In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 856 The Invisible Hand is More Powerful Than Ever
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Han Yike, from the Market and Commerce Bureau, was sitting in his office looking at the documents in his hands, his face extremely solemn.

He had already received the exciting news from the brokerage firms everywhere.

As the yamen (government office) that nominally managed the merchants,

Even if he couldn't truly control them, he needed to know the latest news about these businesses.

After reviewing the documents for three days, Han Yike became increasingly astonished.

He started as an imperial censor in the Censorate.
He's a natural at investigating corruption.

From the vast amount of money transactions in the brokerage firm,

Han Yike noticed something was clearly wrong.

In lower-grade areas, prices are rising steadily, so why would anyone still sell?
As the head of the Market and Trade Bureau, he studied some business knowledge.

He discovered that once prices skyrocketed...
There will be fewer and fewer sellers, and some will even wait for a higher price.

Everyone is waiting for prices to continue rising, and psychological expectations will gradually increase.

These lower-class areas mostly belong to small merchants in the city, or families with some wealth.

They are the most cautious people.

They dare not buy when prices are falling, and dare not sell when prices are rising.

But now, the inferior goods are being sold off endlessly, seemingly without limit.
This made Han Yike keenly aware that something was wrong.

He seemed to see a pair of invisible hands, lurking beneath the surface of the water, taking advantage of the chaos.

Han Yi took the latest document of the day and examined it carefully.

These are some transaction documents from brokerage firms this morning, obtained from the Beijing government offices.

"Hiss," Han Yike sat up straight and let out a soft exclamation.

For three days, high-quality farmland that had been "priced but not traded" finally saw transactions, and in considerable quantities, while the transaction volume of low-quality farmland plummeted.

With each rise and fall, Han Yike frowned deeply.
He searched for documents on the table.

The transaction document from this time yesterday was quickly found.

Upon seeing this, Han Yi was greatly alarmed.

Transactions of high-quality farmland have increased at least threefold compared to yesterday.
The transaction volume of inferior farmland is becoming increasingly sluggish, less than half of yesterday's volume.

"Could it be that someone bought up the inferior land first, and then bought the superior land?"

"Perhaps... someone sold off all the inferior land and then bought up the superior land?"

The moment the thought crossed her mind, Han Yike was startled.
In the past few days, the total turnover of money in various brokerage firms has amounted to at least several hundred thousand taels of silver.

If someone makes money from buying and selling inferior land, how much should they make?
Why would you buy prime farmland?

A question arose in Han Yike's mind: judging from the documents before her,

The price of top-grade farmland is clearly still falling.

It has reached 40% of the level before the sweet potato harvest.

Moreover, things are very chaotic in the capital recently.
Two completely different moods permeated the capital.

The people were overjoyed and celebrated the bumper sweet potato harvest day and night.
Meanwhile, the wealthy merchants and landowners in the city looked worried and distressed.

They won't go hungry or cold, so whether the harvest is plentiful or not doesn't really matter to them.

On the contrary, due to the bumper harvest, land prices plummeted, and years of savings were wiped out in one fell swoop.

In the past few days, people have been jumping into the Qinhuai River every night.

This prompted the capital government to send more than ten constables to guard the area.
It quickly became widely circulated in Beijing.

Given this sentiment, a further decline in the price of superior-grade rice is almost a foregone conclusion.

If there truly is an invisible hand
Why rush to buy land at this time?
The more Han Yike thought about it, the more puzzled he became. He checked the time, and without delay, immediately called out:
"Prepare the horses, let's go to the Yingtian Prefecture government office."

The carriage of the Market Trading Company moved slowly along the main avenue of the city.
It was nearing noon, and the weather was very hot, but the streets were still bustling with people.

"My lord, the Xinchen Trading Company is just ahead."

At that moment, the voice of the attendant came from outside the carriage.

Han Yike quickly opened the window curtains and looked out.

In front of the Xinchen Trading Company, rows of lavishly decorated carriages were parked.
They occupied all the shady areas on both sides of the entire business.

