The World Online Chapter 239-240

Chapter 239- Digging the Cornerstone 

Translator: TeamTWO
Editor: Nora

Gaia, first year, 9th month, 27th day, morning. Ouyang Shuo brought four Guards out of the city.

His destination was the Military Factory built in the stone caves in the western suburbs.

The Military Affairs Department was in charge of this. Three months had pa.s.sed since they built this factory. It managed the production of military grain pills, military tents, and scaling ladders.

When one pa.s.sed the city west gate, one would see masons working on the official path not far from the gate. The starting point of Tianhai Road wasn't the current city west gate, but the city west gate of the planned third city wall.

Although the official road wasn't like the inner city ones made from green stone, it still wasn't easy to build. Many wild gra.s.ses grew in the wilderness. The masons had to first remove these gra.s.ses and their roots from the soil, this measure prevented them from growing again.

The dirt road was made up of three main ingredients: limestone, dirt, and sand. They had to press the composite dirt to prevent growth of wild gra.s.ses and to prevent the road from becoming muddy during the rain.

The designer of Tianhai Road, Hui Tuban, specifically designed a 'Roller' that they had horses pull. He let the blacksmith shop produce a circular iron tube and used eight horses to pull it, which greatly reduced the manpower required.

As the official road was an important function to help military movement and transportation of resources, they couldn't make the road too narrow. They made it 20 meters wide, and it also had a good drainage system.

At the sides of the road, they also planted many trees.

Apart from that, along the way, there would be some streams from Friends.h.i.+p River as well as some hills. They needed to build bridges and also split mountains to open paths. The difficulty was nothing the inner city project could compare to.

Lastly, there was the important relay system, which included the relay path and the relay station.

The relay station could allow officials to stay overnight, they were a day away and 30 kilometers apart. Between the relays, there would also be simple shops to provide food and rest. Normally, there would be one shop every five kilometres.

After he exited the city, Ouyang Shuo took a left. After just 10 kilometres, he came to the rock cave where the Military Factory was located in. The cave entrance was a large steel door. Unless there was an emergency, it would remain closed. At the side was a small door that people could pa.s.s through, and it acted as the usual pathway.

In front of the cave was a restricted area warning sign, and a squad of soldiers stood guard next to it.

When he saw the level of secrecy and importance placed on this area, Ouyang Shuo nodded his head in agreement.

After he dismounted from his horse, Ouyang Shuo pa.s.sed the reins to a guard and walked toward the big gate alone.

When the soldier on duty saw him, he bowed and said, "My lord!" Then, he rushed to steel gate; he wanted to open it up.

Ouyang Shuo waved him off, "There's no need. I'll just go in from the small door."

The soldier had a look of difficulty, "My lord... this...."

"Don't say anything more! I've come here without notice, so I don't want to disturb you guys."

"Yes, my lord!" The soldier didn't want to debate with him and respectfully opened the small door.    

The inside of the cave wasn't as dark as he had expected. Pieces of white stone on the sides and the ceiling of the cave gave out a gentle white light.

Upon closer inspection, these actually weren't man made lights. Instead, they naturally occurred.

Ouyang Shuo knew that these small rocks were a type of fluorite, natural sources of light.

As he raised his head, he saw that the cave was over 10 meters high and 150 meters wide. The area in front of him was limitless. Such a cave wouldn't cause one to feel locked up and restricted.

Ouyang Shuo's arrival shocked the manager of the factory, a middle-aged man who looked very steady and calm. When he received the news, he rushed over, "My lord, welcome! Sorry I didn't welcome you better!"

Ouyang Shuo waved him off, "I came here without telling anyone. Just show me around!"

"Yes, my lord!" The manager nodded, as he led the way before Ouyang Shou, "The Military Factory is split into three regions, which mainly focus on the production of different resources." He pointed at the nearest region and said, "The most outer region is the one that makes the scaling ladders."

Ouyang Shuo looked toward the direction he pointed in, only to see a 10 meter path in the middle; a wooden wall boxed up the sides.

On top of the 4 meter high wooden wall, one could see set after set of scaling ladders piled up.

"How's the building progress of the scaling ladders?" Ouyang Shuo asked.

"My lord, based on the speed, we can build one everyday."

Ouyang Shuo nodded. After the scaling ladder region was the military tent region. Everyday, they could make 20 tents. Finally, it was the military grain pill region.

