Walking out of the city gate and watching the flying poplars and catkins falling on the river, Du Zhongxiao was a little sad for a moment. It was late spring again, and the weather was getting hotter and hotter day by day. I remember when I followed my mother to Linying County, it was also this season, and the poplars were flying like snow. Before I knew it, several years had passed, and I had become the head of the county from a young man who was running around for a living.

Not far from the city gate was a tea shop. Chairman Dong and County Magistrate Cheng took five people to wait there early and salute Du Zhongxiao together.

After looking at the few people, Du Zhongxiao said, "Are these five people selected by the county officials and servants?"

Zhu Wenxing, who was standing behind, hurriedly said: "Return to the commander, the younger ones are recommended by their colleagues."

After saying that, he saw that the others were looking at him with strange eyes and hurriedly stopped.

Du Zhongxiao didn't like others to call him a commander because in his previous life, this title was linked to some bad things in the old society, which made people feel uncomfortable. However, from the habit passed down from the Five Dynasties, the most commonly used title for the magistrate of the county magistrate is the commander, and it cannot be changed.

Du Zhongxiao nodded and said to everyone: "I borrowed some money from the county's officials a few days ago, saying that I would set up a warehouse to pay salary and rewards for those who work as officials in the county. This is the money owned by the people you work as officials, so you should not do anything randomly. Therefore, I asked you a few people to monitor this warehouse, including whether you make money or not, how to use the money, check the accounts every five days. You people will change every March, whether it is a round or a choice, and you will discuss it yourself. Anyone who belongs to this warehouse, whether it is money or business, is signed by the county magistrate, and the chief clerk crosses the check, and you will check it out, and I will sign it in the end. Remember, the money here is used for those who work as officials in the county. If you don't do it well, they will come to you."

County Magistrate Cheng and Chairman Dong looked at each other and bowed together with everyone: "Everything is based on the command of the magistrate!"

Du Zhongxiao smiled slightly and stopped explaining. When things were done one by one, they knew what to do.

Sitting down in the tea shop with everyone, Du Zhongxiao said: "I think about it over and over again. This library is similar to the business of private associations. Everyone raises the capital and makes money in the future. Because this time it is for public officials and servants to use it, what is the name of this community called "commune"?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, not knowing what to say for a moment. Most of the people gathered money to do business were called "Mei". There were the most maritime merchants in the Fujian and Yue areas, and there were also other places, but it was rare. But this was the first time I heard of the name "Commune". However, the magistrate said that everything was good, so he nodded together.

Du Zhongxiao took out a piece of paper and spread it on the table. He saw four big words "Yongcheng Commune" written on it.

Pointing to these four big characters, Du Zhongxiao said, "These are four characters I wrote, as the plaque in this library. I originally wanted to set it up here, but after thinking about it, it would be safe in the city. The county magistrate and chief clerk, you two choose a place in the yamen and make a plaque and hang these four characters. From now on, there will be the place where the county officials collect money. Usually, they will check the accounts and they will be there."

Chairman Dong didn't know what the matter was, so he stepped forward and respectfully accepted these four words and carefully put them away.

"This month, you can try it first, and then draft the regulations in a month and leave them to me." After that, Du Zhongxiao stood up. "The county cannot just borrow the capital of the public to show support. Your initial business will be set in this area."

Everyone stood up together and walked forward with Du Zhongxiao.

Looking at the shops on both sides, Du Zhongxiao asked, "I asked you to buy all the shops in this area. I wonder if they have completed the purchase?"

Chairman Dong said: "When I returned to the magistrate, there were 58 houses of various types in this area, and it cost 360 yuan to buy them. In addition, I compensated some businessmen for the total cost of 420 yuan. The accounts are clear, fair transactions are made, and there is no forced transaction. According to the magistrate's order, they will move all the way away the day after tomorrow, and choose another place to do business inside and outside the city."

Du Zhongxiao nodded without saying anything. According to his understanding, this amount is roughly normal. It seems that it is not his own money, so County Magistrate Cheng and Chairman Dong don’t have to do anything. The most valuable thing in this area is not the shops of these small businesses, but the inn and freight yards on the other side, which is the place to make a lot of money. Small businesses have governments to help find shops, so where can they not do business?

About one mile away, Du Zhongxiao took everyone and returned to the tea shop.

After I asked the waiter to have tea, Du Zhongxiao said: "I estimate that this section of the road can open about 20 or 30 stores. We run our own stores, so there is no need to open too many stores. Each type is limited to three. In my opinion, these stores are the most important. When we arrive at the dock, pedestrians need to go to such stores. Two or three wine companies, one sells extremely cheap ones, and the dishes are also simple and cheap, and they are exclusively for boatmen and boatmen. Another one sells good wine, and the dishes are exquisite, and of course they charge a lot of money. Those that are not high or low are also open as appropriate. The ones that sell groceries sell various local local products, such as reed mats, honey, dried dates, daylily, etc. These are required to be bought in the countryside. We make money, and the villagers also get affordable. There is a bathing place where people are looking for someone to scrub and wash clothes. I have already thought of the name, and it is called Huaqingchi--"

Hearing this, Zhu Wenyuan, who was standing, opened his mouth wide and said, "Oh my god, there is a special place to take a bath! I just cook a soup and wash it. Which one would spend money specifically-"

Seeing everyone looking at him again, Zhu Wenyuan hurriedly shut up halfway.

Du Zhongxiao said: "Don't underestimate this business. It's okay in summer. In autumn and winter, the business is good. Like Tokyo City, there are not only places for bathing, but also places for hot water. If someone can pedicure and press the bones, the business will be even better!"

There is no bathhouse in Yongcheng County now. In fact, Du Zhongxiao has only seen it in Beijing, and there is no such shop in other places. This is not because people at this time were not hygienic and often bathed at home. As for those who were so poor that they couldn't even afford hot water, they would be spared if they took a bath in winter.

"The tofu shop is a family. In the river, you can make a small grinding plate, specialize in grinding tofu, and then make dried beans, bean skins, etc., which can be sold from the docks everywhere. There are a lot of beans nearby, but not many people eat that thing. It is a pity to feed horses and mules. There must be a medicinal shop, which produces many medicinal materials nearby. Zhoucheng is a famous medicinal material production place in the Central Plains. It would be a pity to not do this business."

Bozhou has been a distribution center for medicinal materials in the Central Plains since ancient times. Not only are there many local products, but medicinal materials from all directions are also collected here, and many of them are refined here and sold to various places. In this era, medicinal materials were a big business, and it is really unreasonable that the official did not interfere.

Speaking of this, Du Zhongxiao pressed his hand on the table and said, "Okay, there are so many businesses I can think of. After a rough calculation, these businesses will take two or three years to pay off their capital and be enough for daily use in the county. If there are any other businesses, just think about it."

In addition to these businesses, there are also a few things that Du Zhongxiao has planned to make money, such as making soap, developing iron tools, etc., so they may not necessarily specialize in shops. Some small things in their previous lives can actually be made in this era, with small capital and high profits. Also, starting with making soap, you can start to study simple chemistry, and this path is the real sunny road.
Chapter completed!