Chapter 318 - 317: Becoming Penniless
Xi Yu first took Liu Xu to the most bustling area of Yanzhou City.
She wants to do business, so she definitely needs to know if the people here can afford to spend Silver.
She also needs to consider factors like location and crowd density.
Xi Yu is not a businessman, but she understands one principle.
No matter what you do, you must prepare in advance.
And opportunity only favors those who are prepared.
The previous wartime chaos left countless people in Yanzhou City displaced.
The court and local authorities spent considerable manpower and resources to allow the citizens of Yanzhou City to once again live in peace and prosperity.
Compared to before the rebellion, Yanzhou City is now much more desolate.
Compared to the capital, it’s a world of difference.
Standing at the highest box of the teahouse, one can take in the most lively areas of the city at a glance.
Xi Yu sighed, "Nowadays, the common folk have very little Silver Coin on hand. Your Ruyi Residence might not find it easy to gain a foothold here."
"No worries, where there are people, there’s a market; there’s always a way to make money,"
Liu Xu said calmly.
She looked confident and assured.
Xi Yu was a bit curious, "Many people can’t even fill their stomachs and naturally won’t frequent taverns to eat and drink for pleasure. The wealthy families in Yanzhou City aren’t even a fraction of those in the capital. Trying to do business with them at Ruyi Residence could lead to losses."
There’s no shortage of wealthy people anywhere, but Yanzhou is a special case.
Many affluent merchants fled to other places when the rebellion occurred.
There really aren’t many rich people left here now.
Liu Xu leaned on the windowsill, "Then I’ll do business with the middle-class folks. As long as what I sell suits their tastes, and is affordable and high-quality, small profits but quick turnover isn’t impossible."
"Moreover, Yanzhou is a connection between the interior and exterior. If the court permits, I could sell good things from outside to the capital, to Yangzhou, and similarly bring good things from those places here. Yanzhou would then be a transit hub. How could it not make money?"
Currently, not many people do business in Yanzhou. If it works out, she could certainly make a fortune.
Xi Yu gave a thumbs up, "Not bad, good aspiration."
"Too kind, too kind," Liu Xu replied modestly.
Xi Yu mimicked her and lazily leaned against the railing.
Watching the bustling street vendors and common folk, he suddenly felt it was a good thing for Ji Mingzhu to have sent Liu Xu to do business here.
Because of the wartime chaos, many left and were unwilling to return.
With merchants, and thriving trade, the interior and exterior can exchange goods, providing more livelihoods for the people here.
As more people come, inns and taverns could also profit...
In short, Yanzhou City greatly needs merchants like Liu Xu now.
Principled, not greedy.
With merchants like her driving the economy, Yanzhou could certainly recover its former prosperity.
If the officials guide things well, Yanzhou might even become a land of wealth and affluence.
Xi Yu’s expression stiffened slightly.
But then again, who knows if the one in the capital can still sleep well at night.
Paranoia is a common trait of emperors.
The Emperor is well aware of Ah Zhen’s capabilities and sent him to Yanzhou as a last resort.
After all, the court is indeed short on capable people now, otherwise, the Emperor wouldn’t have made an exception to hold another civil exam last year.
As time goes on, the Emperor might start to suspect Ah Zhen again.
It’s hard to say how he and Mingzhu will handle it, along with Zimu and Zishan, such adorable little ones...
Thinking of this, Xi Yu sighed heavily.
Luxe and wealth are hard to enjoy; without a tough destiny, one might not withstand such "blessings"!
Hearing Xi Yu’s sigh, Liu Xu turned her head to look at him.
"People say doctors have kind hearts, but Divine Physician Xi, you don’t have to worry too much for the people of Yanzhou. For many, no war is the best life. As long as people are alive, the current difficulties are temporary."
Xie Yunzhen’s abilities speak for themselves.
I heard he can bring peace with his pen and settle the land with his horse.
Though he’s a bit cold in demeanor, compared to corrupt officials exploiting people, he’s much better.
With Xie Yunzhen guarding Yanzhou, the people’s lives here will surely improve.
Xi Yu awkwardly coughed, "Do you think I’m a good person?"
Liu Xu didn’t know if he was a good person.
There was just one thing she was sure of.
Xie Yunzhen isn’t some great noble, and since Xi Yu associates with him, he certainly isn’t some naive fool.
From what I see, both of their actions are principled, so calling them good people isn’t too difficult.
Liu Xu smiled brightly and teased, "Of course Divine Physician Xi is a good person. Look, I’m a total stranger here, and yet you’re guiding me."
With that, she winked, unable to hide her playful intent.
Liu Xu’s nature is like this: if the other holds airs, she is cautious and measured.
If the other is easy-going, she’s straightforward, never hiding her true self.
Whether with Ji Mingzhu or Xi Yu, Liu Xu feels relaxed when interacting with them.
This is a genuine feeling from the depths of her heart, not feigned.
They didn’t look down on her because of her merchant status, so naturally, she must repay them with sincerity.
Letting people understand her true nature is also a form of showing sincerity.
Xi Yu doesn’t have many friends.
As for women he’s interacted with, you could count them on one hand.
He’s never met someone like Liu Xu.
Compared to other women, she’s a bit older, but her mindset is definitely younger than many.
People with a good mindset have an indescribable quality.
It’s an aura emanating from within, inexplicably attractive.
Xi Yu’s ears started to heat up, and he suddenly couldn’t maintain eye contact with Liu Xu.
He averted his gaze, but his heartbeat was a bit irregular.
Liu Xu stared at his reddening earlobes for quite a while.
Thinking to herself, this Divine Physician Xi isn’t young, yet he’s so easily embarrassed.
She decided internally that next time she’d avoid doing such antics in front of him.
If she angered him, wouldn’t she miss the chance to befriend a divine physician?
Afraid Liu Xu would notice his unease, Xi Yu cleared his throat, deliberately changing the topic.
"I’m just worried about Ah Zhen."
Liu Xu couldn’t hold back, letting out a giggle.
Xi Yu laughed along, "Is it that funny?"
Liu Xu held back her laughter, using her actions to say his earlier words were indeed very amusing.
Xi Yu became curious and asked, "What’s so funny about it?"
Liu Xu really didn’t dare answer this.
If Xi Yu and Xie Yunzhen found out about her improper thoughts, she might be chased down.
Liu Xu shook her head repeatedly, keeping silent.
In Xi Yu’s view, it suddenly reminded him of Zimu and Zishan’s rattles.
He squinted his eyes, looking wise.
"Denying so quickly, are you cursing me in your head?"
Liu Xu hastily shook her head, raising her hand in oath, "If I’m cursing you, may the heavens strike me down with thunder."
She said it so earnestly, it actually amused Xi Yu.
"Struck by thunder is too easy; if you ask me, if you deceive me, may you earn no Silver, and due to all sorts of reasons, lose your wealth and become a pauper!"
"Spit, spit, spit!"
Liu Xu hurriedly spat a few times, clasping her hands together praying to the heavens.
"What he just said doesn’t count!"
"Heavens, please bless me with wealth!"
"I promise to donate a hundred taels of Silver to the charity tomorrow..."
Turning her into a pauper is akin to taking her life!
Absolutely, not allowed!