Shopkeeper Sun's words accurately hit the sore spot of everyone present. Everyone is a person in the same industry, and no one can hide the so-called insider doorway and grain sales.

Chang'an City was the capital of several dynasties, and cumulatively, the population exceeded one million. The area where Chang'an is located is not very rich in grain. Therefore, the rulers of all dynasties have faced the same headache, that is, where will the rations come from for these millions of people. Emperor Yang of Sui in the Luoyang Basin wanted to move the capital to Luoyang, and he also had such considerations.

Food is a rigid need for Chang'an. It stands to reason that this should be a seller's market, and sellers should have the upper hand. But don't forget, Chang'an is still the capital. The emperor lives there, and the dignitaries and nobles are all there, and if the trouble is excessive, it will be like last winter, when the court orders it down, and the merchants who raise the price of grain will be unlucky.

No matter which dynasty or generation, power must override wealth and rules at all times, so although it is a seller's market, the seller does not have any advantage. On the contrary, because of the high demand in Chang'an, you don't do my business, and others are willing to do it. Therefore, after the Ministry of Internal Affairs introduced the concept of 'order', the grain merchants in Luoyang signed an order contract with Chang'an's partners as early as possible, in order to be one step ahead of others and seize market weight.

In this case, a seller's market becomes a buyer's market, and there is naturally some compromise when it comes to pricing.

Luoyang is close to Luoshui and canals, and logistics and transshipment are convenient. But in any case, it is not cheap to collect grain near Luoyang. Before the implementation of the new policy, most of the fertile land in Luoyang was in the hands of a few people, although there was no land deed, but it was also handed down from the previous dynasty, and some long-term workers were hired to plant the land. Before the grain is planted, it is already predetermined. However, since the implementation of the new policy, the land has been divided among the common people, and the grain does not go to the big landlords, so this dilemma will appear this year, in order to make money as in previous years, they must collect grain from the people.

If you can't collect it, and the order is still there, you have to go somewhere else to collect the grain. In other words, if they can't receive the grain near Luoyang City, they will face the dilemma that Li Mu encountered a few days ago, and go to Taiyuan or Yangzhou to collect grain.

If you harvest grain in this way, you will definitely pay for it. It's not that no one thought of this truth, it's just that Li Mu is easy to provoke? Who would dare to stand up and pick this head?

Now that Shopkeeper Sun has stood up, everyone is happy in their hearts, there is someone who is behind the blame now, if you provoke that master, push you out of the top tank first! On the surface, they pretended to be suddenly enlightened one by one, and thanked the shopkeeper Sun for coming.

Immediately, everyone agreed, this will go back to prepare, early in the morning, after noon, in the evening, and early tomorrow morning, the big guys will go to the countryside to collect grain, in order not to hurt the harmony, and even three or five families formed a group, divided the area, do not rob each other, rob only the lord of the Hou Mansion!

……

When the grain merchants were discussing, Li Muzheng accompanied the eldest grandson Wuji to 'inspect' the Chidao construction site that had just resumed work. When the hidden danger of the locust plague was lifted, Li Mu arranged for the restoration of the Chidao project as soon as possible, which was more important than anything else and could not be delayed.

"If you want to get rich, build roads first." The eldest grandson Wuji saw the banner erected next to the construction site, read it, and said with a smile: "Such ingenuity, it must be your idea again?" ”

Li Mu nodded and said, "Although it is more straightforward, considering the literacy level of everyone who works, it is also the most effective." Li Mu said seriously: "You have to drum up the energy, so that the big guy knows the purpose of the work." ”

The eldest grandson Wuji was a little puzzled, and said: "I heard that these people who work are not forced laborers. You're hired for money, and they work for money, and it's a bit redundant to talk to them about that? ”

Li Mu shook his head and said; "Uncle Guo's words are wrong, not only is it not a big move, but it is very necessary."

"I want to hear about it."

Li Mu explained: "It's like a scholar who reads the Four Books and the Five Classics, most of the scholars can't pass the imperial examination and can't be an official, but why do they still study? Ming etiquette and righteousness. Loyalty, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness exist in the heart, and no matter how bad such a person is, it will not be bad. Because they understand what to do, what not to do, what is right, and what is wrong. It's the same with these banners, which are only a few words, but they can tell people what it means to do it in a simple and clear way. ”

Li Mu raised his hand and said, "Let's say 'if you want to get rich, build roads first', who doesn't want to be rich?" Ordinary people, everyone wants to. But no one knows how to get rich. If you know, there will be no poor people in the world. Most of the time, it's not that people don't want to do it, but they don't know how to do it, and what people lack the most is someone who tells them how to do it. ”

The eldest grandson Wuji pondered Li Mu's words, frowned slightly, and said, "But what does this 'build the road first' mean?" Could it be that if you build a road, you will definitely be rich? ”

"Not necessarily."

