Chapter 094: Strategies for the Eastern Cities 4
Although Arthur is strong and powerful, he is just a boy after all.
After making a bet with the water fetcher, he kept watching that side quietly.
Soon, some small businessmen gathered around the water seller. They waved their hands and picked up their bamboo cups to drink, as if they were familiar with the process.
They would rather spend a copper coin than waste time fetching water themselves.
I can't afford milk tea, but drinking a glass of water is totally fine.
Gulp, gulp, the wine is clear and crisp. After a few drinks, their mood becomes much better.
This series of operations made Arthur dumbfounded.
The village chief stroked his goatee and asserted, "This town's development is fueled by people coming here to visit! Look how clean they keep the area around it, just to welcome all the merchants and tourists!"
This remark amused the water fetcher. "So you're quite knowledgeable! Yes, that's right, Ankang Town relies on the tourism economy! Ever since the town has developed, even people like us at the bottom of society have benefited from it. It's great!"
"To be honest, living here is the decision I've made with the least regrets in my life! Every night, I'm thankful that I moved early and met such a wise lord!"
Although the village chief didn't understand the technical terms, he nodded. "A good blacksmith must have strong tools. Your products are truly excellent! Even this well water has a mood-boosting buff. Others can't learn that even if they want to!"
The water carrier said excitedly, "Okay! For what you said, I'll give you a glass of water! And I'll also give you a job, will you do it? Help me fill five buckets of water later, and I'll give you 10 copper coins!"
After saying that, he pointed and saw five red buckets placed next to him.
Perhaps this man saw that they were poor and felt pity for them. Arthur's heart moved. He never thought that making money could be so easy. "Okay! Thanks, brother. I was wrong just now. Your water is worth it!"
The water carrier threw him five copper coins and said, "Here, this is the water fee. You have to pay to draw water from the well in Ankang Town."
The village chief stroked his goatee and began to calculate silently in his mind.
This bucket of water can be sold for at least 15 cups, which is 15 copper coins. After deducting the labor cost of 2 copper coins per bucket and the water fetching fee of 1 copper coin, this means that this guy only needs to sit here and make 12 copper coins per bucket for free!
This is still his conservative estimate. In fact, there is no cost. After all, the cost of pumping water is negligible, and even if he doesn’t sell it, he can keep it for himself to drink!
Ankang Town...how come it is so unique!
The village chief smiled and asked indirectly, "If you just give us the money, aren't you afraid that we'll run away?"
The villagers pursed their lips and pricked up their ears.
They knew that the village chief was asking about the town's public security and whether the guards were responsible. After all, if you have the life to make money, you also have to have the life to spend it.
The water carrier laughed again. "This is Ankang Town, not some other town. Who would dare?! Okay, old man, stop beating around the bush. I'm telling you the truth. There's really nothing wrong with Ankang Town! After all, the lord attaches great importance to the people's livelihood, and he has the system at his disposal. If anyone does something evil, they'll be kicked out directly, and the guards will take care of it for us."
The waterman pointed and said, "Look, those are the ones with bright faces and swords on their waists. The guards have now officially changed their name to the [Gold Coin Adventurers Group]."
village head:"?"
What kind of reputation is that? Who did you learn it from?
The village chief's mouth twitched, and he turned his head to see that the guards were in conflict with a fat noble.
The fat noble blushed, "Why won't you let me in? Just because I flirted with a shop assistant a while ago, no? Is that really necessary? That guy was just a commoner..."
Disgust flashed across the guard's face. "Sorry, you can't come in. You are on the lord's blacklist."
"What a lousy blacklist!" the fat noble cursed. "Is this Lin Muqiu blind? He even dares to stop me!"
"Please be careful with your words." Guard Saiden's hand holding the sword bulged slightly. "Please do not insult our most respected lord. If you do it again, we will punish you."
The fat noble sneered and drew his sword. "Pah! Do you dare to draw your sword against me?! Do you know who my father is? If you dare to hurt me, even if Lin Muqiu gave me the entire city, I can't afford to pay you back..."
Before he finished speaking, a black shadow flashed by and everyone was startled.
