Chapter 638-Sword of State
Translator: ryangohsf
Editor: Nora
The rejection of Annan and those other countries was something that Ouyang Shuo had expected. He had sent the ambassadors over to Annan for the same reason he retaliated against the Annan Navy, which was to snatch the moral high ground.
In the future country wars, Ouyang Shuo could go against them with a reason.
There were five countries in the nine country ASEAN that were willing to trade with Shanhai City, exceeding his expectations. With that, the third step in his plan had succeeded.
The ocean trading of Shanhai City had welcomed a whole new age.
….
5th month, 8th day, Lion City.
Along with the five countries signing trade agreements, the matter with the ASEAN had come to an end. The enemies and allies within it became clear, which removed the last obstacle to opening Xingzhou Prefecture to Chinese players.
It had been over ten days since Singapore fell and players in China had calmed down from their surprise and shock. With that, the shouts for Shanhai City to open up Xingzhou Prefecture had grown.
It was under such circumstances that Ouyang Shuo invited the leaders of the Shanhai Alliance-Guild Alliance to Lion City as guests to discuss matters.
Blood Romance and the other guild leaders were naturally delighted. With Yashan City as a precedent, they were clear that if Xingzhou Prefecture was opened up, they would enjoy privileges as allies of Shanhai City.
Their guesses were right; this time, Ouyang Shuo was going to play a huge hand.
"Guys, take a look!" In the middle of the hall hung a map of the ASEAN region. Ouyang Shuo held the Chixiao Sword in his hand and pointed at the few neighboring islands around Xingzhou Bay and said, "Although these islands are small, they are near Jinzhou island of Java and are the best spots for PKing."
When Blood Romance heard these words, his eyes lit up, "Can the Blood Evil Mercenary Guild rent an island?"
Xie Siyun and the others exchanged gazes with one another and laughed. As expected from the PK maniac. One must know that with such a guild leader, the members of the Blood Evil Mercenary Guild all loved to fight.
Blood Romance wanted to rent a small island right away; it seemed like he was in this for the long term.
Ouyang Shuo took a look at Blood Romance and shook his head. Before Blood Romance could speak, Ouyang Shuo continued, "These islands are only sold and not rented."
"Sold?" Blood Romance nearly jumped up, and he asked eagerly, "Quick, say how much you are selling them for?"
"Each island would be sold for 100 thousand gold. After the guild buys it, it is similar to renting land within a territory, and you will have absolute control. Shanhai City won't interfere." Ouyang Shuo said.
"Are your words serious?" Blood Romance did not dare to believe these words, as the terms were simply too lucrative.
100 thousand gold to buy an island that could only build a small village seemed expensive, but it was completely worth it. One must know that till now, no guild in China could own a base in the region.
Just that was enough to drive the guilds crazy. Furthermore, these islands were special and could be used as the frontlines to PKing. They could also use these places as springboards for ocean adventures.
To adventure gamemode players, such an island was simply paradise.
Any guild with a slight business mind would open their islands to adventure gamemode players and build some shops such as equipment repair shops and medicine shops; they would definitely earn a lot.
"Naturally, if all of you need it, Shanhai City will provide full services ranging from designing to building to running; how about that?" Ouyang Shuo's smile was filled with greed.
This Lord that loved money like his life was back!
"Brother Wuyi is so candid, I'll purchase it!" Blood Romance did not hesitate anymore and felt that Ouyang Shuo's way of handling things was totally his style. He moved toward the map and was ready to pick his island.
"I want this one!" Blood Romance looked at the island on the most outer area and paid the 100 thousand on the spot. He followed by asking, "What about the construction costs?"
"As for the specific costs, we will talk in detail later. Even if you all want to build the island into an iron fortress, Shanhai City can do that for you. If all of you need cannons, Shanhai City is willing to sell it them to you for a thousand a piece, a friendly price," Ouyang Shuo said.
"You are even selling cannons?" Blood Romance was speechless.
"As long as the price is right, no equipment in Shanhai City is not for sale." Ouyang Shuo did not look like a Lord now. Instead, he seemed like a shrewd merchant.
Si~
Even Blood Romance could not help but be shocked by Ouyang Shuo's generosity.
Obviously, Ouyang Shuo had not gone crazy.
If Shanhai City managed all these small sized islands, they would naturally be able to earn a lot, definitely more than 100 thousand gold. However, they would need to pay a lot of attention and effort to maintain order on these islands.
