It was night at the Fangxian port pier, and the waves were beating against the rocks on the shore. Qin Sheng and Qin Zhao led a team of people to prepare in full formation.
After the transaction between Lu Songli and Ji Wuyin was completed, Ji Wuyin gave them the exact location and time to pick up the goods. Liu Xiaohuai, his confidant butler, led Lu Songli's people to pick up and unload the goods.
"I'm coming!"
Liu Xiaohuai, Qin Sheng, Wu Ren and others boarded the ship first to meet Lin Shan, the leader of the fleet.
After the boat stopped, Lin Shan stretched his body and said to his deputy, "We finally transported Ji Daxiu's batch of grain to Liaodong County without any danger."
The deputy smiled and said, "We are also lucky."
Lin Shan nodded and shouted loudly, "Boys, cheer up. When the goods are unloaded, I will have people prepare food and wine for you to have a good drink!"
Liu Xiaohuai arrived just in time and immediately took over the words, "Deputy Gang Leader Lin, we've invited you to have a drink here as a reward to all our brothers."
Lin Shan laughed, "Then we won't be polite to you, Butler Liu."
Time was urgent, so Liu Xiaohuai communicated directly with Lin Shan about stopping the ship and docking to unload the cargo.
Lin Shan saw that Liu Xiaohuai was accompanied by a handsome and handsome young man, but the other party had no intention of introducing him, and he did not say much.
After Liu Xiaohuai and Lin Shan communicated, Qin Zhao, Qin Sheng and others could unload food.
Ships loaded with grain lined up on the river, waiting to dock to unload and then carry out replenishment work.
Under the leadership of Qin Sheng and others, the soldiers began to board the ship, transport and deliver food.
Bags of grain were unloaded from the hold and piled on the dock, but soon, the grain piled on the dock was immediately transported away.
This group of people didn't need the help of the crew at all, and the crew just watched from the side.
Anyone with eyesight can tell something, "Are these soldiers?"
The well-trained mobility and the evil spirit on their bodies are not something that ordinary workers on the dock can have.
"No wonder it's so fast."
Lin Shan curiously asked Liu Xiaohuai, "Who is the owner of Ji Daxiu's transaction this time? He actually used the army to transport grain."
It is their local custom in the south to add a ten thousand character after the last name of a wealthy businessman to show respect and to indicate that he is a wealthy person. In addition, there are also titles such as Qi Ji, Lang Guan, and Xiu to distinguish the levels of wealthy businessmen. Xiu is the highest level, and the family property that can reach the level of Xiu must be more than ten thousand yuan. Ji Wuyin was the eldest in the family, so he was also known as Ji Daxiu in the south.
Liu Xiaohuai just said, "Don't ask about things you shouldn't."
Lin Shan understood.
Liu Xiaohuai asked him again, "How are you doing on your way north? Did you encounter any danger?"
Lin Shan: "There is no danger."
Liu Xiaohuai looked over at him, and the deputy next to him answered, "It was indeed a near miss. We encountered water bandits twice on the way. Fortunately, we brought enough manpower this time to go north. The two sides were in close combat for a time. The other party probably found an idea. I couldn't eat it anymore, so I lingered for half an hour before leaving unwillingly. "
It’s just that the target of 20,000 shi of food is too big. I hope Ji Daxiu won’t make such a big deal when he returns.
And the other party gave up so easily because they discovered that these goods were all grain. For the water bandits, now that they are not short of food, they naturally do not think this food is precious. This food is too bulky, unlike jewelry, gold and silver and other valuables that can be snatched and run away.
The speaker has no intention, the listener has intention.
Qin Sheng's eyes lit up when he heard this. Are there water bandits on the water?
The Qin family had always lived inland and had occasionally heard of water bandits. At that time, the Qin family was responsible for guarding the northern border. They didn't have any trouble in this regard, so they just listened to them.
After arriving in Liaodong County, Qin Sheng heard the word water bandit again.
He is worrying about where to go to get money for his wife after cleaning up the rest of the cottages in Liaodong County. Isn't this already there?
It’s just that they don’t have a boat…
Qin Sheng looked at the big ships on the river with longing eyes, wanting...
As soon as the grain was shipped back, Wu Ren came to report, "Mrs. Qin Liu, the grain has been shipped back, totaling 20,000 dan!"
Lu Songli ordered, "Storage 10,000 stones among them for emergencies. The other 10,000 stones will be given to Houcheng, 3,000 stones, and the other 7,000 stones will be distributed to Wangping, Wulu County, Liaoyang County, and Gaoxian County." county."
Wu Ren quickly calculated that of the 10,000 shi of grain, Houcheng accounted for 3,000 shi, and the remaining four counties probably received less than 2,000 shi.
