The southern lands are rich in pearls, and the surrounding areas are generally prosperous.
Nancheng has been a pearl-producing area since ancient times. The pearls here are of excellent quality and are famous throughout the world for their roundness, smoothness, and crystal clarity, and are known as "Southern Pearls".
The prosperity of Nancheng stemmed not only from the preciousness of pearls, but also from its unique geographical location and thriving trade.
This place has a mild climate and abundant resources, and is recognized throughout the world as a land of wealth and prosperity.
Wang Xiuxiu had long heard of the wealth and extravagance of Pearl City, but seeing the bustling South City in person, she couldn't help but sigh that it was truly dazzling!
Even the path beneath your feet is paved with whole bluestone slabs, smooth and flat, and with a faint luster after years of polishing.
Shops line both sides of the street, each decorated in a magnificent manner.
The signs are hung high, with words such as "Pearl Pavilion", "Jade Pearl Manor" and "Treasure Workshop" written on them.
Wang Xiuxiu wanted to go in and see for herself, but Lu Jingze stopped her.
"Upon arriving in the south, our men and horses are exhausted. We must first settle everyone in properly."
"Yes, yes, you're right! Let's find an inn first!"
As soon as he said this, before he had taken more than a few steps, he was stopped by a "guide".
"Sir, are you looking for lodging for your caravan? Would you like me to help you find some?"
Wang Xiuxiu looked at Lu Jingze with a questioning expression.
"These are guides who earn money by pointing out shops to business travelers."
"Alright, then you should give us a proper introduction. But this isn't a one-off deal; it will be very useful in the future, so don't try to fool us."
"Of course, of course! You can inquire around the southern part of the city; my reputation is exceptionally good!"
The guide was extremely clever; he had his eye on their caravan the moment it entered the city gates.
Although the team leader was a woman, they dared not underestimate her.
"Alright! Then let us see your special skills. If they are as good as you say, we will reward you again next time we see you!"
"Thank you so much! I will certainly not let you down!"
“There are countless inns in our southern city, but only three can accommodate such a large caravan as yours and still have rooms available: Yun Jin Inn, Jin Yu Inn, and Tian Zhang Inn. Apart from Tian Zhang Inn, which is in the southern district, the other two, Yun Jin Inn and Jin Yu Inn, are both in the northern district.”
How many wards and markets are there in the southern part of the city?
"Your Excellency, the East Market and the North Market are divided into East and West Markets and North and South Markets. The East Market is a market for ordinary people, mainly trading common goods. It is not very useful for your caravan. However, the West Market, where we are now, is bustling with transactions, and the goods traded are mostly imported and valuable items."
Wang Xiuxiu nodded and asked, "Speaking of the inn, which one do you recommend? What are the advantages?"
"The South Ward mainly houses artisans, merchants, and ordinary people, while the North Ward contains government offices and noble residences. The inns there are frequented by wealthy merchants. Although the inns in the North Ward are more expensive, they are safer and more convenient for business. You can tell from this that you are in big business. From a smaller perspective, the inns in the North Ward are better."
"That's well said, please continue."
"The Yun Jin Inn is backed by the government, which makes things easier if business encounters any problems. As for the Jin Yu Inn, the owner is a businessman who opened the inn to facilitate business dealings and has a wide network of connections."
The guide was shrewd. When Wang Xiuxiu asked him to explain the pros and cons, he only talked about the advantages, but he also clearly explained the disadvantages in every word he said.
Wang Xiuxiu, however, began to look at him with new respect.
"Since we're in business, let's go to the Golden Jade Inn."
"As you wish, I will lead the way for you right away!"
The Golden Jade Inn truly lived up to its name; upon seeing its buildings, one was struck by their dazzling golden brilliance.
The inn's gate plaque has a jade base and is inlaid with gold leaf.
The four large characters "Jinyu Inn" are dazzling.
Below, a pair of white marble lions guard the entrance, majestic and imposing, their bodies inlaid with gold thread, making them even more noble.
Before going in, Wang Xiuxiu had prepared herself mentally, but when she saw the interior decoration, she couldn't help but be taken aback.
The ground is paved with jade, smooth as a mirror, with gold wire patterns inlaid in the middle, making it shine with every step.
Redwood beams and pillars, carved with dragons and phoenixes, outlined with gold paint, make it magnificent and splendid.
Not to mention the pearl palace lanterns atop the pillars, with their glass lampshades, inner candles, and several strings of large pearls adorning the outside.
This Golden Jade Inn is truly a place where gold and jade are on the outside and brocade and jewels are on the inside.
After checking into the room and paying, Wang Xiuxiu lay on the carved mahogany bed, fiddling with the bed curtains around her.
On the other side, Lu Jingze diligently sorted the items in the two people's bags.
"Lu Jingze! Lu Jingze! Come and see!"
"What's wrong?"
"Look, even the bed curtains in these guest rooms are decorated with golden auspicious clouds. You don't even see this in the imperial palace. This Golden Jade Inn is really extravagant!"
Lu Jingze was already used to her occasionally spouting new words he had never heard before, and after a moment's thought, he understood the meaning of the word "tuhao" (nouveau riche).
So he chuckled and teased her, "The bedding on this couch is all brocade with gold thread, much more valuable than this gold-threaded bed curtains!"
"ah?"
Wang Xiuxiu rolled over and lay face down on the bed, staring intently.
"Wow! It really is! Wow! No wonder the room rate is so expensive!"
Thinking of the "huge room fee" she had just paid, Wang Xiuxiu felt a sharp pain in her heart.
