Kingdom of Heaven and Han

Chapter 184 No Price Reduction
Zhang Chi rolled up his trouser legs, carrying a fish basket in his hand, and brought his two younger brothers home.It was hot in July, but the sun at noon was still venomous, and I felt tingling when I slept on it.The flowers on the trees on the side of the road have already withered, and they are covered with various fruits.

When we arrived at the door, the family's yellow dog came out wagging its tail, jumping up and down happily.

After entering the door, Zhang Chi put down the fish basket, and said to his mother in the room: "Today is really lucky, I caught five or six big eels. It will be stewed in the pot later, it is also a good dish."

Mother said: "There are still five or six days before you should go back to the army. Don't walk here and there, stay at home."

Zhang Chi agreed with a smile, not caring.When I come home, of course the fields around the village attract me. What does it mean to sit at home?
At this moment, the courtyard door opened and a man came in.Seeing Zhang Chi standing there, he said: "I saw it from a distance, it is my brother. I think this is your home. Sure enough, there is nothing wrong."

Zhang Chi saw that it was Yang Biao who joined the army together.He shook his hands and said, "Just now, my two younger brothers and I went out to catch fish, and we were covered in muddy water. You sit down for a while, and I'll wash it with water and we'll talk together."

Yang Biao waved his hands after hearing this: "You're welcome. I'm here to tell you that the grain collection boat has arrived at the entrance of our village again. This time is different from last time. The people in the surrounding villages are all picking wheat and scrambling to sell it. You too Hurry up, otherwise you will be anxious to die in line!"

Zhang Chi didn't dare to neglect, and hurriedly asked the fifth brother to go to the field to find his father.Washing his hands hastily, let Yang Biao sit down, and asked about selling grain.

The last time the supply and marketing cooperative came to collect grain, there were not many people selling it, and everyone was waiting and watching.As a result, the supply and marketing cooperatives stopped collecting grain, and the purchase price of local grain merchants dropped again, and everyone was in a hurry.Seven or eight days ago, the person who sold grain for the first time got cash from the supply and marketing cooperative, and everyone was tempted.Now the nearby ten miles and eight townships are all staring at the wharf of Daliushu Village.As soon as the grain collection boat arrived, the news spread quickly.

Yang Biao said: "When I came out of the village, there were many people carrying burdens. There was already a long queue at the pier. If I went late, I don't know how long the queue would be! Besides, the boats in the river There is always a limit to the amount of food, and if it is full, it will have to wait for the next time."

Zhang Chi nodded again and again: "That's right, that's right. By the way, the price hasn't dropped, right?"

Yang Biao said: "Same as last time, it's still thirty cents a bucket."

The two were gossiping, and the father came back from the field.Without putting down the hoe, he came over to ask Yang Biao.

After asking clearly, my father said: "This matter cannot be delayed. We will sit here for an hour, and we may have to wait for a day at the pier. We have already prepared the wheat at home. Erlang and Sanlang will get up with me immediately! "

Yang Biao said: "Father, I want to go home too and pick up a load for you."

Where is the father willing?After a few words, Yang Biao insisted on choosing, so he agreed.He is in his prime, so he is not afraid of exhausting him.

Several people took the grain out of the warehouse, and one person picked two stones.The father tried it, and said: "Sanlang is still young, so I'm afraid he can't carry such a heavy burden. Well, he picks one stone, and we each pick two stones. This time we can't sell them all, but there are not many left. Next time easy."

There was no dry food at home, so my mother took a small bag of rice for the others.Yang Biao is a native of Daliushu Village. When he arrives, he can borrow their pot to cook.In this day and age, many people still bring their own rice when cooking in other places.

Carrying a load of more than 200 catties and walking for dozens of miles at one go, future generations may think it is amazing.But in this day and age, it is commonplace for ordinary people.There was no delay on the way, and they arrived at Daliushu Village ten miles away in one go.

As soon as I entered the village, I saw that the streets were densely packed with people.Everyone is surrounded by a burden, the end of which cannot be seen at a glance.

Zhang Chi exclaimed: "The last time I harvested grain here, I only saw people watching the excitement. This time, they are all here to sell grain. With this appearance, when will we come to us? Do you want to stay here overnight?"

Father said: "What's so strange? Take a few steps, let's go and occupy a seat! Once there is a place, we will go to the pier to have a look."

A few people lined up to the back of the line, put down their burdens and took a breath.

Yang Biao said: "You guys rest here first, I'll go home and fetch some water. It's hot, and I'm thirsty after walking this way."

Zhang Chizheng felt his mouth was dry, so he naturally agreed.Sit with your father by the load, and open your clothes to fan the wind.

Not long after, Yang Biao came back and fetched water for several people to drink.A few people squatted under the shade of a tree by the side of the road, chatting.

Yang Biao said: "I went home and asked, and the grain harvest this time is the same as last time. But there are only two ships, so it is estimated that there will not be much. Fortunately, we came early, and this time it will definitely be sold. If it is another day later, it will be hard to say. "

Zhang Chi said: "The last time I looked at it, I thought that there were not many wheat growing around. Who would have thought that there would be so many!"

My father said: "Last time I didn't see any money, so everyone naturally didn't sell it. This time I really saw money, who would keep the wheat at home? People here are still used to eating rice. If the price is right, the wheat will be sold naturally." .”

It is not a paddy field, so it is naturally not suitable for growing rice.The area around Xiangyang and Dengzhou either grows wheat or corn.Every family grows them, even if they don't grow much, the amount added up is astonishing.This year's harvest is bumper, and grain merchants have kept prices down.The supply and marketing cooperatives buy at high prices, and the common people will naturally sell the wheat as soon as possible.In exchange for money, I feel at ease.

In Xinye City, Yang Shen walked quickly into Wang Xiaohun's official hall, and said happily: "Observation, the supply and marketing cooperative distributed the last grain payment a few days ago, and the people have benefited. As expected, the collection of money this time has been much smoother .”

Wang Xiaolie said: "The common people are selling food for money. Seeing that money is available, they will naturally become active."

Yang Shen thought for a while, and then said: "Observe, I heard that the grain merchants outside have lowered the price of wheat in Xiangyang to ten yuan a few days ago. How about we also lower the price of wheat. Even if it is twenty yuan, it counts. It sounds like a lot of money. With money in the Yamen, many things can be done.”

After Wang Xiaolie heard this, he suddenly raised his head and looked at Yang Shen.Dao: "We collect and sell grain not only to make money, but also to make the common people have income in good harvest years. Now that grain merchants outside are willing to charge high prices, what reason do we have to suppress the selling price of common people? If we can't sell Going out, the food collected can only be stored in the warehouse, and it makes sense to suppress the price. Not now!"

Yang Shen rubbed his head: "Does business mean to make money? We need money everywhere, but we don't have money, so of course we have to make money."

"You are an official, not a businessman!" Wang Xiaolie stood up with a stern look on his face. "There are many ways to be an official if you just want to make money. The simplest way is to increase taxes and taxes, and apportion miscellaneous donations. It is not easier than doing business! You can't do that! Official business has many issues to consider, and often it is impossible to make money. Making money is not the most important thing. Even if the winter wheat harvests in the surrounding states are bumper this year, if we don’t sell them and leave it to the grain merchants, they will inevitably keep the buying price extremely low, and the selling price will still be so high. That's what I mean."

Yang Shen said: "The humble official understands."

If he just wanted to make money, why would Wang Xiaolie bother so much.With the army in hand, let alone raising taxes and donations, so what if you just grab it with a knife?In fact, many generals at this time did this.The army is stationed in one place, and after leaving, it is in a depression.

(End of this chapter)