In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 855 Making a Fortune
A day passed in the blink of an eye, and the harvest scene outside the capital became increasingly vibrant.

It even overshadowed the bustling atmosphere of the capital city itself.

Many people in Beijing did not believe the claim that sweet potatoes could yield five shi per mu.
Not to mention the frequent rumors of eight or nine stones.

Many people went out of the city to see it, and the official road outside the city was packed with people.
Dust was everywhere, as if a sandstorm had arrived.

But soon someone discovered that,

Those silvery-white ribbons stretching across the fields were not troubled by this.

There was some dust, but not much of it.

This made many people realize for the first time the power of cement and concrete.

Just as things were getting lively outside the city,

The brokerage firms in the capital were also packed with people and bustling with noise.

Whether the sweet potato harvest will be bountiful is something the people may not know.

But merchants in the capital were watching the land prices plummet three times a day.

I knew a bumper harvest was inevitable!
At the newly established Shenyang Trading Company, manager Zhou Song stood on the third floor.
Through the huge hole in the middle,
Looking at the crowded scene on the first floor, his expression became extremely serious.

Beside him, several shopkeepers took turns reporting the land price.

From the opening of the market in the morning until noon

Land prices near Beijing have already fallen by 30%.
Zhou Song watched the entire video of the price drop from beginning to end, and it was a truly harrowing experience!
Looking at the wealth accumulated by many wealthy people through hard work,
Thirty percent was gone in just one morning.
Zhou Song felt a sudden surge of fear for no apparent reason.

New things bring uncertainty and unknown changes; no one knows what the consequences will be.

A bumper sweet potato harvest means more grain can be grown in the fields, causing land prices to plummet.

Such a strange sight is truly bizarre.

Zhou Song felt incredibly fortunate; thankfully, he had listened to what the adults said.

They sold all the land early on, otherwise...
Zhou Song shifted his gaze to the doorway.
There stood a dozen or so wealthy men dressed in luxurious brocade robes.

They usually act like they're the most important person in the world, looking down on everyone else.

Today, however, they all look worried and gloomy.

Some people even burst into tears, rolling on the ground, unable to bear the sudden drop in their wealth.

"So close, so very close, I would have ended up like them."

Zhou Song muttered to himself, gently wiping away the cold sweat.

As the head manager of one of the top brokerage firms in the capital
Upon discovering a good piece of land, the first priority is to acquire it.
Some of the acquired land was sold at a higher price, while some remained unsold.

Zhou Song also used some good land as his coffin fund.
He was a man who had experienced war and knew how important land was.

In times of chaos, no matter how wealthy you are, if you don't have a place to stand, you're doomed.

"It's fallen! It's fallen again! By 35%! By 35%!!"

"My entire life's savings!!"

"The capital city, a place of my destruction!"

At that moment, an elderly man in his sixties on the first floor let out a loud cry and fell backward.

Amid a gasp of surprise, he fell to the ground with a thud.

The crowd glanced at it and then ignored it.
Then, with bloodshot eyes, he continued to stare at the numerous signs ahead.
Zhou Song also looked over; he remembered this person.

The wealthy businessman from Jiangxi has been making frequent purchases this past month.

They acquired a lot of fertile land in Jiangning County at a high price, spending more than 60,000 taels of silver.

Because of premium purchases, prices have now fallen below 35%.
Zhou Song calculated that the land he owned was probably only worth 20,000 taels of silver now.

Forty thousand taels of silver vanished in a single day.
Zhou Song's lips were dry, so he walked to the other side of the fence.
In stark contrast, the atmosphere here was more vibrant than ever before, with everyone wearing smiles.

One by one, wealthy men dressed in brocade robes, clutching silver notes, pushed their way forward.

It was all to take over those worthless plots of land that had previously been ignored.

Since last night, after the good news of the bumper sweet potato harvest spread, these neglected fields have become highly sought-after.

Over there, prices dropped by 35% in one morning, while over here they doubled in one morning.

Even if the price doubles, these abandoned plots of land are still very cheap.

