Chapter 482: Cooperation Offer ( 2 )

Inside the tent, Bai Yunxiao was busy reading reports and calculating the cost of the materials. His desk was filled with ledgers, letters, and reports. There was almost no space left for him to write.

Out of the three Prefectural Commanders, only he knew how to check accounts, negotiate with merchants, and do business. So, the matter of building the new barracks was left to him.

As for Gao Yan and Lei Fu, they were responsible for recruiting soldiers, training the army, and handling all matters regarding the city’s security.

When he was at his wit’s end due to the lack of materials, a guard entered his tent.

The guard cupped his fists, bowed, and said, "Reporting to the Prefectural Commander, Madam Hu requests an audience."

Hearing this, Bai Yunxiao stopped what he was doing and said, "Invite her in."

Not long after, he saw a woman wearing a long veil enter, followed by a male servant and a maidservant.

Seeing this, he raised his eyebrows but said nothing. Everyone knew that people from the Nuwa Clan were unpredictable and had eccentric personalities.

With that thought, he stood up and cupped his fists. "Greetings, Madam Hu."

Yao Zhi returned his bow and said, "Greetings, Prefectural Commander Bai."

Bai Yunxiao gestured for her to have a seat and poured her a cup of tea. After taking a seat across from her, he asked, "Madam Hu, I wonder what brought you here to visit me today?"

Yao Zhi took a sip of tea, placed the teacup down, and replied, "Prefectural Commander Bai, my visit today is to discuss the city layout plan with you."

"City layout planning?" Bai Yunxiao asked doubtfully.

Yao Zhi nodded, and with a wave of her hand, she took out a pile of papers from her system’s storage. "These are the rough designs for the city layout," she said as she gestured for Kui Baiyi to give the designs to him.

While Bai Yunxiao looked through the designs, Yao Zhi continued, "This layout plan not only includes Northeast City but also the entire Marquis of Zhongyong’s fief."

"Although the cost and effort needed to carry out this plan are massive, as long as we complete it, we won’t have to worry about being attacked by others anymore."

"Madam Hu, are you saying that with this layout plan, Northeast City can withstand attacks from the barbarians?" Bai Yunxiao asked with doubt.

Yao Zhi smiled and replied, "Not only the barbarians, but also the Tatars, Mobei, Zhiyue, the grassland tribes, and even the Luan Army or the Azure Dragon Army."

Bai Yunxiao was stunned by her words and, after a moment, asked, "Madam Hu, how can you be so sure that this design can withstand their attack?"

"Not to mention the Mobei Kingdom and the Zhiyue Kingdom, we all know that the barbarian and Tatars alone have more than enough attack power to put us in a passive situation."

Pointing at the designs, he continued, "I agree that by building a higher city wall, it’s safer for us during wartime. But a high city wall alone is not enough to keep the enemies away from our territory."

Yao Zhi nodded when she heard his words and explained, "Prefectural Commander Bai, besides the more organized division of land, they also include defensive mechanisms in the designs."

"These mechanisms can be triggered from within the walls and reduce the number of casualties during war. Besides that, there are also underground chambers that can be used as shelters for the commoners."

At first, Bai Yunxiao was skeptical, but after he finished reading the information and looked at the combined designs, he couldn’t help but admit that this was the best city layout plan he had ever seen.

"Madam Hu, this layout plan is indeed brilliant. But not to mention the cost needed to complete this project, just the materials alone are a major problem."

Hearing this, Yao Zhi smiled and replied, "I understand your concern, Prefectural Commander Bai."

"Since my family has decided to take part in rebuilding Northeast City, we wouldn’t accept a half-hearted result. Therefore, the materials will be provided by my family, while the Marquis will be responsible for handling the other matters, including hiring people and paying their wages."

Bai Yunxiao had never believed in a free lunch. So after hearing this, he asked, "Madam Hu, I understand that your family is helping the commoners when you donate grain and medicine."

"But rebuilding the entire fief and giving us this layout design is far more than simply doing a good deed. I wonder what your family hopes to gain by doing this?"

Yao Zhi smiled the moment she heard his words. Compared to other military officers, he was indeed different.

Someone who had been born and raised in a noble family as an illegitimate child, and faced the entire extermination of his clan, yet was able to reach his current position, was not a simple person at all.

This information was a secret buried by the Duke of Zhenguo. She had only found it out when she scanned Bai Yunxiao with her system and read his information.

With that thought, Yao Zhi took out an agreement from her system’s storage and said, "As merchants, of course we never do business at a loss."

"I believe that Prefectural Commander Bai already knows that my cousin bought the entire western outskirts, including the mountains, from the Marquis."

"I am indeed aware of this matter," Bai Yunxiao nodded.

Yao Zhi nodded and continued, "Since my family owns land here, it’s only natural for us to reduce the risk of losing our property and increase its value. To do that, we not only have to ensure that security is good, but the environment also plays a crucial role."

"If the city is beautiful, it will attract many tourists. With the tourism sector improving, local businesses will improve as well. This virtuous cycle is what my family seeks."

"Madam Hu, are you saying that your family doesn’t want anything else from us?" Bai Yunxiao asked.

Yao Zhi chuckled at his words and shook her head. "Prefectural Commander Bai must be joking."

"Madam Hu, what do you mean?"

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