Chapter 474: The Guild of Commerce

Dressed in a light blue cotton shirt, Zhang Yunwen strolled alone in Luoyang's North City. On both sides of the wide street, shops selling various goods open their doors to welcome visitors from all over the world.

It looks like a wide street with a lot of people. Zhang Yunwen walked and gently collided with people from time to time. Among the pedestrians, there are many high-nosed, deep-eyed, gray, green, and blue eyes Turks, big cannibals, and even Great Qin people, who lead camels and horses in a row, and go up and down the streets of this northern city. Even the loud noise and shouting could not cover the crisp sound of the fist-sized bell under the neck of the horse's camel.

In addition to these visitors from the Western Regions, there were also caravans from Hebei, Shandong, and Huainan. These caravans took advantage of the canal to buy rare treasures and precious goods transported from the Western Regions.

These were just the bulk trades of the caravans. At this time, Luoyang City had a population of nearly 600,000 and a very large market, so there were many shops that provided goods for local residents. Compared to those caravans that had thousands or tens of thousands of caravans in a single transaction, the scale of these shops was relatively small. However, there are exceptions, such as Chu's grain store, such as Zhouji Buzhuang.

The scale of these Maison-backed shops is second to none in Luoyang City. Controls the majority of the market. Not as good as the Chu family's grain store, the grain he sells every year accounts for sixty percent of the total grain transaction volume in Luoyang City. And the same is true of Zhou Ji Buzhuang. Of course, they also knew that if they completely controlled the market share of rice, grain, cloth and other materials, it would definitely cause dissatisfaction among the people in power in Luoyang, so they still set aside a lot of market share for the rest of the second-rate families and the shops opened by civilians to occupy.

As for the third-rate family and the Han clan, there are very few people engaged in business, firstly, the status of this merchant is not high, and the third-rate family and the Han clan are already on the verge of decline, but they are desperate to save face and are unwilling to engage in this commercial activity. Second, businessmen need a lot of capital, and it is difficult for them to get it. On the contrary, ordinary people are willing to do anything, and the speed of saving money is much faster than that of those third-rate families and Han clans.

This is not the first time that Zhang Yunwen has wandered through the city of Luoyang. Every time I look at the pedestrians hurrying by in front of me, the shop portals lined up on both sides of the street, and the flags and signboards waving lightly in the breeze, Zhang Yunwen's heart will always inadvertently spring up with an inexplicable feeling. Although this is the place where he was born, he doesn't have much affection for this place, and the city that ties him is Chang'an. This is true even if the whole family comes to Luoyang.

Compared with Chang'an, a bustling metropolis with the political center, Luoyang, the eastern capital, is much dwarfed. Both in terms of size, and in terms of the overall temperament of the city. In Zhang Yunwen's view, the city of Chang'an tends to be masculine. Whether it is the tall and majestic Xuanwu Gate or the wide point military field in the north of the city, there is a sense of masculinity. And this Luoyang, with its faint ochre-red city walls, the calm and slow Luohe River running through Luoyang, and the unique Henan accent, all made him feel that this Luoyang was biased towards femininity. This is also the reason why Zhang Yunwen prefers Chang'an.

It wasn't until the sun was sinking in the west that Zhang Yunwen slowly walked back to the mansion.

In Chang'an City, there are not many people who know Zhang Yunwen, and those pedestrians and neighbors who come and go on the street only think that Zhang Yunwen is just an ordinary person.

Back in the palace, the clerks were already off work. In the garden behind the palace hall, Wang Fangyi and the three of them were sitting together, as if they were discussing something. Zhang Yunwen greeted them, and when he was about to walk to the inner courtyard, Wang Fangyi stopped Zhang Yunwen.

"My lord, the three of us have been discussing countermeasures here for an afternoon. Ahem, I wonder where you went this afternoon? Wang Fangyi and the three of them were obviously very dissatisfied with Zhang Yunwen's behavior of lifting the burden, and when they said this, all three pairs of eyes were staring at Zhang Yunwen.

Zhang Yunwen laughed dryly: "The official is also thinking hard about the next plan, but it is difficult to see results. So I went to the market and took a field trip! ”

"Oh? It turns out that the adults actually worked hard, which really made the officials admire! But my lord, I wonder if you have come up with any solutions? Wang Fangyi continued to ask reluctantly, and at the same time gently stabbed Zhang Yunwen.

"Ahem! It's not that easy! Although I did some field research, I still couldn't find any inspiration! It's you, the three of you are sitting in the house, and you have to think of a way, which is not realistic! Learn from me, go out for a walk, and see! "Zhang Yunwen's face is already very thick. Wang Fangyi's small thorn couldn't pierce Zhang Yunwen's face at all, but was defeated by Zhang Yunwen.

