Chapter 141: The Trade Route

A heavy snow had enveloped Sha County this day. Lu Lin sat at the door of his room and looked at Chen Xiao Mai and Yuan Bao building a snowman through the window.

Chen Xiao Mi walked to Lu Lin's side. "The snow is really heavy today!"

Lu Lin nodded, "Yeah!"

Sha County was much colder than Forest Town. Although they had been here for a few years, Lu Lin was still not used to it.

In autumn, Lu Lin called on the villagers to prepare to prevent the upcoming coldness. The villagers should be able to have a comfortable winter this year.

Over the past few years of development, kang was popularized in Sha County, basically each and every family had built a kang. The government had funded the impoverished families to build kangs to go through winter.

Lu Lin rested his head on the table and said, "I just feel so lazy on cold winter days, I don't want to leave the house or do anything."

Chen Xiao Mi glanced at Lu Lin and said with a suppressed smile, "You also feel lazy in autumn, summer and hold on for a moment, spring as well."

"Being lazy is human nature. I happen to be a person who likes to listen to my heart."

Chen Xiao Mi shook his head with a doting smile.

Mai rolled two big snowballs in the yard, then he piled the two snowballs up.

"Mi, look at those snowballs, Mai is always so full of energy, I love how his childish disposition always remains!" Lu Lin tilted his head and looked at Mai with a smile.

Yuan Bao exclaimed and jumped about joyfully on seeing the big snowman. Lu Lin looked Mai and Yuan Bao who were at the height of their enthusiasm and he was so jealous of the boys who were not afraid of the coldness.

Even Dash who was resting in Chen Xiao Mi's arms looked like he wished to join his brother and Little Uncle.

Lu Lin found that he was the only one in the family who was very afraid of coldness. He didn't want to look weak or delicate by his family's comparison, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Chen Xiao Mi who was doing a rockabye to Dash suddenly let out a sigh, "It's the end of the year again, funny how time slips away."

Lu Lin nodded. In the blink of an eye, he had been in this time and space for over eight years.

"I wonder what will happen next year," Chen Xiao Mi said.

Lu Lin smiled and said, "Don't you worry about a thing, Mi, things will only become better and better for us."

Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "I hope so."

Chen Xiao Mai dashed into the room and said, "Lin Ge, look at my snowman."

Lu Lin rubbed Chen Xiao Mai's head and said, "Not bad, not bad. Mai, your snowman is just as imposing as you, good job!"

Chen Xiao Mai nodded and said, "I built a tall snowman, I think he is even taller than you."

Lu Lin narrowed his eyes, "Mai, don't make fun of my height!"

Yuan Bao trotted to the room and jumped into Lu Lin's arms.

"Father, let's go have some hotpot. Recently, Second Uncle's restaurant is not doing so well. Let's go and support him."

Lu Lin showed a snicker, 'Yuan Bao, why can't you be honest, you just have cravings for hotpot today, and the truth is Cai's restaurant is still doing great, but the way you are saying it is like you are doing Cai a favor, you little glib brat.'

Lu Lin took Chen Xiao Mai, Yuan Bao and Dash to the hotpot restaurant. Although it was windy and snowy outside, the hotpot restaurant was warm and lively.

Quite a few customers were drinking and chatting, enjoying their dinner.

The waiters in the restaurant seemed to be very busy.

Lu Lin asked for a private room and he asked for a special baby seat for Dash.

The baby seats in the restaurants were another reference from the modern society, Dash liked it so much, he enjoyed sitting on the same level with his parents.

The baby seat became very popular once it was launched, a lot of family would put their toddlers in the seat and enjoyed their dinner without worrying about them.

Chen Xiao Mai ordered six small jars of wine, Dash was very interested in the ceramic jars, he kept reaching out his tiny arms for the jars. Lu Lin poured the wine from a jar and stuffed it into Dash's hand. To Lu Lin's surprise, Dash was so angry that it was empty, he threw the empty jar on the ground with a bang.

Lu Lin gasped on seeing how powerful Dash's throw was, he thought his baby Dash surely would become a man of unusual strength just like Xiao Mi.

Chen Xiao Mi ate the hotpot a slowly, savoring every mouthful, "This is perfect for a snowy day like today!"

Lu Lin was so glad no matter how many times they had had hotpot, Chen Xiao Mi still enjoyed it.

......

Time flew by and winter soon passed.

When spring came, Ji Cheng Kang visited Lu Lin.

"General Ji, long time no see." Lu Lin and Ji Cheng Kang would always visit each other when Highness Cheng was in Sha County, but they had less contact after that.

Ji Cheng Kang smiled and said, "Indeed, we haven't seen each other for a while. Second Young Master Chen's business is getting more and more popular! What a marvelous young man!"

Lu Lin smiled and said, "You are flattering him, General Ji."

Ji Cheng Kang smiled and said, "Don't be so modest, our entire county is very grateful for all the job opportunities."

Ji Cheng Kang then took out an envelope and said, "This is the bandars note Yun An just sent, this is Second Young Master Chen's cut."

Lu Lin was a little surprised, "From the book Journey to the West? That business is still running?"

Ji Cheng Kang nodded and said, "Yes, Yun An said it was still very popular."

Lu Lin thought to himself, 'Wow, now I wish I have read more in modern society, how great it's going to be if I can sell other books!'

Ji Cheng Kang was also surprised that a story-teller's script could make so much money. He had mixed feelings when Ji Yun An gave him silver to cover the military expenditure in his camp.

