In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 957: Surge, pullback, and another rise; obedient buyers come to take the fall.

The main hall of the Market and Exchange Bureau remained quiet for ten days.

Over the past ten days, the rain in the capital has stopped and started again.
The bluestone pavement gleamed from the water, but it couldn't wash away the unease lingering in the streets and alleys.

The people working at the brokerage have come and gone.
From the old farmer who initially clung to the land deed and refused to let go, to the merchant who later cried and begged to sell for only one and a half taels of silver.
Land prices plummeted like a weight with a broken string.

It dropped from seven taels to below five taels, then slipped past three taels.

Finally, on the morning of the tenth day, it stopped at one or two ounces.

It's now only three qian away from the original land price of ten taels, which is now only one-tenth of that price.

In the main hall, Lu Yunyi sat behind a pearwood table, his fingertips tracing a thick stack of letters.

The top letter was from the Prince of Kaiping's residence; the handwriting was messy.

Chang Sheng's anxiety was almost palpable:

"Brother Yunyi, the land price has reached one tael and three taels. The old ministers in the manor are all advising us to sell the land and cut our losses. If you have a plan, please reply quickly!"

Below is a letter from Li Zengzhi of the Duke of Cao's mansion, the tone of which is slightly calmer but also reveals his anxiety:
"Lord Lu, the silver reserves in the manor are depleted. If no action is taken, we may not be able to sustain this situation."

The letter from the Left Army Commander-in-Chief's Office was more direct; Zhu Shou's handwriting was vigorous yet somewhat chaotic.
"Yunyi! If we don't act now, all our money will be wasted!"

Hou Xian stood to the side, watching Lu Yunyi flip through the letter, not daring to utter a sound.

For the past ten days, he has come to the main hall every day to ask questions.
All I ever got was the three words, "Wait a little longer."

But the rumors outside have already spread like wildfire.
It was said that the treasury of the Market and Exchange Bureau was empty, that Lord Lu was at a loss, and some even said that His Majesty wanted to dismiss him from his post.

"grown ups."

Hou Xian couldn't help but speak, his voice trembling:

"The men from the Left Army Commandery came again this morning. Vice Commissioner Xiao stood guard at the door for half an hour, saying that if you don't reply soon, he's going to break in."

"How about we tell them about the land we sold in the past?"

Lu Yunyi raised his head, his eyes calm and without the slightest ripple.

He gathered the letters together, placed them on the corner of the table, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

The tea was freshly brewed Biluochun, steaming hot.

"What's the panic? If everyone could understand the situation, what would be the point of having a Market and Exchange Bureau?"

Hou Xian was stunned for a moment, and wanted to persuade him again,

But then Lu Yunyi stood up and picked up the official robe draped over the back of the chair:

"There is a court assembly today. You stay at the yamen and if anyone comes, tell them I've gone to the palace."

The court assembly had not yet begun in the square outside the Hall of Martial Valor.
The officials had gathered together, and their whispers were particularly loud.

Officials who opposed moving the capital looked smug, while those who supported it frowned, creating a suffocatingly oppressive atmosphere.

"Have you heard? The land price in the west of the city has already dropped to 1.3 taels! If it drops any further, it'll really become worthless!"

"Isn't it because the Market and Exchange Bureau is incompetent? Lu Yunyi took so much silver, yet he couldn't even stabilize land prices!"

"In my opinion, moving the capital was a mistake from the start!"

Look how chaotic the capital is!
The people are uneasy, the merchants are panicked; if this continues, something terrible will happen!

The chatter suddenly stopped when Lu Yunyi walked over.
All the officials' eyes fell on him.

There was mockery, there was sympathy, and there was inquiry.

He walked straight toward the palace gate without looking to the side, but was stopped by someone.

Song Lin, the eldest son of Grand Secretary Song,

He was dressed in a blue official robe, his brows and eyes filled with arrogance.

Song Lin gave a forced smile, his voice not loud but loud enough for those around him to hear:

"Lord Lu, I heard that the Market Exchange Bureau has recently stopped going to brokerage firms?"
That's true. With land prices at 1 or 2 or 3, going there would just be throwing money away.

In my opinion, it's better to give up sooner rather than later.

Yingtian is the Yingtian of scholars.
This is not something someone like you, who only knows how to use merchant tricks, can handle.

A few low laughs came from the surroundings, and someone echoed them:

"Lord Song is right, Lord Lu should go back to your Daning City!"

Lu Yunyi looked at Song Lin, his face showing no anger, only a subtle hint:
"Lord Song, the situation is still unclear, how can we talk about giving up?"

Furthermore, Yingtian belongs to all people, not to any one particular family.

