https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-983-Top-Historical-Strategist-Ju-Shou/13046595/
Chapter 981: Development
Chapter 981: Development
After someone took the first step, the aristocratic families could no longer hold back.
After all, they had initially invested a significant amount of resources in Bingzhou, and even the least among them had contributed at least a fifth of their entire family fortune. Such a substantial investment was not something they could easily give up. Now, with the opportunity to retrieve their resources and even make a small profit, they all rushed in without hesitation.
Although some of the smarter ones had probably figured out Lu Hai Kong's scheme by now and knew that he wouldn't be as straightforward as the first time, no one cared at this point. The opportunity was right in front of them, and if they didn't take it, someone else would. Regardless, they wanted to recover their losses first.
Almost all the aristocratic families and influential figures began to head towards Bingzhou.
Once a large number of aristocratic families flooded into Bingzhou, Zhang He's strategy changed. It was no longer a simple exchange of resources; there was no such thing as 'bring me resources, and I'll let you take away an equivalent amount.'
Zhang He began to control the amount of resources these families could take away. It was virtually impossible to take everything at once, and the most any family could bring back was around a million in goods.
Zhang He's side explained this as a shortage of supplies, but everyone knew that Zhang He was trying to keep this wave of enthusiasm going for as long as possible.
The aristocratic families had no choice but to accept this situation. Lu Hai Kong was the boss, and he made the rules. Besides, given their circumstances, being able to bring back a million in goods was already a good deal. Lu Hai Kong had also mentioned that there would be another opportunity.
So, the aristocratic families grudgingly agreed, preparing to leave with their million in resources. However, they soon discovered that while it was easy to enter, leaving was not so simple. Zhang He wasn't forcing them to stay, but his attitude towards them was surprisingly enthusiastic.
He gathered all the aristocratic families together and led them to a Bingzhou product exhibition prepared for them early that morning. He enthusiastically promoted the products to them.
Upon entering the exhibition, many of the aristocratic families' faces turned pale. They felt like they had fallen into another one of Lu Hai Kong's carefully crafted traps, designed to exploit them. They believed that Lu Hai Kong was going to skin them alive this time.
However, once inside, the aristocratic families quickly realized they had misunderstood. Lu Hai Kong's side showed no signs of forcing sales; instead, they focused on promotion, casually introducing the products with an attitude of 'I'll just show you, but it's up to you if you want to buy.'
Despite the attractive items on display, the aristocratic families mostly just looked and didn't buy. On the one hand, they were worried about falling into Lu Hai Kong's trap and being exploited. On the other hand, most of them were mid-level members of their families, and such transactions involving millions were beyond their authority.
So, after a whole day at the exhibition, the aristocratic families mostly just looked without buying. Even when Zhang He informed them that the prices would increase the next time, they remained unmoved. However, there were exceptions. Some with keen business senses and higher authority within their families secretly placed orders behind the scenes.
Zhang He kept these aristocratic families for three days before releasing them on the third day, instructing them to return in half a month to collect the next batch of resources.
Over ninety percent of the aristocratic families left with the resources Lu Hai Kong had given them, making Zhang He's sales pitch seem unsuccessful. However, Zhang He and Beauty Luo Luo were confident, knowing they had many tricks up their sleeves to lure these families into their trap.
Half a month passed in a flash, and the aristocratic families returned once more.
This time, Zhang He's reception was different again. The resources were still there, but he prioritized those who had established commercial cooperation with Bingzhou, leaving those without cooperation waiting on the sidelines.
Zhang He was straightforward about this approach, not bothering to beat around the bush with the aristocratic families. He made it clear that those who didn't cooperate commercially with Bingzhou would have to wait indefinitely for their resources, until the old man remembered them.
With resources and military might in their hands, the aristocratic families dared not voice their anger.
However, they didn't argue with Zhang He for long. After all, they knew that someone had successfully brought goods back from Lu Hai Kong, and that batch of goods had been profitable.
Since there was no risk of loss, the aristocratic families dropped their reservations. After seeking approval from their families, many of them chose to formally establish commercial cooperation with Bingzhou.
