Chapter 23: What Exactly Did Lu Chuan Do?

Although Mi Zhu could not see Lu Chuan in person, Lu Shui still took good care of him. Not only was Mi Zhu given the priority to select three shops, but the first year’s commission fees for these shops were also waived.

However, Lu Shui made it clear from the start that commissions and taxes were two separate matters.

In other words, anyone opening a shop and conducting business in Lu County must pay taxes on all transactions.

The tax rates were categorized by product type. Staple foods and daily necessities were taxed lightly, but non-essential and more valuable goods were taxed significantly higher. As for service establishments like taverns and inns, their taxes were also considerable.

To facilitate management, Lu Shui required all shops to keep detailed ledgers, accurately recording daily transactions. Each transaction had to be invoiced.

Invoices were made in triplicate: one copy for the customer, one for the shop’s records, and the third had to be submitted to the Bureau of Industry and Commerce for verification, allowing Lu Shui to cross-check ledgers and transaction amounts.

Fortunately, paper already existed in the Eastern Han period. Although its quality was poor and could not replace bamboo slips, it was sufficient for limited applications.

As for improving papermaking techniques, Lu Chuan did not pursue it.

Partly because he lacked understanding of papermaking, and investing much effort might not yield results.

More importantly, improving papermaking would greatly impact bamboo slip books, lowering the difficulty of copying and spreading books. This would threaten the aristocratic monopoly on knowledge and invite their hostility.

Therefore, without absolute power, Lu Chuan had no intention of advancing papermaking. The current papermaking technique was just enough to meet Lu County’s invoicing needs.

After listening to Lu Shui’s explanation, Mi Zhu gained a new understanding of Lu County’s commercial economy.

If the ledger and invoicing system could be promoted, Lu Shui could easily grasp the operations of all shops, accurately collect taxes and commissions, leaving no room for evasion.

Especially the triplicate invoicing method—Mi Zhu found it excellent. His Mi family could also adopt this system so that even without leaving home, he could precisely monitor the caravan’s business and prevent some caravan leaders from embezzling.

Having finished discussing the shops, Lu Shui began talking to Mi Zhu about the construction of the outer city, hoping Mi Zhu would invest.

However, Mi Zhu remained cautious, expressing a desire to observe for a while before deciding whether to invest.

Lu Shui did not push but said that Lu Chuan had already decided to build the outer city. The plan would soon be publicly announced, inviting all merchants to invest. Once completed, all investors would receive dividends. He hoped Mi Zhu would decide soon to avoid missing such a good opportunity.

Mi Zhu’s mind was still occupied with the three shops and he only gave a perfunctory response.

Just as Mi Zhu was feeling pleased about securing the three shops—one grain store, one high-end department store, and one tavern—he noticed a sudden commotion outside. Many people gathered, seemingly discussing something.

Curious but mindful of his status, Mi Zhu did not want to join the crowd and sent his steward to investigate and report back.

Soon, the steward returned with news: Lu Chuan had announced the plan to build the northern outer city. An open invitation was extended to everyone in Lu County to actively invest in the construction, promising returns and dividends upon completion.

The steward also suggested, “Master, should we invest some money too? Those outside seem very enthusiastic and say they want to invest.”

Mi Zhu shook his head. “No need to rush. We have just arrived here. Never make hasty decisions. Let’s observe first.

No matter how lively it looks, many say they’ll invest, but how many will truly put their money in? Especially traveling merchants from afar—they barely earn enough and won’t hand all their money to Lu Chuan.

The situation is unstable. No one knows when chaos will erupt. Investing in the outer city now is not wise.”

“Yes, Master, you are wise.”

Although the steward felt Mi Zhu’s approach was somewhat wrong, he said nothing. After all, Mi Zhu was the head of the family.

Outside, the crowd was still lively, genuinely so, not as if staged. Lu Chuan had posted notices all over Lu County, each gathering many people who shared the same sentiment:

“Official Lu intends to build the outer city and needs investment. We must support it.

Those who can contribute money or effort must do so. We cannot stand by idly.”

Mi Zhu looked down from the second floor and saw that the people who had read the notices were now moving in groups toward the county office. He felt something was amiss and immediately sent his steward to the county office to find out what was going on.

They wouldn’t really invest in the outer city without knowing the details, would they? It was too impulsive to react so strongly just from seeing a notice.

That was not the behavior of merchants!

The steward did not delay and hurried out.

Mi Zhu watched the scene downstairs from the second floor.

Once the previous group left, another crowd gathered and began discussing the notices spontaneously. Mi Zhu could even hear some of their conversations.

In a short while, dozens more gathered at the notice and then walked together toward the county office.

Within half an hour, Mi Zhu saw hundreds heading to the county office, increasing his astonishment.

Was Lu Chuan’s influence really so great?

Just then, the steward returned. Before Mi Zhu could ask about the county office, the steward pulled him along.

“Master, I have never seen anything like this before. You should go see it yourself.”

Surprised but trusting the steward’s prudence—he would not act so if not shocked—Mi Zhu followed him to the county office.

Upon arrival, Mi Zhu was stunned.

The place was packed!

Lu County’s county office was sizable, capable of holding thousands, yet the square outside was filled to bursting.

Despite his experience traveling far and wide, Mi Zhu had never imagined such a small county office could gather so many people.

What shocked him even more was inside the Bureau of Industry and Commerce.

He squeezed in and saw that every counter was handling only one type of business: investments!

What impressed Mi Zhu deeply was the sight of many plainly dressed farmers handing over promissory notes worth only a few hundred coins, expressing their willingness to invest all their money into the construction of Lu County’s outer city.

If only a few did so, it might be understandable, but over ninety percent of the people in the bureau’s hall were doing the same.

For them, a few hundred coins might be all they had, insignificant to Mi Zhu, but their enthusiasm frightened him.

What on earth had Lu Chuan done to inspire such unwavering loyalty from these people?