The brilliance of the morning sun casts a layer of light over the Forbidden City in Nanjing. The gentle sunlight penetrates the morning fog and shines on the vast imperial city.
The brass bell on the Drum Tower swayed from side to side as the bell was struck, its golden color glowing with metallic luster.
September and October are the autumn harvest seasons, and it is also the harvest season for Nanjing.
In the past, only southern Zhili had money and food, but now there are so many southern provinces.
However, for picky Nanjing residents, the best one belongs to Huguang’s Jingshan Qiao rice, followed by Jiangxi’s Wannian tribute rice.
Subsequently, Helonggong rice from Fujian Province and Huatian rice from Chongqing Prefecture, etc., had a small share due to transportation reasons.
In Huguang and Jiangxi, due to their distance and output, rice sales are particularly prosperous.
Zhang Qi boarded the restaurant, dressed in a thin silk satin dress, with a thick smile on his face and a very proud look on his face.
A group of Shaanxi businessmen stood up to greet him, and compliments could not be heard.
Zhang Qi accepted it calmly and sat down at the main seat.
He was different from these merchants. A pair of daughters entered the palace and became the emperor's concubines, and they also gave birth to a son and a daughter, making him half the head of the country.
Subsequently, his status among Shaanxi merchants rose rapidly, and he was close to the peak. Except for the title of president, he was the same as others.
“Nanjing’s rice market has plummeted recently!”
While talking and laughing, I saw a Confucian businessman waving a paper fan, but there was a bit of sadness on his face: "Although the Jingshan Bridge Rice in Huguang is famous for its high quality, its output is small, and it has to be supplied to the palace."
"Compared with Huizhou merchants, we are at a disadvantage."
Zhang Qi frowned slightly and said calmly: "They have been running Jiangnan for hundreds of years, so it is inevitable that we will not be able to compete for a while."
The four major rice markets in the south are Wuhu, Wuxi, Jiujiang and Changsha.
Except for Changsha, which was in the hands of Shaanxi merchants, Wuhu, Wuxi, and Jiujiang were almost all in the hands of Huizhou merchants, absorbing a large amount of private grain reserves.
Under the premise that grain prices must be stable, the unit price is not high and will naturally be determined by quantity.
The rice market is the bridgehead and plays an irreplaceable role. The Huizhou merchants hold the three major rice markets in their hands and appear to be calm and leisurely.
The Changsha Rice Market of Shaanxi merchants, on the contrary, due to the existence of military settlements and the transfer of military fields, rice absorption was reduced by several percent. It was difficult for Shaanxi merchants to compete with Huizhou merchants in Nanjing.
And rice is the source of department stores, vinegar, wine, and sauce are all inseparable. In addition, Huizhou merchants also branched into a line of salt merchants, which can be said to be very wealthy.
"Since the South cannot compete, then go to the North."
At this time, suddenly a person with a big belly said with great momentum.
Zhang Qi took a closer look and saw that it was Zhan Youning from the Zhan family in Ningzhou. He had become famous because he was attached to King Qing, and his status among Shaanxi merchants should not be underestimated.
He is in his thirties and is also young and energetic.
I saw him bowing over, facing Zhang Qi with an apologetic smile and saying: "Mr. Zhang, there are rumors that Beijing's recovery is a foregone conclusion, and the imperial court will also move back to Beijing. Do you know whether it is true or not?"
"How do I know?" Zhang Qi waved his hand and said, "I never dare to mess with these important matters of the imperial court."
"Thank you Mr. Zhang."
Zhan Youning nodded, stood up and said loudly: "The huge Southern Zhili is the territory of Huizhou merchants, and our foundation is in Huguang, and even more so in Shaanxi."
"As for Beijing, which is in the north, the Shanxi merchants have the so-called eight imperial merchants. It is obviously difficult for them to get into the eyes of the court. This is our opportunity."
Hearing this, Zhang Qi's eyes lit up.
Shanxi merchants and Shaanxi merchants are in a relationship of competition and cooperation, but Shaanxi merchants have been coveting Shanxi merchants for more than a year or two.
Not to mention Jiechi's words, just saying that the trade route leading to Chahar Mongolia is enough to make them salivate.
The Mongolians in Monan are much richer than the Oirat Mongols in the northwest, and they are also very fond of trade.
Shaanxi businessmen are well aware of the profits from border trade.
This is far better than competing with Huizhou merchants in the south.
Zhang Qize moved his lips and said: "The Shanxi merchants have indeed lost points. They will never be able to escape the charge of being traitors and profiteers."
"I also heard people say that after the Northern Expedition, considering the ruins of the northern provinces, the imperial court deliberately confiscated the properties of those Shanxi merchants to fill the treasury."
"This is really great-"
"I wonder how many people are involved?"
Shaanxi businessmen were talking a lot, with excitement written on their faces.
In terms of business, wouldn't it be wonderful if there were no Shanxi merchants as a big enemy in the north, and the Shaanxi merchants would dominate the northern trade, thus confronting the Hui merchants from the north and the south?
Not to mention, if Beijing were the capital of the country, it would be a constant cornucopia, and the profits would definitely be greater than Nanjing.
"What a pity, I don't know if the imperial court will move back!"
Seeing everyone's interest, Zhan Youning sighed again and sat down helplessly.
Now, even Zhang Qi became worried.
Who would have thought that moving the capital, which originally had nothing to do with him, would actually involve him?
A banquet ended hastily like this.
When he returned home, Zhang Qi looked at the luxurious house and was lost in thought for a while.
According to his original intention, life in Nanjing is much better than in Shaanxi, a land of plenty, rich and stable.
But after all, this is the home ground of Huizhou merchants. Even with the support of the emperor, it would be difficult for them to resist the attack of Huizhou merchants.
In this case, going north is a good way.
"It's a pity that the court's attention is too tight."
He shook his head helplessly.
At this time, Wu Sangui and Yan Shenggong finally arrived in Nanjing.
The emperor also received them warmly.
For Wu Sangui, he just looked at him twice, said a few words of comfort, and then rewarded him with a marquis mansion.
And Yan Shenggong was quite enthusiastic.
Literati from all over Nanjing flocked to visit him, but they were all rejected.
At the beginning of September, a horse suddenly came up, riding on the street, charging wildly, shouting:
"Good news, great victory, Jiannu defeated, Beijing recovered——"
The people along the way hurriedly ran away, but after hearing these words, they couldn't help but stop and watch.
When the scholars heard it, their eyes turned red and they knelt down; when the common people heard it, they sighed a few words and continued to work on the food, full of energy.
The merchants who had a little bit of knowledge set off firecrackers one after another and cheered endlessly.
There are numerous discounts and free orders.
Just like that, they cheered all the way and the news came to the Forbidden City.
At this time, the emperor seemed to have a premonition. He raised his head sharply, left the dragon chair, and looked at the sky outside the door.
I don't know how long it took, but a eunuch came quickly and knelt down panting: "Your Majesty, please report from the front, Beijing has been restored -"
"Tell him to come quickly——"
Zhu Yixi said impatiently.
Immediately, the soldiers, who were out of breath from exhaustion, trotted over: "Your Majesty, the army has recaptured Beijing——"
With that said, he submitted the military report.
Zhu Yixi squinted her eyes, picked up the military newspaper, read it for a long time, and murmured: "Beijing, Beijing——"