CH 210

Chapter 210: Activate the Stall Economy! Spend the Least Money, Achieve the Most!

With the improvement of the social environment, Lin Beifan felt that it was time to focus on the economy. Only by improving the economy and making the people wealthy, could they have enough to eat and live in peace and happiness. This would also be his greatest political achievement.

At this moment, Lin Beifan was walking on a street in the capital city with a local official named Wang.

“Lord Wang, what do you think is the best way to increase the income of the common people and let them have money?” Lin Beifan asked with a smile.

“There are many methods!” Wang replied with a smile. “For example, reducing taxes, encouraging trade, and promoting water conservation. These are all effective measures, but the implementation can be somewhat difficult.”

“For example, reducing taxes. Taxation cannot be lowered just by saying so! Tax revenue is related to the state treasury, and it requires the approval of the Ministry of Revenue, and even the emperor’s consent, to be implemented! As local officials, we do not have the authority for this!”

Lin Beifan nodded in understanding. Taxation is a crucial source of the country’s finances, and local officials only have the right to collect taxes, not to reduce them.

Moreover, since ancient times, only the emperor has had the ability to lighten the burden and reduce taxes across the country!

As a local official, what right does he have?

“Furthermore, encouraging trade is definitely a way to stimulate economic and commercial development and put money in the hands of the people! For example, the Southern Jiang region is prosperous because of its flourishing commerce, allowing many people to have wealth!”

“However, this also comes with a major issue! With a strong commercial atmosphere, people tend to focus on doing business rather than engaging in productive activities! As a result, many fertile lands have been neglected and the grain production has been decreasing year by year! The price of grain is about 50% higher compared to other regions, making it unaffordable for many people to have enough food!”

“Once people go hungry, more problems arise, and society becomes unstable! Therefore, our dynasty has always prioritized agriculture and suppressed commerce. It is a measure that has been reluctantly taken!”

Lin Beifan nodded once again.

Currently, it is the era of small-scale farming, and the productivity is not advanced enough. The question of whether people can have enough to eat is a real issue. As a result, most people live in poverty.

When there is a shortage of labor, grain production decreases. And when grain production decreases, people cannot have enough food, which affects various aspects of life and even threatens the foundation of the country.

Therefore, the court employs various policy systems to encourage labor and prevent people from wandering around. Prioritizing agriculture and suppressing commerce is how it has been done.

“Now, let’s talk about water conservation!” Lord Wang’s enthusiasm grew stronger. “Improving water conservation and canal projects are relatively feasible and direct methods for us. It is like us spending money to hire the common people to work. By doing so, we can improve our water management projects, benefit the country and the people! The common people will also have money, and their lives will naturally be better!”

Lin Beifan nodded. “Indeed, this is currently the best approach!”

This method is somewhat similar to future government investments, using investment to boost economic growth, and the effects are significant.

“It’s a good method, but the biggest problem is the lack of money!” Lord Wang sighed. “The investment required for any of these projects is massive! Our government’s financial resources are limited and we need to address immediate needs! If we don’t have the support of the Ministry of Revenue, it is impossible to push forward with such massive projects!”

Lin Beifan smiled faintly. “Actually, it’s not that difficult! As long as Lord Wang contributes the money he has, then there shouldn’t be any problem!”

“Cough cough, Prefect Lin is just joking. I don’t have that much money!” Lord Wang replied.

Then, the two of them did not mention the matter again and continued their conversation while walking.

Lin Beifan realized that although Lord Wang was greedy, he was indeed a talented person and had a better understanding of business and the economy than others. He seems to know what he’s talking about in many areas.

Lord Wang also found it astonishing that the newly appointed Prefect Lin, despite being young, possessed extensive knowledge. He had unique insights into the economy and business, and sometimes just a few words from him would enlighten him.

No wonder he has been promoted step by step. Capable individuals are in demand everywhere.

After the conversation, Lin Beifan realized that improving the income of the common people was greatly limited in ancient times. This was mainly determined by the backwardness of productivity.

With backward productivity, even having enough to eat becomes a problem, and most people can only toil away in the fields.

In order to ensure production and food supply while maintaining social stability, the government had no choice but to prioritize agriculture and suppress commerce, keeping most farmers tied to the land.

With limited commercial development, the government naturally has little money.

Productivity determines the production relationship, which has led to the current situation where progress is hindered at every step.

Therefore, if we want to improve the economy and increase people’s income, the key is to improve productivity.

However, improving productivity is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Even if Lin Beifan brought forward several groundbreaking inventions, it would still take several years to see results. It’s too slow, and time is of the essence.

For example, the hybrid rice that he is currently working on will take until next year to cultivate the varieties, and a few more years to promote it nationwide.

What he needs now is immediate results.

At this moment, Lin Beifan heard the continuous cries of vendors along the street.

Lin Beifan pointed to the street and smiled, “Lord Wang, look at these stalls placed haphazardly, it’s very messy! And due to the disorganized arrangement, there is a lot of wasted space!”

