Chapter 604-Zheng He Returns
Translator: ryangohsf
Editor: Nora
The moment the imperial decree regarding the Infanta title spread out, waves erupted through the city.
Some felt envious, while others cheered.
Undoubtedly, the people of the Cui Family felt the happiest. They had already gained a massive boon from purchasing Qing'er's garment factory. On the other hand, Cui Yingyu's title totally shook them up and made them relatives to the Lord.
Now, they were truly worthy of the title of imperial chamber of commerce.
To the civil servants and the officials of the territory, the Lord granting titles to three infanta at once represented the territory’s prosperity. Naturally, the matter delighted them.
However, some commoners did not think that way.
As Ouyang Shuo's real sister, Ouyang Bing was undoubtedly the little princess of the territory. Hence, no would dare to say anything when the Lord granted her the title of Xue Yuechang Infanta. However, the god sisters Cui Yingyu and Qing'er were a different case.
All the long-time people of the territory knew that Cui Yingyu and Qing'er were like the other residents and were once refugees. However, the righteous Lord had accepted them as his sisters and allowed them to enter the manner.
With that, some jealous people started to spread unhappiness. Now, the two of them were granted the title of Infanta, which was like ascending to the heavens in one step, turning them from sparrows to phoenixes.
Jealousy was unavoidable.
However, now that those two had become nobles, these people could not casually comment on the topic.
Even Qing'er felt a little uneasy when she was granted the title. Only after Ouyang Shuo personally explained the matter did the two sisters place down their worries and accept it.
From Ouyang Shuo’s perspective, the territory needed him to grant titles; he had not acted out of personal selfishness.
However, in the eyes of others, it was Qing'er and Yingyu climbing up the high branches; they would not know how much help they had brought him. However, what would a few rumors amount to anyways?
……
Excitement truly filled Shanhai City's spring festival.
2nd month, 12th day, the 10th day of the Chinese New Year, a massive stone steele was erected in the square of the imperial city. It was nine meters high, five meters wide, and one meter thick; it stood at the center of the square and appeared incredibly magnificent.
The words ‘territory law system’ was the most eye-catching part.
Internal Affairs Director Wei Yang had taken lead of the project. The Internal Affairs Bureau, the Law College, and the modern legal professionals had worked together for numerous months to created more than ten drafts. Finally, the territory law system was approved and officially set in stone.
This steele was the Law Codex Steele.
Its unveil signified the territory officially entering a lawful time.
Tens of thousands of copies of the territory law system had been printed. Any government office, prefecture, house, county, town, and even village needed to have two or more of copies.
The various internal affairs secretaries would hold one each.
The prefecture grade schools needed to teach about the territory law system.
Based on the original words of Wei Yang, they needed to let the people in the territory get familiar with the territory law system within three months. They needed the people to fear and respect it.
According to the plans, they aimed to pass the ideals and concepts of the law deep into their hearts of the people within half a year.
Apart from that, to accurately and precisely understand the law system, the Law College in Xinan University also opened up a lecture on the research and study of the law system.
Students of the first term were the secretaries of the Internal Affairs Department.
All in all, to ensure that the people of the territory followed the law system, Wei Yang had created a full set of measures after an extended period of contemplation and discussion.
As for how to push out the law system and make it work, he already possessed a vast experience. After all, he was the most successful person in Chinese history regarding this matter.
Outside of the territory, it was similarly not calm.
First, the reveal of Shanhai City to the outside world raised titanic waves on the forums.
The popularity of Ouyang Shuo boomed.
Only now did players truly feel and understand the depth of his foundation.
The world's best Lord was not just a random title.
On the 5th day of the Chinese New Year, the Huitong Bank opened up in the nine imperial cities.
The Huitong Bank set the exact same saving interests as the Four Seas Bank. Even so, it was a raise of 1% compared to their usual amount.
The Huitong Bank definitely could not shake the foundations of the Four Seas Bank.
In regard to raising the savings interest, Chun Shenjun wanted to do so but he lacked the ability.
No one was a fool; the goal of a bank was to generate profit. If he raised the savings interest once more, he would start losing money.
Even so, the Huitong Bank could not be underestimated.
The various families had many talents to run the bank, and they were definitely enough to crush Shanhai City. Under the influence of Chun Shenjun and the others, the Four Sea Bank’s large-scale recruitment was unsuccessful.
At the very least, it was not as successful as Meng Zhida had expected.
Apart from that, to snatch customers, the Huitong Bank also used real life tactics and replicated them it into the game.
For example, giving gifts for opening accounts.
After a few days, the Huitong Bank had gained a footing to compete against the Four Seas Bank. If it was not for the sudden reveal of Shanhai City, the schemes of Huitong Bank might have actually succeeded.
Apart from attracting scattered customers, the Huitong Bank also copied the Four Seas Bank and targeted guilds.
