Chapter 301: Our Luo City is Not Like Feng City!
“When we first arrived, we were just as lost. At least we had the caves that Xiao Yi dug for us and an endless supply of food. But these people must be even more worried about tomorrow than we were. We’ve already occupied the land outside the city, so they can’t just expand freely. However, if more people come, we could allocate a piece of land for them to cultivate on their own.”
“That’s a good idea. We should manage it the way the government does, but with rules in place. For the first three years, they won’t have to pay taxes. After that, they should contribute something, even if it’s just a small amount. After all, if they live in the outer city, we’ll still have to protect them.”
Yu Luo nodded. “We’re already taking on most of the risks for them, so it’s only fair. If they choose to grow cash crops, that could also stimulate the economy. If they become wealthier, consumption in Luo City will increase, further driving economic growth. But thinking about it now, it almost feels like a dream. I never expected Luo City to truly begin fulfilling its purpose this quickly. And I certainly didn’t expect the Lan Yue Dynasty to suffer a flood, forcing refugees all the way here. But looking at them… do you think they can even afford a night at the inn?”
“Silly girl, we’ve worked hard for more than half a year just for this day. I already had Liu Can wait for them at the inn. If they can’t afford a room, they can rent a house instead.”
“But what if they can’t even afford rent? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not soft-hearted or overly sympathetic. I understand that giving too much charity can breed resentment. But, Father, have you thought of a way to handle this?”
Seeing his daughter’s cautious thinking, Yu Haojie smiled meaningfully. “So, you’ve decided to completely hand over the management of Luo City to me?”
“Of course. From now on, you’re the city lord. With your knowledge and capabilities, managing a city should be effortless. Meanwhile, I’ll just be the young lady of the city lord’s mansion—living a carefree life, occasionally visiting other nations. Isn’t that a great plan?”
Having anticipated a large influx of people, Ye Jiamei had been impatiently waiting. As soon as night fell, she rushed to open her medical clinic with Yu Xiangxiang.
The martial artists headed straight for the inns. When they found that the prices were far lower than in Feng City, half the rooms in the inns were booked within minutes.
Since the restaurant hadn’t prepared much food today, only some basic radish, greens, and meat were available. Anticipating that many people wouldn’t have much money, Yu Luo had instructed the kitchen to steam several baskets of buns and prepare rice porridge in advance.
Seeing the steaming hot buns and porridge, the children could hardly resist.
Standing beside the steamers, a waiter grinned as he called out to passersby.
“Steamed buns, white rice porridge, mixed grain porridge—anyone hungry? If you want something to eat, please come inside!”
His cheerful shouting was tempting, especially for those who had been exiled and wandering for years in the wilderness. Some of them had been in the desolate lands for so long that their tattered prison uniforms and overgrown beards told of their hardships.
The refugees, having arrived here by chance, had also suffered immensely.
Hearing such a warm invitation, countless pairs of eyes eagerly turned toward the steaming food.
Those with money could no longer hold back. They quickly pulled out their copper coins and approached the waiter.
“How much for a steamed bun? I… I’ll take the vegetarian ones.”
The man’s ragged appearance contrasted with the small handful of coins he clutched.
Seeing this, a nearby martial artist, who had been about to buy some meat buns for himself, suddenly let out a cold laugh.
“Things in the wilderness are famously expensive. Do you really think you can buy anything here with just a few copper coins? That’s amusing. By the way, what kind of coins are those? Are they from Lan Yue Dynasty, Xi Mo, or maybe Bei Nation or Dongfeng? Hahaha…”
With a smirk, the martial artist tossed a two-tael silver ingot onto the table and raised an eyebrow at the waiter. “How much for one? See how many I can get with this two-tael silver.”
The waiter quickly pocketed the silver into the cash box and started packing the buns into an oiled paper bag. “Meat buns are ten copper coins each. But, sir, are you sure you want to spend two taels? That’s two hundred buns—can you finish them all?”
“What?! Only ten copper coins each? Why so cheap? I’ve been to Feng City, and over there, a single meat bun costs two silver coins! Why are things in Luo City so inexpensive?”
Setting aside his task for a moment, the waiter smiled kindly.
“Our city lord said that anyone who makes it to the wilderness has already endured great hardship. If transporting goods here weren’t so difficult, our lord would have priced things the same as outside. But more importantly, our Luo City is not like Feng City. We don’t care whether your coins come from Dongfeng, Xi Mo, Bei Nation, or Lan Yue Dynasty. As long as it’s legal tender, we’ll accept it. So there’s no need to worry—you can definitely afford to eat here!”
Upon hearing this, the tense atmosphere among the crowd immediately relaxed, and a sense of relief spread.
Earlier, the martial artist’s comment had indeed scared them. Many of them had some money, but not much. If prices were really as high as he suggested, they wouldn’t even last two days, let alone settle down here.
As for those with no money at all, it didn’t matter how cheap things were—they still couldn’t afford them. They had come here hoping to find a way to survive in a city where wealth existed.
What they hadn’t expected was that Luo City wasn’t just a city—it was a brand-new settlement still in its infancy. Aside from the patrolling guards, the only residents were themselves.
“Sir, how many would you like?”
Ignoring the murmuring voices around him, the waiter turned back to the martial artist and raised an eyebrow in question.
The martial artist twitched at the corners of his mouth. “Hah… With prices this low, how do you expect to make money and support an entire city? Forget it—your city lord is generous, so go ahead and exchange my two taels for as many meat buns as that gets me. I’ll come back to pick them up later. For now, just give me five.”
“Perfect! Here you go.”
The waiter quickly packed five meat buns into an oiled paper bag and handed them over before turning to serve the next customer.
