Lu Yan thought of going to find Yu Meng for advice on how to cheer up Yu Su, which was unexpected for Yu Su. However, even though using the method of giving flowers between them seemed strange, it did manage to improve Yu Su's mood.
So, he didn't let Lu Yan throw all the flowers out of the house. Instead, he instructed Lu Yan to find a pottery vase, clean it, and arrange the flowers in it.
Without any knowledge of flower arranging, Lu Yan relied on intuition to create a visually appealing arrangement. He placed it in the house and gave the remaining flowers to Yu Kui to deliver to her companions.
Yu Zhou and Yu Ji helped her carry the flowers out.
After glancing at the flowers, Lu Yan withdrew his gaze, focusing on the bunch of flowers inserted in the pottery vase. Suddenly, he understood something.
Yu Su didn't dislike the flowers Lu Yan gave him.
Seeing him staring at the flowers, Yu Su coughed lightly and said, "I just don't want to waste your good intentions. This is a one-time thing, don't make it a habit."
A glimmer flashed in Lu Yan's eyes, and he agreed.
...
The next day, when Yu Meng saw Lu Yan, he ran over and asked, "How is it? Did my method work? Is Brother Yu Su happy now?"
Lu Yan glanced at him, making Yu Meng inexplicably feel a chill down his neck. He swallowed nervously and said, "I-is it not working?"
Lu Yan asked, "Are you free?"
Yu Meng hesitated, and Lu Yan understood. He didn't need to ask.
Next, the relationship between Lu Yan and Yu Su seemed to have returned to normal. Lu Yan's face wasn't as cold as before, and the soldiers secretly sighed in relief, knowing they didn't have to worry about Lu Yan picking fights.
Yu Su was also puzzled by the change. Since the flower incident, Lu Yan seemed more subdued. The news arrived that the salt field was mostly completed, so Yu Su went to inspect it.
Strangely, Lu Yan didn't join him this time.
Perplexed, Yu Su thought maybe Lu Yan had indeed changed and was no longer so clingy.
Traveling alone to the salt field, Yu Su felt uncomfortable. It seemed like something was missing.
But when he reached the salt field, those thoughts were temporarily forgotten.
From a distance, he saw the tall pointed wooden walls and watchtowers of the salt field. Inside were rows of houses, warehouses, stables, and other corresponding facilities.
The tools crafted by Iron Village had been delivered, and everything was ready.
To live up to Yu Su's trust, Yu Feng and Xin Dong had been meticulous in their work, and the salt field construction turned out better than Yu Su had expected.
"Lord Yu Su, please check if there are any issues," Yu Feng said.
Yu Su had already inspected everything. "No issues, you've done well."
At the moment, every functional area was well-constructed, and everything needed for operation was prepared. They were almost ready to start.
After receiving Yu Su's praise, Yu Feng and the others breathed a sigh of relief, and smiles appeared on their faces.
Later, Yu Su didn't stay at the salt field for too long. Once he confirmed everything was in order, he returned to Yu Village.
Back in Yu Village, he didn't find Lu Yan.
At first, he thought Lu Yan had taken a team out for training. However, after inquiring, he learned that the Five Elements Warriors were all in the village, and there were no patrols or training missions.
Yu Su was surprised. Lu Yan wasn't training or patrolling, so where could he be?
Lu Yan had gone to the mountains in the east and later to the swamp in the south.
As night approached, he returned to the village.
Yu Su asked him where he had been.
Lu Yan replied, "I went to the east first. It's a suitable place for building a commercial road, as I drew on the map."
Yu Su was astonished, took the map Lu Yan handed him, and saw that Lu Yan had drawn a line in the suitable area for the commercial road, with various annotations. It was clear that Lu Yan had carefully observed the terrain before drawing the line.
After looking at it, Yu Su realized that the route drawn by Lu Yan was indeed good.
While Yu Su was examining it, Lu Yan kept watching him, observing his expressions. When he saw Yu Su's happy expression, he felt his efforts were worthwhile.
When Yu Su heard about comforting methods from Yu Meng, he had tried them. Although the flower-giving method didn't seem to please Yu Su, it made Lu Yan understand something. If he found the right way to comfort Yu Su, he might genuinely make him happy.
Since Yu Su didn't like the method of giving flowers, Lu Yan decided to find a way that Yu Su would appreciate. Yu Su wanted to open a commercial road to the plains behind the east mountains, so Lu Yan drew the route for him. Yu Su was pleased with the result.
Lu Yan's whole demeanor lightened up, and the next day, he started preparing for the construction of the eastward commercial road. He discussed plans with Jian Yunchuan and Yu Meng.
"Leader, where's Lord Yu Su?" Yu Meng asked.
With a proud tone, Lu Yan said, "Lord Yu Su entrusted the construction of the commercial road to me. We only need to discuss it."
"Sure, we'll follow your lead."
"Absolutely, just tell us how Lord Yu Su wants it."
The atmosphere in the council chamber lightened, and people felt more comfortable speaking as before.
Lu Yan patiently waited for them to finish before discussing the details of the route map.
...
On the east bank of the river.
The construction of the trading market was in full swing, and Yu Su would occasionally come to check on its progress, showing a keen interest.
Occasionally, people from neighboring villages would come to observe the progress of the market's construction. Some who willingly helped joined the construction team, contributing to the work.
After a busy period, the construction of this spacious trading market was finally completed during the hottest weather.
On the day of completion, whether it was Yu Village's construction team or people from other villages who had volunteered to help, they all cheered and hugged each other, celebrating the success.
"We did it!"
