"Difficult does not mean impossible. How about this? Use tax reduction as an incentive. If anyone starts a spirit vegetable garden, reduce their taxes by half for the first 3-5 years. Then, gradually increase the taxes until they pay the full amount. This will spark interest among the people." Tax reduction was always a powerful trick for the government, no matter the era. "But some tax reductions can’t be implemented so easily, Miss. Income taxes, for instance, require royal approval," Governor Xin said with a troubled expression. "In that case, Governor, you should write up this plan and present it to His Majesty. If His Majesty is the farsighted emperor, our plan will succeed. If he does not approve, we can think of other proposals to win over the townspeople. What do you think?" "Agreed! I will promptly submit a petition to His Majesty," Governor Xin nodded eagerly. "But will tax reduction alone really attract the interest of the townspeople, Lady He?" He still wasn’t entirely convinced. "If that’s not enough, then we must use Master He’s reputation to help.” "If any townspeople join the Fengfu City Farmers Association, they can buy Master He’s compost at a cheap price." "Master He sells compost too?!" Governor Xin exclaimed in astonishment. While Zhenzhu thought to herself, how could that be? I just came up with the idea. "Of course. In addition to the skills needed to cultivate agricultural produce, compost is also essential for nurturing plants. This compost formula is unique to the He family’s vegetable garden. But if the townspeople are interested, I can produce it for sale." It wasn’t difficult—she could ferment animal manure, plant leaves, or fruits and add a little spiritual energized water. "That should be enough. This will likely attract the townspeople’s interest.” "Exactly. Moreover, my father and I are currently breeding several new kinds of fruits. If our experiments succeed, we will distribute them for the townspeople to grow, creating new unique products for our Fengfu City." She was not selfish. When she had something good, she wanted to share it to bring prosperity to the city. Her family already had plenty of wealth. Though not extraordinarily rich, they could spend comfortably. She could inscribe and sell one character a day, which was enough to hire workers and live comfortably for a year. If it was a Dimensional Character, selling just one would be enough for a lifetime. Once this plan succeeded, she was confident that her family would not lose out due to losing customers. The high-quality, low-priced products they offered couldn’t be found elsewhere. Additionally, they would benefit from the influx of merchants and people into Fengfu City. "Really, Lady He?! I’ve tasted the caomei from the He Family’s Fruit Shop. It was excellent. If you have more new fruits to sell, it will surely attract merchants from other towns," Governor Xin said excitedly, envisioning future success. "Indeed, Governor. Once we start harvesting, I will send some for you to taste and distribute as samples for the townspeople to taste, along with Master He’s compost.” "Thank you, Lady He. I look forward to it.” After finishing her consultation with Governor Xin, Zhenzhu left Governor Manor and headed to Ruyi Pharmacy to visit Master Tiao and discuss her liquor business. Despite the drought, Ruyi Pharmacy was still bustling, though it had been slightly less crowded. Things were beginning to return to normal now. "What happened to your hand? Why is it wrapped in a bandage?" Master Tiao asked when he saw her wrist wrapped in a thick white cloth, almost the size of a child’s head. "It’s just a minor accident, but it will heal soon." Zhenzhu sat and sipped on some refreshing cold water to quench her thirst. "Master, how is the Yuchong liquor coming along?" Chapters fırst released on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⁂𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱 "Oh, I’ve been discussing it with my younger relative for several days now. She is very interested. So, she suggested auctioning Yuchong liquor along with the most famous courtesans from the brothel. The fine liquor would be auctioned with beautiful women, held three times a week. The proceeds of the liquor would be split: 80% to you and 20% to the brothel, and for the courtesan’s fee, you get 20% and the brothel 80%. What do you think? If you agree, I can arrange for you to make the contract immediately." Auctioning both the liquor and the beauty would mutually enhance each other’s value, so Zhenzhu should also receive a share of the courtesans’ fees. Zhenzhu frowned deeply in thought. She didn’t particularly proposal. "Yuchong liquor should be auctioned only once a week, but with two jars per auction. The first jar can be auctioned with the beauty, and the second jar should be auctioned separately. I want 80% of the proceeds from both jars, but I don’t want any share of the beauty’s fee. Instead, use that portion to pay the courtesans more," she suggested. "Ah, in that case, I’ll discuss it with my younger relative again and have her draft the contract as soon as possible." "Alright, thank you, Master Tiao, for taking care of this," Zhenzhu thanked Master Tiao. "Hey, no need to be so formal. Are we strangers or something, you