Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 1095 - 931: Selling Grain at Low Prices

Does the Crown Prince know that Ji Yan is Xia Qing’s person, and is there any special intention behind this move?Could it be that because he rejected Xia Qing’s proposal, he gave Xia Qing another form of compensation?

Yin Kun glanced deeply at the Crown Prince. Could someone who sits on the position of Crown Prince be foolish? This Emperor’s art of balance is truly executed with perfection!

"My lord! We were lucky not to disgrace our mission; we have bought the grain and sold all the cloth. Guess how much silver we made in total?"

Ming Mo had just returned to Yingnan Mansion and went directly to Gu Chengyu’s study to report the gains of recent days.

Gu Chengyu saw Ming Mo in high spirits and knew that the harvest must have been substantial.

"A hundred thousand taels?" Gu Chengyu curled his lips, placed the brush in his hand casually on the pen rack.

Ming Mo’s eyes widened, "How did you know, my lord?"

Gu Chengyu smiled faintly, "Was the return journey peaceful enough?"

He scrutinized Ming Mo, seeing him unharmed, and only then did he pick up a book with interest.

Speaking of which, Ming Mo immediately straightened up.

"What you predicted, my lord, was absolutely right. Fortunately, I brought many helpers this time, or else these silver notes would truly not have made it back."

Ming Mo thought about it and felt genuinely apprehensive.

"What happened? Were you ambushed? Didn’t I say? In the face of irresistible danger, prioritize escaping with your life. As for the goods and silver, if they’re lost, it’s fine. Inanimate objects are not as important as human life."

Ming Mo is somewhat stubborn; as long as he’s given an assignment, he must complete it, sometimes disregarding his own safety. Thus, Gu Chengyu repeatedly emphasized the importance of safety.

Having served each other for many years, their relationship was naturally different. He had established a deep friendship with Ming Mo and Ming Yan, a lifelong bond.

Moreover, even with other subordinates, Gu Chengyu held the same belief. If money is lost, it can be earned again. If talent is lost, it’s difficult to cultivate another, and a human life is even more precious.

Ming Mo was deeply moved; their lord was different from others.

Those masters, young and old, did not see servants as human. They were truly fortunate to have followed the lord. He would never betray his lord in this life.

"We encountered several groups on the road, possibly because the news of us earning silver elsewhere got out. However, one of these groups that targeted our silver was quite different."

"Oh? How so? Tell me in detail," Gu Chengyu frowned, suddenly thinking of the Map Master and his people. Could it be them?

"Though they were dressed like masked bandits, their martial arts techniques were very unusual. They worked together seamlessly, and every move was fierce and not something those ragtag groups could compare to."

Fortunately, the guards brought this time were from the Ding Generation. If they had called ordinary guards, they might not have returned today.

He and the Ding Generation guards had undergone training together, were very coordinated, and shared a different bond.

Gu Chengyu nodded, "There were no casualties among the other guards, right?"

"Only two were injured, but it wasn’t serious. I’ve already sent them back to recuperate," Ming Mo said, his expression somewhat unpleasant.

"Then let them recover first before returning to work. Also, give each of them thirty taels of silver as compensation! You’ve worked hard with the travel; go down and rest! Take two days off. I have Ding Shi by my side for now, so you needn’t worry."

Ming Mo knew their lord’s character well and understood that Gu Chengyu was considerate of the servants.

He accepted and placed the account books and silver notes from this cloth purchase on the study desk.

Though he agreed, Ming Mo did not plan to rest for two days. If the lord got accustomed to Ding Shi, what would become of him?

This thought was selfish, but it was human nature after all.

"Master! Bad news, Lord Imperial Envoy bought a lot of grain this time, I’ve heard it’s five thousand piculs!" The steward gestured a hand towards Ju Haoming.

"What?" Ju Haoming was shocked, not expecting Gu Chengyu to have bought so much grain this time.

If things continue like this, their grain will really go unsold, rotting in the granary.

Lately, the weather was damp, with rain falling for more than two months without sighting the sun.

The grain in the granary was piled together, very damp at the bottom, and some grains were beginning to sprout. What on earth could be done about this?

Ju Haoming was terribly anxious. At this rate, if the grain isn’t sold, they might really end up with a total loss.

But the lord had ordered him not to sell grain. Should he sell or not?

If he sells, it would have to be at the same price as Gu Chengyu, or even lower.

Because Gu Chengyu already had a good reputation in Jiangnan, and the common people trusted him as a good official.

He wasn’t sure if, by pricing the same as Gu Chengyu, people would come to his place to buy it.

Does he need to sell at nine wen per catty? But then there would truly be no profit. Clearing the inventory would only ensure no loss.

At this moment, Ju Haoming was in deep conflict; if he doesn’t sell, he might end up with a total loss.

He gritted his teeth and called the steward, "Go and tell the shopkeepers at the rice shop to start selling rice now."

The steward was a bit stunned; hadn’t he been stubbornly refusing to budge, saying he couldn’t sell rice yet?

"At what price per catty should we sell? How much of the stock should we sell?" The steward looked at his master cautiously and asked.

"Sell at nine wen per catty, and aim to sell everything until the granaries are cleared out."

Ju Haoming gritted his teeth once more; a short pain is better than a long one. He needed to act before others started selling grain.

Otherwise, once everyone starts, the grain prices will surely plummet. Their small family operation cannot compare to the other two!

The steward also knew the importance of the situation and immediately went out to convey the orders.

Early the next morning, just as Gu Chengyu got up, he heard Ding Shi reporting.

"Sir, you asked me to keep an eye on those rice shops. This morning, several of them have already opened. Only Xia’s Rice Shop hasn’t made a move, while Ju’s rice shop has already opened."

Gu Chengyu felt satisfied upon hearing this. These people finally couldn’t hold their patience, and his long-term planning wasn’t in vain.

As for Xia’s, they weren’t worth worrying about! Now that the other rice shops have opened, how can Xia’s remain sitting still?

"What are their selling prices?" Actually, Gu Chengyu roughly had an idea; after all, their prices couldn’t be higher than his own.

"Ju’s is nine wen per catty, and another’s is ten wen per catty. Grains are cheap at four wen per catty, and rice prices are the same as ours."

Gu Chengyu nodded. Xia’s really had patience, but it would only be a couple of days longer.

"Sir, should we continue selling rice?" Ding Shi knew that the rice their master was selling now was all drawn from the grain warehouses. He was anxious but admired his master’s courage.

"Of course, we will sell!" Naturally, they had to continue selling, or all previous efforts would be in vain.