Chapter 3111 Heartbeat
County Magistrate Lu stood at the door and looked into the distance, with an unconcealable look of shock on his face.
Longchi has changed a lot.
The Song family members who were invited to watch the ceremony were even more shocked than County Magistrate Lu. Standing on this flat land and gazing at the drastically changed Dragon Pond, they were speechless.
If we were to ask who among those present knew Longchi best, apart from the people from the Beihai County government office, it would definitely be County Magistrate Lu and the Song family.
Needless to say, the Song family had controlled the Longchi Salt Field for many years. In their eyes, Longchi had always been a desolate place with a salt field and two small fishing villages. Although it created high value, the place was poor and sparsely populated...
When Magistrate Lu was trying to seize the Longchi Salt Field, he also had a deep understanding of this place. He had bribed two small fishing villages and the farmhands of the Longchi Salt Field. He believed that no matter how well Longchi developed in the future, it would only be because the salt field attracted more people and a small market could form nearby. But now...
I saw that the previously bumpy land was leveled, and at first glance, it looked like a very flat open space.
The docks were bustling with people. Many thatched houses had been built on the former saltworks, where most of the dock workers lived. In the open space out front, there was a large stove where salt was once boiled. Now, there were pots on it, either boiling water or steaming rice or buns...
Further ahead is the area where the workers live. There are some small stalls selling things, including clothes, shoes and socks, as well as some antifreeze ointments.
The area where they were standing now was the work and living area for officials such as Cui Wei and master carpenters. There were some houses built around this area. It could be seen that these were probably temporary structures, made of mud, but they were better than thatched houses, at least not so dark.
Behind me is a flat land that stretches as far as the eye can see. People are coming and going nearby. There are so many people that it gives people the feeling that Longchi Wharf is very prosperous.
This is popularity!
County Magistrate Lu squinted his eyes and looked at it, and it took him a while to come back to his senses.
His master was also shocked. He also knew Long Chi from the past. He couldn't help swallowing and said, "It's only been less than a year..."
County Magistrate Lu exhaled a breath and said, "This is popularity. Only when there are people can there be popularity. No wonder Bai Shan has recruited so many people and still hasn't stopped."
Master: "How much will this cost?"
It is very expensive to support people, not only their wages, but also their food, clothing and shelter, which are huge expenses every day.
County Magistrate Lu said meaningfully, "So this method is not suitable for everyone."
At least he can't do it. He doesn't have the ability to get so much money, nor does he have the courage to take such a big risk.
Governor Guo was chatting with Governor Liu from the neighboring Laizhou.
If Beihai County's finances mainly come from the salt fields, then Laizhou's finances mainly come from the docks.
Not only has a new wharf been opened in Beihai County next to Laizhou, but the first ships to be received by the county were also sent out by them. Only those who have experienced it know how it feels.
But Governor Guo's smile was not very happy. He felt complicated when he thought that Laizhou had also learned the salt-drying method.
With Laizhou's coastline, their salt production next year will definitely not be lower than Qingzhou's. Only those who have experienced it know how it feels.
The two governors felt bitter and complicated in their hearts, but they had smiles on their faces. They looked at each other, their smiles became even wider, and they started greeting each other again.
Bai Shan was very satisfied with their harmonious atmosphere. He left the battlefield to the two commanders and went out to greet other guests, such as Longchi Wharf's future customers and current potential customers - the gentry and businessmen.
Bai Shan brought Zhou Liwei and County Magistrate Fang with him.
When the gentry and merchants who came here heard that Zhou Liwei was the manager of the salt field, they immediately perked up and greeted him enthusiastically. When they heard that the subsequent construction of the Longchi area would be under the charge of County Magistrate Fang, everyone became even more enthusiastic and surrounded the two of them.
Zhou Liwei was young and inexperienced, so he kept in mind his uncle's words. "Just deal with them the same way County Magistrate Fang would deal with them. You're in charge of the salt fields. While you should be humble in life, you don't have to be servile in your actions."
Zhou Liwei roughly grasped the idea, and in the eyes of everyone, he was neither humble nor arrogant.
Some people couldn't help but discuss privately, "He looks inconspicuous, but he acts neither servile nor arrogant, worthy of being Lord Bai's nephew."
"If a family can raise someone like Mr. Zhou, how bad can their children and nephews be?"
"Yes, judging by his conversation, he seems to be a scholar."
"Longchi is very popular here. I just heard from County Magistrate Fang that the vacant land behind here is going to be used as a building for houses and shops?"
County Magistrate Lu was also discussing this with Bai Shan. He pointed at the white ash on the ground and asked, "What is this?"
"The size of each shop yard," Bai Shan said, "I will sell them piece by piece when the time comes."
County Magistrate Lu blinked, thinking of the gentry businessman he had recommended but who had returned empty-handed. "Didn't you say you wouldn't sell the land?"
"Sell it," Bai Shan said slowly, "These are just some of my requests."
"for example?"
"For example, the height, size, and materials of the house you build must be determined by me. Also, the price."
Magistrate Lu skipped the first request and asked, "How much is the price?"
Bai Shan pointed to the tunnel under his feet and said: "Buy a piece of land and we will build a piece of land for free. Each person and household can buy up to five plots of land."
County Magistrate Lu: "...You are robbing money."
For a piece of land of about one acre, especially in such a desolate place, three taels of silver is already a high price. He actually asked someone to build a house for free. Including materials and labor, fifty or sixty taels is not a small amount. If he built a three-story house, it would probably cost more than a hundred taels.
How much loss will those who buy land suffer?
Bai Shan pointed to the pier not far away and said, "County Magistrate Lu, please look at my pier. It's not finished yet. Once it's finished..."
He looked around and found no officials from Laizhou nearby. He lowered his voice and said, "Once it's finished, it will definitely surpass the Laizhou wharf. With all the merchant cargo coming in and out, one hundred taels will only be a year's rent for the shop. Do you think they're making a profit?"
He said, "The court and I have spent so much money to build a wharf here, attracting so many merchants and travelers. How can we still sell the land at the price of ordinary open space?"
County Magistrate Lu pondered for a moment, then looked up at him and asked, "Did Lord Bai sell it?"
"No," Bai Shan said with a smile, not depressed, "It didn't sell before because they didn't have confidence in Longchi Wharf, but after today, are they still worried about no one buying it?"
"How about it, County Magistrate Lu, would you like to buy a piece of land?" Bai Shan smiled and said, "Since we are so close, I can't help but remind you that you can still choose a good location now. Otherwise, in a few days, even if I want to, I won't be able to leave a good place for you."
County Magistrate Lu suspected that he was deliberately trying to cheat him out of his money. He raised his eyes to look at him, and after a while, he said, "I'm not from Qingzhou. I have to leave eventually..."
Bai Shan said indifferently, "We can just sell the property after we leave. Lord Zhou and I have even bought mountains and land in Beihai County. The princess and her husband have even built a separate courtyard. Do we have to stay here forever?"
He said, "Just deal with it when you leave. Why worry about not being able to sell good things?"
County Magistrate Lu was actually moved.
See you tomorrow
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
