The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Whether it's recruiting talented individuals, enforcing strict governance, establishing agricultural settlements, reforming commercial taxes, clarifying market order, or facilitating the flow of goods and services.
Zhuge Liang's eyes were piercing, and he had his feather fan tightly clenched in his hand without anyone noticing.

"A clean and efficient government is the foundation for effective governance! Abundant agriculture is the basis of a nation's destiny! Smooth trade routes ensure the smooth flow of taxes! These three are interconnected and indispensable! Only with a solid foundation can we plan for great undertakings..."

Zhuge Liang was so engrossed in his strategies that he seemed to be completely absorbed in them, and his spirits were becoming increasingly high.

The reason Zhuge Liang was so excited and absorbed was naturally related to Huang Chengyan's reply. Liu Bei sat upright and listened attentively, without disturbing or interrupting him, only a faint smile appearing on his lips: "The strategist is also a man of feeling."

It wasn't until the fourth watch of the night that Liu Bei heard the voice and advised, "The strategist's words are to the point. However, it is already late, and we are about to start a new day of hard work. If we overexert ourselves, we may damage our health. Why don't we rest a bit and recharge our energy before discussing this further?"

Seeing Liu Bei's concerned gaze, Zhuge Liang realized that he had lost his composure tonight because of Huang Chengyan's reply, and had even made Liu Bei stay up all night with him. He quickly apologized, saying, "My lord, please forgive me. It was my oversight."

Liu Bei smiled and patted his arm: "Strategist, you are overthinking things. All matters must be handled step by step for the long term."

In the following days, Zhuge Liang's eyebrows were often smiling, and he even changed his habit of neglecting to eat and sleep, eating every meal as if he were eating the finest delicacies.

This was an unexpected surprise.

A few days later, a series of joyful footsteps echoed outside the government office.

Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping entered, looking tired but unable to hide their excitement, and went straight to Zhuge Liang's desk.

"Reporting to the strategist!" Su Shuang's voice boomed like a bell as he clasped his hands in salute, unable to hide his excitement: "The journey along the Shu Road has been successful, I have fulfilled my mission!"

Zhang Shiping followed closely behind, his voice hoarse yet resolute: "We have lived up to the strategist's expectations! We have transported back ten thousand bolts of top-quality Shu brocade! Their color and weaving are both top-notch! Most importantly, along the Shu Road, we have secured long-term contracts with several powerful families in Shu, ensuring timely and complete supply according to the agreements! Furthermore, with the help of Zhang Lu and Ma Chao, we have established a stable trade route from Xichuan directly to Youzhou, and the ten thousand bolts of Shu brocade were successfully transported along this route!"

Zhuge Liang was engrossed in reviewing documents when he heard the report. He suddenly looked up, his eyes gleaming: "The roads to Shu are treacherous, yet you two managed to return safely with ten thousand bolts of Shu brocade, clearing a vital passage. This is a great achievement!"

He then decisively ordered his men: "Immediately summon representatives of the prominent families and powerful clans in the city to the government office for a meeting!"

Half an hour later, the hall was packed with people. More than a hundred people were representatives of powerful families and clans from the Nine Counties and Three Kingdoms.

As the central hub of Liu Bei's power, Zhuoxian County naturally attracted many talented individuals eager to participate in politics and seize business opportunities.

Zhuge Liang sat upright in the main seat, his gaze sweeping steadily over everyone, and said in a loud voice: "You are all wise men of your respective regions, and you must know better than I how precious Shu brocade is—not only because it is beautiful, but also because the roads to Shu are treacherous and the weaving is difficult, there is a saying that 'an inch of brocade is worth an inch of gold,' and it has always been scarce and hard to find in Hebei."

Upon hearing this, whispers arose among those below, their gazes meeting with eagerness and curiosity.

After the discussion in the hall subsided, Zhuge Liang calmly and deliberately brought up the matter: "Today, the Left General's residence has acquired approximately ten thousand bolts of top-quality Shu brocade."

The news was like a stone thrown into still water, causing an even greater commotion in the hall. The representatives exchanged glances of shock and elation. Zhuge Liang raised his voice at the opportune moment to drown out the noise: "Please calm down, everyone! Treasures are rare, and it is only natural that the highest bidder wins. If we wait for them to be put on the market and sold like ordinary goods, the competition will only drive up the prices, and none of you may be able to purchase the quantity you need."

