Canteen System Assistance Notes

After raising the issue and analyzing the situation, it was time to propose solutions. Liu Helian switched slides and pointed out a series of measures.

"Because the central government predicts that North China will experience a severe drought in the next three years, resulting in a significant reduction in grain production, we have been working to stockpile grain. Strategic grain reserves in border areas have essentially been established, and new reserves are being replaced annually. Therefore, our basic food security is not a concern."

What we need to consider is to protect the livestock industry in the border areas, that is, to protect everyone's protein supply. We can start by cracking down on food hoarding...

"Excuse me, Comrade Xiao Liu."

Accountant Chen, who had been sitting to the side, spoke up. He held the intelligence summary handed down by the staff earlier and shook the thin stack of documents. "So the General Staff Office, and you, Comrade Liu, are more likely to believe that this impending significant price increase is the result of an oversight in the previous preserved fruit policy and the natural consequence of normal economic market laws, correct?"

"Yes, this series of inappropriate policies actually reflects that Guocu has no basic governing ability of a qualified government. Of course, it will be a natural result... Wait, what the chief means is..." A staff officer suddenly seemed to realize something, and then Liu Helian seemed to realize something as well.

"If there are signs of subjective manipulation in this wave of phenomena...

"No, even if there weren't any, given the current situation between the KMT and the CCP, it's inevitable that someone would want to take advantage of it."

Liu Helian suddenly recalled the "rice rush of 40." At that time, food prices in the Kuomintang-controlled areas soared, and people panicked and grabbed food. The Kuomintang army did not try to solve the problem, but instead directly blamed our party comrades, accusing us of driving up prices and even murdering two party members of the "New China Daily." If this wave of price increases had started now, at the end of 39, the preserved fruit industry would undoubtedly add fuel to the fire and exploit the issue...

He thought of the grain prices that had doubled and tripled, potentially reaching 424% of the 37 level by 1940, and the numerous large landowners, wealthy merchants, and military leaders who had profited immensely from this. "We need to crack down on malicious grain price manipulation as soon as possible, and this crackdown will likely extend to the Guanzhong and Hanzhong regions, finding ways to cut off the flow of funds and grain to the fruit industry." The redemption method for discounted government bonds might also need to be revised. If grain prices are too high, we might need to redeem them in kind, which would not only save money but also benefit the people.

"If necessary, we will sell off strategic grain reserves to control food prices and ensure food supply security...

Someone spoke up and revised the proposed action plan.

"Comrades, I have an idea that I haven't quite figured out yet." Liu Helian interrupted the discussion.

“Why should we act now?”

Chapter 259: The People in the Wheat Field (1) New and Old Antiques

Shanxi merchants are an ancient business group. In the territory of Shanxi Province, they mainly run banks and commerce. Relying on the huge network of relationships woven by personal connections, official positions and personal connections, they once dominated the domestic circulation and trade field for hundreds of years.

However, with the rise of modern capitalism, compared to the more advanced new landlords, these guys who turned into usurers and rent collectors were eventually eliminated by the times.

Such "smart people" moved their butts and transformed themselves into national capitalists or Western compradors. Otherwise, by 1939, most of these once glamorous families would have been submerged in the turbulent times of modern times.

The Yan family in Weinan is one of them.

The Yan family moved from Shanxi Province. In the memory of the young master of the Yan family, during the time of his great-grandfather, his family had been gradually declining: the money houses were replaced by banks, the bill exchange houses could no longer operate, and the commerce of peddlers was replaced by the money houses.

The foreigners’ “monster products” were defeated and suffered huge losses.

Later, there were "bandit rebellions", revolutions, warlords, and one chaotic war after another. In such a chaotic environment, the Yan family failed to make a bet, and was caught by Yan Laoxi for hoarding grain and raising prices, so they had to move from southern Shanxi Province to

Qian, hid in Guanzhong.

However, a large family with many years of history always has some savings. After purchasing a large piece of land and spending money to smooth out relationships, the Yan family successfully gained a foothold in Guanxi and settled down.

Yan was born in such an environment.

"Master, here are the latest account books for you to review.

