Lu Bu rubbed his hands and chuckled, "Feng Xian knew from the start that the Lord was about to undertake great matters. How could I possibly let them disturb the Lord? Naturally, I stopped them all."
"Feng Xian, I am greatly indebted to you this time!" Ye Feng nodded slightly in approval. "Take your men and handle the task. If anyone blocks you, tell them you are acting under orders!"
As for Li Ru, Lu Bu did not mention him, but Ye Feng had a guess in his heart. He spoke slowly and softly, "No matter what you intend to do, or whoever you are, if you try to block my path, this King will absolutely not agree!"
Stepping out of the palace gates, Ye Feng still had to inspect the land he had acquired. He had originally thought that he would have to conquer the Central Plains before he could establish anything, but now he had to advance his plans.
Looking at the desolation and the bustling sounds outside the city, Ye Feng knew that Da Niu's men had not yet departed. But that was also true; since they had already rebelled, why not strive for a brighter tomorrow?
Once everything was built and completed, those rebels would surely surrender without a fight!
Ye Feng had such confidence, otherwise, why would he go through all this effort!
"Congratulations to the King of Chu, and congratulations on achieving your wish!"
The leading tribal chief followed Ye Feng closely and cupped his fists in greeting. Ye Feng did not look back, but coldly replied, "Is the chief here to see where this King has chosen? Now that you have seen, you may return. Rest assured, the money will be delivered to your manor in full."
Most people would have been enraged upon hearing this, but the leading chief chuckled softly and said slowly, "So that's how the King of Chu sees it. Why not clarify everything, lest it damage the relationship between us!"
"Relationship? Does the chief believe there is any relationship between us?" Ye Feng countered. "We clearly negotiated back then. Why did the aristocratic families not move at all?"
These were all matters that were understood implicitly, but Ye Feng insisted on bringing them out into the open.
The leading chief walked to Ye Feng's side and gazed at the distant sun. "Does the King of Chu think we have no constraints? After that day, Lu Zhi issued an ultimatum to us. Even those words were forced out."
"I thought the chief would keep this matter to himself forever, but I didn't expect you to speak of it after all!" Ye Feng knew this very well, after all, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was not known for nothing.
"Does the King of Chu not believe me? You are welcome to investigate," the leading chief said hastily, fearing the loss of Ye Feng's support and trust.
"If I did not believe you, do you think you would still have the chance to speak with me here?" Ye Feng retorted dismissively. "The sun is getting lower; it will likely set soon."
"The King of Chu is right, but whether it sets or not is up to the King of Chu," the leading chief coughed softly and hurriedly plastered on a smile. "Not to mention, in Liangzhou, the King of Chu is at his zenith."
"If not for that, you would not be cooperating with this King," Ye Feng smiled lightly. "So, can we discuss our next cooperation?"
The leading chief feared that Ye Feng would be angered and all their previous efforts would be in vain. Since Ye Feng had spoken, it was an opportunity to let bygones be bygones, so why not seize it?
"What other plans does the King of Chu have? We aristocratic families will surely comply with every one!" the leading chief quickly pledged.
"Are you not afraid that this King will plot against your aristocratic families until you have nothing left!" Ye Feng said slowly. "After all, Emperor Ling suffered losses at this King's hands. Although you are all slightly stronger than Emperor Ling!"
"Since Emperor Ling suffered losses at the hands of the King of Chu, we certainly won't gain any advantage. It's better to buy goodwill and cooperate with the King of Chu, leaving a good impression," the leading chief said frankly. "As long as our aristocratic families can be preserved, we are willing to become the stars in the sky."
"But I, Ye Feng, have no intention of being the sun," Ye Feng smiled lightly and patted the leading chief on the shoulder. "The sun can only be them."
Ye Feng pointed at the common people and said slowly, "Whoever they want to be the sun, that person will be the sun. Otherwise, they can only be trampled underfoot."
"I am enlightened!" The leading chief nodded heavily. "No wonder the King of Chu pays so much attention to the common people!"
"Still calling me King of Chu?" Ye Feng asked playfully. "As long as you do not treat the common people as mere flesh and blood, this King would not mind you sharing in some things."
"Yes!" The leading chief's heart warmed. Such a small address indicated that Ye Feng truly considered him one of his own. With this, as long as they could maintain stability among the aristocratic families, there was no fear of not being preserved.
"Here, a series of taverns and other establishments will be built, all modeled after Luoyang, but..." Ye Feng turned with a cold smile. "These things will no longer be exclusive to Emperor Ling. Anyone who wishes to enter can enter."
These few short sentences stirred countless waves in the leading chief's heart. No longer exclusive to Emperor Ling?
Even in this era of weakened imperial power, Yuan Shao, who claimed four generations and three dukes, would not dare to do such a thing.