Scanning the room, Zhuge Liang took in everyone's urgency and anxiety before introducing his core strategy: "To ensure fairness and order, and to achieve long-term mutual benefit and prosperity, the Left General's Office has devised a special policy: Anyone wishing to continue purchasing Shu brocade must deposit the total value of their annual brocade purchases as collateral! This collateral is not for the purchase of goods, but merely a guarantee of trust. If there is no intention to continue purchasing in the future, the collateral will be returned in full, as evidenced by a written contract!"

The hall fell silent, and the joy on many representatives' faces was instantly replaced by doubt.

After a brief silence, an older representative finally stroked his beard and hesitated, saying, "General Advisor! This 'pledge' amount is not small... Forgive my bluntness, but the trade routes are long and the war is unpredictable. If... if the Shu brocade cannot arrive on time, wouldn't our 'pledge' be left hanging in the air, only increasing the worry of losing both money and goods?"

Zhuge Liang had anticipated this, and upon hearing this, a confident smile appeared on his lips: "This consideration is both reasonable and logical, and I am well aware of it. Therefore, today we leave it entirely to your own choice. So be it!"

The tone shifted abruptly, carrying an undeniable force and a hint of pressure: "General Zuo's Mansion controls the exclusive trade routes and precious supplies, and what they seek is stable cooperation. If you are unwilling to sign this mutual guarantee agreement today, you will no longer have the right to purchase Shu brocade from General Zuo's Mansion in the future! You may seek other avenues to purchase it at higher prices. However, in today's world, with warlords vying for power and treacherous roads fraught with danger, besides General Zuo's Mansion, who else can reliably and consistently transport this 'inch of brocade worth its weight in gold' from Xichuan all the way to Youzhou? The opportunity is before you; the choice is a matter of a single thought!"

These words were spoken with absolute certainty, and the core information was crystal clear: the supply of goods was scarce, the channels were exclusive, and the initiative was firmly in the hands of General Zuo's mansion.

Everyone was shocked and fell into deep thought.

Upon seeing this, Zhuge Liang immediately offered a crucial reassurance, elevating the significance of the "pledged money": "Moreover! Once the 'pledged money' you all deposited is put into the treasury, the Left General will immediately use it for land reclamation, irrigation construction, and the resettlement of displaced people, relieving the treasury's financial difficulties and ensuring the well-being of the local people! This move will stabilize prices, revitalize the market, and further strengthen the foundation of your land holdings in Zhuojun and even the nine commanderies and three kingdoms! The sooner you invest, the sooner your properties will benefit, and the sooner you will secure the precious Shu brocade, ensuring long-term and substantial profits! This is a win-win-win situation. What do you all think?"

The implication is that the Left General's Mansion firmly binds the "pledged money" to its own industrial foundation and local prosperity, highlighting its essence as an interest-free investment in public construction to benefit the powerful clan itself!
As soon as he finished speaking, the eyes of a powerful family representative, known for his shrewdness and decisiveness, suddenly brightened, as if he had instantly weighed the enormous long-term benefits involved.

Before anyone could react, he stood up first, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said in a loud and confident voice, “Excellent! Strategist, you have a brilliant vision! This method ensures fairness, facilitates trade, promotes local development, benefits our industry, and stabilizes supply. It is truly a long-term mutually beneficial approach! I am willing to sign! I will purchase 100 bolts! The initial payment will be received immediately! For the sake of local prosperity and financial gain, I dare not refrain from leading the way!”

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan: "The Zhen family of Zhongshan truly has discerning eyes. Since you are the first to subscribe, I will offer an additional 20% discount on the price."

The Zhen family representative was overjoyed: "Thank you, strategist!"

Zhuge Liang then looked at the crowd and said, "Except for the Zhen family, the first ten buyers will receive a 10% discount."

This person's leadership and insightful guidance acted as a catalyst, and coupled with Zhuge Liang's preferential treatment, everyone suddenly understood and most of their doubts were dispelled.

"The strategist's plans for the country are profound; I am convinced! I'll take fifty bolts!"

"I'll sign too! Eighty horses!"

"This method is comprehensive; I second the proposal of sixty bolts!"

The hall erupted in excitement in an instant. Shu brocade was already scarce and expensive in Hebei, and aside from the risk of unstable trade routes, this was a sure-fire way to make a profit! (End of Chapter)