Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1006 - 89: Impact of the Trade Conference (Part 2)

The spectacle of the military parade ignited their fervor, filling them with pride as citizens of the mighty Great Zhou. Yet, their hearts swelled even more with honor for serving as subjects under Prince Han.

Once the military parade concluded, residents of Swamp Prefecture brimmed with not just pride but also a profound sense of security. Observing the impressive might shown by Prince Han’s Personal Guard, they grew certain that the foreigners would hesitate to harass them or launch any conflicts. Battlefields and the dread of death in combat no longer haunted their thoughts.

In earlier times, Annan grew aggressive and struck at the Southern Border, impacting Lingnan as well. Countless locals and their loved ones fell victim to the Annanese invaders.

During the turmoil of the prior dynasty, Lingnan's isolation spared it much harm. Though existence was harsh for its inhabitants, stability prevailed. No one foresaw Annan's assault on the Southern Border, which demolished their enduring calm, destroyed homes and kin, and ripped families asunder.

Recalling the conflicts of those days still sends shivers through Lingnan's people; they dread reliving war's torments. Now, beholding the awesome power of Prince Han’s Personal Guard firsthand and noting the terror on the faces of trade fair's foreign visitors, joy and utter safety wash over them. In that instant, they grasp that with Prince Han present, foreigners will never overpower them.

The trade fair's greatest influence fell upon Swamp Prefecture's locals, with foreign traders coming in second. Amid the event, these traders reaped huge gains.

Truth be told, profits ranked lower for foreign traders; their core aim was forging enduring trade ties abroad. Joining the fair mainly sought to extend their ventures overseas and profit from foreign markets. Naturally, they also planned to import rare items from afar to market within the Great Zhou.

Over these recent days, foreign traders inked numerous agreements with their foreign counterparts, including plenty of ongoing partnerships that thrilled everyone involved.

In Swamp Prefecture, foreign traders uncovered endless commercial prospects alongside remarkable ease. They resolved to pour additional resources into operations there upon returning home. Prior to the fair, expectations were low, yet Prince Han delivered an astonishing boon.

A consensus formed among foreign traders: Swamp Prefecture held boundless growth promise. Failing to capitalize on business there immediately would hinder future market footholds. They understood the need to move fast in this early phase to claim their stakes. In their view, merely two years would see Swamp Prefecture ventures outpacing all others.

Forward-thinking traders united in viewing Swamp Prefecture's commercial scope as enormous, plotting to redirect efforts from elsewhere toward it.

Foreign traders shared this mindset, committing greater funds and focus to Swamp Prefecture to grasp the moment.

While the military parade intimidated foreign traders, it failed to dampen their resolve for Swamp Prefecture dealings. Honest commerce there would draw no ire from Prince Han’s Personal Guard. Still, they yearned for their ruler to avoid rash wars against the Great Zhou, lest they suffer the fallout.

Not every foreign trader departed for home; several lingered in Swamp Prefecture to manage outlets and trade. Even before the fair wrapped up, droves had leased spaces and launched establishments.

Zhao Yao had earlier erected plenty of structures along key thoroughfares for commercial use. At the fair's start, most stood empty. But soon after, every available spot vanished, leaving local and foreign traders disappointed and eager, turning to Zhao Yao. He assured them of forthcoming builds, offering pre-bookings for direct leasing once complete. Thus, prior to construction, new spots drew reservations from hordes of local and foreign traders.

Beyond commercial spaces, local and foreign traders required dwellings in Swamp Prefecture. Yet residential zones remained unfinished, allowing advance bookings or land buys for self-built homes.

Noticing the rush for reservations on homes and plots, inspiration struck Zhao Yao. In his visionary world, real estate dealt in property sales. He envisioned a fresh division under the Ministry of Industry dedicated to handling house and land transactions.

Summoned, the Ministry of Industry's Chief of Staff embraced Zhao Yao’s idea for the new unit. Post-fair, their workload had exploded. Pre-fair preparations involved erecting numerous dwellings; afterward, demands multiplied exponentially.

"Your Highness, reservations for shops and homes overwhelm us, and hands are scarce." The Ministry of Industry's Chief of Staff shared his blend of delight and distress at the flood of bookings. "Frankly, Your Highness, given the pace, we might not wrap up these committed builds until next year. We're desperately understaffed—please secure more laborers for house construction."

"I’ve instructed the foreign visitors to provide workers and artisans to aid in house-building and road-laying." Apart from fulfilling pre-booked shops and homes, schools and factories awaited erection. "Soon, a group of laborers will reach Swamp Prefecture, and I'll direct them your way for deployment."

Relieved by the incoming aid, the Ministry of Industry's Chief of Staff grinned broadly.

"Your Highness, that's splendid news."

"Focus first on the schools; they're pressing." Post-fair, local traders, foreign visitors, and merchants generously contributed funds for Swamp Prefecture's roads and education facilities.

"Your Highness, school construction is underway. The day after tomorrow marks a lucky start, so we'll break ground then." The Ministry of Industry's Chief of Staff bowed in report, "Per your blueprint, completion should arrive in two months."

Zhao Yao gave a subtle nod: "Excellent." Recalling the single primary route in Swamp Prefecture, he added, "Hasten the second main thoroughfare; a market needs no less than three to thrive."

Internally, the Ministry of Industry's Chief of Staff winced. It appeared their team faced five—no, ten—years of nonstop house and road projects.

"Your Highness, we'll proceed step by step for the moment." He longed for extra limbs to accelerate the builds.

Understanding the Ministry of Industry's strains, Zhao Yao nodded softly and said, "Then, tackle the schools and reserved homes first; we'll address the balance afterward."

Alas, pre-fair days meant frantic daily scrambles. Post-fair, rest seemed possible, but duties intensified beyond before.

What a migraine!

Swamp Prefecture's oversight wasn't his sole burden; capital city concerns loomed too.

While the trade fair unfolded, the capital witnessed numerous developments.