The playboy county magistrate

The next step was to select a location for the grain store.

The grain store was a core business that stabilized the foundation of Pingzhou's livelihood. After much deliberation, Third Uncle and Li Xuanzhi specially chose a location in the heart of the area connecting the riverside wharf and the market in the vast grain fields south of the city.

This place is accessible by both water and land, allowing grain ships on inland waterways to dock directly for unloading. Land routes connect various villages to reclaimed farmland, making grain transshipment and distribution extremely convenient.

The grain store occupies more than ten acres and has a row of large warehouses made of blue bricks.

Strictly adhering to grain storage regulations, the warehouses are elevated off the ground for ventilation and moisture control. Screens are installed to prevent rodents and insects, and storage is done in separate layers and zones. Dry and wet goods are separated, and new and old grains are stored separately. This allows for the year-round storage of tens of thousands of shi (a unit of dry measure), sufficient to meet the emergency grain storage needs within Pingzhou.

Before the new policy was implemented, the lifeline of Pingzhou's grain supply was firmly in the hands of grain merchants. They were accustomed to using underhanded tactics such as "buying at low prices in bumper years and selling at high prices in lean years."

During the autumn harvest season, deliberately suppressing grain prices forces farmers to sell their grain at low prices, which harms farmers due to low grain prices.

During the lean season in spring, when food is scarce, hoarding and speculation drive up prices. They even secretly adulterate products with mold and sand, passing them off as high-quality goods, thus harming the people and reaping huge profits.

Moreover, people had no means of storing grain at home, and most of their surplus grain could only be sold at low prices. In years of disaster, they would have nothing left and become homeless.

Therefore, Li Xuanzhi and his third uncle jointly established five major rules for the grain business: collection, storage, sales, relief, and planting.

First, grain is purchased at a fixed price.

Every autumn harvest, there are no limits on quantity or price reductions. The surplus grain from farmers in each village is purchased at a unified, fair market price, without discrimination based on quality or deductions in weight. This eliminates the exploitation by middlemen at each level, effectively preventing low grain prices from harming farmers and ensuring that farmers receive a return on their year's work.

Secondly, free storage service.

The public warehouse storage service is open to all residents of the prefecture. They can store their surplus grain and seed grain for free, only needing to pay a small storage fee and loss fee.

The grain store has dedicated staff to oversee the grain storage, regularly turning and airing it to prevent moisture. Grain can be stored and retrieved at any time, completely solving the problems of difficult grain storage and spoilage for villagers.

Third, sell grain at fair prices.

Brown rice, refined white rice, soybeans of all sizes, sesame seeds, various types of black and white flour, and forage and coarse grains are all covered.

Prices are divided into three tiers: refined grains, ordinary grains, and livestock grains, and remain stable year-round.

Fourth, government-funded relief grain.

Whenever a prefecture or county experiences drought or flood disasters or needs to resettle displaced people, grain merchants will unconditionally supply disaster relief grain and livestock feed at the lowest possible price. They will prioritize cooperating with the government's livelihood and administrative affairs, and make every effort to ensure basic needs and maintain stability.

Fifth, the supply of improved varieties.

The government maintains a year-round reserve of high-yield wheat and rice seeds selected by the authorities, which are then sold at designated locations in remote villages not covered by government-issued seed varieties, providing affordable supplementary supplies. This supports the reclamation and restoration of farmland across the region, increasing production and income.

In addition, the grain bank has a special "stabilization granary" that maintains several thousand shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain at a fixed time as an emergency reserve. This is specifically designed to deal with sudden food shortages and price fluctuations.

If grain prices fluctuate abnormally in the market, grain will be released immediately to stabilize the market. This will fundamentally prevent grain merchants from engaging in speculation and disrupting people's livelihoods.

Its commercial and livelihood value is irreplaceable, firmly safeguarding the bottom line of food security in Pingzhou.

The public warehouse storage system revitalizes surplus grain in the private sector, reduces grain loss, and enhances the value of arable land.

The widespread adoption of improved varieties has helped the new policy of land reclamation and increased production, fundamentally consolidating the foundation of the equal land distribution policy and ensuring that people have a good harvest from farming and a surplus at the end of the year.

Next up was the general store, located in the heart of the bustling city center, where the most people were concentrated.

The requirements are also very strict: the storefront must be spacious and well-ventilated, with regular zoning.

Shelves are tiered for display, and goods are arranged by category.

It is clear at a glance and easy to choose, completely changing the chaotic and disorderly state of the old grocery stalls, where good and bad products were mixed together.

