The price of food in Anju is unbelievably cheap. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

Five copper plates and one stone of grain, and it is also milled brown rice, not rice with husk and bran.

When the Fan caravan first came to Anju, everyone was shocked by the price of grain so cheap. Not to mention, in a single round of the capital of Chu State, the price of grain is at least 200 wen per stone. This is still in the best of the year, when there are major droughts, floods, earthquakes, wars and other disasters, and the price of food will double and multiply.

This kind of thing Fan Qinzhou encountered when he was a child. At that time, there was a great drought in Qi for many years, and the price of grain and rice soared to one liter and two taels of silver. It was truly a hellish scene, poor people who had no money to buy rice abounded, hungry and crazy people ate Guanyin soil, ate other people's children, and even cut off their own arms, legs and feet for food.

That's not hunger anymore, it's madness.

The price of grain in Anzhou is so cheap, it is completely beyond Fan Qinzhou's imagination. However, this kind of thing is also inevitable. If it weren't for the poor road from Anzhou to Suizhou, grain and rice would never have been sold at such a cheap price.

In Anzhou, many merchants are engaged in grain and rice business. There are at least hundreds. These people are not small businessmen, but wealthy businessmen. This is not surprising, if it is for the profit of 100 copper coins to carry a stone of rice to the land of Chu for trafficking, the cost on the way must far exceed the input cost. In addition to the huge cargo throughput of wealthy businessmen, who can have this courage and financial resources?

The Fan family is one of the many grain merchants. The ancestor of the Fan family was born in Shuzhong, and it is said that he was also the personal entourage of the ancient immortal master Zhuge clan. In that year, the war between Shu and Wei continued, Zhuge Immortal Master fell in Wuzhang Plain, the Shu army was in chaos, and the ancestors of the Fan family also got the wooden ox and flowing horse figure painted by Zhuge Immortal Master from the chaotic army. Unfortunately, the drawings obtained at that time were incomplete. Missing the vital part of the Wooden Ox Flowing Horse. Despite this, the remnant drawings are enough for the ancestors of the Fan family to follow the drawings and create a crude version of the wooden ox and flowing horse. Zhuge Immortal Master's skills are really incredible, even on the complex and changeable road in Anzhou, the wooden ox and flowing horse can walk freely. Although the speed is slower, the degree of safety and stability is also higher than that of ordinary cars and horses.

Tricks. It is very famous in this world. In fact, not only the Fan family, but also many wealthy merchant families have their own secret skills of pressing the bottom of the box. The reason why the road between Anzhou and Suizhou has not been repaired is largely due to the obstruction of wealthy merchants. The reason is very simple, if the roads are smooth and the common people come and go freely, the price of goods in Anzhou will definitely not be as cheap as it is now. If it needs to be spent a lot at the source, how can there be any profit?

The new trading rules issued by the Jiedu Embassy are tantamount to cutting meat from the grain merchants. Although the price has been increased by five times. The price of grain and rice is still far cheaper than that in Chu. However, if it is not a baht, it cannot be called a businessman. On the day the decree was announced, Fan Qinzhou contacted other businessmen and agreed to boycott the market together, and all merchants would strike collectively.

It's crazy. The originally bustling market in Anzhou City suddenly became crowded. For a time, the people in Anzhou City could not buy the goods they needed for daily life. The situation was in turmoil in just two days.

Fan Qinzhou watched coldly and sneered secretly.

Anju is a closed state capital. If it weren't for the goods brought in from outside by these merchants, the supply of locally produced goods would not have been maintained. Food, clothing, housing and transportation are indispensable. Anzhou has a hot climate, so it doesn't hurt to wear a few fewer pieces of clothing. But life is not enough to eat and dress warmly. Furniture, pots and pans, oil, salt, sauce and vinegar, tea, candy, ...... There are many things that Anzhou can't produce itself.

The wealthy businessmen were very united and formed a chamber of commerce in Anzhou. Fan's firm travels all over the world and has a very good reputation. Fan Qinzhou was elected president by everyone here. His idea is very simple, as long as the strike continues, the new Jiedu envoy Yang Tianhong must bow to the Chamber of Commerce and honestly remove the unrealistic transaction price of more than five times. In the final analysis, this Anzhou is still up to us businessmen.

