Yinshan Record

Chapter 230 Weiyang Trading Company
"Does the young master mean we should open a business?"

Su Fu was a capable manager in the Su family of Duling, managing several shops in Jiankang. This time, Su Che specifically requested him to come from his home.

"Yes."

"I wonder what you plan to do, young master. The simplest option is a silk shop, which is a sure-fire way to make money."

Silk can be used as money, although its purchasing power is not as great as that of gold and silver. However, thanks to the Emperor of Daliang, iron coins have become legal tender, and Steward Su is very optimistic about the prospects of the silk shop.

This is why the Imperial Guards' outposts in various places were willing to be disguised as silk shops, because it was lucrative and easy to make money.

"Or you could try a traditional Chinese medicine shop. The medicinal herbs from Cizhou are more effective than those from other places. People all the way north and to the East China Sea specifically ask for herbs from Cizhou. It's just that there's been a lot of turmoil this year, so it might be difficult to source herbs, but the connections are readily available."

When Su Che was young, he dreamed of becoming the owner of a herbal medicine shop in Linqing Prefecture.

If it were simply for money, opening a herbal medicine shop would be a good business, but Su Chezhi wasn't interested in that.

"What I mean is to open a grain store and lend money."

"Good business."

Steward Su gave a thumbs-up, and the stewards below nodded in agreement.

In years of great disaster, what could be more profitable than opening a grain shop and lending money?

They didn't mention it because it was a shady business, and the managers, who were used to doing business and strictly adhered to the rules, wouldn't approve of it.

There is a famine right now, and grain prices are soaring. Bringing grain from outside to Cizhou to sell would be extremely profitable.

As for lending, according to the industry rule of "nine out, thirteen back," if one hundred coins are lent out, only ninety are returned, and one hundred and thirty are collected upon return. If the loan cannot be repaid this year, it will be carried over to the second or third year, with interest calculated separately.

Sometimes, a single debt, if managed well, can force a family to work for nothing for the rest of their lives.

“But young master, our Su family of Duling should not do this kind of business.”

The head steward was sensible; given the current status of the Su family of Duling, they no longer needed to engage in this kind of business.

"The head steward is right."

Su Che smiled and said, "However, in our shop, you take in small coins and take out large coins. If you lend money, you get eleven out of ten coins."

The managers exchanged glances, and finally the head manager frowned and spoke.

“If that’s how you want to arrange it, it’s not impossible. But this business shouldn’t be set up in Cizhou. It should be done in Yongzhou.”

The head steward's meaning was clear: if this was a short-term tactic to win people's hearts, it should be done in the local area.

"Anyway, it's just a few cartloads of capital. It's better to let our fellow townsmen benefit than to let these Cizhou people profit from it." He said, glancing at the managers beside him. "The Third Young Master has assigned us a good business. Making money takes effort, but anyone can do a losing business."

These words made Su Che laugh.

“This business won’t lose money.” Su Che looked at the managers.

“Young master, we know you are kind-hearted,” the head steward said. “Cizhou has been a land of plenty since ancient times. Collecting grain from Cizhou and selling it in Jiankang is a way to make a steady and sustainable business.”

“But Cizhou has just suffered a disaster. If we want to start a business here, we need to transport grain from Jiangzhou. However, while Cizhou’s production has decreased, the demand in Jiankang will not be. Not only will the grain prices in Jiangzhou rise, but the grain prices in Jingzhou will also rise.”

“If you are interested in doing good deeds that will last, young master, we can buy some farmland in the vicinity this year when prices are low, just a little higher than what the local gentry are asking for. In two years, when Cizhou recovers and our land is also producing grain, we can make a good business of taking in small amounts and selling large amounts.”

Su Che nodded; the head steward's words were indeed wise and experienced.

If this strategy is followed, it will indeed be possible to establish this business in Cizhou, but Su Che has a lot of capital in his hands.

There's no need to waste any more effort.

