Chapter 111: 111. Night Market Project

Mi Zhu explains that he and the Mi Clan just wanted to support him, The Mi Clan has a very large amount of money anyway and he hopes that doing this can bring them closer. Lie Fan was skeptical of this, as he understood if he was in Liu Bei’s situation who was endorsed as he had lost his land but Lie Fan had more power and money than Liu Bei in the early stage.

Mi Zhu can see that Lie Fan is suspicious as to why he wants to endorse him by paying for the expenses, Jia Xu on the side also sees the situation. He lamented that Mi Zhu is still too young, he doesn’t arrange his words persuasively and make it so that Lie Fan doesn’t lose face.

He can see that Lie Fan will take this opportunity, his clan and the city treasury don’t need to pay anything for the ceremony and banquet, but the way he says it makes it that Lie Fan can’t pay and needs his help.

Jia Xu: “My Lord, maybe what Mi Zhu saying is that the Mi Clan hopes to bear the expenses of your Marriage to repay the favor you have shown to the Mi Clan since you were assigned as the leader of Xu Province. From the market cooperation, and now how Mi Zhu was appointed as your personal Financial Advisor and Mi Clan still in unity thanks to your support.”

Mi Zhu: “Yes what Master Jia Xu said is true My Lord, I’m still too inexperienced I hope that My Lord isn’t offended by my words!”

Lie Fan: “Haha, so that’s how it is. It’s okay Mi Zhu You can learn under many masters here, you’re future prospects will be higher and in the future, you will bring Mi Clan to a higher level!”

Mi Zhu was relieved that Lie Fan didn’t misunderstand him, He decided to learn more about the political intrigue and how to speak as how you speak in business and politics is certainly different.

Lie Fan is happy to receive the help, in the future the Mi Clan will be absolutely tied off his wagon. Liu Bei who is still a small prefect will never receive the chance to have Mi Zhu support, as the Mi Clan can be wiped out by him if they dare to do it. It’s better to lose some of his reputation than lose talent to big-eared Liu

After informing everyone of his decision to hold his wedding, Lie Fan brought up Mi Zhu’s ideas for the Night Market. Lie Fan told everyone that Mi Zhu’s idea was a breakthrough to expand economic superiority.

Mi Zhu was surprised and touched that Lie Fan supported his idea, he had brought this up to his father before, and his father said that it was a great way to expand their grasp on the market but they had to face the government which is a big no-no on his father textbook.

Lie Fan takes the scroll and gives it to Jia Xu to read, he tells Jia Xu to give it to the other when he is done reading it. Lie Fan told Mi Zhu to explain his idea while the others read the proposal he submitted.

Mi Zhu: “Everyone, I thought of this idea when I was going back home one night from attending my store and saw that all the restaurants were already closed when I was looking for dinner. Many of my workers are also complaining among them, that they have to cook when they go home even though they are tired from working all day. I then thought, what if there’s a market that sells foods and many things just like in the day that’s why I submitted this to My Lord.”

Chen Gui: “Then we will violate the curfew law that has been placed since forever by our ancestors that has become part of our culture, how can we change that? Many people will definitely oppose it.”

Sun Qian: “Master Chen Gui if I may, I think the people will not oppose it but some scholars and nobles who were stuck in the past will oppose it. I think Master Mi Zhu’s idea is revolutionary and as long as we can control it, everyone will slowly adapt to the new condition.”

Jia Xu finished reading Mi Zhu’s proposal, he gave it to Xun You who was standing next to him to read. Jia Xu likes the idea that was submitted by Mi Zhu, if this Night Market is slowly implemented all across Xu Province with the help from Lie Fan’s government, then this can become their province specialty that others can’t follow because Lie Fan is more tolerant and open-minded than the others high ranking people.

Cai Yong: “But this has been our tradition for centuries, it’s to keep people from doing crime and protecting them. If we allow Night Market, then we will change our traditions and how safe is it for the people? What if thieves and gangster thugs run rampant on this night market?”

Jia Xu: “Master Cai Yong, I think that tradition has its time to be changed, just like now it’s the right time to slowly implement it. For security reasons, I’m sure that with the number of soldiers My Lord has, they can be used as guards with shift-implemented and this also can be used to train their senses to differentiate between an intruder or not.”

Mi Zhu: “Yes what Master Jia Xu said is true, For the safety of the people Mi Clan will also sponsor some trusted mercenaries to become guards. If the results of our trial in Xiapi are satisfying, I’m sure that many merchants will flock to our province raising our economic foundation and strength.”

Lie Fan sees the debate between old ways and new ways among his advisors, as a leader he can rest assured that his subjects are fighting or debating among themselves. This proves that they truly work for the betterment of Xu Province, not just becoming a yes man and silently scheme behind his back.

The reason also he likes Mi Zhu’s plan is that maybe in 1 or 2 years Xu Province will be flooded by middle and small merchants’ clans, Having 2 separate markets day and night also reduces the competition between the local merchants and the newcomers. Too much competition is also not good, as it can backfire like him losing control of the market or sabotage will become rampant.

