Chapter 1520: Three-Step Strategy

"That's true," King Yao acknowledged, needing no modesty. Wherever he resided, that was the very center of Tianshui City.

"Developing the new city this time won't be a small-scale operation involving just a dozen or so villas," He Lingchuan whispered. "Instead of auctions, we can set prices and sell directly. To maintain the high value of Quiet Lake Villa, we need residents nearby. An increased population in the surrounding area will underpin the villa's prices. Otherwise, buyers who have already invested hundreds of thousands of taels of silver will be quite displeased."

With Qingyang now serving as a target, King Yao's direct lineage could still push up prices.

However, Quiet Lake lacked amenities and vibrancy. Over time, buyers would begin to feel it wasn't a worthwhile investment.

King Yao looked at him, a slight smile playing on his lips. "I wondered why there's been so much support for Tianshui City's eastward expansion in recent court discussions. So, this is the reason."

It ultimately came down to self-interest. Those individuals had invested colossal sums in villas at Quiet Lake, not merely to demonstrate loyalty, but primarily to preserve their capital and ideally see it appreciate.

That location and area were perfectly suited for this.

King Yao hummed. "So, still employing your concept of 'pre-...' "

"Presale."

And the Divine Temple!

Tianshui City had long desired expansion, but it was a costly and labor-intensive undertaking with no immediate financial return. Coupled with the state treasury's perennial deficits, ministers opposed King Yao's proposal every time he raised it.

In recent years, despite consistently favorable weather and abundant harvests, where had all the money gone? It was ludicrous that Tianshui City, the capital of Yao and the most prosperous city in the Shanjin Plain, couldn't afford to build a new district!

"Indeed, it will cost a substantial amount," He Lingchuan said, articulating the unspoken concern.

A major engineering project implied a high budget and significant expenditure.

King Yao gazed at him, and as he smiled, the wrinkles around his eyes deepened, lending him a particularly benevolent air. "Island Master He, would you be willing to participate?"

This young man, after managing Quiet Lake Villa, has become rather ambitious, hasn't he?

"You jest, Your Majesty," He Lingchuan replied, not falling for the bait. "How could an outsider like myself possibly be involved in such a monumental project?"

How xenophobic was the Yao Kingdom? General Chongwu, despite his exceptional martial prowess and outstanding military achievements, was denied the position of northern protector by the royal court solely because he wasn't a Yao native; ultimately, Qingyang had to intervene.

Although the Yao Kingdom had a substantial immigrant population, the natives and locals generally looked down upon them. "Breaking the mold" was certainly not a characteristic of Yao's way of doing things.

"My contribution is merely a small suggestion, within my capabilities," He Lingchuan said, maintaining a humble demeanor. "The new city expansion will feature primarily residential homes. If funds are short, it might be advisable to initiate presales, much like with Quiet Lake Villa. The substantial funds raised could then be immediately channeled into the new city's construction."

King Yao had observed his methods: selling an empty, almost uninhabited plot of land for an exorbitant price.

Wasn't it simply opportunistic speculation? It didn't seem particularly challenging.

This was tantamount to the royal court pre-selling properties to its subjects, collecting funds upfront for expansion, and only then delivering the completed homes.

The key question, however, was how to make them not just willing, but eager, to part with their money?

"The Yao Kingdom's wealth lies with its people. While the national treasury may be depleted, the citizens of Tianshui City are truly prosperous. As long as they believe in the vision, they will naturally be willing to contribute," He Lingchuan said, giving a thumbs-up. "Firstly, Your Majesty must let it be known that Quiet Lake Palace will be extensively renovated and rebuilt to be both grand and magnificent."

King Yao listened impassively. "Spread the word?"

"Precisely. Your reconstruction of this palace will signal that you intend to reside frequently at Quiet Lake in the future. Your subjects only need to be aware of this fact."

"Secondly, all levels of government offices and public facilities in the new city should be planned and announced without delay," He Lingchuan continued. "Designate the plots for public facilities and construct them gradually. However, the accompanying roads must be paved swiftly. This approach will make the new city's construction appear to be in full swing, yet the actual cost will remain low."

King Yao stroked his beard. "So, 'spreading the word' again, and 'appearing to be'... Is it all just a facade?"

"It must absolutely be genuine, and we must never betray the people's trust! However, we should proceed steadily, without undue haste." He Lingchuan, of course, emphatically denied any deception, to prevent King Yao from drawing unnecessary conclusions.

King Yao took a leisurely sip of his sweet wine. "Thus far, your proposal still requires expenditure."

He waited to hear how the national treasury would be replenished.

"The plan must specifically highlight that the new city can only accommodate a maximum of 200,000 residents."

