The ground is white, the wind is cold, and the snowflakes are as big as your hand!
The heavy snow buried the city of Chang'an deep in the snowdrifts, and all you could see was a vast expanse of white.
The usually bustling streets seemed unusually deserted, with few people except for the occasional person coming out to purchase supplies.
But compared with this deserted street, the market selling charcoal is crowded with people.
Whenever people trudged to bring burned charcoal to Fangshi, they would be robbed and sold out as soon as they arrived at the entrance of Fangshi.
When a young man wearing a velvet hat and a thick sheepskin coat led his servants to buy out the charcoal again, someone finally couldn't help but complain.
One of them said to the young man: "Cui Laosan, you are too domineering. As soon as the charcoal comes, you will buy it all, leaving others how to live? Besides, with so much charcoal, can your Cui Mansion use it all?"
?Even if it is sold in a store, it will be enough to sell for several months, right?"
Several people who had not grabbed the charcoal just now also followed suit.
The young man named Cui Laosan was not ashamed but proud. He looked at the group of people with disdain and said proudly: "Zhao Laosan, who do you blame for your own inability? Besides, the price paid by a certain person
I’m higher than you, so if you have the ability, you can also increase the price!”
Indeed, Cui Laosan did not buy or sell by force, and those who did not buy the charcoal had nothing to do.
Even at the same price, others will give priority to Cui Laosan.
As for why?
This has to start with Cui Laosan’s origin.
Cui Laosan's name is Cui Yongjian. He was born in the Cui family of Qinghe. Because he is the third eldest in the Fang family of this generation, he is often called Cui Laosan.
This is also the reason why people who cannot buy charcoal dare to be angry but dare not speak out.
The Cui family of Qinghe is a family with a history of thousands of years, and no one dares to offend them easily.
Seeing the servant loading charcoal on the bullock cart, Cui Yongjian glanced at the surrounding crowd with contempt, looking arrogant and not taking these people seriously at all.
Just before noon, Cui Yongjian said to the servant on the side: "Keep a close eye on me. As long as there is charcoal, no matter what the price, I will get it for you."
After saying that, he got on the carriage and drove towards the city.
Those who didn't buy charcoal could only look at it angrily, but they didn't dare to say anything in anger.
The same situation occurred in other cities in Chang'an City.
As for why this is the case.
On the one hand, Ms. Cui wants to make a lot of money from this snow disaster and make the country rich.
On the other hand, it is for revenge on Yang Fan.
Why can buying charcoal take revenge on Yang Fan?
This has to start with the court meeting a few days ago.
After Cui Yongping was humiliated in the court meeting that day, Cui started to make preparations.
Under the 'force' of Changsun Wuji, Yang Fan issued a military order in front of His Majesty and all the ministers.
Claiming to solve the charcoal fire problem of the people in Chang'an within seven days and ensuring that charcoal prices stabilize.
If the problem cannot be solved, Yang Fan will not only be removed from his official title of Minister of Rites, but Yang Fan will also be held accountable for the crime of deceiving the emperor.
In Cui's view, as long as he buys out all the charcoal on the market, even if Yang Fan has extraordinary means, it is impossible to complete the task.
That's why today's move was made. They thought they could not only attack Yang Fan, their enemy, but also make a lot of money from it.
Of course Mr. Cui of Qinghe was willing to do such a good thing that could kill two birds with one stone, even without sparing any effort.
As for suffering the infamy of making it difficult for the country to make money, they, the Cui family, don't care. How can infamy be more attractive than golden money?
Besides, many aristocratic families and nobles are now hoarding charcoal. Who has the energy to keep an eye on Cui alone?
Therefore, whether it is the Cui family or other aristocratic families who have had conflicts with Yang Fan, they are all involved in the rush to buy charcoal, either openly or covertly.
For a time, the whole city of Chang'an was in a turmoil.
Chang'an City Pingkangfang!
There is a tall mansion in the middle. The snow in front of the door has been cleared away, and two magnificent stone lions stand on both sides of the door.
