Win the Ding 1617

Liu Zanji, named Tianliang Layman.It was originally a purchaser from a noble mansion in Nanjing City.After the Jianghai joint defense agreement that year, a large number of Nanmi transaction contracts were resold by the noble children at the Xiaguan Wharf in Nanjing, and they made huge profits in an instant.As a family member in the mansion, he naturally got the moon first.

Relying on the convenience of running errands for the master in the house, and relying on his status as a member of a wealthy family, Liu Zanji eats at both ends.How about two ends?To put it in a more cultural term, it means "coercing officials to bully businessmen, and holding businessmen to deceive officials." What, don't you understand?Then let me explain a little more clearly.In front of those rice merchants, he represented the nobles, "The masters of this business have said that they want this price. If you don't pay this price, not only will you not be able to buy it in our house, but you will not be able to buy it in the entire city of Nanjing. You can’t even buy it!” This is the so-called blackmailing of officials to bully businessmen.Then, it would be easier to hold business as a Mongolian official.After the business is negotiated, according to the rules, you should go back to the mansion to pay the account.He has to delay it for at least ten days and a half months, first put the money outside for an account period, and earn a sum of interest before talking.Then, when he returned to the mansion, he complained in front of his masters, complained about how poor he was, how there were too many grain and rice contracts, how difficult it was to do business, and so on.What kind of big head and small tail, less reporting more, yin and yang contracts and other means emerge in endlessly, and benefit from it again.Anyway, no matter whether you are an honorable person or a businessman, each of you will be ruthlessly skinned by this Liu Tianliang.

In just a few years, Liu Zanji and Liu Tianliang have grown from a small purchaser to one of the few big grain merchants in the south of the Yangtze River. The grain and rice contracts they pass are at least several million shi every year.Not only does it manage food, but it also takes advantage of the convenience of frequent travel between various places to start a foreign exchange business with the people of the Cao Gang, and to operate vehicles and boats between cities and towns.

However, this person is good at observing the wind and the wind, which is innate.After Duoduo went south from the north of the Yellow River, he quietly took advantage of the convenience of the grain merchants to get in touch with the Qing army through the relationship of the four towns in Jiangbei, and expressed that as long as the Qing army went south to cross the river, he was willing to be an internal response.However, in Duduo in Nanjing, the surrendered officials couldn't see him, so how could he have the time to talk to a businessman?So, he was left idle.

Boluo went south from Nanjing this time, but it gave Liu Zanji, who was watching the scenery at home and waiting for the opportunity, a chance.He decisively contacted his party and sacrificed Jiaxing City.As the chief general of an army, Bo Luo naturally wanted to reward him for his meritorious service.When asked what reward Liu Zanji wanted, he replied cleverly and obsequiously, "I don't want to be an official, but I just want to be a good slave to my master and get money for my errands."

Therefore, Liu Zanji took on the task of raising food and grass for his army as a slave of Boluo's coat.

Jiamulou Teahouse is a trade club for grain merchants in Jiaxing.Generally, whenever there is any big or small matter in the industry, such as negotiating a unified increase in wholesale prices and lower discounts, the Rice Industry Association will call everyone to a meeting here.On weekdays, various merchants exchanged goods with each other, inquired about market prices, had any disputes, etc., and discussed and resolved them here.This is also the place where Liu Zanji must visit almost every day.

Today is no exception here, the front hall, the second hall, the left and right wing rooms, and the flower hall are full of people.The owners of Mihao Grain Stores in Jiaxing, Huzhou, Tongxiang and other nearby states and counties all came, regardless of whether they were members of the Jiaxing Rice Industry Association or not.Well, this meeting would have been more harmonious if there were not the hundred Qing soldiers who were like wolves and tigers holding swords and guns in front of the door, and Mr. Qian who was squinting on the reclining chair at the door and watching everyone coming in and out.

"Hey! Shopkeeper Lan! Dong Huang's house?! Why don't you two go in and sit here and talk here?" Yuan Yangqing, Liu Zanji's second shopkeeper, had a smug smile on his face under the verandah. It's like a person who holds the power of life and death in his hands, looking at the dying prey under his minions.

Shopkeeper Lan and Dongjia Huang warmly held Yuan Yangqing's hand, and couldn't stop smiling, "Treasurer Yuan, we haven't seen each other for a long time. No, we saw you today, so I thought about going to the shop first." Let's sum it up together, and see how to understand Mr. Liu Da's meaning well, and understand his old man's words thoroughly, so that we can avoid delaying mistakes, right?!"

