Adhere to the gentleman's principles

Chapter 193 The price depends on human factors

As soon as the inspection in Yongzhou was over, Zhao Junning rushed to Cangzhou without stopping.

Cangzhou was extremely cold. As soon as I entered the city gate, I heard miserable cries everywhere. In front of the grain shops on both sides of the street, haggard people stood in groups of three or two, begging the shopkeeper: "Shopkeeper, please be kind and sell me some grain for three taels of silver! My child has been hungry for two days..."

However, faced with these pitiful pleas, the shopkeeper remained indifferent and responded coldly: "Go away! What does it have to do with me if your children have no food to eat? In today's world, the price of grain is already very high. You want to buy a bag for three taels of silver? Wouldn't I be a fool!" After that, he drove the buyers away mercilessly.

Zhao Junning only glanced at it indifferently, without staying for too long, and followed her shopkeeper to the warehouse. As soon as she entered the door, she noticed that there were two stoves in the warehouse, and under the stoves there were tunnels leading to the outside. The shopkeeper explained: "Boss, Cangzhou has a dry and cold climate. This way, the indoor temperature can be kept suitable to ensure that the goods are not easily damaged or spoiled."

Zhao Junning nodded with satisfaction, expressing her recognition of Shopkeeper Qi's ability to handle affairs: "Well, I am naturally relieved to have you in charge of the affairs."

Then, Zhao Junning seemed to remember something and continued to ask, "By the way, how is the business going on the boat?"

Shopkeeper Qi quickly replied, "My Lord, it is not long after the flood season and our Zhao caravan is the first to engage in this kind of business. Therefore, the first batch of business transporting goods by boat is going very smoothly. Look, this is the cargo list for this summer and our customers have already booked our services in advance." After that, he handed over a thick order.

Zhao Junning carefully studied the list of goods in his hand and nodded slightly to show his agreement: "Yes, the boat business is indeed not as good as before! Because of this, we need to keep a close eye on our guys and make them be more careful and meticulous.

After all, any negligence may lead to serious consequences and even affect the livelihood of the entire ship. We must not take it lightly!"

Then Zhao Junning frowned and asked, "Didn't Cangzhou have a bumper harvest last year?"

Shopkeeper Qi sighed and replied, "Boss, you don't know! Although Cangzhou is located in a remote and cold place, the price of grain is surprisingly high. The local officials are simply unable to effectively supervise and control the grain market. Since this month, the government has distributed relief grain three times in a row. However, this is not a long-term solution!"

After hearing this, Zhao Junning nodded thoughtfully and made up her mind. After returning to the inn, she immediately told the two servants beside her: "Mo Yu, Gan Cao, the two of you quickly go to the grain shops in the city to inquire about the current grain prices."

Not long after, Gan Cao and Mo Yu hurried back to the inn and reported the latest grain price information in the city to Zhao Junning: "Young Madam, we just found out that the highest grain price in the city is as high as twenty taels per stone, and the cheapest is five taels per stone!" Mo Yu said anxiously.

Zhao Junning was shocked after hearing this and murmured to herself, "It's so expensive..." Her face became more and more solemn.

Zhao Junning frowned slightly and fell into deep thought. After a while, she raised her head and told Gancao, "Gancao, go buy 300 dan of grain immediately and place it near the warehouse."

Gan Cao asked in confusion, "Madam, why do we need so much food?" Zhao Junning raised her lips slightly and explained softly, "The price often depends on people's operation. And I have my own arrangements for the rest."

Then, she turned to look at Mo Yu, a sly look flashed in her eyes, and continued, "Mo Yu, lead a few of your men to dress up as wealthy businessmen from various states, and spread the news about the grain prices in Yangzhou. Say that it is the dry season and the grain production is insufficient, so the grain price in Yangzhou has soared to an astonishing thirty taels per stone!"

After hearing this, Mo Yu couldn't help but look suspicious and asked, "Young Madam, what is the purpose of doing this?" Zhao Junning smiled slightly and answered confidently, "Yangzhou is the richest and most prosperous place in the Wei Kingdom. If even the food prices here go up, wouldn't other places be even worse? By then...!" At this point, she couldn't help but let out a smug chuckle.

"Young Madam is wise. I will do it right away."