The Female Assistant of Wei Yuyan Shuangfei

Xie Shuting's question instantly made everyone stunned. They were not as confused as the village headmen. The premise for businessmen to pursue profits was that they had to be flexible.

Now that Xie Shuting has said this, there is no need for them to do business even if they are stupid.

Thinking of this, a woman in her thirties stepped forward and said, "Hello, Miss Xie! My name is Zhang Ling, also known as Huang Zhang. I run a musical instrument shop on South Street, called Xinglefang."

"I know this shop. It has some roots in Laigu County. It can be said that it is the ancestral property of the Huang family. The shop sells musical instruments from not only the Song Dynasty, but also those from Dali and the South. Miss Zhang, is what I have learned correct?"

"Sister Xie is right. This shop has been taken over by my husband, and the Huang family has been running it for three generations." Zhang Ling agreed.

"Then Miss Zhang, do you want to take your shop to the next level?"

Xie Shuting said this, glanced at everyone, and changed the subject: "I wonder if you shopkeepers hope that your business will be further developed?"

Zhang Ling hurriedly asked, "Thank you, Miss! What I want to ask is, what did you mean by 'fame and fortune'?"

"Is this profitable? I know how much money you have in your hands."

While speaking, Xie Shuting patted the account book on the tea table. Everyone understood what she meant, after all, her opponent had the account book of the household office in his hands.

She swept her eyes over the crowd again and said slowly, "Laigu County will cancel the curfew. The city gates will be open for twelve hours every day. You can all do business."

"What? Curfew?" Everyone was suddenly shocked.

Curfew, as the name implies, prohibits people from traveling or doing business at night. The government does this to prevent bandits from attacking towns and cities, and to manage the people.

Xie Tingwen is the magistrate of a county. If he really cancels the curfew and even makes things easier for merchants, the pressure he will be under will be unbearable for ordinary people.

Compared to the joy of others, a middle-aged man looked at Xie Shuting with a strange look and a vague look.

Seeing this, Xie Shuting raised her eyes and asked, "Does the shopkeeper have any questions?"

Hearing this, the man stroked his hand and said a little awkwardly: "I am Lu Zhong, the owner of Jixiang Silver Shop. Miss Xie! If the curfew is cancelled, the night security in Laigu County will be..."

Upon hearing this, Xie Shuting knew what the other party was worried about. After all, compared to their own business, the silver shop was more concerned about banditry.

Wine, silk, groceries, and even musical instruments, the robbers had to cash in after stealing them, and since silver shops were originally for making jewelry for customers, they would have some of these in stock.

Compared to those jars and pots, these things are what bandits like.

Thinking of this, Xie Shuting said softly, "Don't worry, everyone. Previously, the county government had 112 yamen runners. After the incident with County Lieutenant Liu, my father decided to increase the number of yamen runners to 350. I think they should be able to protect your property without a doubt."

Xie Tingwen, who had been silent on the side, was suddenly stunned when he heard Xie Shuting suddenly announce the addition of yamen runners. This was not part of their plan.

Xie Shuting did not notice Xie Tingwen's abnormality. Now that things have come to this, if these twenty leaders are not discouraged, the commercial tax reform will be shelved.

When everyone heard this, they felt much more at ease.

Lian Cheng realized that the time had come, and immediately struck while the iron was hot. He stroked his hand and asked loudly, "Xie, Miss! I dare to ask, what does this 'name' mean?"

Everyone was instantly interested when they heard this, and they pricked up their ears and waited quietly. With the previous cancellation of the curfew and the increase of patrol officers, they were looking forward to what this person could bring to them.

Xie Shuting smiled and said, "You are all engaged in business. As the saying goes, there are scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, and merchants are at the bottom of the social ladder. On weekdays, let alone interacting with other people, even when chatting with clerks in the government office, you feel inferior to them."

When everyone heard this, their faces turned red for a moment, and expressions of shame appeared on their faces. This was due to the general environment and Xie Shuting could not change it.

Although in her previous life, she became the most powerful woman in the Song Dynasty and could change the fate of merchants with just a decree, she did not do so.

After all, the world seems to be in the hands of the royal family, but in the final analysis it is controlled by the aristocratic families.

If she really wanted to elevate merchants to a higher position, her edict would be refuted by the ministers before it was even issued.

She did not have the courage of a great man, and could not change the many shortcomings of feudal society. She could only use her own abilities to change people's views of merchants.

"Hey!~"

Xie Shuting sighed helplessly and said, "I understand your worries. Now there is a way that may change your state of mind."

"Could you please say a few words to Miss Xie?" everyone echoed.

Xie Shuting stroked her hands, calming everyone's restless emotions, and then said softly: "As you all know, although the six yamen chiefs are not officials, they are also clerks, and the Gong and Hu Yamen both deal with money and grain. Father intends to select people who are good at math from the merchants and put them in the two yamen to serve as chiefs."

"What? Let us become officials?" Xu An said in shock.

Seeing everyone's horrified expressions, Lian Xi covered his mouth and laughed secretly: "Manager Xu! This is not an official, this is the person in charge."

Xu An scratched his head awkwardly, rubbed his hands in shame and said, "I am sorry for overstepping my authority. Please forgive me, Mr. Xie and Miss Xie."

"It's okay. Although the heads of these two yamen are clerks, they are officials in the eyes of the people. This statement is not wrong." Xie Tingwen waved his hand and comforted him nonchalantly.

Xie Shuting struck while the iron was hot and said loudly, "In addition to canceling the curfew and the appointment of the heads of the Gong and Hu Ya, I also have a gift for you, right?"

"Any more surprises?" everyone whispered to themselves, their eyes full of anticipation.

Xie Shuting smiled and continued, "As merchants, your descendants often have a hard time studying. I am not very talented, but I will open a study in the city soon. Anyone who has a registered residence in Gu County can go to the school to study."

"This!~" Everyone was shocked again.

As Xie Shuting said, they seem to be good at business, but their literacy skills are all learned through words and deeds, acquired step by step as apprentices.

Scholars and candidates with official titles looked down upon teaching the children of merchants. Occasionally, there were students who were willing to bend over backwards for a few dollars, but what they taught was only half-baked.

For them, it is better to teach their children themselves orally and by example than to hand them over to this group of people.

Hot news came one after another. Xie Shuting not only promised benefits to everyone, but also fame, and even made arrangements for the affairs of the family's children. How could they dare to have any more thoughts?

It was just a government decree of 4% tax on 15%, but for them, it not only bought their reputation but also the future of their children.

Faced with this profitable deal, the shop owners immediately stamped their own seals on the notice, without worrying that Xie Shuting would regret it later.