Mohist Tang

In fact, the benefit of stabilizing food prices is obvious to Great Tang as a whole. However, Baileys resistance to implementation is so great. The fundamental reason is that many big landlords. They are often large grain merchants, especially some Aristocratic families, which control the price of grain in a place.

On the Imperial Court, many ministers are often representatives of the big landlords. For example, Du Yan and Wei Changde in front of them are also big landlords.

Although Li Shimin has repeatedly ordered that officials above Fifth Rank are prohibited from doing business, but selling the output from their own fields does not count as doing business.

Furthermore, the Wei and Du family are deeply rooted in Chang’an City, and their power is amazing. The Du family is a relative of Du Ruhui. There are countless staff members in the Imperial court. The Wei family is also the family of Imperial Consort Wei. It is the relatives of the emperor, and no one dares to move.

“reporting to Your Majesty, this small official believes that the right of constant liquidation can be increased, and more constant liquidation positions can be built in Great Tang to stabilize local prices.” Fang Xuanling said. .

He was the prime minister of the dynasty, and it was his responsibility to maintain the stability of food prices. He proposed a fundamental solution to the problem.

“Minister Fang said, this is indeed the cure.” Li Shimin nodded, turning his head to the Ministry of Works High Official Duan Lun said,

“Duan Minister, construction often The matter of closing the position will be left to the Ministry of Works.”

Duan Lun should say: “Yes! But the construction of the constant liquidation is not a one-time thing. Without 3-5 years, I am afraid that the construction will not be much. It is not a simple task to build a granary. It requires site selection, construction, and various facilities. It is not something that can be completed in a day or two.

“Moreover, it costs a lot of money, and coupled with the purchase of grain, I am afraid the Imperial Court can’t come up with so much money!” Ministry of People High Official Dai Zhou frowns saying. He also knows the good things about Changping, but it is difficult for a clever woman to cook without rice. At this time, the finances are not so tight, but it is impossible to spend so much money to buy grain in Changping.

The two of Wei and Du were hearing this. They were overjoyed and couldn’t help but glance at each other, and then a trace of regret appeared on their faces.

Li Shimin was silent for a moment. The lack of money is indeed a pain in everyone’s hearts, even the emperor.

Su Lingnong said: “reporting to Your Majesty, always closing the position is a long-term solution, but it is not enough to quench the near thirst. Otherwise, the Imperial Court will set a grain price, regardless of the transaction This price is carried out so that the interests of farmers can be guaranteed to the greatest extent.”

“No?” Wei Changde suddenly surprised.

If a price is fixed, how can the Taweidu family rely on purchasing food to make huge profits?

“What’s the point? The price of food is set, and it will certainly not be lower than the current price. Old man knows that the Wei family has a lot of fields. If the food produced is sold at a good price, wouldnt it be good for you? It’s also good.” Su Lingnong said while staring.

Wei Changde suddenly scolded Su Lingnong secretly, trying to understand that he was pretending to be confused. How can we feed an Aristocratic family only by relying on food to produce this piece? Which Aristocratic family ultimately does not depend on sucking blood from the people. continue.

Furthermore, let alone the Aristocratic Family, that is, ordinary landlords who will not sell the food when the food is first sold and will not sell the food when the food is the lowest price. They are hoarding until a few months later, and then wait until When the price of food goes up, and then slowly sells the food, it is the ordinary farmers who have no resistance at all and can only sell the food at a low price.

“Master Wei did not know that if the price of food was fixed, the grain merchants would be unprofitable, so naturally they would not be willing to buy and sell grain. When the time comes, the grain in the hands of the farmers cannot be sold, and the people in the city cannot buy it. When it comes to food, isnt it more harmful? Du Yan was a talent who later achieved the post of prime minister. He saw the drawbacks of Su Lingnong’s words at a glance and spoke to help Wei Changde out.

“That’s true!” Su Lingnong nodded agreed, but the words changed and said: “If this is the case, then I might as well set a minimum and maximum grain purchase price?”

“What are the minimum and maximum food prices?” Li Shimin couldn’t help asking.

“reporting to Your Majesty, the lowest grain price is the lowest price at which grain merchants can purchase grain from farmers. This lowest price must ensure that farmers will not sell grain when they sell it. The highest grain price is The price at which grain merchants sell grain. The highest grain price is to ensure that the people of Chang’an City can bear the grain price without affecting their lives. The price difference in the middle is the profit of the grain merchant. Wouldn’t it be possible to guarantee the three parties? The interests of the people. Su Lingnong talked eloquently, throwing out a practical method.

Li Shimin immediately eyes shined. In this way, the problem will definitely be solved perfectly, and there will be no overcharge of three or five battles, and there will be no phenomenon of Gugui hurting the people.

“What do you think of the Minister?” Li Shimin’s body was shocked, his eyes were like electricity, and looked towards the Minister of Imperial court.

“This is good governance?” Fang Xuanling immediately nodded and said. In this way, coupled with the assistance of constant liquidation, the stability of Great Tang’s food prices will surely be ensured.

Many ministers also figured out the joints, and couldn’t help but praise them, especially some large Small Officials who are not engaged in food merchants.

For a while, under the general situation, Wei and Du are opposed to it, and they will only attract Li Shimin’s anger. After all, for an emperor, there is nothing more important to maintain the rule. , Especially an emperor like Li Shimin who prefers fame.

The Weidu family is in power, and they are still weak in front of the emperor’s will.

Su Lingnong hearing this, could not help showing a smile of relief, until now, his Minister of Agriculture position seems to be noble, but he has no real power. Facing the suffering of the people, he did nothing. And if he can control the lowest and highest price of food in the country today, wouldn’t it be a benefit to the people of the world.

“I didn’t expect that Lord Marquis Mo’s attention was really good!” Su Lingnong couldn’t help but a smile appeared on his face.

Yes, the lowest grain purchase price and the highest grain selling price he proposed are exactly what Mo Dun made for him. Otherwise, with his usual character of being in the acres, how could he think Come out with this idea.

The tone has been set, and the rest of Great Tangs elites are naturally hard to come by. Soon Dai Zhou has to calculate the reasonable lowest grain purchase price and the highest grain selling price.

Gu’s lowest purchase price is seven cents per bucket, and the highest selling price is ten cents. The difference between the three pennies in the middle is the profit of the grain merchant. Sandwiches are already equivalent to a half of every bucket of money. Even if the transportation cost is erased, it is still profitable. After all, the grain is ultimately sold in quantity, not in price.

In addition to millet, the entire Imperial Court has also re-established the minimum purchase price and maximum selling price for wheat, sorghum and rice prices.

“Okay! Great Tang will use this as a rule in the future. At the time of the summer harvest, the Minister of Agriculture will set the national grain price and report it to the Imperial Court for distribution to the world.” Li Shimin said with joy.

“All Listens to your Majesty!”

Seeing that the overall situation has been decided, the courtiers immediately agreed in unison. Of course, there were also unwilling voices from Wei Changde and Du Yan.