"What do you want me to do?" Ling Yunhe asked, looking at Xie Jinshu.
Xie Jinshu hesitated for a moment, raised his wine cup to tap it against Ling Yunhe's, and then said in a low voice, "I think we should start by hoarding some grain."
Ling Yunhe's expression froze. "His Majesty has left on a campaign. Where would there be any surplus grain in the dozen or so prefectures and counties around the Capital City? Besides, the court isn't short on grain right now, so why are you hoarding it? The price of grain is high at the moment. If it turns out we don't need it and get stuck with it, that's a huge amount of silver. You'd lose everything you've earned these past few years."
Xie Jinshu looked at Ling Yunhe. "How long do you think this war will last?"
"His Majesty is leading the troops himself. It will probably be a quick and decisive battle."
"You sound so hesitant. I suppose you aren't so sure yourself, are you?"
