Fengyu sent a message to the Capital City, asking Manager Wen to come to the Twelve States to assist Manager Wang in managing the trading house. The business model in the Capital City was already mature, and Manager Wen could hand over his duties to the second manager. Her father and mother, who had resigned from their official positions and were now idle at home, could also take charge of the trading house affairs. Fengyu urgently needed manpower on her end.
The business in Jinzhou could follow the model of the Capital City for operation. All major shops could partner together for promotions and marketing, forming a closed loop. While consolidating the industrial chain in the Capital City, Fengyu had already noticed that various trading houses preferred operating independently and were unwilling to collaborate on promotions. Though joint promotions involve taking losses, the strategy of small profits and quick turnover helps boost sales volume, which then results in increased profits. Money circulates faster, unlike pawnshops that remain unopened for three years, and then feast for three years once they do open. Businesses dealing with grain, tea, and clothing all aim to sell quickly to ensure cash flow.
The Twelve States were similar, but the situation was even more severe. Fengyu already had a mature model implemented in the Capital City and could directly apply it in the Twelve States. This implementation was bound to weaken the authority of the existing managers in the Twelve States, which was unavoidable. She needed to have absolute control.
The managers compromised more quickly than Fengyu had anticipated.
"Miss, it was my greed clouding my judgment. I have been nurtured by the trading house, but I let my ambitions grow wild. I am willing to make up for the losses of the past five years and beg for your punishment. I truly hope you can give me and my son another chance. We will serve loyally and will not repeat our mistakes." Late that night, Old Manager Zhou came to see Fengyu to ask for forgiveness. Fengyu straightforwardly accepted his silver notes, the amount of which exceeded the calculated deficit.
Fengyu appreciated people who knew how to read the situation. She also sympathized with Manager Zhou, given his advanced age. She hurriedly helped him up and invited him to dine with her, taking the opportunity to discuss the situation of the trading house in Jinzhou.
Having come to terms, Old Manager Zhou now shared everything without reservation.
Once one person showed vulnerability, the other managers followed suit and pledged their loyalty to Fengyu.
In Jinzhou, both trade and agriculture were highly developed. After streamlining the business scene, Fengyu handed everything over to Manager Wang, granting him authority second only to her own. Except for the power to dismiss managers, Manager Wang was authorized to manage Jinzhou in her stead. The managers knew Fengyu planned to head to West Continent and advised her repeatedly to reconsider her decision.
Fengyu had read the geography records of the Twelve States. West Continent, Huangzhou, and Jinzhou possessed the most fertile lands in the Twelve States, capable of supporting peak population levels and still leaving surplus. Later, as wars escalated, the Twelve States focused on developing iron mines and gradually abandoned their farmlands. Merchants collaborated with the State Mansion to exploit iron mines, engaging in speculative trading to accumulate wealth.
Bandits also eyed the iron mines and the Jade Mountain Range in West Continent, launching attacks to seize control. The State Mansion in the West Continent colluded with the bandits, deceiving superiors and oppressing subordinates to directly control the region. They conscripted local labor for mining, leading to multiple mining disasters. These incidents caused widespread public resentment, forcing the populace to gradually migrate away from West Continent. Today, both the State Mansion and the bandits directly control the Twelve States.
"Do they rely on supplies from other regions for food, clothing, and daily needs?"
"Yes, supplies are transported daily from Jiaozhou and Jinzhou. Our trading house handles the grain for West Continent, and they offer quite high prices."
Fengyu reviewed the grain shop’s transport records and Manager Wang asked, "Miss, should we cut off supplies to West Continent?"
"Not necessary," Fengyu contemplated briefly. "I’ll decide once I reach West Continent."
If Xie Xun had not left five thousand cavalry troops behind, it might have taken Fengyu additional time to bring the managers in line. However, with cavalry by her side, coupled with the Su Family’s reputation for integrity, the managers—most of whom had been in the Su Family’s Trading House for years—knew the Su Family’s generosity. As long as they didn’t act out excessively going forward, Fengyu would choose to overlook minor faults. Moreover, Fengyu drew up specific profit-sharing plans for each shop individually, significantly increasing the proportion allotted to the managers.
The master’s family was generous and stable, offering potential for great success in the future. Having been in commerce for years, the managers were willing to take a gamble. Fengyu also showed immense lenience by not expelling them from the trading house despite their mistakes.
She entrusted Jinzhou’s affairs to Manager Wang and his brothers, and once Manager Wen arrived, he could assist as well. Fengyu then prepared to lead her cavalry along with a group of farmers skilled in agriculture, irrigation, and craftsmen to West Continent.
The route was already cleared of bandits, resulting in a calm journey. Villages big and small along the way were peaceful and stable. However, as they entered the West Continent borders, the desolation became increasingly apparent. The population in towns and villages was sparse, and the closer they got to West State City, the more obvious it became.
Fengyu arrived at West State City at night. As she had predicted, chaos reigned in the city. From afar, she could see flames lighting up the skies, and the clamor of voices filled the air.
Nuanyang gasped, "They really started fighting!"
Miss Fengyu’s predictions were truly accurate!
"The Prince stationed over ten thousand people in West Continent. These bandits have claimed the mountains as their domain and are naturally unruly. They are accustomed to living off plunder, so upon entering West State City, their first instinct is survival. Without resources, they would resort to robbery. A riot involving over ten thousand people is enough to trouble them. Since this group was sent by the Prince, the State Mansion wouldn’t dare resort to wholesale slaughter," Fengyu explained. Prefectural Magistrate Wang had left for Huangzhou, leaving West Continent without a governor. Chaos was inevitable.
"Should we intervene to quell the unrest?" Nuanyang asked.
"No need. We’ll camp outside the city and enter at dawn," Fengyu said with a subtle smile. "Let their savage development take its course. They can serve as our envoy to greet the local State Mansion first."