Kingdom of Heaven and Han

Chapter 173 Collusion between officials and businessmen
Yang Shen was ordered by Wang Xiaolie to follow Bei Xing and the other three people all the way down the river to see their business. Three million shi of grain is not a small amount, and they cannot be trusted with just a few words.Wang Xiaolie is ready, if they don't come for a long time, something big will happen.

The Han River flows south from Xiangyang, enters the Hanyang Army through Yingzhou and Fuzhou, and flows into the Yangtze River.Hanyang City, facing Ezhou City and the Yangtze River, is another strategic location below Xiangyang.From here, it enters the Yangtze River waterway, which is a traffic hub.

It was the rainy season at this time, and the Han River was plentiful. Yang Shen and his party arrived in Ezhou City in a few days.

Ezhou at this time, together with the Hanyang Army across the Yangtze River, is actually Wuhan of later generations, not Ezhou of later generations.It is located at the confluence of the Han River and the Yangtze River. It has an important position and developed transportation. It is a strategic location.

After entering the city, Bei Xing found a familiar inn and arranged for Yang Shen to stay.Said: "I came from a long way, and I have worked hard all the way. Tonight we have a banquet in the restaurant to welcome the officials. You rest first, and I will send someone to pick you up."

Yang Shen agreed and stayed at the inn.

After Bei Xing and the others left, Yang Shen took out the official document written by Wang Xiaolie and went to see Ezhou Zhizhou Cheng Wusan.

Arriving at the official hall, Yang Shen saluted Cheng Wusan.Said: "My next Yang Shen is the counselor under the envoy of Xiangyang Wang Xiaohun. I was ordered by Zhi to sell grain to grain merchants in Ezhou, so I came to check it. I have a book, and I ordered it to be dedicated to Zhizhou. .”

The official took the letter and handed it to Cheng Wusan.Cheng Wuchan opened the book, read it, and put it on the table.Said: "Wang Guan's book clearly stated that this year Dengzhou, Xiangyang, and Tangzhou have a large harvest of winter wheat. They want to sell it to grain merchants in exchange for some money to support soldiers. Last year Wang Guan led troops to Xiangyang, beheaded Yang Jin, and pacified several states. The rebellion has made great contributions to the imperial court. I heard it here, and I admire it very much. Raising soldiers is the most expensive, and it is a good thing to observe the sale of grain. If you need help from the yamen, you can come to me. Ezhou is at the critical point of the great river , extending in all directions, with the most grain merchants.”

After hearing this, Yang Shen hurriedly thanked him.Because he was not familiar with these officials, Wang Xiaolie was always afraid that he would not help them when they were needed.I didn't want Cheng Wushen to be so happy, but Yang Shen was overjoyed.With the backing of the government, the business is very secure.

Cheng Wusan thought for a while, and then said: "There is a Kongmu official named Xia Ping in the yamen, who is most familiar with the grain business in the city. I have sent him to accompany you these few days. If there is anything you don't understand, you can ask he."

Yang Shen hastily thanked him.In this unfamiliar place, it is really best to have a local snake as an adviser.

Cheng Wusan asked about the current situation in several prefectures in Xiangyang, and asked someone to call Xia Ping to follow Yang Shen.

After leaving the yamen, they saw a teahouse beside the road, Yang Shen and Xia Ping walked in.After ordering tea, the two sat and chatted.

Yang Shen said: "The grain merchants who came to Xiangyang a few days ago, the leader is Bei Xing, and there is Yu Zhifu. There is another Kang Mingqi, who said that he has a boat on the Han River. Has Kong Mu heard of these people?"

Xia Pingdao: "Of course I've heard of it. Beixing is the largest grain merchant in Ezhou City, selling tens of thousands of shi of grain every year. Yu Zhifu is not from Ezhou City, but from Wuchang County downstream. The business is also huge. Kang Ming started his special run Hanshui business, there are indeed many ships under his command."

"That's good." Yang Shen let out a sigh of relief. "Now the army is really short of money, and they all rely on selling food to support the army."

Xia Pingdao: "Wang Guan wiped out Yang Jin last year. We have all heard of it here. It is really a rare and fierce general. It is not easy to raise soldiers. How can we do it without money? Officials, don't worry, these people are all from Ezhou. Doing business is completely trustworthy.”

Yang Shen said: "With your words, I feel relieved. The matter is settled, and I will thank you in front of Zhizhou."

Xia Ping didn't dare.The two drank tea and chatted about the affairs of Xiangyang and Ezhou.

Seeing that it was getting late, Yang Shen said: "I just came to Ezhou, and a few officials will welcome me tonight. If not, I will definitely invite you to drink more tonight. How about this, you come to my inn at noon tomorrow, and we will meet again chat."

Xia Ping hastily agreed and said goodbye to Yang Shen.

Back at the inn, the people sent by Beixing were already waiting there.He led Yang Shen to the best Wangjiang restaurant in the city.

When they reached the pavilion on the second floor, the three of Bei Xing were waiting there.Invite Yang Shen to sit down and order wine to be served.

After drinking for three rounds, Bei Xing said: "Today we went back to Ezhou and asked our family members. We felt that the price of [-] Wen per bucket that Wang Jian said a few days ago was indeed a bit high. It is true that the price of wheat in Zhejiang and Zhejiang is high now, but The world is not peaceful, and the freight on the road is also high."