The eldest grandson Wuji smiled speechlessly, and said in his heart, what kind of answer is this.

"You don't have to be rich, but if you don't build roads, you won't be rich." Li Mu's tone was categorical, and he said: "Any thing or material is only valuable and meaningful when it is in the hands of those who need it. How to transport the road if it is impassable? Living in the mountains, even if there are mountains of gold and silver at the door of the house, what is the use? Money has to be able to be spent to be called money. In the same way, something has to be shipped out for it to have value. ”

Li Mu pointed to the road in front of him and said, "When this road is opened, the speed of travel between Chang'an and Luoyang will be greatly improved." There is no longer a need to transport grain through the dangerous Sanmenxia, and it is not much worse to travel by land. Li Mu showed a yearning look, as if that day was in front of him: "Uncle Guo, you can imagine what kind of scene it must be on this road where businessmen gather and all kinds of goods are piled up in warehouses." Liba who works, the bookkeeper who settles accounts, merchants of all sizes, those who sell goods, those who sell goods, how many people can make a living by this road——"

Li Mu looked at the eldest grandson Wuji: "Your Majesty and the princes travel between Chang'an and Luoyang, and they can be reached in one day and one night. So fast and convenient, although Chang'an and Luoyang are two cities, they can also be regarded as one city. ”

When the eldest grandson Wuji heard this, he finally understood why Li Mu was so concerned about this gallop. He also understood why Li Shimin supported Li Muxiu so strongly. Li Shimin always wanted Luoyang to be the companion capital of the Tang Dynasty and consolidate the imperial court's dominance over the local area. If this road is completed, Chang'an and Luoyang will be connected in a line, not only in terms of commerce, but also from the perspective of governance. What's more, if successful, Luoyang to Taiyuan, Chang'an to Shuzhou, can follow suit, and when the problem of distance is overcome, the imperial court's control over the local area will naturally be strengthened.

Thinking of this, the eldest grandson Wuji couldn't help but look at Li Mu, this kid was obviously only eighteen years old, how did he think of this? Could it be that he is really the reincarnation of a god?

In the past two days, he has already investigated the matter clearly. Judging from the current situation, the theory of the reincarnation of immortals is completely nonsense, and it is all Li Mu who patted his head and came up with a dumbfounded. But looking at all the magic on Li Mu's body, he can't explain it. If it is the reincarnation of an immortal, it is better to understand a little, if not, then it can only be admitted that he is indeed a genius and is born to know. In Confucian thought, what is born to know can only be a saint, how can Li Mu be virtuous, and also be called a saint?

The eldest grandson Wuji came to Luoyang to verify the locust plague and whether Li Mu was the reincarnation of the immortals, and now that the matter is over, he is also going back to Chang'an, after all, he is not an idler, he has to help Li Shimin see the twists and turns, and there are many things waiting for him to do every day. Today, I came to see the construction site of Chidao, and it was also a stop, and after chatting, the eldest grandson Wuji got into the carriage, and Li Mu sent another ride, and then returned with regret.

Li Mu suddenly felt as if something was missing, but he couldn't think of it for a while, so he simply didn't think about it, passed by Nanshi and bought a few newly arrived silks, ready to find a tailor to make a few new clothes for the children who had not yet been born, and went home leisurely.

……

Forty miles south of Luoyang City, Sanwang Village.

Sanwang Village, not because there are three princes here, but because there were originally only three families here, all of whom were surnamed Wang. Now there are more than three households, at the end of the Sui Dynasty when the chaos was mixed, many of the people who settled here, there were also fifty or sixty families, there were a lot of fertile fields around, they used to be the fields of the lord in the city, the villagers were tenants, it was not easy to have a little ration all year round, and now the new policy has been implemented, and everyone has been allocated the fields. Although this year has suffered a locust plague and caused a lot of losses, it is still much better than in previous years. In order to ensure that there are no problems with the grain, the villagers are waiting by the ground in the morning and evening, waiting for the grain filling to be completed. Although it is my own food, I always have to receive it in my own yard to feel at ease.

