285: Chapter 285 Commerce knows no borders, but businessmen have nationalities!

Zhao Fusu's desire to launch an economic war was inseparable from the help of the School of Merchants.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, the royal house declined and the feudal lords vied for hegemony; scholars traveled between states to offer counsel, leading to the emergence of the Hundred Schools of Thought during the Warring States Period.

The twelve schools—including the School of Yin-Yang, Confucianism, Mohism, the School of Names, Legalism, Taoism, the School of Diplomacy, Eclecticism, the School of Agriculture, the School of Military Strategy, and the School of Medicine—were the most powerful forces among the Hundred Schools of Thought.

Confucianism, Legalism, the School of Military Strategy, and the School of Diplomacy leaned toward the political, military, and ethical fields.

Mohism, Taoism, the School of Names, the School of Medicine, and the School of Agriculture leaned toward natural crafts, logic, and similar fields.

Others, such as the School of Zen, Eclecticism, and the School of Calligraphers and Painters, leaned toward the humanities and arts.

Certain factors required for the development of modern Western science had already sprouted in Chinese culture; for example, the social ethics of Confucianism as scientific social norms, the practical experience of Mohism as experimental techniques and methods, and prototypes of several technical inventions.

The School of Merchants was not particularly prominent among the Hundred Schools of Thought.

Under the suppression of the First Emperor, it had barely managed to survive.

During these past two and a half years, under Zhao Fusu's policies, many commoners turned to trade, and the School of Merchants took the opportunity to recruit many talents, causing their merchant caravans to grow in number.

Zhao Fusu would not let this force, the School of Merchants, slip away.

He intended to dispatch party organizations of the Huaxia Party into the School of Merchants to manage them.

Business has no borders, but businessmen have nationalities!

He needed a School of Merchants that served the Great Qin, not one that bit the hand that fed it!

A cold light flickered in Zhao Fusu's eyes.

If the leader of the School of Merchants did not know what was good for them, he wouldn't mind supporting a proxy within the school to push out the current leader and take over.

Zhao Fusu summoned He Zhi, the leader of the Black Ice Platform Shadow Guards.

"Greetings, His Majesty the Head of State."

He Zhi knelt on one knee before Zhao Fusu.

Looking at He Zhi, who had been imprinted with his Thought Steel Seal, Zhao Fusu trusted him implicitly.

System-produced items were always of the highest quality; he didn't need to worry about He Zhi betraying him.

Thus, he could confidently leave tasks for He Zhi to handle.

"Investigate who the current leader of the School of Merchants is and bring them to see me."

Zhao Fusu instructed.

"Nuo!"

He Zhi cupped his fists, accepted the order, and withdrew.

With the intelligence capabilities of the Black Ice Platform, it didn't take long for He Zhi to find clues about the leader of the School of Merchants.

He also discovered that the leader of the School of Merchants had been trying to meet His Majesty the Head of State, but no one had introduced her.

After learning the location of the School of Merchants' headquarters, he sent someone to notify them, telling the leader to come see him so he could take her to meet His Majesty the Head of State.

"I can finally see His Majesty the Head of State!"

Sitting behind a screen, Shang Ziling listened to her subordinate's report, an excited expression appearing on her pretty face beneath her veil.

Throughout these past two and a half years, Shang Ziling had grown increasingly eager to meet the mysterious Paramount Leader who had completely transformed the Great Qin.

Now that she had the chance to meet His Majesty the Head of State—and at his own personal request—how could Shang Ziling not be excited?

She was also curious as to why His Majesty the Head of State wanted to see her.

This made Shang Ziling feel a bit apprehensive.

But if she could get on good terms with His Majesty the Head of State, she could directly obtain goods such as Magic Box Napkins, Xishan Jade Paper, A4 paper, Wool Sweaters, Milk, Ramie Clothing, and Glassware from him.

In ancient times, the social hierarchy followed the Four Occupations of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants; even though Zhao Fusu had been supporting industry and commerce for these past three years, the status of merchants in this society remained very low, and the goods Shang Ziling obtained were passed through several hands.

This put her at a disadvantage in market competition, which was a major reason why she had been constantly seeking avenues to meet His Majesty the Head of State during these past two and a half years!

She knew very well that if the School of Merchants wanted to grow, they had to secure a direct source of goods!