I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 94 Conspiring on Grain Prices

Chapter 94 Conspiracy over Grain Prices

The courtesan competition has ended, and Li Yajing has won first place, while Liu Rushi can only come in second. The people are all talking about it, saying that the competition must have been rigged, and that Li Yajing definitely has an affair with Wang Qingtian. There are even rumors that Wang Qingtian is Li Yajing's "godfather."

At Yuelai Inn, Shuiyu was packing her luggage.

Liu Rushi suddenly spoke up, "Stop packing, we're not leaving."

"Huh? Miss, why?" Shuiyu asked, puzzled.

"Wang Wenzhou hasn't even delivered the money he swindled from Xu Yingjie yet! Why are you in such a hurry to leave? I heard the labor camp is recruiting teachers, and I'd like to apply," Liu Rushi said calmly.

“Miss, do you believe Wang Wenzhou? He’s a big liar! He keeps saying he likes you, but yesterday he proposed to Miss Sheng in front of so many people. I heard that Miss Sheng also comes from a brothel. Wang Wenzhou is the magistrate of Hanshan County, and he’s also from a noble family. Do you really think he would marry Miss Sheng?” Shuiyu asked.

“I was curious too, so I wanted to stay and see. And the other day at the tea stall, when I heard about the labor camps, I became even more curious,” Liu Rushi said calmly.

"Knock knock..." A knocking sound came from outside the door.

"Who is it?" Shuiyu asked.

"It's me, Wang Wenzhou."

"Come in," Liu Rushi said.

Wang Wenzhou pushed open the door and entered. Seeing Shui Yu packing her luggage, he asked sadly, "Are you preparing to leave Hanshan?"

Liu Rushi countered, "Is there a difference between leaving and not leaving?"

"Of course there's a difference! If you don't leave, I might have a chance to sleep with you. If you leave, I definitely won't have a chance to sleep with you!" Wang Wenzhou said shamelessly.

Liu Rushi rolled her eyes at Wang Wenzhou and said irritably, "Aren't you getting married? What are you doing here?"

Wang Wenzhou took out a silver note and handed it to Liu Rushi, "This is your share. Don't think it's too little. It's 3 taels of silver in total. Xu Yingjie really spent a lot of money last night."

"He's very trustworthy!" Liu Rushi accepted the silver note.

"Of course, although I am a liar, I rarely lie unless I have a specific purpose," Wang Wenzhou said with a smile.

"I heard that the labor camp is recruiting teachers. What are the requirements?" Liu Rushi asked.

"Ruru, do you want to be a teacher?" Wang Wenzhou asked excitedly.

Liu Rushi nodded and said, "I want to see why so many people are willing to break the law just to get into a labor camp."

"It's simple, because there are benefits," Wang Wenzhou explained with a smile. "In the labor camp, you get good food and drink every day, although you still have to work. But you can also learn knowledge and skills. The standard of living in the labor camp is better than that of many ordinary families. People aren't stupid; water flows downhill, and people strive for higher positions!"

"Yes, I'll go for the interview later," Liu Rushi said casually.

"Ruru, I'm the chief examiner. Just apply to me. Shuiyu, please step out for a moment. I'll interview your young lady alone," Wang Wenzhou said with a wicked grin.

"Why do you want me to hate you?" Liu Rushi asked, frowning.

"You won't let me sleep with you. If you didn't hate me, I would fall in love with you, but I can't sleep with you. Isn't that just asking for trouble? If you hate me, I can't fall in love with you, and I won't feel so disappointed if I can't sleep with you," Wang Wenzhou replied with a wry smile.

"So lacking in confidence?" Liu Rushi asked with a smile.

"It's mainly because you're too smart! Even if I wanted to lie to you, I couldn't!" Wang Wenzhou had no choice but to tell the truth.

"Shuiyu, see the guests out!" Liu Rushi stood up and pointed to the door.

"Lord Wang, please!"

Wang Wenzhou walked out happily, while Liu Rushi stayed behind, so there was still a chance to sleep!

……

Spring Breeze Pavilion.

Ma Deyun raised his glass and said with a smile, "Congratulations to Minmin for winning third place in the Flower Queen Competition."

"Thank you! If it weren't for the four gentlemen, I wouldn't have achieved such good results." Zhao Fengmin thanked them repeatedly.

"Come on! Let's all drink this up!" Ma Deyun said, then downed the drink in one gulp.

The four great scholars held a celebration banquet for Zhao Fengmin. Yang Sheng and Wang Wenhua were also present.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Wang Wenhua suddenly asked, "Brother, have you prepared the money?"

Ma Deyun patted his chest and said, "Brother Wang, don't worry. When I told my father about raising grain prices, he supported it on the spot. This is a very profitable business, and he gave me 50,000 taels of silver."

Yang Shan smiled and said, "I can offer 30,000 taels."

Sun Feng said plaintively, "My father isn't very supportive, so I can only contribute ten thousand taels."

Lin Qing had no money and didn't dare mention it to his father, after all, he hadn't yet made up for the several thousand taels of silver he had embezzled from the treasury. However, he also had ten thousand taels of stolen money hidden in the city. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I can contribute ten thousand taels of silver."

Wang Wenhua nodded and said with a smile, "I will contribute 50,000 taels. Let's settle this today. Starting tomorrow, we will purchase grain from Hanshan County and the surrounding counties. At the same time, Brother Ma's grain shop should start raising the selling price of grain. Don't raise the price too quickly for now; a 10% increase per day is sufficient."

Ma Deyun nodded and said, "Don't worry, Brother Wang, my father has already agreed. Just give the word, and I'll go and inform the shopkeeper to raise the price."

Yang Shan asked, "Brother Wang, in my opinion, during these days' courtesan competition, Master Xu and his group seem to be at odds with you, Wang Shazi. Moreover, they are rich and powerful. Why don't you bring them along to do this business?"

"Hehe!" Wang Wenhua laughed, "Those rascals do have some money. But they're never very reasonable. They wouldn't dare cheat me, but they would dare to cheat you!"

Yang Shan thought about it carefully and realized he was right! He quickly clasped his hands in thanks, "Thank you for reminding me, Brother Wang. I understand now!"

Wang Wenhua suddenly frowned and said, "News has come from the capital that my memorial impeaching Sha Xiaowu has been withheld by the Emperor. The same thing happened to the memorials of Lord Yu and Prefect Li. I estimate that the Emperor may send someone to inspect the area. After all, if the city entry tax is implemented in various places, our Great Ming Treasury will no longer be short of money."

"Oh! What should we do?" Ma Deyun asked.

The four talented scholars now wish Wang Wenzhou were dead; they couldn't possibly think he was any good. If Wang Wenzhou continued to serve as the magistrate of Hanshan, they wouldn't have a good life.

"It's alright! Even if His Majesty wanted to adopt the city entry tax method, the court officials wouldn't agree! It's against ancestral rules. Besides, once we raise the price of grain, that silly little Wu's magistrate position won't be relinquished. Then we can work around and find one of our own people to be the magistrate of Hanshan. With such a large population, Hanshan County can reap considerable benefits every year!" Wang Wenhua said with a slight smile.

"Brother Wang is right!" Ma Deyun quickly praised.

"Come on, brothers, cheers!" Wang Wenhua raised his glass. He had put a lot of effort into bringing down Sha Xiaowu.