Move, move, move! Everyone, listen up! From now on, this street will be managed by our county office. I have decided. This street will be rezoned and auctioned off by area. What does that mean? What is an area auction? I am dividing this place into three zones . Zone A over there is the prime location. Starting price is 50 taels. Zone B is 30 taels, highest bidder takes it. Anyone without money can get lost to Zone C. This is blatant exploitation! I don't believe you're not hateful or angry. 50 taels! I want the#1 spot in Zone A, I bid 55 taels! I sell Suzhou silk. This spot must be mine. I bid 60 taels. Don't any of you compete with me! I bid 80. Brother Lu, let's pool our money for that Zone B spot, half each? Let's do it. Hey, pay up then! Pay up! I'm supposed to be oppressing you all! How are these people managing to pay me while learning to crowd-fund and lease like this? Eldest Miss, the money has been collected, and the zoning is complete. The street entrance now has jewelry and silk, the middle has grains and food, and the end has produce and general goods. All the merchants are endlessly thanking you, Eldest Miss. They say you helped them solve it. The difficult issue of reasonable zoning that has been disputed for ages. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to my work . Go, go, go! System detected: Host has shaken the stagnant commercial capital of Tao Yuan County. Congratulations to the host for exceeding mission expectations. Bonus reward: 1 million yuan. This works too? Xu Youde, you’ve raised quite a daughter! Not only raising private soldiers but imposing harsh policies to bleed the merchants dry. When I return, I will file a formal report. The Xu family is finished this time. Vegetables for sale ! Fresh, delicious vegetables! Tiger Head Gang at work! Anyone not involved, quickly...Have mercy, please! We've already handed all our money to the Xu family, we really don't have a penny left. Let me tell you, in this Taoyuan County, the Tiger Head Gang has always been in charge. What is the Xu family anyway? Stop right there. Which zoo did you escape from to dare touch my people ? Liu Er, are you all idiots? These merchants are my harvest, beat them up for me. Understood. Brothers, take care of them. Hit them, hit them good, strike them hard! Stop hitting. You've overturned this lady's stall. If you hurt these people, who will pay the monthly rent to our young miss? Are you going to pay it instead? Go back and tell your gang: anyone who dares to cause trouble here again will be chopped up and fed to the dogs, got it? Drag them out. That's great. Wonderful, they're finally driven away. We don't have to be afraid anymore. They're gone , now we can finally rest easy. What are you doing? Get back to earning money. Whoever is lazy and doesn't earn money, I'll raise your rent next month. Young miss, you just said we are all your people. I did, and you told Liu Er to drive away the Tiger Head Gang to protect us. You truly are a kind person . A great philanthropist, you mean? Not really. I only did that so you could pay your rent to me. From now on, this street will only operate under the name of the Xu family. We are all your people. We are all your people. Everyone, listen to me explain first. I really am just doing it for my own crop . We are all your people. Your Highness , this Xu daughter is truly excessive. Doing it just for her own pockets, isn't this just thieves fighting thieves? Do you think she stepped in just for that bit of money? Isn't that exactly why? That little bit of management fee isn't even enough to cover the costs of her guards. She is using an iron fist to establish rules. Your Highness means...look at this main street. The roads are wide, the zones are clearly divided, and everything is in perfect order. When the wealthy come in their carriages, business becomes easier for the poor. She managed to help the commoners trade much more efficiently with just a wooden board. If the imperial court could learn from this management method. Perhaps the Great Gan treasury could be saved. Xu Qinghuan, just how many more surprises do you have in store for me? System, I have overfulfilled the embezzlement mission, a full 200,000 taels of silver . Isn't that impressive? Embezzlement mission settlement anomaly detected. The 200,000 taels you earned are legal business profits; they don't count toward the embezzlement quota, and you've also received a "Good Person" card. A "Good Person" card? The host is required to spend this money within 30 days and re-complete the 200,000 tael embezzlement mission that would make the court furious. What? I have to start