Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The promulgation and implementation of the "New Regulations for Border Markets" is like injecting high-purity fuel into the commercial engine of Hanyuan, not only regulating market order but also greatly stimulating the enthusiasm and confidence of merchants and travelers.

However, with the explosive growth in trade volume, the existing transportation infrastructure has gradually become unable to withstand this enormous logistical pressure.

Narrow, potholed roads, old and unsustainable bridges, scarce post stations with rudimentary services, and bandits who, despite being eradicated, still occasionally roamed the area... all these factors became bottlenecks restricting the further development of trade.

Xiao Chen knew that the old saying from his previous life, "If you want to get rich, build roads first," was still an irrefutable truth in this era.

The prosperity of commerce must be built on a smooth, safe, and efficient logistics network.

Therefore, while the border town was being reorganized, a larger-scale and more far-reaching project—the "Trade Hub" plan—was officially put on the agenda.

I. Plan the "three horizontal and three vertical" main commercial roads.

Xiao Chen personally planned and constructed a backbone business network connecting all directions, with Zhenbei City as the core.

The northern route, from Zhenbeicheng to Baishui Market and then to the heart of the grassland, is 300 li long. The existing roads were widened and reinforced, and post stations, warehouses, and horse farms were set up along the way to ensure trade with the grassland.

The southern route, from Zhenbei City to Panshi Fortress to the Central Plains border, is 400 li long and connects the Central Plains trade routes, serving as the main channel for the export of goods from Hanyuan.

The eastern route, from Zhenbeicheng to Qinghe Town to the border of Beiyan, is 200 li long and aims to strengthen trade with Beiyan and the northeast.

The western route, from Zhenbeicheng to Heishan Town to the ancient Western Regions road, is 350 li long and opened up a passage connecting the Western Regions, attracting merchants from the Central Plains.

Waterway, Baishui River waterway: Dredging the river, building wharves, and developing water transport as an important supplement to land transport.

II. Comprehensive upgrade of road standards.

All main trade routes were upgraded and renovated according to the standard of "three zhang wide, gravel roadbed, and cement hardened road surface".

Key sections of the road and bridges were constructed by the Construction and Engineering Departments, using the latest "stone and mud" concrete and steel frame structures to ensure sturdiness and durability, capable of supporting heavy horse-drawn carriages.

Every twenty li along the route, a "commercial post station" was set up to provide services such as food and lodging, horse changing, vehicle repair, storage, and security.

Every hundred li, a "Merchant Protection Post" was set up, with a team of 50 soldiers stationed there to patrol, suppress bandits, and maintain public order.

3. Establish a "government-run goods operation".

Led by the Department of Civil Affairs, the "Hanyuan Freight Transport" was established, and large horse-drawn carriages and pack trains were purchased. They even tried to use "four-wheeled heavy freight carriages" to undertake the transportation of bulk goods.

At the same time, the government encouraged private caravans to be formed, providing low-interest loans for the purchase of vehicles and livestock, and offering tax breaks.

This move aims to reduce logistics costs, improve transportation efficiency, and ensure cargo safety.

IV. Establish "Tongqu Tax Card" and "Goods Bill System".

At the entrances to major trade routes and key points, unified tax checkpoints were set up to collect "general tariffs" from passing caravans.

The "cargo manifest system" was implemented, requiring caravans to register their goods and destination with the Maritime Trade Office and obtain a "cargo manifest" before setting off.

Tax cards are checked and stamped along the way, and taxes are paid upon arrival at the destination.

This measure not only facilitates tax collection but also reduces the hassle of roadside checks and improves traffic efficiency.

Fifth, attract business travelers from all directions and build a "city of all goods".

The "Wanhuo Dashi" (Great Market of Ten Thousand Goods) is planned and constructed in Zhenbei New Town, which is divided into different trading areas such as the Western Regions Area, Jiangnan Area, Grassland Area, and Beiyan Area, providing thousands of fixed stalls and hundreds of warehouses.

For merchants and travelers from all over the world who come to trade, preferential policies are offered, such as rent-free periods for the first three months, assistance in obtaining city bonds, translation and intermediary services, and even small loans.