While speaking, an inadvertent little action has been completed.With the cover of the sleeve, a small folded piece of paper has been stuffed from Shopkeeper Lan's hand into Shopkeeper Yuan Er's hand.From the sense of touch from his fingers, Yuan Yangqing could vaguely distinguish the denomination of this golden ticket.

Originally, the acceptance bills jointly issued by Longshenghang and other Nanzhong merchants, each with a denomination of 500 yuan in silver dollars, in order to make it convenient and safe for merchants from all over the world to do business and trade without having to carry large sums of money when doing business in this chaotic world. The money that was given to him attracted the coveting of heroes from all walks of life.However, because this thing is so convenient and the gold content is too high, not only has it quickly been recognized by people everywhere, but it has gradually gained a well-known name in various places in the south of the Yangtze River. "Golden Ticket!" means this Paper is like gold!

"Well, at least 1000 silver dollars. This guy surnamed Lan knows what's going on!"

On the other side, Huang Dong's family couldn't help shaking Yuan Yangqing's right hand with both hands, and the same movement was performed again.

"Mr. Yuan Er, what is the matter that the Liu Dadong family called all of us together? Is it because the Rice Industry Association is going to be re-elected? You just order it down and go back and tell the Dadong family. If the old man is interested, the guild leader will also Well, it doesn’t matter if it’s the chairman, isn’t that what his old man said!”

"That's right, when we vote, let's just follow the opinion of Liu Dadong's family! We vote for whatever he says! He says coal is white, and we mean it's whiter than snow!"

With this attitude from two well-to-do businessmen, the second treasurer of Yuanyang Qingyuan was naturally quite satisfied, "Okay! When it comes time for the meeting, you should follow Mr. Da's orders! Follow his old man, There are everyone's benefits in front of the master!" After saying this, Yuanyang Qing Shiran clasped his hands together and saluted, and continued to greet others in a graceful manner.

"Ah! One thousand silver dollars, just thrown into the water." Shopkeeper Lan and Dong's Huang had this thought in their hearts.Today, although the Qing army occupies half of the rivers and mountains in the south of the Yangtze River, and the territory of the Southern Guangdong Army is compressed, only Shanghai County, Wusongkou, Baoshan, Jinshan and other places are left in Songjiang Prefecture. Although it is better in Hangzhou Prefecture, it is also under the control of the Qing army. There are many crises under the pressure of soldiers.However, things like commerce and finance are not based on military advantages.And it seems to correlate inversely with military superiority.The more the Qing army had the upper hand, it seemed that the silver dollars and Tongbao issued by Nanzhong, as well as the gold notes representing these currencies, became stronger.The reason is also very simple, that is, during the trade process of Nanzhong merchants, only Nanzhong silver dollars and Tongbao are charged for settlement currency.What they say is also very straightforward, "There are too many silver coins in Jiangnan and the mainland, and they are too excessive. Not to mention the currency value is not easy to calculate. If we accidentally receive fake money, then we will not be able to find the temple gate without crying?" It is also possible to use Nanzhong silver dollar as the basic unit of currency, so only barter trade is left.Settlement with raw silk, tung oil, silk, tea, porcelain, population.

Some people may also ask, since the two sides fought to the death, why the trade activities have not been banned by the Qing army?The reason is actually very simple. For the army to need food, but also to meet the luxury life needs of nobles, generals, and officers at all levels, the trade activities between Jiangnan merchants and Nanzhong merchants have not been affected, but have become more prosperous. .Of course, you can't drive the fleet to the merchants in Nanzhong openly like before.Smuggling flourished like spring wildfire.

Therefore, one thousand Nanzhong silver dollars, for a medium-sized businessman, cannot be said to be a painful loss, but it is also a bit painful. "Hey! If I go to sell some soju snuff bottles and so on, at least half of the profits will be made!" Dongjia Huang shook his body in distress.

"Two gentlemen, you are so elegant! There are tobacco, tea, snacks and fruits inside, why don't you go in and talk?" It was Liu Zanji's son, Liu Qing, known as "Mr. Qing" who spoke.Therefore, the two wealthy owners had to deal with it well, and once again took out the golden tickets on their bodies to manage one or two carefully.