embezzling all over again? The east side is good land, buying it is like a real estate investment; the south faces the river, dock business... no, that won't do, I can't risk any profit. What should I do? Niushou Mountain, a desolate rocky mountain where grass doesn't grow. It’s hard to even find a rabbit up there. Building a road here is completely worthless, a total waste of money. This is the place. Niushou Mountain. That's right, I want to see a road here within a month. My Lady, that godforsaken place sees no one at all. Building a road there is like throwing money out the window. I just want to go up there for the view, is that not allowed? Fine , it's your decision. I'll go find workers from elsewhere to break the stones...No need. Aren't there many refugees outside the city? Those refugees are all old, weak, and sick; they're useless. I specifically want the old, weak, and sick; as long as they're still breathing, it's fine. Anyone who can lift a stone, send them all up the mountain for me. That works too, though progress will be a bit slow , it can save quite a lot of money. What? We only need to provide them two meals of thin porridge, no need to pay wages; not paying them won't do. 100 wen a day, 100 wen, 100 wen is enough for a family of five to eat well for three days. You reminding me makes me realize I also need to provide meals. Three meals a day, and every meal must include meat. My lady, giving them a bite to eat is already a great favor, now you're giving money and meat too. This, this is ruining the rules of charity. Well, if they're ruined, they're ruined; just go do it quickly. Make a big show of it for me. Has the eldest miss lost her mind? Wu Xia, did my daughter really say that? Yes, my lord, she did. The eldest miss said she wants to build a road on Niushou Mountain and build a star-gazing tower there to admire the scenery. Niushou Mountain. Niushou Mountain is the highest point in Taoyuan County. If I build a road up there, to the west I can observe the main road, to the north I can see the river dikes, and I can take in all of Taoyuan County. If there is ever any turmoil in the future, this place will be the most solid fortress. It truly is a good spot. Not only that, the miss also said to buy some coal ash . That waste material left over after burning. No one even wants it. It blows away with the wind; it's not stable enough to pave a road. It's ugly in color; paving it on the road looks all gray and dreary, making people feel annoyed is only natural. And furthermore, why go to the forge to buy iron scraps? That kind of scrap nobody wants, what is she buying it for? Bury it in the ground to add weight; we can't let those refugees earn money too easily, we must tire them to death. This coal ash hardens when it meets water. If combined with iron bars as a skeleton, it will be a strategic road that won't break for a thousand years. It seems my daughter is making preparations in advance for our Xu family. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; she has left us a way out. Li Sheng, open the treasury. Whatever my daughter wants, give it to her, and if it's not enough, sell all the paintings and calligraphy in my study. My lord, those are all original works from the previous dynasty. Paintings are inanimate objects; people are what matter. My daughter, she...She has great foresight. She is playing a very big game. This whole family has gone mad. Eldest miss, these are the people selected from the refugees. As you requested, they are all old, weak, or sick, and I am very strong. I can carry things. Pick me, eldest miss, pick me. Time to put on a show again. What is all this noise? Everyone here looks like they were reincarnated as starving ghosts. Let it be clear, we are hiring workers, not running a charity. If you want money and meat, you must follow my rules. Those of you who are young and healthy are too cunning and hard to manage; I don't want you. That person with the limp, the one holding the child, and the one coughing up blood, too. Come here. Eldest miss, although I have no left hand, my right hand is very strong; I can carry loads. Eldest miss, as long as you don't look down on this old man, I will work my life away for you. Eldest miss, just give my children something to eat, and I'll do whatever you ask. That's more like it. Let the court take the healthy ones to build dikes; as for these outcasts, I will clean up this mess—spending 100 copper coins on them is a waste. Fine, I need people as easy to push around as you. The kind of people who will sell their lives for a little money—take them away and let them have a full meal