"Chen Jiusi, that grain must have been transported by Yelu to Mianshui to make a huge profit. Moreover, the transportation and storage are so secretive, itâs obvious they donât want anyone to know!"
"If we go, will he willingly give it to us?"
Zhao Ya asked, and Chen Jie laughed: "Commandery Princess, sometimes using your privileges isnât wrong, you canât always follow rules without exception."
"Didnât we just have a meeting a few days ago and agreed that those with great influence can bring grain into Mianshui? And now Yelu is doing this for the country, seeking to benefit others as well as himself..."
"But his actions..."
"Oh, Commandery Princess, right now, you are the highest authority in Mianshui County; if you say itâs him, it is, and if not, itâs still him."
Zhao Ya responded: "Is this really feasible?"
Even though Zhao Ya was a noble Commandery Princess, she was a political novice who liked to act by the rules and laws.
However, sometimes you canât be too legalistic.
Chen Jie said: "Commandery Princess, trust me, all of this is for the sake of the hundred thousand people of Mianshui. If because of the Commandery Princess, tens of thousands of lives are saved, your merit would be boundless!"
After hearing Chen Jieâs words, Zhao Ya replied: "Then, I will listen to you."
"Haha, the Commandery Princess is absolutely right to believe in me."
Chen Jie smiled and said: "The Commandery Princess can go back and rest a bit; this batch of grain should arrive by tomorrow night. At that time, the Commandery Princess must commend Yelu. Do you know how to proceed?"
Zhao Ya replied while looking at Chen Jie: "I understand."
Zhao Ya was not foolish, on the contrary, she was smart. It was just that certain things bound her thinking. As a Commandery Princess, she had never known to use her privileges. Instead, she restrained herself and liked to follow rules. If he had the Commandery Princessâs power, he would have already arrested and interrogated the local tycoons of Mianshui County, obtaining a significant amount of grain.
She preferred to abide by the law. Chen Jie was growing increasingly curious about who her teacher was, to have taught a disciple like her.
However, this young Commandery Princess was about to accept his guidance. The first lesson he taught was to call a stag a horse.
...
Suzhou Chamber of Commerce!
The crowd transported all of their 250,000 stones of grain to Mianshui County in a grand fashion, which immediately attracted the attention of all the citizens of Mianshui County.
Some said they came to save Mianshui, but soon others claimed they were hoarding grain to profit in Mianshui.
In this way, such rumors spread throughout Mianshui.
Shen Wansan and others also heard of these rumors, pondered for a bit, and Shen Wansan convened the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce, saying: "Our operation this time is too large and will probably affect the subsequent grain prices. But donât worry; keep your patience for a few days. Let the market cool down, and prices will rise again."
Upon hearing Shen Wansanâs words, members of the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce immediately responded: "Understand, we wonât sell a single grain recently. Once the market realizes weâre not selling, prices will naturally rise, and by then, weâll control the release of grain to keep prices high."
Hearing this, Shen Wansan nodded: "Exactly."
The other members of the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce continued: "Donât worry, our target grain price is sixty cents. We wonât release for less."
Upon hearing this, Shen Wansan said: "Sixty cents is a bit steep; actually, fifty-five will suffice. Letâs wait and see tomorrowâs grain price."
...
Yelu Mansion!
Zhou Peng looked at Yelu and said: "Lord, did you hear? The Suzhou Chamber of Commerce people are here."
Yelu frowned deeply, initially thinking the Mianshui market would be entirely his, unexpectedly the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce stepped in.
"I know."
"Then, Lord Yelu, what should we do now?"
Zhou Peng asked as he looked at Yelu, who responded: "Donât rush; letâs wait and see."
Zhou Peng frowned: "Lord, should we seize todayâs fair grain price and sell some?"
Yelu immediately replied angrily: "No way!"
Zhou Peng was startled, and Yelu then looked at him: "Without my orders, no one is allowed to sell grain, crash the market, or Iâll show no mercy!"
The shout from Yelu startled everyone.
Yelu also feared these people might actually crash the market and cause grain prices to plummet, rendering his 100,000 stones of grain worthless.
At that point, not only would he not profit, but he wouldnât be able to fulfill the obligation to his schoolmate, the Prefecture Deputy Judge of Yongâan.
Why, after all, should people take risks to lend you grain? Because Yelu promised to return double the grain amount: 200,000 stones for the 100,000 borrowed, allowing the Prefecture Deputy Judge to also earn double the grain price. Then the Prefecture Deputy Judge could take this money and buy grain to fill the deficit when prices dropped next year!
The coming and going ensured the Prefecture Deputy Judge made money, right?
But if Mianshuiâs grain prices became problematic, he would suffer a massive loss, thus Yelu strictly prohibited the people on site from selling grain to let prices drop.
Zhou Peng looked at Yelu and said: "Lord, you wonât let me sell, but what if the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce sells, what should we do?"
After hearing Zhou Pengâs words, Yelu pondered for a moment before saying: "Zhou Peng, take my invitation and invite the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce people to Yelu Mansion as guests."
"Ah, Lord, do you want to?"
Yelu said: "When a friend comes from afar, how could we not host them? It would seem impolite otherwise."
Zhou Peng replied: "Yes, I understand, Lord."
Zhou Peng took Yeluâs invitation directly to the residence of the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce.
"Hmm, the local Darugachi invites us?"
Shen Wansan looked at the invitation in his hand, then turned to Zhou Peng and said: "Go back and tell Lord Darugachi, we will make preparations and attend the banquet."
Zhou Peng said: "Then I will take my leave."
Zhou Peng left with his men, leaving only the members of the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce in the room.