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

Zhang Zhubo looked solemnly at Zhou Yu, who was sitting at the head of the table, and asked solemnly, "Sir, we are undecided at the moment. Please make the decision for us, sir."

Zhou Yu's original intention was to provide the people with a place to set up stalls so that they would not be deliberately bullied in the future because of their vulnerable status.

He knew clearly that once the grass market was built, if there was no one to maintain and manage it, the chaos would only get worse over time. For the weak people, it would just be another place for people to be bullied.

Therefore, from the very beginning, Zhou Yu planned to set up this system in the hope that Caoshi could be maintained for a long time.

He didn't expect that before he could finish his thoughts, these people started arguing.

This is good, he can find out what his subordinates are thinking.

Zhou Yu first stated his position, "The tax on Cao Market must be collected. Zhang Zhubu, please draft a document and reduce it slightly according to the current commercial tax policy."

"The county government doesn't want to make money from the market, but at least it wants to ensure that it can maintain order in the long run."

Zhang Zhubu was stunned. He didn't expect that his master would not stand on his side this time.

Although I am disappointed, I still want to fight for the people.

"Sir, the minimum monthly wage for setting up stalls in the county is fifty cents. Even if it's reduced to thirty cents, it's still too expensive for ordinary people to pay."

One of the clerks said, "We don't have to collect thirty coins at once. We can collect it every day. This way, the pressure on the people will be less."

"Your Excellency's original intention was to reduce the burden on the people. Even before making any money, you have to pay a fee to enter the city and the market. This will scare away many people."

County Magistrate Guo said irritably, "This is not acceptable, and that is not acceptable. Zhang Zhubu, you are not a commoner, so how do you know they are unwilling?"

"How could I not know? I grew up among people like that. They're the kind of people who think twice before spending even a penny. No matter how good a policy is, if it doesn't take their difficulties into consideration, it's fine if it's not implemented!"

"You...you are too stubborn!"

Zhang Zhubu snorted coldly and said nothing.

“…”

The argument started again. Zhou Yu felt that the argument had reached a certain point and that no result would be achieved if they were allowed to continue. It was time for him to express his opinion.

So he knocked on the table, attracting the attention of his subordinates who were staring at each other, and said calmly:

"Zhang Zhubu is right. My original intention was to support the people's livelihood and provide a platform for them to support their families. If I had increased their burden from the beginning, I would have put the cart before the horse."

Zhang Zhubu nodded in agreement and said in a high voice, "That's right, that's right, Your Excellency is very wise!"

County Lieutenant Guo, who was standing by, couldn't help cursing in his heart, thinking that these tasks didn't need to fall on you.

Grace and power, grace and power. Without grace, where would the power come from?

If there is no benefit in letting these guys under him take care of those trivial matters, he is worried that they will do things that are hypocritical over time.

How can he manage the team then?

Therefore, we must fight for the interests that we should fight for.

He called out anxiously: "Sir..."

Zhou Yu raised his hand to interrupt him and continued, "But with so many people, there will inevitably be disputes. We must send someone to manage it."

"The county government still owes you all your salaries. The operating funds for this Grass Market must come from the Grass Market. This is also a long-term consideration."

When the county magistrate said this, everyone was dumbfounded and didn't understand what the county magistrate meant.

He said slowly, "Well, I think we can first remove a heavy burden from the people. Let's cancel the entrance fee for those outside the city."

Everyone was stunned for a moment. They really didn't expect the adults to come up with this idea.

Zhang Zhubu was the first to react, his eyes sparkling, and he said excitedly, "That's a great idea!"

He had long wanted to propose abolishing the entrance fee, but he had never had a suitable reason.

Now, your Excellency's method can be said to kill two birds with one stone. Not only has the entrance fee been cancelled, but the operating funds for Caoshi have also been provided.

In this way, it costs nothing to enter the city, but only one penny to set up a stall in the grass market.

The burden on the people did not increase. Instead, after entering the city, they could go to the market to sell their own fruits and vegetables, so the people would certainly be willing to do so.

County Lieutenant Guo reacted and realized that the master had thought of a response plan long ago. He no longer argued as before, but thought about the feasibility of this matter in his mind.

A clerk in charge of this area asked, "Sir, the city has not yet fully recovered, the county treasury is still empty, and the officials are still owed money and grain. The city gates and walls also need money and grain to repair. Should we cancel the entrance fee now..."

Zhou Yu raised his hand to stop him. "I only said that the entrance fee for the people within my jurisdiction will be cancelled. As for the merchants from outside, they will still pay as they should."

"As for the remaining vacancies, I believe that the influx of civilians into the city to consume will also boost the income of the shops within. This should not be a problem."

Seeing that his subordinates could no longer come up with any reason to refute, Zhou Yu cut the Gordian knot and did not ask the chief clerk to write any documents. He just wrote a notice, dried the ink, and passed it on.

"Please take a look and see if there is anything you need to add. If there is nothing wrong, I will immediately have it posted at the foot of the city wall and read it to the public."

Everyone knew that there was no turning back, so they just accepted their fate and circulated the letter.

During this time, Zhou Yu asked Liangtian to serve some tea and pastries to everyone.

After arguing for the whole morning, everyone finally relaxed and felt empty in their stomachs, thirsty and hungry.

Zhang Zhubu, who had put his worries aside, picked up a piece of Jinyu Cake without hesitation and put it into his mouth. It was soft, sticky and full of milky flavor. After eating three pieces in one breath, Zhang Zhubu still felt unsatisfied.

At this time, in order to make it look elegant and beautiful, only five cakes were placed on a small plate.

Zhang Zhubu ate three pieces at once, which made Guo Xianwei, who was sharing a plate of snacks with him, very unhappy.

He quickly picked up the last piece of cake on the plate, picked it up in his hand, and put it directly into his mouth in a show-off manner.

Zhang Zhubu, who was so angry that he reached out to take it, stared blankly.

Zhang Zhubu snorted and was in a good mood today so he didn't bother with him.

He turned to look up at Zhou Yu and asked, "Sir, the cakes here are better than those bought outside. I wonder where to buy these golden cakes? I want to buy some back for my mother to try."

The officials who were eating cakes also pricked up their ears to listen. These cakes were more delicate and exquisite than any they had eaten before.

They also wanted to buy some to take home and share with their wives and children.

Zhou Yu didn't know this, so he called Liang Tian and asked him to tell everyone.

After the matter was settled, everyone called their own followers and ordered them to go to Weiyuefang to order cakes.