first. Thank you, eldest miss, you are truly our benefactor. Everyone follows the eldest miss, right? Why are you kneeling again? You people...Since I was going to spend the money wastefully anyway, I might as well bestow it upon you weak and sickly lot. So...Trouble, big trouble, eldest miss, something has gone wrong. So early in the morning, what happened? At Niushou Mountain, they've dug up...they've dug up the Mountain God's bones. When digging the foundation for the Star-Plucking Tower, the shovels all snapped. Everyone says we've touched the Mountain God's bones; if we keep digging, we'll surely face divine retribution. More superstition? If I believe that, won't I end up penniless immediately? Ready the carriage. I must go see what this " Mountain God's bone" really is. My lady , please forgive us. We cannot keep digging this mountain. Touching the Mountain God's bone will bring divine punishment! So this pitch-black thing is the Mountain God's bone? This black rock is strangely hard. Fire won't crack it, and water won't soak it. Everyone says we have disturbed the bones of the Mountain God. My lady, please forgive us! Hand me that black thing. This isn't any "Mountain God's bone." This is top-grade iron ore. An area this large must hold a massive fortune. This "Mountain God's bone" is pure money. That's right, the laws of the Great Gan forbid private mining. Host, please complete the mission to embezzle 200,000 taels to infuriate the imperial court. If I seize this mine, secretly sell the iron ore, and pocket the cash, why wouldn't that count as embezzlement? My lady, spare our lives! Seal off the mountain. Block all entrances and exits! From today on, this place is no longer a construction site, but the mine of our Xu family. it but it is the mine of our Xu family. This is an iron mine. With the current warlords dividing the land, this iron can forge weapons and armor. Whoever holds the iron holds the power. " Mountain God's bone," my foot! This is my wealth. Dig it all up for me! Whoever dares to stop, I will throw them into this pit to sacrifice to the Mountain God. Dig! Dig up money for your young mistress! Dig! Also, if any of you dare to leak a single word of what happened today, I'll throw you down the mountain to feed the dogs. Get to work! She’s paving the road with cement. Only with sturdy roads can she constantly...transport this black gold down the mountain. She recruited refugees because they have clean backgrounds and are easy to control. She’s using the construction of the Star-Picking Pavilion as a cover to fence off this mining area. This is no 17-year-old girl. This monster plans ten steps for every single move. Father , I just thought these black rocks looked quite nice, so I wanted to bring them back to build a rockery. A rockery ? Using tens of thousands of tons of iron ore to build a rockery? This is true wisdom hiding behind a facade of foolishness. This is truly hiding one's light under a bushel. Beautiful, truly beautiful, so dark and glossy. Dig up some more, and don't let outsiders know ; this belongs only to our family to enjoy. Indeed, I'll tell Li Sheng to transport them under cover of night, making sure no one discovers it. Li Sheng, mobilize three squads from the county office to surround Niushou Mountain for me. Don't let a single bird escape. Just say the eldest miss is staying here and doesn't want to be disturbed. Understood. Your Majesty. Didn't Your Majesty say you would send someone? Why have you come here in person? You reported that Taoyuan County has iron ore and the southern front is tense. This concerns the fate of the nation, so I had to travel incognito to see it myself to be at ease. This Taoyuan County has been turned into a living hell by that demoness, Xu Qinghua. The Xu family caught all the villagers and forced them into the mines. They work day and night without rest, given only a bowl of thin porridge each day. Listen to that, it is truly cruel and immoral, it's preposterous. Let's go, I must see this for myself. This time, the father and daughter of the Xu family will surely be beheaded. Master Huang, do you see this? This, this is...This, this, this...This isn't right. Where is the thin porridge? Where are the shackles? Where are the blood-stained whips? Braised pork again. We ate it yesterday, and we're eating it today. Every single day, they force fish and meat into our mouths like this. My arm has grown so fat it's bigger than two people's arms put together. When I get home, my wife will surely complain that I look just like a pig. Let me tell you , Old Wang, you really are spoiled rotten; even with food in your