Shen Xu told Pei Zhiyuan the story of the Cloud Country and the Southern Border Chamber of Commerce.
There used to be only a small piece of land in the southern part of Yanyang Kingdom. Later, the imperial court wanted to expand its territory, and frictions often occurred on the border between the two countries, so the imperial court of Yanyang Kingdom sent Tingnan Hou to attack Yun Kingdom.
Marquis Tingnan lived up to everyone's expectations and conquered a large territory, but the people on the land were very patriotic. They could not accept the fact that they were ceded to Yanyang Kingdom, refused to become citizens of Yanyang Kingdom, and always hoped that their homeland would take them home.
As a result, mob conflicts often occurred in that land, farmers refused to grow crops, workers went on strike, and everyone was unwilling to contribute to the country's development.
The Yanyang Kingdom did not use force or exploitation to force the people to surrender, but adjusted local policies and added a variety of shops to the market streets of the Cloud Kingdom. In addition to shops selling rice, flour, grain, oil, cloth and groceries, it also opened many entertainment venues.
Originally, poor people worked hard in the fields all day long, and it was good enough for them to have enough food and clothing. They had no spare energy to consume supplementary food, let alone go to entertainment venues.
But President Fu of the Southern Territory Chamber of Commerce created conditions for them. She bought large tracts of land, opened plantations, and opened workshops. She hired local people with high salaries to grow crops, produce supplies, and run shops for her.
Not only did the people have enough food and clothing, but they also had money in their hands, so they naturally started thinking about consuming better things. When demand for things exceeded supply, some people would think about how to reclaim wasteland and increase production.
In this way, the southern border quickly became prosperous, and there were no more mob rebellions. The people of the Cloud Kingdom gradually integrated into the Yanyang Kingdom and were assimilated into the culture of the Yanyang Kingdom.
The unique cultural charm of the Southern Territory gradually attracted the people of the northern part of the Cloud Kingdom. More and more cities chose to join the Flame Sun Kingdom, hoping that the Southern Territory Chamber of Commerce could make them prosperous.
The Southern Border Chamber of Commerce lived up to expectations and opened trade routes all the way south, teaching people how to plant and produce crops, increasing the abundance of products, popularizing education, and educating people to create culture.
The imperial power of the Cloud Kingdom became increasingly unstable, and was eventually defeated without a fight. The royal family gave up on taking back the land and huddled in a small piece of land at the southernmost tip.
Pei Zhiyuan was slightly stunned and said, "Are we going to follow the example of the Southern Border Chamber of Commerce and use culture to erode the North Sea Kingdom?"
"Of course not. The North Sea Kingdom is on par with ours, and our culture doesn't appeal to them. We're in the midst of a disaster, and there's no way we can change their people's stance by throwing money at them."
"Then how do we get Xue Yan back?"
Chen Xu stroked his chin and thought for a moment. "Reply to the letter and invite the Southern Territory Chamber of Commerce to discuss the North Star Port Concession. Ask them for 30 million silver in the first round of negotiations."
Pei Zhiyuan was surprised and said, "30 million taels of silver, can they agree to it?"
"If you don't agree, we can raise it ourselves."
Xue Yu said with a hint of worry, "Isn't thirty million taels of silver too much to redeem my brother? If we use the national treasury's funds, we will be criticized by the world."
Pei Zhiyuan also echoed, "What if the Beihai Kingdom doesn't agree to a ransom with silver? Thirty million taels is enough for them to raise enough food and money, upgrade their equipment, and fight us. Why not use the money to equip our army and use military force to get Xue Yan back?"
Chen Xu stroked his chin and asked, "What did they want before? Zhenyu City and the Tianxin Lake Gold Mine can all be given to him. Xieyang City can also be given to them, Yang Chonghu can also be given to them. As long as they can redeem Xue Yan, the three cities and the rebels can all be given to them."
"Are you crazy?" the two said in unison. The North had been unwilling to give us Zhenyu City in the first place, which was why they hadn't been able to bring Xue Yan back. Why would they agree to anything now? "What if the Beihai Kingdom thinks Xue Yan is our weakness and makes a last-minute offer? For such dishonest people, I think only force can stop their daydreaming!"
"We won't give it away for free." Shen Xu held up three fingers and said indifferently, "In three years at most, I will ask them to return the land intact."
"Do you have any ideas?" Pei Zhiyuan hesitated and asked, "We're still giving them 30 million taels of silver. Isn't that too much?"
"Don't worry, I will make them pay back the principal with interest, and make them pay the price for their provocation against our Haoyue Country today!" Shen Xu sneered, picked up the pen on the table, sat in Pei Zhiyuan's seat, and buried his head in writing on the paper.
Pei Zhiyuan turned his head to look and saw her writing some formulas on a piece of paper.
Seeing him coming closer to look, Shen Xu raised his eyes and smiled, "Then I will ask His Royal Highness the Regent to act out a play with me about a tyrant emperor and a wicked concubine bringing disaster to the country and the people."
Pei Zhiyuan saw this and laughed, "You still love acting so much."
"Your Highness is also enjoying it."
......
They quickly moved some confidential bases of Beizhixing to Beilang Prefecture and Beiyuan Prefecture, and protected some important industries.
People from the Southern Territory Chamber of Commerce were soon invited to discuss the issue of the port entry permit, and the one who came to negotiate was the eldest son Fu Yi.
Pei Zhiyuan warmly entertained them at Xuanhe Palace and invited them to attend the Spring Festival celebration and military parade of the Queen Mother.
Originally, Shen Xu was supposed to participate in the negotiation of the port entry permit, but when Shen Xu saw the man wearing the obsidian mask from afar, the fear of the Great Devil in his blood suddenly awakened.
"That person..." Shen Xu held his head and fainted.
Xue Yu quickly supported her and frantically summoned the imperial physician.
Fortunately, when Pei Zhiyuan proposed to invest 30 million taels of silver in the port, Fu Yi did not make things difficult and agreed directly.
It wasn't long before the silver was transported to the port of North Star by cargo ship.
After receiving the money, Haoyue Kingdom quickly issued a port entry permit to the Southern Border Chamber of Commerce, allowing them to enter the port for trade under any national conditions, with a validity period of ten years.
Pei Zhiyuan and Xue Yu negotiated with Master Fu who came to negotiate, and signed some trade orders in exchange for some food and investment for the north.
Pei Zhiyuan took Fu Yi to visit Panshi City, and somehow they talked about Yunnuan Pavilion. Fu Yi told him without hesitation that he was the acting leader of Yunnuan Pavilion, Black-faced Fox.
Currently due to busy business, Yunnuan Pavilion is temporarily managed by his director.
Pei Zhiyuan immediately took out two portraits, which were of the Song uncle and nephew.
他们失踪在沙漠里，搜救队找了半年都没有找到，他坚信他们还活着，也不想再让沈绪把精力放在找人上面了。
傅奕有些诧异，“找人？你们皓月国，没有情报组织的么？”
“这个人......”一旁的姜理事惊叫了一声，指着宋捕头的画像道：“这个人我见过！”
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