Chapter 762 – Coal for Equipment Exchange
Ouyang Shuo did not stop after leaving Sanjiang Town. He brought the Personal Guards and three thousand Divine Martial Guards to rush day and night, and they finally reached Shanhai City at the 11th month, 22nd day.
The moment he returned, there were a bunch of matters that needed him to handle. The Nanjiang Governor-General House that had just calmed down once again bustled with excitement. People came and went, mostly the various managers of the divisions.
Ouyang Shuo had reached Shanhai City at seven. After brushing up, he ate some breakfast before going to the reading room to handle administrative matters.
It was hard to find such a diligent Monarch.
In the guest room, a group of officials had gathered to wait for the Monarch to meet them.
The first one that Ouyang Shuo saw was Zhang Yi and Combat Logistics Director Xiahou Dun. They wanted to discuss the matter regarding the corporation with West Chu.
A day ago, the envoy group sent by tHonglu Temple had smoothly returned from Peng City. They brought back the kind intentions of West Chu Overlord Xiang Yu, who was extremely interested in the cooperation plan.
"So what you're saying is that West Chu does not want gold for the coal but equipment instead?" Ouyang Shuo asked Zhang Yi.
"Yes."
Ouyang Shuo smiled, "Xiang Yu seems to have considered all aspects."
West Chu was located east of Zhongyuan, so it was pincered in the north and south by Di Chen and Zhan Lang. Meanwhile, on the east, Hanwu Emperor was not friendly toward West Chu because of history.
To say that they were facing enemies from all four sides was completely true.
Hence, even if West Chu obtained gold from the trade, they would not be able to buy anything, so goods for goods trade would be the best choice.
"Then, should we reject West Chu?" Zhang Yi asked.
"No." Ouyang Shuo shook his head and smiled, "Why should we? Accept their offer."
Ouyang Shuo had ordered Honglu Temple to contact West Chu for two reasons. First, to solve the coal shortage problem. Secondly, he wanted to support them and let them fight against Di Chen and Zhan Lang.
The equipment and weapons trade was a win-win.
Ouyang Shuo instructed Xiahou Dun, "In terms of prices of the weapons and equipment, as long as we take 30% profits, it's fine. When needed, we can give them a batch in advance as a deposit for the coal."
Xiang Yu was a person who coveted small advantageous. If one did not let him see gains, he might not be motivated. Ouyang Shuo was worried that West Chu would not be motivated to dig the coal and the coal production would be affected as a result.
"Understood!"
Only after Xiahou Dun became the Combat Logistics Director did he understand how deep the foundations of Shanhai City were. In comparison, the equipment and weapons from the Three Kingdoms were not even on the same level and were just broken copper armors.
"Monarch, do we need to push for an alliance with West Chu?"
During this visit, Xiang Yu's attitude was a little conservative. He only agreed to the coal trading plan. He did not express any clear view on an alliance.
It seemed like the Shanhai City Army defeating him in the Battle Map was still a humiliation for him. He could not accept it so quickly. Hence, he was not willing.
Ouyang Shuo smiled, "Let's let nature take its place; we do not need to force the matter."
Since the Xiang Family completely controlled West Chu, there was not much that the Honglu Temple could do. As opposed to doing those small acts that might irritate Xiang Yu, it was better to not do anything.
Ouyang Shuo believed that as long as Xiang Yu tasted the benefits of the weapons, he would take the hook. To West Chu, using useless black earth to exchange for elite equipment was totally worth it.
"Understood."
Ouyang Shuo suddenly remembered something and said to Xiahou Dun, "Oh right, Yuan Rang, Consonance City has the siege weapons industry that the Combat Logistics Department needs to take care of. Build relevant factories in each prefecture, especially near the borders to ensure that we have enough siege weapons."
As Consonance City was once the giant of Yunnan Province, they had an extremely strong foundation. The moment it merged with Shanhai City, Kunming Prefecture immediately became one of the best prefectures in the territory.
The harder to come by part was that Consonance City had a few special industries. Especially the military industry, which was going really well and could be considered one of the best in Shanhai Alliance.
This merger was undoubtedly an upgrade to the military industry of Shanhai City.
Xiahou Dun replied, "During this period of time, Consonance City has sent people over to discuss the military industry merger. Currently, there has been progress and things are moving smoothly."
"Really?" Ouyang Shuo smiled. It seemed like Bai Hua was really good at her job.
Speaking of Bai Hua, Ouyang Shuo had thought of another matter. The other three girls of the four flowers had already reached Shanhai City and were waiting for Ouyang Shuo to appoint them.
A short while ago, while Ouyang Shuo was touring the three prefectures of Lingnan Province, Bai Hua had especially written him a letter to say that the three sisters did not want to stay by her side and wanted to develop in Shanhai City.
