The days passed day by day, and things were done one by one. Su Ren was busy preparing the caravan and guide for the Qiang land. Cui Jiuming was busy setting up more shops to squeeze the Meng family. Sima Xiangru was busy preparing
Regarding the Bo people's spring plowing, even Hawking was busy sharpening his gun. He knew that the Qiang land would not be peaceful.
Meng Bi is also very busy, very busy. The Meng family's shop is purchasing linen cloth, cloth bags of salt and grain rice, which has become the biggest news in Chengdu and even Shu County after the new year. This acquisition is not only huge in quantity but also at a considerable price.
The price is 10% higher than usual.
"Sir, can we collect it tomorrow? There is no room for it in the warehouse!" Butler Meng Wei asked Meng Bi cautiously.
Meng Bi looked at the account book. It has only been half a month since the end of the year, and the Meng family has been spending money like water. Every day, tens of thousands of dollars are taken out. All the things taken back are piled in the warehouse, and none of them are sold.
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"Collect, continue to collect, and stop when you finish collecting the linen in Shu County." Meng Bi didn't even raise his head. Meng Wei agreed and went out quickly.
They used to do this kind of thing often. In order to bully those weak businesses, monopoly was the best way. In ancient times when transportation was inconvenient and market management was not strict, as long as the market in a region was monopolized, how much would such goods cost?
It's entirely up to you. But this time, Mengwei was inexplicably worried, because in the past half month, instead of decreasing, these three kinds of goods on the market seemed to have increased a lot.
Cui Jiuming laughed loudly: "High, it's really high. This is enough for the Meng family to drink a pot! All the things we got at a low price were eaten by the Meng family in one go. I made a rough estimate. This time I will earn at least
A profit of one hundred thousand dollars, one hundred thousand dollars!"
Su Ren also smiled: "How much inventory do we have?"
"Don't worry, there are plenty! As long as the Meng family is rich, our goods will continue to flow. I have already made an agreement with the merchants in Nanzheng and Hanzhong, and the supply of goods is not a problem."
"That's good, but be careful, we have to show off, otherwise the Meng family will find out!"
"Understood!" Cui Jiuming raised his tea cup: "You don't have to worry about this. I wish you a safe journey!"
On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month in the second year of Jianyuan, outside the west gate of Chengdu, a caravan composed of the Sichuan Chamber of Commerce stopped at the official road. One hundred and thirty-one mules and horses carried large and small bags of goods, a long
The caravans were lined up for several miles from the city gate. This time there were no cars, and they were all mules and horses. According to the Bo people, the road from Chengdu to the Qiang region is difficult to walk. The mountains and forests are dense, and there are no roads in many places, so cars cannot be used.
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The people of Chengdu have never seen such a grand scene. There was a sea of people at the city gate, many people were pointing and talking. Naturally, there were also merchants among them.
"Shopkeeper Meng, this Sushiman is really spending money. If something goes wrong with such a large caravan, how much will it cost?"
"You don't understand this. Who is Su Shipu? Do you know how much money Su Shipu has?"
"No matter how much money you have, you can't waste it like this. Everyone knows that there is a narrow escape from death. I think this time it will be a cliffhanger."
"Wouldn't it be possible to get rich if you become someone else? That's what we businessmen are like. Only when we dare to take risks can we make big money. Now I finally understand why it took a year for someone like Su Shipu to go from a poor place like Wenshui.
I became what I am now because I dared to take risks.”
Wen Dang took Su Ren's hand: "Zi Heng, no matter what happens, life is the most important thing. If the goods are gone, they will be gone. As long as you come back safely, I will be relieved!"
In history, the most significant achievement of Wen Dang is to educate the party, and its character is of course unparalleled. Su Ren believes that these words of the old man definitely come from the heart. Su Ren bent his legs and knelt down: " The students have memorized the teacher's words and dare not forget them at any time. They will definitely come back alive!"
Wen Dang nodded and almost shed tears. He personally helped Su Ren up and said to everyone: "You are my warriors from Shu County. When you return home in triumph, I will be serving wine here to welcome you!"
"Thank you, Governor!"
Chang Shi chuckled and said, "Su Shi Yu has a happy journey. I wish Su Shi Yu will win the flag and open up a trade route for our merchants in Shu County."
Su Ren thanked him again and again, and whispered in Chang Shi's ear: "Don't worry, don't worry, when this trade road is opened, I will definitely count it as a part of you!"
"Uh!" Changshi's face turned red and he laughed twice.
Chang Shi Mengji naturally knew about such a big commotion in Chengdu. He didn't come, firstly because he hadn't recovered from his serious illness, and secondly, he really didn't want to see Su Ren's arrogant face.
Meng Bi said fiercely: "This kid is too arrogant. Isn't he just taking the trade route? It's like going on an expedition. Wen Dang and Chang Shi actually send each other off. It's ridiculous!"
Meng Ji shook his head: "You don't understand!"
"It's best that this guy and his caravan are swallowed up by Lin Mang, and none of them come back!"
"I hope so!" Meng Ji had a complicated mood. He had also thought about the benefits that this trade route would bring to Shuzhong merchants if it was opened. If Su Ren did not target the Meng family, Meng Ji would not mind participating, but now even if Su Ren No matter how invited, he cannot participate.
