Everyone in the hall silenced their voices and looked at the shopkeeper Xu Ji who had spoken just now. All the old men and women knew what Leng Xinke meant.

Obviously, the county magistrate, who has only worked here for a few months, is an outsider who is only necessary and cannot be had. Now that the outsider is gone, we can say whatever we want behind closed doors.

"Master Leng, before I talk about my thoughts, I have to mention it first.

As we all know, the source of coal and charcoal for more than 100,000 people in our county, and even our state, is mine, the Xu family, the Li family charcoal workshop, and the mining supervisor of the Ministry of Industry.

The workers of the mine supervisor have not spoken out for a long time. There are not many workers working, the output is already low, and the normal output has been requisitioned by the government. Now we are the only ones who can really produce coal and charcoal.

It seems that whether the coal is sold or not, or the price is low, is just a matter between our two families. In fact, it is not the case. This matter can be said to be related to the livelihood of the entire county and everyone present.

Not to mention anything else, at least half of the thousands of coal, stone and charcoal our two families purchased were purchased by everyone here."

"Shopkeeper Xu."

Leng Xinke said a faint word, and the shopkeeper immediately patted his mouth.

So even if he agrees with Shopkeeper Xu's words, he still has to refute it. This is justice and power. If the power is defeated, he will not be able to gather this energy in the future.

In the evening, horse-drawn carriages and ox-carts arrived at the house not far behind the county government office one after another. Leng Xinke, who had already changed into a set of clothes and appeared in a low-key manner, was looking at the things in front of him with red eyes.

"You don't want money, are you crazy?"

But as I said just now, this is a matter of great justice. Since His Majesty wants us to lower the price, then let’s lower it, even if it’s free of charge.”

"Master Leng, do you think this is against the will?"

Thinking of this, he ended up in his usual style, preparing to put the matter down and observe again secretly. He always felt that those businessmen were not holding it in well.

On the next day, the Royal Army slaughtered all the wealthy merchants in the city and those who sent people to take turns to get food. He reported this to the police and was punished.

When the people above come to investigate and find out that someone bought the coal at a high price, we can easily find dozens of ordinary people who bought the coal at a low price. There will be both personal and physical evidence.

After nodding in return, he walked into the hall and the intern county magistrate reported to the magistrate about the personnel he had selected. Although he knew that he would not hear any useful information, he still inquired.

"Don't worry, sir! I won't make it difficult for you."

Leng Xinke's eyes also lit up, this is a great idea! They didn't sell it but gave it away, but it was a bit expensive.

This is disrespectful to His Majesty and is a piece of meat for the people of the world, and should be beheaded."

"However, there must be conditions for free of charge. Otherwise, if you give it all away, how will your majesty sell the coal and stone?

Therefore, we have to give them away strategically. For example, shopkeeper Mu, if you make clothes at home, tell people who can afford charcoal that coal, stone and charcoal will be given away for free. You must buy your clothes in order to give away charcoal.

When the time comes to notify the county to control coal prices, a small coal dealer that usually does not respect itself will deliberately disclose less information, such as not saying that it will sell at a high price and will strictly enforce it.

Your Majesty's disaster relief is for the sake of the world, and that is for the common people. With such noble feelings and caring for the people, you can't make less money? Do you really think that I can't deal with you?"

"Well, these are the main things. When you go back, remember to give me a copy of your document booklet. I can let you participate in different villages based on your strength."

"This matter is easy to handle. We only need to separate out some coal and stone, mix it with some sand and soil, and then sell it at the price set by Your Majesty.

"hiss!"

“Everyone, everyone!

Mislead him to continue selling at a high price, then catch an example, and then write a letter to scare other merchants, and other merchants will donate money and materials. It is perfect.

If you ask him yourself, you will always get a sanctimonious and high-sounding answer. If you want to hear the real answer, I'm afraid it's impossible to kill him.