King Yao's expression subtly shifted. With his extensive experience, it wasn't difficult for him to grasp that this second method aimed to create an exclusive "gated community" effect.

For a city with a million inhabitants, only one-fifth would be able to reside in the new district. This was indeed a significant barrier to entry.

Displaced people couldn't go.

The impoverished couldn't go.

Those who could afford to live in the new city would be, at minimum, affluent households.

"From that point onward, the new city could begin selling land adjacent to government offices and public facilities," He Lingchuan murmured. "With 200,000 residents, and assuming five to seven people per household, only thirty to forty thousand residences would need to be built."

"Many people, limited land—this drives up land prices. It's the same principle that allowed Quiet Lake Villa to command such high prices."

Many officials, few properties—that's why Quiet Lake Villa repeatedly fetched astronomical prices.

"So, simply by selling less land and building fewer houses, citizens will flock to the new city?" This didn't sound quite right.

"It's a three-step process," He Lingchuan explained, knowing it wouldn't be easy for King Yao to fully grasp the concept. "First, the citizens must truly perceive your determination for eastward expansion and be convinced that this new city will certainly be built. This is the very purpose of your extensive construction in Yunsong Town: to generate immense momentum."

Only with established expectations can they be influenced.

"The key to this step lies in the vigorous commencement of public welfare and infrastructure projects, the relocation of high-ranking officials and aristocratic families into Quiet Lake Villa, and the simultaneous renovation of your imperial palace. This is because people believe what they see."

King Yao nodded, deep in thought. "And then?"

"The second step is to make them understand that properties in the new city will be highly sought after, and not everyone will qualify for residency. However, once settled, they will enjoy benefits far superior to those in the old district of Tianshui. For instance, problems with displaced people, inner-city flooding, and epidemics will simply not exist."

Old Tianshui City, built long ago, suffered from aging houses, narrow streets, and frequent inner-city flooding—all intractable problems. And displaced people... they were like a persistent rash for Tianshui City, itchy and painful when aggravated, difficult to eradicate, and prone to recurrence.

These issues were numerous and ongoing.

"Those who remain in the old district will be left to endure these problems day after day, year after year, with no resolution!"

King Yao pondered for a long moment before stating, "Something is still missing."

"Precisely, that's the third step," He Lingchuan said, leaning slightly forward. "Price increases!"

King Yao raised an eyebrow.

"Land in the new city will inherently be scarce, able to accommodate less than twenty percent of the old district's residents. Tianshui City itself is the most prosperous and flourishing place in the Shanjin Plain, with people flocking here daily. This capital city lacks neither people nor money! So, if you don't purchase residential land in the new eastern district, there will be plenty of others eager to buy it. And if you do buy, you can always resell it later, and the price will only continue to climb!"

The new city would have only thirty to forty thousand residences in total, yet the existing population exceeded one million. Who would be able to reside there and who would not? What criterion would determine this?

Naturally, it would be money; it would be the price!

Could it be an ideal?

"By then, the citizens will promptly pay, and won't the Yao Kingdom's treasury be replenished?" He Lingchuan stated earnestly. "With such a substantial sum, Tianshui City can properly undergo its expansion, constructing wide, smooth streets, efficient drainage systems, sturdy river embankments, and beautiful palaces and residences. This would not only bring great joy to everyone, from the highest to the lowest, but also be a tremendous act of merit, blessing future generations!"

"If this plan is implemented, how much will the national treasury truly need to spend? Only on the initial public infrastructure," he said, enunciating each word. "Stepping back, even if it doesn't entirely succeed, what is lost? Tianshui City was already slated for expansion. Palaces, government offices, and residential plots were already being planned, and citizens were already going to invest in real estate. All Your Majesty is doing now is having them accelerate this process; everything else remains unchanged."

"The sole difference is that, should this plan succeed, the national treasury will no longer struggle to fund the massive capital expansion! All your other initiatives, whether domestic or foreign, will become significantly easier to achieve once you have the necessary funds!"

That final sentence struck a chord deep within King Yao.

The national treasury had been in deficit for several consecutive years. Despite numerous attempts, none had succeeded in turning losses into profits.

Setting aside other matters, Beijia's Lingxu City had expanded at least six times throughout its history. Why couldn't his own Tianshui City undergo a third expansion?

He Lingchuan then subtly brought the conversation full circle. "Naturally, the ultimate decisions on how and where to build rest entirely with Your Majesty. With your wisdom and acumen, you are certain to make the best choice, one that will benefit generations to come."

King Yao looked at him with a knowing, half-smile. "If you were to join the court as an official, you would undoubtedly thrive."