Daming: I, the emperor who trains the carpenter

Chapter 770 Is the market saturated?Then have a Ming Dynasty version of Double Eleven!
Since that day of rest,
All the officials in the capital have returned to their previous work, and Zhang Haogu, the cabinet veterans, has more things to do.

However, Zhang Haogu was busy with government affairs during the day, and at night he was very happy to be accompanied by his wife and son.

The development of Nanyang also brought many goods and goods from Nanyang countries into Daming, and the most of them flowed into Zhili and Jingshi Market.

With so many goods pouring into the capital, plus the original hoarding of goods by merchants big and small in the capital, all kinds of goods in the capital were too sufficient for a while, so that they could not be sold.

Logically speaking, this kind of situation would not happen in the north and south Zhili. After all, they are the two largest economies of Ming Dynasty, with a dense population and a developed economy.

Not to mention the dignitaries, gentry and merchants, and the common people have a lot of spare money, the merchants in the north and south Zhili are actually not worried about selling.

It is a pity that the merchants in the North and the South have hoarded too much goods for export this year. The main reason is that the competition with the Netherlanders in Nanyang made the goods unable to go to sea for a while, and the war in Nanyang lasted for a long time. The decisive battle of the pirate fleet, followed by the mobilization of warships and troops to pull out the Dutch colony in the South China Sea, which has dragged the goods in the hands of the merchants until now.

The Dutch in Nanyang also left a large number of merchants to the Ming court. After all, the Dutch accumulated a lot in Nanyang. When the large amount of goods came to the imperial court, the imperial court also wanted to sell them.

This has led to a large number of commodities piled up in the hands of the imperial court, and a large number of commodities in the hands of merchants, big and small. With so many commodities appearing in the capital, it is naturally difficult to sell these commodities in a short time.

And people don't buy goods every day, usually once a week, once every two weeks, and then they buy more things during the holidays.

Now that so many merchants are hoarding in the capital, the big merchants are fine, and the capital can be kept in their hands, but if the small merchants are also held in their hands, it will be over.

Small businessmen are mainly focused on making quick money. They don’t have much money in their hands. They rely on selling goods and then keep pouring them out. Their ability to resist risks is not as good as that of large businessmen with sufficient capital.

What's more, the imperial court now holds a large number of commercial goods in its hands. Once the imperial court's commercial goods are released, the market in the capital will tremble.

As the head of the Daming Commercial Yamen, Cui Chengxiu has recently received reports from his subordinates.

It would be fine if there were one or two, but now seeing so many small merchants in the capital with their goods under pressure, Cui Chengxiu couldn't help feeling a little anxious: We can't let so many small merchants go bankrupt.

"My lord, the current situation is not very good. It stands to reason that with the situation of the capital, it should be able to eat all kinds of goods, but now it can't be eaten."

Cui Chengxiu understands the worries of his subordinates, can he not know what is going on in the capital now?

After thinking about it, Cui Chengxiu decided to talk to the Ministry of Household Affairs first. After all, the imperial court held a large amount of goods from the Netherlands. If all these goods were poured into the market, small merchants would be in trouble.

"Prepare the car for me, I'll talk to Feng Shilang." Cui Chengxiu made up his mind, absolutely not let small merchants go bankrupt, there are too many small merchants in the capital!

When he arrived at the household department, Feng Shilang was a little suspicious when he heard the notification: "Cui Shilang, why did this famous person come to my place today?"

Unlike Cui Chengxiu, although Feng Shilang is also a third-rank official, he has someone on his head and has not yet controlled a single yamen. Cui Chengxiu's commercial yamen is now said to be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Households, but in fact it is operated in a semi-independent state. The tax office, the Chidao office of the Ministry of Industry, and the water conservancy office are the same as the office responsible for Xiang Yuanfu.

Daming Bank is an alternative, because of its particularity and importance, it is supervised by the royal family, the Ministry of Accounts, and the cabinet.

Cui Chengxiu, the head of the commercial yamen, is a very busy person, and even more famous. It is estimated that there is nothing good about this person coming here today.

But there is nothing good, Feng Shilang has to receive it, after all, everyone belongs to the same party, and they are all under the name of the household department.

"Brother Cui."

"Brother Feng."

The two are also familiar with each other when they meet, after all, the people in the household department are basically familiar with each other after getting along for a long time, not to mention there is no enmity, and everyone has no relationship. The reason why a friend has many paths is that they are all human spirits and almost never make enemies with others.