There are always people selling and buying.
Zhou Song did a quick calculation and figured out the brokerage firm's daily commission.

It could be close to five thousand taels, more than in the previous six months.

Despite the lively scene, Zhou Song couldn't feel happy.

Because this was the first time he had truly come into contact with the money-making methods of the most powerful and influential people in the Ming Dynasty.

He knew perfectly well who had bought the land early on and who was selling it today.

Up and down, in and out,
Money flowed into people's pockets like water.

The process was so easy that Zhou Song was even scared.

How much money do you want to make?
One hundred thousand taels? Two hundred thousand taels? Or five hundred thousand taels?
Looking back on all the hard work I've put in over the years...
His net worth has been stuck around 100,000 taels of silver, unable to go up or down.

Nowadays, these important figures have their entourage buy and sell as much as they want.

He easily made several of them.
Wealth doesn't disappear, it only transfers.

This is a common saying among the Yingtian Trading Company.

Zhou Song now has a deeper understanding of this statement.

He knew that he was no different from the other wealthy people on the first floor; he had just luckily escaped the sinkhole.

Otherwise, the money in your pocket will flow to those big shots.

Taking a deep breath, Zhou Song took a hot towel from a waiter and vigorously wiped his face, trying to appear as clear-headed as possible.

He instructed his assistant, "Close the market at 1:45 noon. Come back in the afternoon to buy or sell land."

"Yes!"

After saying that, Zhou Song straightened his clothes and headed towards the fourth floor of the Xinchen Trading Company.

Because the brokerage firm also does homestead management business.

He never used the fourth floor to display goods or conduct business; he only used it to receive truly important people.

Today, an unprecedented number of important figures have gathered on all four floors.

Upon reaching the fourth floor, the sight of numerous armored guards caused Zhou Song to involuntarily slow his pace.

After undergoing questioning and search,

Zhou Songcai was able to continue forward.
Although it was in his own business, he felt like an outsider.

Zhou Song felt no grievance; on the contrary, he became even more respectful.

Arriving at the innermost, enormous room on the fourth floor,
Before I even stepped inside, I heard a burst of wild laughter, the sound of which was so loud it almost shook the roof.

"Three times! I made three times my money in just one morning. This is fast money!"

"I'll pay for the drinks today! I'll pay!!!"

Hearing the sudden increase in volume, Zhou Song paused for a moment before gently pushing open the door, which was carved from a single piece of mahogany.

The moment the door opened, a rich yet elegant fragrance wafted out, refreshing the mind and spirit.

Inside the room, the walls are adorned with hand-painted landscape scrolls by renowned artists.
The floor was covered with wool carpets that had traveled all the way from overseas.
Colorful and intricately patterned.

In the center of the room, a huge round table occupies the main position.

The desktop was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the orange-red light from the hanging chandelier above.

Around the round table were twelve chairs, also made of mahogany and inlaid with ivory and jade.

At this moment, some people were already seated around the round table.

Some were chatting and laughing, while others were deep in thought.
Without exception, everyone's face was filled with joy.

Cao Guogong Li Jinglong appeared to be in his early twenties, with a handsome face and upright posture. His magnificent brocade robe made him even more elegant.

He was toying with a jade pendant in his hand, a faint smile on his lips.

Xu Zengshou sat next to him, his youthful face now showing a touch of heroic spirit.

Across from him, the Founding Duke Chang Sheng sat quietly; he was in his early twenties.
He was dressed in a black outfit, looking capable and efficient, with the redness on his face from shouting.

To the side, Fu Youwen, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, sat quietly, sipping his tea gently.

Although he was large in stature, he had a gentle and refined demeanor, and his brocade robe was neatly worn.

And the most eye-catching thing in the venue,
No one could compare to Mu Jinghe, who was sitting not far away.

She wore a light purple long dress, the hem of which swayed gently.

Her face was beautiful and refined, her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes were like stars, and a faint smile played on her lips.

