The magical formation that ensures abundant harvests every year left both the leaders of Daoci Village and the old witch doctor astonished. Both were immensely curious about this enchanting formation.
'Young man, what is this spiritual energy of heaven and earth?' Daoci Village leader inquired.
The Yucun villager scratched his head. 'Lord Yusuo said it's something that exists between heaven and earth, unseen by ordinary eyes like ours. I haven't seen it.'
Daoci Village leader and the old witch doctor glanced around, but as the villager driving the carriage mentioned, they couldn't see anything, revealing a disappointed expression.
The old witch doctor sighed, realizing that perhaps only those like Yusuo, blessed by the mountain god, could perceive such things that only gods could see.
...
Upon reaching the trading market, everyone dismounted and entered once again.
The goods from the north and south displayed significant differences. Aside from Yusuo's fine salt, grains, and rare items, each village in the northern plains and various tribes in the barbarian forest had their unique specialties, mostly absent in the Eastern Plain.
Conversely, the Eastern Plain offered many food seeds and rare items, such as money shells and pearls, shipped from the distant eastern coast, which were rare in the plains.
Everyone had distinct needs, and there was a strong willingness to trade.
After discussing their respective interests for a long time, they roughly negotiated the goods and prices, signing preliminary contracts.
Subsequently, Daoci Village leader and others expressed their intention to return to the Eastern Plain. They needed time to prepare the traded goods and would return in seven days.
Before departing, they gathered and approached Yusuo with a question.
'Lord Yusuo, we've heard that people from various villages in the north and south can freely set up stalls and trade in the market. They can even pitch tents for temporary stays. Everyone is highly interested. May we also set up stalls here?' Daoci Village leader inquired.
Yusuo, anticipating this, nodded. 'Certainly, this place is meant for people from various villages to trade. You can come anytime.'
Daoci Village leader's eyes lit up. 'That's fantastic.'
After conveying this good news, the leaders of the various villages were delighted. Their expressions concealed excitement and eagerness.
Upon learning about the abundant supply of exquisite fine salt from Yucun, priced lower than the salt in the Eastern Plain, these village leaders sensed a business opportunity.
With so many villages in the Eastern Plain, all in need of salt, buying from Yucun and reselling elsewhere could be profitable.
Moreover, Yucun possessed not only exquisite fine salt but also other rare items. These items were believed to pique the interest of people from other villages!
Observing the excited expressions of the village leaders, Yusuo pretended not to understand what had them so thrilled.
[Master, letting them resell like this isn't advantageous for us.] The System Spirit remarked.
Yusuo replied, "Not in a hurry. Let's give them a taste and have them help spread the name of Yucun. Besides, I didn't say there's no limit to the quantities."
He could allow a limited amount for resale, but not without restrictions. The key was to open avenues for Yucun's own trading caravans to venture out.
[I understand now.]
Knowing it wasn't letting others take advantage, the System Spirit was reassured.
...
Soon, the leaders of the Eastern Plain villages returned eagerly.
After their return, Yusuo summoned Yuye and Hecai.
"Next is the matter of our own trading caravan. I have a booklet here that records information about most of the villages near the mountains on this side. Take the caravan to visit these villages."
Yusuo handed the booklet, containing his earlier records, to Yuye and Hecai.
Yuye and Hecai, now experienced caravan leaders, took the booklet excitedly. The more they read, the brighter their eyes became.
"Lord Yusuo, rest assured. We'll lead the caravan to visit all these villages and promote the name of Yucun." Yuye declared.
Yusuo admired them; these youngsters grasped leadership quickly.
He said, "You're now both cultivators at the sixth layer of Qi Refinement. Hecai has reached the fifth layer. Let the warriors' camp assign a group to escort the caravan. That should ensure the safety of the caravan. However, if you encounter any problems beyond your capability, make sure to send word back immediately. Small loss of goods is inconsequential compared to safeguarding your lives. Be cautious."
Yuye nodded earnestly. "Rest assured, we'll be careful."
Knowing Yuye and Hecai would lead the caravan to the Eastern Plain, Yusuo's other companions felt a bit envious.
"Yusuo brother, let me go with Yuye. I also want to see the customs of the Eastern Plain, and I can protect them."
"I can protect them too. Let me go."
"Count me in."
Yusuo didn't expect so many people to want to go. After some thought, he said, "You can go if you want, but not everyone at once. The Salt Lake and Salt Fields need people to patrol, and there are responsibilities here."
"This time, let Yumeng lead a team of ordinary warriors to follow. Others need not be disheartened; there will be plenty of opportunities to accompany the caravan in the future."
Yumeng was delighted to hear this, while others, though somewhat regretful, understood there would be more chances later. They watched him with envy.
Yumeng stood tall, patting his chest. "Yusuo brother, rest assured. I will ensure the caravan's safety, bringing them back unharmed."
With this decision, the village became busy once again.
Three days later, Yucun's trading caravan set out under the leadership of Yuye and Hecai.
Yumeng led a team of ordinary warriors as guards, following closely.
Many villagers watched the caravan head eastward, revealing envy.
"I really hope I can join the caravan to see the customs of the Eastern Plain."
"Lord Yusuo said there might be opportunities to form another caravan. We still have a chance."
"Really? That's fantastic!"
Upon learning there might be another caravan, everyone was filled with anticipation.
...
Seven days later, the trading teams from Eastern Plain villages arrived at Yucun along the Eastern Trade Route. They brought the previously agreed-upon goods and engaged in trades with villages from the north and south.
Simultaneously, they brought extra goods and set up stalls in the trading market.
The market suddenly became more crowded, stretching Yusuo's planned area for setting up makeshift tents.
