Take the mall to Datang

"Raising pigs and losing money, let me explain in detail what's going on." Yuan Shan asked curiously.

"The price of grain provided by grain merchants in Fengzhou is higher than that of other states. Raising pigs requires a lot of grain. The common people suffer terribly because of this, and it is because of this that they lose money in raising pigs," the county magistrate continued.

"Zhang Junyi, what happened to the food price in Fengzhou?" Yuan Shan asked.

Chapter 929 Grain Merchant Monopoly

"Reporting to Mr. Lan, it is indeed the case. The Ministry of Economic Development advocates marketization of prices, so the grain merchants from the south use this as an excuse to increase grain prices. Xiaguan and others have no choice." Zhang Junyi said.

"In this peaceful and prosperous age, there are still grain merchants who dare to drive up prices. How long has this happened?" Yuan Shan asked.

"It's been like this since I took office," Zhang Junyi said.

"In that case, why didn't you report it to the Ministry of Economic Development for adjustment?" Yuan Shan asked.

Zhang Junyi's face was a little ugly, and he said, "It's not that I don't want to report it, but it's useless at all. Although the price of the grain merchants is a bit higher, it fully meets the requirements of the Ministry of Economic Development. They didn't engage in forced buying and selling, so there is no way."

"These grain merchants will take advantage of loopholes," Yuan Shan said.

"To be honest, it's not easy for these low-level grain merchants to send people to investigate." Zhang Junyi said.

"Well, why does the businessman have any background? Let's hear it." Yuan Shan asked.

"The big businessman behind them is called Zhang Yong, who is under King Lu. A few years ago, these grain merchants under Zhang Yong controlled Fengzhou's grain. Not only Fengzhou sent people to inquire, but all the grain merchants in Xingzhou and other places They belong to him, so no matter where people buy food nearby, it will not be cheap." Zhang Junyi said.

Yuan Shan thought to himself, the intention to control the grain merchants is too obvious, isn't it afraid that the court will notice? No, all of this can only be said to be done by Zhang Yong. When he refuses to admit his account, it has nothing to do with Li Yuanchang, isn't it just nonsense? .

When Li Yuanchang broke his wrist, he was still the King of Lu. I couldn't figure out if he offended someone. What if I contacted other princes in the future, I wouldn't think that I was a public "spy" of His Majesty.

Yuxia's skills are very good. Since you have encountered it, let's start from Fengzhou. There are two possibilities for high-priced food. One is that you don't want to sell the food and you can guarantee the amount of food you hoard. The second is that you want to sell it. Accumulating the wealth of the Tang Dynasty, and according to the current monopoly form, both are advisable, it is really a good business.

"Going up prices, it's still food. What's the difference between this and the fish and meat people? Lan Guogong asked someone to smash their store and open a warehouse to release food." Cheng Chumo stood up and shouted.

Yuan Shan was taken aback. You have the same style as your father. I want you to smash it. After thinking about it for a while, I said, "I have no objection. Anyway, you can carry it by yourself. What do you think, Governor Zhang?"

"It's absolutely impossible, it's not easy for us to sue the government for smashing someone's shop." Zhang Junyi said.

"This won't work, that won't work, otherwise, you scholars are useless." Cheng Chumo shouted carelessly.

"Hey, Chumo, we can deal with your mood immediately, but too many problems can't be solved by force, why don't you sit down and calm down, let's think of a way." Yuan Shan said.

"Then what do you say?" Cheng Chumo said.

This guy is more anxious than me, which is really interesting.

"Is there anything else besides this?" Yuan Shan asked.

Zhang Junyi said: "The merchants in Fengzhou not only control the grain, but also the iron mines, carriage transportation, restaurants, inns, and brothels that have recently won the bid are in the hands of those merchants."

"This is to monopolize the lifeblood of several states. It seems that Zhang Yong is a very powerful businessman." Yuan Shan said.

"Zhang Yong is very capable in business. It is said that Li Yuanchang's wealth is enough to support an elite army of ten thousand people." Zhang Junyi said.

"Huh? Who did you listen to about this matter? It's not a trivial matter if this word gets out." Yuan Shan said.

"The people in Liangzhou say that, but they are actually referring to King Lu's wealth, not really saying that he wants to rebel." Zhang Junyi said.

"Such sensitive words have been spread, doesn't this King Lu know how to avoid taboo?" Yuan Shan asked curiously.

"Duke Lan, King Lu is His Majesty's brother after all, how could he rebel against you? Besides, these are all rumors among the people and cannot be taken as true." Zhang Junyi said.

"There is some truth in what you say. If that's the case, let's settle the matter in front of us first, and let the Duke of this country see what Zhang Yong is capable of." Yuan Shan said.

"We Fengzhou officials will fully cooperate with what Lan Guogong wants to do." Zhang Junyi said.