"Brother Cui, why did you come to me today, but what can I do for you?" Feng Shilang asked while pushing hot tea in front of Cui Chengxiu.

Cui Chengxiu took a sip of the hot tea: "Oh, to be honest, brother, I still need Brother Feng's help today."

Sure enough!

Feng Shilang nodded, and said: "Brother Cui, if you have something to say, just say it, brother, I will never refuse to help."

Cui Chengxiu said: "Then I will speak directly, Brother Feng, you have a lot of goods going out, right?"

Feng Shilang stroked his beard and smiled: "Brother Cui, to tell you the truth, before the Imperial Navy won a great victory in Nanyang, they brought back a large amount of goods from the Netherlands. These goods are stored in the warehouse of the Ministry of Finance. Later, the imperial court pulled out the Dutch colonies in Southeast Asia, and harvested piles of goods again."

"All these things are sold, at least a few more money in the hands of the household department."

A few sums!

Outsiders may not know what this means, but the sum of money that the minister of the household department said was tens of billions of dollars, which belonged to the imperial court's spare funds, and was specially used for emergencies.

Feng Shilang's words undoubtedly mean that there are at least tens of billions of treasure bills in the warehouse of the household department. Once this batch of goods floods the capital market, the small merchants in the capital will be completely in trouble.

After hearing this, Cui Chengxiu couldn't help asking: "Brother Feng, can you suppress these goods first and not sell them?"

Feng Shilang pondered, with a hint of embarrassment on his face: "Brother Cui, if you call me Brother Feng, our relationship is not bad, and I won't hide it from you. It's not up to me whether these things are suppressed or not."

"You also know that the naval division fought two battles, and the land division moved three towns. The military supplies spent before and after must always be reported."

Cui Chengxiu asked: "But, isn't the Nanyang Development Company responsible for this money? They hold 3000 billion in their hands, and they should pay for the military expenses."

Feng Shilang shrugged: "In the early stage, part of the account was paid by the Ministry of Accounts, and part by the military. At that time, the higher-ups thought that after the war against Nanyang, the captured goods would be enough to pay for the war. After all, the Dutch are rich, and now after two The battle has indeed returned its cost, and it has made a lot of money. After all, the gold and silver seized is enough to return the cost, and some of these goods also include the military."

"Now the higher-ups are going to sell these goods. After all, these goods are not only from the Ministry of Accounts."

Cui Chengxiu asked again: "Can you wait a little longer? Is it feasible to release it after the New Year? This capital can't sell the goods at all now."

Feng Shilang was also worried when he heard this: "Oh, who said it wasn't? Originally, according to the situation in the past, these goods could be eaten in Zhili, but now it's good, the capital Zhili can't be sold, and now I'm still thinking about it. Do you want to send some goods to Jiangnan to see the situation?"

Cui Chengxiu looked at Feng Shilang and felt a little helpless. This capital is the most densely populated place in the world, and it is also the place with the most dignitaries. The capital can't afford these things, but Jiangnan can eat them?

There are also a lot of goods in the south of the Yangtze River. After all, that is the base camp of merchants, and all the wealthy merchants in the southeast coast are there.

"Oh, then I'll think of another way. I'm going to trouble Brother Feng today." Cui Chengxiu got up helplessly.

Feng Shilang also stood up and sent them off: "Brother Cui, although I don't care much about these things on weekdays, in my opinion, there are some problems with the current situation. There are so many goods in Zhili in the north and south, and the market has been overwhelmed. Supported."

"Right now, it's not just that the goods from the Ministry of Accounts can't be sold. Brother Cui, you might as well ask the higher-ups directly."

Cui Chengxiu nodded, and after leaving the household department, he pondered for a moment and got on the carriage: "Go to the cabinet."

Walking all the way to Wenyuan Pavilion, Cui Chengxiu stopped a cabinet councilor: "Is Yuan Fu here?"

"It's Master Cui, Yuanfu is here." The councilor said with a smile.

"Thank you." Cui Chengxiu cupped his hands and hurriedly walked inside.

On the second floor of the cabinet, Zhang Haogu was dealing with affairs at his desk when Huang Zongxi came over and said, "Yuanfu, Minister Cui please see me."

"Oh, let him come up."

Following the sound of footsteps, Cui Chengxiu reached the second floor.