The family's legal advisor humbly handed the account book to him. Yan stretched out his legs and slipped into his platform slippers on the floor. A servant nearby put his coat on him at the right moment. The young master, who was in his thirties, held up a soft-cover copybook and looked at the various figures on it.

"The sales of northern goods have increased recently, and the shipments of various goods have increased. You've done a good job." "Ah!" The master lowered his head happily and did not raise it again.

Young Master Yan saw this and felt a wave of disgust, but he maintained his composure and said, "A reward is essential. When the time comes, just withdraw 500 yuan from the account book. It's my reward. Your child is in a high-level elementary school, so it's good to spend more money on him to study more."

"Thank you for your care, Master."

"But why are sales so high this month? I remember that ever since the Wei family in Qingmuchuan, Ningqiang, got involved and started investing in Northern Goods Trade, our sales have been gradually declining. How come we were able to break free from the competition and turn the tide this month?"

"Um, this..." The still happy master was stunned for a moment, "Master, this increase in sales is a good thing, isn't it?"

――--——-

"Of course it's a good thing, but if there's only one month's increase, there must be a reason. If you can't find the reason, then it's just one month's increase. But if you can find the reason, then the increase can be sustained. If you run a business that can't be sustained, how can you maintain your family business and make it last forever?"

The educated young master of the Yan family spoke with a lot of eloquence, which frightened the legal advisor. However, he was a teacher who had served two generations of the family, so the experienced legal advisor quickly came up with a solution.

"Perhaps it's because the Wei family in Ningqiang has reduced their purchases of goods from the north," he recalled. "They've been going to the Transportation Society and Guanghua Society less often this month. In the past, our guys would inevitably clash with them, but this month, there haven't been any. This must be because they've been buying less often, and in smaller quantities."

"oh...…""

Yan considered the Ningqiang Wei family, a local tycoon with ample funds, mostly in silver and silver, making them highly sought after by those from the north. Purchasing goods with silver inherently offers a 10% discount, which translates to a 10% net profit for those who purchase with cash, a natural competitive advantage in Weinan. Yet, they'd actually abandoned this guaranteed profit and reduced their purchases. Money, after all, is useless when stored in a cellar; it must be spent and transformed into assets to generate a continuous stream of profit.

The "advanced-thinking" young master still found it hard to believe his old rival had acted so foolishly. He asked, "Then do you know what they did with the extra money? The Wei family is no fool. If they didn't take 10% of the net profit, they must have a new way."

"Oh! I've heard of this."

The lawyer scratched his head, thought for a moment, and said, "A few days ago, I went to collect rent from Zhao Shitou's house, where the outer field collapsed. Unexpectedly, the weather changed and a thunderstorm came, delaying my arrival. I thought I hadn't collected the rent and got caught in the rain, which was really unlucky. Who would have thought that I would see the Wei family's escort team in that mountain ravine?"

The escort team was a long line, each one pushing a wooden cart, piled high with bags. When they finally got far enough away, I got off and saw grains of wheat scattered on the road! The carts were full of wheat!

"The Wei family bought so much grain again? Didn't they fill their cellars during the autumn harvest? Tsk!" Young Master Yan revealed an indignant expression. "They even held a party, inviting their own opera troupe to play music, just to show off. If our family hadn't fallen on hard times, how could a country landlord like them have the chance to enjoy such a spectacle?"

But despite his jealousy, the young master's mind was still relatively clear: "The Wei family is hoarding grain. Has the price of grain increased recently?"

"It's gone up, but it's not that much now, only about 30%. I heard the people at the transportation and trading company chatting about how North China suffered a flood this year, and the grain production has decreased, so they're asking everyone to save more. Some of the big farmers in Lin County are also saying that grain prices won't get any cheaper this winter, so they're saying they want to make money now."

Stockpiling food, speculating on food...

The young master of the Yan family thought of the situation when the warehouses were full and the price of grain was soaring. At that time, just by selling a fixed amount of grain, he could earn more than any trade or factory.

The profit of mining. In such a situation, if you have the supply of goods, you will be more profitable than

Anything works better!

Scarcity brings profit! This is a traditional trick of Shanxi merchants. Going back a hundred years, the Yan family relied on this kind of grain trade and price fluctuations to make a fortune in Shanxi Province. "How much money do we have in our account?" the young master asked, "and how much can we spend?"

