Chapter 795: First Volume_Chapter 795 Backyard Flowers Like Brocade

First Volume_Chapter 795 Backyard Flowers Like Brocade

Beixi County lies on the frontier; traditionally unsuitable for commerce, yet under Qin Feng's development, it has undoubtedly become a key gateway town of Shedynasty.

It not only directly borders the Di, but also serves as a vital trade hub with Gaoshan Country and other Fan Bang Zhu Guo.

Although expanding commercial channels brings more people and eyes to Beixi County, even with tight surveillance, numerous Imperial Spies and those with ulterior motives will still slip in.

But this is unavoidable—if you want to develop, you must trade with neighboring countries.

Currently, the only nations directly trading with Beixi County are Gaoshan Country and Yuezhao Kingdom to the east; trade with the Di is still under negotiation and has not yet officially opened.

Yet all merchants know that once the Di trade route is opened, Beixi County will become the most important commercial hub within ten thousand li.

Merchants who settle in Beixi County early will reap a hundredfold profit.

Initially, Lin Quqi was firmly determined to build a Tianji Camp Compound for Qin Cheng Clan, but as he reviewed the land planning catalog, his mood grew heavier.

"Land in the Inner City is too expensive—even building a modest residence requires at least Ten Thousand Li Silver just for the plot. Moreover, Beixi County residents earn more, so prices for everything are correspondingly high. Including all miscellaneous fees, constructing the Tianji Camp Compound will likely cost more than Twenty Thousand Li Silver."

"If absolutely necessary, could we use public land?"

At these words, Xu Mo immediately and firmly rejected: "No."

"Brother Qin said public land is off-limits to everyone."

Seeing Xu Mo's unwavering support for all of Qin Feng's policies, Lin Quqi smiled: "I was just joking—why so worked up? You're truly Qin Feng's loyal hound."

Undeterred by Lin Quqi's teasing, Xu Mo replied: "No means no. Find another solution. If all else fails, spend the Twenty Thousand Li Silver—it's for the Lady, after all."

Lin Quqi shook his head repeatedly: "You know the Lady's temperament—she'd be furious if she found out so much silver was spent on a Tianji Camp Compound."

"Better to follow the Lady's advice and buy an existing one."

Lin Quqi abandoned the idea of building a Tianji Camp Compound and, with Xu Mo, wandered the streets for a full Envoy without hearing of any residence for sale.

Everyone held firmly to their properties; as land prices kept rising, no one was willing to sell.

The gap between theory and reality was too vast.

Even Lin Quqi hadn't anticipated that finding a Tianji Camp Compound for the Lady would be so difficult.

Seeing Lin Quqi with his hands behind his back, frowning deeply, a passerby gathered courage and asked: "County Magistrate, why are you so troubled?"

Lin Quqi sighed: "It's about housing again."

Housing?

The villager looked puzzled: "How can a County Magistrate be troubled by housing?"

Lin Quqi's face darkened helplessly: "It's too expensive—I can't afford it."

At this, nearby merchants and villagers burst into laughter, finding it utterly novel that a County Magistrate, holding Beixi County's finances, couldn't afford a residence.

At that moment, Xu Mo beside him sighed as well: "Come to think of it, I don't even have a stable residence in Beixi County—I'm constantly moving between the County Yamen, Tianji Camp, and the Military Camp."

"My monthly salary is One Thousand Liang Silver, yet I still can't afford a residence here—alas!"

Upon hearing Xu Mo's salary, the surrounding villagers nearly dropped their jaws.

One Thousand Liang Silver per month—that's Twelve Thousand Liang per year? Good heavens, some small merchants couldn't earn that much in a lifetime.

Sensing the envious glances, Xu Mo spread his hands nonchalantly: "I'm the County Commander—my monthly salary is One Thousand Liang Silver. Is that much?"

"Even Brother Qin says the greater your ability, the more you earn. I'm actually modest—among all of Beixi County, the highest salary goes to Prince Li Zhang."

"Prince Li Zhang earns Two Thousand Five Hundred Liang per month—the highest in Beixi County, even surpassing the County Magistrate."

The crowd gasped, stunned by how astronomically high these salaries were.

Yet upon reflection, they understood.

After all, Prince Li Zhang is Beixi County's second busiest man after Qin Feng—he manages all matters of People's Livelihood, politics, and military affairs.

If Qin Feng is the city lord, then Li Zhang is the deputy city lord—deserving every bit of his pay through tireless effort.

Besides, officials in Jingzhong earn hundreds of thousands of Liang annually—equivalent to tens of thousands per month—so Beixi County's salaries aren't actually high.

Unbeknownst to Xu Mo, Lin Quqi shot him a scornful glance and silently cursed: "Getting away with it and still boasting."

Jingzhong officials all have entire households—dozens, if not a hundred servants—and lavish lifestyles; even with hundreds of thousands of Liang yearly, little remains.

In contrast, Beixi County officials' salaries are pure profit—all other expenses are covered by the County Yamen's treasury.

The actual savings for Beixi County officials are nearly equal to those of Jingzhong officials, and given the vast difference in rank, yet similar earnings, it's clear how generous Beixi County's salary and benefits are.

Lin Quqi ignored Xu Mo and frowned: "If all else fails, take land from Tianji Camp—they're moving out of the Inner City anyway. Before the land is reclaimed, grab a plot."

"Plus, the original Tianji Camp site is surrounded by all kinds of military and political facilities—including…" Lin Quqi lowered his voice and looked at Xu Mo.

"Even the Jin Yi Wei Headquarters is nearby."

"If we build the Lady's Tianji Camp Compound there, security is guaranteed—even the most skilled Imperial Spies won't dare infiltrate Chengdong."

If the Inner City is Beixi County's core, then Chengdong is the core of the Inner City.

The Tianji Camp Headquarters, Jin Yi Wei Headquarters, and Shoubei Fu, along with the Qixie Ku, are all located in Chengdong.

Lin Quqi immediately decided and took Xu Mo to Chengdong to claim the land.

Xu Mo didn't mind, but warned Lin Quqi: "Lu Ming's brat is now the Tianji Camp's chief administrator, and Qin Xiaofu is there too—taking land from them won't be easy."

Lin Quqi snorted: "I don't believe they'd dare ignore the Lady's face!"

Xu Mo shook his head with a wry smile—Lu Ming and Qin Xiaofu, those two brats, had soared to prominence and now held unshakable positions in Tianji Camp.

Lu Ming was upright and gave no one's face any weight; Qin Xiaofu was cunning to the extreme—though occasionally involved in shady dealings, his mind was sharp and adaptable.

Together, they complemented each other perfectly, running Tianji Camp with flawless order, making it the primary producer of both People's Livelihood and military commodities.

Tianji Camp's massive current revenue is thanks largely to Qin Xiaofu inheriting Qin Feng's excellent habit of constantly dining, drinking, and entertaining merchants.