You can also see some wealthy men dressed in brocade robes leaning against the wheels of carts, breathing rapidly.

The waiter beside him hurriedly wiped his sweat and poured him water.

Han Yi knew this without even thinking.
They couldn't afford it again because of falling land prices.

As the carriage passed the Xinchen Trading Company, Han Yike lowered the curtain, her thoughts wandering, and remained silent for a long time.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the gate of Yingtian Prefecture.

Han Yike stepped down from the carriage.
It was unbearably hot outside; the sun was baking the earth until it was distorted.
He couldn't feel the heat; in fact, he felt a chill in his heart.

He had figured it out; so much money had vanished in an instant.

It would be very strange if there was no one manipulating things behind the scenes.

Taking a deep breath, Han Yike quickly met with Feng Kezhao, the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture.

He is currently having a meal in the yamen (government office).

Three simple side dishes, with a pot of iced tea placed on the side.

When Feng Kezhao saw Han Yike approaching, he was first taken aback, then immediately stood up and bowed deeply.
"Lord Han, what's going on?"

Han Yike then realized that she hadn't informed anyone beforehand.

He snapped out of his reverie, shook his head in frustration, and decided to speak frankly:

"Lord Feng, I have come here with a favor to ask of you."

"Sir, please speak."

Han Yike waved her hand:
"I would like to see the deed tax documents kept by the government office for the sale and purchase of land in the last three days."

Perhaps feeling she hadn't explained herself clearly enough, Han Yike added:

"Detailed information about both the buyer and seller is required."

A hint of doubt flashed in Feng Kezhao's eyes as he asked:

"Has the land in Lord Han's household also seen a drop in value?"

Han Yi knew he had misunderstood, so she simply continued on the topic:
"Lord Feng, the few acres of fertile land left by my ancestors have suffered severe losses."

The family then sold it on their own initiative.
I only learned of this matter after returning home today, and I am filled with indignation.
That's when he thought of coming to the government office to ask if they could find out who the buyer was.

I'm considering buying the land back at the original price, or even at a higher price.
After all, it's land inherited from our ancestors.

"Ang~"

Feng Kezhao nodded in realization.

He has been busy with the sweet potato harvest these past few days, but he has also heard about the drop in land prices.

He thought for a while and said:
"Lord Han, the tax documents kept by the yamen should not be disclosed to outsiders in principle."

Since Lord Han has some difficulties,
The government office will assist you with this; I will take you to the archives to look for it right away.”

"No need to."

Han Yike quickly waved her hand:
"Lord Feng has worked very hard these past few days. Please eat first. Just send an official to take me there."

Feng Kezhao glanced at the food on the table and laughed:

"Then thank you very much, Lord Han."

"It is I who should thank you."

"Someone, take Lord Han to the archives to check the tax documents kept for the past three days."

An hour later, Han Yike left the Yingtian Prefecture government office under the scorching sun.
His steps were heavy, and his face was extremely solemn.

He only saw the deed tax documents left from the day before, as well as the two parties to the transaction.

Several names appeared frequently!

What shocked and surprised him the most was

Among them are Yingtian Trading Company and Yingtian Construction Company.

Their names couldn't possibly be written directly on it.

But the people who left their names were all managers of these two trading companies!
The same applies to the managers and stewards of other firms such as Xinma Trading Company, Zhenru Trading Company, Tiankun Trading Company, and Sandu Trading Company.

They appear in various places, creating a complex and intertwined situation.

Han Yi asked himself, if he weren't the head of the Market Exchange Bureau,
Investigations have been conducted into the businesses in the city, but no clues have been found to be hidden within.

And all these names are involved in selling land!

Sell ​​those inferior fields!

Prices ranged from three to five times higher, but the amount for each transaction wasn't too large.

But when added up, Han Yi felt a chill run through her body; it was at least several hundred thousand taels!
This was only a one-day transaction.

Han Yike believes that from the first day of the sweet potato harvest to today,

These people's names should appear frequently. Back in the carriage, Han Yi remained unsettled for a long time.
The answer to who is selling the endless supply of land is already clear.