When they saw clearly, they saw a sharp claw with five fingers arched, pressing on the noble's back, exerting force faintly, and the sound of bones cracking could be heard, accompanied by the noble's heart-wrenching roar and pleas for mercy.
Looking up again, I saw a red dragon cub letting out a low roar that shook the world. Its scales stood up like gems, and the light on them scattered, giving it a terrifying look. Its golden eyes were cold and full of courage.
There was a fat fish in its mouth.
The villagers were horrified and retreated in fear. Even the fat noble's servants could only beg for mercy, "I'm sorry! Please let my master go, he's just a child!"
The villagers couldn't help but twitch their lips.
He's 1.8 meters tall when he stands up, and you call him a child?
"Don't worry," the Ankang Town guards patted the dragon cub's neck to show that they were gentle and harmless. "As long as it doesn't violate the Ankang Town security regulations, the dragon cub won't hurt anyone!"
After thinking for a long time, he added, "Of course, it's best not to scold the Lord. The dragon cub is raised by the Lord, and he is very protective of his master and likes to hold grudges."
As soon as the words "holding a grudge" came out, the dragon cub roared angrily and flapped its broken wings, creating a howling wind that ruffled everyone's hair.
The messy crowd: "..."
It seems like he really holds a grudge.
The guards of Ankang Town didn't care about the expressions of the crowd. After much persuasion, they finally persuaded Long Zaizai to let go of the fat noble who was howling like a ghost. Then they picked up the fat noble and threw him out.
When the others saw this scene, they immediately trembled in fear and became much more obedient.
The village chief was stunned, "This is too amazing!"
Arthur's eyes flashed with surprise. "The legendary Red Flame Dragon! There's actually one in Ankang Town! I thought it was just a legend... As they say, a dragon cub's personality takes on its owner, so wouldn't the Lord of Ankang Town be..."
Also brutal?!
"Don't push, buddy! I was here first. I want to take a picture with the dragon cub first!"
"You came here first, but I paid first! I took card number 28, see? You're number 29! Line up, line up, understand?"
"Shit, you must have picked up the wrong card just now!"
“…”
There were bursts of quarreling nearby. Arthur looked over and heard the guards, having just finished their business, begin to advertise vigorously. "Dragon cubs, take a photo! Who wants to take a photo with a dragon cub? A noble dragon is only worthy of the noblest of men. Who wants to leave a footprint on the land of Ankang to prove they've touched a noble Red Flame Dragon? 30 silver coins per time, no limit on the number of people!"
Arthur:?
The noblest person: The kind that allows you to have as many people as you want for a fee?
Very good, only Ankang Town can come up with such a malicious trick and such a strange propaganda language.
Even this can make money, which is really unique to Ankang.
He was stunned, then looked to the side, only to see that the dragon cub beside him had changed its appearance at some point.
The dragon cub stood on the ground obediently with its claws together, looking harmless and willing to be photographed for money. Its golden eyes quietly turned into the shape of gold coins. When it heard the word "coin", it was so happy that every scale on its tail turned red, and its tail even tilted up slightly, rocking like a cradle.
Seeing someone trying to touch it, the dragon cub who was taking a photo dodged for a moment and pushed the Ankang guard with his claws in dissatisfaction.
Arthur's fear subsided a little.
That's right. After all, it's a noble dragon. How could it possibly engage in this kind of skin/flesh business?
Well, he must be dreaming...
The next second, the guard's voice was heard, "Ahem, sorry, let me correct you, if you touch it, you have to pay extra!"
The dragon cub nodded with satisfaction, puffed out his chest, and retracted his little claws.
Arthur:?
Don't be ridiculous
This scene shocked the townspeople of Taohuawu so much that their faces turned red and they remained speechless for a long time. This caused the water carrier to burst into laughter. "You'll just get used to it! This is Lord Lin's idea. The guards will make up 30% of the total members, the dragon cubs will make up 10%, and Lord Lin will make up 60%. It can be considered a hidden benefit for the guards!"
"Don't be fooled by this dragon cub's fierceness. It's actually quite well behaved. It even catches fish and sells them for money!"
"To earn eight hundred part-time jobs, I'm not exaggerating!"
After hearing this, the villagers were even more shocked. Even the village chief sighed with emotion, "Ankang Town is truly a magical town! I can't wait to see what it's like inside!"
