readytorunbook Chapter 99 The Grain Price Dispute 1
Chapter 99 The Grain Price Dispute 1
Chapter 99 The Grain Price Dispute (Part 1)
A long queue formed in front of Ma's Grain Store.
In recent days, grain prices in Hanshan County have skyrocketed, changing almost daily, with one shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain now costing one liang and two qian (another unit of weight) of silver. The people are finding it unbearable, and many are rushing to grain stores to buy grain in an attempt to save money. However, several grain stores are imposing purchase limits, allowing each person a maximum of ten jin (a unit of weight) of grain per day, refusing to sell more.
Zhao Zhengxi's mother, Li, looked at the grain in her pocket and complained, "I run a tea shop and sell snacks every day. I used to buy my grain from your shop. Now, you only sell me ten catties of grain a day, not enough for my customers! How am I supposed to do business like this?"
The grain store clerk apologized repeatedly: "Ma'am, we're so sorry! We have no choice! Grain prices are rising so fast. If we sell you too much grain today, we'll lose money tomorrow!"
"Sigh..." Li sighed, picked up her sack, and prepared to go to another grain store to buy some more grain. Wang Qingtian was dedicated to the people; his benevolent act of collecting taxes upon entering the city ensured that the people had enough to eat and gave them hope for the future. But unscrupulous merchants were raising grain prices—the price increases were too rapid. Yesterday, a shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain cost one tael and one qian (another unit of weight) of silver; today, it had immediately increased by one qian of silver.
The four talented scholars entered the grain store, and Ma Deyun asked, "How's business today?"
The shop assistant pointed to the line of people outside and whispered, "Young master, business is booming! I've worked in the grain store for seven or eight years, and this is the first time I've seen so many people lining up to buy grain."
Ma Deyun looked around the shop and, noticing that Manager Liu was not there, asked, "Where is the manager?"
"The shopkeeper is in the inner room. He doesn't dare to show his face because acquaintances keep coming to him wanting to buy more grain. You've already given instructions that each person can only buy a maximum of ten catties of grain per day. The shopkeeper doesn't want to offend his acquaintances, so he has to hide in the inner room and keep quiet," the shop assistant replied.
"Work hard! I'll give you a big bonus this month!" Ma Deyun patted the shop assistant on the shoulder and went to the inner room to discuss something with the manager.
"Thank you, young master!" the waiter said, bowing deeply in gratitude.
"Go this way, the warehouse is over there," Ma Deyun told his friends.
Manager Liu was busy calculating with his abacus when he looked up and saw his young master. He quickly stood up and said, "Young master, you've arrived?"
"Old Liu, serve some tea first," Ma Deyun instructed.
"Please have a seat, gentlemen. I'll be right back," said Manager Liu, bowing slightly.
A moment later, Manager Liu brought over the tea.
Ma Deyun took a sip of tea and asked, "How much grain is left in the shop?"
Manager Liu glanced at the ledger and replied, "There are still 23,000 shi left."
"Continue to raise prices tomorrow. From now on, unless I give the order, you can raise prices as appropriate, by one or two coins every day," Ma Deyun said with a smile.
"Young master, at the current sales rate, the store's grain probably won't last a month. If the price goes up by then, the store will have no grain to sell. What should we do?" Manager Liu said worriedly.
"Haha!" Yang Shan laughed loudly, "Don't worry, Manager Liu, there's still plenty of grain! We've collected a lot of grain in the counties near Hanshan, and it will be transported into the city in a few days."
"I understand, gentlemen! You are truly insightful and prescient!" Manager Liu chuckled, flattering the four talented scholars.
"Manager Liu, you go ahead with your work. We'll be leaving now. We didn't come here today for anything else, just to check on the grain sales," Ma Deyun said, standing up.
"Young master, gentlemen, please take care!" Manager Liu bowed respectfully as he saw them off.
"Brother Yang, you're brilliant!" Sun Feng gave Yang Shan a thumbs up. The idea of raising grain prices was Yang Shan's. Unexpectedly, just as they began implementing it, so many refugees suddenly arrived in Hanshan County. Even without them deliberately raising grain prices, prices would still skyrocket. It was like a godsend—perfect timing, favorable location, and popular support!
"Several other grain stores in the county have also raised their prices, and I heard they're also implementing purchase restrictions," Lin Qing said.
"Haha..." Ma Deyun laughed loudly, "It's normal. Everyone does business to make money. They're not stupid. If there's money to be made, who wouldn't be happy?"
"Young Master, we've finally found you! Something's happened!" At that moment, a servant from Ma Deyun's household rushed into the grain store.
"What's wrong?" Ma Deyun asked, puzzled.
"The government office has posted a notice that the Ever-Normal Granary is opening its granaries to release grain. One shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain costs one tael (another unit of dry measure) of silver, which is two qian (another unit of dry measure) cheaper than our current price. Moreover, there is no limit to the amount that can be purchased; you can buy as much as you want. The customers who were queuing outside the store have already dispersed and gone to the Ever-Normal Granary to buy grain," the servant said hurriedly.
Ma Deyun frowned. What should he do? What was Wang Shazi up to? Why did he always have to cause trouble? We don't earn money easily!
"Brother Ma, let's go talk to Brother Wang first," Yang Shan said.
"That's all we can do. Let's go!" Ma Deyun nodded with a worried expression.
“Brother Ma, there’s no need to worry. Didn’t Wang Wenzhou order the Ever-Normal Granary to open up the sale of grain? We still have some silver on hand, so we’ll buy it all. When the Ever-Normal Granary runs out of grain, all the grain will be in our hands. We can sell it at whatever price we want. The people can’t just stop eating grain and start eating clay, can they?” Yang Shan said with a smile.
“That’s right! Brother Yang is brilliant! Let’s go!” Ma Deyun said with a smile.
The four talented scholars found Wang Wenhua, and upon hearing this, Wang Wenhua laughed heartily as the Changping Granary was opened to distribute grain.
“Our silly little Wu’s brain is really unpredictable! At this time, in order to stabilize grain prices, we can open the Ever-Normal Granary, but we can’t sell it casually. We must limit purchases. Since he’s made such a foolish move, we can’t refuse! Let’s do as Brother Yang plans. We still have 80,000 taels of silver left, let’s use it all to buy grain from the Ever-Normal Granary. If we don’t have enough silver, we can all chip in more.” Wang Wenhua said with a smile.
Ma Deyun nodded and said, "I'll send someone to buy grain right away."
Lin Qing's expression changed. He was out of money. The ten thousand taels of silver he had invested this time was only after he and his father had persuaded him to agree to this business. Moreover, this ten thousand taels was the only silver left in Lin Family Village. He had no more money to spare. But this was a golden opportunity to make a fortune.
These days, they've been buying grain from surrounding counties at a price of two shi (a unit of dry measure) and one liang (another unit of dry measure) and one qian (another unit of dry measure). After transporting it to Hanshan, they earn at least one liang of silver per shi of grain. In just a few months, their capital can double. Moreover, once the grain reserves in Hanshan County are depleted, the price of grain in Hanshan will rise. It's not impossible for a shi of grain to fetch three or four liang of silver. How could Lin Qing bear to let such a good opportunity slip by?
Lin Qing said, "I also have some things to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
"No need to see me off!" Wang Wenhua said with a smile.
Lin Qing hurriedly went to discuss with Lin Hu, intending to take out the embezzled funds hidden in the county town and invest them. If the grain business succeeded, not only would he be able to make up for his previous losses, but he would also make a large sum of money.