"Not a lot, but..." The master answered humbly, but quickly reacted, "Master, we are going to store...isn't this...not good? In this disaster year, storing food...

Our family has only just taken root here for a short time, and the people’s voices…”

"What's wrong with this?" Yan flipped through the account book, looking for the cash on hand. "Why is it so low? Where's our money?"

"Master... this, have you forgotten? Just last week, the master paid money, saying that he was going to buy the twenty acres of irrigated land that he had long been eyeing. Those families who couldn't pay the interest on the loan...

You can only sell the land and get out!"

Oh, oh! How could I have forgotten about this.

My father is an old-fashioned man who only knows how to buy land. He always says that land is the root of a family. Most of the profits from business over the years have been thrown into the big pit of buying land! The young master of the Yan family slapped his forehead, rolled up the book, and knocked the lawyer's forehead.

"What kind of reputation? My Yan family built bridges and roads, established temples and schools, and we're famous throughout the village. The elementary school your kid attends has donations from our Yan family! What's wrong with hoarding some food? You're an elder, but how could you not know that in a famine, if we only sold our food a penny cheaper than others, wouldn't those farmers kowtow to us like the gods?"

"I'll go talk to the master! Grain prices are going to go up this year, how can our Yan family fall behind? You come too!"

"Oh...oh! Master, what about the rent for Zhao Shitou's family that I told you about yesterday? His rent is compounded interest, and it's already doubled. His wife just gave birth..."

"You're still asking me about this?" The young master turned his head in disgust as he hurried away. "What bullshit! We can't owe you a penny! If he doesn't pay, we'll have someone confiscate his family's food rations to pay off the debt!"

Chapter 260: The People in the Wheat Field (⑵) The Party and the State

Mr. Qin, the section chief of the Shaanxi Provincial Grain Management Office, also known as the Grain Office, was walking on the road with a team of soldiers.

It was grain collection time, and Section Chief Qin could have been happily slacking off, waiting for his subordinates to bring him gifts so he could finish his work. However, for some reason, his superiors had been particularly dedicated lately, keeping a close eye on the progress, constantly asking about the progress of the grain collection.

Section Chief Qin used his connections and did some research, only to discover that food prices had been rising steadily recently. Furthermore, this increase was expected to last for quite some time, at least until after next year's summer harvest. Furthermore, grain reserves were running low, and with a large influx of people migrating to the southwest and central China, a food crisis was brewing, and rising prices were inevitable.

This person can do without food, drink, and entertainment, but he can't do without food. Although the latter item has never been a problem for Section Chief Qin, for the citizens who make a living in the city, food is always an urgent crisis that can force them to spend every last penny.

At a time like this, it's no wonder the superiors want to make a fortune! Thinking of this, Section Chief Qin decided not to be left behind. He revised the grain collection order, which had already been revised by his superiors, again, adding 25% to the provincial public grain and Y education fees per mu.

When making money, you can't fall behind!

Everyone knew that farmers under Chiang Kai-shek were subjected to heavy taxes and levies. But a simple examination of the sheer volume of manipulation and swindling that went into this simple "agricultural tax" is truly terrifying.

As the main source of tax revenue for the country, provinces, counties, and townships, the "agricultural tax" of the Republic of China was not a simple concept of a single tax type. It encompassed many things: land tax submitted to the state, food and fodder requisitioned for battles and operations, public grain of the provincial government, public grain of the county government, "education fees" of the provincial government, "education fees" of the county government, "pacification fees" of security groups at all levels, and grain storage of landlords.... Note that these taxes were not sub-taxes uniformly included under the agricultural tax rate, but were individual taxes calculated independently based on the agricultural tax rate and the "prescribed land output."

Simply put, if you were a self-employed farmer farming during the Republic of China period, your per-acre yield would be deducted at least eight times by the same and different tax collection entities under various names and tax rates! Even when paying taxes, you had to pay the tax collector's transfer fees (transportation fees) and travel expenses yourself.

At the same time, we have to pray that the tax collectors do not engage in operations such as "advance payment of future land taxes".

