317: Chapter 317 Respect or Not

The next afternoon, Lin Xiao, accompanied by his women, passed through Qin Water and arrived in Lincang.

The journey, which originally took at least a day, had been shortened by more than half a day thanks to the cement roads.

Because of this convenient transportation, the volume of goods traveling along the imperial road was much greater than before.

Watching the carriages, each stamped with the "Northern Trade Alliance" logo, transporting goods to various places, Lin Xiao felt quite a sense of accomplishment.

Upon arriving at the city gates, a group of officials was already waiting. The official in the lead, though average in appearance, was full of energy and impeccably dressed.

"Your humble subordinate, Prefect Cai Heng, pays his respects to Lin Xiao!"

Lin Xiao was slightly surprised at first glance. This guy used to look so rustic; how had he changed so much?

Upon closer inspection, he noticed a few clues.

"Assistant Minister Cai, congratulations, you've taken a wife?"

Lin Xiao realized that this guy was already in a "married" state.

Prefect Cai Heng's dark face flushed red. "General Lin... how do you even know about my marriage?"

"You are a talent I have my eye on, so naturally, I must pay more attention to you!"

Lin Xiao said in an earnest tone.

Looking at this guy's entry again... the "Unpolished Jade" entry had already become "Astute and Capable"!

It seemed this piece of unpolished jade had truly yielded results after this period of training.

Upon hearing this, Prefect Cai Heng's body trembled, and his eyes turned red.

"The General fights battles in the east and west, commanding hundreds of thousands of troops, yet you still care about such a small private matter of mine?"

Lin Xiao waved his hand. "There is no need to be so emotional. Although I couldn't drink a glass of your wedding wine, seeing you like this, you must have married a virtuous and gentle woman."

"My lady, later, please help me send a congratulatory gift to Prefect Cai Heng's residence. Let's share in the joy!"

Xiao Qingxuan smiled and nodded. "Yes, husband."

Prefect Cai Heng was suddenly stunned. "General... you... what did you say?! Prefect?!"

"That's right. I remember the position of Prefect in Lincang Prefecture is still vacant. It's yours!" Lin Xiao waved his hand decisively.

Prefect Cai Heng knelt down in a panic. "General, absolutely not. That is against the rules!"

"How is it against the rules?"

"The position of Prefect, according to imperial law, requires appointment by the imperial court. The local government cannot make decisions on its own..."

"So, do you think that if the imperial court sends someone here, they can do better than you? Can they make the people of Lincang happier?" Lin Xiao asked back.

"This..." Prefect Cai Heng was speechless.

Lin Xiao said sternly, "Prefect Cai Heng, if you truly want to do things for the people, stop with these formalities! Unless you lack the confidence to be a good Prefect!!"

A surge of spirit rose in Prefect Cai Heng's chest, and he kowtowed. "Your subordinate, Prefect Cai Heng, will never fail the General's high expectations! And I will never let the people of Lincang down!!"

"That's right!"

Lin Xiao laughed. "Let's go. Tonight, we will walk around Lincang Prefecture to see the results of your governance. Tomorrow, we will take a trip to Xinghua Village!"

"General, please, follow me!"

Prefect Cai Heng, full of confidence, led Lin Xiao and his party into the city.

The roads in the city had already been renovated, and the construction of public toilets, parking lots, etc., was already much the same as in Baishui.

"General, now, according to your requirements, we have achieved full enrollment for all boys and girls in Lincang Prefecture."

"All schools are free. Although paper and ink are insufficient, we can still teach using sand trays, water, and other methods."

"In addition, those over fifty years old can receive a free bowl of rice porridge and a small portion of pickles every day at the Northern Canteens."

Prefect Cai Heng told Lin Xiao about the various reforms that had been implemented, as if counting family treasures.

Lin Xiao listened patiently, waving to the people who recognized him from time to time.

Occasionally receiving some Insight Points, this feeling was quite good.

When they passed by a larger storefront, they discovered that the parking lot at the entrance was filled with various flashy carriages.

Many were new products made by the "Northern Carriage Shop," designed with simple spring shock absorbers.

There was a long line at the store, and many well-dressed women were chattering away.

The shop assistants were lighting honeycomb coal braziers nearby and serving ginger tea to the customers to ensure they didn't get cold.

"This is... Northern Cottage?" Lin Xiao asked.

"To be precise, it is the 'Northern Cottage Premium Store'," Prefect Cai Heng explained with a serious face.

"Huh?"

Lin Xiao looked at Su Wansha in confusion. This area was entirely managed by women.

Su Wansha had long been impatient. She stepped forward quickly and smiled proudly. "Husband, this was designed according to the planning ideas you gave me."

"Didn't you provide a 'flagship store' plan? I felt that people wouldn't really understand that name."

"So I changed it to 'Premium Store'. Husband, look, the words 'Northern Cottage' were written by Elder Zhu himself!"

Lin Xiao looked at the flamboyant calligraphy and it really was different. "Elder Zhu was willing to write this?"

"The teacher was reluctant, but I gave his wife a 'Premium Membership', which allows her to buy various Northern Cottage products at a 20% discount. Then he had no choice!"

Su Wansha looked triumphant. "Husband, look at the cyan jade steps at the entrance, the glazed tiles on the roof, and the Western Qiang lambskin jackets worn by the shop assistants. Every single item was carefully selected by me. This is the only place that has them. Tell me, is it noble or not?"

Looking at the woman's expectant gaze, which was practically begging for praise, Lin Xiao was suddenly a bit bewildered.

"Noble, it's too noble! My wife is truly a genius in the way of business!"

Xiao Qingxuan seemed to have known about this Premium Store for a while. She whispered, "Husband, you don't know. This store specializes in supplying limited-edition Snow Skin Cream. One jar can sell for hundreds of taels of silver. I don't even bear to use it!"

"Many wealthy young masters drive for days to line up and buy it just to win a smile from a beauty!"

Lin Xiao was incredulous when he heard the price!

Damn it!

He only intended to sell basic skincare, and she turned it into Estée Lauder!!

I suppose only you women understand women!

However, harvesting the assets of the wealthy and moving toward common prosperity is a good thing!

Lin Xiao encouraged her. "Wansha, well done. The Premium Store must continue to be promoted in the future. Strive to sell one jar for a thousand taels!"

"Thank you, husband! I am preparing to open one in Yong Province and one in the Yan Region!"

Su Wansha was encouraged and overjoyed, feeling full of energy.

After resting for a night in Lincang, the next morning, the group headed straight to Xinghua Village.

Prefect Cai Heng waited at the entrance early in the morning, insisting on accompanying them. Lin Xiao had no choice but to take him along.

Actually, Lin Xiao originally planned to wait until after the New Year to check on how the liquor workshop was doing, but the incident with the Qinhuai Pavilion spy meant he had to have a showdown with Shu Yelan.

This Master of Yanyu Pavilion had been idle for long enough.

Now that Prince Bai was dead and Lou Suifeng was also dead, it was time for Yanyu Pavilion to get a new master.

Just as they arrived at the mountain road entrance to Xinghua Village, Lin Xiao saw a young fisherman returning from outside.

The fisherman glanced at Lin Xiao and his party, lowered his head cautiously, and then silently moved aside.

Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes and was about to say something, but he heard Prefect Cai Heng, who was accompanying them, speak up:

"Ah Liang, back from fishing?"

Lin Xiao was stunned. "You know each other?"