When Tang He heard that the emperor was about to establish the Ming Royal Grain Industry and the Ming Royal Charcoal Industry, he had no reaction. Tang He usually didn't care much about these things and didn't realize the importance of it, so he seemed a little uninterested.
No. Anyway, in Tang He’s view, it’s okay for merchants to do things like grain trading. Anyway, it was done by merchants for hundreds of thousands of years. But if the emperor insists on getting involved, then Tang He won’t.
Objection, after all, the world belongs to the emperor, and he can do whatever he wants.
However, the emperor did not mention the matter of His Highness the Grand Sun, which somewhat surprised Tang Heyou.
After pondering for a moment, Tang He motioned Han Du to sit down and talk, but couldn't help but ask: "Why didn't the emperor ask you about His Majesty the Great Grandson? Did the emperor catch everyone?"
"It shouldn't be possible." Han Du shook his head after hearing this. Seeing Tang He looking at him, he explained: "These people are hidden very deep. It is not easy to dig them out." Of course it is not easy. If it is so easy, they will be killed.
If these people are caught, then they will not dare to engage in the business of privately printing treasure banknotes, which will destroy the nine tribes.
Han Du estimated that Lao Zhu would definitely be able to follow the clues and catch some people, but don't expect these people to be core members. At most, they can be regarded as members of the outer circle. It's OK to kill to vent your anger, but don't think about more.
Already.
Tang He didn't want to continue to get involved in this matter, so he nodded and said: "Anyway, I will give you a piece of advice. If you can stay away from this matter in the future, then don't get involved, unless the emperor decrees that you have to do it."
.”
Han Du nodded to express that he understood. Now that he thought about it, he was indeed a little reckless in front of Lao Zhu.
Within a few days, Lao Zhu issued an order to spread throughout the world, establishing the Ming Dynasty Royal Grain Industry and Charcoal Industry, and also lowered the purchase price and sales price of grain by one penny each.
When the news came out, it stirred up waves, with different reactions from all parties.
Ordinary people were naturally filled with gratitude. There was an old man who touched his grandson's head with tears in his eyes, and kept saying thank you to the emperor for his great kindness. A young man who didn't understand asked: "Isn't this the emperor?"
Are you buying and selling grain? What is there to be grateful for? I bought it for five cents of silver and sold it for nine cents of silver, making a net profit of four cents."
Unexpectedly, he made a casual remark and was scolded by the old man: "The price of grain on the market is indeed five cents, but in my life, I have never seen anyone selling grain at this price. What do you think?
When selling, didn't those unscrupulous merchants try their best to keep the price down? And during the lean period, if you want to buy some food, the price can make you despair."
"It's okay now." Lao Zhu wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and said with a very happy smile: "Now the emperor has set the minimum and maximum prices for food. If the prices given by those merchants are lower than the emperor's prices, then
Let’s sell them all to the emperor. If the price is higher than the emperor’s, then we can also buy the emperor’s food. We no longer have to suffer their jealousy.”
The young man didn't seem to understand, but after hearing what the old man said, he felt that this seemed to be a good thing.
The grain merchants were in mourning and complained. The small grain merchants said that if the emperor did this, their small business would be finished sooner or later, so they might as well switch to other industries in advance.
Small traders are small and cannot continue their grain business. They can always find other businesses. But it is difficult for large grain merchants, let alone those who used to make money by lying down, to stand up and run again.
It is extremely difficult to make money. Even if these big grain merchants were willing, they would not be able to change careers just because they wanted to.
Because they are too big, the ship is in trouble and cannot be turned around. Even if they want to work in other industries, there is no suitable industry. Firstly, the industry is too small to accommodate them. Secondly, forget it.
If it is large in size, it must have been occupied by someone long ago.
If you want to get involved, you will inevitably have conflicts with others. Just like charcoal in the capital, Han Du only sells charcoal, which has become a thorn in Yu Shaodong's side, and he must squeeze Han Du to death.
Therefore, for these big grain merchants, it was really a bolt from the blue, and disaster was imminent. However, these people would not just sit back and wait for death.
After hearing the news, Han Du couldn't sit still and hurriedly entered the palace to see Lao Zhu.
