Xin Zi Scroll Chapter 207 The Feng family is a potential stock
Easier said than done, the northwest is short of food, and the consumption of the 400,000 troops in the three sides and four towns is much higher than that of Jiliao and Xuanda due to transportation. However, if transported by merchants, the cost can be reduced to a certain extent. This is mainly because
The costs caused by the government's transportation system remain high.
Now Feng Tang has not yet received the appointment of governor of the three sides, let alone the money that the court wants to bring him. But time waits for no man. Sometimes the price of food may be one price a day. The further back, the greater the price increase.
It’s so big that I can buy a lot more the day before.
When Wang Shaoquan was specially recruited by Feng Ziying, he met Feng Tang and Feng Ziying, and was a little surprised. It was difficult to meet this governor of Jiliao. Even Shanshan businessmen in Liaodong had a lot of dealings with the Liaodong Army, but
Feng Tang basically didn't show up, and the quartermaster was basically responsible for contact.
He didn't expect to see her in Feng Mansion today, which made him feel overjoyed.
"I have met the Governor, the Prime Minister." Wang Shaoquan hurriedly greeted him. Because he was in a private house, there was no need to salute, but the bow was respectful.
"Well, Shao Quan, my father has just returned from Liaodong and is about to meet the emperor. So let's make a long story short. Maybe you also know my father's current identity. Although the governor of Jiliao is not exempted, he will soon rush to the northwest to serve as the governor of the three sides.
I'm afraid you also know the situation on the side. On the surface, it is to dismantle military towns, but in fact it is all about food and salary, so my father must have stabilized the morale of the military in the past..."
Wang Shaoquan's face became solemn, and his thoughts changed quickly, "Sir, if you have orders, our Shanxi Chamber of Commerce will obey them. How much money do we need?"
Feng Ziying was startled, and Feng Tang was also startled and then laughed loudly, "Ziying, I think we are here to catch the autumn wind. Well, we businessmen in the north are quite upright and straightforward than the businessmen in the south of the Yangtze River. But first, let's talk
You know, we are not here to beat the autumn wind."
Feng Ziying also burst into laughter, "Shao Quan, you misunderstood. If there is a shortage of money, it is also a matter of the imperial court. Even if my father needs it urgently, there is Haitong Bank who can borrow money temporarily, so I won't bother you. However, my father needs your help."
real."
"Oh?" Wang Shaoquan didn't expect that he had misunderstood, but as long as the Feng family seeks help from itself, it is a good thing. One of the father and son is a peak warrior, and the other is a civil servant with a bright future. No matter from any point of view, they are worth it.
The thick legs that make friends easily are inextricably linked to Shanxi merchants.
"I don't know if there is anything Shaoquan can do to help you two adults. As long as I can do it, I will do my best." Wang Shaoquan patted his chest.
"Well, Shaoquan may know about the situation in the northwest. My father is about to take office, but the four towns are facing difficulty in supplying food and wages, especially the second town in Gansu and Ningxia, which consumes a lot of food and fodder. My father is worried about delays in the court this winter and next spring, so he hopes to make preparations earlier.
, from now on, please ask your Shanxi-Shaanxi Chamber of Commerce to help coordinate the transportation of grain from Huguang, Henan and Shanxi to Shaanxi, and strive to transport 300,000 shi of grain to Yulin and Lanzhou before the end of October."
Feng Tang looked at Wang Shaoquan and nodded.
Three hundred thousand shi of grain is neither too much nor too little. If we go to the capital and transport it by water, it is nothing. If we use the canal, a fleet of twenty or thirty ships can transport it with a dozen or so.
Land transportation, especially to the northwest, is not that simple. People eat horses' chews, which consumes a lot of money.
Wang Shaoquan's expression changed slightly, he lowered his head and considered it, and then raised his head: "My lords, it's not that Shaoquan is unhappy. If you agree, you must do it. Food prices in Shanxi and Henan have increased by 20% this year.
Now, the increase in grain in Huguang is about 15%, and it is still rising recently. But if it is transported from Huguang to Shaanxi through gold merchants, it will cost a lot. But if it is transported from Henan, such a large quantity will be immediately
This will cause grain prices to rise in various parts of Henan..."
Wang Shaoquan was telling the truth. Both Feng Ziying and Feng Tang had predicted that the severe drought in Northland would be seen by everyone. This winter would definitely increase by more than 50% compared to last year. With this expectation, a steady increase in food prices is a major trend.
According to the current grain prices, the price of wheat in Zhangjiawan, Tongzhou, the capital is about one to two or three yuan per stone, the price of second-grade flour is about one to two or eight yuan, the price of japonica rice is about two to two yuan per stone, and the cheapest corn is about one to two yuan per stone.
One thing is that the prices of wheat, flour and corn in Shanxi and Henan are not much different from those in Beijing and Zhong. They all have increased significantly. However, the price of japonica rice is higher, mainly because there are not many people eating it and the quantity is small, so the price is naturally high.
However, the price of wheat in Shaanxi has risen to about 1, 26 yuan per shi, the price of second-grade flour has already exceeded 2 taels per shi, and the price of corn is about 1, 24 yuan per shi. According to the practice here in Zhou Dynasty, the northwest military rations are basically
The above rationing was based on the ratio of wheat to seven corns to three. Now the autumn harvest has not yet begun, but the price has already increased by more than half. It is estimated that the price will at least double by this winter, or even more.
