Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 475 Beijing, Beijing

The brilliance of the rising sun cast a layer of light on the Forbidden City in Nanjing, and the gentle sunlight penetrated the morning fog and sprinkled in the vast imperial city.

The brass bell on the drum tower swayed from side to side as it was struck, its golden color glowing with metallic luster.

September and October are the autumn harvest season, and it is also the harvest season for Nanjing City.

In the past, there was only money and food in Southern Zhili, but now there are more huge southern provinces.

But for picky Nanjing citizens, the best one belongs to Huguang’s Jingshanqiao Rice, followed by Jiangxi’s Wannian Gongmi.

Followed by Helong tribute rice in Fujian, Huatian rice in Chongqing, etc., due to transportation reasons, the share is not much.

As for Huguang and Jiangxi, because of the distance and yield, the sales of rice are booming.

Zhang Qi boarded the restaurant, dressed in a light silk satin dress, with a strong smile on his face, and his eyebrows and eyes were extremely proud.

A group of Shaanxi merchants stood up to greet him one after another, and their compliments were endless.

Zhang Qi accepted it calmly, and sat down at the head seat generously.

He is different from these merchants. A pair of daughters entered the palace and became the emperor's concubines, and he also gave birth to a son and a daughter. He can be regarded as half the head of the country.

Following this, his status in Shaanxi Merchants has risen rapidly, approaching the peak, except for the title of chairman, the rest are generally the same.

"The rice market in Nanjing has seen a drop recently!"

While chatting and laughing, I saw a Confucian businessman waving a paper fan, but his face was a bit sad: "Although the Jingshanqiao rice in Huguang is famous, the output is small, and it has to be supplied to the palace."

"Compared with Huizhou merchants, we are at a disadvantage."

Zhang Qi frowned slightly, and said lightly: "After all, he has been running Jiangnan for hundreds of years, it is inevitable that we will not be able to compete for a while."

The four major rice markets in the south are Wuhu, Wuxi, Jiujiang and Changsha.

Except for Changsha, which is in the hands of Shaanxi merchants, Wuhu, Wuxi, and Jiujiang are almost all in the hands of Huizhou merchants, absorbing a large amount of grain stored by the people.

Under the premise that the price of food must be stable, the unit price is not high, so it is naturally made up by the quantity.

The rice market is the bridgehead, which plays an irreplaceable role, and Huizhou merchants hold the three rice markets in their hands, and they seem to be calm.

The Changsha rice market of Shaanxi merchants, on the contrary, because of the existence of military settlements and the distribution of military meritorious land, the rice absorption has been reduced by several percent. It is difficult for Shaanxi merchants to compete with Huizhou merchants in Nanjing.

And rice is the source of department stores, vinegar, wine, and sauce are inseparable. In addition, Huizhou merchants also branched out from the salt merchants, which can be described as rich and powerful.

"Since the south can't compete, then go to the north."

At this time, suddenly there was a person with a big belly, who spoke with great momentum.

Zhang Qi fixed his eyes and saw that it was Zhan Youning from the Zhan family in Ningzhou. He once rose to prominence because of his attachment to King Qing, and his status among Shaanxi merchants should not be underestimated.

He is in his thirties and is also young and energetic.

He bowed and smiled at Zhang Qi and said: "Mr. Zhang, it is rumored that the recovery of Beijing is a foregone conclusion, and the imperial court will also move back to Beijing. I don't know if it is true or not?"

"How do I know?" Zhang Qi waved his hand and said, "I never dare to provoke these important matters of the court."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhang."

Zhan Youning nodded, stood up and said loudly: "The huge Nanzhili is the territory of Huizhou merchants, and our foundation is in Huguang, and even more so in Shaanxi."

"As for Beijing, which is to the north, Shanxi merchants have produced the so-called eight imperial merchants. Obviously, it is difficult to get into the eyes of the court princes. This is our opportunity."

Hearing this, Zhang Qi's eyes lit up.

Shanxi merchants and Shaanxi merchants are in a relationship of competition and cooperation, but Shanxi merchants have not been greedy for Shanxi merchants for a year or two.

Not to mention Xie Chi's words, just talking about the trade route leading to Chahar Mongolia is enough to make them salivate.

The Monan Mongolians are much richer than the Oirat Mongolia in the northwest, and they love business very much.

Shaanxi merchants have a deep understanding of the profits of border trade.

This is much better than competing with Huizhou merchants in the south.

Zhang Qi moved his lips and said, "Shanxi merchants have indeed lost their points. They can't escape the accusation of treason and profiteers."

"I've also heard people say that after the Northern Expedition, considering the ruins of the northern provinces, the imperial court deliberately confiscated the properties of those Shanxi merchants, so as to fill the treasury."

"It's really nice—"

"I don't know how many people are involved?"

The Shaanxi merchants talked a lot, and their faces were full of joy.

In terms of business and business, if Shanxi merchants, the great enemy, were missing in the north, wouldn’t it be beautiful for Shaanxi merchants to dominate the northern trade and confront Huizhou merchants from north to south?
Not to mention, if Beijing is the capital of the country, it will be a continuous cornucopia, and the profits will definitely be greater than those of Nanjing.

"Unfortunately, I don't know if the imperial court will move back!"

Seeing that everyone was interested, Zhan Youning sighed again and sat down helplessly.

Now, even Zhang Qi became worried.

Moving the capital, which had nothing to do with me, actually involved me, who would have thought that?
A banquet ended in such a hasty way.

When he got home, Zhang Qi looked at the luxurious house and was in a daze for a while.

According to his original intention, life in Nanjing is much better than in Shaanxi, a land of fish and rice, rich and stable.

But here is the home of Huizhou merchants. Even with the support of the emperor, it is difficult for them to resist the attack of Huizhou merchants.

In this case, going north may well be a good way.

"It's a pity, the rumors of the court are too tight."

He shook his head helplessly.

And at this time, Wu Sangui and Yan Shenggong finally arrived in Nanjing City.

The emperor also warmly received them.

As for Wu Sangui, he just glanced at him, said a few words of comfort, and gave him a marquis mansion.

As for Yan Shenggong, he was quite enthusiastic.

Literati from all over Nanjing flocked to visit him, but they were all refused.

At the beginning of September, a cavalry came suddenly, and galloped on the street, rampaging, shouting:
"Great news, great victory, Jiannu defeated, Beijing recovered—"

The people along the way hurriedly avoided, but after hearing this sentence, they couldn't help but stop and watch.

When the scholars heard it, their eyes were red, and they knelt down; the ordinary people heard it, and after a few words of emotion, they continued to work hard for their stuttering, full of energy.

And the merchants with a little bit of knowledge set off firecrackers one after another, cheering happily.

Various discounts and free orders are too numerous to enumerate.

Cheers all the way, the news came to the Forbidden City.

At this time, the emperor seemed to have a premonition, he raised his head suddenly, left the dragon chair, and looked at the sky outside the door.

I don't know how long it took before an eunuch came quickly, panting and knelt down: "Your Majesty, report from the front, Beijing has recovered—"

"Let him come quickly—"

Zhu Yixi said impatiently.

Immediately, the exhausted soldiers trotted over: "Your Majesty, the army has recovered Beijing—"

With that said, he submitted the military newspaper.

Zhu Yixi narrowed his eyes, picked up the military newspaper, read it for a long time, and murmured: "Beijing, Beijing—"

(End of this chapter)