little kid?" Master Tiao said. After a brief discussion with Master Tiao, Zhenzhu left. Before heading home, she stopped by the fresh market to buy fish and spices, intending to have steamed [1]lu fish with fermented black soybeans for a meal. "Auntie, how much is this large lu fish?" "The large one is 20 brass coins, and the smaller ones are 15 brass coins each, young miss." "Alright, I’ll take 40 of the large ones.” Her household was large, and she also got beasts. So, she bought quite a lot of food to bring back. "Sure thing, young miss. Please wait a moment." The vendor counted the fish enthusiastically. Selling 40 fish so easily without having to negotiate the price. . "Auntie, I’ll go buy some spices and come back to pick up the fish," Zhenzhu said before heading to buy spices. There were many kinds of spice she hadn’t bought yet. After selecting all the spices to her satisfaction, she returned pick up the fish. However, when she got back to the fish stall, there was a young lady about 15-16 years old standing in front of the stall with a sour expression. Zhenzhu didn’t pay much attention. "Auntie, I’m here to pick up the fish. Here are 8 qian, just the right amount," Zhenzhu handed the money to the vendor for the fish. "Thank you, young miss." "I offer one tael. Won’t you change your mind and sell them to me?" The lady shouted, startling Zhenzhu, nearly causing her to drop the fish. "Young miss, I’ve already sold these fish to this young miss. I don’t have any more to sell you. If you want large lu fish, I have only three left. But if you need a large quantity, I still have 50 medium-sized lu fish, or you can choose a different type of fish," the fish vendor said. She wanted the money, but how could she take back what she had already sold? A vendor must be honest. "No! I want 40 large lu fish and 50 shiban fish," Su Nu said angrily. “Miss, I would like to buy the fish from you. If one tael is not enough, I can offer two taels,” Su Nu offered to Zhenzhu. Judging from this girl’s clothes, she probably was a servant from a prominent family. Although her face was somewhat clear and beautiful, she dressed so simply. How could she be a lady from a prominent family? She offered her two taels, how could she reject? “Sorry, but I have many at home. I can’t sell it to you.” “Then buy different fish for your master instead,” Su Nu negotiated, thinking that the many people at home referred to multiple masters in the manor. Su Nu wanted to buy the lu fish and shiban fish to make steamed fish with sweet red sauce and Chinese plum sauce for her mother, who was five months pregnant with her younger brother. The pregnant belly grew larger, her mother craved for steamed lu fish with Chinese plum sauce and steamed shiban fish with sweet red sauce. She had volunteered to buy the fish herself to please her mother. However, upon arrival, she found that all the large fish had been sold out. Her family, a wealthy, had recently moved here from a major city, so she wanted to prepare an auspicious meal for this day. So how could she buy just one or two fish? Fish dishes are considered auspicious food. Firstly, in ancient belief, fish symbolizes vitality and agility, so people believe eating fish will make oneself smarter and become quick-witted. Secondly, fish has many eggs, quickly reproduce. So, people believe that eating fish can help with getting pregnant. Having many children means having a lot of merits. Many children in the house, many descendants in the city. Third, fish is an auspicious animal. So, fish is a blessing for wealth and happiness. “I can’t do that. My master also wants to eat lu fish. Please excuse me,” Zhenzhu felt somewhat disgust at the lady’s condescending attitude. Just look at her eyes, she didn’t even beg for her food. She did not want to interact further with someone who had such behavior. Zhenzhu turned back, about to leave. “Stop! I’ll give you five taels! Will you sell it to me now?!” A tiny voice that was unpleasant to hear from this lady turned into a high pitch voice. Zhenzhu sighed deeply. Even when she avoided trouble, it seemed to find her. Her fate seemed to bond with strangers. “Miss, I will not sell it to you.” "What! This servant girl doesn’t understand things. Are you stalling to make me raise the price?!" “Listen carefully, miss. I. Will. Not. Sell. It. No matter how many hundreds or thousands of tael you offer. If you want the fish so much, get on a boat and catch it yourself!” Zhenzhu was now thoroughly angry, putting down the fish. She intended to put these forty fish in her dimensional bracelet once she left the fish stall and found a place with no people, but since someone wouldn’t let her go, she had to place them on the ground, then stood with hands on her hips, ready for confrontation. Come on! Do you want to mess with me? “You!” Su Nu was at a loss for words upon seeing this girl’s demeanor. Offered hundreds or thousands of tael and still wouldn’t sell. This was beyond arrogance! One of Su Nu’s servants, standing behind her, seeing the situation escalating, leaned into whisper. “Miss, many people are watching. Please don’t cause a scene. Remember, you are to become the most distinguished lady in Fengfu City. Please don’t tarnish your reputation. This girl is not