Dad, don't be greedy! My brother climbed into the emperor's bed, and I became famous overn

Yi Wu stood at the alley entrance, listening intently to the conversation.

What are zoning management, rent-free periods, and bulletin boards?

They all seem to be business-related rhetoric.

Therefore, Yi Wu quickly summarized the information in his own way.

The poor scholar spoke eloquently, and Miss Gu listened with shining eyes.

In the alley.

Gu Mingyue stared at Wen Yanzhi for a moment.

Then a second question was raised.

"If a local gentry family owned a piece of land before the commercial street was built, and they had connections and influence, even the county officials wouldn't dare offend them. How would you handle that?"

Wen Yanzhi's expression changed slightly.

This problem is more difficult than the previous one.

Because this is no longer a matter of technology, but a matter of interpersonal relationships.

He lowered his head and thought for a while.

"Forcibly occupying the space will only create enmity, and he won't listen to reason. So let him decide to move out on his own."

Gu Mingyue narrowed her eyes: "How do you want to give it to me?"

"Give him a better position."

Wen Yanzhi raised his head to meet Gu Mingyue's gaze, a hint of cunning in his eyes.

"The prime location of the commercial street consisted of shops along the river. But for the local gentry, what they wanted was not shops, but face and profit."

"We can reserve a prominent spot at the corner of the street or the end of the street to erect a monument to his merits."

"For example, a line of small characters would be engraved on the pavilion: 'This street is grateful for the generous assistance of so-and-so, a local gentry.' Or, a small sum of money would be allocated from the shops' public account each year and sent to his residence, saying it was 'a small token of appreciation from the neighbors.'"

"Having given him enough face and secured the money, he'll naturally feel that moving to a different position doesn't matter."

"Moreover, once the commercial street develops, he will have a reputation on this street, and business dealings will naturally prioritize him. This is not a one-off deal, but a long-term partnership."

Wen Yanzhi paused for a moment after saying this.

He's a penniless scholar, yet he's here talking endlessly about things like shared interests and long-term strategies.

Doesn't it look like a beggar instructing a rich man on how to spend money?

Wen Yanzhi touched his nose somewhat embarrassedly.

"You flatter me, young lady. It's just theoretical knowledge."

Gu Mingyue didn't laugh.

She looked intently into Wen Yanzhi's eyes.

Then he said something.

"Mr. Wen, are you willing to turn theoretical discussions into practical application?"

Wen Yanzhi's hand stopped on the bridge of his nose, and he froze for a moment.

"What the young lady means is..."

"My Pujitang is going to build a commercial street in Qinghe-Liuqiao."

Wen Yanzhi's pupils contracted slightly.

Pujitang.

These three words have been making headlines in the Jiangzhou area these days.

Distribute grain, distribute ducklings, and recruit female workers!

Three taels of silver per month!

It's extremely difficult to get in!

Although this poor scholar couldn't afford to rent a stool in a teahouse, he had overheard quite a few conversations while passing by.

According to legend, the owner of Pujitang was a generous and philanthropic man with a heart full of compassion.

I never expected it to be a little girl!

Gu Mingyue ignored Wen Yanzhi's shock and continued:

"I bought more than 2,000 mu of land along the river in Qingshui and Liuqiao counties."

"We're planning to build a commercial street along the river. The upper level will be shops, and the lower level will have a dock and pleasure boats. It's a large-scale project with many details to consider."

"I need someone to help me manage this."

She looked at Wen Yanzhi.

"You don't need to know how to do business, and you certainly don't need to know how to make money."

"But you need to be able to coordinate and mediate with the gentry, officials, and common people."

"The relationships between superiors and subordinates have been straightened out."

"I've taken to heart everything you just said: district-based management, rent-free periods, and shared interests."

"You're quick-witted; you're not only good at coordinating and organizing, but you also have a broad perspective."

"So, do you want to work with me? Join Pujitang?"

Wen Yanzhi stood there, stunned, his eyes shining with excitement.

