Zhu Youxiao nodded gently, his face still expressionless, and said slowly: "Then let's do as the father-in-law says."
At the same time, he turned to look at Chen Hong beside him and asked directly, "What is the price of fine rice purchased in the palace?"
Even a fool knows that rice purchased in the palace is more expensive. This is partly because the rice is better, but also because of false reporting and corruption. That price is unacceptable. Using it as a benchmark would scare many people to death.
Anyway, a successful businessman will never use this unit for pricing.
Zhang Guoji didn't care, because he didn't know that grain was grain, and the price was the same. Since Your Majesty has said so, then I will obey Your Majesty.
Chen Hong quickly said, "Your Majesty, the palace purchased fine rice at a price of three taels of silver per stone."
After saying that, Chen Hong stepped aside, fearing that the emperor would cause trouble for him.
Even a fool can tell that this price is high.
Outside, a normal year's rice costs about one or two ounces of silver. This refers to fine rice, not the coarse rice or the kind eaten by ordinary people, but the kind eaten by the truly powerful and wealthy.
In a bad year it might be more expensive, in a good year it might be less, but at three taels of silver, it was a complete rip-off.
Zhu Youxiao glanced at Chen Hong, turned back and said nothing. He didn't know whether this was the real price or whether Chen Hong was making it up to raise the price for himself.
I must investigate this later. How dare you embezzle my money?
Although the Imperial Household Department has started a cooperative shareholding model, many things in the palace have become free, but food is not included. After all, this is food for His Majesty, so we have to be careful.
Chen Hong also knew this. If he felt that he would be in trouble after this time.
Of course, these grains are said to be for the nobles to eat, but in fact most of them are eaten by the palace. The food that His Majesty eats is grown by a special government office. Among the eight departments of the palace eunuchs, there is a wine, vinegar and noodle department.
The Wine, Vinegar, and Noodle Bureau was responsible for managing the wine, vinegar, sugar, sauce, noodles, and beans used in the palace. The term "palace" refers to the people who served the imperial family within the palace. The bureau produced its own wine, vinegar, and other items.
Vegetables and the like were also grown by specialized personnel, but they couldn't disclose this to the public. This was one of the few ways for the eunuchs in the palace to earn extra income. So, this matter had been delayed until the Ruyi Bean incident stirred things up.
It is estimated that someone will suffer this time, and Chen Hong mourned for them in his heart.
Zhu Youxiao did not say anything to Chen Hong. Instead, he turned to look at Zhang Guoji and said to himself, "Three taels of silver per dan. If it's seeds, then it should be able to sell for ten taels of silver per dan. If it sells for a higher price, I think 20 taels of silver per dan is more appropriate."
After hearing what Zhu Youxiao said, although Zhang Guoji didn't quite understand, he had a bad feeling in his heart.
This price is too high, 30 taels of silver!
For a moment, Zhang Guoji didn't know what to say.
Zhu Youxiao ignored Zhang Guoji and continued to speak: "30 taels of silver is a bit high. How about this, lower it a bit, 25 taels of silver will be fine."
One dan of potatoes weighs about 150 jin. This time, my own imperial farm planted a total of 3,000 mu of potatoes, and the output reached more than 5 million jin, about 1 dan. If it can be sold for 25 liang per dan, how much would it be worth?
According to estimates, it can be sold for about 1 million taels of silver.
Thinking of the money, Zhu Youxiao almost woke up laughing.
As for whether it could be sold, Zhu Youxiao was not worried at all.
As the news spread, more and more people came to buy. Even if they couldn't sell it to Jiangnan, they could sell it throughout Jiangbei. Through the channels of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it could be distributed quickly.
You should know that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has already connected with many businessmen who can help sell it.
The good transportation of potatoes means that they can be sold to more distant places. So Zhu Youxiao felt that the price was very suitable and the money was also suitable. He was very happy to get 1 million taels. But he didn't know whether merchants would buy them and then resell them.
However, Zhu Youxiao felt that it might not be a big deal, because whether it was the nobles and relatives of the emperor in the court or the officials and landlords in various places, it would not be difficult for them to eat these potatoes. Couldn't they just take them home and grow them themselves?
We are all landowners, so we can be a little arrogant when we speak.
At this time, Zhang Guoji also came back to his senses. He hesitated and wanted to say a few words, even wanting to persuade His Majesty to lower the price. 25 taels of silver per stone was really too high.
Zhu Youxiao didn't even give him a chance to speak, and said directly: "Okay, let's do it this way."
After saying this, Zhu Youxiao turned to look at Chen Hong and said directly: "The father-in-law has made meritorious contributions to the emperor. I will reward you with a thousand taels of silver and appoint your two sons as associate governors of the Jinyiwei. You will go and announce the decree in person."
When Zhang Guoji heard that Zhu Youxiao had a reward, he became even more panicked, but there was nothing he could do at this time. The emperor gave you a reward, so how could you not accept it?
Zhang Guoji immediately knelt on the ground and said, "How can I, with my humble contribution, deserve such a reward from Your Majesty?"
"Father-in-law, you are too modest. How can such a great achievement not be rewarded?" Zhu Youxiao said with a bright smile.
This reward must be given, and it must be grand. Otherwise, why would he let Chen Hong announce the decree?
The purpose is to tell everyone about this matter, let everyone know that this policy was proposed by the father-in-law of the emperor, and the price was also set by him.
Otherwise, wouldn’t all my work be in vain?
So you have to accept it whether you like or not.
Zhu Youxiao said, "Chen Hong, why don't you help the emperor's father-in-law up? Go home with him to announce the imperial decree."
Chen Hong quickly agreed, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will go."
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