However, this is a heavy burden on the farmers. Our cheerful Section Chief Qin has his own worries—he's thinking about how to bribe the small group of soldiers and laborers he's with today to store the grain in a safe and reliable place. Well, for a little money, it should be a good idea to deposit it with a few landlords I know in Weinan. I've taken good care of several wealthy families there when I was doing the levy, so borrowing their granaries shouldn't be a problem.

"Section Chief! Section Chief!"

The little boss beside him nudged him, and Section Chief Qin, who was sitting in the horse-drawn cart, reacted. He then realized that he had fallen asleep, and drooled for a long time at his mouth: "What's wrong?"

The young leader pointed to the dirt road in the distance without saying anything more. Section Chief Qin straightened up and looked over. There seemed to be a dozen carts on the road over there. They were pulled by horses and donkeys, and there were people sitting on the carts. The horses and donkeys were moving at a trickle, not pulling much, so the carts probably weren't loaded with anything.

However, the people over there seemed to be looking this way as well. In Section Chief Qin's sight, the driver over there was quickly slapped a few times by several men with guns, and then whipped the horses and donkeys to speed up. Oh, damn, it's a colleague!

"Brothers! Those guys next door are trying to steal our business, so let's speed up!"

The two groups started a race, and on the dirt road trampled by pedestrians, they began a bumpy "animal-drawn vehicle race."

This wasn't a competitive struggle between the two sides, a quest for first or last place. Rather, these veteran scrapers understood the reality of the situation: the poor have only so much in their bodies. The one ahead of you has squeezed it thoroughly, and no matter how hard the one behind you wrings, only a few drops of oil will be available. Even a seasoned "grain collector" like Section Chief Qin had to resort to cumbersome "special methods" to extract grain from the scraped-white soil.

If you can just do the work and slack off, who would bother?

The packhorses and donkeys panted heavily, pulling the cart at a speed they were not good at. As a result, the result of both sides speeding up was that neither of them accelerated.

The two groups of people arrived at the village where they were going to collect grain almost at the same time.

"Hello, hello. I'm Section Chief Qin from the Grain Management Office. What's your name, sir?"

Since there was no way to determine who came first, the only option was to "move forward together." Section Chief Qin immediately changed his attitude, jumped off the cart, and bowed to the other party, indicating that they should not fight each other today.

"Section Chief Qin! I've heard so much about him. I was wondering who he was, and it turns out he's from the provincial government."

The other party showed no sign of surprise. "I'm Captain Sun of the County Security Team. Today, I'm here in Meijiaping Township to collect the county grain tax, following orders from my superiors. Since we've been fortunate enough to meet, let's cooperate sincerely and act together."

There was no retreat, no overtures, but it was clear they didn't want a fight. Section Chief Qin was well-versed in the unspoken rules of the trade. The other party had at least shown basic goodwill, and a powerful dragon couldn't overpower a local snake. He didn't have many men with him today, so he estimated that at least 30% of the profits collected today would go to the other party.

Hiss...it hurts, I have to make up for it somewhere else.

Section Chief Qin pondered this, his expression remaining unchanged. He shook hands with Captain Sun and headed towards their destination, Meijiaping. At the entrance to this first village, the township head and village chief of Meijiaping should already be waiting for him. He could simply discuss the matter of collecting more grain money with them when the time came.

However, as the two groups approached, the village head, who should have been wearing a long gown and standing at the village entrance, sat slumped under a large tree at the entrance, motionless, as if his bones had been pulled out.

Only after Section Chief Qin repeatedly called out to him did the "model village chief" known throughout the area come to his senses. When he saw Section Chief Qin and Captain Sun's faces appear together, he gave a wry smile, tears streaming down his face. "Hello, Chief, hello, Chief."

He repeated the words tremblingly. The usually energetic middle-aged man now seemed like a limp rag as he stood up unsteadily. "Hello, officer... Hello, officer..." "Chief Wang, today the security corps and the provincial grain administration are here to collect public grain, education grain. As a model chief, you must set an example!"

"Ah... Captain Sun, Captain Sun, to be honest..."

"Um?"

When he didn't hear the promise, Section Chief Qin, who had originally looked amiable, immediately changed his expression and said coldly, "Captain Wang, this is not nice. Didn't we agree before that national taxes and imperial grain are natural and right? Don't tell me that Meijiaping has any difficulties."