Lao Zhu summoned Han Du in Fengtian Hall. When he saw Han Du coming in without even saluting, he smiled and asked, "Why are you coming to see me in such a hurry? Did your house burn down?"
After Han Du finished his salute and saw that Lao Zhu was still in the mood to smile, he said directly: "Your Majesty, why do you want to issue an edict to reveal the source of the Ming Dynasty's grain industry now?"
Lao Zhu was not angry because of Han Du's gaffe. Instead, he continued to smile and asked: "Oh? If you don't tell the truth now, then when do you think you will tell it?"
Is it even for me to say this?
Han Du immediately said: "Of course, we should wait until the new grain comes out, or a little earlier. But now, there are at least three months before the new grain comes out. Is it too early to announce it now?
"
The main reason is to announce it when the new grain comes out, so that grain merchants can be caught off guard. At that time, various grain merchants, big and small, were busy purchasing a year's worth of grain and scattered it all over the Ming Dynasty. Even those who had objections to Lao Zhu's decree
, it is impossible for them to unite in a short time.
Now that Lao Zhu has announced his will in advance, it gives the grain dealers ample time to contact each other. Han Du is worried that these people will join forces to fight against Lao Zhu's Ming Dynasty Royal Grain Industry. Compared with Lao Zhu's behavior, that is
If you step in and cut off people's financial paths, others will naturally rise up and attack. Although Lao Zhu is a real dragon, he really does not have an absolute advantage in front of these people in terms of money. Faced with such a situation
, once it cannot cope with it, it may capsize.
"It's not too early, now is the time to tell him." Lao Zhu looked at Han Du with a smile on his face.
"But..." Han Du wanted to say something more, but was stopped by Lao Zhu with a wave of his hand.
Then he said: "I know you are worried about those merchants who are engaged in grain trading and their counterattack, but have you ever thought that what is coming will always come. Could it be that if you wait until a few months later to announce it, they will
Aren’t you going to fight back?”
Han Du frowned and said tentatively: "Even if they fight back, they probably won't be as violent as they are now. By then they will be scattered all over the place to collect food, and they won't be able to react at all."
Lao Zhu looked at Han Du and shook his head. He came over for a moment and then said with a sneer: "You also know that they were collecting grain from everywhere at that time. Have you forgotten why I created this Ming Dynasty Royal Grain Industry? Isn't it just to collect grain?
, to stabilize food prices? If these people are allowed to take away the food, what will be the use of my issuing an order at that time?"
Lao Zhu angrily waved his dragon robe and stopped looking at Han Du.
Han Du was shocked when he heard this, and his eyes suddenly became enlightened. He only cared about how to minimize the impact of the grain merchants' counterattack, but he did not expect that he would have to wait until the new grain came out before announcing the royal price.
The news of harvesting grain may be too late.
Because by that time, although these grain merchants have no chance to gather together, they also have the advantage of collecting grain on the spot. At this time, everyone will understand that having grain in hand is the last word. As long as the grain is collected, no matter what
No matter what the imperial court decrees, there is nothing you can do about it.
And because even if Lao Zhu issued the decree, the people would definitely get the news far later than the merchants. Therefore, as long as the merchants take advantage of the people's ignorance and wantonly lower the price to collect grain, then Lao Zhu can even get a grain of it.
We can’t even harvest grain. Since there is no grain, wouldn’t Lao Zhu’s grain industry exist in name only? How can we keep grain prices stable if we don’t have grain in our hands?
In the end, the grain merchants who have the grain in hand have the final say on the price of grain?
On the contrary, it is different to inform the world several months in advance. The people have enough time to get the news of the emperor's price for harvesting grain. As long as the price given by the grain dealer is lower than the emperor's price, the people can hold on to the grain and not buy it.
, waiting for the emperor to collect it, at least you won't suffer a loss.
In this way, Lao Zhu's goal of suppressing grain prices has been achieved.
"Your Majesty has seen thousands of miles, but the humble minister is doing everything in front of your Majesty." Han Du thought about it and replied with conviction. But then he smiled bitterly and said: "In this case, your Majesty will face a lot of pressure."
Who would have thought that after hearing this, Lao Zhu sneered disdainfully and asked, "Pressure? What kind of pressure? Are these businessmen qualified to put pressure on me?"
