The political department of Huguangbu is located in Wuchang Mansion. Wuchang is also www.biquge.info grain distribution center in the Huguang area. Follow the Yangtze River waterway to the east, cross the river - Jiujiang Mansion of the Western Bu Political Division, and then go to Anqing Mansion of Nanzhili. The waterway is about six or seven hundred miles. Then via Taipingfu (Wuhu) to Jinling. The whole journey is more than 1,000 miles.

This is the reason why after the Huainan flood broke out at the end of July, grain from the Huguang area had not yet arrived in Jinling by mid-September. Too far apart. This is also the reason why the grain merchants in Jinling dare to speculate on high grain prices.

Otherwise, next to the grain-producing areas, how can the price of grain go up? It is impossible for the grain merchants in Jinling to eat most of the grain in the grain-producing areas even if they have the strength. Only in Nanzhili there is still room for manipulation.

In the city of Taipingfu, hundreds of miles away from Jinling, more than a dozen people dressed in costumes gathered in a tea shop on the edge of the waterway dock. At the wharf on the edge of the Yangtze River waterway, this kind of tea shop for coolies to rest and drink water abounds. Red bricks and black tiles, a few open doors, and tea drinkers wear dark blue and gray short coats in late autumn. All kinds of dialects burst out in the laughter and arguments in the tea shop. Far apart.

These dozen or so men were the grain ships sent by the Eight Rice Shops of Jinling to keep an eye on Huguang and transport them to Jinling. All of them are dressed in coarse cloth clothes, in their twenties, and they are hard-working. Taiping Mansion is about 200 miles away from Jinling, which is just right as a surveillance location.

The leader of the big guy is named Shi Yu. He is the eldest buddy of the Chen family's rice shop, in his twenties, tall and mediocre appearance. But there is a convincing force in it. The guys from the eight rice shops, who are staring here these days, are basically obeying him now.

Shi Yu looked at the coolies and small merchants who were talking around him, and lowered his voice and said, "The situation over there in Jinling is very dangerous. Huguang's grain boats are still nowhere to be seen. We'll send the news back first. ”

In the long square table put together, a guy sitting by the window said, "Brother Yu, don't look around anymore?" ”

"No need to look it up. I've asked people around the dock, and there are no grain ships at the checkpoint in Anqing Mansion. You can't go wrong. ”

"Hmm. Brother Yu's talent, no matter where he speaks, he will learn it as soon as he learns it. ”

Another guy frowned and said worriedly: "Brother Yu, it's true that the news from Jinling is true." Our rice bank is going to lose a lot this year. The price of rice purchased in Songjiang Mansion, Zhenjiang Mansion and Changzhou Mansion reached 6 yuan per stone, and it also had to take freight and labor. At this end, the rice grain of the household department in Nanjing is only sold for 8 yuan and one stone of rice, and I think it is difficult for the rice industry. We'll all have a problem eating in the future. ”

A fat guy laughed, "Our craft, where can't we eat?" ”

The relationship between the big guy and the owner of Mi Xing is not a simple employment relationship, but has some meaning of small shareholders. Of course, the shares are not as good as the shopkeeper.

Shi Yu sighed and said in a low voice: "Let's see how much grain there is in the household department." The sea route on the Matsue side of the province is not so easy to walk. ”

The situation in Jinling is indeed very unfavorable for Mixing. If all the grain purchased is smashed in your hands, it is possible to lose tens of thousands of taels of silver.

…

…

The price of one stone of rice and eight coins of silver has had a huge impact on the price of rice in Jinling. In the early years, the price of rice was five dollars a stone. In the last year or two, it has risen to six coins of silver per stone. At a time when the price of grain in Jinling is as high as 128 yuan, this price is extremely impactful in the market.

On 12 September, 16 sales outlets set up by the Ministry of Household Affairs in Jinling sold nearly 8,000 stone of rice in one day. It swept through the city like a storm.

The shops in Jinling's Eight Rice Shops were empty. Given the choice, none of the citizens would buy high-priced food.

A few days earlier, in a period of four or five days, the sales volume of Jinling's eight rice stores in the range of 1 tael and 5 yuan of silver and one stone to 1 tael and 8 yuan of silver and one stone of silver had soared, and the gratifying sales volume was plummeted on September 11. Zero sales.

In such a grim situation, although the shopkeepers of Mi Xing said that their teeth were itching with hatred, no one dared to make a decision "with their heads covered". They are all waiting to monitor the intelligence of the Yangtze River waterway and the direction of Huguang, as well as the situation in the direction of Songjiang Prefecture.

I have been working in the rice industry for a long time, and some shopkeepers have recognized that the rice grain sold by the household department is rice produced in Guangzhou, the state capital. It must have been transported to Songjiang Prefecture by sea. Therefore, intelligence from both directions must be combined in order to make a decision.

For two whole days, the shopkeepers in the Jinling Rice Industry Office sighed and frowned. The words that ridiculed and ridiculed Nanjing Hubu Shangshu Weihong before, now that I think about it, I really panicked. Shame on you!

The shopkeeper of the Chen family's rice line was smiling bitterly when he drank tea. He once joked that Wei Shangshu gave his fellow rice industry a good excuse. However, it now seems that the household department is actually cultivating the market by setting up temporary sales points to sell cheap bad rice. Let the citizens of Jinling know and get used to buying rice at the wharves and city gates. Therefore, as soon as the grain ship arrived, it immediately had a huge impact on the market, and the sales volume was rising.

There is no doubt that the master behind the household is operating.

On the evening of September 13, the shopkeepers of the rice shops who were sitting in the rice industry office waiting for the news got the exact news: the Huguang grain ship had not yet arrived, and there was no grain ship from Songjiang Prefecture to Jinling. Suddenly, they dispersed, and hurriedly went back to report to the owner.

