Chapter 15 Shen Qingtan's Plan
Shen Qingtan knew that Boss Qin respected her in his heart and also treated her as a junior.
In her previous life, apart from her biological family whom she had never met, only the Qin family truly cared about her.
She pondered, "Uncle Qin, how much food do you have?"
Boss Qin replied, "Last year, at the beginning of spring, it rained continuously. You felt that the weather was abnormal and that disasters were inevitable, so you asked me to go and collect the grain.
Our grain shops across the country collected a total of 500,000 shi of grain, but soon after, floods, droughts, and locust plagues occurred.
At that time, the government asked merchants to donate grain. We took the lead and donated 50,000 shi. After that, we distributed grain to the people on a regular basis and in fixed quantities, and there were still 200,000 shi left.
Most of it is grain that has been harvested over the past year, otherwise the granary would have been empty long ago."
When the disaster was severe, the government collected grain, and all merchants took a wait-and-see attitude.
Later, he received a letter from Shen Qingtan, asking him to take the initiative to take the lead in donating grain. Although this offended other merchants, the officials who were on duty would definitely remember his kindness.
If the government forced them to donate grain, they would not be able to decide the amount of donation themselves.
As Shen Qingtan expected, after he donated the grain, the prefect and the governor treated him very warmly and gave him some conveniences, hoping that other merchants would voluntarily take out grain.
The other merchants agreed to donate 5,000 dan of grain, and at the same time they held a grudge against him and waited for an opportunity to take revenge on him.
The government arrested the man and conducted a thorough investigation. The next day, they raided his house to serve as a warning to other merchants, and also strictly required each merchant to donate 100,000 shi of grain.
Afterwards, he accidentally learned that the officials were determined to rob the rich to help the victims, and had already stipulated that each person should have 100,000 shi of grain.
He took the initiative to donate and set an example, which saved him from disaster.
The prices of the grain sold this year were very fair, without exorbitant prices, so the company has an excellent reputation.
"You promised Zhao Jue to sell him the grain." Shen Qingtan said calmly, "At the foot of the imperial city, the price of grain is fair, eight coins per dan. You will then deceive him into thinking that he only has 50,000 dan left. With the remaining 50,000 dan, you can contact a cooperating merchant who will be willing to sell it to you. Because you need it urgently, the merchant will take the opportunity to raise the price to one tael and two coins per dan."
Boss Qin was shocked: "This is about military rations. If I ask for too much, Mr. Zhao will report this to the emperor..."
"Uncle Qin, the royal family only approved 50,000 taels of silver. If the old Duke or someone else were to do the job, you'd be asking for an exorbitant price and end up in trouble. As for Zhao Jue... you don't have to worry about that."
Shen Qingtan sneered, "Zhao Jue took on this job specifically to secure the position of heir, in order to show off in front of the old Duke.
He would never go to the old Duke because of the issue of grain prices.
If he can't even handle such a small matter, how can he prove his ability in front of the old Duke? Do you think the Duke will still ask him to be the crown prince?
Boss Qin shook his head: "No."
"Zhao Jue sold himself out for the title of Duke, so why would he care about such a small sum of money?" Shen Qingtan calmly instructed Boss Qin, "No matter what Zhao Jue says, you must stick to this price. After he agrees, find an excuse to ask for the full payment and then hand over the grain to him."
Boss Qin was startled and hesitated, "Should we sell the grain to him?"
"Of course not. I have other plans." Shen Qingtan looked at Boss Qin's confused expression and revealed his plan. "In previous years, the Ministry of Revenue summoned merchants to pay taxes and issued documents to the provincial governors, military commissioners, salt transport bureaus, and other relevant government offices. They were required to pay silver for grain or exchange salt permits for grain. Before the famine, salt permits were more valuable than grain. Now that there's a famine, grain is more valuable than salt permits."
Boss Qin's heart moved and he listened to Shen Qingtan continue speaking.
"Go find Zhao Yi and ask him to introduce the old Duke to you. Tell him that he accidentally heard that there is a food shortage in the northern border.