With this, Lu Hai Kong's plan was officially set in motion.
Under the guidance of Zhang He and Luo Luo, the plan proceeded smoothly, starting with hundreds of aristocratic families. Within a few months, they aggressively expanded into the markets of Jizhou, Youzhou, Sili, and Liangzhou.
Of course, their success in these markets was not only due to the influence of the aristocratic families but also to the excellent products provided by Lu Hai Kong. Not to mention, Lu Hai Kong's expertise in the livestock industry had also significantly improved by this time.
With control over the grasslands, various high-quality cattle and sheep, as well as incredibly superior warhorses, and occasionally rare and exotic warhorses, became Lu Hai Kong's tightly packed export products.
In addition to livestock products, Lu Hai Kong, who had several master-level figures under his command, also fully developed the commercial potential of these master technicians, creating numerous outstanding industries and exporting their high-quality products.
While utilizing the aristocratic families for external sales, Lu Hai Kong also vigorously encouraged the development of commerce, implementing numerous policies to support merchants. He provided many shops to the aristocratic families currently assisting him in exports and simultaneously purchased a large number of products and resources from various states.
With the aristocratic families on the outside and Lu Hai Kong's own commercial development on the inside, coupled with the peaceful environment in Bingzhou compared to the chaotic development in other regions, a large number of merchants flocked to Bingzhou.
Previously, due to Lu Hai Kong's ruthless attitude towards the aristocratic families, few merchants dared to establish long-term businesses in his territory. However, recently, Lu Hai Kong seemed to have softened his approach, providing significant support to merchants and creating a stable environment. This, combined with the vibrant commercial atmosphere, greatly increased the appeal to merchants.
The influx of merchants brought abundant resources and technologies, propelling Bingzhou's development to new heights.
Under this development, Lu Hai Kong's Bingzhou, once a relatively remote region in the northern continent of the Han Empire, suddenly became the economic center of the entire north.
This development was a joyous occasion for Lu Hai Kong, but it made many neighboring powers envious.
The surrounding powers, such as Yuan Hong, Gong Sun Zan, and Yuan Shao, watched as Lu Hai Kong emerged from the quagmire and seized the opportunities within, swiftly taking flight. Not one of them could keep their eyes from turning red.
Yuan Hong, in particular, was seething with envy.
Initially, Yuan Hong felt a sense of superiority over Lu Hai Kong, even though he might not have matched Lu Hai Kong's military might. However, in terms of the prosperity of their territories, Yuan Hong believed he far surpassed Lu Hai Kong.
After all, Lu Hai Kong's Bingzhou was located on the fringes of the Han Empire, a desolate and insignificant place that couldn't compare to Yuan Hong's Jizhou. But now, Yuan Hong couldn't even manage a smile.
He couldn't help but acknowledge Lu Hai Kong's remarkable development, which was evident to anyone with sight. It wouldn't be long before Lu Hai Kong became the undisputed leader in the entire realm.
Especially after the suppression of the rebellion, within four months, numerous merchants shifted their focus to Bingzhou, and countless displaced people from the war found refuge there.
According to incomplete statistics, during those four months, over a million refugees entered Bingzhou, and this number continued to rise.
Witnessing Lu Hai Kong's progress, Yuan Hong felt more than just envy; he also harbored deep concerns.
Lu Hai Kong was already in a dominant position, and his military might was nearly unmatched in the realm. If he further developed his economy, how powerful would Lu Hai Kong become?
Yuan Hong was well aware that Lu Hai Kong, like a tiger sharpening its teeth, was biding his time. Once his teeth were sharpened, he would reveal his fangs, and not only would no one in the realm be able to stop him, but he would also effortlessly sweep across the north.
This intense sense of crisis enveloped Yuan Hong, though it didn't drive him to despair or lose his composure. He understood that he couldn't continue on this path, for it would lead to his demise.
Yuan Hong gazed at the map before him, studying Bingzhou, Chang'an, and finally fixing his icy gaze on Ye City, "It seems I have no choice but to take action now. I can't afford to delay any longer..."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
