GBP Chapter 1503 Many are of lowly status, few are of noble status
Chapter 1503 Many are of lowly status, few are of noble status
County Magistrate Wang and Master Wang interrogated Wang Jijun and Deputy Steward Wang thoroughly about their merchant journey.
Ultimately, the same conclusion was reached as Dege'er's: the Wang family acted as a porter.
Both the grain dealers and the cloth suppliers relied on the Sun family for their services.
Wang Jijun, however, did not think so. He said confidently, "Grandpa, although we may not be of any use in Dongting Lake, we can be of use in Chenzhou Prefecture."
Those cloths and tung oil were from buyers we found. Brother De said he didn't know anyone in this area and didn't know where to sell them, so he could only rely on the Wang family.
After hearing this, Magistrate Wang and Master Wang felt that the Wang family could rise again.
Only Deputy Steward Wang gave Wang Jijun a deep look.
He thought to himself: The Songjiang cotton cloth from Dongting Lake is of excellent quality and not expensive. If it is transported to Chenzhou Prefecture, it will be easy to find a buyer.
The reason Manager Sun sought out the Wang family was simply because he didn't want to keep running around anymore. If he made a few more trips, he was sure he could sell the goods.
Deputy Steward Wang knew perfectly well which side he was on, and seeing that the Fourth Young Master was bragging, he certainly wouldn't expose him.
Grandpa Wang chuckled and said, "I didn't make much money this time, but I learned how to travel and met quite a few people. Hehe, not bad, not bad."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "From now on, we must cultivate a good relationship with Lord Sun so that we can cooperate and make a fortune together."
In this business trip, Sun Shan got the lion's share of the profits from selling grain, cloth, and tung oil, while the Wang family got a smaller share.
However, the Wang family deliberately used manpower and resources to "misuse official vehicles for private purposes."
He transported a batch of Songjiang cotton cloth back to him.
This piece of cloth wasn't included in the caravan; I managed to squeeze out a loophole and make a pure profit.
Dege'er and Sun Dali turned a blind eye, pretending nothing had happened, and let the Wang family profit.
Deputy Steward Wang suggested, "Old Master, First Master, Second Master, we must hurry up and sell grain again while the river transport is still available."
He paused, then added, "Most importantly, we can also bring a batch of groceries back to the shop. With the New Year approaching, this is the best time to do business."
He then added, "This year's early and late rice harvests are bountiful, so people have more money in their pockets and more people are able to buy things. If our shop has a wide variety of goods, people will prefer to buy from Wangjiapu."
As expected of the most experienced steward in the Wang family, Deputy Steward Wang demonstrated foresight, considering the bigger picture and how a single action could have far-reaching consequences.
Wang Jiade needs to seize business opportunities faster, more accurately, and more promptly than others.
Master Wang looked at Deputy Steward Wang approvingly and nodded repeatedly in agreement: "Steward Wang is right. We need to set off to buy grain as soon as possible. Our shop also needs to get its goods in stock early."
The goods were transported back from Dongting Lake; they were of high quality and inexpensive, much cheaper than buying them in Chenzhou Prefecture. Hehe, our Wang family must make a fortune during this New Year period.”
Selling grain was secondary; making money for one's own family was the most important thing.
Although the profits from collaborating with Sun Shan were not high, the added value was undeniable.
Hehe, I need to hurry.
He did whatever came to mind. The next day, Magistrate Wang arrived at the yamen early in the morning and hurriedly pulled Sun Shan aside to plot something.
Sun Shan: ......
What did Magistrate Wang just say?
He seemed to have consulted a Taoist priest to calculate an auspicious date, which was three days from now, an auspicious day for the official departure. If they missed this date, the departure would be postponed for ten days.
It's better to start early than late. Since we're going to sell grain anyway, we might as well set sail early.
Sun Shan frowned and stared intently at County Magistrate Wang.
