On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

"Somersault? I think they're riding up there in a carriage!" A sea merchant with a Minnan accent said, his eyes shining. "Look at the port's throughput! Look at these ships! Look at the planning! In the future... this will be the second Wuqing! No! Even bigger than Wuqing! Even more prosperous!!"

"Your Highness... you're truly our adopted parent!" A merchant who had previously complained about the blockade policy was now filled with tears of emotion. "I was so blinded by greed back then! How dare I question Your Highness! Damn it! Damn it!"

In a private room on the second floor of the Merchants Hall, Zhang Li was holding a closed-door meeting with several of the most powerful business representatives.

The atmosphere was harmonious and warm.

"Madam! Your Highness is so far-sighted! We are sincerely impressed!" A middle-aged man named Huang bowed and said respectfully, "Let us sign the agreement for the first batch of residents to enter the Hudong Industrial Park! Funding, equipment, and craftsmen will be in place immediately!"

"Madam Zhang! Our Suzhou-Hangzhou Silk Guild is willing to establish the largest weaving branch in the Special Zone! Introduce the latest steam looms! Recruit a thousand female workers!" Sun Maocai couldn't wait to express his opinion.

"And there is our Jinling Money House! We fully support the preparation of the Special Zone Money House! The first batch of borrowing funds is three million taels! It will be credited to your account tomorrow!" Chow Tai Fook assured, patting his chest.

Zhang Li sat in the main seat, with a graceful and shrewd smile on her face, playing with an exquisite jade ruyi in her hand:

"Your Highness is aware of the sincerity of the bosses and is deeply pleased."

She changed the subject, with a hint of unquestionable control:

"Your Highness has said that Xiran, a sacred land, will bring eternal blessings. However, development and construction must proceed step by step and abide by the laws of the Special Administrative Region!"

She glanced at everyone with a hint of deep meaning:

"The first batch of development permits will be granted priority to those with substantial investment in the Hudong Industrial Park and a strong reputation. Development plans must be rigorously reviewed and approved by the General Administration's Planning and Construction Department and must comply with the Special Zone's overall planning and environmental protection requirements. The construction process must be fully supervised by the Special Zone's Ministry of Industry!"

"As for the value of the land..." Zhang Li smiled slightly, with the sharpness that only a business queen can muster. "Your Highness said, the market will have its own opinion. But if anyone hoards land, drives up prices, and disrupts market order..."

She didn't say anything else, but just picked up the teacup and took a sip.

But everyone remembered the bloody Korean head hanging on the East Gate Tower and the two wealthy businessmen who were living a life worse than death in the labor camp!

Everyone was startled and quickly expressed their opinions:

"Madam, rest assured! We would never dare to disobey His Highness's orders!"

"We must abide by the law and operate with integrity!"

"Everything is subject to your Highness's orders!"

The torrent of capital, under the deterrence of the iron fist and the temptation of huge profits, was finally completely tamed and began to surge along the river channel planned by Lin Zhen!

......

The port construction site was still bustling with activity. But the hustle and bustle was no longer the chaos and hardship of the early days, but now filled with a roar of order and efficiency.

Lin Ge'er's thin figure was pushing a specially made cart equipped with bearings and running quickly on the flat pier.

The cart was loaded with several bundles of heavy copper wire.

He was wearing a blue coarse cloth work suit that was washed to a pale color but was clean and tidy, and a rattan helmet on his head. His little face was stained with oil, but he looked energetic, and his eyes were bright and focused.

"Brother Lin! Over here! Warehouse B3! Hurry!" a foreman called out loudly.

"Coming!" Lin Ge'er responded crisply, and his steps became faster!

He moved swiftly and with much more strength than he had a month ago.

He was no longer the shivering child huddled in the dilapidated house, but a formal "laborer" in the port labor camp who could get paid!

A month ago, he reported Park Chang-hwan and others and was rewarded by Mao Mengji with the words "meritorious service, deserves reward".

Mrs. Zhang Li personally took charge of the matter and approved him to join the port labor camp, where he became a "laborer" responsible for running errands, delivering materials, and cleaning tools.

Although the wages are not much, food and accommodation are provided, and the clothes are clean and warm.

More importantly, no one here knew his past, and no one looked at him strangely.

He earns his living by his strength and earns his wages by his diligence!

After work every day, he would run to the workshop area and watch his mother leaving work from afar.

Mother was wearing clean work clothes and came out chatting and laughing with her sisters, with a relaxed and satisfied smile on her face that he had never seen before.

At that moment, Lin Ge'er felt that no matter how hard or tiring it was, it was worth it!

"Hey! Xiao Linzi! You're quite nimble!" A burly laborer patted his shoulder and grinned.

"Brother Zhang!" Lin Ge'er smiled shyly, revealing two small canine teeth.

"Work hard! I think you have a chance when you are awarded the title of 'Hardworking Star' at the end of the month! You can get an extra fifty cents if you pass the award!" Brother Zhang encouraged.

"Yeah!" Lin Ge'er nodded vigorously, his eyes full of enthusiasm and hope.

He pushed the cart and ran quickly to the warehouse. His small figure shuttled between the huge crane arms and piles of goods, full of vitality.

......

Late at night, on the edge of Hu County's new city, there was an area of ​​simple prefabricated houses that had not yet been fully built and were used as temporary residences for laborers.

The moonlight was dim and the cold wind was howling.

Mao Mengji appeared silently in the shadow of a wooden house like a ghost.

His muscular figure almost blended into the darkness.

Two Jinwuwei secret guards, dressed in night clothes and with a reserved aura, knelt on one knee in front of him.

"Have you found out?" Mao Mengji's voice was as cold as sandpaper.

"General!" a secret guard whispered, "We've been tracking those Japanese ronin for days and have discovered they're more than just pirates. They're cunning and have repeatedly surveyed the harbor's perimeter, especially the berth structure and the location of the artillery batteries (which are still being planned). Furthermore, they've had secret contact with the remnants of Park Chang-beom, the Goryeo official in the city!"

"Although Park Chang-hwan is dead, there are still several trusted subordinates lurking under his command. They seem to be secretly buying up the special zone food coupons from the refugees and spreading rumors, slandering His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for mistreating the workers and embezzling food wages!" added another secret guard.

"Hmph!" A cold light flashed in Mao Mengji's eyes. "The Japanese pirates are still determined to do evil! The remnants of Park Changfan don't know whether to live or die!"

He was silent for a moment, his voice filled with murderous intent:

"Keep a close eye! Find out all their locations and contact information! Especially if there's a bigger conspiracy behind them!"

"Remember! Don't alert the enemy! Catch them all in one fell swoop!"

"Yes!" The two secret guards accepted the order and their figures instantly merged into the darkness.

Mao Mengji stood in the shadows, looking at the brightly lit port in the distance and the inky black sea further away.

The scar on his face looked particularly hideous in the moonlight.

The rise of Hu County is like a lighthouse in the dark, attracting ships and also sharks.

Beneath the calm sea surface, undercurrents are surging and murderous intentions are lurking everywhere!