Chapter 208: Hiding in an ambush and waiting for a good opportunity

On June 20 of the first year of the Great Song Dynasty, the weather was so hot that even the dogs shrank into the shade of the trees.

Because of the locust plague, the price of rice in various grain stores in Lin'an rose by 30% overnight, more than double that of the first day of June, and the price of rice has not stopped, and it continues to rise. In a special issue of a newspaper that was issued that day, someone lamented: "When I go out at home, the price of rice changes, and when I get into the carriage, the price of rice changes again. ”

Corresponding to the change in the price of rice is the rapid depreciation of the banknotes and gold dollar bills, to make money to buy rice, it is still more expensive than 30 percent, and to buy rice with gold dollar coupons, it needs to be more than 50 percent more expensive, as for the banknotes, it is more expensive. That is to say, according to the exchange ratio of the bank, the original gold dollar coupon of 100 copper yuan can be exchanged for 10 pieces of good money, but now it can only be exchanged for 5 yuan.

In order to solve the shortage of money in the market, Liuqiu Bank invested 300,000 yuan to make money, but the Lin'an market was like a huge funnel, and the 300,000 yuan was quickly swallowed by the market without even hearing a sound.

Originally, these 300,000 guan were enough to buy almost all the rice in Lin'an City.

Next, the Liuqiu Bank continued to use gold dollar coupons to put into the market, but due to the incompatibility of the money made by the gold dollar coupons in the rice shop, the people used the gold yuan coupons to go to the Liuqiu Bank to redeem the money, and then use the money to exchange for rice. All of a sudden, the place that had been specially carved out in front of the bank to resemble a small square was overcrowded.

On 21 June, the Liuqiu Bank again threw out 100,000 yuan and 300,000 gold yuan bills, but the 100,000 yuan money was exchanged for a lot of money in an instant, and the 300,000 gold yuan bills were returned to the Liuqiu Bank in the evening.

On the same day, the price of rice rose by 30 percent, and the exchange of gold yuan coupons among the people fell to 100 copper yuan to three yuan of money, and the price of gold yuan fell to six to one. In addition to the price of rice, the prices of diesel, salt, meat, eggs, vegetables, and all items related to people's livelihood have begun to rise wildly.

Looking at this series of data in his hand, Wei Liaoweng's face turned pale, and sweat broke out on his forehead.

He understood what this data meant, the Great Song economy, which had just improved, was once again on the verge of collapse, and this time, it was more violent than the previous kind of slow death. Moreover, with the soaring prices, there will inevitably be public resentment boiling, and at that time, the whole society will be in turmoil.

He didn't dare to slack off, and hurried to the inner palace to ask to see the Son of Heaven, and only a moment later, he heard from the inner servant that the Son of Heaven had summoned him to Chengbi Hall to see him. He straightened his clothes, walked forward quickly, and almost trotted to Chengbi Hall.

Chengbi Hall is a water hall in the imperial palace, and the decoration is very simple, which is in line with the consistent proposition of today's son. Because of the water hall, the temperature here is low, far less stuffy than outside, so these days, Zhao and Ju often handle official business here.

Although he wants to be a good son of heaven, this does not mean that he should be blessed and not enjoyed, and not use this water hall in the name of removing luxury. This is not only unwise, but also self-masochistic.

In addition to the Son of Heaven in the water hall, there are Huo Chongcheng, Chen Zicheng, Yelu Chucai and Meng Xisheng. Chen Zicheng and Yelu Chucai Wei Liaoweng are no strangers, but this Meng Xisheng, he has never seen it, looking at his appearance and temperament, Wei Liaoweng estimates that he is the same as Chen Zicheng and others, and he is also a young talent from Liuqiu.

He glanced at the three of them and said solemnly: "Please Your Majesty hold your back." ”

"Hehe, Wei Qing came so late." Zhao Heju ignored his request, but just asked the chamberlain to move the seat and give it to Wei Liaoweng, and then pointed to Meng Xi and said: "This Meng Xisheng, the word judge, is a bachelor of economics in Boya Building, Guangliang, Jin Qing and Bo Han You naturally know, they are all for the current shortage of Lin'an rice prices, so there is no need to retreat." ”

Wei Liaoweng said in horror: "Your Majesty knows about this? ”

"Remember the last time I asked you to pay attention to this matter, at that time I began to prepare, some time ago, the price of Lin'an rice rose by 10% on three days, the fluctuation was small, Wei Qing may not have noticed, then I knew that something was wrong. Do you remember that some time ago, there was a rumor in Lin'an that a large amount of money was transported from Leping Supervisor, and that was the rumor released by Huo Guangliang. At that time, I was not ready, so I confused his mind with rumors, so that he did not dare to launch it easily, and had to try again and again......"

"Your Majesty is saying that there is really someone plotting behind this matter?" Wei Liaoweng was taken aback again, he was a sincere person, and in the position of the household department, Zhao Heju didn't have to worry about what tricks the finance minister would play, but at the same time, he had to admit that he was slower to react in terms of strain.

