If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

"Currently, the construction of Nanhai City is being outsourced in two ways. First, for public facilities and buildings, we will divide them into several sections and implement a bidding process, with the lowest bidder winning. Second, since everyone here is in business, those interested in setting up shop in Nanhai City in the future can choose a good location now, and we can offer the maximum discount. However, the buildings will need to be constructed by the business owner. Everyone can design and build according to their own requirements and preferences..."

Zhou Wu poured out all his previous knowledge about contracting and the benefits of business cooperation. His subordinates were all seasoned veterans who had been in the business world for many years, so they could naturally smell a business opportunity in Zhou Wu's plan.

Zhou Wu brought everyone to the South China Sea construction site to show them the imperial court's and Zhou Wu's determination to develop the South China Sea, as well as the future scale of the South China Sea, thus providing these merchants with some information.

As Zhou Wu said, the geographical location of the South China Sea will definitely be a hub for maritime shipping routes, which means that the South China Sea City will inevitably have huge business opportunities.

Some large chambers of commerce immediately began discussing contracting public facilities and construction, while some small business owners started eyeing the shops.

Although there was an element of gambling involved, everyone believed that the chances of winning were very high. Zhou Wu, like a real estate agent in his previous life, described the still-ruins place in glowing terms. Businessmen of this era had never seen such a tactic before, and they all expressed their willingness to invest.

The rest was left to Deng Yuanliang. Four days later, Deng Yuanliang excitedly went to find Zhou Wu.

"Sir, all the public facilities and buildings have been contracted out."

"Oh, that's good. What about the shops? What's the situation?"

"Following your instructions, I only released 10% of the shops, but I didn't expect them to be snapped up immediately."

Zhou Wu was planning to keep the shops until the market was at its peak and then sell them for profit. If he put them all out now, he would be the one who loses money. This is a common trick used in the real estate industry in later generations.

According to Deng Yuanliang's calculations, the construction of Nanhai City not only did not cost a penny, but also brought in several million strings of cash.

Some might say that Heilong, after being a pirate for so many years, only robbed 12 million strings of cash, while Zhou Wu only sold 10% of the shops in the South China Sea and earned several million strings of cash. Isn't it too easy to make money?

As mentioned before, the actual size of this city was designed and built according to the scale of Chang'an in the previous life. Even if it were only one-tenth of the shops, it would still be an astronomical figure. Moreover, although the public facilities are contracted out for free now, you will have to pay them after the construction is completed. So, several million strings of cash is not much at all.

Even so, it greatly alleviated Zhou Wu's urgent needs. Not only did it solve a large part of the manpower problem, but it also greatly relieved the financial burden. Up to now, Zhou Wu's savings accumulated over the past few years have been almost completely used up in just one month of construction in Nanhai City.

As expected, not just anyone can build a megacity. Zhou Wu also understood why Chang'an was the last city in the world; it was indeed too costly in terms of manpower and resources.

. . . . . .

Niujia Town.

"What did you say the other person's name was?"

"Sir, the other party says his name is Zhu Zhiyong, and he is a good friend of yours. He is waiting to see you outside the door."

When the gatekeeper said that someone was requesting an audience, Zhou Wu didn't take it seriously at first. But when the gatekeeper said that the person's name was Zhu Zhiyong, Zhou Wu thought he had misheard. Why was Zhu Zhiyong not in the capital, enjoying his life as a second-generation official, doing in Niujia Town?

"Let him in."

"It's Master."

Before long, a servant brought in a man, who was none other than Zhu Zhiyong.

"Big brother, I've missed you so much."

Zhu Zhiyong prepared a big hug, but Zhou Wu skillfully dodged it, looking disgusted.

"Why are you doing all this in my rural hometown instead of committing crimes in the capital?"

"Brother, I came here specifically to help you because I heard you're building South China Sea City and need talent."

Zhu Zhiyong still looked blindly confident.

"I say, do you have some misunderstanding about the word 'talent'? I don't have any brothels here."

"Brother, what are you saying? Am I really that unreliable?"

"If you still don't tell the truth, I'll have someone throw you out right now."

Zhou Wu really didn't want to waste time arguing with him, so he went straight to the point.

"Brother, I had a fight with the old man and ran away. I want to do something big with you, otherwise I won't go back."

"A big deal? What kind of big deal is considered a big deal?"

"Uh~~~~"

"Go to battle? Are you afraid of dying?"

"afraid."

"Passing the imperial examinations? Does that mean you're cultured?"

No~~~

"Then tell me yourself, what can you do?"

"Hehe, that's why I've come to rely on you, big brother. I can learn from you."

Despite being mentally prepared, Zhou Wu still underestimated Zhu Zhiyong's shamelessness.

“I advise you to go back and apologize to your father. You’re the only son in your family, so your father won’t make things difficult for you. Besides, there’s nothing shameful about apologizing to your father.”

"Don't go."

Zhou Wu's kind words of persuasion had no effect. Zhu Zhiyong suddenly looked serious, which made Zhou Wu realize that things might not be so simple. So he decided to keep Zhu Zhiyong.

"So, what would you like to do first, or what do you like to do?"

"I like money~ I also like to travel around and experience different customs and cultures."

After Zhu Zhiyong said that, Zhou Wu actually thought of a good place for him.

"Okay, take a good rest these few days, and I'll make arrangements for you in a few days."

"Thank you, brother."

. . . . . .

The small town of Niujia opened Zhu Zhiyong's eyes to the world. The various delicacies he had never seen before in the town made him feast for the past few days. The bustling scene of people coming and going at the dock every day and the impressive sight of fishing boats unloading their cargo also broadened his horizons. The constant flow of merchants from all over the country also allowed him to experience many different customs and cultures.

How was your trip these past few days?

"Brother, the small town of Niujia is truly more exciting than the capital."

Zhu Zhiyong commented from the bottom of his heart.

"How could that be? You've just stayed in the capital for too long, that's why you think Niujia Town is better than the capital."

"Really, brother, I'm not kidding. Everything here, from food and drinks to entertainment, even the scenery, is better than in the capital. The capital is just crowded. What else is there besides visiting brothels and drinking? It's just a bunch of vulgar people indulging in self-admiration."

Hearing this last comment from Zhu Zhiyong was quite an eye-opener for Zhou Wu. Had this kid seen through the illusions of the world? He used to love visiting brothels.

"I'll take you to see the South China Sea islands tomorrow."

"Great, great, I've wanted to go for ages."