Chapter 415: Making Money from Natural Disasters
Soon they were led by County Magistrate Yang.
Several people rode horses to a grain store in a nearby town.
Someone knocked on the door of the rice store in the middle of the night.
A middle-aged man opened the door.
"Who is it? So late at night."
Jiang Lou spoke with a smile on his face.
"Sir, I'm Jiang Lou, and I'm Jiang Fusi from the City Lord's Mansion. Due to the continuous heavy rains in the Su River, the floods have submerged the rice paddies and even the houses. We are now short of food. We would like to buy or borrow some food from you to sustain our livelihood temporarily. We will return it as soon as the convoy from the City Lord's Mansion arrives. Sir, do you think it would be more convenient for you to lend it to us or sell it to us?"
The middle-aged man looked at the few people. He did not know the man and woman standing in front of him, but he knew County Magistrate Yang. Thinking of his boss's instructions, he spoke with some fear in his heart.
"My dear friends, I am only the shopkeeper of this shop. I need to discuss this matter with our boss. Why don't you come in and have a cup of tea? I will go and call our boss right away."
Ruan Yanluo and Jiang Lou looked at each other and finally nodded to the man.
Soon they were taken to a room in the backyard and sat down.
The middle-aged man spoke.
"Everyone, drink your hot tea first. I'll go call our host right away."
As soon as the middle-aged man left.
County Magistrate Yang spoke in a low voice.
"Master Jiang, Second Miss, I'm afraid this won't be easy. I've wanted to buy some food before, but all the stores that have food in stock have suddenly raised their prices. The prices are ridiculously high. I have limited money, so I can only reluctantly buy some. The victims have to eat porridge while waiting for relief from the City Lord's Mansion."
Jiang Lou understood as soon as he heard it. No wonder, he had read the memorial carefully. Logically, only the rice and wheat fields near Suhe River suffered serious damage, and the houses in several villages along the river were destroyed. It was the autumn harvest season, and in such a large Suhe County, there should be enough food to sell to the victims. How come so many victims were reduced to eating porridge?
"It turns out someone is trying to profit from the natural disaster and is taking advantage of it to sell the grain at a high price."
A middle-aged fat man in gorgeous clothes walked in, glanced at everyone with contempt, and finally his gaze stopped on Jiang Lou.
"Is this Jiang Fusi from the City Lord's Mansion?" the fat man asked with a smile.
Jiang Lou spoke in a neither humble nor arrogant manner.
"Excuse me, what is the name of this shop owner?"
The fat man asked knowingly.
"My name is Liu Fugui. I heard you want to buy food?"
Jiang Lou bowed politely.
"Yes, now the people in several villages along the Su River have lost their homes and are temporarily living in the government office. Now they can't even afford the most basic porridge. I hope Boss Liu can do us a favor. The convoy from the City Lord's Mansion is already on the way. If Boss Liu is willing to sell, we will pay for it. If not, please send us some food first. We will return it immediately after the food from the City Lord's Mansion arrives, and we will never owe you a cent."
Liu Fugui smiled and spoke when he heard this.
"Of course we have to sell it. This is business, so if there are buyers, we have to sell it. However, you all know that the harvest in Suhe County has been affected by heavy rain this year, so the price of grain will naturally rise. If you are interested in buying, then I will charge you one tael of silver for five catties of grain. It's up to you how much you want."
One tael of silver for five catties of grain—that's a whopping price. A normal family would be lucky to have a little money saved. Moreover, the order in Baise City has only been established for a year. How many people can barely maintain a stable life? Where would anyone save money? No wonder so many people are waiting at the county government office for thin porridge. Jiang Lou's face was filled with displeasure.
"One ounce of silver for five catties of grain—that's a truly eye-opening price. Normally, brown rice only sells for five cents a catty, and higher-quality rice for ten cents. Is Boss Liu planning to capitalize on natural disasters?"
Boss Liu spoke with disdain upon hearing this.
"What's this about natural disasters and no natural disasters? I don't understand what you're saying. Now the entire county's grain is in my hands. I can sell it for whatever price I want."
Ruan Yanluo spoke angrily from the side.
"You actually took advantage of the disaster to rob people. Aren't you afraid that if something happens to the victims, the City Lord's Mansion will blame you?"
Liu Fugui raised his head when he heard this and spoke with a look of disdain.
"I'm just a businessman. Ever since the order and laws of Baise City were established, I have always abided by them. I have never bullied the weak, nor have I violated any of Baise City's laws. Could it be that the City Lord's Mansion is accusing me of some crime for no reason?"
County Magistrate Yang looked at Liu Fugui angrily.
"You merchants are clearly taking advantage of the situation. If it weren't for the Lord City Lord who established order and maintained Baise City, how would you merchants have the opportunity to do business peacefully and live a good life?"
Liu Fugui spoke proudly after hearing this.
"Humph, so what if I'm just taking advantage of someone's misfortune? If you think it's too expensive, you can buy it somewhere else! But I guarantee that you won't find any food cheaper than mine in the entire Suhe County. Our business didn't just start after the city lord came here. We've been doing business in Baise City for several years."
Jiang Lou's eyes turned cold. As expected, the laws of Baise City were enacted for too short a time, and many people were still self-righteous.
"It seems that Boss Liu is determined to sell this rice for one ounce of silver and five catties today?"
Liu Fugui spoke affirmatively.
"Yes, I won't sell it for a penny less."
County Magistrate Yang reminded from the side.
"Liu Fugui, you're right. The grain is yours, and you can sell it for as much as you want. But as a person, you can't make money without a conscience. We don't want to take advantage of you. Even if you raise the price a little bit, we won't say anything. But you're obviously selling it at an exorbitant price. By the time the people of Suhe get through this difficult time, I'm afraid your rice shop's reputation will have been ruined. How do you expect to continue your business then?"
Liu Fugui was unmoved by what he said.
"This is a matter for us businessmen, so please don't bother County Magistrate Yang with it."
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