Just then, Yusuo announced another piece of news that stirred not only the northern and southern villages but even the Eastern Plain:
Yucun was hiring workers.
Yucun intended to cultivate a large expanse of wilderness to the west, using seeds obtained from Eastern trades. This required a significant workforce.
Those willing to work would be compensated with fine salt, food, or money shells.
Most importantly, this job opportunity was long-term.
The news not only surprised many but also ignited interest in numerous individuals."
"Because this means they only need to work for Yucun to solve the year-round food problem and earn money shells, enriching their own families.
This is simply a windfall from the sky.
After confirming the news is true, many people came to the entrance of Yucun, wanting to join Yucun's employment.
At the village entrance, Yucun set up a hiring booth. Yufeng, in charge of recruitment, was very surprised to see so many people; the line stretched all the way to the east bank of the river!
"So many people?"
"Did Lord Yusuo specify how many people we're hiring?"
"He said temporarily hiring a hundred people."
"But there are more than a hundred people here."
Yufeng remained calm. "Regardless of how many people came, let's recruit those who meet the criteria first."
"Alright."
...
Yusuo stood at his home's doorway, observing the long queue at the village entrance.
He was quite satisfied with so many people coming. Initially, he worried that few would show up.
"Suer, are you hiring so many people to cultivate the wilderness to the west? Aren't our slaves enough?" Jian Yunchuan didn't quite understand.
Yusuo replied, "Not enough. We're currently entering the agricultural off-season. When the farming season is in full swing, our manpower won't be sufficient."
Salt Spring Valley and Salt Lake Salt Fields require manpower, and the demand is substantial. Additionally, during the busy harvesting season, the manpower needed is significantly insufficient.
"Then why not postpone cultivating the western wilderness? We have enough food to eat and sell, no need to open up the western wilderness." Jian Yunchuan suggested.
Yusuo shook his head. "The western wilderness must be cultivated. Not only the western wilderness, but I also plan to cultivate the wilderness outside the southern opening next. All of it will be used for planting."
Perplexed, Jian Yunchuan asked, "Why cultivate so much land?"
Yusuo explained, "Firstly, there's a shortage of food. It's not only the villages to the north and south that will trade with us; even the Eastern Plain is exchanging now. If we don't increase the planting amount, we won't meet this demand. Secondly, it's preparation for the future. As expansion continues, the large area on the east bank of the river will gradually be replaced by other functional areas. Our planting area will shift gradually."
Shift? Jian Yunchuan looked at the large area on the east bank, feeling that it was more than enough. What functional areas could completely occupy that large space?
At this moment, Luyan approached. After listening to the conversation between Yusuo and Jian Yunchuan, he asked Yusuo, "Where do you plan to let those hired people live?"
Yusuo replied, "Allocate an area for them to set up makeshift tents. Let them stay on the east bank of the river."
Luyan looked at the east bank, vaguely sensing some of Yusuo's intentions.
"By hiring those people, it's not just because we lack manpower, right? Are you trying to attract people from other villages to live in Yucun?"
Yusuo praised him with a glance, not expecting Luyan's mind to work so quickly, figuring it out.
"That's right. I want to bring more people to Yucun. Attracting them just through the trading market is not enough. There must be jobs that can provide them with food and shelter, enticing them to live in Yucun. When they live here, they will also have the need to buy things, contributing more to the popularity of the trading market. It complements each other. Once we have more people here, it will be easier to attract others to stay in our village."
These are the initial steps of a cycle. Gradually attracting more people to Yucun.
Yusuo didn't forget that his goal was to expand Yucun from a village to a city.
However, everything needs to be done step by step, and it's not something that can be rushed in a short period.
"Although these people are from outside the village," Jian Yunchuan expressed some concerns.
Yusuo said, "Outsiders can also become residents of Yucun. It's not contradictory."
"When Yucun becomes Yucheng, it certainly won't be exclusively populated by Yucun residents. As long as Yucheng is inclusive enough, it can accommodate various villages.
Jian Yunchuan was somewhat surprised by Yusuo's idea. Initially aware of Yusuo's ambition to transform Yucun into a city, he didn't expect Yusuo to consider accommodating different villages.
If that's the case, what will Yucheng be like in the future?
...
The recruitment process is underway.
Knowing that Yucun only intends to recruit a hundred people for now, those at the back of the line are quite anxious.
"If only I had come earlier. It's my fault for hesitating; others seized the opportunity first."
"Same here. My wife at home wasn't very supportive, and I hesitated."
People in the rear of the line feel regret and frustration. Some are not willing to accept it and approach Yufeng:
"Lord Yufeng, can't you recruit a few more people?"
"Sorry, only recruiting a hundred people."
Yufeng's response disheartens those who couldn't make it. Some try to negotiate with those at the front of the line, but few are willing to swap.
The hundred spots are quickly filled, and after Yufeng inquires about their situations, he signs temporary contracts with them. Then, he starts arranging for them to build makeshift tents on the east bank of the river for residence.
Those who couldn't be recruited gaze enviously at those who were.
"I wonder when Yucun will recruit again."
"I wouldn't get my hopes up too much. What if the rewards from Yucun aren't enough? It's better to go back to the village and hunt."
"But I asked. Before the five villages in the south merged with Yucun, they worked in Yucun. The rewards Yucun provided were not only enough for their family's sustenance for a year but also earned them extra money shells. It's much better than hunting in the village."
"Is that true?"
"Of course, it's true. Don't believe it? Go ask those from the original five villages in the south."
This information makes many who didn't get recruited regret their slow actions, missing the chance to be at the front of the line.