Qin Huaidao came in a hurry and entered the hall after getting permission. He saw Li Er, Fang Xuanling, and Chang Sun Wuji talking around the brazier. The three of them looked sad and the atmosphere was solemn. They hurried forward and saluted: "Wei Chen has seen you."
Your Majesty, I have met Mr. Fang, Mr. Changsun."
"Sit down and talk!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
When Qin Huaidao saw an empty stool, he stepped forward and sat down. He was not restrained and did not sit with half his butt to show respect for Huang Quan like others. He was natural, confident and calm. Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji watched secretly.
Surprisingly, I have never seen this kind of courage in the younger generation.
Li Er was also a little surprised, but he kept talking and asked bluntly: "Huaidao, where have you been these days?"
Qin Huaidao looked around but didn't answer.
Li Er waved his hand knowingly, and the attendants waiting in the hall went out one after another. Qin Huaidao looked at Fang Xuanling, he was trustworthy, and then looked at Changsun Wuji. This guy was a little selfish, but he was capable. For Li Er
He is considered loyal, so it is not a big problem after hearing this.
"What are you looking at me for? I can't listen to you either?" Changsun Wuji was a little unhappy.
"You can listen to it, but don't regret it after listening." Qin Huaidao said with a smile.
The conversation aroused the interest of the three of them, and Li Er asked: "Mysterious, what is going on?"
"Back to the Holy Land, Wei Chen took several brothers from the Cheng and Yuchi families to the Qinling Mountains and Niujiadu on the Ziwu Road. There was a group of bandits lurking there, more than two hundred people. The leader of the bandits, Ma Laosan, was a minion of the Cui family.
He was annihilated by Wei Chen, and after interrogation, his identity was confirmed. Should the Holy One reward Wei Chen?"
"You actually went to quell the bandits these days?" Li Er said in surprise. Seeing that Qin Huaidao didn't seem to be joking, he said angrily: "Why do you need to personally take action in this kind of thing? Just take out an army and go there. You don't want anything in the future.
Do it yourself so that you don’t have to find anyone if something happens.”
"Your Majesty, don't worry about others?"
Li Er couldn't answer the conversation. Wang's bandits lurking in the Qinling Mountains are an example. His heart moved and he asked: "It's freezing cold and you run over there. Isn't it easy?"
"The Holy One, the minister found a clue that the sharp rise in food prices was related to a conspiracy, so he took the brothers from the Cheng family and the Yuchi family to go secretly. Unfortunately, the bandits didn't know what the conspiracy was. They received instructions from the Cui family and waited.
The heavy snow melted, and as soon as the Ziwu Road was opened, they kept a close eye on the merchants and did not allow a single grain of grain to enter Chang'an from the Ziwu Road. Wei Chen was worried that the price of grain would continue for another month or two."
"It's unreasonable, they dare!" Li Er's face darkened, and the aura of a superior erupted, like a cold current passing by, and the temperature in the palace dropped sharply.
Qin Huaidao felt the pressure and didn't care. He looked at Changsun Wuji and said with a smile: "Master Changsun, do you regret knowing this news now?"
"You are so unbridled. I have won the trust of the Holy One. How can I ignore it when things happen?" Changsun Wuji said with a straight face.
Qin Huaidao was not afraid at all, he smiled and continued: "The Holy Lord summoned you, but you don't know why?"
Li Er looked at Fang Xuanling. Fang Xuanling nodded knowingly, took over the topic and said: "Huaidao, two things. First, the grain harvest is not much. The twenty counties of Jingzhao Prefecture have less than 100,000 shi. Today
After receiving the news, you can buy it at any time; secondly, 50,000 shi will be purchased at five cents, and the price will be increased later, up to ten cents. Can you bear the extra part? In extraordinary times, many people are impeaching you.
It is inconvenient for the imperial court to subsidize directly from the treasury. How about we find an opportunity to compensate you later?"
"Only 100,000 dan?" Qin Huaidao was shocked. Thinking of the price increase mentioned by Fang Xuanling, he immediately reacted and asked: "Is someone driving up the price of grain? How much is their purchase price now?"
Fang Xuanling smiled happily and said to Li Er: "Your Majesty, you see what I said is right. This boy is good at businessman's ways, and he can think of the key at once."
"That's true, Huai Dao. I remember that you like martial arts, don't like studying, and have no business in the family. How come you are so good at this? Is there a way to solve it?" Li Er looked over, with a bit of expectation in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, I got some books from the cave of the pre-Qin warlocks called Economics. They are all about ways to manage the world and benefit the people. Merchants are just the last branch of them, so they know a little. As for the solution, I dare not trust you.
