With a million soldiers, the empress begged me not to rebel

Lu Yan ignored Qiao'er's muttering and continued to give examples.

"Take the pig farms in our county for example. In the past, everyone raised pigs for their own consumption and at most sold them to neighboring villages."

"Now, I purchase and sell pigs in a unified way, and the price is higher than before. Everyone's enthusiasm for raising pigs has also increased."

"With more pigs, meat prices will be lower, and ordinary people will be able to afford meat. Isn't this serving the people?"

"And the tofu shops in our county used to serve tofu that was so thick and rough that no one wanted to eat it."

"Now, I've introduced new technology, and the tofu I make is white and tender, tastes good, and is affordable. Everyone can eat fresh tofu every day, how wonderful!"

Lu Yan said this, raising his eyebrows proudly.

Chen Qingwan finally couldn't help laughing. This Lu Yan was really a weirdo.

She originally thought that he would list some of his political achievements, but unexpectedly, all he talked about were trivial matters.

But it is these little things that have actually improved people's lives.

Lu Yan picked up the teacup, moistened his throat, and continued:

"So, doing business, like governing a county, both require profit."

“When the people can profit, they will actively produce; when merchants can profit, they will be enthusiastic about trade; when the government can profit, it will better serve the people.”

"What Lord Lu said does make some sense. However, how should we grasp the meaning of 'benefit' so as to truly 'serve the people'?"

Lu Yan put down the teacup, leaned forward slightly, and looked at Chen Qingwan with burning eyes:

"Excellent question, young lady! The key to achieving this 'profit' lies in the word 'degree'."

"Too much is as bad as too little, and everything will turn against itself when it reaches its limit. We must ensure that the people and merchants can profit, but we must also prevent them from resorting to unscrupulous means in pursuit of profit. This requires the guidance and supervision of the government."

"I can't say I've governed Qinghe County perfectly, but at least I have a clear conscience."

"Everything I do is to enable the people to live and work in peace and contentment, and to make Qinghe County more prosperous."

Chen Qingwan originally thought that Lu Yan was just a greedy and mediocre official.

But I didn't expect that he had such far-reaching vision and ambition.

She decided to put aside her prejudice for the time being and gain a deeper understanding of Lu Yan's policies, so she suggested:

"Master Lu, why don't you take us around the county town?"

"Of course, that's what I meant."

He shouted to the outside of the door: "Come, prepare the sedan chair!"

So, Lu Yan personally took Chen Qingwan and Qiao'er to visit the county town.

The sedan chair moved slowly on the street, with shops lined up on both sides.

The vendors’ cries of hawking were heard one after another, creating a lively scene.

Chen Qingwan lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and looked around curiously.

She found that the streets here were clean and tidy, and the houses were arranged in an orderly manner.

When the people saw Lu Yan, they greeted him warmly, calling him "Lord Lu".

Their faces were all filled with smiles, which was completely different from the poor counties she had seen before.

Chen Qingwan stopped in front of a stall selling silk flowers, picked up an exquisitely crafted silk flower and looked at it carefully.

The stall owner was a middle-aged woman who enthusiastically introduced the materials and craftsmanship of silk flowers to Chen Qingwan.

Chen Qingwan saw that the goods here were not only of a wide variety, but also much cheaper than in the capital.

She couldn't help but have more recognition of Lu Yan's governance ability.

They also inspected the newly built water conservancy facilities.

Clear canals meandered into the fields, irrigating the surrounding farmland.

The green crops in the fields are growing well, indicating that this year will be another bumper year.

Lu Yan pointed to the canal and introduced to Chen Qingwan the construction process of the water conservancy facilities and the benefits they brought.

It is also said that these canals not only solve the problem of farmland irrigation.

It also prevented floods and greatly increased food production.

Chen Qingwan couldn't help but sigh as she looked at everything in front of her.

This Lu Yan is really a doer.

In the evening, they came to a newly opened restaurant.

This restaurant is luxuriously decorated and serves exquisite dishes, and was specially arranged by Lu Yan.

He filled Chen Qingwan's glass with wine and said:

"Miss Chen, you've worked hard today. I'll toast you a glass!"

Chen Qingwan raised her glass and smiled sweetly:

"Master Lu, you are so polite. I have benefited a lot today."

The two looked at each other, smiled, and drank.

After three rounds of drinking, Lu Yan, under the influence of alcohol, boldly asked:

"Miss Chen, what do you think of my idea of ​​'governing the county through commerce'?"

Chen Qingwan put down her wine glass and said seriously:

"Lord Lu, your ideas are indeed very innovative and have achieved certain results. However, I think..."

At this time, Qiao'er muttered softly.

"Your biggest problem is that you're too greedy for money!"

When Lu Yan heard this, he didn't get angry but laughed instead.

He picked up the wine jug and filled Chen Qingwan's glass, then poured himself another one.

"Miss Qiao'er, you have a keen eye. I can't hide this little thought from you."

"However, I, Lu, do not deserve the title of 'greedy for money'. I simply understand the importance of 'money'."

He shook the wine glass in his hand, and said with a hint of amusement:

"Without money, how can we build water conservancy projects? Without money, how can we build schools? Without money, how can we ensure the people live a good life? Miss Qiao'er, don't you agree?"

Qiao'er was so choked by Lu Yan's sophistry that she rolled her eyes.

He opened his mouth, but not a single word came out.

Chen Qingwan looked at Qiao'er's deflated look and couldn't help but chuckle with her hands covering her mouth.

This Lu Yan is really a wonderful person.

Being able to describe greed for money in such a refreshing and refined way is a skill.

"Lord Lu, your opinion is profound," Chen Qingwan put down her wine glass and stared at Lu Yan with burning eyes.

"But as for this method of 'making money', I wonder what ingenious plan Lord Lu has?"

"If Lord Lu has a good project, I... am not without the intention of investing."

Lu Yan smiled mysteriously, took out a milky white block from his sleeve, and shook it in front of Chen Qingwan.

"Miss Chen, do you recognize this thing?"

Chen Qingwan and Qiao'er both came forward curiously.

This thing smells lightly fragrant and feels smooth, like solidified mutton fat.

"What is this? Is it some strange spice?"

Chen Qingwan asked doubtfully.

"This thing is called soap," Lu Yan raised his eyebrows proudly.

"It's my latest cleaning artifact! Not only can it wash your hands, but it can also wash your face, bathe you, and even clothes. It has top-notch cleaning capabilities!"

Qiao'er curled her lips in disgust: "Just this thing? It doesn't look anything special."

Lu Yan didn't get angry and just picked up the teacup on the table.

Pour the tea into your hands, pick up the soap and rub it on your hands a few times, and rich foam will appear instantly.

"Miss Chen, Miss Qiao'er, please look!"

He stretched out his hands in front of them.

"Just a gentle rub can remove stains, and the rich foam leaves you feeling refreshed and non-greasy after washing!"

Chen Qingwan and Qiao'er looked at the delicate foam on Lu Yan's hands in surprise.

I smelled the faint fragrance again and felt a little moved.

"Is this soap really so magical?" Chen Qingwan was skeptical.

"Of course!" Lu Yan patted his chest and assured.

"This soap is a treasure that everyone in Shannan County has! It's cheap, so everyone can afford it. It also has low production costs and huge profit margins!"