worth it.” "Miss, please, trust me. If your reputation is damaged before you even rise to prominence, it won’t be worth it. Let’s go and find some other fish," the maid hurriedly pulled Su Nu back. Despite her frustration, Su Nu reluctantly allowed herself to be led away by her maid. Seeing this, Zhenzhu picked up her fish and walked away. I thought you were so daring. At Su Nu’s end, after selecting some other fish, she headed back home feeling irritated. She vowed to herself that she would find out which house that servant girl belonged to and buy her as a maid to carry chamber pots. When Su Nu returned home, she went straight to her father’s residence. At that moment, Luanchen, a middle-aged man with a stout build, was lying down, enjoying a massage from his maidservants. "Oh, Nu’er, what’s the matter? Why do you look so upset?" "I’m just in a bad mood, father. Please don’t mind it." "Father, when are you going to start your business ventures? We’ve been in Fengfu City for over a month now." Once her father started his business, she believed she would gain more recognition and respect from the people, preventing incidents like the one with the servant girl who dared to challenge her from happening again. "Starting a business isn’t something you can just jump into. We’re in someone else’s territory now. An outsider dragon can’t easily defeat a local snake," Luanchen said calmly, his calm eyes instantly turning cunning. Luanchen had once been a corrupt noble. After amassing great wealth through corruption, he retired from his position and turned to trade in the southern parts of Yan Region. He engaged in various businesses, rice trading, pharmacies, restaurants and taverns. Fortunately, his ventures flourished, doubling his wealth, that money could fill the whole plot. However, being a former corrupt noble, his deceptive ways in doing business never changed. Luanchen cheated his business partners and had conflicts with local nobles in the south. Eventually, he was forced to sell off his businesses and move north to start anew. Hearing that Fengfu City was a well-managed small town capable of handling droughts effectively, he chose Fengfu city as the new base of operations. A person like Luanchen had no intention of running a small business. He must be the most powerful in the city. Thus, he had not yet started any business activities but was planning to eliminate the local influence first. Fengfu City was renowned for its herbs and vegetables, thus, the pill and herb trade were crucial. However, the largest pharmacy in town had an alliance with an indigo-tier agricultural spirit energy cultivator. He still couldn’t come up with a way to get rid of the person. "Then just get rid of them," Su Nu suggested as if it were the most appropriate thing to do. "If it were that simple, I wouldn’t have waited till this day. The Ruyi pharmacy collaborates with an indigo-tier agricultural spirit energy cultivator." "It’s just an indigo-tier agricultural spirit energy cultivator. We have several agricultural spirit energy cultivators ourselves. We can plant herbs and sell them at lower prices like you used to. Once they can’t sustain their business, they’ll close shop and leave.” "But this indigo-tier agricultural spirit energy cultivator isn’t ordinary. He’s well-respected by the townsfolk.” "Then bring them over to our side." "If it were that simple, it would be great. However, I’ve found out that their relationship is quite strong.” "Since it is so much trouble then just get rid of them both. It’s only one indigo-tier agricultural spirit energy cultivator," Su Nu said irritably. At the end of the fourth month, rain fell across the entire Yan Region, wetting the grass. The government promoted the digging of ponds on private land to collect water. When the rain fell, the people had enough water for daily use and some for planting crops. The abundant rainfall alleviated the drought, causing rivers to swell. Townspeople could divert it for use. The Emperor issued a decree appointing Grandmaster Huo Bi as the Grandmaster Painter of the region, honoring him as equivalent to Da Situ. A few days later, a convoy of carriages from the capital headed toward Fengfu City, making its way directly to the He Manor. Inside the carriages were countless small and large chests. The convoy stopped in front of the He family’s gate. An elderly eunuch slowly got out of the carriage. Peipei, who was sweeping the courtyard, saw the luxurious carriages stopped in front of the house. She ran to call Master He with a panicked voice. "Master! Master! Someone is here! The carriages are lined up to the end of the street!" She shouted, causing He Lei, He Ming, and the others who were working to be startled. "Peipei, keep your voice down. You’re scaring everyone," Madam Wang said placed a hand on her chest in surprise at the servant’s voice. Furen, please come and see. The carriages are very luxurious.” The He family hurried outside to see as the maid suggested and found the elderly eunuch standing at their gate. His high-ranking noble attire was so eye-catching that they rushed to greet him immediately. [18] Lu fish is sea bass. Read ‘Rebirth: This Farmgirl Has Spirit Fish Scales’ before anyone else with more Chapters at https://www.jinovel.com/en