He rubbed his hands together to calm himself down.

Finally, somewhat embarrassed, he spoke up.

"Master, I really want to follow you and join Pujitang."

"But... I'm still burdened with debt, and I have a contract of indenture held by someone else, so..."

He lowered his head. "I am not a free man at the moment."

Gu Mingyue knew about this. When Taozhi inquired about the news, some people said that he was still under a contract of indenture.

"How much do you owe?"

"Thirty-seven taels."

"I've settled it for you. I'll deduct it from your monthly allowance," she said casually.

Wen Yanzhi raised his head, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

"Boss, how much...how much is the monthly wage?"

"Ten taels."

Wen Yanzhi swallowed hard.

Ten taels of silver would be enough for his whole family to live on for a year.

"Master! Wen Yanzhi is willing to follow!"

Gu Mingyue nodded in satisfaction.

He immediately took out the contract he had prepared in advance and had Wen Yanzhi sign it.

Before leaving, he gave him another tael of silver, saying it was a lucky money gift for joining the group.

Wen Yanzhi was extremely grateful.

This sum of silver practically saved his parents' lives!

When Gu Mingyue reached the alley entrance, Yi Wu followed seamlessly.

He remained expressionless as he mentally completed his final report for the day.

The young lady and the scholar chatted amiably, and the young lady helped the scholar redeem himself from servitude.

[Finally, the scholar, with a beaming smile and flushed face, bowed to the young lady. The young lady was pleased and rewarded him with one tael of silver.]

Inside the carriage, Gu Mingyue suddenly sneezed.

Who's talking about her behind her back?

I've spent a lot of money these past two days.

Gu Mingyue opened the system panel to check.

[Remaining mission time: 15 days.]

[Remaining task amount: 63000 taels.]

No rush, no rush, there are plenty of other places to spend money.

The next morning.

Gu Mingyue sat upright in the lobby of the inn.

Wen Yanzhi arrived at the agreed time soon, having changed into a clean blue robe.

My hair is combed and straightened, and I feel much better than yesterday.

"Boss!"

Wen Yan stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Gu Mingyue pointed to the chair opposite her.

"Sit down and talk."

Wen Yanzhi sat down as instructed.

Gu Mingyue took out a plan she had written overnight and pushed it in front of Wen Yanzhi.

"This is the first phase of planning for 2,000 mu of land along the river in Qingshui and Liuqiao counties."

Wen Yanzhi took the paper with both hands, his gaze falling on the pages, and then his eyes widened in surprise.

"A themed shopping street?"

Wen Yanzhi looked at the five characters on the paper. He recognized each character individually, but when put together, they looked like gibberish.

Gu Mingyue put down the teacup, and the porcelain lid made a very soft clinking sound against the rim of the cup.

"Simply put, it's about using a unified 'story' to connect all the people, scenery, and shops along the street."

"To make people who walk in feel that they have entered not an ordinary street, but a completely different world."

As she spoke, she pulled another folded letter from her sleeve and pushed it onto the table.

"This place must be unique, and the locals must be very welcoming to visitors."

"Come on, take a look at this."

Wen Yanzhi took it with both hands and unfolded it.

The paper contained a short essay.

"At first it was extremely narrow, barely wide enough for one person to pass. After walking several dozen steps, it suddenly opened up into a bright and spacious place. The land was flat and wide, with neat houses, fertile fields, beautiful ponds, mulberry trees, and bamboo groves. The paths crisscrossed, and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard... The elderly and children alike were all enjoying themselves."

Wen Yanzhi read slowly, and the further he read, the tighter his fingers clenched, until his knuckles turned slightly white.

He was a scholar, and the tranquility and leisure conveyed in these few hundred words, the harmonious world where chickens and dogs could be heard, struck the softest and most painful part of his heart.

During those three years of great floods, he witnessed countless displacements and widespread starvation.

Isn't this the homeland that countless people dream of returning to?