Song Lin's face darkened, and he was about to speak again when a eunuch's announcement came from inside the hall:

"Your Majesty is here!"

He could only glare at Lu Yunyi before turning and walking into the hall.

The arguments at the morning meeting were more intense than expected.

The thirteen censors of the Censorate jointly submitted a memorial:

"Your Majesty! Land prices in the capital have plummeted to one or three taels of silver."

The people were full of complaints, and merchants closed their shops one after another.
If this continues, the livelihoods of the people in the capital region will collapse!

Your Majesty, I humbly request that you postpone the relocation of the capital and first stabilize trade!

Immediately, more than a dozen officials knelt down, pleading, "Your Majesty, we humbly request that you postpone the relocation of the capital!"

Xu Huizu stepped forward to refute:

"Your Majesty! The sharp drop in land prices is due to someone's deliberate manipulation, not the fault of the relocation of the capital!"

"Give us a little more time, and the court will surely be able to stabilize the situation!"

"Time?"

Minister of Revenue Zhao Mian stepped forward and said in a deep voice:
"The capital is in chaos now. The people are living in constant fear. There are more brokers than merchants from Yingtian."

The current situation can only be salvaged by the intervention of the imperial court.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, his face gloomy, and remained silent.

As usual, the court session ended in discord without reaching a conclusion.

As the officials left the Wuying Hall,
They looked at Lu Yunyi's retreating figure with different expressions.

Zhao Mian walked at the back, and when he passed Lu Yunyi, he stopped, his voice gentle but tinged with regret:

"Yunyi, come visit your father-in-law when you have time. He misses you very much."

Lu Yunyi nodded with a smile:

"it is good."

"Yunyi, why did you get involved in this kind of thing? You've only made a mess of things."

Lu Yunyi didn't turn around, but simply said:
"Lord Zhao, the one who laughs last laughs best."

Before the court officials even reached the palace gates,
Then a guard hurriedly reported that the land price had dropped again, and was now only one tael and one ounce!

"Wow!"

The commotion outside spilled into the palace, and all the officials' expressions changed drastically.
Land prices have plummeted to 10%, wiping out the hard work of countless people. A slight misstep could lead to chaos.

This dispute needs to be resolved!
At the Market and Commerce Bureau, Lu Yunyi entered the office, while Hou Xian and others stood by, their faces showing anxiety.

Lu Yunyi sat back down at the head of the table, his expression as calm as a still lake, and said lightly:
"It's time to make a move."

He strode into the main hall, picked up the document he had written ten days earlier, and handed it to Hou Xian:

"First, have the people at the thirty-one strongholds in and around the capital start acquiring land, any land weighing less than two taels, take it all!"

"Secondly, after the land price is reduced to two taels, people are divided into two groups: one group buys land, and the other group sells it. The land they buy is sold to their own people at a price 20% higher, thus raising the price!"

"Third, send people to Yingtian Trading Company and Cement Company to spread the word!"

Hou Xian received the order, his fingers trembling, but he dared not delay and turned to run:
"Yes, sir! I'll take care of it right away!"

In less than an hour, the brokerage industry in the capital had changed dramatically.

Several market officials suddenly appeared at the Yuxing Pawnshop in the south of the city, and shouted as soon as they entered:

"We'll buy up all the land for sale!"

The merchants, who had been wearing mournful faces, were stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and handed over the land deeds:

"I have three hundred mu here! One tael and two ounces!"

"My seven hundred acres! Quickly, write the deed!"

Many of these merchants bought their shares when prices had risen a few days prior.
At the time, I thought that if I could get back ten taels of silver, it would be a huge profit.
but now.
Even if it means making a painful sacrifice, they must sell the land.
Once the relocation of the capital is decided, it might cost two coins per mu (unit of land area).

This scene was playing out simultaneously in the brokerage firms in the east, west, and north of the city, as well as outside the city!
The price of one tael and one ounce lasted for less than an hour.
After selling hundreds of thousands of acres of land, the price dropped to 1.5 taels.

Everyone knew that the City Bureau had made its move again.
I just don't know where they got the money.
But it doesn't matter. Sell them all to avoid losses!

At the Ministry of Revenue, letters were also being handed to Zhao Mian's desk. He opened them one by one and found that some merchants were getting restless because land prices had risen to 1.8 taels.

Zhao Mian chuckled lightly and said calmly to the messenger:

"Reassure them, this is the last hurrah by the Market and Commerce Bureau."

Over the next three days, the land price gradually climbed from 1.8 taels to 2 taels.
Many who sold early were filled with regret.

But even more people flocked to dental clinics.

Nobody knows how much silver the Market Exchange Bureau still has.
Sell ​​them quickly! Otherwise, they'll be stuck with you!