mouth, you still can't keep it shut. This braised pork is a delicacy even those in the Imperial Capital wouldn't dare dream of, so why is it being looked down upon by these miners? Is this really what they meant by "a bowl of watery porridge a day"? Master Huang, this...this...everyone stop what you're doing! She's here, she's finally here. This is the person I mentioned, the daughter of the Xu family, Xu Qinghua. She must be annoyed to see these workers eating here. So she's here to stir up trouble; do you all want to start a riot? She’s truly overbearing . Who gave you permission to work? Every day you sneakily work overtime behind my back. My 200,000 taels of startup capital. If this were the modern food industry, it wouldn't even last a single round. You all are amazing, sneaking around to work yourselves to the bone every day. I've been burning through money for months, and yet it's still not gone. No, no more making money today. Distributing cash, handing out money! Who has elderly folks at home? I do, I do! 500 taels for each. Who is raising young children? Me, me! 1,000 taels for each child. Eldest Miss, I...don't have elderly folks or young children, and I don't have a wife either, just a bachelor. Then life alone must be very difficult for you. Give him 2,000 taels , 2,000 taels! I can finally afford to get married! If you don't count money until your hands are sore today, no one is allowed to leave. Miss Xu, you are truly a living Bodhisattva. That's right, honestly, we didn't dare skip work, we were just afraid of missing the cash distribution. Eldest Miss, for generations to come, we pledge our loyalty to the Xu family. We'll serve you like oxen and horses. Stop with the "oxen and horses" talk. I beg you, just be human and hurry up and spend all my money! I heard that an iron mine was uncovered in Taoyuan County; I thought the Xu family was plotting rebellion, so I intended to take their heads. But seeing it with my own eyes today, this Xu Qinghua is not simple at all. Your Majesty, illegal iron mining is no different from treason. Treason my foot ! If she wanted to rebel, she would have already trained the people of Taoyuan County into an iron army. It is just a waste to keep such talent in a remote place like Taoyuan County. It is truly a waste of potential. The four great clans of Jiangning are deeply rooted and difficult to uproot; their power is too vast to control. They even dare to feign compliance with my imperial decrees. I am in need of a sharp blade. Pass on my imperial decree . Appoint Xu Youde as the magistrate of Jiangning. Appoint Xu Qinghuan as the Anning County Princess. I want them to go to Jiangning to purge those powerful clans. Understood. I heard the imperial envoy is coming this afternoon; it must be about our unauthorized mining. The emperor already knows about the iron mine. This is a capital crime of treason. We will surely be exiled. I can finally accomplish my mission and return to the modern era. But I haven't enjoyed enough luxury yet. The imperial decree has arrived. The imperial decree has arrived. Xu Youde. Xu Qinghuan, receive the decree. By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: "Xu Youde, Magistrate of Taoyuan County, has governed with care for the people like his own children; he is hereby promoted to Magistrate of Jiangning.""His daughter, Xu Qinghuan, of noble spirit and boundless compassion, is hereby titled Anning County Princess." Thank you for the Emperor's grace. Your servant accepts the decree. I didn't expect to be promoted and sent to Jiangning, the most prosperous place of all. Promoted again, and made a County Princess, and now I have to go to Jiangning—a place so wealthy, how can I possibly go bankrupt there? System reminder: The mission to spend 200,000 taels has 6 hours remaining; if not completed, the host will be terminated immediately. Why is spending money so difficult? Why are watermelon seeds so complicated? Pass down the order. From this day forward, all watermelons in Jiangning must be seedless. Pass down the order: from this day forward, all watermelons in Jiangning must be seedless. From this day forward, all watermelons in Jiangning must be seedless. With seeds. A corrupt official should look like a corrupt official. Why are we going to Jiangning ? After the boat ride, we still have to take a carriage. Just bear with it a little longer. Who dares to block my carriage and stop me from spending my money? Leader, our men have cornered this Xu fellow in the woods, making sure he has nowhere to run. The master ordered us to humiliate him today, to show him whose territory Jiangning County really is.