However, since Qi Le has written a letter inviting him to meet at the Wang Capital, it seems that everything is naturally arranged over there, and soon there should be an imperial decree arriving from the Capital City.

Song Chongjin calculated the time and found that only a few days were left, so he spread the news, letting those waiting merchants start their preparations.

These merchants had already begun preparations secretly after the New Year; during this period, continuous streams of goods and merchants from all over the country headed to Chicheng County as the routes became easier to travel.

Nowadays, Chicheng County is unprecedentedly bustling, with the streets teeming with trade caravans, speaking in diverse regional accents from the south and the north, all wearing smiles and greeting familiar faces with calls.

Even merchants from the Western Region have arrived upon hearing the news, creating a mix of dialects from various parts of the country and the chatter of Western Region languages.

Due to the arrival of trade caravans from various regions, Chicheng County has seen an increase in people working as brokers over the past few years, providing new caravans with introductions to accommodation options and offering miscellaneous services.

It’s not the farming season yet, so the locals of Chicheng County have little to do. The men or older children from families stand guard at the city gates, market entrances, or inn門, immediately approaching any arriving caravans to introduce themselves.

Newly arrived caravans are sure to seek out a local guide to understand the situation, and having these professional brokers certainly brings joy.

With just a few exchanges, agreements can be easily reached, with one side providing funds and the other effort, leaving everyone pleased.

With the assistance of these brokers, caravans can quickly find places to stay and know where to register, avoiding unnecessary trips and deception.

These brokers, after a day of busy work, might earn enough to cover a month’s household expenses if lucky enough to encounter generous patrons.

The womenfolk of Chicheng County have also become busy, given the large crowd, even washerwomen or servant women for odd jobs can earn quite a bit.

Moreover, small vendors are thriving, and the snack stalls are blooming everywhere, showcasing snacks with names from all over the country.

The taste may not be as authentic as back home, but it is quite satisfying for these merchants away from their hometown.

Adding to this, the newly appointed County Magistrate immediately took on the task of building the Government Censor office, requiring laborers.

Upon hearing it was the construction of Lord Song’s Government Censor office, who wouldn’t remember his kindness? If not for the efforts of him and Madam, how could the people of Chicheng County live such good lives?

In no time, not only the able-bodied workers from families came to help, but also women joined to cook and do odd jobs.

Moreover, this work also includes meals for lunch and dinner, and wages reducing part of the compulsory labor obligations, who wouldn’t be willing?

For now, Song Chongjin is still working at the County Yamen, while the new County Magistrate Cui supervises the construction of the Government Censor office every day.

Lee Changnan, in these recent days, has been preparing for the so-called tender process; the caravans for the first trip to the Grasslands must be carefully selected and strictly audited.

Chicheng County now has at least seventy or eighty caravans, selecting the suitable ones is not easy at all.

Lee Changnan is exceedingly busy, knowing that after finalizing the names for the first batch, he’ll still need to inspect their goods, categorizing and recording the quantity; upon selling these things along the route on the Grasslands, back in Great Chu, they still have to pay taxes.

As for how the taxes should be paid, Song Chongjin has consulted the Ministry of Revenue and set a standard, everything must follow this standard.

These matters are both intricate and require attention to detail, making not only Lee Changnan very busy, but also his aides, including Yao Da and Shitou, Wang Yongzhu, and shopkeepers from several stores in Chicheng County, who were all summoned to help.

This is indeed significant revenue; even the Capital City and the Emperor are closely watching this area, it must not go awry.

Moreover, after the New Year, Jinhoo has led his people, purportedly seeking new sources of goods, but upon hearing the news, he hurried back.

This time he returned with quite a few people, including a familiar face, Zhang Yinbao.

Zhang Yinbao previously chose the Lee Family over Ninth Master Lee, naturally causing his contact with Ninth Master Lee and Wang Yongzhu to fade. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

In truth, he doesn’t regret it, initially blinded by the fame and power of the Lee Family, though he didn’t antagonize Ninth Master Lee, he first interacted with Ninth Master Lee, and the connection with the Lee Family was also through Ninth Master Lee.

Later, as the Lee Family and Ninth Master Lee disagreed, he inclined towards the Lee Family, which made him feel quite guilty.

Moreover, despite Ninth Master Lee being kicked out of his home, due to the connection with Wang Yongzhu, he again bonded with the Empress and opened Hongxiu Tianxiang, which made Zhang realize that he bet wrongly.

At that time, having boarded the Lee Family’s ship, no amount of regret could change anything, and seeing Hongxiu Tianxiang’s business bloom ever brighter, while Ninth Master Lee gained the Empress’ favor and even obtained a minor post, Zhang was enviably red-eyed.

He couldn’t help but ask himself numerous times, if originally he had firmly stood with Ninth Master Lee and Wang Yongzhu, would he also have had a chance to snag a post? Even a minor post would do, something many merchants wouldn’t achieve in a lifetime!

So, knowing Ninth Master Lee and Wang Yongzhu purchased hills near Qilidun and Yingzi Gully to grow tea, Zhang wisely didn’t provoke anyone, quietly introduced new purchasing channels for the Wang Family Brothers, and discreetly withdrew from Shiqiao Town’s mountain goods business.

This time, upon hearing about the grasslands opening trade routes, Zhang Yinbao deeply regretted, almost to the point of remorse.

Ultimately unwilling to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he cautiously acquired some goods, thinking of heading to Chicheng County to see if he could find a chance to reconnect with Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin, not to mention anything else, even a chance to go to the Grasslands.

Thinking thusly, he headed north and fortuitously encountered Jinhoo.

Jinhoo, having reached his current position, while initially being favored due to Wang Yongzhu, indeed received much cultivation from Zhang Yinbao.

Jinhoo, naturally grateful, found their conversation quite pleasant.

Of course, Zhang Yinbao now dares not underestimate Jinhoo, not mentioning Jinhoo currently has his own caravan and demonstrates the seasoned demeanor of a merchant.

Even regarding Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin backing Jinhoo, Zhang dares not neglect.

His speech and actions weren’t pompous, rather he showed quite flattery towards Jinhoo.

Not being foolish, Jinhoo quickly caught onto the excessiveness in Zhang’s attitude, and sought to inquire.

Zhang was waiting for Jinhoo’s inquiry; the steward who had previously taken Jinho to the Western Region was entrusted with explaining Zhang’s difficulties and remorse, along with expressing a desire for an opportunity to go to the Grasslands.

Jinhoo hesitated to get involved in this, yet due to his gratitude for Zhang Yinbao, he agreed to communicate his regrets, though how Wang Yongzhu would respond was beyond him.

Furthermore, if Zhang was willing, he was to humbly put his caravan under Jinhoo’s name, thus enhancing Jinhoo’s caravan strength. If all went smoothly, upon securing the first batch’s qualification for the Grasslands, Zhang could follow and earn his first fortune.

Knowing this was Jinhoo’s utmost sincerity, Zhang could only agree.

He wouldn’t lose either way, even if he couldn’t gain forgiveness from Wang Yongzhu and Lee Changnan now; as long as he maintained a good relationship with Jinhoo, sharing more profits with him over time, gradually renewing those severed ties.