South County is poor, but it’s not without wealthy individuals. Although tis are tougher now than before, not everyone has lost faith. A new temple priest has arrived at the City God Temple, and he’s quite capable. Word has spread that the City God is very effective, and so more people have gradually started coming to offer incense.
After all, the temple priest is known for accurately interpreting divinations.
Qin Liuxi was at the City God Temple both gathering incense for the City God Master and performing the duties of a temple priest with Sha Yuanzi. Eventually, she would have to travel all over to handle matters and make a trip to Shengjing, so bringing him out here made it easier to guard the temple.
If soone sought a divination, the temple priest had to help interpret it. For Sha Yuanzi, this small task wasn’t much trouble, even though his mind seed muddled due to having undergone a Soul Search, making him appear sowhat foolish.
Because of this, Qin Liuxi muttered that, after much effort, the City God’s Divine Soul was finally a bit solid due to incense offerings. Upon hearing this, the City God bestowed a bit of spirit light upon Sha Yuanzi.
Qin Liuxi: "!"
Glaring at him fiercely, she thought to herself that after all her hard work gathering incense, she didn’t receive even a bit of spirit light, yet he granted it to that fool.
The City God felt sowhat guilty, saying, "You can’t always stay here, you have your own path. Since he is the Temple Guardian, giving him a bit of spirit light will make him clearer. Isn’t that necessary to do his job as a temple priest well?"
Qin Liuxi laughed twice, not arguing with him.
Yes, she has her own path.
Sha Yuanzi earnestly expressed his intention: "I will be a good Temple Guardian."
Receiving a bit of spirit light from a deity is far more potent than any immortal elixir, making Sha Yuanzi’s muddled mind much clearer, giving him a serene and peaceful deanor.
Being a Temple Guardian is enough.
Qin Liuxi observed for two more days and, seeing that he could indeed manage everything inside and outside efficiently, felt assured. She first cast a divination to seek the whereabouts of Gongbo Cheng.
If the City God Temple’s incense is to flourish, this area’s people must settle down comfortably. Even if life can’t be called affluent, it should at least be free from worry about basic needs. Therefore, South County must prosper.
To gather money, one must find Gongbo Cheng, the Golden Touch.
His clever mind certainly can make this place prosperous. Engaging in business can provide nurous jobs for the citizens, leading to an influx of silver.
Once the daily struggles are eased, people will find leisure to visit temples and fairs. Indeed, if a fair is organized at the City God Temple, the influx of incense offerings will be continuous.
However, this old uncle is in Shandong now.
Shandong, overseas Penglai is also there.
Qin Liuxi traversed the Yin Road to reach there.
Gongbo Cheng was in Lin City, Shandong. When Qin Liuxi found him, he was eting with so local rchants and two officials. Returning to his courtyard, he noticed a figure standing under the apple tree, hands behind the back.
Still wearing a green dress, having grown taller, likely over seven feet now, a long ponytail draped over the back, appearing much leaner.
As she turned around, the young girl had grown into a mature woman, her eyebrows and eyes sharp, seemingly carrying so depth.
Qin Liuxi waved her claws at him: "Brother, long ti no see."
Gongbo Cheng scoffed, walked over, ruffled her hair, and patted her shoulder: "Alright?"
"Alive and well." Qin Liuxi smiled, walking indoors with him, asking: "What brings you to Shandong?"
Gongbo Cheng replied: "The Western Regions Silk Road demands a lot of porcelain. Lin City is renowned for its ceramics, so I ca to inspect. Moreover, I built a sea vessel here last year. By the way, your third uncle is also in Lin City now. Coincidentally, a sea vessel returned today, and he went with Zhao Tong to receive it."
"I’ve heard he’s following Manager Zhao’s ventures. Hasn’t he been a burden?"
Gongbo Cheng chuckled: "All he does is follow behind and have a sip of soup. How could he be a burden?"
"That’s good." Qin Liuxi took a sip of tea, saying, "Since your business is flourishing, why not do so good deeds?"
"I haven’t neglected doing good deeds. Every year, I donate rice and winter clothes without fail. Wherever there’s a disaster, the public house inevitably organizes aid." Gongbo Cheng glared: "Don’t try to label as a greedy rchant who only takes in without giving out."
His business is booming, but he hasn’t skimped on kindness. As Qin Liuxi said, what he’s gained is essentially wealth rightfully obtained from others, by legitimate ans. If he takes without giving, it might harm his fortune.
He has taken these words to heart, making them his guiding principle.
Qin Liuxi said: "I don’t an that. There’s a place you should rejuvenate."
"Where?" What kind of significant place would make her personally co to tell him?
"South County."
Gongbo Cheng was taken aback, saying: "Ningzhou’s An Nan Prefecture’s South County? That place seems to be surrounded by mountains everywhere, and I’ve heard so native residents still live deep in the mountains, making it extrely difficult to govern. South County is barren. Although it’s under the sa jurisdiction as Li City, compared to Li City, it’s like a poor brother to a rich one. The officials there, all think of serving three years as County Magistrate before changing location for credentials."
"That’s why I’m asking you to co up with a way to help rejuvenate it." Qin Liuxi remarked: "You, as a businessman, know better what the situation in Da Feng is now. You wealthy rchants are directly facing that impact."
Gongbo Cheng sneered: "You never know, this situation may change in a few years. Why else would I engage with the Western Regions Silk Road and sea vessels, if not to plan an escape route? If they really push us rchants too hard, well, sincerely regret; we might either seek refuge in another country or join a brave and righteous army, to donate and rise up as leaders."
Economic strata define the superstructure. Whether a country is strong isn’t just managed by insightful individuals; it also relies on economic prosperity. No matter how clever one is, without resources, the country can’t thrive without silver, how can you talk about a strong nation?
If the Emperor of Da Feng truly loses his mind, extracting all he can from rchants, they might retaliate by leaving with their silver, paralyzing the people’s livelihood instantaneously. After all, which sector of daily life doesn’t rely on rchants?
Gongbo Cheng coldly said: "Now they’ve added a twenty percent tax on the rchants’ association. If it’s for warfare or national relief, then fine, it’s aningful. After all, we are all Da Feng people, if you have money, give money, if you have strength, give strength. But this tax clearly funds that Longsheng Palace, which is quite discomfiting."
Adding taxes won’t entirely bankrupt wealthy rchants, but for small rchants, it’s damaging. This twenty percent rchant tax is sothing they negotiated extensively. If they continue, then don’t bla them.
Fleecing the wool from one sheep can make it go mad!
Qin Liuxi poured him tea from the teapot, saying: "You’re about to beco a father, yet as you age, your temper’s flaring up?"
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