Seeing Zhang Haogu who was dealing with the affairs, Cui Chengxiu also calmed down in an instant, sat on the seat beside him and waited quietly, no longer in a hurry, and began to think about words.

Looking at Cui Chengxiu who was sorting out his thoughts, Huang Zongxi poured him a cup of tea, causing Cui Chengxiu to thank him quickly: "Thank you so much."

"Master Cui has something important to do?" Huang Zongxi asked.

Cui Chengxiu nodded, then shook his head: "It's not a big deal."

Huang Zongxi didn't ask any more questions, but after Zhang Haogu finished dealing with the matters at hand, he looked up at Cui Chengxiu: "Chengxiu, you are looking for me today, what's wrong?"

Cui Chengxiu hurried forward: "Hui Yuanfu, there are some problems in the current North-South Market."

As he said that, Cui Chengxiu talked about the current backlog of goods in Shuntian Mansion and Yingtian Mansion, the merchants' goods could not be sold, and the market was too saturated.

"Oh?"

Zhang Haogu frowned slightly: "This matter, those small merchants might go bankrupt."

For the backlog of products in a saturated market, large merchants have the ability to resist risks, but small merchants either have no money left in their hands, or simply buy goods on loan and wait to sell them, or owe money to their parents. Once the goods are in the hands for a long time, it will definitely lose money.

Nowadays, the industry and commerce of Daming is thriving, not only relying on big merchants and big capital, they are giant ships that can cut through the wind and waves, but small and medium merchants are also indispensable. There are only big ships without small boats, and this sea cannot be sailed.

Right now, there may be problems with small and medium-sized merchants in Daming, so Zhang Haogu has to pay attention to them.

"It's too aggressive, go and invite Lu Xiang and Qian Xiang to come."

Huang Zongxi nodded and went to invite Lu Xiangsheng and Qian Qianyi over.

"Lu Xiang, Qian Xiang." Cui Chengxiu looked at the two cabinet elders in front of him and got up quickly.

While Lu Xiangsheng and Qian Qianyi looked at Cui Chengxiu, they also realized that Zhang Haogu invited them here because the matter had something to do with the business office.

"Lu Xiang, Qian Xiang, this is some information that Cui Shilang reported to me, please take a look."

After receiving the materials given by Zhang Haogu, Lu Xiangsheng and Qian Qianyi looked at them, and their brows began to frown. It's not that they don't know business, don't understand economics and business, and it's hard for them to adapt to the situation at hand. of work.

Quickly flipping through the materials, Qian Qianyi looked at Lu Xiangsheng: "Mr. Lu, this situation is not right."

Lu Xiangsheng also nodded: "Although the household department has a lot of goods, it is far behind compared with the large and small merchants in the north and south. Now the goods in the hands of the large and small merchants are under pressure, and the markets in the north and south Zhili are not functioning. , the problem is serious.”

Zhang Haogu said: "This is exactly the reason why I invited the two of you here."

"Lu Xiang, can you press the goods in the warehouse of the household department?"

Lu Xiangsheng said: "Yuanfu, I also understand the situation. You also know that the goods in the warehouse of the household department are not only from the household department, but also from the new army. They are about to arrive soon." It’s November, and if you can’t sell goods in November and December, it’s hard to say for the New Army. After all, the 35 soldiers of the New Army and the [-] Mongolian militia are also celebrating the New Year.”

Zhang Haogu said: "I am aware of this matter. General Zhou and General Fang also told me before that the new army will use this money to celebrate the New Year with the soldiers."

The new army has a total of 43 people. It’s normal. This year is closed. On New Year’s Day, Zhengdan and Lantern Festival, the food for the soldiers should not be bad. It is not a small sum of money.

Qian Qianyi said: "Miss Lu, look, the Dutch paid the imperial court 300 million taels of silver before, and these two times they also brought back a large amount of gold and silver from the Dutch. Should the household department free up some money first?" Come, eat the goods from the new army?"

Lu Xiangsheng sighed. We all know that the household department has money, and the household department has a lot of gold and silver in its hands, but if there is a lot of gold and silver, it must be converted into precious banknotes, right?Moreover, the gold and silver in front and back also belonged to the new army, and the Ministry of Households did not collect all of them.

But in the current situation, the Ministry of Households really needs to take action, and Lu Xiangsheng is not someone who can't bear the burden, so he said immediately: "Forget it, the Ministry of Households will first pay a sum of money to eat the goods of the new army, so that the soldiers will not be out of money Chinese New Year."