“If these stalls are planned and organized by our government, with everyone conducting business within their own boundaries! If the streets are properly planned and more people engage in business, it can increase the income of the common people!”

“Ah! Prefect Lin’s words are absolutely right! I will have someone arrange it!” Lord Wang slapped his forehead.

“Incorporate the bustling streets of the entire capital, including some vacant areas, into the plan and categorize them accordingly, with one street for eating and drinking, one street for entertainment, and one street for commerce! If this is done well, I estimate…”

Lin Beifan thought for a moment and raised three fingers, “At least it can create 3,000 job positions, benefiting 3,000 families!”

Lord Wang exclaimed, “Can it really have such a significant impact?”.

Lin Beifan smiled and shook his head, “It might be even more! Because once this matter forms a scale, it will create a clustering effect! People who enjoy eating and drinking will go to the street dedicated to that. People who enjoy entertainment will go to the entertainment street. People who want to buy things will go to the commercial street. Business will flourish! And as business improves, the number of employees will naturally increase!”

“Just like the Western and Eastern markets, they were not initially populated, but when people found out that they could buy high-quality and inexpensive goods there, they became lively!” Lord Wang laughed.

“That’s right! Street vendor economy is related to people’s livelihoods. Lord Wang, go ahead and do it. After all, it’s not a difficult task for our government! If it doesn’t go well, there won’t be much loss, but if it succeeds, it will be a great political achievement!”

“Prefect Lin is right. I will make arrangements immediately!”

After Lord Wang returned, he started arranging it right away.

The entire capital’s streets were reorganized, categorized, and marked out with equally sized stalls for the common people to conduct their street vendor businesses.

They must operate according to the rules within their designated stalls, maintaining cleanliness and not encroaching outside their boundaries.

No fees are charged, and a lottery is held every month to redistribute the stalls.

After obtaining Lin Beifan’s approval, the plan was announced throughout the city.

The common people of the capital were astonished.

They didn’t expect that since Lin Beifan took office, the first policy he implemented would be about street vendors.

The starting point is very down-to-earth.

And it looks very good.

It took three days to finalize the plan.

Everyone noticed that after the reorganization, the situation was indeed different!

The previously chaotic streets are now neat and no longer encroach on the road, making them look more spacious and comfortable!

Once it becomes clean and comfortable, people are more interested in going shopping.

Moreover, the planning and arrangements are very much in line with the wishes of the masses.

For example, if someone wants to find something to eat, they can directly go to the street dedicated to food and drinks, where there is a variety of options to enjoy without the need to wander around like before.

Little Princess is one such example, she has eaten her way through the snack street multiple times.

It’s the same in other areas too!

The entire street vendor economy has been activated, with more and more consumers and business owners!

… ….. …….

People flow through like a shuttle, filled with a bustling atmosphere!

Lord Wang exclaimed with joy, “Prefect, just as you said, the streets have become neat, everyone’s business has improved, many people’s profits have increased, and it didn’t cost much money!”

Lin Beifan smiled slightly, “My governing philosophy has always been: spend the least amount of money to accomplish the most things!”

“Prefect, you are truly admirable!” Lord Wang gave him a thumbs up.

Meanwhile, in the palace.

The empress, who had just finished reviewing the memorials, stretched and muttered to herself, “It has been half a month already. I wonder how Sir Lin has managed Dedian Prefecture!”

She had high expectations for Lin Beifan, which is why she appointed him as the prefect of the capital city.

The ability of a person can be judged by their management of a place.

If that place is developing and improving the lives of the people, it proves their outstanding governing ability.

Otherwise, it shows that they are inadequate.

Although only half a month has passed, usually officials are just settling into their positions and familiarizing themselves with their work.

However, the empress was eager to know what Lin Beifan has accomplished.

A detailed report was delivered to the empress.

She carefully read through it and found that the first thing Lin Beifan did upon taking office was to confiscate the wealth of corrupt officials, resulting in a sum of four to five million taels.

The empress’s eyebrows raised, “He really never changes!”

This didn’t surprise her at all!

She placed Lin Beifan in Dedian Prefecture to use his hand to clean up the group of corrupt officials.

Let them have the opportunity to be corrupt, but not the opportunity to enjoy it.

The empress continued reading.

She saw that Lin Beifan had improved the atmosphere in Dedian Prefecture using a unique method.

She couldn’t help but applaud, “This method is ingenious! It punishes the powerful, protects the interests of the people, and even manages to benefit from it! Truly my good strategist, achieving results so quickly! Once this method is implemented, not only the capital city, but the entire Great Wu’s judicial and social environment will greatly improve! Haha!”

The empress continued reading, but shook her head with some regret, “Unfortunately, this method is not easily promoted!”

Lin Beifan dare and can do such things because he is fearless and unafraid of offending people.

But other officials lack this courage, and it is destined that they cannot achieve the same.