According to Du Jue's introduction, judging from Zhang Junyi's information, he still wanted to make achievements in Fengzhou, but he happened to meet King Lu sitting here. If it wasn't because he was too close to Chang'an, he would have ignored him at all.

According to Qian Niuwei's news, it is true that the king of Lu has a different heart, but in Yuanshan's own judgment, he is more inclined to think that the king of Lu should like to do things from behind. It's like betting, the prince is Pai Gow, they are the chips, everyone is happy if they win, and they lose everything if they lose.

People who can choose to take risks in this way still have perseverance and determination, but unfortunately their opponent is Li Shimin who is invincible in this period.

"I'll talk about the matter later, let's get everyone out of here, it won't help me if I stay here," Yuan Shan said.

Zhang Junyi made arrangements immediately, and the county magistrates left one after another.

After Zhang Junyi was left, Yuan Shan said: "Inspector Zhang, you need to cooperate more in the next matter. Our people pretend to be people in Fengzhou to find out the other party's details first. In order to increase the authenticity, you need to find some locals." Unfamiliar people are mixed in, adding to the authenticity of the disguise."

"The lower authorities can handle this matter," Zhang Junyi said.

"Well, let's make an appointment tomorrow morning. Today, the country has traveled a lot and needs to rest. You should go to work first." Yuan Shan said.

Zhang Junyi understood and immediately withdrew from the county government.

A person from the economic and development department came in and said, "Mr. Lan, the inn is ready, and all of them have been replaced by people from the economic and development department. General Shan is personally responsible for the safety, and he can go there at any time."

"Then what are you waiting for, Baolin and your people are all settling down, let's talk about it in another place." Yuan Shan said.

I saw a very large inn within two streets of the county government office. I still remember the one I lived in last time. I went in to see the new-style decoration. It seemed expensive. The restaurant and inn in Fengzhou City were doing very well. Seeing it now is really true.

Shan Daozhen came over and said softly: "Duke Lan, everything has been arranged, now this inn is full of people from the Beiya Imperial Army."

"Well done, let's discuss it. Since the Lord of the country has done the work of inspecting the censor of Jiannan Road, we can't ignore the injustice. The grain merchants in Fengzhou will find someone to test it tomorrow to prevent it. Leave this matter to you." Yuan Shan said.

"Yes, this subordinate takes orders." Du Jue said.

Yuan Shan didn't know if the people from Qianniuwei knew about this operation when he came out. Right now, he can't make a guess and judge as if he didn't know. Let Qianniuwei's people pretend to listen to the truth, and they should be able to catch them easily.

Chapter 930

"Baolin, you still need to exclude some people from going to several nearby state capitals to investigate to see if it is true that the grain merchants monopolize the market. Pay attention to the people who go to investigate must keep a low profile and not reveal their whereabouts." Yuan Shan said.

"Teacher, don't worry, I will arrange it." Yuchi Baolin said.

The spies of the Beiya Imperial Army arranged by Yuchi Baolin quietly left the city that day, so as not to wait for everyone to go back to prepare, and the only people left were the people from the Ministry of Economics and Development.

This time when he came out, Yu Jingming didn't follow him. He is now the chief person in charge of each district of the Ministry of Economics and Development. It's okay to be in the Ministry of Economics and Development without Yuan Shan, but it might not be possible without Yu Jingming, so the person in charge of the Ministry of Economics and Development this time It is Yu Jingming's capable subordinate, named Zhao Daqian, who studied under Wang Xiaotong, a master of mathematics in the Imperial College, and is his disciple and the core backbone of the first batch of recruits.

In addition to being good at actuarial calculations, he is also very proficient in geography, culture, and management. Now he is Yu Jingming's arm, and after a few more years of hard work, he is expected to become the head of the division. This person is 30 years old. It is a good time to work hard. I originally thought that I would study mathematics. He won't be very promising in the future, but he met Yuan Shan and the opportunity given to him by the Ministry of Economic Development, but he worked hard and diligently.

This time, Cheng Xingwen, the core principal of the same period, and Ma Boren, the intern representative of the talent school, are also present this time. The young people are very smart and hardworking, and they are thoughtful in serving them all the way.

These Yuan Shans had records in their hearts, looked at Zhang Daqian, and said, "Suddenly discovered that your name is very promising."

Zhang Daqian was a little stunned. He thought Yuan Shan was going to ask him about Fengzhou from the Economic and Development Department, but he didn’t expect to say this. It felt a bit baffling and very informative. After all, after Lan Guogong’s accident, he said that he had a "future" , or "Qiantu", he was confused.

"Thank you Lan Guogong for the compliment. The name was chosen by the elders in the family, following the genealogy." Zhang Daqian didn't know what Yuanshan meant but to avoid misunderstanding, he explained it anyway.

"Haha, I didn't mean to express anything when I said this, I just expressed emotion, let's talk about the business now." Yuan Shan said solemnly.