“We will naturally buy land, but we will also sell grain. We don’t need to buy grain from places like Jiangzhou or Jingzhou. I have it ready in hand. Before you all came, I had the Imperial Guards buy several warehouses, which are full of grain.”

Several warehouses.

The stewards exchanged glances, and finally the head steward solemnly offered his advice.

"We are naturally aware of your methods, young master."

The third young master of our family is now the second most powerful figure in the Imperial Guard in Cizhou. With the Imperial Guard on the job, everything goes smoothly and all tasks are easy to accomplish. Obtaining some grain in Cizhou during this year of great famine is not a problem. However, business requires a steady and sustainable approach; one cannot simply sit and wait until resources run out. Moreover, these few granaries of grain are not a mountain of resources. What will we do after these resources are used up?

"You don't need to worry about the food."

With the Azure Emperor's Treasure Garden here, a few granaries of rice are no problem.

Su Che was more concerned about when the business would be able to truly get started.

"What I mean is that we should get things like distributing porridge, lending money, and selling grain up and running as soon as possible. Time waits for no one, so please hurry up."

The head steward thought for a moment and then spoke to Su Che.

"I roughly understand what the Third Young Master means. As for why he is showing favor to the people of this place, it is beyond my ability to ask. I suppose it is all part of the Young Master's plan. However, I would like to ask the Third Young Master to grant us full authority."

"This is natural."

Leaving professional matters to professionals has always been Su Che's personal principle.

The managers exchanged glances, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

"What should this business be called? We would appreciate it if the Third Young Master could suggest a name so that we can have someone make a signboard."

May you live a thousand years and enjoy endless happiness.

Su Che recited a sentence: "The happiness of one person is not as good as the happiness of the whole world. Since that's the case, let's call it the Central Bank of the Future."

“Chang Le Wei Yang, let’s call it that then, young master. We’ll get to it right away.”

Several stewards stood up and bowed to Su Che.

"Thank you all for your hard work."

Su Che returned the greeting.

"Hey Xiao Su, are you trying to do business here, or are you plotting a rebellion?"

The Yin-Yang Dharma King, who had been sitting on the sidelines observing coldly, suddenly blurted out a sentence.

"Is it really so annoying to just want to do some good deeds?"

"No, I'm just worried that before our Netherworld is established, you should go and find a human emperor to serve as the first one."

The Yin-Yang Dharma King leaned comfortably back in his armchair, crossing his legs.

"But it doesn't matter, we're all so familiar with each other. If you're interested in changing the dynasty, then I'll play along."

"Just doing a little bit for the benefit of the world." Su Che smiled and looked at this person: "Emperor of the mortal world? I have no interest in that good position of loving fathers and sons, and brotherly love."

"Where did you get that grain?" Yin Yang Dharma King looked at Su Che: "You don't think you can conjure up grain by relying on those imperial guards to dig three feet into the ground and suppress the powerful, do you? This Cizhou is suffering from disaster throughout the region, and no family has any surplus grain."

"Senior, where do you think my food comes from?"

"Transporting from outside is definitely out of the question. You managed to collect a large amount of grain before the disaster struck; hmm, if you had that kind of brain, you wouldn't have been outmaneuvered in Jiankang." The Yin-Yang Dharma King muttered to himself, "Let this old man think about it... Weiyang, Chang Le Weiyang..."

As the Yin-Yang Dharma King spoke, he suddenly thought of a possibility.

He turned his head and stared at Su Che with wide eyes.

"Could it be... that you possess the Azure Emperor's Treasure Garden?"

Su Che nodded.

This kind of thing probably can't be hidden from this old ghost in front of me.

During the previous battle with the City God of Tianan, this old ghost had seen that I had a magic treasure for hiding myself.

"Goodness gracious, if Ling Weiyang knew you were using his Azure Emperor's Treasure Garden to grow crops, he wouldn't even need the Six Heavens Yin Instrument; he'd probably be furious enough to live on..."

(End of this chapter)