*
After entering the city, Arthur ran to fetch water, while the village chief and his villagers strolled around, exclaiming in admiration with every step they took.
The city itself was even more magnificent than the surroundings, with vast expanses of lush green trees and abundant fruit. New settlers were constantly asking for directions, leading to the emergence of numerous tour guides. As soon as their carriages stopped, they would call out, "15 copper coins per person, tour the entire city! No bargaining, and we'll leave when we're full!"
The villagers were shocked. “Oh my god, you can make so much money just by dragging people around?”
The village chief patiently explained, "Haven't you noticed? This Ankang City is huge, and most of the people who come and go are nobles and merchants. Occasionally spending 15 copper coins to buy something new and exciting is nothing. They're not like us, who need to save their copper coins for the winter."
Everyone was speechless, knowing that the village chief was telling the truth.
But a certain fighting spirit was still aroused in their hearts.
They are all human beings. What they lack is opportunity. They are no worse than anyone else. In the past, they were all equally poor, so it didn't matter. But now, seeing others become rich through their own efforts, how can they not be jealous!
While they were curious, they also started to think about it.
Along the way, there were also people carrying wood and concrete to build new houses. They also knew how to build them. Could they also make some copper coins from this?
This town is full of opportunities, what a delight!
Everyone felt their chests pounding. As they walked forward, they were surrounded by a riot of flowers, which were so dazzling. The tall buildings were majestic and the gentle wind stirred the young man's heart.
The polished marble floor made them feel a little hesitant to step on it, fearing it would get dirty. Countless small stalls and shops opened up, a hundred flowers bloomed, and all kinds of specialty shops from other towns were available, attracting many nobles on the road to stop and linger, eat, drink, and have fun, and repeatedly admire:
"This hot and sour noodle is so good! And the spicy noodles, spicy potatoes, and the sizzling, spicy crayfish are absolutely my favorite! I just love them! Hey, how come other towns have so many miracles?"
"Who says it's not true? We're clearly not short of money, but when we ask the townspeople to replicate these delicacies, they can't. We have no choice but to come here to eat them ourselves. It's so frustrating!"
"Haven't you heard? These crops are incredibly special! They have chili peppers and sesame oil, so sharp and spicy, how could they not make your mouth feel numb? And the fertile soil and fertilizer make the crops grow big and red. And the fish in the fish pond, I heard, are even fatter and juicier after the sandstorm!"
"These core technologies are not sold to other people, so of course our towns can't learn them!"
"Oh, so that's how it is! This is the first time I've heard of it. I'm really confused. From your description, I feel like Ankang Town should be the overlord of the eastern towns!"
"Don't tell me, it's hard to say! Many towns in the east have been dissatisfied with Duke Qidongsi for a long time. Who knows what will happen next? Think about it, the villagers of the Eastern Chamber of Commerce have all moved to Ankang Town, and it will soon be the townspeople's turn. Once the townspeople leave, the eastern towns will be left with empty shells. What else can they do if they don't submit?"
“…”
Hearing the nobles talking, the village chief keenly grasped a piece of information.
If residents from major towns in the east also join in and settle in Ankang Town, Ankang Town will win completely.
But the residents of the eastern towns are not poor people like them who have no property. If they wanted to settle down before, they would have come here long ago. The fact that they did not settle down means that they have property in the east. Ankang Town is good, but are they really willing to abandon their homes and property?
unless……
"Father, what's wrong?" Dennis asked with concern. "Are you worried that there will be too many people settling here and there won't be enough space for us?"
"It's okay." The village chief silently kept the matter in mind and continued to walk in with the villagers.
Going further in, you will find all the basic facilities available. You can hear and see from afar. The Civilian College is broadcasting today's radio story, the fountain is gurgling, and a few naughty children are running around, laughing.
This made Dennis shrink his worn-out straw sandals and say in a hoarse voice, "So going to school is so much fun? Even more fun than hunting?"
The other children also felt a little uncomfortable. Seeing other children jumping rope happily, they still scratched their heads, although they didn't know what was wrong.
The village chief felt very upset when he heard this. "I swear, I will make sure every one of you has enough to eat and can afford to go to school. I promised your parents, and I will never break my promise!"