Because of the soldiers guarding the borders, you were able to travel far and wide to build this fortune. Now that the soldiers are starving, I, as a citizen of the Great Zhou, am willing to show my support by donating 100,000 dan of grain.
The old Duke is honest and upright, and he handles matters impartially. Naturally, he wouldn't take your grain for nothing. If he wants to offer you a favor, you should proactively exchange your grain for salt permits. In short, you should act accordingly, and perhaps you'll even be able to gain the old Duke's protection in the future.
As for Zhao Jue, when he gave you the silver, you complained to him. Forced by your peers' denunciations and public accusations, you were forced to donate the grain, resulting in a loss of over a hundred thousand taels of silver."
Boss Qin's eyes lit up. Ever since he donated grain and provided porridge to the refugees, he had earned the title of a great philanthropist. This was a perfect opportunity to make use of his reputation, and Zhao Jue couldn't blame him.
If Zhao Jue holds a grudge against him and wants to retaliate against him, he can still ask the old Duke for help.
"That's good. Then I'll do as you say." Boss Qin realized belatedly that Shen Qingtan was going to give the credit to Zhao Yi!
"Uncle Qin, I have something else for you to do." Shen Qingtan took out the dowry list from his sleeve pocket and said, "Please keep an eye on the pawnshops in the capital for me. If any of them receives the items listed above, please let me know immediately."
When Boss Qin got the dowry list, he immediately understood the whole story. He thought that Zhao Jue must have embezzled her dowry.
When he thought of Shen Qingtan's plan just now, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat for Zhao Jue.
If Zhao Jue pawned Shen Qingtan's dowry, he would probably be skinned alive.
——
Shen Qingtan returned to the carriage with some snacks. Zhao Yi was reading a book. After she sat down, she saw him put the book aside and tapped the wall with his fingers to signal the coachman to drive. He didn't mean to ask her anything.
After spending these few days together, she almost figured out Zhao Yi's thoughts.
The two of them got married and reached an agreement to respect each other.
He would fulfill all the responsibilities that were his. As for her private affairs, if she mentioned them on her own initiative, he would be happy to listen and even handle them for her, but he would never delve into them or cross the line.
Thinking that there would be a tough battle coming up, Shen Qingtan leaned against the wall of the car, thinking about how to deal with it.
After an unknown amount of time, the carriage slowly stopped and the driver reminded them, "Second Master, Second Madam, we have arrived at the Marquis' Mansion."
Zhao Yi was the first to get off the carriage, stood beside it, lifted the curtain and waited for Shen Qingtan.
Shen Qingtan came out of the carriage and saw Zhao Yi extending his hand to her.
She remembered that Zhao Yi didn't like close contact with others. She caught a glimpse of everyone in the mansion standing at the door, and Shen Mingzhu came down holding Wandong's hand.
Shen Qingtan held a handkerchief in her hand and placed it in Zhao Yi's palm. The two people held hands together through the handkerchief.
Shen Mingzhu stood firm and looked up to see Zhao Yi helping Shen Qingtan get off the carriage. She turned to look for Zhao Jue, only to see him dismount and throw the reins to a servant.
When Zhao Jue walked over, she gently tugged at his sleeve with her fingers, motioning him to look over.
I hope Zhao Jue can learn a little and treat her with more consideration.
Zhao Jue just happened to see Shen Qingtan quickly pull her hand back, and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. As expected, she didn't like Zhao Yi.
Shen Mingzhu said softly: "Husband, look..."
"What are you looking at?" Zhao Jue didn't understand Shen Mingzhu's hint at all. He glanced at the eldest wife's gorgeous carriage and whispered, "Zhao Yi's maternal family is wealthy. The carriage was built by my aunt with her own private money. My maternal family can't compare to them and can't give you a luxurious carriage."
Shen Mingzhu was confused and didn't understand what Zhao Jue meant. She subconsciously looked at Shen Qingtan's carriage.
She saw the strings of jewels on the carriage sparkling in the sunlight, which made her feel even worse when compared to the ordinary red-roofed carriage she was riding in.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
