Great Tang Dynasty

Chapter 610 Shiping
Salt is something that people cannot do without every day.

Therefore, although salt is very common, as long as there is a slight price fluctuation, it will affect the stability of society.

Just like today's situation, when they heard that the price of salt had risen, the people in Chang'an City flocked to buy it. This is still a rich person. If they don't have money, they may not be able to afford salt in the future.

But if you don't eat salt, your body will be very weak. How can the people of Tang Dynasty improve their physical fitness?
Qin Tian didn't dare to ignore such things.

When he came to the household registration department in a hurry, Tang Jian was also about to come out in a hurry. The two met, and Tang Jian hurriedly said, "Master Hou, I'm just going to find you."

Qin Tiandao: "Master Tang, is it because of the increase in the price of salt?"

Tang Jian nodded: "I have already sent someone to investigate. This year's salt production is indeed not as high as last year's, but it is not much lower. Even if the price increases, it will not be too obvious, but the price in the world today is already higher than that of last year. At the same time, we also found that some people deliberately hoarded goods to raise the price of salt, and I was going to discuss the countermeasures with Lord Hou."

The reduction in salt production is just an introduction. The real reason is that some people stock up on goods.

"Master Tang, isn't there a market in Tang Dynasty? Prices should be evaluated every month. How can the price increase happen?"

Tang Jian smiled wryly, and said, "Master Hou, evaluate once a month. Isn't there no evaluation yet? Moreover, everything is determined by the market. If someone hoards salt and does not sell it, it will be difficult not to increase the price."

In any dynasty, there are special agencies to control prices. These agencies evaluate the prices in the market every month, and the prices that come out are called market prices.

The price in the market can be high or low, but it should not deviate too much from the market level.

With Shiping, the salt price should not deviate too much, but unfortunately, Shiping only pays out once a month. When the city is flat, those salt merchants have already taken advantage of this month to spend I earned it.

Now, even if they raise their prices, you can't help them.

Datang's prices are more in line with the economic laws of the market.

"Master Hou, what should we do now?" Tang Jian asked, but added: "I think the most urgent thing is to stabilize the price as soon as possible, otherwise it will continue to rise, which will be very detrimental to the people of Datang."

The continued increase in salt prices may indeed cause instability in Chang'an. Qin Tian frowned, and after thinking about it, he said, "Master Tang, take someone to the street to issue a notice to let the people know that this year's salt production has not decreased. So that they don’t have to rush to hoard salt for the winter, and what’s more, all salt merchants, talk to them and ask them to cut prices.”

As long as the salt merchants are willing to lower the price, this matter will be much easier to handle. After Tang Jian heard this, he hesitated. The court rarely ordered people to lower the price in this way. Wonderful.

"Master Hou, do you really want to discuss with those salt?"

"That's right, you ask them to come, and the Marquis will tell them in person."

Seeing that Qin Tian wanted to do this by himself, Tang Jian heaved a sigh of relief, and said, "Okay, before evening today, they will definitely show up at the yamen of the household department."

"No, invite them all to Sihaiju, and Benhou invites them to dinner."

"Invite them to dinner?" Tang Jian was completely confused. It would be good not to beat them up, but he still invited them to dinner. I really don't understand.
-
The notice of the imperial court was circulated in Chang'an City. Before dusk, in a box in the Universal Residence, several major salt merchants in Chang'an City had already arrived.

Qin Tian invited them, and they dared not not come.

These salt merchants looked at each other, they knew very well that Qin Tian's purpose of inviting them here was nothing more than the price of salt.

However, they didn't think Qin Tian could change anything.

Several people sat and waited, and after about half a stick of incense, Qin Tian came in from the outside.

"Master Hou!"

Everyone stood up and saluted, Qin Tian waved his hands: "Sit down."

Everyone was seated, all a bit cautious, although all the good wine and food were served, but few of them ate to their heart's content.

"Your Majesty invited us here. I don't know why?" The speaker was obese, but his eyes were surprisingly small, as if he could shoot out at any time.

He is the largest salt merchant in Chang'an City, Yang Wu.

Qin Tian glanced at Yang Wu and said, "Of course it is because of the price of salt. The increase in salt price is very detrimental to the stability of the court. This year's salt production is not low, so why wait to increase the price on purpose?"

After saying this, Yang Wu and the others didn't feel scared.

"Master Hou, this year's salt production has indeed dropped. Moreover, we are all just salt merchants. Our salt is bought from other people. The price they give us is not low. We can only sell it like this, otherwise we But you will lose money."

"Yes, Lord Hou, we also have to support our family, so we can't just starve to death, can we?"

"Your Majesty is also in business. You should know the law in the market. If the purchase price is high, we will naturally sell at a high price. Otherwise, if we don't make money, there will be no one to do business. Then the people of Chang'an City, where do they eat their salt?" go?"

"Master Hou, we are also very helpless. If others sell us a low price, our price will naturally increase..."

Everyone talked one after another, but they were obviously crying miserably and poorly. Qin Tian curled his lips when he heard this. He knew that the price of salt outside hadn't changed much, and it was probably just a few of them who discussed it. All of a sudden, they deliberately hoarded goods to raise the price of salt.

But now, they refuse to admit it.

"So, how many of you are unwilling to lower the price of salt?"

"Master Hou, there is no way to surrender. If we surrender, we will not be able to survive."

Qin Tian nodded: "Since that's the case, then the Marquis has nothing to say to you, so you can go."

Everyone was stunned, Qin Tian didn't threaten them, just let them go like this, they should be very happy, but suddenly they all hesitated.

Based on their understanding of Qin Tian, ​​he should not be such a person, right?

Giving up so easily is not Qin Tian's style at all?
Everyone looked at each other and hesitated for a while, but in the end they left one after another. Qin Tian didn't force them to lower the price, which was a good thing for them. If they stayed again, if Qin Tian changed his mind, their lives might be worse. It's going to be hard.

Taking advantage of the fact that money is easy to make now, it is right to make money quickly.

A group of people left, and the private room of Sihaiju became quiet. Qin Tian looked at a table of food with a sneer on the corner of his mouth.

Originally, if these people listened to the persuasion and lowered the price, Qin Tian would give them a way of life, but if they don't want this way of life, then it's no wonder he is Qin Tian.

Tomorrow morning, everything will be revealed.

(End of this chapter)