Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

The Zhen family has recently been overwhelmed with happiness. With the New Year approaching and the ongoing conflict between Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao, many merchants doing business in Jizhou have become disinterested. They also heard that the Zhen family had made a significant profit recently, so many merchants, fearing the spread of war to Jizhou, sold their goods to the Zhen family at prices far below market value, nearly at cost.

The Zhen family, being wealthy and powerful, welcomed this windfall with open arms. Other merchants worried that the flames of war might reach Jizhou, so they quickly offloaded their inventories to the Zhen family.

As a prominent family in Jizhou, the Zhen family knew far more than the average merchant. They were well aware that the conflict would not reach Jizhou. Although Gongsun Zan had impressive military achievements against the Wuhuan in the north and the Yellow Turbans in the south, the Zhen family understood that this was superficial. They knew that as long as the Yuan family’s extensive resources were directed towards Jizhou, the tide of the war could easily turn.

Thus, the Zhen family began a sweeping acquisition campaign across Jizhou. Confident in their eventual victory, they did not fear significant losses to their business. They continued to purchase all available goods from merchants who wanted out, at cost price, and often at the raw production cost.

Despite this, most merchants in Jizhou sold their entire inventories, including land, to the Zhen family at rock-bottom prices. The land was sold at break-even, but the inventory was offloaded at cost, leading to significant losses for the merchants.

Jizhou, being a large province with a population of five million during relatively peaceful times, provided a robust base for Yuan Shao, making him second only to Dong Zhuo among the regional lords. With Jizhou’s stabilization, Yuan Shao’s power quickly rose, rivaling his brother Yuan Shu.

A province with such a large population naturally had numerous shops. Many merchants fled, leaving the Zhen family to purchase everything. After acquiring a significant portion of Jizhou’s commercial assets, the Zhen family realized their funds were running low. However, anticipating a prosperous future, they decided to use their reserves to continue buying.

The Zhen family’s longstanding reputation and creditworthiness in Jizhou allowed them to negotiate favorable terms. Some merchants agreed to delayed payments, trusting in the Zhen family’s promise, while others demanded immediate cash or requested to exchange their Jizhou properties for Zhen family holdings in other provinces.

In this way, the Zhen family managed to acquire almost all commercial properties in Jizhou. This enormous windfall even tempted Yuan Shao. However, knowing that the Zhen family specialized in commerce and considering the complexities of direct intervention, Yuan Shao decided to indirectly benefit from the Zhen family’s ventures.

Meanwhile, Mi Zhu was hosting a tea gathering with trusted members of his commercial association. Recent dealings had gone smoothly, with minimal losses, allowing them to acquire desired properties from the Zhen family at favorable terms. The association’s strategy of spreading disinformation helped conceal their true intentions, and they managed to earn a tidy profit.One elderly member, Zhao Zun, praised Mi Zhu’s leadership, expressing gratitude for the profitable guidance and support they had received. Mi Zhu, aware of the delicate balance between personal gain and collective trust, accepted the accolades modestly. He then presented a sample of wool yarn, sparking immediate interest among the merchants.

”How is this made?” an elderly merchant asked, inspecting the yarn with a keen eye.

”This is wool yarn, made from sheep’s wool,” Mi Zhu explained, understanding the immense potential of this new material.

The merchants, recognizing the massive profit margins compared to traditional linen and silk, were eager to explore this new venture. Wool yarn, with its versatility and high demand, promised substantial returns.

Mi Zhu revealed the different types of wool yarn produced from coarse, fine, and combed wool. This innovation, though initially met with skepticism, quickly garnered excitement as merchants envisioned the lucrative opportunities ahead.

The Zhen family’s current acquisitions in Jizhou had inadvertently created an advantageous position for Mi Zhu and his associates. As they continued to expand their operations and explore new markets, the potential for significant financial growth became increasingly apparent.

With the Zhen family deeply involved in consolidating their gains, Mi Zhu’s association seized the opportunity to capitalize on their strategic position, setting the stage for future success in the ever-evolving landscape of regional commerce and power.