Han Du was speechless and stared at Lao Zhu. He thought to himself, you don't think that there is no one behind these big grain merchants. In this era, how can they do anything without the support of people from the court?
big?
However, the next development of things was beyond Han Du's expectation. According to Han Du's estimation, Lao Zhu's wanton behavior will naturally arouse the dissatisfaction of the courtiers behind the grain merchants. Whether it is to protect their interests or
In order to prevent Lao Zhu from succeeding easily, he should also take action to show off.
But no.
At the court meeting two days later, nothing happened that Han Du expected. The whole court meeting was calm from beginning to end. No one mentioned the decree given by Lao Zhu two days ago, just like everything Lao Zhu did.
It's all as it should be.
No one dares to have the slightest opinion.
Seeing this scene with his own eyes, Han Du took several deep breaths to calm himself down. In the past, Han Du had never had a clear idea of the power of Lao Zhu, the founding emperor. Today, Han Du finally saw it.
What is Gan Gang’s arbitrary decision?
What is Jinkouyuyan?
This is!
Seeing Lao Zhu sitting high on the dragon throne and looking around, looking at the domineering power of the world. Han Du was not happy, but fear arose in his heart. At this time, Han Du finally understood why Tang He wanted to persuade him to act righteously.
Be cautious and don't meddle in things you shouldn't meddle in.
After going to court, Han Du was summoned by Lao Zhu to give him some advice.
"You have to hurry up about the mirror's recycling of treasure banknotes. In addition, new banknotes must be printed continuously." Lao Zhu couldn't help but ordered.
Although Han Du was also stepping up to do these things, he didn't understand why Lao Zhu was so anxious and looked up at Lao Zhu in confusion.
Lao Zhu smiled and said casually: "I won't hide it from you. The reason why I am anxious is because the inner court has no money. You have also seen the current situation. The imperial court is in a tight situation and the treasury is empty. Therefore, I want to take care of the situation in August.
If we continue to set prices to buy new grain, we can only rely on your new treasure money."
After hearing this, Han Du realized that Lao Zhu was not pretending to be poor before, he was really poor. The palace was so huge that he couldn't even afford money to buy new grain. Thinking of this, Han Du lowered his head and replied: "
I obey the order, and I will do my best to print enough treasure banknotes."
Next, Han Du naturally stepped up his efforts to urge the Banknote Printing Bureau to print treasure banknotes non-stop.
But before Han Du had been busy for a few days, Tang He sent someone to notify Han Du.
As soon as the visitor saw Han Du, he gave Han Du an invitation and said with an unchanging smile: "Master Han, my father-in-law invites you to honor him at the time."
The eighth day of the lunar month is an auspicious day, so it is appropriate to open a business.
Tang He is planning to open the long-prepared seafood restaurant on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year.
But Han Du frowned and felt that Tang He was a little impatient. Although Tang He had been preparing for this seafood restaurant for a long time, he had never heard that it would open in the near future. Even last time
Tang He took Han Du to sea together and never heard him mention it.
"But since Tang He didn't say anything, then maybe there's nothing wrong at all. Maybe he wanted to open the business on a whim." Han Du didn't care. If there was anything, Tang He would definitely tell him. Since Tang He
If he didn’t tell me, then it’s probably nothing. If you ask him when the time comes, you’ll know.
If a restaurant in the capital wants to be high-end, it must have a foothold in the inner city. Because only the bustling consumption power of the inner city can support a high-end restaurant. If the restaurant is opened in the outer city, then even this
No matter how good a restaurant is, how many customers can it have in the outer city? Without enough customers, the more high-end the restaurant, the faster it will go bankrupt.
But it's different in the inner city, where officials and wealthy businessmen gather. It can be said that as long as the food in the restaurant is good enough and innovative enough, you don't have to worry about not making money.
Tang He's seafood restaurant is naturally opened in the inner city. According to Tang He, as a unique restaurant, if it doesn't open in the inner city, what reputation would it have? So, at the beginning, he boasted about Haikou and said that he would invest in the restaurant.
Li Wenzhong had no choice but to give Tang He the best restaurant in his house, which was on Chang'an Street.
The east end of Chang'an Street is the Chang'an Left Gate, and a little further north along the Chang'an Left Gate is the famous Chengtian Gate. This shows how advantageous the geographical location of Chang'an Street is.