Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng
Chapter 135 Silver Dollar District
Chapter 135 Silver Dollar District
The sun was high in the sky, and bright sunlight shone down from the dome onto the floor of Chongwen Street, forming a patchwork of well-arranged light spots.
The originally shabby and messy shops on both sides of Chongwen Street have undergone a major transformation.
Become clean and tidy, and look brand new.
This move was naturally done by Beijing businessmen represented by Hao Ren.
The imperial court was going to begin abolishing the system of paying salaries in kind and issue silver dollars.
Fearing that common people would not accept it at the beginning, Zhang Yunxiu sent Zhang Fu to find Hao Ren and asked him to mobilize his connections and take the lead in using silver dollars.
As a businessman, Hao Ren is a man who won't release his eagle until he sees the rabbit.
But when he thought about it, he realized that the Emperor and the Prime Minister were watching this matter. If he did this "stupid thing", the benefits he would get in the future would be beyond his imagination.
The court had so much business every year that just scraping away the cracks from his fingernail would be enough for him to live a life of luxury.
After figuring this out, he gritted his teeth and decided to take on the job even if it meant losing money.
So he took over 40 or 50 shops on Chongwen Street, specializing in selling rice, flour, grain, oil, cloth, etc. Seeing that someone had taken the lead, the other merchants followed suit, some taking up five shops, some taking up four.
The entire Chongwen Street became a separate silver dollar district.
In order to please officials, buying with silver dollars could even make it cheaper than the outside price.
At noon that day, every household was busy cleaning up and preparing for the opening seven days later.
In the restaurant located in the middle of the street, a wine table had just opened. Three people were sitting at the table, two of whom were Zhang Yunxiu and Hao Ren.
The other person was wearing a round-necked summer cloth gown with a gold-thread texture and a bean green color. He was waving a high-quality gold-paper fan in his hand, and the corners of his clothes fluttered when he fanned it slightly.
At first glance, he looks like a scholar.
On each of his thumbs he wore a gold ring inlaid with an emerald. When he opened his mouth, three or four gold teeth were revealed, which completely ruined his temperament.
That was the largest grain merchant in the city, Yang Youcai.
After clearing his throat, Yang Youcai closed his folding fan, looked at Zhang Yunxiu and said, "Master Zhang, we, Old Yang, have invested a lot of money this time. Please don't let us have a dud."
"Old Yang, this is where you're wrong." Hao Ren glared at him and pointed at Zhang Yunxiu and said, "Who is Young Master Zhang? He's the son of the Prime Minister, a very popular person around the Emperor. If you say this, people will laugh at you if it gets out."
"Yes, yes, yes, I am not good at talking, I deserve to be beaten." Yang Youcai smiled foolishly and slapped his own mouth.
Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand, interrupted him, and explained to the two: "In the future, not only Beijing, but also the entire Ming Dynasty will use this kind of silver dollar, and even overseas will have to use this kind of silver dollar."
"You two should just enjoy it secretly from now on."
Yang Youcai and Hao Ren exchanged a glance, and Yang Youcai raised his hand towards him. Hao Ren understood and carefully stated his request: "Master Zhang, I am not complaining. The weight of this silver dollar is not enough. Even if it can be promoted in the future, it will take a long time."
"During this period, we have all been tightening our belts. You have to understand us."
Yang Youcai climbed up and joined in, "Yes, Master Zhang, although we have some family property, you also know that this business requires management, and a mouth is a mouth for a whole family to eat, so you have to give us something practical."
"Hey, Old Yang, you're wrong." Hao Ren glared at him again and said with a hint of reproach, "I'm not asking for a reward from you, sir. You've misunderstood me."
"Besides, as long as we do our job well, how can Master Zhang let us down?"
Hao Ren finished speaking, blinking his eyes and looking at Zhang Yunxiu.
You want to sing a duet with me, right?
Zhang Yunxiu complained in his heart, smiled and looked at the two of them, and replied: "We know that if you want the horse to run, you have to let it eat grass. We have reserved a thousand acres of open space for you in Songjiang Prefecture."
"Really?!" Yang Youcai screamed in shock.
Since Songjiang Prefecture was placed under the jurisdiction of the imperial court, the land price has doubled to twenty taels of silver per mu.
Even in some prosperous areas, you can't buy it even if you have money. Hao Ren also looked at Zhang Yunxiu eagerly. Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand and said, "But don't be too happy, the land is not sold to you, but rented to you."
A frown suddenly fell on their faces.
Aren't you making fun of us two brothers?
If they hadn't been concerned about Zhang Yunxiu's identity, the two of them would have probably started cursing at him long ago.
Even so, Yang Youcai still pouted and snorted with some dissatisfaction: "Mr. Zhang, you are being disrespectful. We are cheering for you here, but you are playing tricks on us."
Zhang Yunxiu smiled without saying anything, holding the teapot and pouring himself a cup of tea.
In an instant, the atmosphere became quiet.
The two were unsure of Zhang Yunxiu's temper and didn't know how to start the conversation. After a few seconds of silence, Hao Ren clapped his hands and tried to smooth things over, "Hahaha, Old Yang, you're too reckless. Young Master Zhang said he would rent it to us, but you didn't even ask about the rent first?"
Yang Youcai smiled innocently and said, "Yes, Mr. Zhang, tell us about your rent."
"One tael and five cents of silver a year." Zhang Yunxiu said as he picked up the tea and drank it in one gulp.
Hao Ren frowned and asked, "What about buying it directly? Sir, name a price and we'll just buy the land directly to save you the trouble."
"Twenty-five taels of silver. This place is in a great location. It's only six or seven miles from the dock, and probably not far from the Maritime Customs Office. If you buy it and open a shop, will you still worry about having no business?"
Very good, you still sell it to us?
It’s about six or seven miles away from the pier.
Hao Ren remembered the counties along the coast in Songjiang Prefecture, and the docks were completely deserted.
It turns out to be a wasteland.
Hao Ren's face darkened. Zhang Yunxiu saw Hao Ren's expression, shook his head, and patiently explained to the two of them: "Boss Hao, didn't you say that this good thing should be bought at a low price to make enough profit?"
"Don't think it's a bit desolate now, but think about it, Songjiang Prefecture used to be a land of dirt. The prosperity of this place in the future will definitely exceed your imagination."
Hao Ren shook his head and smiled.
Yang Youcai, who had been silent for a while, interrupted and said, "Even if it is faster, it will take at least ten or even twenty years. Master Zhang is just talking big."
"Then name a price." Zhang Yunxiu leaned back and leaned against the chair.
After thinking for a while, Yang Youcai looked up at Zhang Yunxiu and said seriously, "The rent is eight cents a year. We can try renting it for five years first."
"One tael of silver a year, and the contract is for ten years of rent." Zhang Yunxiu replied.
"Too long."
"Not long. Ten years passed in the blink of an eye."
The two heard the voice and thought for a long time before they said dejectedly, "Master Zhang, we will accept it, but you have to promise to help us take care of the local government, otherwise we will not be able to do your business."
"Of course. Let's not talk about you. Our own business is also there, right next to yours." Zhang Yunxiu stood up with a smile and said, "With the two of you stationed in Songjiang Prefecture, Songjiang Prefecture will be prosperous in no time."
"Then I'll borrow Master Zhang's good words."
The two of them agreed with a smile.
As he was talking, a servant came up the stairs and shouted respectfully, "Three masters, our shop is ready. Would you like to take a look?"
"Go and have a look."
Zhang Yunxiu became interested and was the first to get up and go downstairs, followed closely by Hao Ren and Yang Youcai.
(End of this chapter)
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