Chapter 840 - 64: The Death of Gu Lin

For a time, movements and disturbances emerged from almost every corner of the realm.

Gu Lin’s operation this time was indeed rather ruthless, leaving these people no retreat; one could say he struck them all dead in one swift move.

But he had to act in such a manner.

The Gu Clan must always focus on the bigger picture.

To truly prevent these matters from continuing, one must strike with determination; only thus can common understanding gradually form in everyone’s mind.

—The turmoil stirs anew.

Fortunately, Great Song is at its peak, sparing any fundamental disruption from these troubles.

Nonetheless, such occurrences are sure to stir up considerable commotion.

—Unlike investigating cases.

Investigations require fanfare, yet suppressing rebellion only needs positioning.

Almost instantaneously, forces already prepared in various places began to move swiftly to quell the unrest.

Gu Lin, undeterred, commenced the enforcement of anti-smuggling regulations, embedding the significance of this case in people’s hearts.

....

In truth, this matter cannot be entirely deemed beneficial for Great Song at present.

Even though Gu Lin has prepared extensively,

given the current indispensability of canal transport to Great Song, it will inevitably affect the overall market.

In a commerce-driven context,

Any slight market fluctuation may cause impacts far exceeding historical precedence.

The good news is that Great Song is overwhelmingly strong, rendering minor disturbances incapable of causing major chaos, provided Gu Lin manages everything well, utilizing the court’s power to gradually steward the market.

Agencies like the Ministry of Finance and the Market Exchange Office acted under orders, precisely releasing reserves to stabilize prices and ensure necessities for people’s livelihoods remain unaffected;

On the other hand, with court credit as assurance, leading clean-background commercial firms were guided to be the first to restore normal canal trade, using their robust capital and stable channels to quickly fill the market void left by the collapse of smuggling syndicates and local turmoil.

Besides this—

The disturbances further provided development opportunities for small firms.

This incident even extended to villages, where, amid vast market gaps, someone always swiftly rose to fill them.

This grassroot commercial vigor, like new sprouts after a spring rain, though tender, is full of vitality.

They quickly filled market niches, sustaining the circulation of goods and, due to their flexibility and proximity to production areas, formed a more efficient circulation model in some regions.

Yingtian Prefecture, Champion Marquis Mansion.

Gu Lin no longer guarded against those people in Chuigong Hall.

Since those individuals have fallen, and given the current circumstances, with his disposition, he surely wouldn’t let go of governmental affairs, always focusing on conditions everywhere.

"It seems, after stirring this pool, as the sediment rises, live fish leap forth."

As he scrutinized reports from various locations, he quietly murmured to himself and then picked up a pen, reviewing while instructing the family disciples by his side: "Civilian commerce is the foundation of commercial affairs."

"Facilitate with convenience at various canal offices and the Market Exchange Office, clarify taxes; do not hinder them due to their small scale, nor let them run unchecked."

"Use this as an opportunity to guide them onto the right track, to become supplements to canal transport, and a living stream in the market."

Having reviewed the reports, Gu Lin didn’t stop writing but rather took a blank slip, pondered briefly, and began to write.

"The restructuring of canal transport amidst market transition is also an opportunity for our Gu Clan," Gu Lin spoke calmly and assertively while writing, addressing his nephews, "Our Gu Clan’s brands ’Tongji’ and ’Yumin’ span various provinces, always relying on unifying the realm and allocating funds."

"Now, it’s time to seize this east wind, and act upon it."

He wrote about the reform targeting these two major banking branches under the Gu Clan.

These are the banks directly operated by the Gu Clan.

Currently the largest banks in Kyushu.

With the powerful foundation and reputation of the Gu Clan, these banks have long been established across the realm, also being one of the reasons for Great Song’s commercial prosperity.

Only such universally trusted banks could support the substantial capital required for current commercial trade.

After all, be it canal transport or land trade,

One cannot carry too much capital.

Without such banks spanning all of Kyushu, the scale of transactions would inevitably be limited.

Now, Gu Lin intends to once again adjust the strategies of these banks.

He aims to assist these small firms.

To form a flourish of commerce throughout Kyushu, rather than the previous almost semi-monopolistic form.

His pen flew over the paper, outlining clearly:

First, establish "Prosperous Business Loans" to support small ventures.

Specially instruct the branches at each province to set up low-interest loan projects targeting emerging small firms and village-town joint business teams, named "Prosperous Business Loans."

Anyone verified by canal offices or the Market Exchange Office, who is operating legitimately and has development potential, can use future goods orders or joint guarantees as credentials to apply for varying loan amounts to purchase boats, expand inventory, and lease storages.

Second, lower "Exchange Waters" fees to facilitate circulation.

Substantially reduce fees for small cross-province exchanges, especially for new business travelers between production locations and distribution centers, striving to make fund turnover quick and costs low, breaking regional limits, and helping them expand their business further.