Under such circumstances, how can ordinary people afford to eat when there is a bad harvest?
"What about Shao Quan's thoughts...?" Feng Ziying didn't say much and just asked what the other party planned to do.
If merchants from Shanxi and Shaanxi are willing to help, the price issue will not be a problem. They have ways to avoid the skyrocketing of grain prices due to large-scale purchases of grain.
"We still have to find a way from Huguang." Wang Shaoquan thought for a moment, "Selling grain from Huguang and Nan to Henan, with japonica rice as the mainstay and wheat as the supplement.
Henan lowered grain prices, especially wheat, and then secretly absorbed them..."
"But Henan also suffered from a severe drought this year..." Feng Ziying questioned.
"Henan is experiencing a severe drought, but neighboring Nanzhi and Huguang are granaries, so imports are relatively easy and the pressure is relatively small. If a trend of falling grain prices during the harvest in Huguang and Nanzhi is created, the vicious grain prices in Henan can be curbed to the greatest extent.
We can only rise to this extent. It is impossible to expect grain prices to fall. We can only say that they will rise less and faster. Once the illusion is exposed, those grain merchants will react quickly..."
Wang Shaoquan's affirmative tone made Feng Ziying believe it. Under such circumstances, it was wishful thinking to expect food prices to come down. The only hope was to reduce the increase.
"In addition to Henan, Shanxi can also buy some, but not too much, otherwise it will cause a sharp rise in food prices..."
"Shao Quan, I've entrusted this matter to you. My father has just returned from Liaodong. We still have to negotiate with the cabinet, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the Ministry of War. The required amount of silver needs to be delayed..." Before Feng Ziying could finish his words, Wang Shaoquan had already accepted the request.
He said: "My lords, thank you for looking after us. We will definitely handle this matter. We will discuss the money issue later. Isn't your face worth hundreds of thousands of taels of silver?"
Purchasing and transporting grain is not a simple matter. It requires considerable skills, otherwise it will be half the result with twice the result. Professional matters can only be handled well by these professional businessmen. Feng Tang and Feng Ziying know this very well.
Although the entrustment was entrusted to Shanshan and Shaanxi businessmen, Feng Tang and Feng Ziying also knew that they must give each other an explanation. However, Feng Tang has not officially taken office as the governor of the three sides, so for the moment, they can only rely on this face and friendship.
If someone else does it, they can't even give me a note and seal it.
After Wang Shaoquan left, Feng Tang looked at Feng Ziying with a smile: "Ziying, you can't see that these Shanxi businessmen actually trust you so much. This is not for my sake, but because they really recognize you.
"
"Father, we are very happy to cooperate in Yongping Mansion. Businessmen from Shanxi and Shaanxi have realized that Jiangnan business gangs are squeezing them. The power of Dongting, Longyou, Anfu, and Huizhou business gangs is expanding rapidly. Even I need it.
To deal with these Jiangnan businessmen, my cousin is in Guangzhou and Xue Biao is in Denglai. They have to cooperate with these Jiangnan businessmen. One and the other will ebb and flow. If the Shanshan and Shaanxi businessmen do not seek breakthroughs, they will sooner or later be overwhelmed by the Jiangnan businessmen.
Get up, so I suggested that they take the road of industry, especially mining coal, smelting steel, making ironware and cement, and they got a good start..."
The successful cooperation in Yongping should be regarded as Feng Ziying establishing a very good impression foundation among Shanshan and Shaanxi businessmen. If not, even Feng Tang's face would not be able to let others pay hundreds of thousands of taels of silver in advance to purchase grain and transport it.
Grain, of course, the prospects of Feng Tang and Feng Ziying and his son must also be very optimistic to Shanxi businessmen.
"My father knows that the cement from Yuguan has become very popular in western Liaoning. When I passed by Shanhaiguan, I also saw that Shanhaiguan began to use cement to reinforce the crenellations of the city wall. There were also reports of cement smearing in Guangning Zhongzuo Tunwei.
Bonding can quickly complete the repair of the city wall, especially suitable for post-war repair and maintenance..."
Feng Tang said cheerfully: "Don't think that my father doesn't understand these things. I am also familiar with these new things. I originally planned to build a large-scale equipment for the Liaodong Army this year, but now it seems that the court's funds are insufficient.
Are your workshops in Yongping Mansion willing to accept credit?"
Feng Ziying laughed and said, "Father, this is not my decision. Shanshan merchants and Zhuang Limin may not be willing. Now the Shenji camp in Beijing is undergoing a major change. This is specially approved by the emperor. From now on
The inner treasury and the Jieshen treasury have specially allocated money to solve the problem, and the Ministry of Revenue is afraid that it is really out of money now."
"Don't be so rude to me, I don't know yet? Wang Shaoquan dared to buy hundreds of thousands of taels of food in one go, why can't he just get a few fire guns and silver?" Feng Tang scolded with a smile.
"It's two different things. Father, Wang Shaoquan is also aware of the situation in the northwest. The imperial court will definitely allocate funds in place soon. It's up to you when the household department in Liaodong will be able to get the money to replace the firecrackers." Feng Ziying shook her head, "Wait a minute.
Let’s talk about it later, the Liaodong Fire Gun Army’s equipment speed has far exceeded that of the towns of Ji Town and Xuanda, let alone the towns in the northwest.”