"Naturally, there is." Zhao Heju smiled and said: "Meng Xianyan arrived in Lin'an, and the preparations I made came, hum, use the price of rice to pry the price of money, Wei Qing, the person who conspired behind it is a sharp-eyed character, if he didn't do this illegal thing, he could be a waiter in the household department and help Wei Qing's arm!" ”

Hearing that the Son of Heaven vaguely loved talents, Wei Liaoweng Zhengrong said: "Your Majesty, since yesterday to today, the price of Lin'an rice has increased by almost half, and hundreds of people are panicking. ”

"I know I'm not the kind of person who can't tell the difference between the important and the important." Zhao Heju snorted: "Wei Qing, tomorrow I will issue an edict to open the official treasury to sell grain at a low price, what does Wei Qing think?" ”

"Open the official treasury? Your Majesty, although the autumn harvest has arrived, the new grain has not yet been put into storage, and the country is experiencing major events, and there is not much grain in the official treasury at this time, and the official treasury is only afraid of ......"

"I just want to make those people think that the official treasury does not have much grain, and I open the official treasury to sell grain, and the people can't help but buy it, and they will definitely come with all their strength, and they will buy the grain from the official treasury, so that they can continue to hoard it, so as to raise the price of grain. The parity I am talking about is only comparable to today's grain prices, but it is comparable to yesterday's, that is, slightly higher than the previous day's prices......"

When Zhao Youju said this, when he saw Wei Liweng nodding again and again, he asked, "Wei Qing understands?" ”

"Your Majesty has said it so clearly, why don't you understand?" Wei Liaoweng Zhengse said: "Your Majesty is from Liuqiu to transfer rice, can the minister guess correctly?" ”

"Exactly, those traitors are calculating, this year's Huaibei grain can not be counted on, the imperial court may have to stick grain over there, because of the change to mulberry cotton, the grain of Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong must not be as good as in previous years, he is so troublesome, the price of grain will inevitably rise, no matter how he has to make a profit." Zhao Youju sneered again: "It's just that I have an overseas granary, not only for the stream, but also for Ma Yi and Su Lu, and now I can also supply grain to the Great Song Dynasty, but the sea is more difficult!" ”

In the two years since Zhao and Ju ascended the throne, the speed of development has greatly increased, and the problem of manpower, which was originally the most scarce, has now been greatly alleviated because it is possible to openly recruit displaced people in the mainland. In just one year, the number of people living in exile has exceeded 750,000, and nearly a quarter of the population has increased in a year. Liuqiu had new manpower to make up, and part of the manpower was transferred to Mayi and Sulu, and there are now more than 50,000 Song people living in Mayi and Sulu, and there are hundreds of thousands of natives under their control. Although the natives are lazy, stupid, and extremely jealous, under the suppression of the absolute superiority of the Song people's maritime power, coupled with Han Ping's strategy of using familiar divisions, these natives are directly or indirectly planting grain, planting trees, and mining mines for the Song Kingdom. The wealth produced in a year is close to one-tenth of the annual income of the Liuqiu.

"Although it is difficult to transport by sea, the amount is extremely sufficient, and the minister came this time with six large ships, carrying a total of 80,000 stones." Meng Xi said: "And in some time, another 80,000 stone rice will arrive in Lin'an, if necessary, there will still be a million stone of grain in Liuqiu!" ”

"These 160,000 stones are enough." Zhao Heju waved his hand: "Besides, it's the wind season now, it's really not easy to come and go, let's talk about it later, I can't stop my Great Song Dynasty's long-term national fortune for this immediate pain." ”

Meng Xisheng responded respectfully, Wei Liaoweng groaned slightly, he originally came to seek the Son of Heaven to discuss countermeasures, but when he arrived at the Son of Heaven, he found that the Son of Heaven knew everything, and he had already made preparations. This made him happy, but also a little frightened, the Son of Heaven has thought about everything, so what do you want him to do as ministers?

Cadaver Meal Prime, Cadaver Meal Prime......

This word swirled repeatedly in Wei Liaoweng's heart, thinking carefully about the big things he had done since the Son of Heaven ascended the throne, and they, the important ministers of the court, did not seem to be of much help. Dealing with Shi Miyuan was planned by the Son of Heaven; The capture of Huaibei and Xuzhou and the forcing of the Jin State to sue for peace were made by the Son of Heaven bypassing the court and the military department; Inviting famous doctors to provide free clinics and collecting orphans from all over the world was done by the Son of Heaven with money from the treasury; The defeat of Menghu and the promotion of the country's prestige outside the territory were done by the Son of Heaven using the Liuqiu Guards; Now stabilizing the economy of the Great Song Dynasty is done with hidden forces. This son of heaven seems to have a magical pocket, no matter what he wants to do, he can always turn over the right people and things from his pocket.