Finally, the discussion of the Rice Industry Association began.

"My colleagues, the prince's military orders have been handed down. In order to crusade against the traitors and power ministers who resisted the Heavenly Soldiers, we have also sent missions to our colleagues in the rice industry in the south of the Yangtze River. I, the Heavenly Soldiers of the Qing Dynasty, use the majestic division and the banner of righteousness to fight against rebellion with obedience. Naturally, we have to help each other a little bit, so that we can accumulate some credit for our descendants, so that we can enshrine our wives and sons, and honor our ancestors."

Although the table was full of tobacco, tea, snacks and fruits, the rice merchants present had no idea at all.His ears were filled with all kinds of noises from Liu Zanji. If he hadn't seen Qing soldiers standing around the courtyard with malicious intentions, someone would have scolded him long ago. "In order to get the Nanmi contract from the Nanzhong businessman, you almost washed your ass and asked someone to sleep with you. At this time, you are talking about heavenly soldiers seeking rebellion. What did you do back then? In order to get the contract, you released Come to think of it, what concubine, daughter can be willing to part with it! At this time, you jumped out and said that you want to help Shun, you want to help Master Wang?! Pooh!"

However, under the low eaves, how dare you not bow your head?Of course, these words can also be regarded as the workers and service personnel of various special entertainment venues to flaunt themselves, "The slave family is forced by the situation, and he does not sell himself." At night, the devil will know if you have sold it!Without selling, how do you survive in this environment?

Finally, Liu Zanji threw out his purpose: "The mission handed over by the superior will send 20 stone grains, rice and some oil, salt and liquor to the camp within five days. Colleagues, let's see how to handle this mission well?"

Grain merchants big and small cursed secretly, you are the largest grain merchant in the south of the Yangtze River, and you were the one who first speculated on the Nanmi contract at the Xiaguan Wharf in Nanjing.Not to mention 20 shi grain rice, but 100 million shi Shangjing rice, you can take it out immediately!

In the originally quiet meeting hall, the sound of "buzzing" became constant in an instant. Grain merchants, big and small, lowered their heads and talked with their counterparts in a low voice, venting their anger.

"Everyone, please be quiet! Be quiet!" Liu Zanji waved his hands, trying hard to calm people down, but by doing this, you are undoubtedly stealing money from everyone's pockets. The flies are as greedy and crazy as they see blood, and the people quiet down and listen to your vernacular?

On the other hand, the Qing Army Chief Qian who was smoking a pipe all the time was quite tricky. Seeing that Liu Zanji waved his arms for a long time but failed to calm people down, he immediately stood up and put the pipe on the small coffee table beside him. Without hesitation, he pulled out the waist knife from his waist.

The sound of "Cang Lang Lang" was not loud, but it was clearly heard by the people in the room.Outside, the soldiers of the Qing army in the room immediately took a step forward, holding the handle of the knife tightly in their hands.

"Dangdangdangdangdangdangdangdangdangdangdangdangdangdangdangdang!" Mr. Qian beat the tea table with a scabbard wrapped in copper, "Damn it! I asked you to discuss things, and everyone is as noisy as a toad! You can't listen to President Liu's words." End?! If there is any more noise, don't blame me for being rude!"

Threatened by knives and guns, the discussion hall became extremely quiet in a blink of an eye. The people who were noisy just now didn't even dare to speak out, and just stared at the sharp waist knife in Mr. Qian's hand.

"Hey! Today's two thousand silver dollars were thrown into the water for nothing. I'm afraid that the people from Liu's family won't help me with a word." Huang Dong's heart still hurts the 2000 silver dollars he offered with both hands. He took a peek at Liu Qing, who was sitting next to Liu Zanji, and saw that the young owner who was in charge of the car and boat company for Liu Zanji looked as usual, and he didn't look like he was going to kill someone, so he forced himself to take a The heart was pressed back into the stomach.

"Liu also said just now that the soldiers and horses of the Qing Dynasty are heavenly soldiers and masters of the king. How can they forcefully confiscate private property like the soldiers and horses of the previous Ming Dynasty? It's just that a certain family just said this errand. Listen, everyone. He didn't want to listen to what was said behind him, so he just started making noises on his own, that's not the way to do business!" Liu Zanji saw that the people stopped making noise, so he just stared at him with eyes, and his heart burst from the bottom of his heart. A sense of pride welled up spontaneously, and then he slowly opened his mouth.