It's one thing for him to seek out Taoist Priest Zhang, but why is County Magistrate Wang also using Taoist Priest Zhang's name to intimidate others?
Hmph, do they really think he's just an ignorant and foolish commoner from Yuanlu, unaware of Zhang Daoshi's true abilities?
Seeing that Sun Shan remained silent, Magistrate Wang had no choice but to continue, "Sir, our Chenzhou Prefecture doesn't have a large warehouse, so there's no time to build one. But don't worry, my Chenzhou Prefecture has a small villa."
First, transport the grain over there. Once enough is transported, then move it to the dock. In business, you have to seize opportunities; missing them will only lead to greater losses.
He then added, “Sir, the autumn harvest is complete, and the grain tax will be collected in a few days. I’m afraid the warehouses in Yuanlu will be full. We need to sell the summer grain quickly to make room for the autumn grain.”
He swallowed hard and continued, "We're not the only ones with autumn grain; other places have it too. If we sell it all at once, we probably won't get a good price."
Before everyone reacts, let's sell this batch of summer grain. We can wait until the lean season to sell the autumn grain; hehe, the price will definitely be much higher then.
Sun Shan stared intently at Magistrate Wang.
County Magistrate Wang looked back at Sun Shan from the ground.
Sun Shan patted Magistrate Wang on the shoulder, nodded, and said, "What Magistrate Wang said makes sense. Let's do as you say."
It's surprising that Magistrate Wang, who usually tries to be lazy, has such a proactive and ambitious side.
Tsk tsk, indeed, "profitability" makes people "look at a person with new eyes after three days of separation".
Driven by greed, even the usually naive Magistrate Wang learned to use his brain and persuade others with earnestness.
After receiving permission, Magistrate Wang immediately ran out of the yamen and sent his servants back to report to Master Wang.
Sun Shan appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was pounding in his chest.
He had completely forgotten about "balancing prices".
The early rice production in Yuanlu County has increased, but it is a slow growth.
The situation is different with late-season rice; almost every household saw an increase, and even after the grain tax was levied, the demand still exceeded previous levels. This will change the supply and demand relationship.
Many are cheap, few are noble.
“If the price of grain is too high, it will harm the people; if it is too low, it will harm the farmers. If the people are harmed, they will be scattered; if the farmers are harmed, the country will be impoverished.”
When people have more grain in their homes, they go out to sell it, which lowers the price of grain in the market.
This can greatly damage farmers' enthusiasm for farming and their living standards.
Since the people of Yuanlu could not go out to sell their grain like grain merchants, most of them could only sell it locally.
Whether they are local grain dealers or grain dealers from other places, once they see that there are more people selling grain, their purchase price will definitely be lower.
These grain dealers sold grain at extremely low prices and eventually made a fortune.
Wouldn't Sun Shan's efforts just benefit unscrupulous merchants?
No, we absolutely cannot let that happen.
Therefore, the invisible hand of the government is needed to control prices.
Implement a "grain support price".
Sunshan must provide a guaranteed minimum price for farmers in Yuanlu County and prevent the market price from falling below that price.
Just like the grain depot, which was not only responsible for collecting public grain, but also for purchasing grain in a unified manner.
Sun Shan instructed Gui Ge'er to invite County Magistrate Wang, Registrar Wu, Clerk Qiao from the Household Department, and Granary Commissioner in.
Everyone turned to look at Sun Shan.
Wu, the registrar, asked tentatively, "Sir, do you mean our yamen also needs to buy grain?"
The government warehouses are empty now, except for an abundance of grain.
If the grain tax for the autumn harvest is collected, there will be even more grain.
Is it because Lord Sun thinks there's not enough grain and wants to buy more from the people?
Ambassador Cang frowned and said, "Sir, the granaries are only slightly empty now. If we buy more grain, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold it all."
I really don't understand why Lord Sun still needs to buy grain. The grain requisitioned has already reached an unprecedented level; why would he need to buy more from the people?