novelaction Chapter 196: The government has policies, and we have countermeasures
Chapter 196: The government has policies, and we have countermeasures
"You can temporarily store your goods on the vehicle, and we are willing to help you transport them to the nearest city."
The leading guard spoke in a calm tone, neither condescending nor flattering. This balanced attitude actually instilled a certain respect in the merchants, who were accustomed to the power of officials.
Upon hearing this, the merchants who had been driven out of the city were instantly delighted, many of them hurriedly expressing their gratitude, eager to have their goods loaded first. A few of the more experienced and prudent remained silent, merely observing the guards with wary eyes.
"Brother Chen, aren't you planning to move?"
"Please go ahead, we are not in a hurry."
After the polite words, they turned away tacitly.
Next to the merchant surnamed Chen, a clerk lowered his voice and asked, "Master, they are all going to Dongping Prefecture. Should we..."
"The Prince of Dongping has always been mysterious, and Dongping Prefecture is his fiefdom. No one knows what's going on inside." Merchant Chen narrowed his eyes. "It's easy to rush in, but it's hard to get out."
“But we have so much cargo…”
"Ride as fast as you can now and go to the branch to fetch support." Merchant Chen twirled his beard. "This city gate is still within the Nanping Prefecture. Bandits and thieves won't dare to act rashly. As long as we and our goods remain intact, the government will protect us."
“Really?”
"Stop talking nonsense and go!"
Several others shared his thoughts. They looked at the olive branch offered by Dongping Prefecture coldly, preferring to waste another day's effort rather than owe this favor—a favor from the government, which would likely require repayment in the future, with interest.
The leading guard glanced at the motionless merchants, said nothing, turned around and waved his hand.
The convoy started slowly and drove towards Dongping Prefecture, raising a cloud of dust.
Amidst the flying dust, the convoy moved further and further away, and the merchants left behind were each thinking about their next plans.
The merchant named Chen stood beside the carriage, looking deeply at the direction where the convoy was going away, thinking secretly in his heart.
"Master, the people from Semicolon are rushing here and they will be here in about an hour." The waiter came hurriedly and reported in a low voice.
Merchant Chen nodded, twirling his beard, a gleam in his eyes. "Alright, we'll set off as soon as they arrive. Remember, bypass Dongping Prefecture and take the official road to the south."
The waiter was puzzled: "Master, isn't Dongping Prefecture closer? Why do you have to take a long detour?"
Merchant Chen sneered and lowered his voice, "The Prince of Dongping has always been secretive, and Dongping Prefecture is his territory. If we, foreign merchants, rashly enter, I'm afraid not even a bone will be left. Although the official road to the south is a bit farther, it's at least safe, and there are several familiar post stations along the way, making it convenient for resupply."
The waiter suddenly understood and nodded repeatedly: "Master, you are wise!"
Elsewhere, several other experienced merchants gathered together, discussing quietly. They were clearly skeptical of Dongping Prefecture's invitation and were reluctant to venture into such unknown territory.
"Brother Li, what should we do? Should we follow the Dongping Prefecture's convoy?" a merchant asked in a low voice.
The middle-aged man known as Brother Li shook his head, his eyes solemn. "No. The fact that the Prince of Dongping was suddenly crowned a prince from obscurity, and even possessed a fiefdom, shows how powerful his tactics are. His overtures today might not be genuine, and if we reject his kindness, there might be a change of heart. Let's stick to our original plan and take a detour."
"But we can't afford to delay our goods!" another person frowned.
Brother Li sneered, "Delaying for a few days is better than losing your life. The waters of Dongping Prefecture are too deep. Small fish like us should not wade into the muddy waters."
Everyone nodded in agreement upon hearing this. Although they were all experienced veterans, they all shared the same fear of the Prince of Dongping.
As the merchants discussed their affairs, the guards at the city gate maintained a composed attitude, neither urging them nor showing any impatience. They simply stood by quietly. The county lord simply ordered them to leave, but they did not ask what they were doing there.
Merchant Chen glanced at the guards and sighed inwardly, "The County Master of Nanping Prefecture is truly remarkable. Even her guards are so composed and measured. In comparison, the Duke of Dongping's eagerness to recruit him seems rather ill-intentioned."
He withdrew his gaze, turned around and instructed the clerk, "Go, check our goods again, and set off immediately when the semicolon people arrive."
The guy responded and left, and everyone was waiting anxiously.
At this time, the merchants who chose to follow the Dongping Prefecture caravan were looking forward to the Prince of Dongping's kindness, but they didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse that was waiting for them.
Inside Nanping Prefecture, Yan Wanwan sat in her study, a cup of tea in hand, her expression indifferent. A strand of her mind had already been quietly focused on the guards at the city gate, taking in every move of the merchants.
"This Prince of Dongping is really a dog-skin plaster that can't be shaken off." She sneered inwardly, "Even when I suddenly decided to drive away the out-of-town merchants, they were able to get the news in advance and rush to intercept them on time. This predictive ability should not be underestimated."
Xiao Tao stood aside, her brows furrowed, her tone filled with worry: "Miss, if we drive away those foreign merchants, will there really be no impact?"
Yan Wanwan took a sip of tea, her expression calm. "Of course there is an impact, but it's insignificant. How many foreign merchants are left in the mansion right now?"
Xiao Tao thought for a moment and replied, "There are still thirteen families left. Miss, do you want to drive them away as well?"
"No need." Yan Wanwan put down the teacup, the corners of her lips raised slightly, "Go find someone to quickly make thirteen silk banners. Once they are finished, immediately send them to these shops and hand them over to their owners personally."
Xiao Tao was stunned, her face full of confusion. "Miss, why are you sending us banners? These merchants often cause us a lot of trouble. Why treat them so well?"
Yan Wanwan chuckled, picked up her pen and casually sketched on the paper, saying calmly, "This provides emotional value. People's hearts are unpredictable. Sometimes a kind word or a token of thoughtfulness can move people more than gold or silver."
As she spoke, she wrote down ten preferential terms on a piece of paper, her handwriting strong and powerful, clearly having already thought it through. Xiao Tao took a closer look and saw words like "tax reduction and exemption," "priority supply," and "free publicity," and her eyes widened.
"Miss, these discounts...are they too much?" Xiao Tao hesitated.
Yan Wanwan continued sketching on the paper without even looking up. "However, the Prince of Dongping is eyeing us covetously. If we don't find a way to keep these merchants, I'm afraid they'll turn to him. The banner is a token of our appreciation, and the discounts are tangible benefits. With both, what reason do they have to leave Nanping Prefecture?"
Xiao Tao suddenly understood and nodded repeatedly: "Miss, you are very smart! I will do it right away!"
Yan Wanwan put down her pen and picked up the teacup, gently blowing away the foam on the surface, a meaningful smile appearing at the corner of her lips.