CHAPTER 1082: CHAPTER 1038: ARISTOCRATIC FAMILIES AND COMMON PEOPLE ARE BEING GATHERED...

As for the current chaos in national governance, Liu Bei relies on tiered household registration management to barely control village levels, while Cao Cao and Sun Ce can only depend on the aristocratic families for oversight.

Thus, stabilizing the price of goods across the Han Dynasty cannot bypass these aristocratic families. Otherwise, if these people pretend to comply but secretly resist, aside from relying on the intelligence system to investigate and deal with them one by one, Chen Xi really has no other methods.

"One stone for a hundred coins?" Representatives Weii Ji, Weii Zi, and Wu Yuan, representing the three major merchant families, all frowned. Although state monopoly on salt and iron is the King’s Way during this era, when the market has been expanded to the level of the Weii Family and Wu Family, whether state-operated or privately operated doesn’t really matter. From one perspective, they are state-operated.

"At this price, our Wu Family can still talk about profit, but other families might not." Wu Yuan smiled faintly as she stepped back, leaving the decision to Chen Xi and other families.

"This price is too low." Families involved in the sale of salt among the commercial families all voiced their concerns. It’s not that they don’t support Chen Xi, but forced sales that violate economic principles are not beneficial for either side.

"You don’t need to suffer losses; we can directly provide the salt. Sell it at a hundred coins per stone, and we can sell it to you at fifty coins per stone." Chen Xi shook his head. He couldn’t possibly make a whole class undertake such a losing venture. There should be reciprocity, a flow in and out, in accordance with principles.

Honestly, in Chen Xi’s view, the profit of fifty coins per stone is not particularly high. After all, this is a basic necessity of life. Even with a profit of fifty coins per stone, the Great Han Dynasty could have a profit of four hundred million coins a year. If they were unified now, the price of such necessities would definitely be controlled by the state.

"Marquis Chen, you might have forgotten a point. Some of our families are founded on salt production. If we switch entirely to sales, it equates to handing our lifeblood to others. Though it would simplify things, compared to the importance of a family’s lifeblood, money cannot solve all problems." Weii Zi shook his head, stating that although their family also produces salt, it’s entirely different from pure salt-producing families.

After hearing this, Chen Xi was momentarily stunned. He also overlooked certain details. For some aristocratic families, certain industries are akin to exclusive domains, controlled entirely by their family from start to finish, and have been improved over generations. Suddenly destroying such a system through dumping...

"Hmm, I understand. I overlooked some things. However, since I’ve proposed what needs to be implemented, it cannot be halted. Families purely relying on salt production, please stand up." Chen Xi nodded and decided that blunt enforcement is possible, but negative impacts should be avoided.

Seeing eleven or twelve family representatives stand up, Chen Xi nodded slightly, knowing there couldn’t be too many of such families. After all, if even one province had too many of such families, they would crush each other, leaving only one family as the fittest to survive and thrive.

"If it’s just these families, then other families should be able to implement my policies. I’ll say this: if compliance is not observed here and you pretend to comply but secretly resist, do not blame me for being ruthless!" A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Chen Xi’s eyes. He was no longer the green scholar upon arrival, and there were quite a number of lives on his hands, having an air of dignity in his demeanor.

"You now have two choices. One is to directly change your current salt industry and develop pickled products. I believe you all have experience in this area, and Mount Tai will offer some support, meaning we will purchase your pickled products." Chen Xi thought and said.

After achieving intensive production, poultry and meats can be outsourced to these families for processing. Previously, considering doing it themselves seemed like a waste, but with these aristocratic families, such concerns are alleviated. These families inherently come with scale, and training them will suffice.

Aristocratic families founded on salt production from Xuzhou, Yuzhou, Yanzhou, Jizhou, and Qingzhou immediately agreed to this proposal. The reason was simple: refusal was futile. Salt from Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping was already being sold in these five provinces uncontrollably. Disagreeing now would be courting death!

"Hmm, it seems you are not very satisfied with this option, so there is another choice." Chen Xi gestured towards Xuu Chu, asking him to bring the list of industrial deployments from his household. As Chen Xi expanded industries, he often forgot or omitted parts, so compiling a list was necessary.

Indeed, in the Late Han era, many things were unconstructed, and some industries were not even fully developed. Some simply were non-existent.

Thus, selecting suitable industries for these family regions and assigning them was the solution. After all, regional development in the Great Han Dynasty would happen sooner or later; a little more time wouldn’t matter.

Very soon, Xuu Chu brought Chen Xi’s industrial list. Looking over the regions: Yongzhou, Liangzhou, and Bingzhou, areas around the Yellow River Basin, Chen Xi directly dispatched these three families to plant cotton. Chen Xi indicated that he would remember to purchase them once they matured.

Regardless of whether these three families were satisfied, exclusive businesses have no argument. Following the records provided by Qu Qi, they just needed to plant. With Mount Tai as a huge buyer for cotton, the first year could be unsettling, but dissatisfaction thereafter would indeed be odd!

For the other families, certain herbs could only be planted in specific regions. They were tasked with cultivating medicinal materials and initial processing. As for the planting techniques, they could only be discussed privately. Given this era’s deep connection to land, Chen Xi had no more to add.

As for the Zhang Family in Yizhou expressing interest in producing high-proof liquor, Chen Xi thought it over and agreed. Yizhou wasn’t lacking in grain, so they could proceed as they wished.

Some families were more suitable for dealing in cement; however, it was not the right time for this industry yet. In the interim, those super-wealthy families felt dissatisfied with the fixed salt price but were not significantly affected. They earned slightly less, thus they extended kindness to Chen Xi.

"The final agenda item: I need you to gather the refugees and beggars from your respective provinces and counties. Moreover, should war break out with Cao Mengde or Sunx Bofu causing internal damage to the Han Dynasty, the resulting refugees require your assistance in gathering, and we will compensate for the costs associated with their food and clothing." Chen Xi moved past the previous topics and went straight to the final item.

The truth is, the battle in Jizhou didn’t cause much inherent damage, but deserters and roving bandits caused near-total destruction to Jizhou. After the deserters and bandits devastated villages and towns, substantial numbers of refugees emerged. Some turned into bandits, while others perished before Chen Xi’s administration took hold. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)