We need to understand a thing or two before we can make a decision." Qin Huaidao found an excuse for himself.
"Economics, what is that?" Li Er looked surprised, having never heard of it before.
Qin Huaidao didn't know anything about economics, but it didn't stop him from bragging: "Your Majesty, this economics is a theory that includes people's income, production, currency, prices, employment, trade and even war, etc. If used properly, it can govern the country, strengthen it, etc.
I'll report it to your Majesty after I understand it thoroughly."
"This book is really magical. Can you lend it to me for a look?" Li Er asked with some anticipation.
Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji also looked at Qin Huaidao, looking forward to it.
Qin Huaidao didn't have a book, so he quickly said: "I have sworn a poisonous oath, and I will never tell anyone about it. The cave of the pre-Qin warlock also left a warning. If you violate it, you will be struck by five thunders."
The ancients valued trust and promises, so Li Er was a little embarrassed.
Fang Xuanling was afraid of a stalemate, so she quickly took over the topic and asked: "Xiannie, someone is currently offering to buy it for twelve cents. The price of polished rice noodles on the market is also twelve cents. Is there any way to keep it down?"
"They don't make money, so they still pay for the cost?" Qin Huaidao's expression changed. He was going to fight to the end. Seeing Fang Xuanling nodding, he couldn't help but think deeply.
The three of them exchanged looks, said nothing, and waited patiently.
The hall suddenly became quiet.
Once they fight to the death, it will be a fight to the death. Qin Huaidao can't understand why they do this. Food is different from other things. It is a necessity. People can't afford food and can only sell their children, land and houses. When they have nothing to sell, they will go out.
What a mess.
It seems that someone really wants to mess up Chang'an!
There are only two ways to solve the problem. One is the strong intervention of the imperial court to suppress the price of food. No matter who dares to jump, he will be beheaded. The other is to suppress it through market means. The first is the simplest and crudest, but it will have endless consequences.
, once the grain merchants close down and stop selling, the court cannot seize it and distribute the grain to the people, right?
What's the difference between that and a robber?
Governing business by business is the most reasonable, fair and just approach, but it requires a large investment of money. In the end, it all depends on who has more money. Once the aristocratic families join forces, the court's little money will not be enough to play with.
It's not good to be tough, and it's not good to manage business through business. Qin Huaidao is a little worried. In his last life, he was a soldier, not a businessman. He dared to fight no matter how difficult the war was. He didn't know much about the competition in this market, so he was a little embarrassed for a while.
The three of them were a little disappointed when they saw Qin Huaidao in such trouble, but continued to wait.
After a while, Qin Huaidao had an idea. This shopping mall was like a battlefield, with invisible gunpowder smoke. Since it was a battle, why would we fight head-on if our own strength did not allow it? You can fight yours, and I'll fight mine.
Thinking of this, Qin Huaidao's thoughts were aroused. They were also collecting grain, and someone offered money to collect it at a high price. He didn't have that much money, so he could exchange it for what others needed urgently. It was freezing cold, so what could make the people voluntarily give grain in exchange?
There is only one thing, something to keep warm.
Such as honeycomb briquettes!
No one wants to freeze to death if they can't starve to death!
Qin Huaidao's eyes lit up and he smiled.
When Li Er and the other three saw Qin Huaidao suddenly smiling, they also breathed a sigh of relief. Fang Xuanling couldn't wait to ask: "My dear nephew, is there any way?"
"Does the court have an emergency plan?" Qin Huaidao asked rhetorically.
"To be honest, I've been worried to death these days. Please tell me if you have any ideas."
Qin Huaidao glanced at the eager Fang Xuanling. This guy really worried about the people, which was admirable. He said bluntly: "Your Majesty, two adults, someone is offering to buy it at a high price. The people are not stupid. As long as there is enough money, they will dare to sell.
Next year, if we buy grain at a low price to offset the tax, many people will be willing to sell it even for ten cents, not to mention twelve cents."
"That's right, if you sell ten cents, you only need to keep three or four cents to deduct taxes from selling grain next year, and you can still make six or seven cents. The price is unprecedentedly high. Many people have left behind rations and sold them all." Fang Xuan
Ling agreed.
Li Er urged: "If you have any idea, just speak up."
Qin Huaidao nodded and said: "Your Majesty, the weather is getting colder and colder. The common people only care about two things, one is to eat enough, and the other is to keep warm. People who have enough food at home do not worry about the problem of feeding, but they cannot avoid the problem of heating. No one wants to be cold.
If they die, if they exchange their remaining food for warmth, it should be possible."
