At the tender age of eight, he was hastily dragged out and made emperor!

"You're really something!! Why ask so many questions if you're not hiring any workers?!"

Half an hour later.

At a brokerage firm on Yahang Street, a middle-aged man was shouting excitedly, which attracted a large crowd.

Many people followed the man's gaze and saw a child riding on someone's back, as well as a female knight-errant dressed in white.

Just kidding!

Chu Ling, who was riding on Li Zhong's shoulders, noticed the gazes gathering from both sides. She turned around and looked at the middle-aged man who was clenching his fist and questioning her. What she said almost made the middle-aged man faint.

"Pfft~"

Wan Qiu'er, who was usually cold and aloof, was amused by Chu Ling's words, but quickly returned to normal. Li Zhong, on the other hand, showed a helpless smile.

Especially when he saw people pointing and whispering around him out of the corner of his eye, Li Zhong quickened his pace. Although he didn't understand why the new emperor was doing this, since it had already happened, he should leave as soon as possible.

"Li Zhong, I'm hungry."

In a good mood, Chu Ling reached out and patted Li Zhong on the shoulder, "Let's find a quiet shop."

"Yes."

Li Zhong immediately agreed.

"It's true that Da Yu's commerce is very prosperous, but many sectors are still based on family workshops, and haven't even reached the level of intensive handicraft production."

After finishing his explanation, Chu Ling ignored everything else and began to ponder, 'This is somewhat similar to the dynasties I'm familiar with. However, the maritime trade of the Great Yu is quite developed. Some merchants from the coastal prefectures and counties of the Great Yu are even able to cross the coast of the Southern Zhao and sail to the far seas to conduct maritime trade.'

"But overall productivity is still lacking, especially in terms of technology. Each company has its own monopoly, and they don't share any of it with others."

After visiting several brokerage firms on Brokerage Street, Chu Ling gained a deeper understanding of the situation in Da Yu. He began to sift through his knowledge to determine how much of it could be applied to Da Yu.

Soap, perfume, and mirrors—essential items for time travelers—are completely unnecessary; the Great Yu Dynasty has similar alternatives, and more importantly, the quality is quite good.

This left Chu Ling somewhat disappointed.

It requires little initial investment but yields high returns. If you run this business for a few years and gather a group of distributors, you can make a fortune. As for the future, this is just a quick way to make money; who cares about the future?

However, there were also things that made Chu Ling feel gratified.

It seems that the Great Yu Dynasty does not have things like cement and gunpowder. In fact, when Chu Ling was in the armory, he did not see any military equipment related to gunpowder, which confirmed what he had seen in the Ganlu Hall.

However, Chu Ling only knew the general formula for these things. To actually make them, he needed to gather talented people and explore and experiment little by little.

But this is too difficult for Chu Ling right now.

If he dares to do these things, he will definitely be on guard.

What?

Emperor of the Great Yu Dynasty, instead of doing your job properly, you're messing around with all this. What are you trying to do?

'It seems that a trip to Shanglin Garden is indeed necessary.'

Thinking of all this, Chu Ling became more certain: 'This detached palace is vast. If I could find a secluded spot, secretly gather a group of people, and tinker with these things, they might come in very handy in the future.'

'But if we really do this, how will we solve the problems of food and other supplies? The key issue is that with such a large-scale operation, complete secrecy is unrealistic!'

Chu Ling hesitated.

'etc. '

But in that instant, Chu Ling thought of Xia Wang. 'This guy really wants me to go to Shanglin Garden. Could it be that there's some secret hidden there?'

Chu Ling started having more ideas.

Although Chu Ling had little contact with Xia Wang, every interaction he had with him, especially after he managed to leave the palace this time, made Chu Ling realize that this guy was no ordinary person.

Xia Wang does everything with a strong sense of purpose.

Although Chu Ling couldn't figure it out, this matter wouldn't change.

But what secrets does Shanglin Garden hold?

This is what Chu Ling is thinking about. If there really is a secret, only he can uncover it. So why can't the three queens do the same?

"Master, we're here."

While Chu Ling was pondering these things, Li Zhong stopped and spoke to Chu Ling.

Ok?

Chu Ling composed himself and looked at the unique restaurant in front of him. The decoration was simple and plain, without any gimmicks, but the cars parked outside all looked quite impressive.

Li Zhong has been leaving the palace quite often before, hasn't he?

Just by seeing these things, Chu Ling guessed that Li Zhong, whom he was riding, had many secrets in the Yu Palace. Otherwise, how would Li Zhong know about such an inconspicuous place?

People subconsciously do some familiar things.

Take Li Zhong, for example, for instance.

As he followed Chu Ling around the pawnshop district, he found it increasingly difficult to understand the new emperor. He visited several pawnshops, asking all sorts of questions, but in the end, he didn't buy anything, leaving the staff who served him angry but unable to speak out.

After all, the customer is king.

The last brokerage firm Chu Ling visited had so many questions, and the broker explained everything in detail. In the end, Chu Ling's simple statement, "I'll think about it," made the broker unable to hold back any longer.

Thinking about all this, Li Zhong couldn't help but smile.

"go in."

Chu Ling spoke calmly, bringing Li Zhong back to his senses. But immediately, Li Zhong felt a pang of anxiety, and he suddenly regretted coming here.

Although this restaurant is located in Liren City, it is in a very remote location. Newcomers would have no idea that there is a restaurant in this place.

But now...

"Remember to order a few of this restaurant's signature dishes."

Upon hearing the new emperor's words, Li Zhong knew that the new emperor had guessed. This made Li Zhong regret his actions, and he wondered when and how he could tell the new emperor about the things that had happened when he left the palace.

"Oh, young master, you must be tired from shopping at Liren Market."

The moment Chu Ling entered the restaurant, a waiter greeted him with a smile and gestured to him, saying, "You've come to the right place, Juxian Hall. Does the young master have any dietary restrictions?"

As he was saying this, the waiter tried to reach out and lift Chu Ling off Li Zhong's neck, but Wan Qiu'er stepped forward and stopped him.

Upon seeing this, the waiter's expression froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

"Reserve a private room facing the street."

Chu Ling, who was carried down by Wan Qiu'er, looked around. The Juxian Hall consisted entirely of private rooms, with no tables in the main hall, clearly for the sake of privacy.

This was exactly what Chu Ling wanted.

"Young Master, this way please."

The waiter immediately gestured, and Chu Ling glanced around before following the waiter's lead. Having witnessed the commerce of the Great Yu, he was now going to see its cuisine. Chu Ling had tasted many amazing dishes from the Yu Palace, but those dishes did not represent all the delicacies of the Great Yu.

Chu Ling was satisfied with this incognito visit. If he could enjoy some delicious food on his way back to the palace, the trip would have been worthwhile.