Li Chunfeng, under Li Mu's arrangement, is also a member of the group responsible for grain collection. Luoyang's boundary, said big or small, said small is not small, if a group of people are nailed in one place, the efficiency is too low, so the main person in charge of the grain collection Ma Zhou arranged for everyone to cooperate in the division, each steward with a few small officials in charge of several villages, who completed it first, and then helped nearby, if there is something, they can also exchange news at any time.

The 'area' that Li Chunfeng is responsible for is a piece of forty miles south of Luoyang City. Sanwang Village is the farthest village, he thinks so, starting from Sanwang Village, and then gradually going north, so that when transporting, the distance is getting shorter and shorter.

He brought with him two scribes and hired three helpers. With a large scale and a small scale, enough money, I went out in the morning, and the sun was just in the west. This is also the standard configuration of a 'group', but there is one more person on Li Chunfeng's side, Yuan Tiangang.

When Li Mu sent the eldest grandson Wuji away, he felt as if something was missing, and he was the one who was missing. Yuan Tiangang has never appeared in front of him since he was separated from Li Mu that day and went to Li Chunfeng's residence. Li Chunfeng went out of the city to run errands, and he also followed.

The place to stay is easy to manage, and I learned that it was the 'official master' in the city who came, and it was also the official master who was responsible for storing the 'public grain', how dare Li Zheng slack off, and hurriedly vacated his home for Li Chunfeng and others to live in, and it is unknown where his family is going to deal with it.

Li Chunfeng was originally not accustomed to this kind of treatment, but when he helped with disaster relief before, no matter which village he went to, he was treated like this, and he couldn't shirk it, and now he is used to it.

Yuan Tiangang is even more unaccustomed, in the early years, when he was a god stick in the rivers and lakes, he was treated like this everywhere, and he was already no longer surprised.

After eating, the mother-in-law of the Lizheng family brought hot water, Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng soaked their feet in the basin, the heat penetrated the soles of their feet, and the fatigue of the day seemed to be emptied in an instant. Li Chunfeng pulled the futon and leaned behind him, took out a booklet from the package, and looked at it intently by the dim light of the oil lamp.

Yuan Tiangang was curious about what he was looking at, so he leaned over and took a look, he didn't recognize any of the 'ghost drawing talismans' on it, thinking that it was a fragment of an ancient scroll, and couldn't help asking, "Senior brother, what are you studying?" Tell me about it too? ”

"Master won't be interested, it's an arithmetic thing."

Li Chunfeng called Master Yuan Tiangang, not by mistake. Their relationship is a bit complicated.

Yuan Tiangang is even more unaccustomed, in the early years, when he was a god stick in the rivers and lakes, he was treated like this everywhere, and he was already no longer surprised.

After eating, the mother-in-law of the Lizheng family brought hot water, Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng soaked their feet in the basin, the heat penetrated the soles of their feet, and the fatigue of the day seemed to be emptied in an instant. Li Chunfeng pulled the futon and leaned behind him, took out a booklet from the package, and looked at it intently by the dim light of the oil lamp.

Yuan Tiangang was curious about what he was looking at, so he leaned over and took a look, he didn't recognize any of the 'ghost drawing talismans' on it, thinking that it was a fragment of an ancient scroll, and couldn't help asking, "Senior brother, what are you studying?" Tell me about it too? ”

"Master won't be interested, it's an arithmetic thing."

Li Chunfeng called Master Yuan Tiangang, not by mistake. Their relationship is a bit complicated. Yuan Tiangang was curious about what he was looking at, so he leaned over and took a look, he didn't recognize any of the 'ghost drawing talismans' on it, thinking that it was a fragment of an ancient scroll, and couldn't help asking, "Senior brother, what are you studying?" Tell me about it too? ”

"Master won't be interested, it's an arithmetic thing."

Li Chunfeng called Master Yuan Tiangang, not by mistake. Their relationship is a bit complicated. Yuan Tiangang was curious about what he was looking at, so he leaned over and took a look, he didn't recognize any of the 'ghost drawing talismans' on it, thinking that it was a fragment of an ancient scroll, and couldn't help asking, "Senior brother, what are you studying?" Tell me about it too? ”

"Master won't be interested, it's an arithmetic thing."

Li Chunfeng called Master Yuan Tiangang, not by mistake. Their relationship is a bit complicated.