Most of the parents of these orphans died protecting the village.
I heard the bell ringing from afar, and the crowd dispersed. There were adults and students, all holding books, with happy smiles on their faces, whispering to each other:
"Have you mastered the restorative potion we taught you today? Medicine is so difficult! I should have chosen a different major!"
"You're already in junior high and you're already failing? You should have some patience and perseverance! Some people even choose the fertilization major. Not only do they have to learn pharmacy, but they also have to handle all that stuff themselves. Isn't that much more tiring and difficult than your major?"
"That's true. Majors are becoming increasingly specialized, and a lot of interdisciplinary disciplines have emerged. It's so interesting! Have you heard about that new film studies major? The Lord teaches it every Wednesday. It's so enviable. I haven't even seen what the Lord looks like yet. I heard that those who do well can stay on as teaching assistants and professors, and then gradually take exams to get higher professional titles. Wouldn't that mean they won't have to worry about their lives?"
"Hey, you should give up on this fickle mindset! That major requires learning editing skills, and it requires you to be a space mage! With our qualifications, it's hard to say. Luckily, the academy offers free tuition, so we can learn slowly. Otherwise, with our brains, we'd be in trouble!"
"Humph, who has the same brain as you, a little pig? Are you annoying?"
“…”
Hearing the girls chattering and laughing, the village leaders grasped the key words.
The college provides free teaching, but you can still choose other majors?
Pharmacist, you're still thinking about applying fertilizer?
An emerging major, taught by the Lord himself?
Can you live a worry-free life just by having a professional title?
These words, integrated into one sentence, made him feel more and more novel and shocked. They madly smashed bloody holes in the village chief's heart, burning his ideals and watering out dazzling fireworks time and time again.
This is the Taohuawu of his dreams!
Everyone is equal, all professions are equal, and all genders are equal. The lord is open-minded and gentle. Adults and children can learn until old age, love their own town, and be part of its construction, which is passed down from generation to generation. There is no need to ever ask what the meaning of being human is, because the meaning itself is there!
Even the paradise is just like this!
Ankang Town is definitely a good place for him to realize his ambitions!
A warm feeling flowed from the village chief's heart to his limbs. He looked at the other villagers and saw that they also had red eyes and were nervously pinching their trouser legs, waiting for his decision. "Village chief, then we..."
The village chief slowly spoke, "I've decided. We will settle down in Ankang Town!"
Everyone's blood was boiling and they couldn't help cheering, just like a piece of drifting wood that suddenly found its home. They were both happy and sad.
Just as they were congratulating each other, Arthur came running over in a hurry, shouting, "Oh no! We forgot to ask about the settlement requirements in Ankang Town! I just found out that to settle in Ankang Town, besides being an orphan, you must have a skill, but many of us don't have that!"
The village chief was frightened and his hands trembled slightly.
Arthur ran over and saw that everyone looked pale, so he said with a playful smile: "But the lord has added some new regulations these days, excluding those who have moved entire villages and towns."
"Brother Arthur, you are so boring!" Many townspeople rolled their eyes and patted their chests in fear.
The village chief couldn't help but exclaim, "Master Lin must have guessed long ago that many villages and towns would be relocated en masse! How clever!"
"All I can say is that everything that happens around her is under her control," Arthur said in a deep voice. "Brave, resourceful, and kind-hearted, this is the lord we're looking for! The most important thing is..."
He kept it a secret, "I just saw a row of land next to the Lord's Hall that's been set aside for job postings. Those rows of job postings were all posted by the townspeople. Many people are buying firewood at high prices and hiring bricklayers to upgrade their houses. We're good at those things, so why not?! Once we save up enough money, we can rebuild our house!"
The village chief pondered for a moment. "No rush. Winter is approaching, and we'll have to hire people for things like firewood. There's never too late. And don't you see? There's no future in this kind of labor. Ankang Town is better suited to doing business!"
Arthur was stunned. "Village Chief, so you want to..."
A glint flashed in the village chief's eyes. "I heard that Lady Lin Muqiu is at least a fourth-level mage. Why don't we ask her to help us move our house here?"
When these words were spoken, everyone gasped.