For Yang Tianhong. Fan Qinzhou actually didn't have any bad feelings. When the Yue people rebelled last year, thanks to Yang Tianhong leading the Xuanhuo Army to fight bravely in Anzhou, this was able to ensure the safety of Anzhou. At that time, when the army was being treated, Fan Qinzhou also took out a large amount of silver and materials. It's just that the fact that you saved my life at that time doesn't mean that I have to sell it to you from beginning to end. Suddenly raising the price of all goods by five times is the enemy of the entire chamber of commerce.

Every day, a large number of people sell all kinds of goods to the Jiedu Embassy. From grain and rice to mountain goods, from seafood to cloth, there are many types. In order to deal with the large number of Anzhou people, Yang Tianhong ordered a new bazaar to be opened outside the Jiedu Embassy, and all prices were traded five times according to the previous figures. This kind of practice made Fan Qinzhou and other businessmen can't help but shake their heads and sneer———— How much money do you Yang Tianhong have, and you actually buy the grain and rice goods in the hands of all the people in the entire Anzhou at a high price?

What happened next was completely beyond the imagination of Fan Qinzhou and other businessmen.

The purchase of grain and rice goods by the Jiedu embassy did not stop at all, but intensified. Half a month ago, a fleet full of cargo landed at the Caixian wharf. More than 40 large ships unloaded an astonishing amount of various goods, and loaded and transported away the grain and rice merchant goods that had been stored by the Jiedu Embassy for several days.

Fan Qinzhou's expected rebellion did not happen, and Anzhou City was calm. Yang Tianhong seemed to have anticipated the potential danger that might be caused by the chamber of commerce's strike, and the Jiedu embassy sent dozens of caravans to various counties and cities under the rule of Anzhou, first to collect commercial goods at high prices, and to sell sea goods to calm the people. All in all, the sudden five-fold increase in the trading price did not have any impact on Anju.

The Chamber of Commerce gathered last week to deliberate. The controversy was fierce, and the merchants were divided into two factions. One faction had a retreat and wanted to talk to the Jiedu Embassy, and honestly acted in accordance with the new trading decree. The other faction is dominated by Fan Qinzhou, who is resolutely not allowed to retreat, claiming that he will carry the death to the end with the Jiedu envoy. Otherwise, the meat that has been swallowed into the stomach will be disemboweled by Yang Tianhong and his heart will be taken away.

That being said, there is still no shortage of superficial work. After the meeting, Fan Qinzhou and the businessmen went to the Jiedu Embassy to meet Yang Tianhong. The idea of Fan Qinzhou and other businessmen is very simple: to be an official for thousands of miles is only to seek wealth, and Anzhou is located in the middle of nowhere. Coming to this kind of place to serve as a festival envoy must also be to make a big profit during his tenure. Instead of letting people like Yang Tianhong who don't understand the laws of the market do it indiscriminately, it is better for everyone to work together to pool money and fill his pockets. As long as the festival makes the adults stand on their side, isn't the wealth of Anzhou the same as before, and let the merchants take it for granted?

Ideas are just ideas after all. Fan Qinzhou was very surprised, the merchants couldn't even enter the gate of the Jiedu Embassy's Mansion. The Yang Mansion general who guarded the door had a clear attitude: My lord has specially instructed for this matter, if the Chamber of Commerce and others honestly act in accordance with the new trading rules, then all business will continue as usual, and it will definitely not be difficult for you. But if you come here for something else, then Master Hou is very busy and doesn't have time to summon you.

Got nothing, went home empty-handed.

The next day, the Jiedu Embassy issued a new decree again: the prices of various commercial goods in all counties and cities under the rule of Anzhou continued to increase. Ten times the original base.

A stone of grain and rice, which could be bought for five copper coins, now requires a full fifty yuan.

