Post by Gongsun Chao on Nov 17, 2009 0:15:09 GMT
The plans had been underway for a few weeks before Chao arrived in the city of Guiyang. Since his speech here a few weeks prior, Chao had posted men along the road to Guiyang to examine the possibility for trade, and to examine the city itself. Finally, an opportunity had presented itself when the owner of a large estate, the last of his family, passed away and left his property for the state to use.
Guiyang had a small market in the center of the city, but it was limited in size due to the expanse of residential housing that surrounded it. This raised stall rents and hurt the business of the merchants, but they knew that they would not do business elsewhere in the city. People would only shop at the established markets.
Chao first decided to alleviate that. He and his men spread word in the city that there would soon be a new market, with exotic goods from the North and much cheaper prices. The residents became excited when they saw construction begin on the grounds of that estate. They were surprised to see both soldiers and civilian construction workers working day and night on the estate.
"Here we can build a secondary market," explained Chao's strategist, Zhou Xu. "The costs to the merchants will then be less, allowing the merchants to sell at lower prices and attract more customers. It is a very beneficial situation. With the construction of a trade route, as your men have begun along the road, it will allow for this market to prosper and bring great revenue to this city."
"Then I will make sure that our men work hard, Xu. Thank you for planning this. If you could check on the route construction on your return to Changsha...it would be appreciated. Make sure that each of the checkpoints are defensible against small bandit groups, and that they possess the necessities for the guards to sleep there."
"Yes, m'Lord"
Chao's strategist left and followed the route back to Changsha. Along that route, Chao's men had begun construction of checkpoints for every three hours of the ride. Each of these checkpoints could be manned by a couple of guards, and they'd be able to quickly get word to the city if there was any bandit activity. More importantly, these checkpoints would make it safe to travel from Changsha to Guiyang and trade. Merchants in both cities were ecstatic with the promise of profits ($$$).
Chao concerned himself with the new market that was under construction in Guiyang. Again, he wasn't the best at performing the actual construction, but he used his skills with words to motivate his men.
"Men of the Standard, show the Heavens that we are the elite force of the Lord's army. We are prepared for peace and for war, nothing can shake us. Your hard work shall directly improve the lives of your families here in Southern Jing! This is why you fight, and this is why we work!"
Inspired, his men continued their work day and night.
Chao had also hired a group of Miao minority construction workers to aid in the construction, promising them a few stalls in the new market for the rice that they grew. The Miao population generally came together well, but they could not afford an expensive stall in Guiyang's current market. They were hopeful.
The actual plans of the building was simple, it would be a normal market (with stalls and the like), but protected by the large roof of the estate on which it was being built. Then, business would not suffer from rain as badly as it did in the main market. Some of the walls of the estate had to come down, but Chao's strong men made light work of it. They left enough walls to hold up the estate's roof, and built extra support beams in the middle of the estate just in case.
The construction took weeks, but since Chao had over seven-thousand men in his employ, not to mention the Miao construction workers that he hired, it went a lot faster than it normally would. Chao had also made deals with many merchants, promising them stalls at lower rents than were possible at the main market. On the day Chao's market was complete, he stood before a large crowd of people from Guiyang excited for exotic goods and low prices.
"People of Guiyang, today marks the first day of a new prosperity for this city! This new market will be stocked with lower priced goods, better quality goods, and many goods from the Lord's capital of Changsha. The lower prices will encourage more trade, more commerce, and more revenue. It will go a long way to helping to alleviate the strain that the wars of the last few years have put on each of you."
"Welcome," Chao's voice boomed through the crowd. "To the Grand Opening of the Gongsun Jieming Memorial Market! May each of you find what your heart desires, and may this great city prosper for eternity!"
Guiyang had a small market in the center of the city, but it was limited in size due to the expanse of residential housing that surrounded it. This raised stall rents and hurt the business of the merchants, but they knew that they would not do business elsewhere in the city. People would only shop at the established markets.
Chao first decided to alleviate that. He and his men spread word in the city that there would soon be a new market, with exotic goods from the North and much cheaper prices. The residents became excited when they saw construction begin on the grounds of that estate. They were surprised to see both soldiers and civilian construction workers working day and night on the estate.
"Here we can build a secondary market," explained Chao's strategist, Zhou Xu. "The costs to the merchants will then be less, allowing the merchants to sell at lower prices and attract more customers. It is a very beneficial situation. With the construction of a trade route, as your men have begun along the road, it will allow for this market to prosper and bring great revenue to this city."
"Then I will make sure that our men work hard, Xu. Thank you for planning this. If you could check on the route construction on your return to Changsha...it would be appreciated. Make sure that each of the checkpoints are defensible against small bandit groups, and that they possess the necessities for the guards to sleep there."
"Yes, m'Lord"
Chao's strategist left and followed the route back to Changsha. Along that route, Chao's men had begun construction of checkpoints for every three hours of the ride. Each of these checkpoints could be manned by a couple of guards, and they'd be able to quickly get word to the city if there was any bandit activity. More importantly, these checkpoints would make it safe to travel from Changsha to Guiyang and trade. Merchants in both cities were ecstatic with the promise of profits ($$$).
Chao concerned himself with the new market that was under construction in Guiyang. Again, he wasn't the best at performing the actual construction, but he used his skills with words to motivate his men.
"Men of the Standard, show the Heavens that we are the elite force of the Lord's army. We are prepared for peace and for war, nothing can shake us. Your hard work shall directly improve the lives of your families here in Southern Jing! This is why you fight, and this is why we work!"
Inspired, his men continued their work day and night.
Chao had also hired a group of Miao minority construction workers to aid in the construction, promising them a few stalls in the new market for the rice that they grew. The Miao population generally came together well, but they could not afford an expensive stall in Guiyang's current market. They were hopeful.
The actual plans of the building was simple, it would be a normal market (with stalls and the like), but protected by the large roof of the estate on which it was being built. Then, business would not suffer from rain as badly as it did in the main market. Some of the walls of the estate had to come down, but Chao's strong men made light work of it. They left enough walls to hold up the estate's roof, and built extra support beams in the middle of the estate just in case.
The construction took weeks, but since Chao had over seven-thousand men in his employ, not to mention the Miao construction workers that he hired, it went a lot faster than it normally would. Chao had also made deals with many merchants, promising them stalls at lower rents than were possible at the main market. On the day Chao's market was complete, he stood before a large crowd of people from Guiyang excited for exotic goods and low prices.
"People of Guiyang, today marks the first day of a new prosperity for this city! This new market will be stocked with lower priced goods, better quality goods, and many goods from the Lord's capital of Changsha. The lower prices will encourage more trade, more commerce, and more revenue. It will go a long way to helping to alleviate the strain that the wars of the last few years have put on each of you."
"Welcome," Chao's voice boomed through the crowd. "To the Grand Opening of the Gongsun Jieming Memorial Market! May each of you find what your heart desires, and may this great city prosper for eternity!"