Meanwhile, many people were secretly surprised.

The Market Exchange Bureau truly has a deep foundation; many brokerage managers roughly estimate that…

The money spent in these three days exceeded two million taels!

On the fourth day, the situation suddenly changed!
Many wealthy merchants suddenly appeared, acquiring land at prices 20% higher than the market value, demonstrating their considerable financial resources!
Just as everyone was guessing which nouveau riche family this was,
Land prices have already jumped from 2.2 taels, 2.4 taels, 2.8 taels... and in just one morning they've broken through 3 taels!

There are many people buying land, but there are just as many selling land!
What a lively scene!
In less than half a day, the land price jumped from two taels to three taels and eight taels.

Even more exciting news is yet to come!

The following morning, a notice was posted at the entrance of Yingtian Trading Company, with red background and black characters, making it particularly eye-catching:
"The Yingtian Trading Company, under the command of Market Commander Yi, is to renovate the roads in the north of the city. The estimated investment is 100,000 taels of silver, and construction is expected to begin within a month!"

Following this, Yingtian Construction Firm also posted a notice:

"The Yingtian Construction Company, under the command of Commander Yi, is to renovate all the dilapidated houses in the capital, with an estimated investment of 300,000 taels of silver. Construction will begin immediately!"

Yingtian Cement Store also posted a notice:

"Yingtian Cement Company, in accordance with the market order, has reduced the price of its cement by 30%."
The price of cement used for village renovations in villages outside the city will be reduced by 50% to support village renovations and ensure people's livelihoods; the estimated investment is 400,000 taels.

No one doubted what the three trading companies said!
If they say one thing and do another, their losses will be far greater than this amount of money!
Before dawn, the news spread like wildfire throughout Yingtian City overnight.

"They're going to build roads and houses in the north of the city!"

"The imperial court has invested 400,000 taels! This is to stabilize Yingtian!"

"I knew it! The rumors about moving the capital were just that!"

"If the capital were really moved, why would the imperial court spend money to build roads and houses?"

The people were excited, and the merchants were also tempted.

The next morning, the number of people in the brokerage firm was ten times that of usual!
However, a notice was also posted in front of the pharmacy.
The market regulator stated frankly that land prices in Beijing have fluctuated significantly recently, and those who are not extremely wealthy should be cautious about investing!
It's simple and straightforward, but nobody cares!
Some merchants began to actively buy land.
Land prices soared, from four taels to five taels, and then to six taels.

By the seventh day, the land price had returned to seven taels.
Not only did they recover the lost territory, but more and more people are getting involved!

Inside the Duke of Cao's mansion, Madam Yuan held the newly arrived news, beaming from ear to ear:
"In just seven days, the land price has been brought back!"

Li Zengzhi also breathed a sigh of relief:

"It seems that our investment of 500,000 taels has not only not resulted in a loss, but we're going to make a huge profit!"

Inside the Left Army Commander's Mansion, Zhu Shou slammed his fist on the table and laughed loudly:

"I knew Lu Yunyi had a way!"

I was too hasty before! Now, with seven taels, our investment of one hundred thousand taels should at least double!

Han Xun nodded: "If it goes up a bit more, we can break even."

Only Lu Yunyi, in the main hall of the Market and Commerce Bureau, looked at the account books with a calm expression.

Hou Xian came in to report the good news:

"My lord! The land price has already reached seven taels!"
People from the Prince of Kaiping's Mansion and the Duke of Cao's Mansion came to ask if it was time to stop.

Lu Yunyi's expression remained unchanged:
"hold on."

The atmosphere at the Zhao residence was no longer as relaxed as before; instead, it was filled with a sense of unease.
"Just how much money does this real estate company have? Why are land prices still skyrocketing?!"

"How about we smash it down a little further?"

"Merchants in the capital are rushing in like madmen. Let's see what they do when the Market Exchange Bureau stops buying!"

Zhao Mian sat at the head of the table, watching the many merchants discussing amongst themselves, a shadow of gloom flashing in his eyes.
In his view, these merchants were all good-for-nothing uncultured men.

It's just that their ancestors allowed them to control so much money.
Now I get anxious over the smallest things!

He said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, the people from the Market and Exchange Bureau have stopped buying land. Now it's the merchants in the capital who are buying, and they don't have much money."

But things didn't go as planned; over the next five days, land prices continued to climb!
It quickly jumped from seven taels to ten taels, and then to thirteen taels.
Now, even some businessmen who used to ignore land prices have noticed it!

How could I not pay attention when I suddenly found myself with 30% more silver!

Before they could even think about how to make a profit from it, the price soared to fifteen taels in just three days!
Everyone was shocked!