Wang Xiuxiu started whining again: "Lu Jingze is so expensive! He's really so expensive!"
Lu Jingze patiently smoothed her frizzy hair and comforted her, "I'll look for a place to stay tomorrow. Let's bear with it for now and learn how they do business here. Consider it tuition."
Hearing Lu Jingze's words of comfort, Wang Xiuxiu immediately sat up, turning her grief into strength!
When the two went downstairs, they met Nan Wei, and Wang Xiuxiu asked her to pass on a few words for them.
Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, the two continued walking towards the backyard.
Calling this Golden Jade Inn an inn is an understatement!
After all, which guesthouse has a garden in its backyard?
It would be more accurate to call it a manor!
The garden of this Golden Jade Inn, even the artificial hill, is extraordinary.
The rocks are adorned with jade, and there is a pond at the foot of the mountain with clear water where goldfish swim.
The pond is planted with precious flowers and trees, which bloom in all seasons and have a wonderful fragrance.
Looking further into the distance, there are pavilions and towers built in one corner of the courtyard.
A pavilion is under construction in a corner of the courtyard. The pavilion is covered with glazed tiles and has a stone table and benches inside, where people can enjoy tea and the scenery.
Next to the pavilion is a small building with a vast collection of books, where guests can read and relax.
After strolling around the back garden of the Jinyu Inn until she was tired, Wang Xiuxiu prepared to go upstairs.
"You go back first, I still need to go and check Wulin's studies."
"I'm worried about letting Zisu accompany you, since you're new to the south."
"Alright, alright, whatever you say. Your Highness, would you mind accompanying me to find Zisu first?"
The two arrived at Zisu's room, but only Nanwei was there, nodding off sleepily.
"Where is your sister Zisu?"
"Wulin called me away. Sister, is there something you need from Sister Zisu? I'll go find her for you!"
"It's alright, you rest. I'm on my way to find Wulin."
"Okay, goodbye, sister!"
Once outside, Wang Xiuxiu waved her hand helplessly.
"I was thinking of letting you go and rest first, but unfortunately, I have to trouble you to come with me!"
Lu Jingze took her hand and held it in his palm. "Between you and me, there's no need for trouble."
When the two knocked on Wu Lin's door, he was pacing anxiously inside. It was Zi Su who opened the door.
"Sir...you arrived so quickly..."
Wang Xiuxiu raised an eyebrow. "What, haven't you finished the homework I assigned you yet?"
"It's finished, but I still feel like something's missing."
"It's okay, we'll make up for any shortcomings together. Tell me your thoughts first."
"The first question you raised, sir, is why you chose the Golden Jade Inn as your lodging, instead of the Cloud Brocade Inn?"
Wang Xiuxiu nodded. "What do you mean?"
"Firstly, Yunjin Inn, with its government backing, is easily subject to surveillance and interference, while Jinyu Inn has more merchants coming and going, is relatively independent, and pays more attention to commercial reputation, so it would not dare to interfere too much in the private affairs of its guests."
"And the second one?"
Seeing Wang Xiuxiu's gentle expression, Wu Lin gained some confidence and continued, "Secondly, the owners of Jinyu Inn are merchants themselves, so they understand the needs of business travelers better, such as the storage of goods and convenient transportation information. If possible, we can also take this opportunity to meet our peers, expand our network, and even discover new business opportunities!"
"That's right! But is there more?"
"More? No... that's all."
"Would you like to hear my additions?"
Ulin nodded quickly.
"It's good that you can imagine the surveillance and interference from the local government, but the downside of Yunjin for us, more deeply, is that it may involve official struggles or power games. As merchants, and as a caravan representing Da Xi, we could easily fall into a trap and have no way to recover if we are not careful. Choosing such an inn is too easy for us to get involved in unnecessary trouble too early."
Wu Lin suddenly realized.
"Alright, now please answer the second question: why do we live in the North Ward instead of the South Ward?"
Ulin stammered, his mind seemingly blank.
"Sir, the reason I think of is the same as what the guide said: for the convenience of business, and I can't think of any other reason."
"Alright, I won't answer that question. Let's put it aside for now and ask you again when the time is right."
"Yes, sir."
"Wulin, you did a great job with your homework today. In the future, we will build a business in Nancheng. During this time, I hope you will do the same as you did today, observe more, think more, and reflect more!"
"I will, sir!"
As soon as Wang Xiuxiu came out of Wulin's room, Lu Jingze immediately came to greet her.
"What, are you done being a schoolteacher?"
"I'm done teaching! You know, teaching is really tiring!"
Lu Jingze patted her head and laughed, "I don't know how your little head is built, how can it hold so much stuff in a day?"
Wang Xiuxiu beckoned to him, signaling him to come closer, and said furtively, "Actually, I didn't expect there to be so many reasons. I just thought that the Golden Jade Inn could be more low-key. I didn't expect that once I arrived, I would find out that this low-key nature is just a comparison."
"How is this a comparison?"
"Look at those merchants living here, they're all rolling in money! The rent is so high every day, I really can't afford it. We need to find a place to stay quickly, we can't be ripped off like this again!"
Wang Xiuxiu looked like she was being torn apart by pain.
Lu Jingze was quite amused by her mercenary demeanor.
"Actually, that's not how it works. You see, those merchants stay here for months, but they've arranged for their caravans to stay in cheap inns in the South Ward, while they themselves have guards protecting them. The room fee you paid for the caravan today is enough for you to stay for several months by yourself."
"You...you...please stop talking..."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuxiu's heart sank, and she felt as if she were about to faint.
"Damn capitalists! How cunning!"
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