After the Dragon Boat Festival, the trade fair did not start immediately. Zhao Yao deliberately left two days for the foreign and out-of-town guests to fully experience the post-festival atmosphere.
During these two days, the Swamp Prefecture was bustling with activity because Zhao Yao allowed guests from outside and abroad to set up stalls and do business. This was done to let them experience the trade fair in advance.
It's the first time ever that foreigners and outsiders are officially allowed to do business in Lingnan. Whether it was in the Great Zhou, the previous dynasty, or even earlier, such a situation never occurred.
Although Lingnan neighbors countries like Annan and Johor, it has historically been a place of exile, compounded by the constant miasma and the sea embargo, the court did not allow Lingnan to do business with foreigners. If locals were found doing business privately with countries like Annan, it was considered smuggling and met with severe punishment.