After Shopkeeper Luo took his entourage to Chen's house by boat, he sat in the side hall for a while, and was summoned by Chen Zizhen, the eldest young master of the Chen family.

The exquisite chamber is elegantly furnished with spices.

The little guy served tea.

Chen Zizhen sat in the wooden chair of the main seat, and stretched out his hand to signal the shopkeeper Luo to drink tea. After listening to the shopkeeper Luo's explanation, he groaned: "Do you think the price of rice can still hold up now?" ”

Shopkeeper Luo smiled bitterly, "Uncle, it's not a question of whether you can hold it up now. It's a question of how much you will lose. ”

Chen Zizhen nodded solemnly.

For the sake of the price of rice, the Chen family used assassination to deter Jia Huan, who helped Wei Hong wave his flag and shout. Although afterwards, the Zheng family, who trafficked in illicit salt, was thrown out as a scapegoat. But not without consequences.

Assassinating a soldier is a taboo. Don't take everyone for a fool. You say you didn't do it, but others believe it? It's just that they are now afraid of the power of the Chen family, and they have no evidence, they won't speak out, and they may not have no opinions in their hearts.

And after paying such a price, if the price of rice, the bamboo basket is empty, not to mention the money, but also to accompany the capital. How does this work? The Chen family had to do something.

…

…

The night was dark. Another rain fell on the autumn night, adding to the bitter cold.

Wei Hong came back with his entourage outside to inspect the grain sales points everywhere, and he was in a very good mood. In the letter, Jia Huan provided him with a wonderful solution to the problem. Now, most of this solution has been realized.

He will not be punished for the household grain case. Maybe there is a possibility of promotion. Today, His Majesty is extremely strict, has the reputation of being mean and unkind, and his methods are cold. However, for capable ministers, they will often be promoted and reused.

Raindrops fell outside the main hall in the backyard, and Wei Hong drank chicken soup and sat with his old wife to talk. It's all a short topic for parents. But it made him feel more comfortable.

Not long ago, the second son who came from his hometown of Huating County, Songjiang Prefecture, came with his wife and a pair of children. It makes the home full of life. At this time, the eleven or twelve-year-old grandson and the eight-nine-year-old granddaughter were sitting quietly.

The genes of the Wei family are very good, and the two villains are sitting, like golden boys and girls. Old Madam Wei looked at it with a smile and said, "Master, Jian'er has just arrived in Jinling, why did you send him back to Huating?" This kid isn't as good as Kang'er. But also..."

Wei Hong smiled helplessly, waved his hand, and explained: "It's because Jian'er is reliable, so I asked him to go back to Huating to do things." ”

His second son is the youngest son, and he is even more liked by his wife. But he prefers Wei Kang, who is like his eldest son, who is an official in the capital. Write a letter to call the second son Wei Jian to Jinling, and after teaching him face-to-face, let him return to Huating. It's not because I hate tossing him. It's because Jia Huan is in Huating at this time.

Old Madam Wei smacked her lips and didn't speak.

The golden boy and the girl both rolled their eyes curiously. There is a sense of spirituality. Listen to grandpa and grandma talking.

At this time, the maid outside hurriedly came in to reply, looking hurried, and saluted first after coming in, and said hurriedly: "Master, the housekeeper Zhang outside has sent a message to come in, and Chen Shangshu of the official department is here." ”

Wei Hong was stunned for a moment, and then laughed, "I really let Jia Ziyu expect it." He handed the bowl of chicken soup to the maid beside him, stood up, gave a few words, and went to the front yard.

Among the plans given to him by Jia Huan, there are countermeasures for this section.

The price of rice has fallen, and the situation is very good. The defeat of the enemy was only in a few days.

However, how could the Chen family not react? So, Chen Gaolang came.

…

….

In the flower hall, Chen Gaolang sat on a chair and looked at the furnishings in the hall. The degree of use and utensils are considered to be superior. Of course, it can't be compared with the Chen family's usage. But it can be seen that Wei Hong is not a clean official.

Wei Hong came in from outside the hall and arched his hand with a smile, "Let Lord Chen wait for a long time." "Huan Hai has been in the sea for many years, and this little bit of face work is not difficult for him.

Chen Gaolang hunched his back, stood up and saluted Wei Hong in an old manner, and said slowly: "The old man is here for private matters. Why did Wei Ziheng refuse to be thousands of miles away. You and I fellowship as scholars. ”

Wei Hong smiled and sat down.

After chatting a few words about the topic of science field, Chen Gaolang glanced at Wei Hong with a smile and said, "Brother Wei holds the grain ship in his hand, and the spring breeze is proud!" Someone entrusted me to pass on a message to you, hoping that Brother Wei would raise his noble hand and raise the price of selling rice. He would be grateful. ”

Wei Hong's abacus, he can probably guess it. Make up for the deficit of the household! This reduces culpability.

If the grain of the household is sold at a higher price, the profit will be more. He also had the benefit of providing Wei Hong: five thousand taels of silver.

As for whether Wei Hong will be held accountable by the imperial court in the end, it is difficult to say. But when you take a step back, this generous remuneration is even more important.

Chen Gaolang is convinced that everyone has a price. For example: Zheng Guogong Deng Hong, Jinling Prefect Jia Yu Village.

Wei Hong groaned. It's funny in my heart. Chen Gaolang's words are beautiful, but who doesn't know that the Chen family's rice store is the largest grain merchant in Jinling? In the final analysis, Chen Gaolang is in a weak position when he comes to negotiate today.

Obey softly, in reason. (To be continued.) )