Different from common stone lion carving techniques, these two stone lions are carved proudly and fiercely.
The words Cui Fu hang on the high lintel, which looks very grand.
Jumping off the carriage, Cui Yongjian shouted to the doorman: "Is the eldest brother back?"
The doorman quickly opened the door, with a flash of fear in his eyes, and immediately replied: "My lord has just come back, in the main hall..."
Cui Yongjian ignored him and walked quickly towards the house.
As soon as I stepped into the main hall, I felt a rush of heat. There were several large bronze tripods placed in several corners of the main hall.
The charcoal fire heated up the copper tripod, making the entire hall seem as warm as spring, which was a huge difference compared to the cold weather outside.
The main hall is richly decorated, looking noble and elegant.
Maybe it was because it was hot, but as soon as he stepped into the hall, Cui Yongjian took off his velvet hat.
Unlike Cui Yongping, who has a fat head and big ears, Cui Yongjian is quite handsome and looks like he is in his twenties, but he seems a bit frivolous.
As soon as he saw Cui Yongping sitting next to the table sipping tea soup, he immediately showed a happy smile.
He quickly walked a few steps and came to Cui Yongping. He directly picked up the tea soup on the table and drank a few gulps.
He wiped the corner of his mouth casually and then said to Cui Yongping: "Brother, do you know how much charcoal I collected in total?"
Looking at Cui Yongjian who wanted to praise him like a child, Cui Yongping gently shook his head.
This younger brother is simply incompatible with the Qinghe Cui family's family style. Not only is he frivolous and impetuous, but his casual behavior is too rude in Cui Yongping's opinion.
You must know that Cui, as a scholarly family, prides himself on being a scholar and is always aloof and respects etiquette in every word and deed.
If he didn't need this half-brother to help him here, Cui Yongping would really want to drive him back to Qinghe.
But now that Cui Yongjian said this, he felt a little hopeful. In his opinion, this was the key to whether Yang Fan could be brought down.
After taking a sip of tea soup, Cui Yongping said calmly: "How much did you buy in total?"
Cui Yongjian said excitedly: "We can no longer store it in our warehouse, there are hundreds of thousands of kilograms!"
Cui Yongping was a little surprised: "Oh? Why so many? Didn't I just receive tens of thousands of kilograms a few days ago?"
Seeing Cui Yongping's surprised expression, he smiled proudly and then told what he had done.
Cui Yongping frowned slightly: "If you directly monopolize and buy, you won't be targeted by the court, right?"
"Brother, you are worrying too much. We are not the ones doing this. All the distinguished families in Chang'an City have been doing this in the past two days. It's just that we have hoarded so much charcoal. When will we sell it? The price of charcoal has doubled now.
As long as all these charcoal are sold, you can earn at least hundreds of thousands of dollars." Cui Yongjian laughed and said it didn't matter.
Hearing this, Cui Yongping immediately felt relieved.
As the saying goes, punishment does not punish the public. If it was just the Cui family who was hoarding charcoal and was a little afraid of being blamed by the court, and now everyone is doing it, then there would be nothing to worry about.
It seems that Uncle Zhongyi is not very popular, everyone wants to see his jokes!
Without charcoal, seeing how he turned over, Cui Yongping gritted his teeth with hatred when thinking of the humiliation during the court meeting that day.
Cui Yongping said with a ferocious face: "Don't worry, wait two days, I have already gone to Qintian Prison to inquire. This heavy snow will last for at least a month. This time we not only want to make a lot of money, but also ruin that kid's reputation."
Only then can I relieve the hatred in my heart."
"Brother, don't worry. I heard that the boy's concubine sends servants to collect charcoal every day, but only receives some sporadically. When the time comes, let's see what he does. The boy may be in a state of distress now!" Cui Yongjian laughed.
Cui Yongping stroked the beard under his chin and smiled with satisfaction: "You did a good job this time..."
Thinking of Yang Fan's crazy appearance, the two looked at each other and laughed in unison.