Wang Fangyi knew that he and the others had no choice but to take this lazy Shangguan at all, so he had to say a compliment and watch Zhang Yunwen enter the inner courtyard.

After entering the backyard, Zhang Yunwen went directly to Wang Yan's room. Well, it's her turn today.

Sitting on a stool, seeing Wang Yan reading a thin book, he couldn't help but ask softly, "Hmm, where is Che'er?" ”

Wang Yan put down the scroll and said with a smile: "Hmm, I guess I went with his sister Ye!" ”

When Zhang Yunwen heard this, he couldn't help but shake his head and smiled: "This Yan'er is really, a girl's house, running out all day long, like a wild boy!" I'm going to get married in a few years! ”

After chatting about family affairs for a while, Wang Yan suddenly said: "By the way, Xianggong, do you know that although grandpa's condition has improved somewhat, the whole person is still very weak!" The concubine estimates that grandpa can't last long, and wants to take Che'er to accompany grandpa! Uh, what about mutual consent? ”

Hearing the news, Zhang Yunwen couldn't help but flash Wang Qu's kind face and smile in his mind, and finally said: "Since grandpa has something, of course I have to go back and take a look!" But I'm a little busy with my business, and I can't get out! Just help me say hello to my grandfather! ”

Wang Yan nodded, indicating that she understood.

Zhang Yunwen walked to Wang Yan's side, looked at the scroll that Wang Yan put down, and saw the word "Historical Records" written on it, and couldn't help but say in surprise: "Hmm, how can you read this kind of history book again?" ”

Wang Yanyan smiled: "I'm bored at home, so I'll take some books to read!" This history book is quite interesting to read, just like a story! ”

Zhang Yunwen also picked up the book and flipped through it casually. When I turned the book, I couldn't help but think of the business in my mind. Suddenly, Zhang Yunwen had an idea and came up with an idea.

put down the book, hugged Wang Yan and took a bite on her face, and hurriedly walked out.

Wang Yan threw away her shyness and shouted again and again in the back: "Xianggong, it's not early, it's almost dinner!" Why are you still running out? ”

Zhang Yunwen turned around and raised his hand: "It's okay, just go to the front!" ”

came to the front yard, found Wang Fangyi in a room, dragged his hand to Zhang Cambodia's room, and dragged Zhang Cambodia again to Wei Zhenzai's room.

As soon as they arrived at Wei Zhenzai's room, the two hurriedly shook off Zhang Yunwen's hand: "My lord, what are you doing here?" Pull us by force! ”

Zhang Yunwen grinned: "Everyone, I have thought of a way!" ”

That Zhang Cambodia didn't care about complaining, and asked in unison with the two foreigners: "What way?" ”

"Form a merchant guild!" Zhang Yunwen said word by word.

The three of them suddenly looked at Zhang Yunwen suspiciously: "Business guild? What's that? ”

Zhang Yunwen grinned and explained to the three of them.

The commercial guilds mainly regulate the buying and selling of commodities from the circulation link through the coercive role of trade rules, and restrict free competition with each other. In order to control trade in the local market, the guilds tried to restrict foreign traders; The guilds of some intermediaries are not allowed to "buy and sell privately" the bulk commercial goods trafficked to the port by foreign merchants, and they must be sold in the stores by investment banks. At the same time, in order to eliminate internal competition, the guilds usually adopt the formulation of weights and measures standards, which are jointly calibrated by the guilds, and do not allow the same industry to increase or decrease the re-entry and exit without permission; The price of goods can only be increased or decreased by the guild on a regular basis. In addition, there are restrictions on the date of settlement and the standard of extraction, as well as various restrictions on the apprenticeship and the principal-employee relationship.

I thought back to the functions of the modern business guild, and while sketching on paper with a pen, I explained to the three of them.

Wang Fangyi and the three of them were originally smart people, and they quickly understood the mystery.

"What a clever plan, my lord!" Wang Fangyi patted his thigh and praised sincerely, "As long as this chamber of commerce is established, those families will inevitably join it in order to obtain greater profits!" When the time comes, come to check the accounts in the name of the guild, isn't that just a matter of course? ”

Zhang Yunwen nodded: "Yes, as long as such a commercial guild is set up in Luoyang, within the guild, there is a mutual exchange, and outside the guild, it will resist foreign businessmen." This Luoyang merchant is all in the middle! ”

"Well, my lord, but will these families join?" Zhang Cambodia still raised his worries, "Besides, foreign businessmen don't seem to be able to take much advantage in Luoyang!" ”

"So, it's up to you to brainstorm and improve it!" Zhang Yunwen said irresponsibly.