This change was completely unexpected and completely disrupted the merchants. Fan Qinzhou was so angry that the originally empty bazaar completely turned into a dead silence. However, there are two sides to the story. The people of Anzhou sold a large number of goods to the Jiedu embassy, and got benefits from it, and they were elated at the same time. The Chamber of Commerce has also completely eliminated the opposition. The two factions that had been at odds became unanimous, that is, they refused to accept a tenfold increase in the price of commercial goods. Fight against the Jiedu Embassy to the end.

Between Cai County and Anzhou, the road is being renovated. It is said that Yang Tianhong mobilized a large number of people, and the road was built very quickly. The wharf over there has begun to take shape, and the fleet from the mainland of Chu has formed a pattern, going back and forth every half a month. Although they are all river vessels. The carrying capacity is not large, but it is better than a large number, and the goods transported by forty or fifty large ships at one time can barely ensure the normal supply in Anzhou City.

Fan Qinzhou kept two questions swirling in his mind.

First, where did Yang Tianhong get so many silver taels?

Second. Which merchant family did the fleet from the mainland of Chu belong to? You must know that there are not many ships even in the Qi country. Seaside fishermen usually use sampans, and if they don't have the financial resources, they can't build such a large boat.

The charm of money lies in its appreciation. There are a lot of silver coins in the empty hand, which can only be moldy. Merchants are well aware of this, and they also find it unbearable to see the cold market in Anzhou. Just yesterday, several more businessmen went to the Jiedu Embassy to have an interview with Yang Tianhong. The result was still the same as last time, the Yang family refused to allow the merchants to enter after hearing their intentions. The attitude has not changed at all, and the words are still no different from the past. Say a thousand things and ten thousand, as long as the Chamber of Commerce follows the transaction decree issued by Hou Ye, then everything will be as usual, and everyone will do whatever they want.

Things are getting a little out of control. In the period after Yang Tianhong came to Anzhou to take up the post of Jiedu envoy, the business pattern under Anzhou has undergone great changes.

The people have eyes, and although their sources are not very smooth, they also understand the huge price difference between the mainland of Chu and Anzhou. An iron pot can be bought for twenty yuan in Chu. When you arrive in Anzhou, it will cost at least 300 Wen. Compared with the low prices of goods produced in Anzhou, the huge contrast between the high and low between such exchanges is simply a plundering of interests.

The grain merchants of the Chamber of Commerce have not been able to harvest a single grain. The price of five cents and one stone is not cared about at all. The Jiedu embassy is not far away, and if you take a few more steps, you can sell it for fifty wen and one stone.

And that was just yesterday ago. This morning, just over two hours ago, the Jiedu Embassy once again issued a new trading decree: the transaction prices of all commercial goods under the rule of Anzhou will be increased by 20 times.

Grain and rice, which used to cost five cents and one stone, now cost 100 cents to buy.

Fan Qinzhou felt like he was going crazy. His heart was filled with shock and anger. He didn't understand, what exactly did the new Jiedu envoy want to do? Could it be that Yang Tianhong was going to use such a method to completely destroy the entire Anzhou market?

The benefits of the common people are real. Those mud-legged people are almost smiling crookedly these days. What had been years of hard work was now available in a matter of days. It was real silver, a copper coin with exquisite workmanship. I don't know how much silver money has been saved in the Jiedu Embassy, and everyone in the Chamber of Commerce has been waiting for the Jiedu Envoy to exhaust the last copper plate, but no matter how you look at it, this kind of thing will not happen. No matter how many people went to the Jiedu embassy with how many goods, the officials and sergeants still collected the goods in an orderly manner according to the fixed price, and did not mess with a penny.

By the way, there are also officials in Antar. Fan Qinzhou came to the door to find the assassin Shi Cao Hui. But the other party avoided it. There are also people who know what is incorruptible, and Cheng Zhiding, who is an official, also seems to have evaporated from the world overnight, and one by one they either refused to see guests when they were sick, or they went to a certain village with an unfamiliar name to arrange government affairs. In short, Fan Qinzhou did not find any people who were qualified to speak to Anzhou business.

The thing is obvious. This is a deliberate chaos created by the top level of Anzhou. The purpose is to force the Chamber of Commerce to recognize the increased commercial prices.

This kind of thing is intolerable to Fan Qinzhou, and everyone in the Chamber of Commerce is categorically unacceptable.