"What do you mean?" Li Er's eyes flashed.
"I have briquettes, and the Holy Master is also aware of their benefits. I am willing to exchange the briquettes for grain. As long as the price is not much different, the people would rather trade with me than sell it to other grain merchants. After all, it would be uncomfortable to freeze to death."
"Yes, it is good to get money, but no one wants to freeze to death. This method is feasible. Your Majesty, I second my opinion." Fang Xuanling reacted and said happily.
Changsun Wuji didn't expect that Qin Huaidao quickly found a solution to the problem that had troubled the court for several days. He couldn't help but look at it a little higher. He was secretly glad that he chose to give in instead of confronting him last time. He couldn't help but ask: "Young man from the Qin family
, how do you plan to change it?"
"Tell me, how do you want to change it?" Li Er also urged.
Qin Huaidao asked: "Master Fang, what is the court's current purchase price?"
"Ten coins per dou, don't worry, the court will compensate you for the excess." Fang Xuanling said.
Qin Huaidao quickly calculated the cost in his mind. There was still a surplus for ten briquettes for one penny. Even if he exchanged it at this price, he would make a lot of money. He said: "Your Majesty, we will stop buying with silver from tomorrow. No matter how much we give, other grain merchants will
If it exceeds, there is no point, just exchange it for briquettes, one bucket for a hundred."
"One fight for a hundred?" the three said almost at the same time.
"Yes, one hundred can be used for about a month. In other words, you only need one bucket of rice. You don't have to worry about heating or cooking within a month. Just tell the people in each county that the people are not stupid and know how to choose. Use a bucket of rice to exchange
It is more cost-effective to save the whole family from freezing to death for a month than ten cents or twenty cents."
"Yes, there is no comparison between the two. Ten cents is just the icing on the cake for the people who have surplus food. But if you don't freeze to death for a month, it is a timely help. This method is feasible." Changsun Wuji was the first to agree.
Qin Huaidao was a little surprised, this guy reacted so quickly?
"Why, what I said is wrong?" Changsun Wuji asked.
"Yes, Lord Changsun is wise and the subordinates admire him." Qin Huaidao said with a smile.
"Shao Yin and Yang, as long as it is a decision that is good for the court, I firmly agree and support it. Your method is good, and I appreciate it very much." Changsun Wuji said and handed over to Li Ergong, adding: "Your Majesty, I think this method is feasible.
, it must be implemented as soon as possible, especially for each county to clearly explain the benefits of exchange.”
"I second the proposal. I would like to draft an imperial edict to explain in detail what Mr. Qin just said. Then I will ask the Holy One to use his seal to copy it and send it to the counties overnight. It must be as soon as possible. But what should I do with these briquettes?" Fang Xuanling said
He looked towards Qin Huaidao with a questioning look in his eyes.
Qin Huaidao thought for a while and said: "Once this method is promoted, other grain merchants will not be able to compete. Even if they raise the price of grain to twenty cents, there will still be people who sell one or two buckets to the court. No matter how many, it is difficult to say, but there will be no
Those who buy grain will ask relatives to borrow grain in exchange for briquettes, which means that each household may exchange a bucket of grain for the court. The court will be enough to meet the food price this time, but the amount of briquettes will be large, and the ministers need help."
"Tell me, whatever you need, I'll give it to you." Li Er was overjoyed to see that the matter that had been bothering him for several days had a solution, and he agreed.
"Weichen needs carriages to transport briquettes to various counties. If it takes too long, the people may not believe it. It is better to exchange things for things and exchange them directly. In addition, Weichen has to take the carriages that were seized from the grain merchants last time to transport coal, otherwise the transportation capacity will be lost."
Not enough, not enough." Qin Huaidao said seriously.
"That's right, I've dispatched the Forbidden Army's Baggage Battalion to help. You don't have to worry about transporting the briquettes to the counties. The Baggage Battalion will be responsible for transporting them there and then transporting the grain back. The Ministry of Household Affairs will take over the sales. You only need to be responsible for the production of briquettes. Maybe
Can you do it?" Li Er asked solemnly.
"Manpower can be recruited. Many villagers near Qinjiazhuang are already helping, but there are still not enough carriages to pull coal. I am afraid that the carriages to help pull coal in Chang'an City will stop. The wind and snow are too heavy. I am worried that they will not dare to continue on the road.
I'm afraid that when some people see that the situation has changed, they will jump out and cause trouble." Qin Huaidao said seriously.
Li Er understood what Qin Huaidao was worried about and said sternly: "This is a war. The court must not lose. Your method is very good. I am very relieved. You can't bear such a big thing alone. The prince pulled it a few days ago."