The father and son were silent for a while, and Meng Ji suddenly asked: "How are you purchasing linen, bags of salt, and grain and rice?"
"It's still going on, and a lot has been purchased. Those from the Sichuan Chamber of Commerce are also purchasing, but the boy raised the price again yesterday, and they haven't purchased much."
"Why do I feel like something is wrong with this!" Meng Ji frowned and kept flipping through the account books brought by Meng Bi: "The bag of salt was made by Su Ren, and the grain and rice were controlled by the imperial court. It is difficult to purchase these two things. But why is it that things like linen are still traded in large quantities?"
"Father, don't worry. This is what the child guessed. It must be those people from the Sichuan Chamber of Commerce who released it. We will wait until we collect them all in the next few days to see how they can fight against us!"
"Okay! But don't take it lightly or fall into someone else's trap."
"Father, don't worry, the child will remember it."
Cui Jiuming was sweating profusely. He rushed before and after running, checking over and over again whether all the mules, horses and grooms were normal, whether the goods were tied up, and whether the waterproof and moisture-proof things were tightly covered. This was their good fortune. According to the tradition of the caravan, every time a caravan sets off, as the shopkeeper, you have to check everything yourself and be aware of it.
Lao Wang accompanied Cui Jiuming: "Sir, my subordinates have prepared everything properly. There will be no problems. Don't worry!"
"Hey, it's better to take another look. Father said that if you can do something well yourself, then there will be absolutely no problem. It's not that I don't believe you. This trip is too important to allow for any mistakes."
Lao Wang nodded and quickly handed Cui Jiuming a towel to wipe his sweat: "Master, Su Shipu will definitely succeed this time. It was he who opened the Yelang Trade Road. Although the Qiang land is difficult to travel, the distance is not long. There will be no problem.”
"Haha, I think so too!" Cui Jiuming smiled at Lao Wang.
This departure was really like an expedition. Under the insistence of Wen Dang and Chang Shi, they not only read the almanac, but also worshiped the heaven and earth. Wen Dang even wrote a special memorial for this. Since the new emperor Liu Che came to the throne,
The imperial court had a new trend. It no longer closed itself off to the country, but continued to contact its surroundings. Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions was the beginning.
Su Ren knelt in front of the incense table, respectfully, listened to Wen Dang read the long memorial text, and together they offered incense and wine, informing heaven and earth. Then he bid farewell to everyone, got on his horse, and shouted: "Let's go!"
The caravan that had been waiting all morning finally started. First, a dozen guards on horseback rushed forward quickly, and soon disappeared in the official road. Amidst the sounds of people neighing and horses, one after another
The mules and horses walked forward. They were very neat and orderly. There was no confusion and everything was in good order.
Hawking was also riding a horse, following behind Su Ren with Huang Shisan.
Lu Yi urged his horse to come to Su Ren's side: "Su Shiyi doesn't seem worried about the success or failure of this trip at all? Can you tell me where your confidence comes from?"
Su Ren smiled, looked back at the endless caravan and said: "That's natural. How can we take on this porcelain job without diamonds? Not only can it be done this time, but it will be very successful!"
"Hmph!" Lu Yi snorted coldly: "You Han people are so fond of talking big, you can't fully estimate the danger, and you will often fail miserably!"
"Hahaha..." Su Ren laughed: "As a woman, you want to see me fail, right? If so, it would be better for you to go back to Dujiangyan."
"It's too late. It's impossible to drive me away at this time!" Lu Yi smiled and galloped forward.
In many people's minds, this is not a caravan, but a marching army and horses, carrying the hope and confidence of many people.
Cui Jiuming watched the long caravan disappear on the official road, and then sighed.
Lao Wang said: "Sir, don't worry, just trust Su Shipu!"
"Yes!" Cui Jiuming nodded: "Yes, you have to believe him! Let's go back to the city, we have other things to do!"
Lao Wang smiled slightly: "The Meng family must be celebrating at this moment, which is the best time for us to take action!"
"Tell those people to transport all the things to the Meng family's shop today! When our caravan comes back tomorrow, don't sell any more, stay all, and prepare to fight with the Meng family!"
Meng Wei hurriedly ran through the door and quickly got into Meng Ji's study, with a smile on his face: "Master, I'm leaving, I'm really leaving! The formation is the same as an army going on an expedition, and it's a sacrifice to the heavens!"
"Sacrifice to the sky?" Meng Bi's eyes suddenly lit up: "Father, a caravan is actually offering sacrifices to the sky. This is against the etiquette of the court! Father should immediately submit a letter to the court and ask the court to punish him!"
"It's not a big sacrifice, it's a small sacrifice!" Meng Wei quickly emphasized: "The prefect personally presided over it."
"Not even small sacrifices!" Meng Bi sneered: "Hahaha, God help our Meng family, as long as my father writes a letter to impeach the Wen Party and drive them away, this Shu County will be your world!"
Meng Ji didn't speak, he was just thinking.
"Father, what are you waiting for? We have been suppressed by the Wen Party in Shu County for so long, it is time for you to become the prefect!"
Meng Ji shook his head: "No, it's not the time yet! The new emperor has ascended the throne, the court's policy has changed, and we need a better opportunity." (To be continued)