Chapter 202: Tang Dynasty Lacks an Anti‑Fraud App

"Alright, Lao Ma, can you stop showing that resentful‑wife expression?"

Chen Yan, without a sideways glance, tucked away the contract, not even intending to show it to Ma Zhou, and said, "I'm doing this for the county's sake, rest assured, I definitely won't cheat Weinan County."

He also thought to himself, the Tang Dynasty is still the best; there's no anti‑fraud app.

He should showcase his abilities.

"So... you took a seventy‑percent share?" Ma Zhou's tone was full of resentment.

But it's understandable; anyone who gets swindled like this would be resentful.

Ma Zhou not fighting him tooth‑and‑nail was already quite good.

"What seventy percent?" Chen Yan glanced at him, "I'll just take twenty percent, okay?"

"The remaining fifty percent can't be used to pay protection fees, right?"

"What protection..." Ma Zhou's words stopped; he seemed to recall something and fell silent.

"Fine, just do as you see fit. I have only one request: please don't cheat Weinan County."

"What kind of talk is that?" Chen Yan said sternly, "I'm the County Magistrate of Weinan County; how could I cheat Weinan County?"

"Keep your heart in your belly and just watch my moves."

Ma Zhou: "......."

Fine, the signatures are already done; it's too late to say anything.

Let's go with this gentleman.

"......"

From the Xianlya, Du Gou said wordlessly, "Brother Chen, before we came we never said we'd cheat Lao Ma like this; by doing this, he will probably never trust you again."

Chen Yan replied awkwardly, "Then what can I do?"

"Who would a normal person agree to under these conditions?"

"If anyone's to blame, blame His Majesty; he said borrowing money requires interest—borrow fifty thousand, repay sixty thousand. What can I do?"

"Indeed, the fifty thousand was borrowed from Li Shimin, technically from the tavern's account."

"Originally we could have received the tavern's April profit share; Li Shimin was eagerly awaiting that day."

"But because Weinan County was short of funds, the money had to be lent out before it arrived; even if Li Shimin was displeased, he couldn't stop it."

"After all, he himself originally said whatever Chen Yan needed would be given, but he added a condition: borrow fifty thousand, repay sixty thousand."

"Chen Yan didn't mind; the money was borrowed in the name of the Weinan County government and would be repaid by the government, so what does it have to do with him?"

"Just wait for the government to earn money and repay Li Shimin, that's all."

"What if they can't repay?"

"Find the person who signed it."

Du Gou shook his head, gave a helpless smile, and admitted that Chen Yan often didn't deceive Ma Zhou; most of the time he told the truth.

"For example, that contract bears Ma Zhou's name, so when results are achieved, Ma Zhou gets credit."

"That's why Chen Yan doesn't sign in his own name."

"Chen Yan's flashy tactics were incomprehensible to him; he could have explained things clearly step by step, and Ma Zhou would surely agree in the end."

"But Chen Yan insisted on a deceptive, cajoling attitude, saying the matter was arranged and Ma Zhou would only realize after results appear how much today's signature helps him."

"What next? Buy land and workshops?"

"Buy... maybe," Chen Yan thought and said, "Since we have this condition, we don't need to accumulate seed capital the usual way; with the public transport boat on track and a lot of money flowing in daily, we can take a bigger step."

"Following the earlier plan, we build a paper workshop on the Weihe south bank; there's a bamboo forest there, quite suitable. As for carving and printing workshops, they need a larger water source, so we'll place them on the outskirts of the city."

"Now I'm wondering where to locate the library?"

"The first library can't be small at all; it should be huge, serving as the main hall to attract scholars."

"My first thought is to build it in the southeast of the city; after all, that's where the county school is, so a library there fits well."

Du Gou nodded repeatedly, noting that in their vision the library must house a vast collection of books, open to scholars everywhere.

"Thus such a building, situated in the southeast—symbolic of the literary star—was undoubtedly the best spot."

Du Gou mused, "I think this works. How about we go to the southeast later, scout a good plot, and buy it for the library."

Chen Yan didn't answer immediately; after thinking, he shook his head, "Never mind, let's build it at the intersection of East Market and West Market—the busiest place."

"...... ah?" Du Gou was stunned, "Why build it between East Market and West Market?"

"Isn't that where merchants and vendors gather?"

"Exactly," Chen Yan replied, "We need it in a bustling commercial district; otherwise how can we profit from those scholars?"

"Imagine if we build a massive library filled with all sorts of ordinary and rare books that ordinary folks rarely access."

"And we sell them at rock‑bottom prices; even those who can't afford to buy can spend a little to read in the library."

"Would such a library attract many scholars?"

"Exactly," Du Gou said immediately, "It's inevitable; I believe no scholar could refuse such a library."

"Fine, then think further," Chen Yan said confidently, "Since these scholars are drawn here, they'll need lodging, right?"

"Staying in an inn near the library would be most convenient, right?"

"They also need meals, right?"

"Every day they pass the commercial district, they'll want to buy anything useful or appealing to them, right?"

"All those things cost money."

"The reason I want the library at the East‑West Market junction is that the library can attract massive numbers of scholars; that's called traffic diversion."

"After diverting traffic, we must create diversified consumption scenes to boost nearby spending..."

Looking at Chen Yan, who still hadn't stopped, Du Gou was full of questions.

"No, can you first explain what a diversified consumption scene is, and what it means to boost consumption?"

I don't understand.

Just a construction site—does it really have that many complexities?

Du Gou doesn't understand, but is greatly shocked.

As he spoke, Chen Yan seemed to notice the bewildered Du Gou, his mouth twitching as he gathered his words and said, "Well, you just need to know that building the library between the West Market and the East Market benefits Weinan County and can bring in more profit."

Du Gou hesitated for a moment, nodded, "Shall we go to the East Market now?"

"No, we split up." Chen Yan said. "You first gather that batch of collected information and the villagers who stayed here because of last year's drought, then go find Xiao Shunzi to get money to buy a workshop."

"Then immediately start the workshop renovation and collect raw materials."

"There are many tasks in the early stage, so I'll need to trouble you to run around more."

"Oh~" Du Gou, looking thoughtful, blinked and said to Chen Yan, "What about you?"

"Me?" Chen Yan, rubbing his chin, said, "I'll go find a few wealthy merchants of our Weinan County to chat and discuss ideals."