Zhang Cheng revealed to Cheng Ruzhi, Zhao Zhenju, Tang Zhiyi, Yang Wanjin, Xu Qingyi and others that he intended to purchase a batch of grain, grass and military supplies from them. Everyone was overjoyed.
Most of these big merchants deal in bulk goods such as grain, cloth and silk, which are exactly what Zhang Cheng's army needs. What's more, Yang Wanjin and Xu Qingyi both run cattle, horse and cart dealers, so their transportation can be guaranteed.
When Zhang Cheng goes to Liaodong this time, the army will bring some of its own food and grass, but Zhang Cheng keeps these for emergencies. He also has a large number of cannons, gunpowder, arrows and other military supplies with him.
Although he knew that Liaodong had already stocked up the food and grass needed by the army, Zhang Cheng still reluctantly asked for more food and grass from the Ministry of War, and he still had 200,000 taels of silver for him to raise some of the food and grass on his own.
Now Zhang Cheng wants Cheng Ruzhi and the others to consume the two hundred thousand taels of silver, and Yang Wanjin and Xu Qingyi are responsible for the transportation. The reason why he does this is to tie them, the big merchants in Xuan Town, to
Together, everyone pursues profits together, forming a new interest group with Zhang Cheng as the center.
In front of Zhang Cheng, they began to discuss how to allocate the money. With their abilities, they could mobilize almost all the merchants in Xuan Town and fully absorb this business.
Finally, Zhang Cheng told them about the specific matters. They could discuss it with Jin Xinpeng and Yan Qingrong. Each family should prepare supplies according to the quota. The grain and grass they raised could be transported by themselves, or by Yang Wanjin's Shunlongchang Cattle and Horses Company and Xu Qingyi's.
Sihai Car Company is responsible for the transportation, and Kaiping Wei is only responsible for receiving the materials and paying money in Ningyuan City.
They chatted politely for a while, then resigned one after another and left, going back to study the matter of transporting military supplies to Zhang Cheng.
…………
Zhang Cheng then summoned Wang Muchen, the owner of Ruichang Taidong from Shanxi, and Qin Zichen, the shopkeeper of Qiandeji from Datong, in the main hall of the back hall.
After all, he came from afar to congratulate Zhang Cheng. This time, Zhang Cheng seemed much more enthusiastic than the last time. This Wang Muchen was of the same clan as Datong Commander-in-Chief Wang Pu, and Qian De Ji was also related to Wang Pu.
Although Wang Pu was not good at fighting, he was good at making connections and making money. His official position as Commander-in-Chief of Datong was obtained by the Wang family of Shanxi Shanxi merchants with money.
Since the wedding banquet of Zhang Cheng, when they came to congratulate them, they had opened branches of their own trading companies in the two castles of Chicheng and Dushikou on the North Road, and also participated in the border trade with Mongolia at Dushikou.
Moreover, they also participated in the tea and salt monopoly business on the North Road, trafficking tea, salt and other goods in large quantities from Shanxi to meet the needs of the military and civilians on the North Road and trade with Mongolia, and contributed to the prosperity of the North Road.
However, the profits gained from the North Road are not their bulk after all, so although the smuggling trade with Mongolia is now blocked, the losses are not large. They did not mention it when they came this time, but they did not mention it to the military on the North Road.
The ticket exchange business has shown great interest.
This was beyond Zhang Cheng's expectation. Wang Muchen said to Zhang Cheng: "Zhang Shuai just returned to the army from Henan Province, and now he has to fight in Liaodong again. The saddle and horse are tired, but he must pay more attention to his health."
Zhang Cheng smiled and was about to speak, but heard Qin Zichen continue: "Exactly, Zhang Shuai is the pillar of Xuanzhen and a model military general. You really need to pay more attention to your health and have a useful body to serve the country!"
"Excessive praise. You two have excessive praise."