Sure, the village chief is really bold! He was originally hesitant to move, but now he's here, thinking bigger and bigger than anyone else, even asking the lord to do something for him!
only……
"My Lord, you are in such a high position and have so much power, would you really bother yourself with such trivial matters?"
Someone asked in a low voice.
This was met with silence from everyone.
It’s not that they don’t trust the village chief, but something like this has happened before.
The village chief wanted to offer advice to his lord, but before he even saw the lord, his guard was kicked out like trash.
Yes, like kicking a dog.
They don't want to humiliate themselves anymore.
Seeing that everyone completely didn't believe he could convince Lin Muqiu, the village chief stroked his goatee and said, "You forgot, today is Wednesday, and the lord will be here to give a lecture."
*
Eastern Duchy, Lord's Hall.
Duke Qidongsi of the East sat on the throne, tapped the handle lightly, and sneered, "Is this your good idea?"
The lord of Oez couldn't help shivering and knelt on the ground, his whole body cold to the bone.
He couldn't understand how it was that all of a sudden, all the people he sent to ruin Ankang Town's reputation became people of Ankang Town?
Within half a month, a large number of villagers left, and by the time they realized it, the situation was already irreversible!
In Ankang Town, however, the population has doubled again, and the speed of development is astonishing.
"Why aren't you talking?"
His father's threatening voice forced Lord Oez to defend himself. "Father, I think there's still room for recovery. Those who have settled in Ankang Town are just a bunch of impoverished country folk. The nobles and well-off townspeople still hold their businesses and properties on our land. Relocating means starting over, and they simply don't want to."
Hearing this, the Duke of the East's expression finally improved a little, "Yeah."
"Father," Lord Oez crawled over and continued to counsel the Duke, "A tornado is approaching, hindering the townspeople's travel. Lin Muqiu can't think of any solutions right now. We might as well take this opportunity to spread the word and stabilize the people's hearts."
"Propaganda?" The Duke snorted coldly and slapped the armrest of the throne. The empty voice echoed in the hall.
The grip on Lord Oez's throat tightened, and his father's voice was like a ghost, lingering. "That's easy for you to say! Lin Muqiu's goods are much better than ours. Anyone with eyes will think that the goods from Ankang Town are better!"
Lord Oez's teeth chattered as his voice gradually lowered. "What if... we're selling goods from Ankang Town?"
The Duke's eyes flashed with a hint of planning, "What do you mean?"
Lord Oez raised his head, his face flattering. "We can sell goods from Ankang Town and deceive the townspeople by saying they're from our Eastern Chamber of Commerce. After all, it's impossible for the townspeople to go to Ankang Town to verify it themselves. Besides, if we deny selling pirated goods, there's nothing Ankang Town can do about it, right?"
The Duke finally relaxed his brows and snorted coldly, "Hmph, Lin Muqiu got a good deal! She still made a killing by buying her goods and selling them!"
Over the years, Lord Oez rarely felt any resentment towards his father.
Haha, if you had done business with Lin Muqiu earlier, there wouldn’t be so many problems?
Why did it have to come to this point?
*
"Hey, my lord."
Lin Muqiu had just finished teaching film knowledge points and was about to go to the classroom of the Civilian College to eat after class when a voice interrupted him.
She didn't really care about it. After all, every time she went out, she would be surrounded by curious people, or fed with all kinds of food, which made her feel helpless. Until finally, she issued a notice saying that everyone should not feed the lord, because the lord would get fat, and the situation improved a little.
So she just replied lightly, "Well, hello."
Just walked past that person.
Unexpectedly, the man refused to give in and continued to chase after him, "Lord, I can help you make money!"
Lin Muqiu paused.
When she heard the word money, she couldn't help herself...
She put her hands in her pockets and turned her head curiously, "Hmm?"
She had left in such a hurry that she could only see the other person's face clearly. The old man came here alone, with gray hair, leaning on a cane, and wearing tattered clothes. He was out of tune with the surrounding prosperity and did not look like a resident of Ankang Town.
Sure enough, as soon as these words were spoken, the other townspeople looked at the old man curiously, with puzzled expressions.
When something is abnormal, there must be something wrong.