After the territory merged, Kunming Prefecture had a new system. In addition to the law system, the three sisters could not do as they wished like before.
Hence, why not just let go?
When Ouyang Shuo received the letter, he was naturally delighted. The three sisters were all talents, and they definitely would be able to find a stage in Shanhai City to shine.
...
After he sent away Zhang Yi and Xiahou Dun, Ouyang Shuo told Bai Nanpu to invite the three sisters.
Looking at the back view of this secretary, Ouyang Shuo suddenly thought about something. Looking at the time, Bai Nanpu had been around him for two and a half years; he had the role of secretary since the start of the first year.
Even till now, he was doing things diligently.
'I should find a time to send him out to train.' Ouyang Shuo was thinking.
Just as Ouyang Shuo was deep in thought, a girl's voice sounded from outside the door, "Wow Lord, you are such a busy man."
The person had not even arrived but her voice already did.
While saying that, Luo Zilan, Hong Yong, and Tsing Yi all walked in.
"Please sit!"
Ouyang Shuo smiled; he did not reply to Zi Luolan's teasing.
Seeing Ouyang Shuo himself, the three of them instantly quietened down.
"Bai Hua has already told me about your situation. Just tell me your thoughts, we can talk freely today." Ouyang Shuo personally poured tea for the three of them.
The three of them had a part in Consonance City, so Ouyang Shuo needed to compensate them as well for the merger, not just Bai Hua. In the future, the three of them would have similar titles and land.
"You'll agree to any request?" Zi Luolan looked at Ouyang Shuo sheepishly.
Ouyang Shuo nodded, "As long as it is logical, I will."
'Tsk!' Zi Luolan scoffed. For some reason, she had really wanted to meet Ouyang Shuo. Who knows why, but when she really saw him, a random anger sparked in her heart.
Probably because the guy in front of her was just too calm and composed.
"Second sister!" Tsing Yi lightly tugged Zi Luolan's shirt and reminded her. They no longer had the identity of allies. Now, he was their Monarch.
They were familiar with one another, but one could not take it too far.
Seeing the situation get a little awkward, Hong Ying was the first to speak, "I want to take up a role in the military."
"That's fine." Ouyang Shuo nodded, "How about you go to the 3rd division of the Fan Lihua legion?"
During the Battle of White Stone City, the Fan Lihua legion had suffered heavy losses, and even the 3rd division Major General had died.
Hong Ying was the Major General of the Consonance City Guards Division. Along with the merger of Consonance City, the Guards Division was temporarily a Guards Independent Division under the charge of Huo Qubing.
To prevent people from gossiping, Hong Ying had already resigned from her old job. To take up the role of Major General in the 3rd division was no problem at all.
"That's great!" Hong Ying's eyes lit up. It was not because of other reasons but because of Fan Lihua. "I've heard about this heroine. I'm more than willing to work under her."
As expected from a soldier, she was straight with her words.
When Ouyang Shuo saw her reaction, he smiled.
"What about you two?" Ouyang Shuo asked Zi Luolan and Tsing Yi.
Zi Luolan calmed herself down before saying, "You know me, I'm best at diplomacy. If possible, I would like to work at Honglu Temple."
"That's great." Ouyang Shuo nodded and smiled, "I'll set up an Outreach Division under the Honglu Temple to be in charge of outreach and diplomacy with other player groups. You would be the secretary, how about that?"
"I can understand diplomacy with player powers, but what do you mean by outreach?" Zi Luolan did not understand.
In modern days, promotion and outreach were really important, but this game was set in ancient society. How would one promote and advertise?
Ouyang Shuo smiled, "Shanhai City had created the Shanhai Times long ago just that we have not been running it well. I want to put it under the charge of the Outreach Division to strengthen the influence of the newspaper in the territory. How's that, do you have confidence?"
Zi Luolan's eyes lit up, "No problem."
"Then that's settled." Ouyang Shuo nodded, turning to Tsing Yi, "What about you?"
Not only was she the smartest out of the four of them, but she was also one of the top three female advisors in the wilderness. In the last life, she was on the same level as Juedai Fenghua.
"I have not thought about it."
When in Consonance City, Tsing Yi existed as the idea maker and the thinker of the group, so she did not have any exact role; this made it really awkward when she came over to Shanhai City.
In contrast to Consonance City, Ouyang Shuo had too many capable people beside him. Apart from his officials and generals, he also had the Chief Secretary and Chen Gong who came recently.
In comparison, Tsing Yi did not have much of an advantage.
When Ouyang Shuo heard her words, he frowned. When Bai Hua had written the letter to him, he had started to plan for the three of them. The arrangements for Zi Luolan and Hong Yi were thought up long ago.
If not, the position of 3rd division Major General would not have been empty for such a long time.
The only one Ouyang Shuo could not settle on was Tsing Yi.