Instead, a smile gradually appeared on the dog-headed official's lips. He had also thought about this method, but he didn't have time to say it.

After all, we certainly cannot disobey His Majesty’s compassion for the people, and what’s the difference between giving away a hundred catties of silver and giving it away for free? It’s better to just give it away.”

Their faces no longer had the dead-mother expressions on their faces when they learned that they would lose money on coal prices. Instead, they were chatting and laughing, vaguely listening to talk about good strategies and the like.

Even the people who sell coal are hired by us, and the number of people is huge. It can be said that if coal, stone and charcoal are not sold, or sold at a low price, it will mean that the livelihood of many people has been cut off.

While shaking their heads, the two continued chatting, as if the livelihood of the entire county was none of their business.

"Shopkeeper Xu, you are so brave! You are openly disobeying His Majesty's decree. Do you want to resist it?"

When the Royal Army first arrived in their county to fight the epidemic and provide disaster relief, food distribution was actually very limited. They hired local people and distributed fixed grain quotas based on miles.

"Speaking of this, Xianguan is also sweating coldly. When he heard from those soldiers that Shuntian Mansion had killed more than ten seventh-grade officials, and even members of the clan, Xianguan still didn't believe it and thought they were bragging. If not

Shopkeeper Xu just happened to bring the letter, tsk tsk tsk."

That is to say, the censors and supervisors above, as well as those in the Royal Army, are not vegetarians. There is no guarantee that they will not use this as an excuse to catch fish.

A group of people listened to Shopkeeper Xu's murderous words. Not only did they not feel inappropriate, but they felt that it was very reasonable.

"Yes, sir, I can take it easy this winter. I'm afraid it will be bad next year. Your Majesty seems to pay too much attention to those mud-legged people."

If His Majesty just controls the price, even if he lets us sell it at half price, then if you set a price of 10%, we will still have to pay him a few cents for each share sold.

From ancient times to the present, in disaster relief, some people donate money, some receive money, and some people take advantage of the opportunity to make money. This is the case, and this is why all businessmen are willing to buy this quota.

"Lengzhi County, when the official left, this group of businessmen were still dissatisfied with the price limit for coal and stone transactions. Why are they smiling when they come back now? Do they ignore the imperial edict?"

Listen to me! This is a free gift. Of course it is a free gift. We have to work hard to publicize it and applaud His Majesty.

"I feel the same way. Let's talk about the last disaster relief. If I hadn't felt that the limelight was wrong at the time and didn't take action against the food, I might have been gone by now."

A good plan was formed instantly. In this regard, Leng Xinke's experience can be said to be very rich.

A group of businessmen were in an uproar. Just now you said you would die if you don't make money, and then you suddenly said you won't make money at the end. Are you out of your mind or are you just teasing everyone?

Leng Xinke stared at shopkeeper Xu Ji, his thoughts racing in his mind, and he thought about his words for a moment. He felt that there must be something wrong with this person's words, but he just couldn't figure it out.

In Leng Xinke's words, the word "send" was emphasized very heavily. Those who understood it nodded repeatedly and were already thinking about what to give.

"That's inappropriate! Shopkeeper Xu, although you didn't openly disobey what you said, the people above won't listen to our explanation.

Leng Xinke didn't dare to touch that guy because of the combination of what he heard with his own ears and through the newspapers.

"Okay! Shopkeeper Xu is very quick-thinking. No wonder the Xu family is the largest business in our state. My support for the Xu family has not been in vain."

"Oh, it's better to have this winter day! Although it's cold, it's okay. It's not like summer, where the officials' inspections come one after another."

"That's it? But I... am right, as long as I can show up in front of His Majesty, no amount of money can buy it."

For people like Leng Xinke, he could guess most of it with just a few words from the intern county magistrate, but he was also happy that this guy pretended to be confused and didn't ask further questions. As for the investigation? As long as he didn't show up, the matter had nothing to do with him.