And he and his colleagues in the DPRK and China seem to be embarrassed everywhere. So far, what the Son of Heaven has done has proved to be for the country and the people, so are the people who hinder the Son of Heaven loyal or traitorous ministers of the Great Song Dynasty?

remembered that Liang Cheng scolded himself and Zhen Dexiu at the beginning, one was a "hypocrite" and the other was a "real villain", but now that I think about it, it doesn't seem completely unreasonable.

His mind was heavy, and his reaction was a little slow, Zhao Heju noticed his strange appearance, and asked, "Wei Qing, is there something unwell on your body?" ”

"No...... No, ......thank you, Your Majesty, the minister is still good, the minister is still good. Although Wei Liaoweng was a little apprehensive in his heart, he still couldn't help but ask the Son of Heaven, and made up his mind and said: "Since the official family has already prepared, what do you want the ministers to do tomorrow?" ”

"At tomorrow's court meeting, you will ask for a copper ban." Zhao Heju stared at Wei Liaoweng: "Do you understand what I mean?" ”

"Open the copper ban?"

Wei Liaoweng was frightened, an important reason for the shortage of money is the lack of copper, if the copper ban is opened, I am afraid that the money that is already seriously insufficient will be melted into juice and recast into high-value bronze ware. His mind turned, and he lost his voice again: "Your Majesty does not want to abolish the money?" ”

Only if the money system is abolished, the copper ban will be opened, but the current domestic economic turmoil, how is it a good time to abolish the money! What's more, if the money system is abolished and only replaced by coins and gold dollar coupons, whether the people will trust it is still a question.

"Sooner or later, the money system will be abolished, but now is not the time, and it must wait for the new money credit to be established." Zhao Youju shook his head: "I want to open the copper ban, or to lure the snake out of the hole." ”

The group of people who conspire behind their backs mainly rely on two means to make profits, one is to speculate on the price of grain, and the other is to speculate on the price of copper. On the issue of grain prices, Zhao and Ju got the 80,000 stone grain transported by Meng Xisheng, and they didn't care about it, and this grain plus the subsequent 80,000 stone was enough to support Lin'an to put the new grain into storage. The copper price problem is not the case, the copper price and the coin, strictly speaking, is a debt inherited by Zhao and Ju, he originally wanted to solve the debt problem by continuously improving the financial situation of the Great Song Dynasty, but this turmoil made him realize that he must not underestimate the wisdom of the ancients. Although no one has yet written Capital to summarize the law of value, these big businessmen are very familiar with the tricks of discovering the evils of the economy and using them to make a fortune through speculation.

If this problem is not solved, sooner or later there will be other more daring people who will come out, and by then, it may not be as smooth as it is today.

Sure enough, just as Zhao and Ju thought, the next day in the early days of the Daqing Palace, Wei Liaoweng proposed the scrap copper ban, and the courtiers were in an uproar, that is, Cui He also expressed his opposition, thinking that it was too risky. In the end, with his current prestige, he passed this policy and immediately promulgated it to the world.

In contrast, not many people paid attention to the matter of opening a regular position of rice to stabilize the price of grain in Lin'an.

This matter was immediately reflected in the price of Lin'an City, the price of rice fell slightly because of this news, but because the rice that was closed only received coins and gold dollar coupons, a large number of coins and gold yuan coupons poured over, and it was more than 100,000 yuan in one day, and the grain released by Chang Ping was absorbed in an instant. If according to the normal time, the rice sold in Lin'an City a day is only 3,000 stones, and with today's high price of two and one stone, it only costs 6,000 stones, and more than 30,000 stone rice was bought in this day, which is ten times that of normal days.

However, the price of rice was only stable for one day, and the next day it soared again, and the 30,000 stone rice released by Changping was swept away at 12 o'clock at noon, and the rice shops that sold Changping rice had to hang up signs to close.

Fang Zhixing hurriedly passed by the rice shop, and looked at the citizens gathered in front of the newly opened "Baoxing" grain store, and he shook his head.

Compared to these citizens, they are much happier than those who beg for a living in factories or beleaguered industries. The proprietor paid them directly in the form of rice, and it was paid at the price before the price of rice rose. So he, Yu Zhiniang and other people's livelihood, has not been greatly affected, these two days, there are a large number of rice trucks every day, I heard Yu Zhiniang's father said, that after Changlong there is half a warehouse of rice, so these workers are the most at ease.

The most uneasy were the petty traders and the unemployed merchants, as well as the men they employed. Especially the porters who work the docks, now they can't buy a bowl of rice for a day's money.

While he was thinking, he suddenly heard someone shouting: "Rice is coming, rice is coming!" ”

Looking back, I saw ten carts, all of which were filled with whole bags of white rice, and the top bag was deliberately opened for everyone to watch.

These ten carts of rice are hundreds of stones, and the people surrounding here are slightly relieved when they see it, and Fang Zhixing stops, as if he is joining in the fun, but his eyes sweep around the crowd, looking for suspicious people.

Under the identity of the school secretary of the Commercial Book Company, he also has another identity, the secret spy of the secret investigation department under the Great Song Dynasty.

Note 1: The money and grain data in this chapter, the Fang family smiled.