant said through gritted teeth, “You’re going too far—I can’t agree!”

John Washington asked again, “But the grain control is a military order!”

“Military order? I’m not a soldier…”

Mr. Cooper the Grain Merchant was about to say more, but John Washington suddenly drew his sword and declared, “A military order must be obeyed by the whole city—no exceptions! Disobey, and there’s only one outcome: death!”

As he spoke, John Washington suddenly swung his sword, and a gray-haired head fell to the ground… In the crowd, William Bolton was so frightened he quickly closed his eyes and instinctively covered Edward Clark’s eyes as well.