Farmers in the Zhou Dynasty often only kept a certain amount of surplus grain for themselves, and the excess was used to pay taxes or sold to rice merchants at low prices.
As for the people other than farmers, they rely on the grain sold by rice merchants in the market.
Officials generally do not sell grain, but some states and counties will store some grain to cope with various situations.
Under the rice merchant model of Dazhou, once rice merchants unite to raise prices, or if there is a famine anywhere, food prices will skyrocket.
In addition to the court, local officials certainly do not want this to happen, as it will greatly affect their political performance. Therefore, they will focus on attracting more rice merchants to enter the local area and restrict each other to prevent one family from becoming dominant or several groups to form a group.
But... cheap rice hurts farmers, while expensive rice hurts people.
If grain prices are pushed too low, it will dampen farmers' enthusiasm for farming. Therefore, officials can only maintain grain prices within a certain balance range, which also gives rice merchants the opportunity to raise prices.
In Yanzhou itself, there is too little official land, so the grain reserves are limited.
In addition, Yanzhou itself was exhausted and did not have much money to buy rice and store grain. The grain in the treasury was more than enough to supply the official meals, but it was far from enough to supply the common people.
It can be said that during the period when Dongye Hongji served as the prefect of Yanzhou, he could only be regarded as satisfactory. He was qualified if he did not seek for people's fat and people's anointing. Liang Xiao certainly did not ask him to do better.
After all, Dongye Hongji was still constrained by members of major aristocratic families in Yanzhou.
Of course Liang Xiao understands these truths, and what he needs to solve now is the potential food crisis.
Spring plowing is approaching, and people have already discovered that food prices have increased.
If the food shortage is not solved, it will trigger more and more serious panic.
"Baili, please pay attention to the rice merchants staying in Yanzhou recently. I will summon them together for a negotiation." Liang Xiao warned.
After Qin Baili agreed, he reminded: "Marquis Lanling, this matter needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. It cannot be delayed for too long, lest these rice merchants be influenced by those big families and raise prices crazily."
Liang Xiao smiled and said: "Send someone to tell them that the prefect wants them to maintain food prices temporarily so that there will be more room for cooperation in the future."
Qin Baili said worriedly: "They should have no reason to believe this promise. After all, after the new official of Lanling Marquis takes office, they also need to wait and see..."
Liang Xiao said: "It's up to them whether you believe it or not. We just have to do our own thing. Since I have come to Yanzhou, I naturally know the situation in Yanzhou well, and I can't just sit back and watch the people live in poverty. However, we haven't solved this matter yet. timing."
Lin Xiu also became interested: "What is the right time?"
Liang Xiao said: "Wait until I personally give the order to raise the price of rice to a price that is unbearable for the common people!"
Everyone present looked at each other.
The price of rice is already rising, so he still wants to raise the price himself?
Raise it to a price that even ordinary people cannot accept?
But considering that Liang Xiao has always been unexpected, everyone can only choose to trust him.
They all came to Yanzhou because of Liang Xiao's spirit of serving the country and the people. Liang Xiao had no reason to be sorry to the people of Yanzhou.
In the inn, Long Wushuang was drinking Canghai wine.
As the strong drink entered his throat, scenes from the past came to mind.
When his father was dying, he entrusted him to Taoist Master Shifang.
Under the extremely strict training and protection of Taoist Master Shifang, he finally grew up to become the marshal of the Northern Hebei Army.
There are too many brothers who took the first step on his path of growth.
Later, he rescued the down-and-out girl Luo Xi here and married her.
"It's so difficult to restore the country..." Long Wushuang said to himself, feeling melancholy in every possible way.
At this moment, his subordinate's report pulled him back from his thoughts.
"Young Marshal! Then Liang Xiao sent someone to inform us that food prices will be maintained for the time being and cannot be raised!"
"Why? He still doesn't understand that the initiative on food prices now lies with rice merchants?"
Long Wushuang put down his wine glass and said calmly: "Do what he wants first."
"What? The skyrocketing grain prices in Yanzhou are good for us, aren't they? We finally got so much surplus grain!" His subordinates were puzzled.
"Do as he wants. This is an opportunity for us to make friends with this person. If it is to make enemies, I don't have to come to Yanzhou." Long Wushuang said.
The men had no choice but to agree.
Youzhou administrative office, Jixian County.
The convoy of Zhuge Qi, the governor of Youzhou, was patrolling the streets.
Don't drive Gong Yangte in Youzhou. Take a car and follow closely behind.
The people fell to the ground and did not dare to look up.
Zhuge Qi looked around the audience with mixed emotions.
Since the reform of the imperial salt policy, Youzhou's treasury has finally been able to store some silver to prepare for emergencies.
However, as a large state directly facing Beihu, Youzhou was often visited by Beihu cavalry, which disturbed the people.
The key is that there are still constraints from Gong Yangte and his group, and many of his policies cannot be implemented.
Zhuge Hui is his clan uncle, but there is no way to give him more support. After all, the governance of Youzhou cannot be separated from the support of these officials from the big families.
In Zhuge Hui's letter, the clan uncle praised Liang Xiao very much.
Now he is looking forward to what the new Yanzhou prefect will do?
Can you help him control Gong Yangte and the others?
If possible, let the Marquis of Lanling serve as the governor of Youzhou, so that he can return to his hometown to serve and feel comfortable.
Because of the existence of Zhuge Hui, the Zhuge family all followed his example, and no one dared to commit any crime.
Whenever the Zhuge clan members go outside, they will be asked about Prime Minister Zhuge.
A lot of pressure.
If you only work as an upright official, you will naturally know what it feels like.
Disaster!
Zhuge Qi turned around and glanced at the handsome Gong Yangte on the carriage behind him.
It's a pity that I haven't retired yet and returned to my hometown. Youzhou needs me. Otherwise, the governor of Youzhou will be replaced by Gong Yangte. Then Youzhou...
"Report!"
Just as the motorcade reached the east of the city, a Pegasus rushed to the front of the motorcade and spoke very fast.
"The new prefect, Liang Xiao, beheaded Gongyang Biejia's son, Gongyang Lei, in the street!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the whole audience exploded!
"Behead my son Gongyang Lei?"
Ram Te on the open-air carriage suddenly stood up and said in a voiceless voice: "Impossible! Give him ten courages, will he dare??"
Zhuge Qi was also surprised and asked quickly: "Where did you get this news? Is it reliable?"
"Absolutely reliable! This is a document from the governor of Yanzhou. It has just been sent to Youzhou!" The messenger immediately handed over the document.
Zhuge Qi took it and took a look, a drop of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
"Don't drive away, Gongyang, your master... he was indeed beheaded by Prefect Liang!"
"What?!" Gongyang Te looked unbelieving, "Show me the documents!"
Zhuge Qi was worried and sent someone to deliver the document to Gong Yangte.
After a while, Gongyang Te fell backward on the spot after reading the paperwork.
The guards around him quickly helped him up.
The awakened Gongyang Te was in tears and hoarse.
"Liang Xiao! You are unpardonable!! Prefect Zhuge, what do you think we should do!!"
"This, your son knew the law and broke the law, and he was punished for several crimes. It is really... that there is nothing I can do for you." Zhuge Qi looked helpless.
Gong Yangte rolled his eyes at Zhuge Qi, gritted his teeth and said, "I want to take part in his book! Complain to the emperor! Is there any royal law?"
