Rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 180 Buying Autumn Grain
The snowflakes are fluttering, and the north wind is blowing!
In the north in October, the weather is getting colder and colder, but this is not as desolate as those grain merchants who came to Fanyang to sell grain.

In desperation and desperation, large merchants began to rent factories to store grain, while small merchants could only sell the grain at a low price. The price of grain that used to cost [-] yuan was only one-tenth, and the grain price of [-] yuan had to wait for favors to sell.

At this time, someone suddenly sent a letter, Liu He invited all the grain merchants to a banquet in Yanyang Tower in three days, saying that there were important matters to discuss.

There was a lot of discussion among the people, and they couldn't figure out what Liu He's intention was. After waiting anxiously for three days, they hurried to Yanyang Building early in the morning. There were more than 20 people who brought invitations, and they all went to the Wenyue Hall on the fifth floor. .

In addition to Qiao Yong and others who were in charge of the reception, there were several officials, Liu Fang, the prefect of Zhuojun County, and Cheng Yu, the magistrate of Fanyang County.

There are two high chairs at the top of the front, and there are ten chairs on the left and right rows, each with different shapes. There is a long square table in the middle, with an empty space in the middle, and there are three iron barrel-like things inside. The fire inside is red. The whole room was steaming and very comfortable.

Some people have seen the tables and chairs before, but this is the first time they have seen these three iron-like burning things, and they all gathered around to find out.

"What's the name of this burning thing?"

"Huh? It seems that the burning inside is not charcoal, but... stones?"

"It's not a stone, but it looks like a nirvana stone to me."

"The black smoke of Nishi is billowing, and its stench is unpleasant. If you smell it too much, it can kill people. This is not like Nishi."

……

When everyone was discussing and guessing, Qiao Yongcai stepped forward and introduced unhurriedly. The thing that burns fire in the middle is called a stove. The fire inside is indeed Nirvana, but it has been processed, and the soot is discharged from the chimney to the outside, and it will never be poisonous. .

Everyone was amazed and felt the heat of the stove up close. It was much warmer than the charcoal they usually burned. They hurriedly asked: "How much does this stove cost?"

"The stove can be made of copper or iron. The copper one is five thousand yuan, and the iron one is three thousand yuan..."

"Hiss... isn't this too expensive?"

"How many people can afford such an expensive stove?"

Qiao Yong smiled and said: "Although the stove is expensive, it is very durable. It can be used for at least three to five years. The iron one can even be used for ten years. But this nirvana stone is cheap, only two yuan per pound."

"So cheap?" Everyone's eyes widened, and they began to calculate.

The brazier and charcoal used for heating in the Han Dynasty were things that only wealthy people dared to use. The processing of charcoal was very complicated. The price of a catty was about [-] yuan, and it would rise to [-] yuan in winter, which was more expensive than beef and mutton. Ordinary people can only burn firewood to keep warm, or endure the cold winter, and many people freeze to death every year.

Qiao Yong said: "The added nirvana not only has less soot, but also has more intense fire. You can feel it with your hands. A catty of nirvana can be burned for half an hour, and it can also boil water, cook rice, etc., but a catty of charcoal fire can burn for half an hour. It doesn't have that much power anymore."

Everyone nodded when they heard the words. Everyone is a businessman, and they are good at calculating accounts. At least one thousand catties of nirvana in a winter is at least three thousand less than charcoal. Charcoal may be used even more, almost The price of a stove.

When he was about to ask how to buy it, the door opened, and it was Liu He who came in with Cheng Yu and others. After greeting everyone, Liu He and Cheng Yu sat at the top, and the others sat down according to their order.

Qiao Yong introduced them one by one, and Liu He nodded and smiled. Unexpectedly, Fan Yang was attracted to several celebrities from the Three Kingdoms this time. In addition to Yan Liang, the second eldest son of the Yan family, the representative of the Kuai family in Nanyang was Cai He. The Kuai family and The Cai family were in-laws, and Cai He transported the two families' food, totaling 30 shi, which was a lot.

The other person is Mi Fang, the second child of the Mi family in Xuzhou. The Mi family was one of the four great families in the late Han Dynasty. Mi Zhu poured out all his wealth and even married his sister to support Liu Bei. In the end, he was rewarded. Liu Bei always respected him very much.

It's a pity that Mi Fang, a guy who ate inside and outside, killed Guan Yu when he stayed in Jingzhou, and surrendered to Soochow, which led to the fall of the rear.

In the novel, when Liu Bei defeated Wu, the two killed Ma Zhong and surrendered to Shu again. The angry Liu Bei ordered Guan Xing to kill him personally to pay homage to Guan Yu, but in fact Mi Fang has been working for Soochow since then.

After the introduction, Cheng Yu stood up and said, "Everyone's going north to sell grain this time is because of your trust in our Youzhou government office, but your Majesty's delivery of grain midway is beyond our expectations. Now the counties have enough warehouses, and it is really powerless. Harvesting food is also a helpless thing..."

Everyone's expression darkened again when they heard the words, and they all bowed their heads in silence. Liu He couldn't be blamed for this matter. Who would have thought that Emperor Ling would intervene?
In the silence, Cheng Yu said again: "In the past half a month, someone went bankrupt and committed suicide. When the Lord heard about this, he couldn't bear it and was moved with compassion. He called you here today to discuss the purchase of grain."

"Your Majesty's words are serious?" Cai He was the first to stand up, looking at Liu He eagerly: "If the Marquis is willing to collect the grain, he will be Cai's reborn benefactor. If he is driven away from now on, he will definitely repay it with all his strength!"

Everyone also stood up to express their thanks and rushed forward. Cheng Yu quickly motioned for everyone to take their seats and said slowly: "But Youzhou has always been bitterly cold and there is not much food. Even though His Majesty said he was sending food this time, he also paid 5000 million. Money is used to repay the emperor's favor, so the price..."

Emperor Ling sent people to bring food, and when he left, he carried away a few carts of money. Everyone saw this. After discussing with each other for a while, some people clasped their fists and said: "The price is easy to negotiate. If we can follow the price of autumn grain, we will Willing to wait."

But Cheng Yu shook his head and said: "According to the price of autumn grain, we still can't collect much. You have already asked Liu Shijun to pay some expenses from the county government in Youzhou to accept all the grain from you. The maximum can only be two hundred yuan a stone. .”

Mi Fang said with a mournful face: "Your Majesty, two hundred renminbi is too low. The autumn grain we harvested from Xuzhou costs at least 220 renminbi, plus wastage and manpower. This... tells me how to explain to the Patriarch when I go back?"

Cheng Yu said with a smile: "The matter of Fan Yang must have spread to other places. This is beyond our control. Now that Youzhou has enough food, it may not be necessary to collect food in two or three years. If you transfer it to other places, I am afraid that the loss will be even greater. A lot!"

"General Liu, can you... raise the price a little so that I can protect my capital?" Cai He's face turned pale and he looked at Liu He as if pleading.

What he transported this time is not only the grain of the Cai family, but also half of the Kuai family. He and his elder brother Cai Mao encouraged the Kuai family to go north to sell grain. It can be borne by his Cai family.

"Alas, you are all businessmen, and no one is willing to do business at a loss!" Liu He finally spoke, glanced at everyone, and said with a helpless smile: "It's just that even though I want to buy your grain at a fair price, there is no one in Youzhou anymore. Funds, more than enough, but not enough power!"

(End of this chapter)