That Is Not My Sister But Bibi Dong?!

Three days had passed since Ye Tian returned to the farm.

"Young master," Chen Jian hurried over, holding an old, rustic scroll, and handed it to Ye Tian.

With a slight movement of his elderly eyes, he said, "This is the disaster relief decree sent from the governor's office of Silvis Province."

"It's been five days since the typhoon passed, and now the governor's office finally responds?" Ye Tian squinted his eyes slightly, smiling faintly as he took the decree.

As he read through the content, his smile deepened.

"Heh, asking each city to handle their own disaster relief fundraising and distribute food to the refugees—how is this even a disaster relief decree?"

The governor's office was being perfunctory, as expected.

When it came to serving the people, the governor's office was always stingy.

Chen Jian chuckled and said, "The governor's office is always about making money, never about losing it."

"Everyone knows they wouldn't spend a dime."

"But this time is a bit special. It's said that His Highness the Crown Prince Xue Qinghe has already arrived in Silvis Province."

"With His Highness watching, Governor Qian Gu Nanfeng can't just sit still. He's already appointed several envoys to personally oversee the fundraising and disaster relief efforts in various cities."

Chen Jian whispered, bending over, "The meaning from the East Sea City Merchants' Association is that everyone should contribute something, so as not to embarrass the envoys."

"Disaster relief isn't something that can be solved by just contributing a little money." Ye Tian looked up, his expression suddenly serious.

"Old Chen, do you know how much the price of food has risen over the past three days?"

Hearing this, Chen Jian smiled. As the head of agriculture under the young master, how could he not know about the price of food?

Without hesitation, he replied, "The price of wheat was 25 copper soul coins per pound the day before yesterday, 33 yesterday, and 45 today."

The fluctuation in prices wasn't actually due to a food shortage.

Though the typhoon had passed just a few days ago, and farmers' homes had suffered, they still had some reserves to last for a while.

The rise in food prices was actually caused by merchants frantically hoarding.

These merchants knew that the crops had been damaged, and in a few months, there would inevitably be a major disaster. So they were buying up food in bulk, hoping to sell it at higher prices later.

Chen Jian, a bit worried, said, "Young master, you've always been compassionate towards disaster victims, but our stockpile isn't much. Compared to the number of refugees, it's like a drop in the bucket."

"And if we use money to buy food, those merchants will surely hike up the prices, making it not worth the effort."

"No matter," Ye Tian waved his hand with a meaningful smile, "let those merchants continue to buy for a few more days. We shouldn't just allow it—we need to fan the flames."

"Send some trustworthy people to spread the word that this year's disaster is particularly severe and that the imperial family is planning to restrict large-scale food purchases."

Chen Jian was taken aback, puzzled. "Wouldn't that make the merchants even more eager to buy food?"

Wouldn't that worsen the disaster?

For a moment, Chen Jian couldn't understand Ye Tian's actions.

Ye Tian smiled faintly, "Old Chen, have you forgotten what we have stored in the Butterfly Farm's warehouse?"

"Potatoes," Chen Jian replied instinctively.

As soon as he said it, a look of realization dawned on him, as if he had been struck with sudden enlightenment.

Of course!

The farm had a whole warehouse full of potatoes!

If they were used for food, it wouldn't be much.

But if they were used for planting, they'd be enough to cover fields the size of several East Sea Cities!

Potatoes yielded over 4,000 pounds per acre.

With irrigation and fertilizer, that could easily go up to 5,000 pounds!

The most crucial thing was that potatoes had a short growing cycle.

They could mature in just three months.

At this time of year, replanting wheat would be impossible.

But planting potatoes? No problem!

Moreover, using this disaster to promote potatoes and fertilizers would benefit not only the farmers but also bring extra income to Young Master Ye Tian.

Once farmers saw that fertilizing increased their crop yields, wouldn't they buy more fertilizer?

Of course they would!

And Ye Tian was the only one producing fertilizer in all of Silvis Province.

A monopoly was the best way to make money.

Understanding this, Chen Jian gave a thumbs-up and laughed heartily. "Young master, it seems those merchants hoarding grain are destined to lose everything!"

Ye Tian, calm as ever, clapped his hands and stood up from his stone chair. "Old Chen, in the coming days, build a few more large granaries near Butterfly Farm. Soon, we'll be taking over the grain from these merchants."

"Understood," Chen Jian bowed, noting it down.

Not only would they make the merchants lose money, but they would also profit greatly.

Young Master Ye Tian truly was brilliant.

"Xiaotian, what are you discussing? I haven't seen you for the past three days," a graceful figure approached from the distance—Bibi Dong, smiling as she walked over.

Seeing his sister approach, Ye Tian stepped forward to explain, "We were discussing the disaster situation in our province. It's said that His Highness the Crown Prince has already arrived."

Ye Tian didn't go into too much detail—his sister was better off not knowing about such things.

"The Crown Prince?"

Bibi Dong was momentarily surprised.

Could it be that Qian Renxue was coming to Silvis Province?

Lately, her focus had been on the policy of reassigning officials, and she was unaware of Qian Renxue's arrival.

At the thought of Qian Renxue, Bibi Dong sighed softly.

Her relationship with her daughter was quite strained.

Every time they met, it ended on a sour note.

She could only hope that Qian Renxue would stay in the provincial capital and not come to East Sea City.

Seeing his sister's reaction to the mention of the Crown Prince, Ye Tian teasingly said, "I hear Crown Prince Xue Qinghe is one of the most handsome men in the entire Heaven Dou Empire. Sister, were you just moved?"

"Huh? Teacher, moved?"

Hu Liena, who had just arrived, overheard something intriguing and curiously approached.

She tugged at Ye Tian's sleeve, asking, "Moved by what?"

Ye Tian glanced at Hu Liena and smiled lightly. "His Highness the Crown Prince Xue Qinghe has arrived in Silvis Province."

Upon hearing this, Hu Liena understood immediately.

She burst out laughing. "Are you saying teacher is interested in the Crown Prince?"

Then Hu Liena shot a sly look at Bibi Dong, grinning, "It does seem that way."

Her teacher having feelings for Qian Renxue made perfect sense, but those were feelings of family.

Ye Tian looked at Hu Liena and nodded slightly. "Being the Crown Princess is a dream for many girls. What about you, Nana? Is it your dream?"

"Definitely not," Hu Liena pouted.

She knew the Crown Prince was actually Qian Renxue.

Even if she didn't know that, she wouldn't be interested.

The Empire's heir?

She was the future heir of the Spirit Hall!

Who had the more prestigious status was obvious.

While Ye Tian and Hu Liena teased, Bibi Dong remained calm, her expression unchanged.

"I'm not interested in the Heaven Dou Crown Prince."

(End of chapter)