Xiao Rui did not answer Su Lie's question, but instead summoned several of his capable men. They are Shen Lun, the boss of the restaurant, Wei Yanran, the boss of the buffalo trade, and the head of the Salt and Iron Office of Anle County.
In the Tang Dynasty, strategic materials such as salt and iron were strictly controlled and firmly in the hands of the government. Private reselling was strictly prohibited, ranging from being sent into exile to being beheaded and exterminated.
In each city, there is a salt and iron official who is in charge. In fact, he is an official businessman sent by the court to deal with salt and iron. He is equivalent to the sales manager of Anle City of Datang Salt and Iron Corporation.
Under normal circumstances, the person in charge of the Salt and Iron Office is in a different department from the Anle City County Sheriff and is not under the jurisdiction of the County Sheriff. It is up to the superiors to decide how much salt and iron Anle City can sell.
But now Xiao Rui is different. He is not only the long history of the entire Youzhou and responsible for the government affairs of Youzhou, but he is also the emperor's favorite consort, so who among the local officials, regardless of rank, will not flatter him? Therefore, this principal is willing to cooperate with Xiao Rui's command as long as it is within the scope of his duties.
"Everyone has seen that people outside the city are fighting with us, trying to squeeze us out through price and leaving no business in the city. This matter is not only related to our business, but also the livelihood of all small traders in the city."
"I would like to start with the restaurant that Shen Lun is in charge of and introduce intimate customer service. The restaurant will only accept friends who have business dealings with us. For those who have no business dealings and want to come to the restaurant to eat, the price will increase by 50%."
ah? ? ? Price increase?
Shen Lun's face was full of surprise: "Sir, shouldn't we lower the price to attract customers? If the price is raised, wouldn't it be a way to attract customers? And if the price is increased by 50% at once? Isn't it too..."
Xiao Rui said arrogantly: "If we sell at reduced prices, we will make less money. We still have to fight price wars with outside the city. I will not do a loss-making business. Our Zuixian Tower, not to mention in Anle City, even in Datang, it is the same It’s the only one. Those who have eaten it will never forget it. Letting them go back to the days of eating ordinary food is more uncomfortable than killing them. So there is no need to worry about no one coming to eat.”
"The consumption in the restaurant is very high. Our diners are all the leaders and nobles of the surrounding tribes. The 10% price increase is a trivial matter for them. Many people come to do business just for the delicious food. It would be better now, if we are here I’ve made a deal with the Chamber of Commerce outside the city, but if I can’t afford to eat in the city because it’s too expensive, wouldn’t it make people laugh when I go back?”
Everyone thought for a while, maybe this was the case, and hoped that the delicious food would whet their appetites.
Wei Yanran covered her mouth and said with a smile: "Brother Rui, all you have to do is put a sign on it, saying that those who don't do business with us are our enemies. Are you targeting those people like this, aren't you afraid of their dissatisfaction?"
Xiao Rui pointed at Su Lie: "General Su will take the cavalry around for a while. Who dares to seek death?"
Su Lie patted his chest and nodded: "Don't worry, Chang Shi, we will never dare to have sex around Anle City."
Wei Yanran thought for a moment and said, "So, when it comes to buying bison, we are just like a restaurant? If they don't do fur business with me, will we cut off their share of the bison?"
Xiao Rui shook his head: "No, the bison is of great importance. In order to deal with a few rats outside the city, it is not necessary to start this business. However, you can mention it to Da Hemohui and give him a chance to act as an agent for the Khitan leather goods trade and let him close it. Along with the bison, he also purchased the furs from various tribes and shipped them to Anle together. This way he can make more money."
Wei Yanran said in confusion: "But the prices outside the city are high. How should I explain it when Da Hemo Club returns?"
Xiao Rui shook his head and said: "If you don't sell it to us, let him sell it to the rich locals outside the city. Da Hemo will help the tribes save transportation costs. Even if he sells it to us, the tribes will make a lot of money when they return. "
"But in this case, if the fur goods business is given to outside the city, wouldn't we be watching them make money?" Shen Lun was a little unconvinced.
Xiao Rui smiled and looked at Director Yantie, "Of course not, so I need Master Yan's help."
Master Yan quickly saluted, "My Prince Consort, I have orders, so just give them. Whatever I can do, I will definitely do it. If I can't do it, I will truthfully apply to my superiors."
"Don't be so nervous. It's within your authority. Starting today, you will cut off the supply of salt to the Turks. Just say that there is a shortage of salt in Anle City and give priority to businesses that cooperate with the government." Xiao Rui said with an unconscious expression. A little bit cunning.
Everyone was confused. Xiao Rui explained: "The Anle Chamber of Commerce raised the purchase price by 10%. If they love to lick the Turks' butts, let them play by themselves. Salt and iron cannot be bought with money."
Is this...is this a bit too vicious? The Turks are different from other tribes. When the Turks are angry, they will send troops to find trouble.
Xiao Rui sneered in his heart, I just want to force the Turks to send troops to find trouble, just wait and see, I want your Anle Chamber of Commerce to lose your wife and lose your troops.
The plan paid off very quickly. Within three days, there were fewer businesses outside the city. The small traders in the city had another way to survive. Now the share of fur goods is basically divided equally between inside and outside.
Cui Baiquan said proudly: "I found out that Xiao Rui came to Anle to earn money to buy war horses. Now that we have stolen half of the fur business from him, how many war horses can he buy? Does he think he can buy them if he has money? Turks If you don’t open your mouth, who would dare to sell it to him?”
"It's a pity that we don't have his restaurant-opening skills. Otherwise, he would have robbed him of the other half of his business, leaving him unable to earn a penny in Anle." A person from the nearby chamber of commerce said angrily.
Cui Baiquan pondered for a moment, "Yes, isn't he unwilling to engage in a price war? It's because he can't afford it with us. We take the leather goods back and make a profit no matter what the selling price is. It's just a little profit. He Xiao Rui Bubu, he just buys leather goods, transports them back and resells them, so he can't make much money."
"Think about it, everyone, what did these tribal merchants buy after selling their fur goods?"
"Does that need to be said? Salt and iron, jewelry, silk and satin, grain and tea... In short, as long as the Tang Dynasty has it, there is nothing they won't buy."
Cui Baiquan said proudly: "That's it. Our chamber of commerce can handle all kinds of things, including jewelry, silk, grain and tea. How many small traders does Xiao Rui have in Anle City? The entire Youzhou buys goods from the family behind us, right?"
"The president means to cut off their purchase channels?"
"No, no, no!" Cui Baiquan shook his finger, "We will open another place here to supply goods. In this way, we can collect fur goods with one hand and supply groceries with the other. Those foreign barbarian merchants don't have to move their feet, basically Bartering for supplies was realized.”
"Xiao Rui doesn't dare to start a price war, so we will lower the prices of grain, tea, jewelry, and silk, especially grain. If a cart of leather goods can buy an extra bag of grain, those tribal leaders will still be willing to go Do you want to eat at Zuixianlou?"
Everyone praised: "What a great idea! They completed the deal without entering the city. In this case, what is the use of Xiao Rui guarding Anle City? It is equivalent to an empty city!"
Cui Baiquan mocked: "No, don't they still have garrison cavalry to guard us for free? Otherwise, how can our business outside the city be safe?"
