Upon hearing that someone had come to visit, Wu Zhaohui immediately felt a headache coming on; they must be here to ask for grain again!
Since the earthquake, prefects and governors from various regions have been coming to visit him in droves, all asking for grain.
He immediately waved his hand: "Just say I'm sick..."
"Haha, Mr. Wu, how can you get sick during such a great time to make money?"
Wu Zhaohui looked at the newcomer, who was in his forties and had a very wealthy appearance. The jewels around his belt and the exquisite jade crown on his head indicated that he was an extremely rich person.
"May I ask who you are?"
"I am Meng Yan, a member of the Meng family from Langzhou, Nanzhao Kingdom."
The Meng family of Langzhou in the Nanzhao Kingdom was a prominent local clan. How did they end up in Daqian?
Want grain? Absolutely no rice or grain. You could easily be accused of treason.
Wu Zhaohui didn't even offer him a seat, but coldly asked, "What brings you here?"
"Is Mr. Wu so unwilling to even part with a cup of water?"
"We each serve our own masters, so it's best not to get too close to each other unless necessary, lest we bring trouble upon ourselves."
Meng Yan laughed heartily, then said seriously, "What if I were delivering grain to Master Wu?"
Upon hearing that grain was being delivered, Wu Zhaohui immediately perked up, raised an eyebrow, and led the person into the living room: "Please sit down."
Meng Yan sat down and said without mincing words, "The Central Plains are experiencing an earthquake, with continuous aftershocks and relentless heavy rain. The floods are getting worse, and I've heard that an epidemic has also begun to break out. It's truly a case of one disaster after another! Food is in short supply, and I'm afraid it won't ease for at least a year or two."
Wu Zhaohui: You outsider, worrying about big things? I don't believe you for a second!
Meng Yan said, "I have some surplus grain on hand and am willing to trade with the Wu family."
Wu Zhaohui knew that the Nanzhao Kingdom was a major grain-producing country, and the earthquake in the Central Plains had not affected the Nanzhao Kingdom, so it was understandable that the Meng family had surplus grain.
But is the Meng family really that kind?
You should know that the Meng family is the family that produced the most loyal ministers and generals in the Nanzhao Kingdom. Originally, Zhuge Liang captured Meng Huo seven times, and Meng Huo was the ancestor of the Meng family.
"What kind of deal do you plan to make? I'm just a businessman. If you want to make other conditions, then forget about it."
Meng Yan said in surprise, "We are both businessmen, do you think there are any other transactions besides cash and goods?"
"That's for the best." Wu Zhaohui breathed a sigh of relief. "How much grain does Master Meng have, and at what price?"
“This number.” He held up one finger.
"Ten thousand shi?"
"No, no, no, 100,000 shi," Meng Yan said. "It's all this year's new grain, but the price will be based on the current market price for large-scale harvesting."
"How many?"
"Two hundred and sixty coins per catty."
"That won't do. The market price is at most 180 coins right now. Who are you going to sell it to for 260 coins? If His Majesty finds out, my Wu family will be wiped out."
“Mr. Wu, I’ve inquired about the market. If you don’t want it, I won’t force you.” Meng Yan still smiled heartily. “If you don’t want it, someone else is chasing after you.”
He stood up, put down his teacup, smiled and said, "Master Wu's tea is very good, but the black tea from Nanzhao Kingdom is even better. It's good for the stomach. Please have a taste some when you have the chance."
The servant who came with Meng Yan draped the cloak over Meng Yan's shoulders, and the master and servant clasped their hands in greeting as they left.
Wu Zhaohui didn't try to keep them. Seeing them leave in a carriage at the gate, he immediately told the steward, "Follow him and see where he goes and who he trades with."
Meng Yan and his servant left the Wu family and went directly to the inn.
The servant told Meng Yan, "Someone from the Wu family is following us."
Meng Yan said with a smile, "That's exactly what I was waiting for—for him to follow me, otherwise I wouldn't be able to continue."
The two arrived at the inn, and the waiter quickly went out to the construction site of the Wancheng extension of the Grand Canal. Soon after, a man excitedly followed him out.
At the inn, Meng Yan greeted the visitor politely and offered him a seat, asking, "How much rice does Young Master Gu need? It's alright, the rice can be provided, but the price must be based on the market price."
Gu Shizi is Gu Chengyan.
He originally had 20,000 taels of silver from Xie Xiangxiang. After giving red envelopes to Wei Shixun and Shi Xiu, he only had 15,000 taels left. The 10,000 taels of grain he usually stockpiled was only enough for the laborers for ten days.
The first batch of grain was purchased at the market price of two coins, and the 20,000 taels of silver earned were all given to Guan Yingying to go to the Nanzhao Kingdom.
When he went to the market to purchase the second batch, the price had actually risen to two thousand coins per stone (about thirteen coins per catty). The prince only gave him twelve coins per catty. He not only didn't make a profit, but he also lost money.
The earthquake in Zhongzhou affected the Grand Canal, but it did not affect the continued operation of the project, so daily food supplies still needed to be provided.
He didn't even have enough silver to buy enough grain for ten days, let alone enough to stockpile it.
When the report was submitted to Wei Shixun, Wei Shixun was quite polite and said, "Find a way to buy grain, and no matter the price, add ten coins to the profit when you submit the report."
Actually, this is another great opportunity to make a fortune.
The price changes daily, and he can secretly add thirty or fifty coins without anyone noticing.
The key is to get food!
There was no grain available on the market, the Wu family was gone, and even the Duke of Chengen's mansion couldn't get any grain.
At this time, someone told him that the Meng family of Nanzhao Kingdom happened to have 100,000 shi of grain, which was about to be transported to Wancheng to sell at a high price.
He waited anxiously for two days, and now that the servant from the Meng family had informed him that the goods had arrived, he rushed there faster than anyone else.
Upon arriving at the inn, the two parties quickly reached an agreement: 100,000 shi of grain, 33 guan and 400 wen per shi, with Meng Yan offering a discount of 40 wen per shi, which is about 210 wen per jin, a very generous offer.
Meng Yan said with a smile, "If you want this grain, then take it all at once. I don't do retail, and I can't let it linger for too long during a major operation."
While the two were discussing the contract, Wu's butler, in a corner of the inn, pretended to be nonchalant as he drank tea, subtly overhearing their conversation.
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