There were always ministers of the humerus of the Ming Dynasty who lamented the rich benefits of overseas trade, but the Ming Dynasty was complacent because of the ban on the sea, not to mention the loss of white silver, and also isolated the Ming in the forest of the world.

However, this is no longer the case, and people are keenly aware that both coastal and inland areas seem to be able to feel the major changes in their lives by maritime trade.

The price of grain, which was always floating, has been surprisingly stable this year, and it is the thing that all ordinary people feel the most.

In the capital of Henan Province, a small village located in a remote area.

The nearest state and county here need to use mules and horses, and they have to walk for a day and a night.

Such a small village has naturally not been the focus of local state and county officials since ancient times, but this situation has changed dramatically since the new emperor ascended the throne.

Every summer.

In fact, what the people are most worried about is not only whether the grain in the fields can get a good harvest this autumn, but more importantly, whether they can survive the current green and yellow years.

"Lao Zhang. Do you think we can buy food in the county this time? If you can't buy it, how many families in this village are already running out of food."

On the flatbed cart pulled by the mule, there were two people, an old man and a young man, who looked younger, were looking at the driver who was driving the car with a depressed face.

The coachman had a mule and was the only large livestock in the village.

It has been relying on this mule for so many years that Mangui Village has not completely cut off contact with the outside world.

"Last year's drought did not give the crops well, and this year many fields have been planted with sweet potatoes, but the adults in the Ministry of Agriculture said that they must wait until the sweet potatoes are full to dig up."

"Didn't someone secretly dig it up and eat it?"

"Alas. It's only a little older now, and if it's not really hungry, who wants to do such a thing."

The young man nodded, although the imperial court reduced or exempted agricultural taxes in many places in Henan during last year's drought, the reduction in grain production still made many people still green and yellow this year.

Nowadays, it is a problem to have a full stomach, and Mangui Village has to send people.

Try to get out of the city and see if you can find some food.

After walking for a day and a night, the young man who was finally in a daze opened his eyes on the cart and muttered, "Why is it so far away, it hasn't arrived yet?" ”

"Silly Housheng, come, get up and see where we are..."

The prosperity of the county is really not the same concept as Murakami, towering... of the city walls.

In the eyes of young people, it can be regarded as towering...

Merchants and pedestrians are all showing that this is the only center of the dozens of villages in the surrounding area.

"Let's go in and buy some food... Lao Zhang. ”

"No hurry, no hurry.. According to the rules, we have to prepare the money to enter the door first, and then we can find a way to get the mule cart in... It can also save a little effort. ”

At the city gate, Lao Zhang tidied up his somewhat wrinkled clothes, not caring about the fatigue that came from the bumps of the day and night.

With a smile on his face, he said to the officers and soldiers guarding the city: "Official, we are from Mangui Village, and we can't come here a few times a year, I don't know how much it costs to enter the city with a mule cart for two people to enter the city now."

As soon as he finished speaking, a small stack of copper plates shook out of his cuffs, and he was about to send them to the officers and soldiers.

However, this set of operations made the soldiers defending the city red-faced.

Hurriedly waved his hand and said: "What are you going to do this old man, we are our own people, eating the food of the court, working for the court, and not taking your money!" ”

Are there any officers and soldiers of the imperial court who do not collect money?

Lao Zhang felt that his cognition was a little too much to keep up... The outstretched hand was also pushed back, but he couldn't help but say, "Then enter the city.."

"Into the city? If you don't have dangerous items on you, such as swords, gunpowder, etc., you don't have to pay money, and if you are a trader, don't forget to pay taxes."

"Ahh If you don't do business, you can't do business, you just buy some food for the village..."Lao Zhang hurriedly waved his hand.

Paying taxes, this is what he is most afraid of, although he came out this time to expect the price of food to rise, and took more money and goods, but this is life-saving money to buy food.

But you can't pay the tax...

The nervous Lao Zhang seemed to be seen by the soldiers on the side, only to see the other party smile and say: "This business tax will only be charged to the person who sells your things, and you don't need any tax to buy things."

"You just said you wanted to buy food, so you should go into the city... Nowadays, the grain is also exempt from taxation in the imperial court."

After hurriedly thanking him, Lao Zhang couldn't wait to jump on the mule cart.

Slowly entered the county seat, and at this time, the young man lying in the wooden car behind him was holding a weed in his mouth, and muttered: "I don't know how much copper money you spent Lao Zhang to buy us to enter the city once... Alas, the court of today! ”

Unexpectedly, as soon as Lao Zhang Gang entered the city, before the mule cart stopped, his face flickered, and he turned his head and said to the young man: "I didn't spend a penny just now, and the officers and soldiers guarding the city didn't want my money at all, saying that the entrance fee to the city would be canceled a few months earlier."

"Cancelled?" The carp stiffened, and the young man turned over on the plank.

Somewhat incredulously, he asked: "The officials of the Yamen have such a good heart..?" ”

"Alas, who knows, I only know that this is indeed the new emperor now, and there are many places where money can be collected, and now basically no one dares to accept it.."

"Shhhhh

Yunfu firm is a well-known grain trading firm in Henan, and many states and counties rely on this business to support the grain trade, but now the business is not easy to do.

One of the most important questions...

Naturally, it is only a dozen meters away from his own business, and he is playing another rice shop with the "Ming Royal Subsidized Grain Sales Point".

The shopkeeper of the Yunfu business did not think that he would also sell the subsidized grain of the imperial court, but this subsidized grain is really not profitable, it is really grain as its name suggests.

The imperial court not only did not make money in it, but also pressed the price to prevent it from rising.

If there is a local demand, and you can even open it up and sell it, as if you don't care about the food sold out...

Sting!

A mule cart suddenly stopped at the door, and an old man and a young man jumped out of the cart, and at the moment they were looking at the guests who were bored at the counter.

It was also a pleasant surprise.

You must know that there are almost no people who come to Yunfu every day, although the taste of the subsidized grain of the imperial court is not good, but the price is cheap, and it is enough to weigh two.

When the owners saw this posture, who was willing to buy the grain of their merchants.

I went to buy food from the imperial court...

"Oops.. Isn't this Lao Zhang? Why is there not enough food this year? Come in, come in, I've just arrived with a batch of fine grain, and I'll call us shopkeepers."