"Grand Commandant." Zhang Erhe appeared behind him unnoticed. "What are you thinking about?"
"Look," the scoundrel said, pointing to the distant docks, "five years ago this was just wasteland. And now? The daily trading volume of this dock alone is equivalent to a month's worth before."
That's true. Bustling markets have sprung up along both banks of the canal.
Furs and horses from the north were continuously transported here, exchanged for silk and tea from the south. Some merchants even brought rare and exotic treasures from the Western Regions to trade here.
"However..." the wicked man changed the subject, "there are still quite a few problems to solve."
"Oh?" Zhang Erhe became interested.
"First and foremost is the regulation of water transport," the wicked man said sternly. "Currently, merchant ships from various regions are mixed together, and disputes frequently occur. It is essential to establish unified rules, especially regarding the order of passage through locks."
He continued, "Secondly, there's the issue of security on both sides of the strait. With so many merchants gathering here, it's inevitable that there will be petty criminals. It's necessary to establish a dedicated naval patrol force to ensure safety."
"And..." he pointed to the fleet in the distance, "the standards for the ships also need to be standardized. Look at those merchant ships, they're all different sizes, some are even overloaded. This makes accidents very easy to happen."
Zhang Erhe nodded: "That's true. I heard that a few days ago, a ship, due to overloading, crashed into the lock gate while passing through."
"So," the wicked man said in a deep voice, "although this canal is open, there's still a lot to be done before it can truly be effective. Go, summon the commander of the navy!"
Soon, the naval commander arrived.
"What are your orders, Grand Commandant?"
"Starting tomorrow," the wicked man ordered, "the navy will patrol the canal. A sentry post will be set up every ten li, rotating day and night. In addition, merchant ships smuggling and evading taxes will be strictly investigated."
"Yes, sir!"
"And another thing," he continued, "each sluice gate must be manned by designated personnel. Especially during the flood season, close attention must be paid to changes in water levels. Any dangerous situation must be reported immediately!"
Just then, another commotion arose in the distance.
It turned out to be a caravan from the south. They brought a large quantity of tea, which they intended to transport to the north.
"Grand Commandant," the caravan leader stepped forward and saluted, "It's all thanks to this canal! Before, tea had to be transported by sea, and we were lucky to make two trips a year. Now, by water, the round trip only takes two months!"
The wicked man nodded: "But the shipping cost..."
"Worth it!" the merchant laughed. "Although there's a lockage fee, it's much safer than the sea route. Plus, I can do some small business along the way and make quite a bit of money."
Just then, another caravan arrived.
These are fur traders from the north, who have brought a large quantity of furs. They intend to exchange these furs for silk from the south.
"Grand Commandant," the fur merchant said, clasping his hands in greeting, "We used to stockpile these furs, waiting until next spring. Now, with the canal, we can transport them south to sell anytime. This business is so much easier!"
Looking at the merchants, the wicked man couldn't help but sigh, "It seems this canal has truly brought convenience to many people."
Zhang Erhe laughed and said, "It's not just businessmen. Look over there..."
He pointed to another dock. There, a special fleet of ships was moored; they were merchants from the Western Regions.
"We're from Dayuan," the merchant explained in broken Chinese. "We heard that the Qin Dynasty built a Grand Canal, so we came to see for ourselves. We never expected to find such a business opportunity!"
These merchants from the Western Regions discovered that their goods could be transported to various places via canals. This was much safer and cheaper than traveling by land.
"Grand Commandant," Zhang Erhe cautioned, "the gathering of these Western Region merchants... could it be..."
"No need to worry," the wicked man laughed. "These merchants are all about profit. As long as they can make money, they'll actually protect this trade route. Besides, our navy isn't to be underestimated!"
As night deepened, the lights along the canal became even brighter.
The wicked man stood on high ground, observing everything. He knew this canal was more than just a waterway; it was a vital link connecting north and south. Through it, the entire empire would become even stronger!
The next morning, Ying Zheng held a final review on the riverbank.
"Issue my decree!" He stood on the high platform. "Effective immediately, a Grand Canal Transport Commissioner shall be established, specifically responsible for the management of the Grand Canal. You, my wicked husband, will assume this position!"
The wicked man immediately kowtowed: "Your subject obeys!"
"Furthermore..." Ying Zheng continued, "Naval forces will be stationed along the canal to ensure safety. At the same time, checkpoints will be established at key points to collect lockage taxes."
"Regarding taxes," he added, "the first three years are tax-free to encourage merchants. After three years, taxes will be levied according to the standards I have set. This money will be used to maintain the canal!"
The crowd responded with a resounding roar.
Afterwards, Ying Zheng boarded the dragon boat, preparing to return north along the Grand Canal.
"You wicked man," he concluded, "this canal is of paramount importance. You must manage it well and not fail to live up to my expectations!"
"Your Majesty, I understand!" the wicked man replied solemnly. "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. This canal will surely become the lifeblood of our Great Qin!"
As the dragon boat sailed away, the wicked man already had a new plan in mind.
This canal can be extended further eastward. Once connected, the entire water network of Jiangnan will be linked, and the empire's territory will expand even further!
As the sun sets, the sails on the canal are faintly visible.
This vital artery will forever flow across the land of China, witnessing the rise of a great empire!
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