As expected, the three guilds of Jianqi Zongheng, Eighteen Horsemen of Yanyun, and Jin Yi Wei all invested into the Huitong Bank.
Apart from that, twenty large guilds in the nine imperial cities also invested into the bank. The number of guilds who applied to invest numbered 34.
News spread that this time, the six families had appeared together, and even the grandfathers acted. They used their connections to achieve this dominating stance.
This time, one could say that the Huitong Bank was bearing down menacingly.
However, this did not rattle Ouyang Shuo. He instructed Meng Zhida to proceed as planned. Hence, the development strategy did not change, the high standard investor requirements did not change, and the strict loan conditions remained.
A drawn-out war was destined between the two banks.
If they were forced to act and let the Huitong Bank bait them, they would easily fall prey to the opposition’s plan.
In terms of innate conditions, the Four Seas Bank stood superior to the Huitong Bank. As such, if they just acted carefully, they would not lose. What they feared was panic and people rushing for short term goals.
Ouyang Shuo wanted to play it safe, but some people still did not want to give up.
After the Chinese New Year, a scheme targeting the Four Seas Bank started to act out in the shadows. If it succeeded, it would be enough to push the Four Seas Bank down a deep ravine.
2nd month, 14th day, 12th day of the Chinese New Year.
Nanyang Navy Admiral Zheng He had finally returned after leaving Shanhai City for half a month. During his expedition, Zheng He looked at the bases of the three squadrons and conducted a deep evaluation of the Nanyang Navy.
Moments after his return, Zheng He handed Ouyang Shuo an expansion plan for the navy.
Based on his proposed plan, they would need to fill the three squadrons under the Nanyang Navy by the end of the 3rd year.
"If that does not happen, we won’t be able to rule the oceans," Zheng He said.
Apart from that, Zheng He also drafted a logical and detailed plan to change the commanding system. He also wrote of matters such as forming up squadrons, and the allocations of warships in a squadron.
Zheng He was basically a master of such matters. After all, he had sailed down the pacific seven times.
Furthermore, the shipbuilding and firearms techniques of Shanhai City came from the Ming Dynasty. From Zheng He’s perspective, the three squadrons were like the squadrons from his past, filled with a sense of familiarity.
Hence, Ouyang Shuo accepted most of Zheng He's suggestions. He also granted the general the power to revolutionize and change the Nanyang Navy, allowing it to be reborn.
At the same time, Ouyang Shuo instructed the Military Affairs Department to cooperate and aid Zheng He in his reorganization plan.
As for the squadron expansion, Ouyang Shuo was filled with doubt. The proposed expansion speed was not the problem. After all, Zheng He had given a time frame of the entire Gaia 3rd year.
His doubts laid in how to find so many advanced sailors, captains, and seafarers. They could not develop such talents in such a short time.
Apart from that, Ouyang Shuo also had a qualm.
Till date, the three squadrons still lacked a single fleet admiral. To reach a full organization status, they needed to recruit strong navy generals. However, where could he find these people all of a sudden?
Ouyang Shuo hoped that in the future sixth battle map, he could reap some related rewards.
Zheng He helped to solve this noticeable problem, "Lord, tomorrow morning, I’ll take a trip to Quanzhou to recruit many talents there."
"En?" Ouyang Shuo stared blankly.
"In Quanzhou, I have some connections." Zheng He explained.
"No wonder."
A light bulb lit up in Ouyang Shuo’s head. How could he forget that in history, Quanzhou was the most important transition point for Zheng He's expeditions? In Quanzhou, Zheng He had a massive influence.
Especially on sailors and naval professions, Zheng He was a godly presence.
The moment he shows himself there, Ouyang Shuo could imagine how emotional they would get. At that point, the advanced talents that the Military Affairs Department could not hire would want to fight their way here.
Ouyang Shuo felt frustrated; how could he forget this point?
"Then I’ll busy you. If you have any needs, just ask." Ouyang Shuo said.
"Not for now." Zheng He was also exceedingly confident.
Ouyang Shuo nodded and took out an item from his storage bag; it was the complete Beihai Bay Treasure Map. He passed it to Zheng He and said, "Take a look at this."
Zheng He took a look at the map and felt that it was extremely familiar.
As a commander that sailed down to the west seven times, he was not a stranger to the Beihai Bay area. Along with the tour this month, he had gained a clear recognition of the ocean in the game.
The first thing Zheng He thought about was Annan. A conflict was unavoidable if they wanted to obtain the treasure.
"What the Lord is saying is?" Zheng He asked with uncertainty.
"I hope that before we start the voyager plan, we can obtain this treasure. Treat this as a training opportunity for the voyaging squadron," Ouyang Shuo explained.
"I won’t let you down!" Zheng He replied solemnly.