"If we sell a few more stories, then we will be rich!" Lu Lin exclaimed.

Ji Cheng Kang glanced at Lu Lin and said, "Ordinary stories won't be this popular, it has to be unique and original like Journey to the West!"

Lu Lin then quickly searched his memory, he had read some novels after he quit his job in the city and went back to his hometown, there were some stories he thought might be popular in this time and space.

"General Ji, is there something I can do for you?" asked Lu Lin.

Ji Cheng Kang smiled and said, "Oh, thank you for reminding me, I'm here to talk to you about the Liao Dynasty..."

Lu Lin widened his eyes and said excitedly, "Liao Dynasty, are we going to war with them again?"

Ji Cheng Kang looked at Lu Lin's pale face and said promptly, "No, it's not like that, Magistrate Lu."

Lu Lin suddenly realized that he had lost his composure, so he awkwardly put on a dry smile and said, "It's good to know there's not going to be a war, it is the people who pay the price once the war starts!"

Ji Cheng Kang smiled and thought to himself, "Although Lu Lin is smart and has countless ideas in his mind, he seems to lose his composure easily, but it's fair, he is worried about the people."

Lu Lin and Ji Cheng Kang chatted for a while before Ji Cheng Kang went back to the camp.

Chen Xiao Mi then came out and asked, "General Ji was here, is it something important?"

Lu Lin smiled and said, "He's here for business, but it's a good business."

"Good business," Chen Xiao Mi was delighted. "I'm all ears."

Lu Lin held his chin and said, "Liao Dynasty has the intention to establish relations with our country."

Chen Xiao Mi was a little surprised. "Is that so? It has been a few years since the previous war. After the truce, the trade between two countries has maintained a frozen state. If the two countries really established a relationship, it was possible to resume business with them."

"How reliable is this news?" asked Chen Xiao Mi.

"It's from General Ji, so I say, very reliable," Lu Lin said.

......

"You're here, Cai. We are going to be busy soon. Lu Lin plans to build some special attractions," Chen Xiao Mi said.

Chen Xiao Cai frowned and said, "What special attractions? Is it really worthwhile?"

Chen Xiao Mi nodded his head and said, "The Liao Dynasty intends to have some peace negotiations and trade talks with us, General Ji said probably the Liao would send diplomatic envoys to us Sha County! Cai, once the trade route is reopened, it will bring us countless opportunities! The horses in Liao Dynasty are pursued by the high officials and noble lords in the capital city, some breeds are sold for hundreds of tales of silver! We need to take the advantage of being in a favored position, we are so close to them!"

Chen Xiao Cai asked excitedly, "Really? This is the most exciting news I have heard over the past few years."

Chen Xiao Cai got bored recently because all of his projects were now on the right track, he had been waiting for new challenges.

The commercial street was a hit, all the restaurants were popular, Chen Xiao Cai just felt bored.

Chen Xiao Mi said happily, "People used to try their best to stay away from Sha County, but maybe it will become as popular as hotcake in no time."

Chen Xiao Mi thought to himself, 'It looks like heaven got a plan for us, we came to Sha County because it was the cheapest one on the market, but it will a place of strategic importance once the trade route reopens.'

Chen Xiao Cai said excitedly, "Big Brother, it sounds almost too good to be true."

The value of the commercial street would double in no time once the trade route reopened.

Chen Xiao Mi nodded, "Yeah! Your Brother Lin has bought a few pieces of land for you. Since the news has yet to spread, you can build another commercial street and wrest market share."

Chen Xiao Cai blinked and asked, "That sounds so great!"

Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "According to General Ji, His Highness Cheng seems to have done a lot of publicity for Sha County after he returned to the capital city. Maybe some young masters from the capital city will travel to Sha County soon."

Chen Xiao Cai was shocked by Chen Xiao Mi's words. "No way, will the young masters really come to a remote and backward place to try some food?"

"Not just to try some food. However, if our government has the intention to reestablish a relationship with the Liao Dynasty, the emperor will send diplomatic envoys to Sha County as well, I'm sure all the young masters will be more than happy to be part of this great merit!"

Chen Xiao Cai blinked and he felt an upsurge of emotion, 'Sha County is my home turf, time to fulfill my potential!'

Chen Xiao Mi glanced at Chen Xiao Cai and said, "Cai, I have faith in you."

Lu Lin was now an official and there were many things that were not convenient for him to do. However, with his power, he could make a lot of things easier for Chen Xiao Cai.

Chen Xiao Cai nodded, "Thank you, Big Brother! I heard that someone had dug out a hot spring in the mountain. Maybe we can build a hot spring resort like Brother Lin mentioned."

Chen Xiao Mi said excitedly, "Hot springs, really?"

Chen Xiao Cai nodded and said, "It is true."

It was said that some villagers had found that hot springs a long time ago, they didn't bother to tell anyone until Lu Lin herd the hearsay and offered a reward.

Chen Xiao Mi rolled his eyes and asked, "The villagers could hide that spot for a long time, I'm afraid it must be in a remote area, it might be easy to develop that area."

Chen Xiao Cai nodded, "That's a good point, Big Brother, I will talk to Lin Ge."

With that Chen Xiao Cai excitedly ran towards the County Yamen. For Chen Xiao Cai, silver now was just stuff. What excited him was not silver itself, it was the feeling of accomplishment that he was able to create things with silver.

Like the commercial street he had built in Sha County, he enjoyed the feeling of creating tangible results.