nycdaug Chapter 104 She wins!
Chapter 104 She wins!
Inside the County Lord's Mansion, Yan Wanwan asked the yamen runner who had returned to report, "Have all the people been settled?"
"Don't worry, County Master! Everyone is very motivated now that they can raise chickens in exchange for silver. The chicks have already been distributed, and they are required to raise them strictly according to the methods provided by the County Master."
Yan Wanwan nodded in satisfaction. Then, when she heard the yamen runner mention the people who had left, she waved her hand and said, "Don't tell me about this kind of thing. Their feet are on their legs. If they want to leave, then go! We can't force them to stay."
The yamen runners nodded repeatedly, and then saw Yan Wanwan take out a geological survey map and draw several areas on it with cinnabar.
"When their houses are almost finished, notify the local government to open up land and build roads in the new area. These roads must be smooth and two bridges must be built here to facilitate the passage of carriages."
"Yes, I will definitely bring the words to you."
Yan Wanwan then took out another stack of banknotes and handed it to him, instructing him, “Also, build a weaving workshop in each area and recruit female workers to weave in the factory.”
The yamen runner pointed at himself in disbelief, "County Lady, you want me to do it? Aren't you afraid that I'll take these banknotes and run away?"
Yan Wanwan sneered, "Don't worry, this county lady doesn't employ people she doubts, and trusts people she employs."
The yamen runner was so moved that he could not express it in words. "Don't worry, County Lady. I will not hesitate to die."
Yan Wanwan: “…That doesn’t have to be the case.”
In just three months, Nanping Prefecture was completely transformed. Both the people who stayed and those who returned home lived a life of plenty. The disaster brought by the earth dragon had been overcome, and life would be better in the future.
"This is the first time recovery has happened so quickly. Not only has the road been repaired, but our lives are even better than before!"
"That's right. In the past, when disasters occurred, we had to wait for the emperor to send us relief grain, and we couldn't save any food for several years."
"It's different now. It's only been three months, and I've already saved up several taels of silver. I can have a good New Year this year."
"Tsk, you have the nerve to brag about your few taels of silver. I've already saved more than ten taels of silver, enough to get married."
This immediately caused a burst of laughter, and every household was filled with laughter, making everyone immersed in this joyful atmosphere.
During these three months, the chickens grew rapidly, and the crops in the fields also thrived. This situation was unprecedented in Nanping Prefecture. No one knew better than the people themselves how poor the local soil was.
This transformation is entirely due to Yan Wanwan's proprietary feed and fertilizer, which not only reduces disease risk for the chickens but also protects the crops from pests, significantly increasing productivity.
When all places were paying attention to Nanping Prefecture, some quick-thinking people had already bought some fertilizers and sold them elsewhere, making a profit of more than ten taels of silver from the difference in price.
Only after people have actually used these things can they truly appreciate their benefits. After all, there is no such fertilizer out there that can increase food growth and yield!
The news spread quickly and soon attracted a large number of foreign businessmen to come to Nanping Prefecture, hoping to negotiate cooperation and make a big deal.
Before coming, these merchants all had their own calculations in mind, thinking that Nanping Prefecture would definitely be enthusiastic about promoting cooperation. Then, by relying on their status as foreign merchants and the temptation of making a big deal, they would be able to push the price down further. In this way, the profit margin would be even greater.
However, when they arrived in Nanping Prefecture full of anticipation, they were surprised to find that things were far from what they had imagined.
They asked around, trying to find the person who produced these miracle fertilizers, but found nothing.
It turned out that all the fertilizer shops in Nanping Prefecture were privately owned by the county lord, which caught the merchants off guard.
They were not willing to give up and wanted to try their luck at the County Lady's Mansion, but the Mansion closed its doors tightly and refused to see any visitors, completely shattering their hopes.
In desperation, they had to ask the shop owner, but the shop owner was also confused. He only knew that every time the fertilizer shortage was reported, new fertilizer would be delivered on time the next day. As for where the fertilizer came from, the shop owner had no idea.
The merchants had no choice but to settle for the next best thing: buying some fertilizer and taking it away. At worst, they could send someone to live here and come to buy every day, and they could still make a lot of money.
However, the reality was like a loud slap in the face to them. The goods in these shops were only sold to the people of Nanping Prefecture and not to outsiders.
Every citizen of Nanping Prefecture had an identity card with their name and address on it. This card could not be bought or sold, and anyone caught buying or selling it would be punished with death.
When the merchants heard the news, they couldn't help but sneer. They were good at forgery. No matter how delicate the seal or how complicated the customs document, as long as they had money, they could definitely hire a master to make it.
But this time they were too naive. Only when they saw the ID card did they understand what it meant to be impossible to copy.
The ID card was made of neither jade nor gold or copper; it was hard yet soft, its surface as smooth as a mirror. The writing on it didn't seem handwritten; it had an indescribable rigidity, as if it were perfectly natural, leaving one baffled as to where to begin.
They could only buy it from the people of Nanping Prefecture at a high price. At first, the people were afraid of offending the county lord, but they found that the county lord not only did not object, but even encouraged them to resell.
In the eyes of businessmen, Yan Wanwan was simply stupid, a woman with no business acumen at all.
But in the eyes of the common people, this is a benefit given to them by the county lord. After all, this part of the silver was originally earned by the county lord, and now the county lord has given it to them, isn't this a real benefit?
As if overnight, the people of Nanping Prefecture became popular among outsiders and began to work part-time reselling fertilizers.
After learning about this, Yan Wanwan smiled calmly and said to the prefect, "You should pay attention to those merchants. The people are simple-minded by nature. Don't let them be deceived by their sweet words. We must protect the interests of the people and make them understand the ins and outs of this process, so that they won't be sold out and have to count the money for others after leaving Nanping Prefecture. As for other transactions, let them do as they please."
"The county lady is righteous, and I admire her."
Upon hearing this, the prefect could not help but admire Yan Wanwan's intelligence and magnanimity.
Once the deal was done, there would be a profit of over 100,000 taels every year, but she distributed it so eloquently, which was truly astonishing.
Therefore, within a few days, the people of Nanping Prefecture made a lot of money and every household became wealthy.
Xiao Tao, who had been serving Yan Wanwan all this time, couldn't help but ask, "Miss, are you really willing to give it up?"
Yan Wanwan smiled without saying anything. She had nothing to lose, only gains.
First, outsiders think that those fertilizers are difficult to produce, but his factory in the end times is mass-produced and has no capital investment, so no matter how cheaply he sells them, he will make money.
Secondly, this method can be used to enhance the people's sense of belonging to Nanping Prefecture and their gratitude towards her. As the saying goes, one who receives favors from others will be grateful, and one who receives food from others will be soft-hearted. After giving so many benefits, even if others want to work hard on the people in the future, they must come up with some real stuff.
Thirdly, the imperial court had long been eyeing the fertilizer business, and she couldn't keep it even if she wanted to. So instead of letting that person ask for it on behalf of the people, it would be better for her to distribute it first. It would be better than giving it away for free later.
Taking all these points into consideration, she won.