The Merchants' Scheme

Time gradually passed, and the state of Yale City turned out as Wang Lun had planned.

The original Yale City ceased to exist and also stepped up from poverty to wealth.

The first batch of buildings had also been constructed. At that moment, Wang Lun was heading to its ribbon-cutting ceremony with Hallmark, Bran, and Lucy.

Wang Lun was the one who ordered the ribbon-cutting ceremony to be carried out, though it wasn't a custom that the inhabitants of this continent originally had.

The people didn't understand exactly why the city lord asked for it. Even so, the venue was still neatly decorated to suit the occasion.

According to those in the know, this building had been constructed in a completely different way, which was why the ribbon-cutting ceremony was being held.

But then again, who even cared about such things?

The venue was filled with a vast crowd. There were also several new and strange things that the people had never seen. They gathered here with the mood to learn more about these things.

Soon after, Wang Lun arrived, leading the rest of the group from the city hall.

The crowd instantly gave way to pave a spectacular path for Wang Lun's group. After they walked through the vast crowd, they finally arrived at their destination.

Two of them pulled a red strip of cloth and promptly stood to Wang Lun's left and right.

Everything happened according to the process. One of them carried a bucket of water towards Wang Lun. After Wang Lun washed his hands, he picked up the scissors and slowly approached the red cloth.

Click!

The complete red cloth was cut into two.

With a smile on his face, Wang Lun handed the scissors in his hand back to the person next to him, before taking a deep breath.

"Today, we have officially opened the buildings that we built for a long time, and you can finally start moving in. This is worthy of a celebration because Yale City has taken its first step: a very successful first step…"

However, Wang Lun was interrupted before he finished his sentence.

"City lord, is it true that we will be able to earn the right to occupy the building today?"

Someone among the crowd loudly asked.

"Yeah, is that even possible?"

Another person added.

Wang Lun looked in that direction and smiled, "That's for sure. But this batch of buildings have limited capacity, after all, so I hope you have the qualifications to move in."

At the beginning of the construction of this first batch of buildings, Wang Lun had already planned who exactly would move in.

After all, if he wished to manage a city well, it was best that he removed the existence of class division among the people. Even though everyone could be equal, they were still differentiated with the reality of capital.

Otherwise, the currently-undeveloped Yale City would soon revert to its original state.

"Then exactly who can move in?"

Wang Lun had just finished his sentence when someone immediately asked.

"That is a good question, so I will now tell you exactly who can move into this first batch of buildings."

Many of them were anxious to move into the new buildings as soon as possible and starting to get a little restless.

Wang Lun took a deep and long breath, one that was enough for him to finish his words in one go: "The people who can move into this first batch of buildings are the ones who contributed the most. That is, those who were expropriated out of their houses before."

His statement drew a wave of murmurs that sounded with a mix of joy and disappointment.

"Those whose houses were expropriated, bring your identity cards and register yourselves at the building whenever you are available."

At that moment, Bran finally understood the reason why Wang Lun had created identity cards, which really came in handy in such a situation.

The people in the city had also long been familiar with the various new institutions that Wang Lun created, so naturally they knew what kind of procedures they should go through.

"Those who don't get to move in, don't be disappointed because our other buildings are under construction and will be completed soon.

"Of course, today, in addition to allocating housing personnel, I will continue to acquire land and build up our city.

"Those of you who have land can choose to sell it to the city hall by way of sale. You may register now and the city hall will send someone to your residence to complete the purchase."

"City lord, in that case, after our land is bought, will we be able to move in after the buildings are constructed over it?"

Wang Lun smiled and said, "Of course, everyone in the city will be able to live in the newly-constructed buildings."

"We've really made the right choice to come to Yale City. The city lord is truly like a heavenly God compared to the other nobles."

The refugees finally had a vision of the life they wanted.

In order to achieve wealth, he had to make a group of people rich first. This was the essence of Wang Lun's realization.

With this successful experience, the speed of the ensuing construction also got a huge boost.

It could be said that Yale City had stepped into the right track from its budding stage.

This also meant that the previous promise of tax exemption for merchants came to an end.

Wang Lun was serious and never ambiguous in his work. Since the deadline was up, he wouldn't postpone it. This was the nature that a leader should have.

"My lord, this may cause the merchants to object collectively, right?"

Bran took the notice written by Wang Lun, and a spurt of coldness surged from his heart after reading its contents.

Profit was the most important thing in a merchant's life, so much so that they would go crazy for it.

Wang Lun replied: "What should be done must be done decisively. How can you manage an entire city if you don't even have a strong reputation?

"Say no more. Just go and implement it!"

Wang Lun stopped Bran who was about to continue speaking.

Bran had no choice but to take the notice and leave the city hall.

Shortly after, all the notice boards in the city were posted with a notice of taxation on merchants.

This notice had no effect on ordinary people, but it was a bolt from the blue for the merchants.

They had long been used to not paying taxes and fees, so how would they be suddenly willing to fork out the money that they earned?

They were already somewhat dissatisfied with the previous increase in workers' wages. And now, the tax exemption was no longer in effect and their income would become even less. For these people who regarded money as their life, how could they accept this?

"Benny, you are the most authoritative merchant in Yale City. The city lord has repeatedly screwed us over. Can't you do something about him?"

The merchants in the city gathered once again, but in secret.

The merchant named Benny held a cigarette in his mouth, pacing from side to side. "I know, but the defensive force in the city is very strong now. That is what my spy said, and I always trust him."

Benny continued. "The group of bandits last time couldn't even do anything to the people of the city hall. We certainly can't take them on this time either."

"Then why did you summon us here?"

"Hurry up and speak if you have a solution. Don't waste my time!"

Some of them were already getting impatient.

Benny took the cigarette off his mouth and turned around to face the merchants sitting in a row.