Under the joint governance of Li Yi and Lin Yue, the spectacle of commercial prosperity unfolded like a vibrant scroll in the long river of history. The capital's streets bustled with life—carriages and horses thronged, crowds ebbed and flowed, and every corner overflowed with vitality. Shops lined the streets, their signs eye-catching, while the cries of vendors and the buzz of bargaining merged into a lively urban melody. Meanwhile, commercial guilds sprang up across the country like mushrooms after rain, becoming vital drivers of trade.
As the ruler, Li Yi possessed far-sighted vision. He knew that to sustain commercial growth, a sound policy framework was essential to regulate business practices. He convened court ministers and commercial experts for a grand debate in the imperial court. "Gentlemen, though commerce thrives,Chaos such as price fraud and counterfeit goods severely harm consumers and hinder healthy trade. If left unchecked, the national economy will suffer gravely. We must devise policies to standardize this *urgently*," Li Yi said gravely, his voice steady and powerful.
A white-haired minister stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty is wise! In my view, we should establish a market regulatory agency to punish violations with iron-fisted measures and rectify the market." Li Yi nodded slightly and turned to a young official. "What is your opinion? Speak freely." The official replied solemnly, "Your Majesty, beyond strengthening supervision, we must build a commercial credit system. Reward honest merchants as models, while publicly shaming and punishing dishonest ones to deter moral violations."
After heated debate, Li Yi synthesized these ideas into a policy framework: establishing a Market Regulatory Department to combat illegal acts like price fraud; creating commercial credit archives to offer preferential support to trustworthy merchants and restrict dishonest ones; and standardizing commercial contracts to reduce disputes.
Implementation was key. Li Yi appointed an experienced, upright official as director of the Market Regulatory Department and recruited talent to strengthen oversight. He often went incognito to inspect enforcement, strictly ordering officials at all levels not to slacken.
Driven by these policies, market order improved. Merchants prioritized integrity, product quality rose, consumer rights were protected, and commerce became more standardized.
Lin Yue, equally committed to national progress, focused on merchants' health as a cornerstone of commercial vitality. She organized imperial physicians and folk healers to visit guilds nationwide, providing free medical checkups and consultations. "Friends in commerce, you often neglect your health while chasing business. Today, we've brought professional doctors for thorough exams. Please remember: health is the foundation of all success," Lin Yue said warmly, smiling in a guild hall.
Grateful merchants queued orderly for exams. Doctors conducted meticulous checks, inquired about lifestyles, and offered personalized advice. "Boss, your health is solid, but maintain a light diet—avoid oily, spicy foods, exercise regularly, and sleep well to stay in peak condition," an imperial physician advised after feeling a merchant's pulse. The merchant thanked him, "I'll take your advice to heart, Doctor."
Lin Yue also commissioned the *Merchant's Health Guide*, a visually rich and accessible manual on TCM wellness. Widely embraced, it helped many merchants adjust their lifestyles and improve their health.
With policy support and healthier merchants, guilds flourished as platforms for exchange and bridges between government and business. They hosted regular events—product fairs, trade talks, and commercial forums—to showcase goods, expand markets, and share expertise.
At a grand product fair, merchants from across the land displayed specialties: exquisite silk, pure porcelain, fragrant tea, handicrafts, and regional foods. A Western Regions merchant stroked a bolt of silk, marveling, "The texture and patterns are unparalleled—even in the Western Regions, such treasure is unseen." A local silk merchant replied proudly, "Our craftsmanship has thrived for millennia, selling well at home and abroad."
During the fair, merchants negotiated deals and signed numerous orders, strengthening cross-regional ties. Beyond commerce, guilds invested in public welfare—building roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals; supporting poor students; and aiding orphans and widows—earning widespread praise.
Li Yi and Lin Yue also prioritized agriculture and handicrafts. They introduced policies to encourage farmers to reclaim wasteland, adopt advanced techniques, and increase yields; and supported artisans to innovate, expand production, and elevate quality.
In agriculture, experts guided scientific farming, promoted new crops and irrigation projects, and improved disaster resistance, significantly raising rural living standards. In handicrafts, special funds and craftsmanship competitions fueled innovation, breathing new life into traditional trades and launching works onto global markets.
Yet prosperity brought new challenges: cutthroat competition spurred unfair tactics like predatory pricing and slander; urban migration strained housing, traffic, security, and the environment.
One day, Li Yi received an anonymous letter exposing collusion between merchants and officials to rig markets. Though vague, the letter alarmed him, hinting at hidden forces threatening commercial order. He and Lin Yue urgently convened advisors. "This letter reeks of conspiracy. We must uncover the truth before prosperity collapses," Li Yi said grimly.
Ministers proposed strengthening laws, enhancing urban planning, and boosting environmental oversight. Lin Yue added, "Promote eco-awareness through education, invest in waste management, and establish long-term systems."
Li Yi secretly tasked trusted aides with investigating the letter. The probe faced deliberate obfuscation: clues vanished, and investigators uncovered industrial spies hired to steal trade secrets and disrupt markets. Meanwhile, the capital saw a series of high-value thefts targeting merchants prepping for major events, with ties to commercial rivalry.
The couple began by cracking down on unfair competition. The Market Regulatory Department intensified inspections, uncovering and punishing violations. As investigations deepened, a shadowy syndicate emerged—colluding with officials to monopolize markets via underhanded tactics.
During a covert operation, investigators apprehended a key spy, who confessed to a syndicate manipulating the market. Li Yi and Lin Yue ordered a ruthless crackdown, dismantling the group and punishing corrupt officials, restoring market order.
Shifting focus to urban management, they commissioned experts to plan housing expansions, upgrade transport infrastructure, increase police patrols, and launch environmental campaigns. Investments in waste and sewage treatment established long-term mechanisms.
Through these efforts, urban governance improved, commerce endured, and the economy thrived. Li Yi and Lin Yue's rule transformed the nation into a prosperous, harmonious power, their legacy inspiring generations to pursue progress.
Looking back, their wisdom and courage continue to awe, motivating each new generation to strive for national development.