And now we have the answer to who is earning the money.

"Master, where are we going?"

The driver's voice interrupted Han Yike's thoughts.

He snapped out of his reverie, pursed his lips, hesitated for a long time, and then spoke softly:
"Go to Yingtian Trading Company."

"Yes."

The carriage swayed, but soon began to move.

As they passed by the Xinchen Trading Company, Han Yike once again turned her gaze towards it.
An hour later, the brokerage firm reopened.
The newly established Shenyang Trading Company was even more bustling with activity.

Those once elegant and wealthy landowners have abandoned all pretense of dignity.

They squeezed in together with their attendants and servants.

They want to sell the land.

If we don't sell now, the price might drop drastically in the future.

Han Yike watched their figures.
I felt a sense of awe and pity, as if I were looking down on all the mountains and looking at ants.

Superior farmland is being bought up continuously.

Although Han Yi had no evidence and had not seen the transaction details,
But he believes it was this group of people who were buying it.

These people are always driven by self-interest.

After figuring this out,
Han Yike felt even more sorry for these wealthy men, knowing that buying at this point would truly result in a complete loss.

Han Yike's expression grew increasingly strange as she thought about it.
If he is not mistaken,
These merchants and their associates are using the landlords' money to buy their land.

"You can do this?"

Han Yike suddenly held her breath.
He had lived in Shanxi and Yunnan, and considered himself to be well-traveled and knowledgeable.

This was the first time he had ever seen such a way to make money.

Moreover, it's so impactful!
Before long, the carriage arrived at the entrance of Fudong Street, and the driver's voice came:

"Sir, we've arrived at Fudong Street. We need to walk to the trading company."

Fudong Street is one of the widest roads in Beijing.

But with the Yingtian Trading Company standing tall, even the widest roads would be blocked by horse-drawn carriages.

Therefore, Yingtian Prefecture did not allow carriages to enter the east street of the prefecture, and anyone who wanted to go to Yingtian Trading Company had to dismount and walk.

Han Yike dismounted and headed to Yingtian Trading Company.

The scorching sun brought a warm sensation.
Seeing the huge crowd at the entrance of Yingtian Trading Company made him even more irritated.

Han Yi had no intention of delaying and went straight to the fifth floor of Yingtian Trading Company.

In the innermost government office, I met the head manager of Yingtian Trading Company.
Liu Sili!

He was standing by the window, a cup of tea in his hand, sipping it gently.

He looked thoughtfully down at the street below.
The room was very cool, with beautifully decorated bronze stoves placed in all four corners, and ice blocks emitting a cool, humid atmosphere.

Pastries and exquisite fruits were laid out on the square table in the very center.
As soon as Han Yi entered the house, she frowned.
The vigilance of an imperial censor began to pound.

If the homes of officials in the imperial court were decorated in such extravagance...
He was almost certain that something corrupt had happened.

But the fact that he was in a business was making him very uncomfortable.

Liu Sili turned around, put down his teacup, and smiled while cupping his hands in a respectful gesture:

"Greetings, sir. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Han Yike sat down directly on one side of the house and said stiffly:

"I have come here today to ask Lord Liu some questions."

I could tell the unfriendly tone in his voice.

A flicker of surprise crossed Liu Sili's eyes as he walked over and slowly sat down.

"I don't know, what is it?"

Han Yike took out a document from her bosom and handed it over, coldly saying:

"Lord Liu, you're aware that land prices in the capital have been fluctuating recently, aren't you?"

"Of course I know."

Liu Sili smiled and picked up the document, then...

Upon opening it, one can see some of the prices of land from various brokerage firms, which fluctuate considerably.

Han Yike took a deep breath:

"Then, Lord Liu, could you please give me an explanation?"
Why did Yingtian Trading Company and other trading companies profit so much from this?

Did you know that several wealthy men in the capital jumped into the river and died yesterday?
Many others submitted memorials to the court, directly addressing the chaos in the capital.

Upon hearing this, Liu Sili's eyes flashed with surprise, and he looked at Han Yike with some astonishment.

