It's hard for my elder sister. I rely on the mountains to farm and pay off my debts.

The villagers who came after hearing the news said anxiously to Zhao: "Oh, Auntie, why didn't you bring more? We are going to be so greedy!"

"If you guys are interested, I'll come back this afternoon!"

"Okay, okay, I'll order two."

"I'll order one!"

“…”

Everyone was talking about their own predetermined numbers, but Zhao was already so happy that her teeth were showing.

Most of the villagers, like Zhao, carry the jelly to their daughter's village or the village where their familiar relatives live.

Also, beans can be exchanged for jelly.

For a while, everyone's business was very good.

Of course, there were also some brave villagers who went to the county town in groups. They were reluctant to spend a penny on setting up a stall, so they simply carried their goods and sold them from street to street.

In less than half an hour, all twenty pieces of jelly were sold out. In just half a day, twenty cents were earned.

This is something I never dared to think about before.

The happy men immediately rushed home, intending to bring some more jelly back to the city to sell.

At this time, Zhou Yu returned to the county government office and immediately summoned his subordinates including the chief clerk and the county lieutenant to discuss the opening of a government-run shop.

Zhou Yu raised his hand and gestured to his subordinates, "Today, I got a bag of good tea. I would like to invite you to try it."

Everyone didn't understand what he meant and just lowered their heads to drink tea.

After a moment, they all came forward and said, "Good tea!"

"This tea is sweet and has a long aftertaste. It's a rare good tea!"

Zhou Yu had drunk many famous and fine teas, so of course he knew that this tea was good.

Seeing that his subordinates were very satisfied with the tea, he then said, "You may not know that this tea is produced locally."

All the officials and clerks were shocked!

Unlike Zhou Yu, an outsider official, these people are all experienced officials with many years of experience.

The local situation is most clear to me.

How come they haven't heard that tea can be produced locally?

For a moment, everyone forgot about Zhou Yu who was sitting at the top and started talking noisily.

Zhou Yu did not try to explain the confusion and let everyone discuss it.

Although Zhang Zhubu didn't understand what the county magistrate was going to do, he knew that his superiors would never just invite them to drink tea.

He stepped forward and asked, "We have been here for many years and have never heard of anything like this. Please enlighten me, sir."

Everyone present instantly quieted down, looking intently at the adult sitting at the head of the table.

Zhou Yu put down the teacup in his hand and did not answer Zhang Zhubo's question. Instead, he said slowly:

"This is what I want to tell you today. Tea is essential to people's livelihood and is also an important part of trade. If it can be utilized, it will not only increase people's income, but also drive the prosperity of our county."

Seeing that the county magistrate did not say anything clearly, everyone felt very anxious and uncomfortable, but they could only endure it for the time being and listen to what the magistrate would say next.

Zhou Yu paused and continued, "This tea is made from the leaves of a local medicinal herb. Since this area is mountainous, this herb is widely distributed and is also a rare economic crop."

"This county intends to open a government-run shop to purchase the leaves harvested by the people and make tea, as well as some local herbal products, and then sell them to merchants traveling from south to north."

"This will also increase the income of the people and alleviate the current predicament of the county government."

Everyone in the audience was a smart person. They knew that government-run shops were run by the government. So if the county government had money, wouldn't the lives of those working there be better?

Understanding the meaning behind this, most people responded in unison, "Your Excellency is wise, this method is very good!"

Zhang Zhubu, who was in charge of the finance and grain affairs, still had his own concerns. "Sir, if the government sets up government-run shops, isn't this competing with the people for profit?"

The main duty of the government is to educate the people and manage local affairs.

Government-run shops have a natural advantage over private shops. If this causes private shops to go out of business, wouldn’t that be putting the cart before the horse?

Zhou Yu looked at Zhang Zhubu with great appreciation.

He explained, "I set up government-run shops not to replace private shops, nor to stifle the business environment."

"On the contrary, our goal is to complement private shops and jointly build a healthy and orderly business environment."

"This is also the second thing I want to talk to you about today."

"I established this government-run shop not only to increase the people's income and alleviate the financial difficulties, but also to curb the bad habits of the current shops in the city."

"I heard that the herbal medicine shops in the city either refuse to accept the herbs collected by the people or buy them at a low price. As for the herbs from the south, they often mark them up two or three times the price."

"It's understandable that the drug dealers mark up the price for shipping the medicine all the way north, but as a pharmacy, I just sit back and enjoy the purchase, so why do I also mark up the price so much?"

"I opened this government-run shop to curb this phenomenon in the city and provide a fair place for the people who want to sell their goods."

“The people are not stupid enough to think of other cheaper options; their legs will choose for them.

"Those shops that rely on their power and don't take the people seriously should think carefully about whether they dare to lower prices any further!"

Zhang Zhubu was persuaded by Zhou Yu and took the initiative to say: "I am stupid, thank you for your guidance."

Zhou Yu waved his hand nonchalantly, "Do you have any further concerns? Please share them with us. If not, the establishment of the government-run shop is finalized!"

This is a good thing for the county government. These people are all veterans, so how could they possibly jump out to oppose it?

Seeing that no one objected, Zhou Yu continued his instructions, "County Lieutenant Guo, immediately dispatch some men to each village and inform the village heads to come to the county office at noon tomorrow. I have something to assign them."

"I'll go right away!" After saying that, he bowed and was about to leave.

But Zhou Yu stopped him, "Wait, there's a vacant lot behind the county government office. Lead your men to clear it out, and then build a few straw huts and stoves to prepare and stir-fry tea."

Having received two errands at once, County Lieutenant Guo did not dare to be negligent and immediately clasped his hands and left.

Zhou Yu looked at the remaining people and continued, "Let's discuss, let's discuss, since we are opening a government-run shop, we also need to invite the people to pick tea? Where will the money come from?"

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. How would they know this?

They all saw how poor the county government was. If Zhou Yu, who was somewhat capable, had not come this year, they would have no idea where to get their salaries.

Someone boldly said, "Sir, the county government is short of money right now. Why don't you pay for it first? When the government-run shop makes money, we'll pay you back with interest."

Most people looked at Zhou Yu with sharp eyes, waiting for his reaction expectantly.

How to say it, they actually thought so in their hearts, but they just didn’t dare to say it out loud!