In the early morning, as dawn broke,
the people of the villages began their busy day.
As they stepped onto the streets, they quickly noticed something strange.
Walls, pillars, alleyways—
everywhere they looked, small advertisements were plastered on the streets.
"What is this?"
Curiosity drove the townsfolk to gather closer.
"Ebisu Town City, pre-sale?"
The news of Ebisu Town City being built had already spread throughout the country, even reaching the ears of the impoverished villagers.
But what does pre-sale mean?
"Hey, can someone explain what this pre-sale is all about?"
"I know!"
With the help of a cultured individual's explanation, the villagers soon grasped the specifics, and it instantly caused a stir.
Ebisu Town City was offering properties for rent and sale in advance, including a large number of shops and factories, as well as residential homes, with the option to visit sample houses in Ebisu Town.
But these were secondary details.
The most important aspect was the price. For example, a two-story residential building could be acquired for just 50 gold, while in the Flower Capital, the same house would cost at least 100 gold!
It was half the price!
Even in other towns, the price of 50 gold was extremely competitive, at least 20 to 30 percent lower than the normal housing prices.
Moreover, the notice featured a simple planning map of Ebisu Town City, which included various public facilities such as hospitals, schools, parks, and ports.
And there was one more crucial point!
The pre-sale of Ebisu Town City supported down payments, allowing people to reserve a property for just 20 gold, with the remaining balance due within a specified time. The downside was that the total price would be slightly higher.
This smooth little maneuver ignited the enthusiasm of the villagers, especially those from the Flower Capital!
"I want to buy a house!"
Many of the people making a living in the Flower Capital could not afford to buy a home and had to rely on renting to get by.
Now, they had hope of owning a house.
Ebisu Town City was very close to the Flower Capital; even if they couldn't find work in Ebisu Town City later, they could still commute to the Flower Capital for jobs, merely spending some time traveling back and forth.
Not only the poor, but also the middle class and wealthy were eager to get in on the action, as acquiring property was an excellent means of preserving wealth.
With house prices half that of the Flower Capital, whether selling or renting to others in the future, it was a guaranteed profitable venture.
At Ebisu Town, the construction site.
After nearly a month of work, the city was beginning to take shape, especially the beautifully constructed sample houses meant for display.
At the outer edge of the construction site, where the main roads converged,
a grand three-story mansion covering a thousand square feet was announced as completed, with several workers carefully placing a sign on the second-floor eaves.
"Be careful, don't tilt it!"
"Okay, okay, just like that!"
"Done!"
Once the workers stepped aside, seven golden characters revealed themselves to everyone's eyes.
[Sales Office of Ebisu Town City]!
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Gurd clapped vigorously.
Perfect, absolutely perfect!
This was the effect he wanted!
According to his calculations, it wouldn't be long before this sales office became the busiest place in Wano Country.
So crowded that no one could squeeze in!
Shimotsuki Yasuie stood behind Gurd, gazing up at the incredibly luxurious sales office, then looking back at the residential area behind it that had just laid its foundation.
Even though he prided himself on his broad knowledge, he couldn't help but feel deeply shocked at this moment, as if everything he thought he knew had been trampled underfoot.
Can… can this really work?
Shimotsuki Yasuie's throat felt dry, and he couldn't help but ask, "Gurd, will people really come to buy houses that haven't even been built yet?"
"Of course."
Gurd shot a glance at Yasuie.
"Do you think I'm just selling houses?"
"Huh?"
Shimotsuki Yasuie was taken aback.
If it's not houses, then what is being sold?
Gurd grinned.
"Old Kang, let me ask you, when you were a daimyo, if you were to guarantee this construction site, would the residents of Ebisu Town believe you?!"
"They would!"
Shimotsuki Yasuie quickly realized.
With the joint guarantee of the general of Wano Country and the Daughter of the Guardian King, plus the ongoing construction, could the people still doubt whether Ebisu Town City would be completed?
Impossible!
Moreover, the price was so low.
"Gasp—!"
Shimotsuki Yasuie looked at Gurd, unable to suppress a sharp intake of breath.
This also sells credibility!
A genius, a genius!
Such a method was unheard of!
He had one more question.
"Gurd, since the houses here are sure to sell, why set the prices so low?"
Fifty gold would not even buy a large mansion in other towns, not even enough to cover the cost.
If it weren't for the fact that the workers in Ebisu Town were prisoners who didn't require wages, and that most of the construction materials were obtained for free from logging and quarrying,
selling a house at this price would incur a loss of at least twenty gold. As the chief foreman, he knew very well that the houses in Ebisu Town were not built with inferior materials.
"Well…"
Gurd scrutinized Shimotsuki Yasuie.
This old man's mind probably wasn't as sharp as it used to be.
Gurd smiled and asked, "Old Kang, think carefully, what is the most needed thing for this city? Is it money?"
"The most needed…"
Yasuie furrowed his brow in thought for a moment, then his eyes widened.
"It's people!"
"Exactly!"
Gurd laughed heartily.
Having been a daimyo and read many books, he simply hadn't seen much of the world due to the feudal environment.
The selling price of the houses wasn't important; even renting them out for free would be acceptable. To develop, population was the top priority; otherwise, even if the city was built, it would just be an empty shell.
Thus, he aimed to seize the population!
In this feudal country, population was the primary productive force.
With a sufficient population, more farmland could be cultivated, more food produced, and thus more wealth created, even leading to the production of more weapons.
Once Ebisu Town City grew and prospered, he could earn a fortune just from taxes, or rather, collecting taxes was another form of collecting rent!
Gurd raised his hand, pointing toward the Flower Capital.
"Look!"
"Wow, so many people!"
Shimotsuki Yasuie stared in shock at the Flower Capital, his mouth agape as countless black dots surged toward them, like ants crossing a path.
All people!
"There are also boats in the west!"
A large number of vessels appeared along the western river.
Clearly, the news had spread, and the people of Wano Country wanted to join in the excitement. As they approached Ebisu Town, they all crowded together.
"Prepare to welcome the guests!"
Gurd shouted loudly.
"From now on, the number of customers buying houses will only increase, so make sure to maintain order. Adie, anyone who dares to cut in line, throw them out!"
"Understood! Lord Gurd!"
Adie, who had long been prepared, responded loudly with her subordinates. They had rehearsed for this day dozens of times.
But the sight of the distant crowd still startled them.
Just how many people could there be!
And, did Lord Gurd really say the number of buyers would keep increasing?
It seemed impossible!
"I have something to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."
Gurd decisively slipped away; he didn't want to stick around for the chaos.
He had seen this kind of house-buying frenzy before. The crazier it got, the more people wanted to buy houses, fearing they would miss out. It wouldn't be long before the wave of house-buying swept across all of Wano Country.
"Tap, tap, tap—"
Gurd hummed a little tune, bouncing along with a cheerful step.
"Cackling, Orochi must be getting anxious now!"
(End of Chapter)