"Lord Boluo's extraordinary kindness, considering that it is not easy for me and other merchants to seek profit from capital. Therefore, for the special kindness, every stone of rice is purchased at a given price."

Um?Sure enough, it is the profit-seeking nature of businessmen that determines their way of thinking.Hearing Liu Zanji say that the Qing soldiers did not intend to forcibly conscript the food in everyone's hands, but wanted to buy it at a price, he suddenly felt overwhelmed, "I don't know what kind of grace the prince will give you?"

Since the reign of Chongzhen, there have been continuous famines and wars in various places.Even the "Hangjiahu", Suzhou, Songjiang, Taicang and other state capitals, which are known as paradise on earth, are also plagued by natural disasters.In the 14th year of Chongzhen, there was a severe drought even in Suzhou Prefecture, and locusts were everywhere, and the price of rice cost four taels of silver for one stone.

In the 15th year of Chongzhen, there was a great locust plague in May. People peeled bark, sawdust and miscellaneous chaff to eat it, or dug white mud from the mountains for food, and it was called Guanyin powder.In Wu County, Suzhou Prefecture, the price of rice is as high as three taels of silver per stone, and two taels of money per stone.

However, in the eyes of these businessmen, the more natural disasters and the reduction in grain production, the better opportunities for them to make waves in the market and make a fortune.Even if Nanzhong's big ships brought in grain one by one, they still had the means and ability to make a big noise in the market, "Nanzhong's grain fleet encountered a strong wind at sea, poor thing! Hundreds of seas All the boats were buried in the belly of the fish! Within half a year, don’t think that a single grain of rice will be transported from the south!”

Nanzhong's grain rice contract has been flipped from one tael of silver to one stone of rice to the point where it has doubled or tripled.Then, it is necessary to mix some necessities such as sand and gravel in it before selling it to those small people in Shengdou.

Now, after hearing Liu Zanji say that Boluo is willing to give money to buy necessities such as military rations, oil and salt, these people suddenly forgot the fear when they were facing the threat of death just now, and their brains were filled with small calculations comparable to supercomputers, and immediately "cracked "It hit the mountain loudly.

"The Tartars of Boluo have come all the way from Jiangbei. They have looted many cities and looted many goods along the way. Now they have gold and silver in their hands, but what they lack is grain, rice, oil and salt. Laozi is doing well at this time. Talking about the price of weights and weights, it can be regarded as doing justice for the heavens, robbing the rich and helping the poor! Out of this anger for the people in the south of the Yangtze River and the north of the river!" The group of businessmen represented by the two Huang and Lan all burst into their hearts. I came up with the idea of ​​taking advantage of the fire.

"My lord is very sympathetic to us. A stone of brown rice is priced at four silver dollars, and a stone of japonica rice is priced at six silver dollars! Canned food, shochu, oil and salt are also purchased at current market prices. But, the lord has given us grace, and our Jiangnan merchants People can’t be without a little filial piety, right? I’ve told the prince on behalf of everyone that no matter how much money is in the end, the odds will be wiped out! Then, according to the rules of Jiangnan, there is a [-] rebate, which is considered as a donation to the Qing soldiers and horses. I have given some money to help the army pay!"

As for everyone tampering with the amount of grain, oil, salt and wine, the dryness of grain and rice, and the shelf life of canned meat, that's not Liu Zanji's business.Anyway, everyone gave enough rebates, anyway, these things are not eaten by officers and generals at all levels.

In fact, the situation analyzed by these businessmen is not bad at all.Boluo and the others went south all the way, with plenty of gold and silver in their hands, but what they lacked was food supplies.In order to be able to raise enough food, they don't care about spending more money.Anyway, all these money were stolen, as long as there is enough food in the army, it's a big deal to go to other cities to grab it.If it doesn't work, turn your face and slaughter these fattened pigs and sheep.

Ever since, under the leadership of Liu Zanji, the merchants in the south of the Yangtze River were full of enthusiasm, and delivered 20 stone grains of rice to the camp within three days.It laid a solid material foundation for Boluo to hand over [-] shi, grain and rice to Luck Dehun and march to Hangzhou at the same time.

However, Boluo and Liu Zanji would not realize that with this purchase, prices in Jiangnan and areas controlled by the Qing army gradually soared.