Even so, her hands, clenched tightly under the table, were damp with a fine sheen of sweat.
This was the first time she had ever met so many important people, and it was also the first time she felt that money was so easy to make!

At this moment, Li Jinglong saw Zhou Song enter and greeted him with a smile:
"Manager Zhou, come quickly, we've been waiting for you."

Zhou Song quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and then sat down in the empty seat below him. He glanced around, then lowered his head inwardly.

Everyone in this room is one of the most important figures in the capital.

It is truly a rare opportunity for us all to gather here today.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today's gathering is truly a rare opportunity."

Duke Li Jinglong of Cao was the first to speak, his voice loud and powerful, full of vigor and high spirits!
"With the fluctuations in land prices, I've made a fortune. This is the first time I've ever seen money so easy to earn."

"What you said is absolutely true."

Xu Zengshou laughed heartily, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a small sip.

"Sweet potatoes are a really good thing; they can not only fill your stomach but also make money."

"Hahahaha, good stuff, good stuff indeed."

Duke Chang Sheng, the founder of the state, nodded with great satisfaction.
This was his first time getting involved in such business matters.
I thought it was just for fun.
I never expected to earn so much money.

This incident will be just like the Yingtian Trading Company incident; at first, no one will care, but then it will surprise everyone!

Thinking of this, a wise glint flashed in Chang Sheng's eyes, and he chuckled softly:
"In this world, the winner always takes all."

By the time the merchants in the city realize what's happening, we'll have made a fortune. Then they'll storm in with their silver, and we'll just dump all the land on them!

As the Vice Minister of Revenue, Fu Youwen felt his brow twitch wildly upon witnessing this scene.
It has always been extremely difficult for the Ministry of Revenue to obtain funds.

I begged and pleaded with everyone I knew, and tried every possible means, but it still wasn't enough to cover my expenses.

Now, any amount of silver can be tripled in a day. The Ministry of Revenue has never seen anything like this before.
Taking a deep breath, Fu Youwen said in a deep voice:
"We must not let our guard down and know when to stop. It would be disgraceful if this got out."

"What's there to be afraid of? We're making smart money. If they can't figure it out, they can't blame us." Founding Duke Chang Sheng looked completely unconcerned.

As a staunch pillar of the princeling faction and the successor to the six founding dukes,
Chang Sheng knew very well that as long as he didn't rebel, no one could cause him any trouble.

He looked at Li Jinglong and raised his chin:

"Jinglong, what's the next step?"

It's such a waste to keep so much money unspent.

Li Jinglong's smile faded, and he became serious.

"We are gathered here today to share our joy and to discuss our next steps."

We need to sell all the land we have within three days.
These wealthy landowners in the capital usually appeared unassuming and unassuming.

They're all richer than anyone else; this time we're going to make a killing off them.

"Three days? So fast? That's a bit of a pity."

Chang Sheng sat up straight and asked the question solemnly.

If it triples in one day, wouldn't it be ten times in a few more days?
Li Jinglong coughed lightly, thinking as he spoke:

"In this kind of business, setting profit targets and stop-loss orders is more important than anything else."

Whether it's double, triple, or quadruple your investment within three days, take the profits and secure them!

Otherwise, by the time those idiots in the capital realize what's happening, the land will be stuck in their hands.

"Um"

Xu Zengshou agreed with this statement, as did Mu Jinghe, who nodded repeatedly.

Chang Sheng didn't speak again, but gestured for Li Jinglong to continue.

"The money from the land sale cannot be used for the time being. We need to gradually buy up good land that has fallen in price within January."

“January? Why is it so long this time?” Fu Youwen asked.

"Because the sweet potato harvest lasts for a month, there are daily reports of a bountiful harvest."

Land prices will drop day by day, and everyone who owns good land will be filled with anxiety.

Li Jinglong explained.

"Then why don't we buy it in a month?" Chang Sheng asked.

"No, the high price of land in the capital isn't based on the grain grown in the fields."

By the time the others realize what's happening, we can no longer buy it.