Gu Nian
Although Zhang Cheng felt that it was not a good thing for them to praise him too highly, he felt really comfortable when he heard it. He smiled and said, "Zhang Cheng is ashamed to deserve such excessive praise."
He put down the tea cup and said: "Shuai Yang is the pillar of my Xuanzang Town and a model among military generals. How dare you be the last general!"
Wang Muchen said with a smile: "Zhang Shuai is humble, but the merchants in Shanxi and Datong respect Zhang Shuai very much. I wonder how we, the common people, can be effective in this battle in Liaodong?"
Zhang Cheng looked at the two of them, with a kind face, and said softly: "It is a great relief to Zhang Cheng that Mr. Wang and Mr. Qin have the heart to serve the country. This trip to Liaodong will require most of the military resources."
Everything is ready, although there are a few troops that still need to be raised, they have been secured, so I won’t cause any trouble to you two for the time being!”
After Wang Muchen glanced at Qin Zichen, he smiled and said to Zhang Cheng: "That being the case, we won't cause any trouble to Zhang Cheng. But this time we send troops to Liaodong, it will be useful for me and shopkeeper Qin. All I need is a word from Zhang Shuai.
We will do our best to live up to Zhang Shuai’s expectations.”
Qin Zichen also hurriedly expressed his position: "Although we, the common people, have no fame, we still want to do our best for state affairs. If Zhang Shuai needs it, we will not shirk it and will do our best to get it done."
Zhang Cheng waved his hand and ordered the soldiers waiting on the side to serve tea, and then said: "It is indeed a blessing for the country that the two of you have this intention, and you are a model of the merchant gang. Nowadays, the country is getting more and more difficult, and the plague is rampant in Jinan, and there is more war.
Frequently, Wei's medicinal material reserves are insufficient.
If you two are willing, you can help purchase some medicinal materials such as ephedra, kudzu root, artemisia annua, mugwort leaves, and patchouli. You can go to the Fort City Pharmacy to find medical officer Shen Shichun to discuss the exact amount needed later."
Wang Muchen saw that the preparation was almost done, so he said: "Mu Chen still has something to discuss with Zhang Shuai, but I don't know if it will seem presumptuous."
Zhang Cheng asked with some confusion: "Wang Shaodong has something to say, but there is no harm in saying it. There is no need to hide it in front of Zhang Cheng."
Wang Muchen then said with a smile: "Zhang Shuai, we Ruichangtai and Shopkeeper Qin have opened their Qiandeji store on North Road for more than half a year. At the beginning, they only opened stores in Dushikou and Chicheng Castle. Although they also closed
Redeem the military coupons issued by Zhang Shuai, but do not participate in the redemption business."
Zhang Cheng heard Wang Muchen mention the military stamps at this moment and didn't know what he meant, so he didn't rush to react. He just looked at him with a smile and waited for him to continue to say what he meant.
Wang Muchen was silent at this time. He picked up the teacup and put it to his lips and took a sip. His eyes slanted towards Qin Zichen. He knew he couldn't hide away, so he said as agreed with Wang Muchen before: "Shuai Zhang,
That's the thing.
Wang Shaodong and I both used Zhang Shuai’s military tickets in our shops on North Road. We didn’t realize it at first, but as time went by, we realized that these items are really convenient, light and easy to pass around.”
He paused for a moment, and seeing that Zhang Cheng was listening carefully, he continued: "Especially when purchasing goods from Zhencheng, you only need to use this ticket to pick up the goods in equal amounts, and then go to celebrate with the ticket.
Exchange money at Anhe Grain Store and Wanhe Cloth Store.
This has indeed provided convenience to many merchants in Xuanzhen. They no longer need to carry large amounts of gold and silver when trading, eliminating risks on the journey and a lot of fatigue."
When he heard this, Zhang Cheng seemed to understand what they were thinking, but he didn't point it out. He still sipped the tea and waited for them to say it themselves.