Lie Fan: The truth is, I and Jia Xu have persuaded a large part of middle and small Baohuzhe bourgeoise members to come to Xiapi in a year or two. Having a Night Market will help reduce competition, and maybe we can be more profitable so that when the newcomers come, the local merchants can take the more profitable market.”

Mi Zhu: “What a stunning move My Lord, your vision of the market truly astounds me. If they really come to Xu Province, then our market will be smaller, and having a new cake will definitely help in splitting the market.”

Cai Yong: “Governor, isn’t this move will damage the prosperity of Luoyang?”

Lie Fan: “No, I saved them from the chaotic situation in Luoyang. Luoyang now is a war zone between He Jin, Zhang Rang, and Wang Yun, Emperor Ling is growing weaker by the day after he suddenly fainter due to his illness. The big merchants have sided with each faction including mine Baohuzhe, They will definitely swallow the smaller merchants when the chaos becomes too big so by doing this I save them.”

Cai Yong isn’t too convinced by Lie Fan’s rhetoric, but he knows when he loses the ground. He can see that except for him, all the others supported Liw Fan’s actions and even encouraged it, especially Jia Xu who helped Lie Fan in convincing the merchants.

He just thought of this move as Lie Fan life saving grace to this merchant, he knew how brutal it is the competition in Luoyang. If they lose their position and money, they can be sold as slaves or the males will be killed while the women become prostitutes.

Xun You, Sun Qian, and Chen Gui have read Mi Zhu’s proposal while the exchange between Lie Fan, Cai Yong, Mi Zhu, and Jia Xu is happening. They also agreed with this plan especially when they heard how there could be an inflow of merchants from Luoyang entering Xu Province.

Seeing that everyone agrees with Mi Zhu’s proposal, Lie Fan ordered Mi Zhu to work together with Wang Lang and Chen Deng to have a trial here in Xiapi. As for the curfew, Lie Fan agreed that this keeps the cities safe from intruders so he proposed that the time for curfew be delayed for 3 hours to 9 PM.

At 9, the gate will be closed but the Night Market can continue until midnight. At dawn between 5 Am and 6 Am, the city gate will be opened and people can come and go under the supervision of the guards. Each gate will have a checkpoint from now on, so soldiers will be stationed there and not city guards anymore.

Everyone agrees with Lie Fan’s decision, this Xiapi’s government enters a busy stage again. Mi Zhu, Chen Deng, and Wang Lang make a small group with influential merchants to discuss the dividends of who got this part and who is willing to participate in this trial.

Lie Fan, on the other hand, helps his either in preparing the betrothal gifts and dowry for his marriage. Lie Fan also meets up with Hua Tuo, to discuss his acceptance of taking Ying Yue as his daughter or adoptive daughter. Hua Tuo at first refused, on the grounds that he didn’t deserve to become the godfather of Ying Yue. b𝚍𝚘𝚟l.nt

Lie Fan lobbied Hua Tuo, he also brought him modern techniques and modern knowledge of acupuncture compiled in one book. The acupuncture of this era is still units in its infancy, which means that the chance of failure and irreparable damage is very high so he hopes to use this to persuade Hua Tuo to agree.

Ying Yue sometimes also comes along with Lie Fan to meet Hua Tuo, to increase the relationship between Yiing Yue and Hua Tuo. Ying Yue comes from a humble background, so she knows what work is and since meeting with Hua Tuo, she has been interested in learning medicine.

Hua Tuo was happy knowing Ying Yue wanted to learn medicine, and from there, it changed Hua Tuo didn’t become her godfather but her teacher. Due to the way in Chinese culture where your teacher is also your secondary parents, Lie Fan’s purpose was achieved in a different way than he expected.

Lie Fan allows Ying Yue to learn, but he doesn’t allow her to help in the hospital. She will become the wife of the Xu Province Governor, no matter what her status is way above common people. It is also not safe and he doesn’t want her safety to be compromised.

Ying Yue learning medicine is actually good for his family, at least they can have someone in their household that knows medicine and can do a first aid. While Ying Yue is learning medicine, Diao Chan becomes interested in poetry and playing musical instruments so she always visits Cai Wenji.

Lie Fan doing all of these things and silently a month passes by, The preparation for the Night market is going well and the trial can be started anytime. Yu Yan visited a monk in the temple and asked for 2 auspicious days for Lie Fan’s Marriage, She was told that the 26 of the next month and the 6 the month after that were his auspicious days.

AT: New Chapter for a new week! I hope everyone enjoys this chapter!??

What should Lie Fan Navy ships consist of?

________________________

Name: Lie Fan

Title: Yellow Heaven Subjugator

Age: 18 Years Old (186 AD)

Level: 14

Next Level: 412.000

Renown: 185

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 1)

SP: 711.700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 557 -> 567 (1 Potion)

VIT: 257 -> 267 (1 Potion)

AGI: 263 -> 273 (1 Potion)

INT: 284 -> 294 (1 Potion)

CHR: 93

WIS: 239 -> 249 (1 Potion)

WILL: 187 -> 197 (1 Potion)

ATR Points: 0