Chapter 353

The shopkeeper referred to the current price of pastry shops in fanzhoucheng, and on this basis, determined a more satisfactory price for each pastry.

Xu Qing asked, "what is the distribution of power in Fanzhou city?"

Speaking of his familiar places, the shopkeeper said, "Fanzhou city is different from other cities. Its power distribution is relatively concentrated. Have you ever heard of the trade union?"

Xu Qing shook his head. Li Changting had heard of it. He explained to Xu Qing, "it's a business alliance organized by a group of merchants and certified by the government. It's usually used to negotiate the approximate price of various commodities and coordinate the relationship and contradiction between merchants and customers in the city."

The shopkeeper then said: "recently, a new leader has been selected by the business alliance. Because many of the previous families have disappeared, and the new merchants still can't speak. So now most of the business in Fanzhou city is in the hands of the new leader Gao, and others can only get a share at the bottom."

Xu Qing propped up his chin and asked curiously, "what are the privileges of the alliance leader?"

The shopkeeper sighed: "the leader of the alliance has great power. You see, the prices in Fanzhou city are set by the commercial alliance. This power alone determines the life and death of most people."

Xu Qing frowned: "can they sell as much as they want?"

Shopkeeper: "in addition to the prices of grain, salt and some medicinal materials controlled by the imperial court, it is true that the prices of commodities of various merchants can only be set according to the regulations of the trade union."

"In fact, in the past, the role of trade unions was quite positive. The advantage of price control is to curb the unscrupulous merchants' asking for prices, avoid the customers being entrapped, and protect the rights of most merchants and customers. I still remember that 30 years ago, everyone liked to come to Fanzhou city to buy things, not because the things here were cheaper than those in other places, but because there were few businesses here who would pit customers, and all the things they sold were worth the money. They could buy good goods here, and they could go to the trade union to report any incidents or conflicts that happened. "

"But then the leaders of the business alliance changed one after another, and some of the evils of the business alliance gradually revealed, and everyone's interests gradually became the interests of some people."

"For example, if you take this watermelon as an example, its business alliance will say that it can only sell at least four liang of silver, then other people will not dare to sell it at a lower price, because selling it at a lower price will damage the interests of Gao family and those who support Gao family. But who would be willing to sell at a low price? We are all eager to make money. The merchants will follow the business alliance and suck blood vigorously. In the end, it's the common people who have bad luck. "

"Now no one dares to report to the chamber of Commerce. Even the government doesn't care. After all, the chamber of Commerce contributes most of the government's tax revenue every year."

Xu Qing frowned: "so arrogant? They can control the prices of Fanzhou city. Can they control the prices of the whole Fanzhou? "

The shopkeeper laughs: "it's really possible. Those who sell things want to make money. Why do you sell so expensive? I have to sell so cheaply. Those who sell things follow suit. Those who buy things can only recognize them by holding their noses. When you go back to buy things from me, you have the same mentality."

Xu Qing nodded: "but it's only in the Fanzhou area. If you get such a price to Shengzhou City, you can sell it."

Shopkeeper: "that's for sure. I don't think Shengzhou City is the site of the Fu family, but the atmosphere in Fanzhou really needs to be rectified. This is what the owner suggested me to say to you. He said these words will help you."

Xu Qing looked at Li Changting. Li Changting said, "there is no shortage of corrupt officials in every place."

Yes, if it wasn't for the government, the business alliance would not dare to be so arrogant.

Xu Qing thought of a question: "well, won't we have to quote the price of our cakes to the business alliance?"

Shopkeeper: "the newspaper must be quoted, but it only needs to quote the price, and it doesn't need to quote the purchase price. The purchase price is the secret of every business, and it can't be known. The business alliance still has this rule. But as for the purchase price, every merchant has a clear idea. After all, the cost of food materials is there. "

Xu Qing: "what will they do to our price?"

Shopkeeper: "for the things they don't sell, they usually lower the price because they also want to buy them. Naturally, they don't want to spend too much money, but they won't press too hard. To tell you the truth, it's very difficult to open a restaurant here. It's restricted everywhere. Fortunately, the Yu family has a big business and has business contacts with some families here. So the business alliance will consider the Yu family's face more or less. As long as the price is within their tolerance, it won't point out and draw feet. "

Xu Qing: "that's good."

The shopkeeper said with a smile: "all the vendors who come here to resell are making mistakes. After all, the high prices here should have spread to DAHAO long ago. You are the first one to deliberately lower the price. I think someone will come to you tomorrow."

Xu qingtiao eyebrows: "people from the trade union come to me?"

The shopkeeper nodded: "the only pastry shop in Fanzhou city is opened by Gao family. They will gently advise you to raise the price. If your things sell better than them after raising the price, they will persuade you to leave Fanzhou city if they can't attract you."

Xu Qing: "if I don't listen? What else can they do with me? "Shopkeeper: "there are many ways. It's easy to find someone to make trouble. Deliberately spreading rumors and secretly asking for trouble force you to stay in Fanzhou city. Register you in the blacklist of the trade union and make all the merchants refuse to sell you things It's not for no reason that there are few people in Fanzhou city. "

Xu Qing narrowed his eyes, and a smile of interest rose from the corner of his lips: "really, it sounds very interesting."

When Xu Qing and Li Changting came out of zuixianlou, they were still carrying a piece of deer meat frozen to porcelain.

It's not too late now, because people can't go out during the day, and merchants can only do business at night. So after summer, the curfew time in the city is usually at midnight, and even some work and rest are directly changed to sleeping in the daytime and going out at night.

But now there is no one in front of Xu Qing's stall, and the noodle stall next door is ready to close.

The landlady of the noodle stall came with her two daughters and wanted to buy two cakes for them.

Xu qingduo gave them two pieces. The two girls were too thin and their faces were sallow. It was heartbreaking to look at them.

The landlady subconsciously refused to take advantage of others, but it was hard to refuse. She told Xu Qing, "no one will come out tonight, because tomorrow is the day of the market. We will have a big market in three days. Everyone will take advantage of the market to save enough rations for a few days, and business will be good tomorrow."

Xu Qing only knows that the city is going to the market almost every day, but he forgets that he can't generalize. Every place has its own habits.