Since we've already started, let's get ahead of the curve!
Within this month, we need to pool our resources and work together to accomplish something big.
We should share both profits and losses, standing together through thick and thin to avoid any unpleasantness later.

Li Jinglong's words were firm and resolute, his gaze intense.

Chang Sheng looked Li Jinglong up and down, and nodded secretly.

I felt he was very different from before.
Li Jinglong now possesses the demeanor of a great general and is worthy of the title of Duke of Cao.

Mu Jinghe spoke first:
"Lord Cao, I will obey your orders."

Fu Youwen nodded repeatedly:

"Jinglong, you'd better keep a close eye on the money."

"Don't say such unlucky things. You've made so much money, you can handle losing half of it." Chang Sheng glanced at him.

"Hahaha." Li Jinglong laughed:

Don't worry, the best is yet to come.
All these rotten plots of land combined aren't worth much money.

Even a slight fluctuation of 10% in the price of good land would amount to tens of thousands of taels of silver.

If you want to keep the good locations you've acquired, then keep them.
Those who don't want to keep their properties can wait until land prices in central Beijing return to normal before selling them.

"I wonder how much they'll earn from that round trip!"

For a moment, the luxurious house was filled with the alluring scent of money.
Zhou Song, sitting at the lower end of the table, was trembling.
The thrill of having everyone under his control made his breathing rapid.

That's a real man!!
Xu Zengshou's eyes flickered, and he said thoughtfully:

"How about we sell some land under the name of the Duke's Mansion?"

Upon hearing this, some people looked puzzled, some had their pupils shrink, and some immediately tried to stop him!

Fu Youwen quickly reached out his hand:
"Absolutely not! Earning this kind of money is already beneath our dignity."
If we increase the panic further, we'll likely become a laughingstock among the court officials.

"Yes, that's right."
"They're naturally unhappy with us since they didn't make any money, and who knows how much mud they'll throw at us later." Chang Sheng nodded thoughtfully.

It was only then that Zhou Song realized what the commander of Yingtian Guard was up to.

Since the wealthy men in the capital are terrified, let them be even more terrified.
The fact that the Duke's mansion was willing to sell the land further confirmed that land in the capital was worthless.

Zhou Song glanced at Xu Zengshou, whose lips were red and teeth white, and shuddered.

They may look innocent, but they're all bad seeds.

Mu Jinghe spoke softly, her voice clear and melodious, like the sweet sound of silver bells.

"Indeed, one should not be too greedy; knowing when to stop is the best policy."

“What my sister-in-law said makes sense.”

Li Jinglong smiled as he looked at Mu Jinghe, his eyes filled with admiration.

"Yunyi, with you helping to manage the business in the capital, you are truly the envy of everyone."

The phrase "sister-in-law" truly touched Mu Jinghe's heart.

Her whole face lit up with a smile, radiating joy.

At this moment, Fu Youwen looked at the documents provided by Xinchen Trading Company and asked:

"Who exactly is this 'Three Sages Gang'? Why are they also selling land?"

Xu Zengshou raised an eyebrow and said:

"The Three Sages Gang are under Lord Lu's command. Their involvement this time is merely to earn some extra money."

I instructed them that this matter must be kept secret, so Lord Fu need not worry.”

Fu Youwen looked enlightened:
"This Lord Lu is quite generous; everyone can make money together, hahahahaha."

"That's natural; only by making money together can a business last."

Li Jinglong chuckled and echoed, adding:

"Gentlemen, do you have any further comments on the plan?"

The group looked at each other in silence.

"Alright, since everyone agrees, let's proceed according to plan over the next month."

Li Jinglong stood up, his eyes gleaming with determination:

"Please keep this matter confidential and do not disclose it to anyone, Manager Zhou."

Zhou Song quickly stood up and bowed repeatedly:

"Please rest assured, Duke Cao, the Xinchen Trading Company will absolutely keep this a secret and will not disclose it to any outsider!"

Then, everyone present stood up and echoed in unison.

(End of this chapter)