The playboy county magistrate

Li Xuanzhi slowly walked out of Guiyunfang, the noise behind him still lingering.

The common people in the city thought it was just an ordinary gambling den, and no one knew that this number one den of debauchery in Jinling had completely fallen into the hands of the young censor Li Xuanzhi.

Tang Zheng quickly caught up from behind and said in a low voice:

"Lei Biao has already inventoried the annual accounts of the neighborhood and organized the personnel in advance. He just told his subordinates that the handover can be completed today. Rest assured, from now on, all money inflows and outflows will be under our unified control."

"Hmm." Li Xuanzhi nodded slightly to indicate that he understood, his gaze sweeping over the intricate network of streets and alleys in Jinling, his eyes calm and deep.

Tinglan Pavilion is rooted in romance and is adept at prying into and uncovering secrets.

Guiyunfang is entrenched in the city, gathering underground wealth and connections among the people, which can provide a safety net for the operation of its forces.

However, both have limitations. The number of patrons at brothels is small, while the flow of people at gambling dens is fixed, making it impossible to cover all the news traveling between the north and south.

The places with the fastest flow of people, the most diverse information, and the widest population are the inns and shops scattered throughout the city.

Nanjing was a vital hub connecting the capital city to the bustling Jiangnan region, with waterways running north to south and land routes connecting east to west.

There are more than a hundred inns, post stations, and shops of all sizes in the city.

Merchants, officials on their way to office, wandering travelers, and itinerant merchants all settled here.

With a constant flow of pedestrians and information circulating day and night, it forms a natural intelligence network.

Although Su Wanwan said she would help contact all parties, Li Xuanzhi couldn't fully trust these people who had only known them for a short time.

Some things are better left to be seen and arranged personally. Otherwise, if one loses power, one might face the same consequences as Ren Jianxiao and the princess he married.

The family fortune they had worked so hard to build vanished completely in the blink of an eye.

Most importantly, if one disregards the management of these small shops and only controls the top elites and core financial resources, then the local small industries will operate independently, scattered and disorderly. They fear being implicated and purged, and also fear being oppressed and swallowed up by local forces.

If the previous owner had paid any attention to these properties, it would have been extremely difficult for Li Xuanzhi to take advantage of the situation and profit from them.

Although merchants value profit, ordinary merchants only seek stability and the ability to preserve their family business.

They would willingly submit to anyone who could offer them protection.

Li Xuanzhi walked with a steady gait and spoke with clear and logical reasoning.

"Taking the three leading inns and four major transport companies in Jinling City as the core, the business will radiate outwards to surrounding small shops, rest stops, and warehouses. As long as the big ones are brought together, the smaller businesses will naturally follow suit."

Although there are many inns and shops in Jinling, only seven truly control customer flow and dominate the market; the rest are second-rate shops that depend on these seven for survival.

By securing the seven most crucial companies, one can effectively control all business travelers in the city.

The two walked slowly and soon arrived at the intersection of Linhe Street in the west of the city.

Located by the river, this place was a prime location for merchant ships to dock and travelers to stay. The largest chain of inns in Nanjing, "Linjiang Inn," is situated here.

The four-story building stands overlooking the river. Most travelers choose to stay here. It's the busiest place, the most diverse in terms of information, and also the place with the widest network of connections.

The innkeeper of Linjiang Post Station was surnamed Zhou and named Dechang. He was over fifty years old, had been in business for half his life, was shrewd and cautious, and enjoyed a very high reputation among merchants in Nanjing.

Upon hearing that Li Xuanzhi had come to visit, Zhou Dechang dared not be negligent in the slightest. He personally strode out the door to greet him and bowed respectfully.

"This old man, Zhou Dechang, greets Imperial Censor Li. Your presence at my humble shop is an honor."

Li Xuanzhi went straight inside, sat down in the hall, and got straight to the point.

"Manager Zhou, do you know why I've come here today?"

Li Xuanzhi wanted to see if this Manager Zhou was truly clever or just pretending.

Zhou Dechang's heart tightened, and he quickly bowed, saying, "I am terrified, please enlighten me, sir."

Li Xuanzhi sighed helplessly and prepared to get up and leave without saying another word.

Zhou Dechang was so frightened that his body trembled.

Having navigated the business world for decades, he possessed a keen eye and had long recognized that this Imperial Censor Li was the true power holder in Jinling, wielding the power of life and death to maintain stability in the region.

If this official leaves in dissatisfaction under such circumstances, I'm afraid all the fame and reputation he's built up over the years will be completely wiped out.

"In the past, powerful figures held the reins of power, and we merchants had to pay tribute and bribes to make a living. Now, without the protection of powerful figures, within half a month, all the merchants and inns will be exploited and arbitrarily swallowed up."

"Your Excellency has come here today, surely because you see some value in me and are here to give me a chance, right?"

Seeing that Li Xuanzhi neither objected nor expressed any opinion, Zhou Dechang hurriedly continued earnestly:

"We and the people in this shop are all law-abiding citizens. However, the times are turbulent, and we are helpless and powerless to resist the oppression of various forces. If Lord Li is willing to protect us, we are willing to follow you."

Zhou Dechang picked up the teapot and personally poured a cup of tea for Li Xuanzhi.

"I can protect you all." Li Xuanzhi raised his hand, brought the teacup to his nose to smell it, and then gently put it down.

"All merchants who submit to me and are willing to serve me will have their past transgressions of relying on others and paying tribute forgiven. From now on, no one will dare to cause trouble, no one will dare to bully or annex. I will cover for you at the government level, and I can also settle disputes in the marketplace."

Zhou Dechang's eyes suddenly lit up, and he quickly asked, "Then what do we need to give in return?"

Li Xuan held up three fingers, "I'll only do three things."

"First, all inns, warehouses, and trading houses that have travelers from the north and south or unfamiliar groups staying there should register their whereabouts, origins, and destinations daily, and then report the information."

"Second, report any unusual statements, clandestine transactions, or unusual movements in other locations. Regardless of the matter's importance, contact us immediately. Do not conceal or delay."

"Third, all goods, rare items, and special transport items transferred by the merchant guilds should be recorded one by one for verification purposes."

These are all jobs that pose no threat to life or financial loss.

With just a few strokes of the pen and paper and a careful eye on things, one can gain a lifetime of peace and security.

After a moment's thought, Zhou Dechang quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

The Imperial Censor Li before me is fair and just, and he was able to solve such a major case in such a short time.

It can stabilize the local situation as quickly as possible, and is the only reliable support we can rely on right now.

Only by relying on him can we find the best way out.

Without a moment's hesitation, Zhou Dechang resolutely bowed and solemnly paid his respects.

"This old man is willing to surrender Linjiang Post Station and all the shops under his name to the Lord! From now on, he will strictly abide by the rules and report to the Lord every day."

"Alright." Li Xuanzhi nodded slightly. "You have a high reputation among the merchants. You will be in charge of contacting the other two major inns and four major merchant guilds. I believe you have the ability to do so. Don't let me down."

Every industry needs a leader, and Zhou Dechang was one of the people Li Xuanzhi chose.