In the past, the powerful families of Pingzhou monopolized foreign trade and strictly controlled the inflow of foreign goods, resulting in an extreme shortage of supplies in the market.

The daily necessities for ordinary people's homes are incomplete, and local specialties from both the north and south, as well as fine products from abroad, have disappeared.

Private purchasing relies solely on scattered street stalls and itinerant vendors, resulting in poor-quality goods, difficulty in distinguishing genuine from counterfeit products, and inflated prices. Furthermore, there is no after-sales service or traceability; those who buy inferior goods are simply out of luck.

Li Xuanzhi's third uncle's planned general store in Pingzhou would open up a complete north-south trade route. Goods would reach all parts of Jiangnan, northern Xinjiang, Fujian, Guangdong, and the Central Plains, providing comprehensive coverage without any blind spots.

It is strictly divided into four major categories, taking into account both basic needs and the affluence of the people.

The first category consists of essential daily necessities, including oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, tea, wine, sweets, and snacks—all items needed by every household daily. The quantities and weights are accurate and there will be no shortchanging.

The second category is dried goods and specialties from both the north and south, including wild mushrooms, dried goods from rivers and seas, dried fruits and candied fruits, and seasonings and spices, which fill the gap in local products in Pingzhou and enrich the diet of the people.

The third category is agricultural and household hardware, including finely crafted iron plows, sickles, hoes, household copperware, door and window fasteners, needles and knives, and repair tools, suitable for agricultural production and home repair needs throughout the state.

The fourth category comprises exquisite and rare items, including incense from Jiangnan, warm leather goods from Northern Xinjiang, cosmetics from abroad, delicate wooden carvings, and small scholar's objects. These items cater to the refined needs of wealthy families, scholars, and officials in the city.

The source, origin, purchase price, and selling price of all goods are recorded.

Clearly verifiable and based on evidence. Daily cooperation with government inspections and verifications, proactive tax payment, and compliant operation.

In addition, Li Xuanzhi mandated that the general store would not sell inferior goods, would not display defective products, would investigate counterfeit goods, and would compensate for any shortages. All prices were clearly displayed throughout the entire process, with no hidden markups or tricks.

At the same time, more convenient services have been added, such as small discounts for the poor and free home delivery for the elderly, weak and disabled.

Finally, the location of the carriage and horse shop was selected.

As the vital hub of Pingzhou's commerce and trade, the carriage and horse trading company deliberately chose a location next to the main road at the city's main gate, adjacent to the main road into the city and the post station outside the city.

It occupies a large area and has a well-organized layout.

It features a high-standard stable and categorized parking area, a transit warehouse, and a small courtyard for travelers to rest. It also includes rooms for artisans to stand guard.

Fully functional and with a clear division of labor, it connects Pingzhou both inside and outside the city, making it a true core transportation hub.

Previously, all official horses, private carriages, and transportation capacity within Pingzhou were controlled by powerful clans.

Ordinary people traveling long distances, students going to take exams, and merchants transporting goods are all subject to layers of exploitation.

They charge exorbitant freight rates and have an arrogant attitude. They frequently delay delivery, embezzle goods, and add charges midway through the journey.

What's even more abhorrent is that these families deliberately block roads to states and counties, restricting the entry of foreign vehicles and horses.

This led to the blockage of trade routes in Pingzhou, slowed the flow of goods, and completely shut down the lifeline of the local economy.

When Li Xuanzhi's third uncle came here this time, he had already prepared dozens of fine horses for work and good steeds for transportation, as well as a carriage for carrying people.

Li Xuanzhi discussed the matter in detail with his third uncle for a long time and formulated a series of rules, which were divided into three main categories: passenger transport, freight transport, and express delivery.

In terms of passenger transport, it caters to various passenger needs, such as long-distance travel for the general public, students taking exams, and family travel.

Billing is based on a uniform price per mileage, with different vehicle types and price tiers.

Ordinary people can ride in affordable carts, while officials' families and wealthy households can choose exquisite carriages. There will be no additional charges or arbitrary delays along the way.

In terms of freight, we undertake long-distance transshipment of goods from the north and south, as well as short-distance transport of local grain and cloth for export and private goods from villagers.

By signing a shipping agreement, we guarantee compensation for any damage or loss of goods, completely eliminating merchants' concerns about shipping.

Expedited delivery is specifically for the new government affairs lock.

Official documents, urgent documents, disaster relief supplies, and confidential items will be given priority passage.

Day and night, rain or shine, must not delay government orders for even a second.