No wonder Ye Feng issued a decree that no one could interfere.
Even with the Third Legion maintaining order, it would likely cause a huge uproar!
"Has the King of Chu thought this through?" the leading chief stammered. "This is no trifling matter!"
"Every word this King says is true!" Ye Feng said with utmost seriousness, giving the leading chief some reassurance.
"Then where will the money come from?" the leading chief asked in a hurry.
Since Ye Feng held the common people in such high regard, he naturally disdained to exploit them. He might even offer them benefits. In that case, where would the money for building Luoyang come from?
"Where else does the chief think this money can come from!" Ye Feng grinned broadly and teased. "Who else can afford this money!"
The leading chief's heart sank. Who else could afford this money but his own aristocratic families? But it was not a small sum, and the leading chief could not help but swallow.
They had given their land to Ye Feng, receiving only a pie in the sky. If Ye Feng wanted to pull the same trick again, it would be absolutely impossible.
"Does the King of Chu mean for us to provide the money?" the leading chief hurriedly shook his head. "It's absolutely impossible. Even if I agreed, those tribal chiefs wouldn't."
"Chief, don't be so quick to refuse. Listen to me!" Ye Feng said slowly.
"After completion, all the shops will not be sold, but leased. Every ten years, there will be a replacement. Furthermore, some things can be brought in for trade. If opportunities arise, we can expand further. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Chief, when do you think this money can be recouped?"
The leading chief understood perfectly. Ye Feng was building a city centered on commerce. As for when the money could be recouped, it could be recouped within a year, especially since they would be setting the rental prices.
Upon realizing this, the leading chief's eyes reddened. "My Lord, when will this begin? And how will the money be distributed?"
"No hurry. To participate, one must first possess land usage rights, which will be obtained through auction. Then you can do as you please," Ye Feng reminded him slightly.
Having experienced the ups and downs of business for so many years, the leading chief quickly understood and readily agreed.
"Good, this way, we will be full of confidence," the leading chief changed the subject. "If we need to use the land temporarily, how should we proceed? Wouldn't that be inconvenient?"
"Chief, rest assured. This King will transform the General's Mansion into a comprehensive facility to handle all matters. You can go there to process them. After the documents are prepared, changes can be made. Furthermore, the land of all aristocratic families will be converted into shares according to their value, and dividends will be distributed next year."
Ye Feng explained everything clearly without any reservation.
"Good, this way, everyone will be satisfied!" The leading chief nodded repeatedly. Change brings about progress, and progress brings about success. "King of Chu, rest assured, I will handle this matter!"
"Good, you are the first chairman of the company!" Ye Feng patted the leading chief on the shoulder with a hearty laugh.
"Company? Chairman?" The leading chief looked confused.
"Similar to the Chief Clerk of the Han Dynasty!"
"Then I am the chairman of the company. I never thought that at my age, I would be able to hold the position of Chief Clerk!" The leading chief calculated clearly.
Currently, all these positions were granted by Emperor Ling. If Emperor Ling were to be displeased one day and wanted to reclaim them, he would be powerless. However, Ye Feng's approach was different. As long as the common people needed to eat, drink, and relieve themselves, the aristocratic families would stand firm.
With the aristocratic families pushing this matter forward, coupled with Ye Feng's performance in the imperial court, the news spread like wildfire throughout Liangzhou.
The aristocratic families began selling their valuable possessions, hoping to acquire more land.
Meanwhile, in Lu Zhi's courtyard, a person lay lazily on a rocking chair, basking in the sun and occasionally picking up a teacup from the table for a drink.
The door to the courtyard creaked open gently. The person on the rocking chair made no move. The visitor did not hold back, picked up a palm-leaf fan, and fanned a few times until a steady snore was heard.
As the sun dipped lower in the west, the person on the rocking chair stretched and gently removed the bamboo hat from their face. "You've arrived? I'm surprised you could wait for me for so long."
"Lord Lu Zhi lives quite a leisurely life, yet outside has descended into chaos. If Your Lordship does not intervene to harmonize the yin and yang, I fear the Han dynasty will be in peril," Huangfu Song said urgently, his fan pausing slightly.
"Even if I were to act, what difference would it make?" Lu Zhi sighed heavily. "Does the general have any good ideas?"
Huangfu Song shook his head subconsciously. It wasn't that he couldn't think of a solution, but the current situation had become so dire that even a great immortal would be powerless. What could he do?
"Then what should become of the Han dynasty?" Huangfu Song's voice suddenly rose. "Is Your Lordship going to watch the Han dynasty perish in the Emperor's hands? What will history say of us? Since Your Lordship has a way, why not use it to prolong the life of the Han dynasty? Wouldn't that be a great service, to be remembered in history!"