flstandardbreds Chapter 152 Wei Guoxing's Attitude Towards the Economic Zone
Chapter 152 Wei Guoxing's Attitude Towards the Economic Zone
In Daliang, the capital of Wei, when the people heard that Qin had ceased hostilities and planned to cooperate with Wei in building an economic zone on the border, the entire state of Wei was instantly thrown into an uproar, with people speechless with astonishment.
The people put down their work, came out of their homes, gathered together, cheered and spread the news. For a time, the entire state of Wei was immersed in a joyous atmosphere.
For a long time, the brutal war instilled a sense of insecurity in everyone in the State of Wei, from the highest to the lowest. Whether it was the powerful king and officials at all levels, or ordinary citizens, everyone lived in constant fear and trepidation. They worried that they would wake up one morning to find the State of Wei gone; they were even more afraid that while they slept, the Qin army would breach the city gates and storm in, brutally murdering them. That endless fear hung over everyone's hearts like a dark cloud, making it almost impossible for them to breathe.
Those hardworking people, toiling day and night, planted seeds with hope, carefully tending each seedling, eagerly anticipating the harvest. However, just as the crops were nearing maturity, a sudden war swept in like a demon, destroying everything in their path. Amidst the flames of war, farmland turned to scorched earth, and crop failure became the norm. Countless families were plunged into despair, forced to leave their homes and become wandering refugees.
Walking through the streets and alleys of Wei, one could see homeless people everywhere, barely clothed. Their faces were haggard, their eyes vacant, as if they had lost their souls. Not only ordinary people suffered greatly, but even merchants were not spared. Due to the war, roads were blocked, the transport of goods was severely hampered, and commodities could not circulate normally. Many businesses faced the crisis of bankruptcy and ultimately ended up destitute.
Furthermore, life was equally difficult for the artisans. In an era where even basic sustenance was a struggle, who would have the inclination to craft objects? Most artisans lost their jobs and could only watch helplessly as their skills went to waste. Those who were slightly luckier were captured and forced to forge armor for soldiers, at least managing to earn a living; but those who were unlucky faced the tragic fate of starving to death.
Now that the Qin state has chosen to cease hostilities, this is undoubtedly a momentous and joyous event for all the people of Wei!
At that moment, on a mountain outside the city, Old Zhang was chopping firewood with his axe, stockpiling enough fuel for the approaching winter. Suddenly, a shout came from afar, breaking the silence of the mountain. Old Zhang stopped what he was doing, listened intently, and recognized the voice as that of his eldest son, Zhang Dalang. He looked up and followed the direction of the sound.
Zhang Dalang came running up the mountain, panting, a broad smile on his face. Old Zhang frowned at the sight and asked with some displeasure, "Dalang, didn't I tell you to watch the house? Why are you here?"
Zhang Dalang, not even bothering to wipe the sweat from his brow, eagerly replied, "Father, fantastic news! Qin has made peace! And they're even going to establish an economic zone with our Wei state to jointly promote economic development!"
Old Zhang was stunned at first, then his eyes widened in astonishment. His voice trembled with disbelief as he asked, "Is...is this true? Has Qin really made peace?"
Zhang Dalang nodded vigorously and said with a smile, "It's true, Dad! It's all over the place now, everyone's so happy!"
Upon hearing this joyous news, Old Zhang was so excited that his legs went weak and he knelt down on the ground. He clasped his hands together, looked up at the sky, and murmured to himself, "Thank God! Now we farmers are finally safe and sound, and we no longer have to worry about being ravaged by war."
Seeing his father's agitated state, Zhang Dalang's heart tightened. He quickly walked to his father's side and knelt down without hesitation. He clasped his hands together, his expression incredibly devout, and said in a trembling voice, "Heaven help us, please hear our prayers, may there never be another war!"
At this very moment, across the vast land of Wei, countless people like Old Zhang, overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude, knelt and bowed in thanks to Heaven. Some were even unable to contain their surging emotions, embracing each other and weeping bitterly.
The merchants were overjoyed. A gaunt man, stroking his thick beard with a broad smile, his eyes gleaming with undisguised excitement, exclaimed, "Haha, now our business can finally thrive again!"
Before he could finish speaking, another merchant standing nearby, equally excited, chimed in, "That's right! This major decision by the Qin state will surely help us accumulate enormous wealth once again!" They all began to plan how to expand their business empires in the new economic zone.
The craftsmen gathered in the workshop, whispering amongst themselves. Now that Qin had made peace and was jointly developing the economy, they seemed to see stable jobs and incomes. "We won't have to worry about not having work anymore," a blacksmith said, brandishing his hammer with anticipation.
"Yes, maybe we can even learn Qin's advanced techniques." The other workers nodded in agreement, their hearts filled with hope for the future.
In the minds of the Wei people, Qin was once a ferocious wolf, its jaws agape, poised to pounce on them at any moment. Qin soldiers were like demons, leaving nothing but desolation in their wake. They lived in constant fear, spending every night in terror, dreading that Qin's iron cavalry would trample their villages at dawn.
However, everything has changed now. They see the Qin state voluntarily laying down its weapons and extending a hand of friendship. The Qin state that once terrified them has now become their hope for the future.
They couldn't help but feel a strong curiosity about the Qin state, speculating whether Qin would truly cease hostilities. No one in Wei could give a definitive answer to this. However, judging from the current situation, Qin seemed to have indeed chosen a truce.
The people of Wei were filled with hope that Qin would forever cease its wars, for the deep-seated fear that had long burdened them was now gradually being replaced by anticipation.
The farmers dreamed that in that newly established economic zone, their crops would thrive under the sun and rain. They even fantasized about having the opportunity to exchange planting experiences with the farmers of Qin and share the indescribable joy of a bountiful harvest.
In their minds, a beautiful picture seemed to emerge: vast, boundless fields, rolling waves of wheat, drooping ears of grain, and people's faces beaming with contentment. And all of this would become part of a brand new world, full of hope and infinite possibilities.
The merchants, meanwhile, turned their attention to the business opportunities brought by the economic zone. They secretly pondered that cooperating with Qin merchants might be a shortcut to wealth. By deeply studying Qin's business practices and learning from the shrewdness and management skills of Qin merchants, they confidently hoped to work alongside them in this economic zone, jointly writing a commercial legend and forging their own glorious path.
The artisans also had their own plans. They knew that through this platform built by the economic zone, they would have the opportunity to access and learn Qin's advanced craftsmanship. This would undoubtedly greatly improve their skills, enabling them to create more exquisite and high-quality items.