"But the goods in the hands of the household department can be suppressed for a while, but the goods in the hands of small and medium-sized merchants cannot be suppressed."

Qian Qianyi looked at Zhang Haogu. At this time, he could only rely on the almighty Zhang Xiangye to find a way.

Zhang Haogu held the teacup and blew the hot air gently: "The goods in the hands of the household department can be suppressed, even if they cannot be sold this year, at worst, they can be sold to Nanyang next year, and they can be sold to India. It’s moving. The big merchants can also suppress the goods, and now the main problem is the small and medium-sized merchants, they can’t go bankrupt, and the thriving market that Daming has managed to maintain now can’t just say that if it doesn’t work, it won’t work.”

"In this way, Daming Bank has been more relaxed recently, and specially approved a loan for small and medium-sized merchants, so that they will not go bankrupt if they fail to operate in a short period of time."

"For the rest, I will discuss it with His Majesty."

Lu Xiangsheng and Qian Qianyi looked at each other: "Alright."

Soon, Zhang Haogu, Lu Xiangsheng, Qian Qianyi and Cui Chengxiu arrived at the Hall of Martial Arts and repeated the situation to Zhu Youxiao.

"The market isn't working anymore? But it's saturated? Now, there are so many industrial and commercial goods in my Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Youxiao couldn't believe it. When did Ming's industry and commerce become so developed that so many goods couldn't be sold?

Zhang Haogu said: "Returning to Your Majesty, the situation this year is really special, and the market of Daming is not saturated. With the recovery of overseas business, more and more countries have started to trade with my Ming, and the overseas market of Ming The prospects are very good, and we don’t have to worry about not being able to sell the goods.”

Zhu Youxiao nodded: "That is to say, this is just an example at the moment."

"Not only Shuntian Mansion, but even Yingtian Mansion's market has stagnated. I didn't expect that."

"At present, there are so many goods accumulated in the north and south of the Ming Dynasty. Master, you are Yuansuke of the Ming Dynasty. What do you think?"

Zhang Haogu said: "I think that there are so many goods now, but it doesn't mean that they can't be sold. It's not that the people don't have money, but they're just not used to consuming them. What I mean is to cooperate with merchants to promote sales."

"Promotion?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhang Haogu, why does this sound a bit strange?

Zhang Haogu nodded: "Yes, it's a promotion."

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Haogu stated his promotional ideas to Zhu Youxiao, including product discounts, half-price for a limited time, what kind of products you buy, what kind of goods you buy, and what to buy, etc., which made Zhu Youxiao feel a little nervous. Head dizzy.

"Master, can something like this work? Are those merchants willing to sell it at half price?" Zhu Youxiao didn't believe it.

Businessmen are after profits, and if they don’t find any money when they go out, they will be considered a loss. If you ask them to discount, wouldn’t that kill them?

Qian Qianyi's eyes brightened: "Your Majesty, this method is feasible. Merchants will be united, and then rules will be set. The Ming Daily will start publicizing and encouraging the people to buy goods. The imperial court can even distribute benefits to the officials of the capital. It's doable."

Zhang Haogu smiled and said: "Qianxiang is right, and it doesn't mean that merchants don't make money, but they make less. Basically, there is no loss in selling things, it's just a matter of how much they make, but right now there is a backlog of goods If you can’t sell it, it’s better to give discounts and promote promotions, sell it cheaper and earn less, but if you buy more goods, isn’t that the accumulation of less is more.”

Zhu Youxiao nodded thoughtfully: "That's not bad. If this kind of thing is feasible, it can be done for a long time. Doing it once or twice a year is also a good thing for Daming's market. "

"Master thinks, when will this promotion be held, and the discount is appropriate?"

Zhang Haogu thought for a while and said with a smile: "Now the court can afford to wait, but merchants can't afford to wait, so it's better to set the date in November. If the situation is good, it can be held again in December."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhang Haogu: "November, December, consecutively?"

Zhang Haogu nodded and said with a smile: "Yes, in November, we will help small and medium-sized merchants so that they will not overstock their goods and cause them to go bankrupt. Loading too much cargo."

Lu Xiangsheng said: "Your Majesty, I think that Yuanfu's method is worth a try. If it fails, the big deal is to ask Daming Bank to grant more small and medium loans to those merchants, so as not to let them go bankrupt. The court can still save the market. But if it succeeds, then It is a very good thing for today's Daming business."
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(End of this chapter)