It was obvious what types of players would come to such Islands. They either liked killing or living life on the edge; they enjoyed the thrill of being on the brink of death.
No matter what type of person they were, they would be hard to control.
To control them, the garrison forces of Shanhai City were lacking, and things might go wrong. Moreover, if they forcefully suppressed them, it might affect the reputation of Shanhai City.
On the other hand, if he sold the islands to the guilds, the situation would far different. Since the islands belonged to them, they would naturally run them well.
The guilds were masters at keeping adventure gamemode players under control. No matter what, under the rule of a guild, the players could only behave well.
That would be a true win-win situation.
As for selling cannons and weapons, apart from earning money, he wanted to strengthen the defenses of the islands. Building an iron fortress was not merely words.
Only if the islands were safe and stable could Xingzhou Bay remain undisturbed by the Java players.
It was the same as saying that the players housed on these islands were the loyal guards of Lion City. Moreover, these guards were free and extremely passionate.
Such things were nearly impossible to find.
It wasn't that Ouyang Shuo was scheming and despicable to even use such patriots. He was only rationally using resources to ensure that all sides win.
The calculations within were on point.
Without mentioning how Ouyang Shuo had thought this through, the guild leaders would not let go of such an opportunity. Xingzhou Prefecture had less than twenty islands and only 15 to 16 could be used.
Those with great geographical locations were much rarer.
Shanhai Alliance-Guild Alliance had already expanded to 12 guilds. Apart from Thread, the remaining all bought an island each.
This left only five islands for the rest of the guilds in China, and they were not as optimal. The remaining islands were openly auctioned off to the highest bidder.
"Even if it was Jianqi Zongheng, if they are willing to pay a high price, we will sell it!" Ouyang Shuo sent out such words, and he was truly planning to act upon them.
Before a country war, one could not bother about personal grievances.
It would be too narrow minded to exclude top guilds such as camp Jianqi Zongheng, Jin Yi Wei, and th Eighteen Horsemen of Yanyun just because they were not in the same.
From the start till now, Ouyang Shuo had wanted to create a united front toward the outside atmosphere in China. With that, it would strengthen his position as the leader of China.
Of course, within the country, he would fight as he was supposed to do.
Internally and externally he was clear! This was his style.
Based on his estimations, from selling the islands, construction fees, and equipment sales, it could earn them at least two million gold.
From one country war, Shanhai City had earned over seven million in profit, as much as the gold from the Beihai Bay Treasure. If not, why would one say that war was the fastest way to amass treasures?
Of course, this was only the case for Shanhai City.
If it was any other territory, without such a navy, they would not be able to play such a game. In seconds, they would be drowned by the ASEAN.
After sending away the various guild leaders, the administrative matters relating to Xingzhou Prefecture basically came to an end. A few days ago, Pei Ju had rushed over to Lion City, so Ouyang Shuo did not need to worry about those matters any more.
The day that Pei Ju arrived, Ouyang Shuo prepared a massive gift for him.
After Secretary Bai Nanpu read the appointment decree, Ouyang Shuo took out the God Weapon Starlight Sword and solemnly declared, "The name of this sword is Starlight. The holder of this sword represents the one taking charge of Xingzhou Prefecture to show off the might of Shanhai City to the ASEAN. Today, I'll give this sword to you; I hope you will cherish it."
Although Xingzhou was small, it was the first overseas territory. Be it meaning or strategic value, it was different, and it was a huge test for the governor.
As such, Ouyang Shuo decided upon this act of handing over a sword.
The ancient times had the sword of state. Today, they had the starlight sword.
In olden times, the sword of state represented the highest power. The emperor used weapons to signify granting ministers the power to act on their own accord overseas.
"Like seeing the emperor himself!" This was the greatest description of the sword of state.
In some ways, the starlight sword played this role. Xingzhou Prefecture was located alone overseas and some matters were hard to ask help for in time. As such, the governor would need to make decisive choices.
The starlight sword represented such power.
One could foresee that this act of handing over the sword would become a tale of legends in the future.
When Pei Ju heard this decree, he solemnly knelt down and emotionally said, "Thank you, Lord, I won't let you down." He went up and accepted the starlight sword with both hands before solemnly sliding it into his sheath.
As an experienced minister, Pei Ju obviously know the deep meaning within these actions. Such an act was already the greatest honor for a minister.
Even the usually calm Pei Ju could not help but feel his heart surge.
Xingzhou Prefecture had Pei Ju taking care of administrative matters and Yanhuo Yaonie taking care of the military side, so there would be nothing to worry about.