Watching the people frantically buying up the goods, Li Chang'an's face was gloomy, but his heart remained completely unmoved.
All he wants to say right now is: Family, who understands?
If he were to offer grain and sell it at the normal price, these people would probably just think it's only right.
However, if prices rise and then fall, these people will feel like they've gotten a great deal.
Even though they themselves made a fortune, the people still felt that they were the ones who profited.
Many of the guards were buying things while secretly thinking about buying even more.
It's as if the more they buy, the more money the merchants will lose.
Standing at the door, Li Chang'an felt so guilty that he almost lost his conscience.
But it doesn't matter, even though I've lost my conscience, my wallet is bulging.
Fifteen thousand dan of rice, plus another fifteen thousand dan of coarse grains.
After selling everything, he received 900,000 taels of silver.
This isn't gold; most of it is copper coins, which are exactly what Li Chang'an needs most.
Heshen looked at the guards below, who had gone to buy the remaining grain one by one, and his face turned somewhat grim.
He hadn't expected that Li Chang'an would still have food.
But on second thought, it makes sense. After all, the Marquis of Anping's household supports so many people, they should keep some for themselves.
But if you sell out this time, what will you sell next time?
Bai Zhantang took the silver, bought ten catties of rice, but did not take it away; instead, he handed it back.
"I admire your dedication to the country and its people. Please accept this grain as my contribution to the people and take it back to your family."
After saying that, he bowed and turned to leave.
Huang Huifeng followed his example, leaving the money but not taking the grain.
The other people also bowed to Li Chang'an when they bought the grain.
Some people, however, were indifferent to the situation, taking the food and leaving, even having a free bowl of porridge with them.
As they drank, they muttered to themselves, saying why they could only buy ten jin (5 kg) and that they should be allowed to buy more.
They never imagined that Li Chang'an's restriction on the number of purchases was entirely to protect them.
As the grain was sold out little by little, it gradually grew late.
Before closing time, all 15,000 dan of grain were sold out.
This time, Li Chang'an didn't restock; instead, he put up a large sign at the entrance.
The sign above reads "Grain sold out".
The informant who was watching nearby saw those four words and breathed a sigh of relief.
He immediately went back to report to Heshen: "My lord, the grain at the Marquis of Anping's general store has been sold out. There's a sign posted at the door."
"However, they still sell eggs and other similar items in their shop."
Heshen smiled and said, "Eggs don't matter. As long as he can produce as many eggs as he wants, and there's no grain, then things will be easy."
"Notify all rice shops that grain prices are rising, and we need to earn back the money we've spent."
"Yes, sir!"
After the old servant left, he notified all the major rice shops to raise prices, so the price of grain in various parts of the capital became five hundred coins per catty in full view of everyone.
This is coarse grain, while rice costs one string of cash per pound.
This price has driven up prices across the entire market.
Even some well-off families are finding it difficult to cope.
"No, the Marquis only sells coarse grains for two hundred coins a pound. How dare you sell them for five hundred coins? That's too expensive."
"That's right, in the Marquis's general store, rice is only four hundred coins, but the coarse grains here are a hundred coins more expensive than rice. Why is that?"
Li Jiaqi waved his fan and ordered his men to throw out any civilians who spoke.
"Expensive? You think it's expensive? I think it's expensive too!"
"Look where there's any grain left. All of this was transported from the Jiangnan region. The food and drink along the way were all costs."
"In addition, it's been raining heavily and the roads are difficult to travel on. The grain will get moldy when it arrives, which will waste a lot of food."
"If you don't want to buy, then go and wait for the Marquis's low-priced grain."
"However, I heard that the Marquis's family has gone hungry because of you all."
Upon hearing this, many people lowered their heads.
When the Marquis's mansion sold grain, they were very polite and approachable, without any airs.
Moreover, the grain they sell is large, plump, clean, and hygienic, without a trace of mold. When weighing it, they always give a full weight, for fear that the people will be cheated.
Unlike here, where the shopkeepers bully people, the grain I bought smelled musty and looked like old grain, and they often shortchanged me and even mixed in sand.
Thinking of this, many people wiped away their tears, feeling a pang of regret.
This morning at the general store, I shouldn't have gone so far as to force the Marquis to sell grain.
Looking at the group of people who were choking with sobs, Li Jiaqi said sarcastically, "Crying won't help."
"This is the price of grain. Take it or leave it, but whether you buy it or not, don't cause trouble here, or I'm not someone to be trifled with."
"I am not as benevolent as the Marquis. If you dare to shout and make a scene, I will not be so polite."
Seeing the petty man Li Jiaqi's triumph, and remembering Li Chang'an's constant reference to family, the people felt even more grateful for the Marquis's great kindness.
Many people even turned around and left, preparing to join the Marquis's recruitment team.
Even if the Marquis's mansion runs out of food, they still have to do their part.
Meanwhile, Li Chang'an, a great philanthropist, was counting money among a pile of cash with his real family.
The gentle and kind-hearted Youchu was so busy counting money that her hands cramped up.
Meanwhile, the two sisters, Miao Qingqing and Luo Yang, who love money, lay in a pile of money, looking completely content.
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