At the same time, the "Hu Merchants Guild Hall" and "Jiangnan Guild Hall" were established in the northern part of the town to facilitate the gathering, networking, and mutual assistance of merchants from other places.

The "Goods and Trade Hub" plan received a positive response from the business community as soon as it was announced.

The government of Hanyuan invested heavily, conscripted tens of thousands of laborers, and mobilized a large amount of building materials, and the project progressed at an astonishing speed.

Several months later, the results were remarkable.

The originally muddy and narrow dirt road has been transformed into a wide and flat "cement road".

Horse-drawn carriages travel smoothly and swiftly on it, with double the load capacity, making it possible to travel a hundred miles a day.

The post stations along the way, like bright pearls, were inlaid on the trade route, providing weary merchants with warm food and lodging and safe shelter.

The soldiers of the Merchant Protection Office, gleaming in their armor, patrolled regularly, eliminating bandits and freeing merchants from the need to hire large numbers of private guards, thus significantly reducing costs.

Improved logistics efficiency has led to a surge in trade volume.

Camel caravans from the Western Regions, laden with spices, gems, carpets, and fine wines, traveled eastward along the newly constructed western trade route.

A caravan from Jiangnan, carrying exquisite silk, porcelain, tea, and rice, passed through Panshibao and continuously entered Hanyuan.

A caravan of horses from the grasslands, laden with mountains of furs, cheese, medicinal herbs, and fine horses, gathered at the Baishui market.

Merchant ships from the Northern Yan, loaded with ginseng, sable fur, timber, and ore, anchored at the Qinghe Town dock.

All these goods were gathered, traded, and distributed in the "Great Market of All Goods" in Zhenbei City.

Spices from the Western Regions were bought up by merchants from Jiangnan, silk from Jiangnan was snapped up by nobility from the grasslands, and fine horses from the grasslands were fiercely contested by the Hanyuan military and horse traders from the Central Plains. Salt, iron, cloth, and tools produced in Hanyuan were sold to all corners of the world.

Zhenbei City, this magnificent city that rises from the ground, has truly become the logistics hub, trade center, and heart of wealth in the northern region thanks to its well-connected thoroughfares.

Every day, the city gates were bustling with traffic, the market was teeming with people, and the sounds of gold and silver flowing through the streets were incessant.

Commercial and customs revenues grew exponentially, becoming one of the most important pillars of Hanyuan's finances.

Xiao Chen walked among the bustling crowds of the "World of Goods Market," watching merchants of different skin colors, languages, and clothing haggling and making deals, their faces beaming with satisfaction.

The air was filled with the unique aroma of spices, tea, leather, and oils—the scent of wealth, prosperity, and vitality.

"Your Highness, look."

Han Lie pointed to a huge sign in the distance, "That's the 'Persian Merchants' Guild Hall.' It's said that their caravan has brought over a hundred fine Ferghana horses and dozens of luminous pearls the size of longan leaves, which they plan to auction here."

"Oh? An auction?" Xiao Chen asked with interest.

"Yes, this is the new 'competitive bidding' method newly implemented by the Maritime Trade Office. For rare goods, the highest bidder wins. I heard that wealthy merchants from Jiangnan and the capital have all rushed here, ready to spend big," Han Lie said with a smile.

"Okay, very good."

Xiao Chen nodded, "We not only need to attract them, but also ensure they stay, spend their money happily, and earn a satisfactory amount."

Tell the Maritime Trade Office that they could consider opening an "official auction house" in Zhenbei City, specializing in auctioning top luxury goods and scarce commodities.

Furthermore, let the Imperial Academy of Natural History consider whether it's possible to promote our "Jingbei Tongbao" coins among these foreign merchants and other traders, so they can get used to using our currency for transactions.

"Yes, I will take care of it right away," Han Lie replied.

A thoroughfare connects not only roads, but also wealth and opportunities.

It transformed Hanyuan from a remote border region into the prototype of a commercial empire connecting east and west and linking north and south.

Money, goods, information, and talent flow continuously through these thoroughfares, nourishing the towering tree of Hanyuan, which is growing strong and flourishing.