novelaction Chapter 388: Post-War Year 4
Chapter 388: Post-War Year 4
Yan Dongsheng did not dare to eat the compressed biscuits rashly, but took them back carefully and reported the situation to Deng Liu.
In the general's tent, Yan Ruxiang looked at the two biscuits placed on the table, which were put together to form a long strip, his eyes full of curiosity and exploration.
"Go, find a copper scale from a pharmacy and weigh this thing called biscuit."
Yan Ruxiang was determined to figure out why this compressed biscuit could fill a person up, so he decisively sent someone to weigh the biscuit first.
"As you said, in Hedong Hejin Town, they exchange three catties for one catty?"
Yan Ruxiang suddenly asked, staring at Yan Dongsheng below with sharp eyes.
When asked by Yan Ruxiang, Yan Dongsheng nodded quickly and replied, "Yes, General, we have made thorough inquiries in the town, and the result is indeed so."
"In that case, why do we only get one pound of biscuits for five pounds?"
Yan Ruxiang frowned, with a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.
"That's right," Yan Dongsheng recalled for a moment, then continued, "They are from Dingzhou. Due to limited manpower, personnel can only be dispatched to neighboring prefectures and counties. This is also to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the national crisis to make money, so they can't take care of everything."
"It seems that Dingzhou's actions are truly for the benefit of the people. Those who came here must be speculators. I think the army should take over this matter so that the people can gain more benefits."
After a moment's thought, Yan Ruxiang spoke seriously.
Yan Dongsheng glanced at Deng Liu. He knew very well that he was of low status and could not easily express his opinion on such matters.
"General, you care about the people. I think we can do this. Dingzhou has some friendship with us. I wonder if General Shan Ning's face will be of any use."
Deng Liu's words seemed to indicate that he was planning to use Dan Ning's name to negotiate with those businessmen.
When Yan Dongsheng heard Deng Liu mention Shan Ning, he suddenly thought of something and said boldly:
"General, the shop assistant seems to be a soldier, perhaps with some injuries, and is responsible for the purchase. I think it might be possible to use the name of General Shan Ning."
Upon hearing this, Yan Ruxiang nodded slightly and said, "Okay! We will start tomorrow and go to Hedong to negotiate. Then our army will start purchasing locusts in Heyang and Hancheng."
When everyone heard this, they all thought this plan was feasible and nodded in approval.
The next day, Deng Liu personally took Yan Dongsheng and rode quickly to Hejin Town and went to the shop that bought locusts again.
"Shopkeeper, I am the commander-in-chief under General Yan Ruxiang of Qin. I have something important to discuss with you."
Deng Liuzhong said with full energy.
The young man in charge of the acquisition saw Yan Dongsheng and remembered that this person had just come yesterday. Now someone suddenly came, he must have something important to discuss.
He quickly bowed and said, "General, please come into the room for a detailed discussion." The young man spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, and was humble and polite, and let the two men into the house.
Through the window, you can see many bulging sacks piled up in the backyard.
"Shopkeeper, this product is not something that ordinary merchants can do."
Deng Liu said it all, pointing at the sacks.
"To be honest, this is something we specially prepared for the people of Bingzhou. Our goal is to help them weather the crisis that may arise this year. In fact, Dingzhou has always been buying locust pupae, but we rarely buy them from other places."
The young man said sincerely.
"What's the use of buying it back?"
Deng Liu couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Um, I really don't know about this."
The young man spoke a little hurriedly, but his expression was sincere and he didn't seem to be lying.
Deng Liu then realized that his words had been somewhat impolite and impolite, and he quickly apologized, "I'm sorry for being so rude. This involves business confidentiality, so I shouldn't have asked. However, being able to do such a kind act is already a rare honor."
After some pleasantries, Deng Liu spoke frankly again, "To be honest, we've also had a locust plague in Heyang and other places. Some people have gone to buy them, but they're only paying five catties for one catty. This is really unfair to the people. Our army is considering taking over this matter to benefit the people. Is that okay?"
The young man lowered his head and thought for a moment before saying, "Actually, this purchasing point is a temporary one, to facilitate the local people. Since the general intends to purchase in Heyang, it's not impossible. However, I'm afraid it will be difficult to meet the demand relying solely on this one location."
"We once fought alongside General Shan Ning of Dingzhou, so we're considered friends. If time weren't pressing, we would go find the general and ask him for help. So, could you please pass the message along, young man?"
Deng Liu was worried that things wouldn't get done, so he spoke in a faster tone unconsciously.
Seeing Deng Liu's anxiety, the young man quickly said, "Don't panic, General. I have several thousand kilograms of biscuits here. If you need them urgently, I can give you half as a temporary emergency. I'll have the person who picked up the goods deliver more to this point tonight."
When Deng Liu saw that the other party agreed, his expression instantly turned from gloomy to bright and looked much better.
After the young man explained some requirements and precautions for the purchase, he asked Deng Liu to pay some deposit, then he found a carriage, transported half of the goods, and asked Deng Liu to return to Heyang.
When they arrived in Heyang before noon, Deng Liu ordered his troops to go to the countryside in several groups, vigorously publicize the news of Heyang County's purchase of locusts, and set up points in several towns and villages.
When the people heard the news, they came to inquire. When they learned that it was three pounds for one pound, they excitedly ran around to tell others.
The people of Heyang County also learned how to trap locusts. The next day, people were constantly coming and going to the purchasing points.
Because it was the first time to purchase locusts, many people did not know how to deal with them. So under the patient guidance of the soldiers, they learned how to soak the locusts and dry them.
Most people have little knowledge, and the locusts hung out to dry are of all kinds.
But one thing is certain, that is, there is a certain ratio between the number of kilograms of fresh locusts needed to dry three kilograms of dried locusts.
Therefore, Yan Ruxiang announced that he would directly purchase locusts and let the soldiers in the army participate in the work of drying them.
In the brewing process, salt is not only an indispensable key, but also quietly turns into additional compensation during the exchange, cleverly integrating into the profit margin of the transaction. This is an advantage that foreign investors have never had when directly acquiring the product in the past.
Seeing that the army had directly intervened in the locust purchase in Heyang County, those foreign merchants were helpless for a while and had to leave in disappointment and look for other sources of income elsewhere.
Later, Yan Ruxiang realized that the masterminds behind the scenes were actually the Wang family and the Heyang Wang family, who had jointly planned this business. The two families were in cahoots and conspired to make a profit.
This action undoubtedly planted the seeds of resentment in the hearts of the Heyang Wang family, and hostility towards Yan Ruxiang quietly grew.
Thanks to the strong intervention of the army, the purchased locusts were processed quickly and could be sent to their destination the next day after being dried. The whole process was compact and efficient.