As the new central city of Liaodong County, Houcheng's foundation is too poor. They need more preferential treatment and support to help it establish its position in Liaodong County.
The other four counties surround Houcheng and are closest to Houcheng. All the bandits in the county have been eradicated (Gaoxian County is in the process of eradicating bandits). The people can buy food without worrying about being robbed.
For the people in Houcheng and nearby counties, towns and rural areas, this day is an ordinary but extraordinary day.
Within Gaoxian County, Qingshui Village
Many villagers are working in the fields, weeding crops and catching insects.
At this time, an old man walked from the village entrance with a hunched back.
Someone recognized the old man's identity and greeted him, "Uncle Tiger, you have returned from going to the county. Has the price of food in the county dropped?"
The others caught the sensitive word "food price" and stopped what they were doing to look at them.
Uncle Hu shook his head and sighed, "What's the price reduction? A bucket of grain is sold for 300 cents. It's hard to afford it. This is ordinary grain. Good grain costs more than this."
His words made those who heard them feel heavy.
"I think the price of food will continue to rise. Save some food at home. If you have money, you can buy more." After Uncle Hu finished speaking, he put his hands behind his back and prepared to go home.
"Uncle Hu, what you said is that there is no money left at home?"
"I can't save any more food. I cook it thinly for every meal. I can count the grains of rice."
"Oh, when will days like this end?"
"I heard that Houcheng, Wangping, and Wulu counties are recruiting people to serve. During the service, the government will provide free soup."
"is this real?"
"It's true. There are two meals a day, one bowl for each person. Sometimes it's kombu stewed with meat and bones, and sometimes it's seaweed and egg drop soup. I heard it tastes good."
"I heard about it too. I wonder when it will be our turn in Gaoxian County?"
The villagers all looked yearning.
In previous years, ordinary people would avoid serving in the army. Now, in order to get two bowls of free soup a day and save some rations for their families, they are eager to go to the army early.
At this moment, a young man ran from outside and greeted everyone, "Quick, everyone, go to the town! The Liaodong Chamber of Commerce Grain and Oil Store in the town has cheap grain for sale! It will be sold soon, so hurry up."
"Cheap food? How cheap?"
"Two hundred coins per fight."
Someone muttered, "This price is the same as before."
Uncle Hu scolded the other party with a straight face, "Don't get cheap and still sell well. It was in the past, but when is it now? They were willing to sell it for two hundred cents a dou, which is a hundred cents cheaper than the current grain store! What else do you want? What do you think? Give it to you for free?"
"It's so cheap, isn't it moldy food?"
The young man said, "No, I've seen it. Food is good food. If you want to buy food, remember to bring your household registration book! Those who don't bring their household registration book will not be allowed to buy food. Oh, by the way, one household registration book can only Buy thirty-six pounds of grain."
"Household registration book? Is it the one that the government asked for during the population census a while ago?"
"Yes, that's it."
"Okay, I'll get it."
"It's broken. My family finds it troublesome and can't do anything about it. What should we do next?"
At that time, the government was counting the population and registering households, but the Yang family thought they were smart and hid away.
"Go to the government office to re-apply. Otherwise, you won't be able to buy food!"
"A household registration book can buy up to thirty-six kilograms of grain? My family of fifteen should be able to buy forty-five kilograms of grain. This is not the right amount."
The young man who came to report the news casually said, "Then divide the households. Otherwise, Aunt Li, your family will have to buy almost ten kilograms less food for such a large person."
Many of the people present were from large families with more than ten or twenty members, and they hesitated when they heard the idea of household division. Separate households? If you want to divide the sons except the eldest son, you can buy enough food. However, people were selected according to their household to serve in corvee. Household division meant that she would lose control of her son's family. In addition, more people in their family would serve in the service in the coming year.
The young man could see everyone's hesitation, but he felt that surviving was the most important thing. We would talk about the rest later. Without household division, not being able to buy enough food would be a real loss.
But he didn't persuade him. The old man at home had to figure this out for himself. It was useless for others to persuade him. He looked at the time and said quickly, "Uncle Tiger, I have to go and inform the next village, so I won't talk to you more." I’ve said it. Let’s inform each other in the village that those with purchasing restrictions and those with household registration books are limited to three kilograms of grain per person.”
"Okay, I won't say anything anymore. Go back and get your household registration book to buy food!"
"Everyone, don't wait too long, go quickly. Each person is limited to three kilograms of grain, and it will be sold out soon. I don't know when the grain will come again in the future."
Countless people flocked to the town. The same situation happened in several counties, towns and villages centered on Houcheng.
