CHAPTER 835: CHAPTER 222 I, SHEN WANSAN, AM CONVINCED_4

"Guild Leader Chen, you first used Yelu’s 100,000 stones and the fake 100,000 stones of grain to create a situation on the surface, then secretly destabilized the market by dumping your 70,000 stones of grain, directly dropping the grain price from 50 cents to the current 18 cents."

Chen Jie took a sip of tea and said, "Now it should be 15 cents."

Shen Wansan frowned and said, "Guild Leader Chen, what exactly is the price you want to drive the grain to before stopping?"

Chen Jie replied, "Before the flood, the grain price was ten cents. Since the flood occurred, people’s lives have been difficult, and the losses are severe. So this year, I think nine cents is more appropriate."

"What!"

Shen Wansan was startled, stood up, and looked at Chen Jie for a long moment before sitting down again and said, "Guild Leader Chen, you are truly extraordinary, setting the price at nine cents, even less than before the disaster. You have the heart of a Bodhisattva!"

"But Guild Leader Chen, have you considered the feelings of us merchants when you take our profits to benefit the people?"

Shen Wansan looked at Chen Jie.

Chen Jie looked at Shen Wansan and said, "Merchants suffer only a slight loss, but if the people of Mianshui lose this battle, it would mean their lives. So the people can’t afford to lose, only you merchants can, and you understand this point, don’t you?"

Shen Wansan said, "Guild Leader Chen, do you have a grudge against merchants?"

"Do you think we merchants earn unethically by buying low and selling high?"

Chen Jie replied, "No, quite the opposite. I think merchants are very important; scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants all are indispensable. Without any of them, the world wouldn’t function."

"Although merchants buy low and sell high and don’t produce goods, the role they play in selling goods to the people is crucial. Without you ensuring circulation, many regions’ abundant products would only rot away, while other areas lacking these products would be unable to obtain them. This isn’t good."

"You merchants cleverly fill this gap, so your role is significant."

Chen Jie continued.

"But why then does Guild Leader Chen want to suppress us merchants?"

Chen Jie replied, "Where is the suppression? I just want you merchants to do what you’re supposed to do. Mr. Shen, let me ask you, why does the court and the people dislike merchants?"

Shen Wansan was stunned and asked, "Why?"

Chen Jie replied, "The reason is simple, because merchants make money but don’t make the contributions they should."

"Farmers grow crops, pay taxes, and support everyone."

"Workers build homes and provide a better life for everyone."

"Scholars manage regions, leading to prosperity."

"But what about you merchants?"

"Evading taxes, buying low and selling high, hoarding for profit, disregarding human lives. Have you done anything beneficial for the world?"

"No, not at all, so your existence is like termites. How can the people and the court like you?"

Chen Jie looked at Shen Wansan and asked, and Shen Wansan, unwilling to concede, said, "Then what does Mr. think we should do to be liked?"

Chen Jie replied, "It’s simple. I think when making money, merchants should make money, but when it’s time to contribute, they should contribute. For instance, during this Mianshui flood, if merchants didn’t hoard and profiteer, but used their capabilities to transport grain and help the people of Mianshui have food to eat, would they hate you?"

"I think not only would they not hate you, but rather they would very much like you merchants, viewing you as righteous merchants serving the nation and its people!"

"Righteous merchants?"

Upon hearing this term, Shen Wansan was visibly stunned. Merchants have historically had a low status, considered lowly.

The reason is also simple: buying low and selling high, seen as crafty, hated by the people and despised by the government, with no one not disdaining them.

It can be said that historically, they have never been associated with the word "righteous."

The most commonly remembered phrases about them include: Merchants value profits and disregard separations,

or Merchant women unaware of the kingdom’s fall, still singing across the river...

They have never been associated with righteousness. Yet today, before him, this young guild leader actually raised the concept of righteousness.

Shen Wansan was deeply moved. He may be a merchant, but after making money, he aspired to pursue some other form of significance, like seeking some reputation.

However, in the environment of Daqian, merchants are at the bottom of society, with no way to rise above.

But today, Chen Jie enlightened him, making him understand the concept of the righteous merchant. Shen Wansan was silent for a long time before saying, "Righteous merchant, I will remember this. Guild Leader Chen’s teachings today, I dare not forget."

Chen Jie replied, "Mr. Shen is too kind. Since Mr. Shen is willing to listen to me, I advise Mr. once more."

Shen Wansan said, "I am all ears."

Chen Jie looked at him and said, "Mr. Shen, today I offer you this phrase: The greatest merchants serve the nation and its people!"

"The greatest merchants serve the nation and its people!"

Shen Wansan looked up, his face filled with astonishment, as if genuinely shocked by this phrase, and after pondering for a long time, said, "I am enlightened!"

Chen Jie said, "If this phrase can help Mr. Shen, it would be my honor."

After saying this, both fell into a brief silence, neither willing to speak much at the moment.

After a long time, Shen Wansan said, "Guild Leader Chen."

Chen Jie looked at him and said, "Hmm, Mr. Shen, go ahead."

Shen Wansan thought for a bit and said, "Guild Leader Chen, actually, I shouldn’t ask this question, but coming here, the merchants of Suzhou entrusted me to ask you, so it is my duty."

Chen Jie said, "Mr. Shen, please speak. I will speak without reservation."

After hearing this, Shen Wansan thought a little and said, "Mr. Chen, may I dare to ask when the Mianshui bandit suppression will end?"