"I dare not, I dare not..." Wang Baozhang bent down deeply, "That's it, that's it..." "That's what?"

"Just a few days ago, the provincial military rations department came over. And that's not all, because just yesterday, the soldiers from the No. 1 Army and the No. 1 Division in the world came over and confiscated all the food in the village. They didn't use banknotes, they used printed grain vouchers..."

Oops, oops, someone got there first!

Watching the sobbing model village chief, Section Chief Qin's mind went on high alert. He hurriedly looked around, only to see footprints and vehicle tracks all over the village entrance. It was undeniable that someone had gotten there first. Captain Sun's soldiers dispersed and searched several nearby houses. They smashed down the door, walked around the empty house several times, and opened the cellar, but found nothing except a few grains of wheat. Damn it! Damn it! This thief is in such bad luck!

Section Chief Qin was instantly furious. His plan to make money had already been thwarted before he even began, not to mention the grain collection and the money he still had to collect for his superiors! This wave of rising grain prices was a great opportunity to make money, and he was just about to enter the market to make money, but he was going to be rejected? This was so unlucky!

"Chief, what should we do?" His subordinates came over to ask. If they couldn't collect any grain, they wouldn't get anything today, so they were naturally very worried. "It looks like there really is nothing left." "No, how could there be nothing left?"

Section Chief Qin showed his characteristic sinister expression. He put on a smile, walked towards the head of the security team standing beside him, and started to negotiate with him with gestures.

"I'm from the provincial government. Although it's inconvenient for me to intervene, if there's any blame or investigation, I can help cover it up a bit...Okay, after this is done, we'll split the profits 50-50. I, Section Chief Qin, have the final say, so I'll give you 50%!"

These poor fellows are not completely without money!

If you scrape hard, you'll always find something. It's just a matter of how much it costs and how ugly the job is. Everyone claims to be broke, but if you break down the walls and lift up the stove, you'll probably find food, pickles, salt, even dried meat hidden under beds, pots, and behind cupboards! Section Chief Qin and Regimental Commander Sun stood at the entrance of the village and ordered the two groups to line up.

Ready.

"My two officers, what are you going to do...ah! Ah! What are you going to do!"

"I'm sorry, Chief Wang, your incompetence has blocked our path to wealth. I have to bear this grievance." Section Chief Qin said softly, his head bowed. Then, with a wave of his hand, he had two soldiers tie up the chief tightly and take him to the ground. "Captain Wang failed to collect grain, refused to pay taxes, undermined the cause of the War of Resistance, and damaged the prestige of the Party and the country. Well, he is being detained and arrested to see what happens next!"

"Everyone, let's go!"

At a command from Regimental Commander Sun, two groups of soldiers marched out. "Take him for a walk! Search thoroughly! Any food you find, load it onto the truck and take it away. If you can't find anything, take the door panels, iron pots, benches, tables, household tools, and everything else! Oh, and don't let those grain-earning households go either. These damn people are cowards who are ruining the cause of the War of Resistance. Tie them up and take them away! Tell them, if they don't pay to redeem him, they can't even think of returning!"

Meijiaping Township is destined to cry.

Under the "legal force of the security corps and the legal levy of the grain administration," not only the large landlords, but also the small landlords and the rich, middle-poor peasants in Meijiaping suffered. Amidst cries and humiliation, a string of people were tied up and tied together, slowly walking towards the town. On the empty carts were loaded the last of their family's food, farm tools, bed boards, even "funerary materials," and everything of value.

However, did Section Chief Qin and Head of the Group Sun, who were both proficient in their work, finally become rich?

They weren't necessarily afraid, because not long after they left Meijiaping Township, a cannon blast rang out from the roadside, and a team of elite agents in military uniforms, armed with pistols, surrounded them. "Don't move! Unified Water and Land Transportation Inspection Office, check!"

"Looking at them like this, they must be Communist bandits, causing trouble for the village!" The leading military commander nodded with satisfaction, "Take them all away! Oh, leave one person back and tell the person in charge that if you don't bring money to redeem them, you can't go back!"

Chapter 261: The People in the Wheat Field (3) "Industry" Saves the Nation