"Believe it or not, I will send someone to search your home now, and they will be able to find hundreds of thousands of kilograms of grain, as well as your account books. There must be records!"
"Everyone, why did our Ming Dynasty lose ground in front of the intruders? It's all because we have no money and no food, and you still default on taxes. Your Majesty has learned about this, and your family will be confiscated, your clan will be exterminated, and you will be executed in a hurry. You should understand!"
"I'm saving you!"
Lin Fan said in a deep voice.
hiss!
After Lin Fan said this, all the gentry present took a breath of air. They originally thought that Lin Fan was young and a brave general like Huo Qubing.
Unexpectedly, he was so experienced in negotiation that he could say just a few words so that people like them did not dare to refute even a single sentence.
"This... Mr. Lin, how can you talk like this? We really don't have so much land! You have wronged us!"
One person still wants to make excuses.
"Haha! If you say that, then I will calculate it based on the taxes you paid in previous years. The calculated land belongs to you, and the rest of the unclaimed land will be distributed to the people!"
Lin Fan sneered.
"Ah! Mr. Lin, aren't you going to kill us?
We will give it! We will give you as much food as you want, we just ask you to leave some for us!"
"Yes! Mr. Lin, we have families and families. If the food is short, we will not be able to feed so many people!"
The merchants begged for mercy one after another.
Lin Fan had a sneer on his face and said: "If you had said this earlier, why would I have fallen out with you? I only want food, and as for the money, it is still yours!"
"My lord, I keep my word. The previous taxes will be written off in one go. But if anyone dares to evade the subsequent taxes, I will settle the old and new accounts together!"
"As for how you support your family, you are all in business. You don't have the ability to buy some supplies from elsewhere, right?"
Speaking of this, Lin Fan had a smirk on his face.
The city of Xi'an was devastated by Li Zicheng, who was running out of money and food. Naturally, these merchants needed to find ways to transport it in and revitalize the business.
However, in the eyes of these merchants, there is no great righteousness, only their own interests. Unless they are forced into a desperate situation, they will not reach their potential.
"Master Lin, you are making things difficult for us. Nowadays, there is a war and chaos. There is a shortage of food everywhere. Where can we buy it?"
"Sir, at least leave some for us. We will definitely find a way to buy food. Otherwise, if we don't have food, no matter how much money we have, it will be of no use!"
The merchants all begged.
Lin Fan looked solemn and said: "Alas! It's not that I don't want to help you, but that you are unwilling to contribute to our Ming Dynasty!"
"Have you ever thought about what would happen if there is a shortage of supplies in the city at this time and those small traders have completely cut off their channels for purchasing goods?"
"They can only close the door temporarily. If they close the door, they will lose money every day. But if you buy the supplies at this time, wouldn't you be able to quickly monopolize the market?"
"If the entire county market is monopolized by you, how big are the benefits? Do you still need me to calculate it for you?"
"Crisis is sometimes an opportunity. You guys only see the meager benefits in front of you, you are so short-sighted!"
kindness!
After Lin Fan said this, the expressions of the merchants changed instantly. This... what Mr. Lin said seemed to make sense!
Nowadays, this city is in dire straits and there are too many closed shops. Why don't they buy them at a low price, then buy a large amount of supplies and sell them in this city?
Moreover, most of the people are now hungry, and the labor force is at its cheapest. If they don't make a big profit at this time, they will be sorry for themselves.
"Master Lin, thank you for your advice!"
"Listening to your words is better than studying for ten years. Mr. Lin is not only good at marching and fighting, he is also good at doing business!"
"Mr. Lin, all the food we are waiting for will be donated to you. But, can the business certificates from now on give us some benefits?"
The merchants said one after another.
Doing business in the Ming Dynasty also required business certificates, especially cross-regional business, and most of these certificates required going up and down to obtain.
These people's demands are reasonable. Lin Fan said: "Don't worry, these things will be given to you directly. Anyone who dares to stop them will be punished by me!"
After saying that, Lin Fan got up and asked the Jin Yiwei to follow these people back to collect food. However, the food was too much and two thousand Jin Yiwei were not enough. Lin Fan also sent out 60,000 tiger and leopard cavalry and the remaining Jin Yiwei.
In one night, more than 7 million kilograms of grain were piled up in the palace, which was enough for the people of the city to survive this food crisis.
Early the next morning, some people got up early and waited at the entrance of the palace. By the time Lin Fan got up, more than 3,000 people had gathered at the entrance of the palace.
"Oh! I didn't sleep in today!"
Lin Fan couldn't help but curse.
Zhang Liang said: "Sir, these people are worried that there is not enough food and they will not be able to receive it, so they came so early. Do you want to release food now?"
Lin Fan glanced at the people outside, walked out directly, and said: "People! Now line up and come forward. There is a lot of food. I guarantee that everyone of you can get it!"
"If anyone dares to snatch food, look around you. These tiger and leopard riders will not be merciful to you!"
After saying that, the people began to whisper among themselves, and someone said: "Sir, is there really food?
Can we all really get it?"
"Haha! It's more than seven million jins. I guarantee that each of you will have at least two jins each. However, after receiving the food, you can't just eat it, but you must start to find a way out!"
"The help the imperial court gives you is only temporary and cannot help you for a lifetime!"
Lin Fan said with a smile.
"Is there really so much food?
Thank you sir, thank you so much, the court!"
"Long live Mr. Lin!"
The people all shouted excitedly. When Lin Fan heard their shouts, he frowned and shouted to himself long live. If the ministers in the court knew about this, he would be in trouble again!
"Common people, please line up now, don't be anxious, and start collecting food!"
Lin Fan said.
The people lined up one by one, some holding cloth bags, some holding jars, and some holding several broken bowls. After receiving the food, they hurried back to their homes.
Seven million catties of grain were distributed until the evening. Basically, the people in the city received the food, and there were still more than two million catties left in the palace, which was enough for the tiger and leopard riders to eat for a while!