"The market is finally built!"
"I need to quickly tell this news to others."
"Yes, yes, I need to hurry and inform the people in the village. We can start setting up stalls here."
Yu Su smiled as he watched their excited reactions, sharing in their joy.
One step closer to his vision, the first-generation trading market was ready for use.
Now that it was built, publicity was necessary. So, Yu Su personally wrote invitation letters, inviting the village chiefs from various villages in the northern wilderness and the leaders of tribes in the Barbarian Forest to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the trading market.
"What does the ribbon-cutting ceremony mean?"
"I don't know. Since Lord Yu Su invited us, let's go and see."
Receiving the invitations, the leaders of various villages were initially surprised and then, filled with curiosity, examined the exquisite invitations. At first, they were cautious not to touch them too much, fearing they might damage the delicate item.
Eventually, the village's shaman stepped in, deciphering the contents and explaining that it
was an invitation.
"It's truly magical. What material is this made of? It can even hold writing and looks much more beautiful than parchment."
"The messenger from Yu Village said this is paper. Do any of you know what paper is?"
People from other villages shook their heads, having never seen such a thing.
Looking at the invitation, they curiously studied it for a while.
Someone accidentally exerted too much force, and the invitation tore when pulled by another person.
"Be careful!"
"Oh no!"
After a moment of panic, the village chief carefully placed the torn invitation on the table, forbidding anyone from touching it again.
The shaman solemnly said, "This thing is more fragile than parchment. We mustn't touch it carelessly from now on."
"We won't touch it again," the others quickly agreed.
The village chief sighed, "Shaman, what should we do now? Will this upset Lord Yu Su, and will he be angry?"
Wu Yi contemplated for a moment and said, "Wrap it in hemp cloth, go to Yu Village, and I will personally apologize to Lord Yu Su, hoping he won't blame us."
The village chief quickly brought some hemp cloth, carefully wrapping the invitation.
Others felt uneasy, fearing that this incident might upset Yu Village.
Wu Yi also felt a bit anxious. On the day of departure, he personally put the hemp-wrapped invitation on himself and headed to Yu Village.
Besides their village, many village chiefs and shamans from various villages set out with their people. On the way, they discussed the "ribbon-cutting ceremony" and the concept of "paper."
Through this exchange, they learned that people from several villages had accidentally damaged the invitations sent by Yu Village. Now, they all carried them, intending to apologize to Lord Yu Su.
Wu Yi, initially anxious, felt relieved knowing that everyone was in the same situation.
They set out together towards Yu Village.
On the other side, leaders of various tribes in the Barbarian Forest also started their journey.
Not only were the leaders of each tribe going, but even the Barbarian Tribe's Great Shaman was part of the expedition. This emphasized the significance they attached to the trading market.
Forming a vast procession, they headed towards Yu Village along the main road.
...
Yu Village.
On the day of the trading market's ribbon-cutting ceremony, the entire village was bustling early in the morning.
Leaders from villages in the north and south were expected to attend the ceremony. As the hosts, Yu Village had completed all necessary preparations, and now they waited for the arrival of the leaders.
The first to arrive was the procession from the Barbarian Tribe. They were closer to Yu Village and had tamed Barbarian Beasts for transportation, making their journey faster.
As they crossed a clearing, many in the Barbarian Tribe were awestruck by the sight of Yu Village.
Those who had visited before remained composed, teasing others who looked surprised.
"What's this? When you reach the entrance of Yu Village, you'll be even more amazed."
"That's right, this is just a small part of it."
Sitting on the back of a Barbarian Tiger, the Great Shaman of the Barbarian Tribe witnessed the prosperity of Yu Village. It was more impactful to see it in person than hearing about it. While many on this land struggled not to starve, Yu Village appeared like a divine realm, free from such hardships.
This place felt dreamlike, almost unreal.
"Teacher, the welcoming party from Yu Village is coming." Ye reminded the daydreaming Great Shaman.
The Great Shaman snapped back to reality, seeing Jian Yunchuan leading a group to welcome them.
"Lord Yun Chuan."
"Great Shaman."
Both sides exchanged greetings, and Jian Yunchuan guided the Great Shaman towards the village.
"Please forgive us, Lord Su is currently busy. I'll represent him in welcoming you," Jian Yunchuan said.
The Great Shaman responded, "Both you and Lord Yu Su are too courteous. Our relationship is so close; there's no need for such formality."
Jian Yunchuan replied, "This won't do. Please, Su Er is waiting for you in the village."
They proceeded towards the village gate, and as the Great Shaman observed the grandeur of Yu Village—its tall and exquisite structures, clean and well-kept village paths, elegantly dressed villagers, and peculiar items he had never seen before—he couldn't help but be impressed. Exercising great restraint, he refrained from looking around recklessly.
Approaching the council chamber, Yu Su came out to welcome them.
The Great Shaman hastily paid his respects.
Yu Su reciprocated the gesture.
"Great Shaman, you've traveled a long way. Please come into the council chamber for a rest," Yu Su invited.
The Great Shaman and Yu Su entered the council chamber, where the Great Shaman couldn't help but express, "Lord Yu Su, the prosperity of Yu Village surpasses my imagination. It's as beautiful as a domain of gods."
Yu Su replied, "You flatter us. How can Yu Village compare to a domain of gods? Most residents here are ordinary people. It's just that we have more advanced production techniques, making it look different from other places."
As a significant customer, Yu Su intended to showcase the products Yu Village could create. He engaged in a lengthy conversation with the Great Shaman, even taking a stroll along the village's main road.