They exclaimed that they had made a huge profit!
But what shocked them even more was yet to come.

Three days later, the land price soared to twenty taels!
Inside the Zhao residence, the atmosphere had shifted from smugness to panic.

The salt merchants from Jiangnan surrounded Zhao Mian, their faces pale.
"Sir, why is the land still rising?"
It's already twenty taels!
The land we sold off before, we'll have to pay twenty times more to buy it back now!

Even the tall and thin Yan Han got anxious:

"Sir, when we suppressed land prices before, we lost 90% of the value of each acre of land."
Now that the price has risen to twenty taels, even if I sell all the land I own, I still won't be able to make back the money I lost before!
"How about we buy the land back now? Maybe the price will go up!"

Zhao Mian sat in the chair, his fingers gripping the armrests tightly until his knuckles turned white.

He looked at the nearly two million taels of loss in the ledger, and his heart felt like it was on fire!
He originally thought the Market and Exchange Bureau wouldn't last long.
But now, the Market and Exchange Bureau has not only not collapsed, but has also raised the land price to twenty taels.

What alarmed him even more was that more and more people believed the imperial court would not move the capital.
If the capital were to be moved, why would so much money be spent on building houses?
"Don't buy it!"

Zhao Mian suddenly stood up, his voice filled with the madness of a gambler:
"Buying it now would be a scam!!"

"You didn't buy it when it was only one tael of silver, but bought it for twenty taels? Are you all stupid?"

Everyone readily agreed, but some were already openly or secretly buying land, hoping to recoup some of their losses.
Even if you lose money, having land is still an option, but many people are still waiting and watching.

Inside the main hall of the Market and Exchange Bureau, Hou Xian held a new account book, his face grave.
"Sir, those people aren't falling for it."
Twenty taels of silver is still too high; let's lower it a bit.
"Now, land sales and purchases outside are all done by our own people; we can definitely manage it."

Lu Yunyi said calmly, "Keep buying forty taels."

Hou Xian's pupils suddenly contracted, and he looked shocked, but he obediently did as he was told.

Three days later, the land price soared to forty taels!

Everyone went crazy!

Merchants in the capital saw this as a great opportunity to make money and planned to rush to buy in!

But the silk merchants of Jiangnan, the maritime merchants of Fujian, and the porcelain merchants of Jiangxi were filled with regret.

Why didn't you buy it when it was twenty taels?!

The price is so high now, buying it now would be a huge rip-off!
However, some people continued to buy in.

Inside the main hall of the Market and Exchange Bureau, Hou Xian held the new account books, his eyes lighting up:
"Sir! They've made their move! We've lost nearly 15,000 mu of land that was previously traded outside the region!"

Hou Xian's voice trembled as he spoke.
He knew that the initial investment by the Market Exchange Bureau had already been recouped when the land price was five taels.

Now, with these 15,000 mu of land, each mu can earn 39 taels, which is no different from pure profit.

Lu Yunyi remained calm, holding his teacup, and said indifferently:

“Not enough. Lower the land price to fifteen taels, then raise it to twenty taels.”

"Yes!"

The following morning, land prices in various real estate brokerage firms began to decline slowly.
More and more people are selling land, but fewer and fewer people are buying it.

As the price drops, more and more people are adopting a wait-and-see approach.
However, some people took advantage of the price drop to actively buy!

Ten days later, the land price slowly and leisurely rose to fifteen taels.
Then it swayed and slowly rose to twenty-one taels.
More and more people's eyes lit up.
Forty taels was too expensive, so I dared not buy; at fifteen taels, I was afraid the price would drop, so I dared not buy either.

Now it's risen to twenty taels. Perfectly priced!

Meanwhile, all sorts of news emerged in the capital.
Merchants from all over the country are optimistic about Yingtian.

I rushed to the capital with the silver; if I didn't buy it now, I'd miss my chance!
More and more people are buying land, and prices are steadily rising.

At this point, Zhao Mian's men were completely uneasy!

"Twenty taels! If you don't buy now, it'll be too late!!"

"I lost a lot of money before, so this time I'm going to invest more and make it all back in one go!"

If the price rises back to forty taels, we can make a fortune!

Inside the main hall, Zhao Mian watched their frenzied state.
A bad feeling suddenly arose in my heart.

He tried several times to dissuade them from buying it.

But while they say they won't buy, they secretly buy more and more every day!

The documents at the Market and Exchange Bureau were changed every half day.
In just half a day, the land in their hands decreased by more than 30,000 mu.
Money is pouring in!

Hou Xian and the other eunuchs were so shocked that they were speechless.
That's too fast, way too fast!
This is faster than robbing money!

(End of this chapter)