He did not expect,
The first person to discover this was surprisingly this unknown market trader.

"Lord Han, is it not acceptable to make a substantial profit?"

Han Yike's face suddenly stiffened, her anger instantly turning into embarrassment, and then into fury.

"Lord Liu, you don't need to argue with me anymore."
The fluctuations in land prices in Beijing are disrupting people's livelihoods, which is absurd.

"How could you, as officials of the imperial court and in charge of the Minsheng Trading Company, do such a thing!"

Liu Sili's smile faded, and he said calmly:

"Lord Han, the common people are weeping with joy because of the bumper sweet potato harvest!"
As a result, rice and grain prices plummeted by 30%.
Many ordinary people can save tens of coins by buying a bushel of rice today.
The money saved is enough to buy several kilograms of meat. Where is the disorder in people's livelihood?

"The wails of those wealthy landowners are so loud they could reach the imperial court!"

Han Yi could see that he was still arguing unreasonably, and she couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.

Liu Sili smiled and shook his head:

"Lord Han, these wealthy merchants and landowners are all incredibly rich. How can they be considered commoners?"

"What else could it be but the people?" A hint of absurdity flashed in Han Yike's eyes.

Liu Sili said calmly:
"If I remember correctly, Lord Han is from Shaoxing, Zhejiang, and is a descendant of Han Qi, the prime minister of the Northern Song Dynasty."
He comes from a distinguished family and owns thousands of acres of fertile land.

I, on the other hand, come from a prominent family in Liaodong, a descendant of powerful figures from the Jin and Liao dynasties.

How could people like you and me be considered commoners?

The absurdity in Han Yike's eyes grew stronger; he couldn't quite understand what Liu Sili meant.
"What are you saying? Has Lord Liu been blinded by money?"

"No, no, no," Liu Sili shook his head and said:
"What I'm trying to say is that these wealthy merchants and landowners usually disregard the laws and regulations of the imperial court."

They have committed numerous acts of seizing farmland and engaging in forced buying and selling.

They can't just ignore the "Great Ming Code" when they're gaining an advantage, and then cling to it when they're at a disadvantage.

In my humble opinion, people of our family background should have long ago learned the principle of being responsible for their own profits and losses.

"With land prices now recovering, many wealthy landowners have suffered significant losses."

How can we expect the imperial court to uphold justice? This is clearly the path we chose ourselves.”

Han Yike understood what he meant.
This is a complaint against oneself for speaking up for these wealthy merchants.

Taking a deep breath, Han Yike tried to suppress her resentment and said:
"Lord Liu, these people are incredibly powerful and have connections with many high-ranking officials in the imperial court."
"Things have blown up so badly, aren't you afraid you won't be able to handle it?"

"Lord Han, you are overthinking it. With sweet potatoes, we can grow crops on any kind of land."

If they don't want the land they have,

"Then let's sell them all, and the trading company can buy them all at once."

"Lord Liu, you have joined forces to buy up such large quantities of prime farmland."
Are they absolutely certain that the price of these fields won't continue to fall?

Han Yike realized that what she said was somewhat inappropriate, and quickly tried to correct herself:

"Yingtian Trading Company and Construction Trading Company are now both government-owned trading companies."

The money and valuables also belonged to the imperial court.
If land is used to buy up properties like this, and prices continue to fall, the imperial court will suffer the consequences.

"Such an important matter, why not discuss it with me first, so that the Market Transaction Bureau could be informed in advance?"

Liu Sili suddenly realized why Han Yike was so agitated.

He laughed, his voice gentle:

"Lord Han, please don't be anxious. It's just buying and selling some land; it's nothing serious."

These prime farmlands are located right next to the capital.

As long as the imperial court exists, prices will eventually return to normal. What's the rush, Lord Han?

Upon hearing this, Han Yike froze on the spot, a look of absurdity appearing in her eyes.
Although he had suspected this for a long time
But Liu Sili's bluntness still shocked him.

"Can the price return to its original level?"

Liu Sili smiled mysteriously: "Even better than before!"

(End of this chapter)