Based on the other party's financial situation, to be able to enter the Civilian College, he either found someone to collect money to pay the entrance fee, or the entire village moved and became a townsperson, and he was the village chief, so he came here on behalf of the entire village. No matter which one it was, the other party was looking for her for an urgent matter.
After all, no one would spend a fortune when they are penniless, just to see the lord.
She doesn't think she has that much face.
"What's wrong?" Lin Muqiu gently led him to an empty corridor. "Just tell me. If the matter is difficult, Lord Kedero will take over and solve it for you later. Don't worry."
"I'd have to come to you in person!" The village chief hadn't expected her to be so considerate, his voice trembling with excitement. "I see a lot of wealthy nobles here, and they buy things from small vendors because they've never seen them before and are very curious. So, why don't we set up a farm stay where people can experience rural life? I've observed your town, and there's nothing like it here. After we're done, you'll take 7 and I'll take 3. How about that?"
Lin Muqiu was stunned for a moment and laughed a few times.
Who would have thought that the old man would meet her just to talk about this!
However, there are not many people who are so independent-minded, smart and brave. It is interesting that she is expected to invest in technology just by talking.
She became interested and felt that this man looked very much like her deceased grandfather, who was able to make money just by relying on his looks.
Speaking of this, she inherited it from her grandfather.
She unconsciously smiled, "So you want me to help you move?"
The village chief blushed, thinking that Lin Muqiu was indeed very smart and nothing could be hidden from her eyes.
With just one glance, this person can hear the hidden meaning in his words. He really should not be underestimated!
So he pondered and said, "But it's not just for this."
Lin Muqiu raised his eyebrows, "You say."
The village chief spoke quickly, "I know you're hoping to conquer the major towns in the east. Actually, the unsettled eastern townspeople have a simple request: they simply want to ensure their businesses are transferred to Ankang Town! This is actually beneficial to you, as your city relies heavily on tourism. If you have existing businesses moving here, it would be ideal!"
"Helping me move my house is like setting an example for the residents of the eastern towns. Tell them that if they want to settle in Ankang Town, you can help them move their houses and businesses for free. With such publicity, the residents will definitely be tempted!"
"Lord, there's no time to lose! It's best to hurry before the tornado arrives, lest the wind pick up and hinder your wind spells!"
After saying this, the village chief's heart was pounding.
When he was young, he also thought about becoming a counselor, but as he grew older and became accustomed to darkness, his heart died.
This was the first time that the lord allowed him to speak so much, as if all the grievances in his heart burst out in an instant.
However, what made him uneasy was that Lin Muqiu did not answer for a long time.
He raised his eyes in panic, only to find Lin Muqiu looking at him with a smile, his eyes as clear and lively as a deer's. "You said it very well. Not many people can think of this step."
This step?
Does that mean there's a back-up plan?
It was like a bolt of lightning that suddenly struck the village chief's heart, shocking him so much that he was speechless and making him regret his own cleverness.
Alas, why does he think that Lord Lin can’t think of what he can think of?
Since Lady Lin didn't take any action, she must have her own reasons! Someone who could build a town so well could not be just an ordinary person!
Besides, there are so many people who want to get close to Lin Muqiu, why should this benchmark be given to him?
"My Lord, I'm sorry..." He was a little annoyed, "I was too smart for my own good."
His voice was as thin and weak as a mosquito's, but Lin Muqiu laughed unexpectedly and said, "I was serious just now. In fact, I had this plan in mind, but I just wanted to do it after the tornado."
"Since you proposed it, I'll set the standard for you."
"Village Chief, I wish us a pleasant cooperation."
“…”
Another loud thunderclap struck the village chief's heart, causing his heart to tremble like a flower bud in a strong wind.
He was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes, "My Lord, I swear to be loyal to you until my death!"
Lin Muqiu picked up the system and showed it to him, winking at him, "You deserve it."
I saw that his favorability on the system had already risen to 100, and the favorability of the villagers associated with him was also soaring.
Someone with strategy, goodwill, a sense of gratitude, and a willingness to take credit for things, with a group of obedient villagers behind him, would surely find success sooner or later. She only needed to contribute a little, and she could get a stake in the company, so why not?
In Ankang Town, capable townspeople should step forward.
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