What was piled in the yard was the plan for him, as well as the capitation fee for this disaster relief.

"Sir, of course I don't want to openly resist the decree. After all, Your Majesty is considerate of the people and does not care about losses for the sake of the world. He is an unprecedented sage. Whoever disobeys is any different from treason?

But we also have difficulties. His Majesty's family has a great business and has taxes from the world, but we have to live, repay our capital, and support our families.

After a few polite words, the intern county magistrate left, and the entire county government became quiet again. Leng Xinke shuddered while drinking tea around the stove.

"That's right! Sir, you can rest assured that we will take care of things."

If we buy them at a high price and give them sets, isn't that no problem?"

Another example is Lao Chen, your coffin maker, of course you can't force others to buy your coffins and white goods, but you can ask the wooden shopkeeper to help sell them?

We basically have all the charcoal in our county. For the remaining 20 to 30%, we just need to inform them and let them know our method. This is what everyone wants. Do they dare to disagree?

Leng Xinke was a little disappointed. He thought that shopkeeper Xu Ji could find some other ways, or find a way to secretly sell the charcoal and coal he bought at low prices. He didn't expect that this guy would be so blatant.

They say they don’t comply.

In just two days, this small county, which can only be regarded as a lower-middle-class county, has already spread the news that the Chongzhen Society is providing relief to the people and giving out new clothes to everyone.

But who is Leng Xinke? He is an old official in the officialdom. With nearly thirteen years of experience as a seventh-grade county magistrate, he can quickly stand firm even if he changes to another county.

It was just that during the discussion stage, the shopkeeper of the Xu family happened to come back with gifts for him before the sealing of Shanxi was completed, and brought news by the way.

"Wonderful! This method is completely feasible. Not only will it not violate the minimum price set by His Majesty, it will also be able to exchange all the money back."

Half an hour later, the intern county magistrate, who rushed back from the county jail, just dismounted in the direction of the county government gate, and then looked at a group of businessmen filing out of the county government office in surprise.

Therefore, we cannot lower the price of this charcoal, because if we lower the price, not only will we lose money, but even the people who rely on this coal, stone, and charcoal trade will not be able to survive!"

As long as they are willing, they will sell whatever they add to it, and they will sell it at a high price, after all, the charcoal will be sold in the end."

"Then it's settled. I'll emphasize it again. Your Majesty's imperial edict has been emphasized by the cabinet ministers and six ministries, so the price of coal, stone and charcoal is no problem.

"It's free. I'll give you a stick for free. Do you want it?"

Seeing that the situation was getting a little out of control, and some people were even ready to take off their shoes, shopkeeper Xu quickly added.

If anyone disagrees, I'd like to trouble Mr. Leng. Someone like this who openly opposes His Majesty must be selling coal at a high price.

Speaking of which, you purchased our coal and charcoal and made your reservations half a year ago. Now we have delivered most of the goods and everyone has invested a lot. What should we do with this money?

Also, there are people among you who want to sell it separately. We have to bring coal and stone to each village so that some people can make a living. If we bring it out to our county, some people can make a living from it.

Rolling his eyes, Leng Xinke touched his beard and put his hands in the stubble, which made him think more clearly, and he thought of the biggest problem with this matter.

Even though the people staying here are all "his own people", Leng Xinke, who has been an official for many years and only wants to be corrupt and not do anything, knows that he can never speak his mind.

"Oh! Why didn't I think of this method? It's easy and it won't violate His Majesty's will."

He couldn't help but become curious. What did Shopkeeper Xu say?

But the moment these people saw him from a distance, they all stopped talking and just greeted him lightly. He was used to this kind of unfamiliarity.

"Qingwen, if you don't understand anything in the future, you can ask me and I will explain it to you."

"The villain made a mistake. This matter has something to do with all of you, but it has nothing to do with Lord Leng. Lord Leng was not involved.
To be continued...