The entire Ruizhou Prefecture is mostly owned by the Du family, the Zhou family and the Li family. These three families have more or less businesses in rice, grain and medicinal materials.
Since there has been too much rain this year, the prices of rice, grains and medicinal materials in Ruizhou have been on the rise. This time there is another flood, and the prices cannot be compared with previous years.
Xiao Ci invited the three families here for no other reason than to ask them to sell the rice grains and medicinal materials at cost price.
This Ruizhou City is neither big nor small. The dam is quite old and may not be able to hold it any longer.
At that time, the entire Ruizhou City will turn into a water city. When there are more disaster victims, rice, grain, and medicinal materials will naturally be missing. Not only is it missing, but even the rice, grain, and medicinal materials in Ruizhou City will not be enough.
The heavy rain still has no intention of stopping, and the flooding of the village may be just the beginning. Xiao Ci had already sent a letter of divorce to Kyoto half a month ago, mentioning the risk of flooding in Ruizhou due to heavy rainfall this year.
It's been half a month since I sent this letter, but there's still no reply. I'm afraid that even the food and grass from the court won't be able to wait for a while.
Since the imperial court cannot be relied upon, it has no choice but to save itself.
The Du family, the Zhou family and the Li family have all been in the business field for many years. When the price of grain and grass rises, the families are all hoarding goods at home, just waiting for the big price increase to sell them and make a lot of money.
One stroke.
Now Xiao Ci asked them to supply the palace at cost price. The only purpose here is to make money. As long as most of them have to go, each family will not be happy.
When Xiao Cicai came to Ruizhou Mansion, he knew that none of these businessmen were good people. The rice, grain and medicinal materials matter did not go so smoothly, and he had his own plans.
After finishing the bowl of tea, Xiao Ci leaned back on the carved yellow pear chair, crossed his legs and looked at the Du family, the Zhou family, and the Li family. He was not in a hurry to say anything, and only smiled sarcastically.
After Xiao Ci took care of the original four Ruizhou families, the Li family became more talkative in front of Xiao Ci than the Du family.
This time, Mr. Li stepped forward to pay his respects and said in a grumpy tone: "Your Majesty, to tell you the truth, there is a lot of rain in Ruizhou this year, and the food and supplies in the entire Ruizhou Mansion are much more expensive than in previous years. Your Majesty, I must tell you that it rains a lot this year."
It's not that we don't want to supply rice to you, it's just that the price of this rice is too high."
Seeing that there was no anger on Xiao Ci's face, he gritted his teeth and said: "Your Majesty also knows that we are all in business. The price of rice, grains and herbs has increased. If we supply it, we won't make any money, but we can't lose money either."
Yes or no?"
When Mr. Li said this, the eldest son of the Du family also echoed a few words.
Just kidding, these businessmen are just waiting for business opportunities to make a lot of money. If they all give it to Xiao Ci, how can they make a fortune.
The eldest son of the Du family said a few words, and the Zhou family followed suit, and everyone gathered around Xiao Ci. They all had one idea, which was that they were not happy.
Xiao Ci listened to their conversation, drank a cup of tea, and bit into a few pastries. Finally he felt full, and then he said, "According to what you are saying, you are reluctant to sell it to me, right?"
If the heavy rain continues like this, it will be a matter of time before the dam breaks down. To be safe, people living in low-lying areas must move to higher ground.
Xiao Ci still had a lot of things to do, and he was too lazy to do Tai Chi with these people. When he said this, he saw that the Du family, Zhou family, and Li family all lowered their heads and said nothing. The meaning could not be clearer.
Already.
He snorted coldly and turned his head twice without begging these people: "If you don't want to let go, forget it. I still have many things to be busy with. Please come back."
The eldest son of the Du family, Mr. Zhou, and Mr. Li did not expect that Xiao Ci would be so easy to talk to this time, and they readily agreed. A few of them were still a little confused, wondering what Xiao Ci meant by this.
Xiao Ci looked at the surprised looks of these people, and immediately grinned, living up to everyone's expectations and saying: "However, I want to remind you that things like rice, grains, herbs, etc. are valuable things. If they get old or get wet, by then, you will lose money."
Not to mention exchanging money, I'm afraid it's useless if I just try to make money on low incomes."
After saying that, he smiled meaningfully, said nothing else, stood up, flicked his sleeves, and strode out of the study.
Chu Han stepped forward with his sword in his arms, and held his hands to the eldest son of the Du family, Mr. Zhou, and Mr. Li: "Everyone, please..."
It means chasing away guests.
The eldest son of the Du family, Mr. Zhou and Mr. Li looked at each other, and each of them left the palace with doubts.
Not far from the palace, the few people gathered in the carriage again to talk.
The eldest son of the Du family frowned and looked at Mr. Zhou and Mr. Li, and said slowly: "Two gentlemen, from what you see, what does Prince Rui mean?"
Mr. Zhou also had a sullen face, and Mr. Li pushed him away and said, "You usually get along with him the most. Tell me, what did he mean by what he just said?"
Last year, when Xiao Ci was rectifying the four families in Ruizhou, Mr. Li had a fierce internal fight with these families. Later, Xiao Ci let go, and Magistrate Chen was forced to take off his black gauze hat. The Du family's eldest son was there to pull strings.
Mr. Li was dragged into his own camp.
Mr. Li voted for Xiao Ci. Although he wanted to reconcile with the Du family and the Zhou family, the relationship was not as good as before. If the interests involved were not too great this time, he would not be willing to sit with the Du family and the Zhou family.
piece.
Now when Mr. Zhou asked about it, his face darkened and he asked with some worry: "What do you think he meant?"
What Xiao Ci said couldn't be simpler, it means literally.
Rice, grains and herbs are all good, so since you won't sell them to him, just keep them as fertilizer.
As soon as the Du family, Zhou family, and Li family left, Xiao Ci sent more people out of Ruizhou Mansion to buy rice, grains and medicinal materials.
He never made an unprepared account. Before writing to Kyoto, he had already sent people to other prefectures that had not been affected by the rain to buy rice, grains and medicinal materials. He also looked for the Du family, the Zhou family and the Li family, and did not put all his hopes in it.
on them.
If you are willing to sell it, it is naturally good. If you are reluctant to sell it, he won't care about it.
Together with Magistrate Lin, we made all the arrangements that needed to be made. By the time we returned to Mingyue Pavilion, the night was already half over.
The lights in the room were still on, and Song Qinghuan fell asleep while waiting on the low couch. The thin blanket only covered her waist, and a medical book with several pages turned fell to the ground.
No matter how busy I am, when I return to Mingyue Pavilion, the lights are always on and there are always people waiting. Just seeing this scene makes the fatigue around me disappear.
Xiao Ci smiled softly, took a few steps forward, picked up the book that had fallen to the ground, put it aside, and then picked up Song Qinghuan and carried her into the inner room.
Song Qinghuan has also been very tired these days. Although he was very tired, he woke up with a start. When he saw Xiao Ci in a daze, he didn't struggle. He just hugged his neck and said, "I'll help you get through it."
I ordered some soup and you drank it before going to sleep.