"My lord, things have gotten completely out of control. ”

The steward standing to the left of Fan Qinzhou was old, and his speech speed was a little slow, but his mind was not confused: "The Jiedu envoy has repeatedly raised the price of commercial goods, but it has firmly restricted the selling price of goods brought in from outside. Now, the purchase price of commercial goods has increased by 20 times. The selling price has not changed at all. If this continues, even if we have the wooden oxen and horses left by our ancestors, I am afraid it will be difficult to make more profits from it. ”

Fan Qinzhou didn't say anything. The successive changes made him a little overwhelmed. But no matter what, even if it is twenty times the price, a large amount of grain is shipped to the land of Chu, and even the state of Qi, it can ensure profits. Merely. Of course, it is impossible to get a large amount of income as before, at most several times the income. Nevertheless. This business can still be done.

The matter is a matter, take out the silver from his pocket and throw it to others, this breath Fan Qinzhou can't swallow.

He thought for a moment and said in a deep voice: "What do the people who are arranged to keep an eye on the Jiedu Embassy say? What are the changes in the prices offered?"

The steward standing on the right shook his head: "The price of twenty times was just announced yesterday, and if it is canceled today." He Yang Tianhong is tantamount to slapping himself in the face. In the short term, the price should not change. Even...... It will be higher. ”

Fan Qinzhou's eyelids twitched, and he roared: "Is he Yang Tianhong crazy? Or do you deliberately want to smash this plate in Anzhou? What the hell is he trying to do?"

After all, the old steward is more experienced. He sighed and said, "Lord's house." Whatever concerns the new ruler must have his own ideas. I sent someone to see it in Cai County, and the dock is almost finished, and there is a large shipyard under construction next to it. If all goes well, it can be put into operation in up to three months. In the future, it is estimated that all trade on the Anju side will flow by sea. Even if the road between Anzhou and Suizhou is clear, business here will not be as lucrative as it used to be. ”

Another steward nodded: "Yes! We have been stockpiling goods for more than a year, but we have not sold much during the New Year. At this time of the year, farm tools and fabrics are in short supply. But now, the people of Anzhou do not come to the market at all, and they buy directly at the newly opened trading house of the Jiedu Embassy. The price over there is 30% lower than ours, and the quality is much better than ours. ”

Fan Qinzhou swallowed hard, not quite convinced, but said helplessly: "This is impossible." The cost of producing agricultural tools and ironware was there, and where did he get such a large quantity of goods, and how could he sell them at such a low price? This must have been a ploy to cover up the lack of goods. As long as we get through this time, things will definitely get better. ”

The old steward continued to sigh: "Master, listen to my advice, this Anzhou City is no longer what it used to be. If we continue to hold on, in the end, we will only lose even more. In fact, the price of goods in Anzhou is already low, if it were not for the closure of this place and the poor roads, grain, rice and mountain goods would definitely not be so cheap. Even if the Jiedu Embassy suddenly raises the price, increasing it by 20 times on the basis of the original transaction, we will still be profitable. As the saying goes: the people don't fight with the officials. What's more, Lord Yi Yong is a master in the world, and he has a heavy army. Although our Fan family has a lot of wealth, it can be regarded as the richest in the world. But in any case, our identity can't get rid of the word "people" after all. According to the old decay, the best business in Anzhou is to do it as soon as it is done, if it can't be done, let's find another place. The world is so big, three hundred and sixty lines, where can't you find a money-making business?"

The old steward spoke very pertinently. In fact, there is another meaning in his words, that is, don't work against the Jiedu Embassy anymore. Otherwise, disaster may befall one day. After all, this is Anju, someone else's territory.

Fan Qinzhou fell silent again.

He is very shrewd, and even if the old steward doesn't talk about it, he knows the pros and cons very well. In fact, not to mention that the price of goods in Anzhou has increased by 20 times, even if it is more than 30 times, just grain and rice, Fanjia Commercial Bank can still make profits from it. Of course, the profits are certainly not as great as before, but they are comparable to going to the north to sell horses, or to the west, taking silk and porcelain with them. (To be continued.) )