Speaking of this, Bei Xing looked at Kang Mingqi and said, "Mr. Kang is a ship runner. This year's shipping fee is several times that of previous years. Is that right?"

Kang Ming said: "Exactly. Not only the freight to Zhejiang and Zhejiang provinces is high, but also the price from Xiangyang to Ezhou is not the same as in previous years. In previous years, when the water was high, the Han River went down the river, and a hundred catties was ten cents per hundred miles. .It won’t work this year, it’s going to cost [-] cents!”

Yang Shen looked at the three of them and said indifferently: "Fifty Wen per fight is a price determined by observation. Who dares to change it? If you feel that this business cannot be done, tell me as soon as possible, and I will find another place. However, from now on From now on, you don't want to do business in Xiangyang Mansion anymore."

Bei Xing said: "Why should the officials be angry? We are businessmen, and we only care about profits. If the profits are small, who would work hard?"

Yang Shen said: "When I left Xiangyang, my observation made it clear. Fifty yuan per bucket is the price at the Xiangyang wharf, and there is no less than a penny. If you can't afford this price, order me to find someone else. Ladies and gentlemen, the price is It cannot be changed."

Bei Xing said: "In business, the price has to be negotiated between the buyer and the seller. Now that you have arrived in Ezhou, you know everything, and you are not afraid that we will lower your price. This year, Dengzhou has collected more grain, and it must be sold, right? ? The price is not suitable, can you go back and report to the king for investigation?"

Yang Shen said: "About the price, there is nothing to report. If you don't accept it, the observer will tell me to just find someone else. If there is no one in Ezhou, go to Jiangzhou. There will always be someone to do this business. And let me tell you, the observer is here The tens of thousands of troops in the Xiangdeng area are not comparable to ordinary businessmen. Along the way, observations will naturally be written everywhere, and the yamen will provide convenience. If anyone makes trouble, it will also come from the yamen!"

Seeing that the atmosphere suddenly became tense, Yu Zhifu hurriedly said: "Let's drink, let's drink! Doing business is about negotiating between buyers and sellers. Naturally, the seller is asking the price, and the buyer will pay back the money, right?"

Yang Shen picked up the wine glass and drank it down.Glancing at the three of them, he thought secretly in his heart, feeling a little anxious.Naturally, Wang Xiaolie didn't say that it must be fifty Wen, but just asked Yang Shen to go to the place to investigate by himself.For Yang Shen, this is the first time he has left Wang Xiaolie for a major event. If the other party lowers the price, how will he explain it when he goes back?In Wang Xiaolie's eyes, wouldn't it be that he doesn't know how to do things?

After drinking two glasses of wine, Bei Xing said: "You guys have a drink, I have some chores, come and go."

After finishing speaking, I left the pavilion.I looked around, went to another pavilion in the corner at the other end, and sat down.The one inside who was drinking was none other than Xia Ping whom Yang Shen had met before coming here.

Bei Xing bowed his hands to Xia Ping: "Kong Mu, just now we talked with the person from Xiangyang, and wanted to lower the price, but he refused. You are the most familiar person in the yamen, what can you teach me? "

Xia Ping drank a glass of wine leisurely and said: "Don't be intimidated by that person. After entering the city and leaving you, this person went to the Yamen. The Zhizhou Xianggong admired that Wang Guan and sent me to help Yang Guanren. Before coming here, the two of us drank tea and chatted—”

"What did you say?" Beixing was very interested, and stretched his head over.

Xia Pingdao: "Who is the king observing? It's just Wang Tongjuan's only son who came to Beijing to serve as the king. By chance, he won several battles and was appreciated by others. After returning to Ruzhou, he happened to meet Yang Jin who made a rebellion and was suppressed by him. Yes. In less than a year, his army has grown from a few hundred to tens of thousands. How much does it cost to raise so many soldiers and horses? According to Yang Guanren, Wang Jian has no money. Just waiting for this year’s wheat Sell ​​money and use the money to support the army. Think outside the staff, the current Wang Guan must be looking forward to the day and night, and he is looking forward to the money."

Bei Xing nodded again and again: "We think so too. According to this year's price, in fact, Wang Guan's price of [-] cents for a bucket is not high. However, the business is not easy if more than a dozen of our grain merchants join forces. .If the price can be lowered, the saved money will be shared equally between me, Yu Zhifu and Kang Mingqi. Businessmen, who would think money is hot!"

Xia Ping smiled and said: "That's natural! However, I don't think that Yang Guanren is easy to deal with. And the Zhizhou made a special confession, let me stay with him these few days. If there is anything Yang Guanren doesn't understand in Ezhou, he comes to ask I."

Bei Xing hurriedly said: "Kong Mu, we have known each other since we were young. What do you not understand about me? You will be grateful for helping us this time! It is said that Dengzhou will sell 300 million shi of grain. It’s a lot if you can hold down ten coins!”

Xia Ping said: "Member, you also know who I am. The ugly words are the first, and the benefits to me are less. You can't do this business!"

Bei Xing nodded again and again: "Don't worry, don't worry! As long as Kong Mu persuades Officer Yang, we will definitely thank you!"

(End of this chapter)