I bought a lot of coal but didn't give any money, so I'll give you the five hundred carriages. Someone will pull them to Jinguangmen early tomorrow morning. Is it enough? I'll think of a solution if it's not enough?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, it's enough." Qin Huaidao was overjoyed. Five hundred carriages joined him. In addition to his own five hundred taels, there were also seven or eight hundred carriages from the three major grain merchants. It was impossible for the people to withdraw completely, and some of them would be left behind.
Nearly two thousand large trucks are running every day, so we should be able to supply them.
The prince, on the other hand, actually used five hundred carriages to haul coal. It was quite cruel. Now it's better. Five hundred carriages with mules, horses and carriages are worth more than five thousand carriages of silver. It's so delicious!
Thinking that if the briquettes were given to the people, they might not be able to use them, he immediately said: "Your Majesty, can you lend me a pen and paper so that I can draw a simple stove? The counties can distribute it to the people and let everyone make stoves according to the drawings. It's easy to use briquettes."
"
"Go ahead and draw it on my royal desk."
"This, I'm terrified!"
"I see you are not afraid at all, go ahead!"
Qin Huaidao chuckled, hurried over, picked up a pen and paper and quickly drew it. After making some notes, he returned and gave the drawing to Li Er.
Li Er looked familiar and said, "This is similar to the stove you sent last time."
Qin Huaidao explained: "Yes, the stove is movable and easy to use. This is a stove. It only needs to be built with a stone and clay, with an elevated position in the middle. It can be used when it is dry. Stones and clay are everywhere, so there is no need to use it."
It’s very convenient for people to spend extra money to popularize it.”
"I thought very carefully. With this, it will be much easier for the people to accept briquettes. I asked the Ministry of Industry to dispatch craftsmen to guide everyone in making it. It's not a big problem. What is the name of this stove?" Li Er asked with satisfaction.
Qin Huaidao was stunned, does this thing need a name? Seeing Fang Xuanling cast a hidden look, he immediately realized that Li Er really has a good reputation, and immediately said: "Your Majesty, this thing is simple, practical, and can improve people's lives.
, now is the year of Zhenguan, why not call it Zhenguan Zao."
"Is this appropriate?" Li Er said with satisfaction.
Qin Huaidao was a little disdainful. This guy had a good reputation and built an archway, but he still complimented him: "The sage is benevolent and righteous, considering that the people's lives are not easy, so he gave this simple and practical thing to the people without increasing the cost. The people are grateful for the sage's kindness and righteousness.
It is well deserved to be named after Zhenguan.”
"I second the proposal!" Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji also agreed.
"Since the inventor Huaidao proposed it and the two ministers agreed, let's name it after him." Li Er smiled with satisfaction and looked at Qin Huaidao with a more pleased look. The boy came up to the road and warned: "
The clues you brought from Qinling are very important. The briquettes cannot be stopped, but the conspiracy behind them must be thoroughly investigated. Are there any difficulties?"
"Your Majesty, the biggest difficulty is the lack of money. Your Majesty promised to give 10,000 guan, but the Ministry of Revenue only gave 5,000 guan. The gap is too big. The brothers are complaining and want to go back to where they were." Qin Huaidao took the opportunity to complain.
"Only five thousand guan?" Li Er looked at Fang Xuanling.
Fang Xuanling quickly said: "I will investigate this matter tomorrow morning."
"These people are simply unreasonable. Check each other out. In addition, give the Supervisory Office five thousand taels more. It will not be convenient to go to the treasury to buy food. The officials will make irresponsible remarks. Who dares to jump out of this kind of thing? Let me try my sword.
Sharp, huh!" Li Er said angrily. Seeing that Qin Huaidao was a little depressed, he added embarrassedly: "I heard that you just came back and you must be tired. Go back and rest early. Xuanling, auxiliary machine, you
You two should go back early, and I can finally have a good sleep."
"Your Majesty, please leave!"
When the three of them left the Manna Hall, they were greeted by the cold wind, which made them shiver with coldness. It was difficult to speak, so they all quickly gathered their sleeves and crossed their chests to leave in a hurry.
After leaving the palace, Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji got into their respective carriages and left. Qin Huaidao rode over, shivering from the cold, and quickly got on his horse and returned home, thinking about getting a carriage himself later, as he was too cold.
It was already night, the cold wind was whining, and a few red lanterns were fluttering in the wind in the distance. It was lonely and desolate.
The street ahead was eerily quiet.
Qin Huaidao looked ahead, feeling uneasy for no reason.