Ming Dynasty: Evolution from snake to national guardian beast

Chapter 28 Continuing Economic War

"We have millions of kilograms of coal in our warehouses. If we continue to do this, we will soon fall into a financial crisis. By then, we will not have enough funds to buy the food these people need."

Zhu Gaochi and Bai Chu came here this time to check the conditions of Xishan Coal Mine, but they knew that the warehouse of Xishan Coal Mine was already overstocked.

Bai Chu looked away from Zhu Gaochi and spoke slowly:
  “Now, what’s the price of our coal?”

"Five cents, both of our families want five cents."

Zhu Gaochi replied without thinking.

After more than half a month of crazy price reduction, Bai Chu reduced the price of the other party's charcoal from twenty cents to five cents.

When Bai Chu heard this, his eyes flickered and he spoke slowly:
  "No, press it again, and this time you will get three cents."

"If those charcoal prices continue to drop, I will let them understand what real economic war is!"

Zhao's residence, in front of the charcoal stove.

During the time that Zhao's Charcoal was in Peiping, the Zhao family could say it was smooth sailing.

With lightning speed, he wiped out all four local charcoal dealers and swallowed up the entire Beiping city's charcoal fire.

Days like this have been going on for three years. If it weren't for the fear of alarming Zhu Yuanzhang, the price of charcoal would have skyrocketed.

But over the years, the price of charcoal has been rising, and the Zhao family has made a fortune, but more of it has been left to the people behind.

Now that Prince Yan's Mansion has acquired another coal, it wants to compete with them. Zhao Yan, the person in charge of Peiping, can't stand it.

So, he opened a few shops opposite Prince Yan's Mansion, preparing to follow the same pattern and completely shut down the coal shop in Prince Yan's Mansion.

At first, everything went smoothly, but Prince Yan's Mansion revitalized the originally bleak coal market in a free and special way.

Zhao Yan had no choice but to start a price war with Prince Yan's Mansion at a lower price.

This price war lasted for more than half a month. The price of charcoal, which was originally twenty cents, dropped to ten cents and eight cents day by day, and finally dropped to five cents.

In the past few days, the sales of charcoal fires have indeed skyrocketed, far exceeding coal sales in other places.

However, when Zhao Yan saw a group of people happily carrying more than ten kilograms of charcoal back, Zhao Yan felt his body ache.

It seems to be very good, but Zhao Yan loses one pound for every pound he sells.

In just half a month, Zhao Yan lost 250,000 taels of silver.

Among them, he lost 150,000 taels and borrowed a lot of usury.

Under tremendous pressure, Zhao Yan could not sleep every night. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair was disheveled, and his face was covered with beard.

But this also pays off. The sales of coal are getting worse every day, and it is estimated that it will be closed down soon.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yan felt a little better.

Zhao Yan has been staying in the shop these days and has not gone home. He is sitting on the rocking chair behind the shop and wants to have a good rest. Otherwise, his body will not be able to bear it.

But just as Zhao Yan was about to take a rest, a clerk suddenly rushed into the front desk and shouted:

"Master, something bad has happened. The other party's price has dropped again!"

When Zhao Yan heard this, he immediately trembled and jumped up from the recliner.

The current price of charcoal is only five copper coins. If it drops further, Zhao Yan will really be unable to bear it.

However, when he thought of Sun Xiang's tragic experience, Zhao Yan couldn't help but ask.

"How low has it fallen?"

“Three Wen per pound!!”

The staff member said anxiously:
  "Master, do you want to surrender?"

Zhao Yan's eyes were red, like a gambler losing at the gambling table.

"drop!!"

"Go on!" The waiter was startled, turned around quickly, and asked the shopkeeper to lower the price further.

Xishan Coal Mining Company.

One cavalry team after another, under the command of the old monk, stopped not far away.

Zhu Di had already sent people to guard the coal mine on Xishan Mountain. Without the permission of King Yan, ordinary people must not approach it.

After all, this is King Yan's lifeblood, and he doesn't want to be spied on.

December is the coldest season of the year, and the cold wind makes people shiver.

However, those selected by the old monk were all the best among the best. There were thousands of them and they were divided into ten teams.

After everything was arranged, the old monk invited Zhu Di, Bai Chu and others to visit.

Bai Chu walked to the carriage and was slightly startled.

They were like pine trees, standing motionless in the square.

It has to be said that this group of people have been strictly trained and are all elite soldiers in Prince Yan's palace. To be selected by the old monk is considered to be somewhat powerful.

"How's it going, Mr. Bai?"

The old monk smiled slightly and said:
  "This is where they train. They usually escort supplies."

"When nothing happens, they train here."

"Yes, Not Bad."

"Yes, this is a good place to hide soldiers."

"There are only a thousand knights, isn't that too little?"

Zhu Di and Yao Guangxiao were both stunned.

"A thousand people, this is not a small number. Even the largest escort agency only has more than 300 people."

"Our territory has expanded three times. If we expand any more, people will inevitably gossip about us."

Bai Chu didn't take it seriously. Thousands of people still called it "many"?
  They have no idea how terrible the future express delivery company will be.

In this regard, Bai Chu could only say patiently:

"Don't compare us with an escort agency. We are not an escort agency."

"Our vision should not be limited to Peking."

"Who in the Ming Dynasty would not live without coal? Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Liaodong are all bitterly cold places. More coal should be needed, and this all requires transportation. In the future, coal should appear in every part of the Ming Dynasty. corner."

"Winter has arrived, and I don't know how many people are shivering in the cold wind because they can't afford charcoal."

"We want to transport coal to Daming. We can't just do one job like the escort agency did."

"In the future, coal from Peiping will be available in all parts of the Ming Dynasty, especially in Yingtian, the best place in the capital. More coal must be transported there."

The blueprint given by Bai Chu was really too big, and both of them couldn't accept it. It was obvious that they were choked by something.

After a long time, the old monk finally came to his senses, raised his hands to Bai Chuyi and said:
  "Amitabha, Mr. Bai is still far-sighted. I am ashamed of myself."

Bai Chu said a little embarrassedly:

“Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, and I just happen to be interested in business.”

Zhu Di laughed loudly and said:
  "You two don't have to be humble."

"Old monk, I'm going to trouble you this time to expand the size of the caravan, so that when our business grows, we can send people out to travel."

The old monk smiled slightly and said:
  "It's just a little effort."

Bai Chu warned:
  "It would be better for the prince to report this matter to the emperor."

(End of this chapter)