Looking at Li Xiuning's bewildered little face, Qin Feng couldn't help but say with a wry smile:
"Is it or isn't it?"
"It is, alright!"
After a brief moment of thought to clear her mind, Li Xiuning chuckled and urged,
"What else?"
"What else?"
Qin Feng pondered for a moment, then made a gesture of taking money and asked in a slightly questioning tone,
"The money is still the same one hundred copper coins, right?"
"Right!"
"It went out for a spin and came back, so I didn't lose anything, right?"
"Right!"
"But the world now has ten hoes, ten sickles, and ten iron swords."
"The total amount of money remains the same, yet various materials have increased, this is the benefit of economic circulation."
"This..."
A simple example set Li Xiuning's thoughts wandering.
She had never thought of accounting in such a way.
But upon closer reflection,
She found that the example Qin Feng gave had no real flaws.
Seeing this,
Qin Feng's lips curved slightly, and he smoothly steered the conversation back.
"Xiuning, you tell me, what is the most indispensable element for economic circulation?"
"This..." Li Xiuning tentatively asked, "Merchants?"
"Correct!"
Qin Feng nodded affirmatively, "Indeed, merchants, the profession the Great Han considers the lowest."
"And what is the role of merchants?"
"Simply put!"
"Old Wang from the east of the village needs ten sickles, and only Old Li from the west of the village sells them."
"But neither of them knows each other's needs, nor would they travel that far to ask you if you want sickles."
"This is where the role of merchants comes in!"
"He can go to Old Li's house in the west of the village to buy sickles, and then sell them to Old Wang in the east of the village at a higher price."
"Although they earn the price difference in the process, they also satisfy the needs of the people in both locations."
"Only through them can the economy be circulated as much as possible."
"And are there many merchants in Youzhou now?"
"Not many!"
"Perhaps there were many before, but after the last raid, few remain."
"Therefore..."
"Introducing new merchants to Youzhou is an urgent matter."
"...My Lord!"
Listening to Qin Feng's explanation, Li Xiuning raised her question again.
"Why must we introduce merchants? Can't we do it ourselves?"
"What you're referring to is a state-run business!" Qin Feng replied with a smile.
"It's possible!"
"But the energy of individuals or the government is always limited. You can't be involved in all three hundred and sixty professions, can you?"
"Most importantly..."
"When a certain industry becomes monopolized, corruption and stagnation will become increasingly apparent."
At this point, Qin Feng paused, shaking his head with a sigh.
In the early days of the founding of the nation in his previous life, they practiced a state-run business model.
But the reality proved that it would lead to starvation!
No matter when, appropriate competition is the driving force of social development.
"Is that so?"
Li Xiuning nodded as if she understood but didn't fully grasp it, and didn't press further.
She wasn't sure if she had understood everything.
Her mind was in a mess!
Her decades-old worldview had been shaken and reshaped at this moment, and it would indeed take time to adapt.
Qin Feng did not disturb her, stepping out of the room and into the courtyard to take a deep breath.
He was also contemplating his own issues.
For instance,
How could he persuade the Zhen family in Jizhou to come to Youzhou and work for him?
Military force?
Although his current martial prowess was indeed capable of doing so, would it be too inappropriate to resort to such direct action?
Even though merchants were classified as low-status professions, they could be quite troublesome if they truly decided to cause problems.
But without military force?
Then what should he use?
With his current identity as a recently pardoned rebel, the Zhen family might not even consider him.
Wouldn't it ultimately come down to force?
Frustrated!
After thinking for a long time with no leads, Qin Feng turned to go back inside.
His own Miss Xiuning was much more fun!
Not only was she hardworking and uncomplaining, but perhaps he could even hold her and sleep after playing until tired!
"Report~!"
Just as Qin Feng was about to enter the room, a guard's voice sounded from outside.
"Reporting to my Lord, Commander Yue has brought back a caravan."
"Caravan?"
Qin Feng's heart stirred. He asked curiously,
"Did Pengju say why he brought the caravan here?"
"This..."
The guard faltered for a moment, then recalled carefully, saying uncertainly,
"According to the brother who came to report, this caravan was trading with the barbarians, so they brought it back for my Lord to decide!"
"Trading with barbarians?"
Qin Feng frowned, his displeasure immediate. However, he patiently said,
"Bring their负责人 to see me!"
"Yes!"
The guard agreed, quickly retreated, and said to the young general waiting outside,
"My Lord orders you to bring the caravan's负责人!"
"Understood!"
The young general cupped his hands slightly and gestured to the procession behind him.
Soon,
A beautiful woman, appearing to be around thirty years old, was escorted forward.
"The leader enters, everyone else waits outside."
"No..." A house servant-like figure hurriedly tried to speak.
"Clang~!"
Before the servant could finish speaking, the young general's saber was already drawn.
"If you dare to utter another word, I will send you on your way first!"
"Alright~!"
Seeing the atmosphere grow tense, the beautiful woman gently waved her hand.
"You all wait here, I will be back shortly!"
"Madam..."
"Enough!"
Glaring at the house servant who couldn't read the situation, the beautiful woman then proceeded towards the Prefectural Governor's mansion under the escort of the young general.
"My Lord, this is?"
Li Xiuning, who was contemplating life, couldn't help but narrow her eyes as she saw the beautiful woman being brought in.
"Uh..."
Qin Feng, also frozen in place, looked at the guard with confusion.
"What is this situation?"
"Ah?"
The guard was bewildered by the question, looking lost and saying,
"My Lord, didn't you tell me to bring the caravan's负责人?"
"Caravan's负责人?" Qin Feng pointed at the beautiful woman in surprise.
"Her?"
"Yes!"
The guard nodded affirmatively, stating matter-of-factly,
"She is the负责人 of that caravan."
"This..."
After confirming he hadn't misheard, Qin Feng seemed to understand what Yue Fei meant.
"Yue Pengju~!"
Rubbing his forehead with a headache, Qin Feng waved his hand at the grinning Qin Feng.
"You may go now!"
"Yes!"
Sensing that Qin Feng was not in a good mood, the guard cautiously withdrew.
Beside him,
Li Xiuning seemed to have also realized, looking at Qin Feng with a smile that was not quite a smile.
"My Lord, it seems your preferences have spread throughout Youzhou!"
"Hmph~!"
Qin Feng, already with a headache, glared unceremoniously at Li Xiuning.
"It's all your doing! I don't care, I'm leaving this matter to you to handle!"
"What?"
Li Xiuning pointed a finger at herself, then at the beautiful woman with a gentle smile standing beside them.
"My Lord, are you sure you want me to handle this?"
"This..."
Seemingly touched by the woman's healing smile, Qin Feng hesitated and said,
"Perhaps I should handle it after all?"