The grain situation in Zhongzhou was indeed as Fang Chuning described: strictly controlled by the State Mansion. While there was little grain circulating in the market, it wasn't entirely absent. Xie Jue managed to secure a batch of grain in Zhongzhou. Though it was a mere drop in the bucket, it was better than nothing. With river transport suspended, Xie Jue ordered the grain to be transported overland to Salt City, and from there rerouted to the outskirts of Jiaozhou City. Disguised as a wealthy merchant, he nearly bought out all the grain available across six cities in Zhongzhou. Due to the limited quantities, it didn't attract much attention—people simply assumed a merchant from Salt City was stockpiling grain for the winter.
Xie Jue settled into Fang Chuning's mansion. Fang Chuning did not ask how long he intended to stay. After his brief leave, Fang Chuning would head to the military camp during the day and return to the mansion at sunset with unwavering punctuality.