The ingredients for it the pills were just grain, some other secondary food products, and some seasoning. However, the process was very troublesome. On average, every pill used up three to four units of grain.

The efficiency of the military grain pill workers was quite high, and they made one thousand odd pills a day.

There was a little river stream behind the military grain pill region, and the workers' living quarters were around it.

After the tour, Ouyang Shuo left the stone cave.

When he returned, Ouyang Shuo used the trading platform to contact Cui Shouren from the Cui Chamber of Commerce.

The Dali Court gave Ouyang Shuo his marquis rank. The authorities recognized his t.i.tle, which made it effective on all residents. Hence, the att.i.tude of the Cui Chamber of Commerce had undergone a huge change.

They were only a business family, so their societal status wasn't high. To a n.o.ble like Ouyang Shuo, they naturally need to give him enough respect.

Of course, when it came to business, they would still act normally.

"Marquis!" Cui Shouren greeted first. After Ouyang Shuo instructed them, the Cui Chamber of Commerce had gathered up a bunch of grain. Purely on this point, Cui Shouren didn't dare to show any arrogance or superiority.

Ouyang Shuo nodded, "Brother Shouren, I have something to ask of the Chamber of Commerce."

"Please speak!" Merchants hated owing favours, and the Cui Chamber of Commerce owed Ouyang Shuo a big one. They were worried about how they should return it. Since Ouyang Shuo had a request, Cui Shouren was naturally delighted.

"Your Chamber of Commerce has such a good reputation in Dali. Can you help Shanhai Coty recruit a batch of talents?"

Ouyang Shuo s.h.i.+fted his sight onto the Cui Chamber of Commerce. Compared to the Snow-War Rose Mercenary group that only influenced player groups, the Cui Chamber of Commerce had a huge influence on NPCs.

Cui Shouren was surprised, "Can you be more specific?"

"I need many talents. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a solution. There should definitely be many talented people with nowhere to display their capabilities in Dali City. This would include officials that are unable to be greatly used, generals that are unhappy, or some artisans. Shanhai City wants to recruit all these people," Ouyang Shuo explained his thinking, "Although Shanhai City is far away, we can give them a platform to show their talents. The salary we provide also won't be lower than the imperial city."

Ouyang Shuo had confidence. Not only because of his n.o.bility, but also because of the effect his reputation level [Patriot] would have on NPCs, especially in Dali City.

Cui Shouren understood Ouyang Shuo's meaning. If they purely relied on the Cui Chamber of Commerce or his n.o.bility, this plan might be hard to realize. But with both, it would be highly persuasive, and it would catch the interests of many people.

Dali had such a huge talent pool. Even if only a few leaked out, it would be enough for Shanhai City to use for a very long time. This act of digging a piece of a cornerstone was a very smart idea.

"Since it's your wishes, the Cui Family will try our best to help," Cui Shouren directly agreed.

Ouyang Shuo nodded, "To put them at peace and show our sincerity, I'm willing to give every talent a family settling down sum. As for the actual amount, I'll hand it over to the Chamber of Commerce to settle?" Based on Ouyang Shuo's thoughts, they probably wouldn't have earned too much if they were having a hard time.

"Marquis had thought over things thoroughly." Cui Shouren nodded in agreement, "Don't worry, we will treat this matter seriously. I won't let you down!"

"Thank you, sorry for the bother!" Ouyang Shuo said.

"No worries!"

Cui Shouren kept his promise. After their conversation, he immediately went to see the family head.

After listening to his report, the Cui Family head remained silent for a while. Then, he said, "The Lianzhou Lord has a long term goal, and he has planned it out very well. He has a desire for talents. Such vision and ambition, we can't miss this chance. Keep the promise!"

"Yes!"

"I allow you to use our family strength to recruit talents for the Lianzhou Lord. Apart from that, if our Cui Family disciples and children desire it, recommend them to him. At the right time, the Cui Chamber of Commerce can also consider setting up a branch in Shanhai City."

These words left Cui Shouren astonished, as he had never expected the family head would place so much importance on this matter. He had faith in the foresight of the family head and said,"Yes!"

After Cui Shouren left, the Family Head sat in the hall and muttered, "The Cui Family will restore its honor. At least, I didn't let down our ancestors."

Once the power of the Cui Chamber of Commerce started its work, it was actually quite scary.

On the Dali City roads and streets, Cui Family members swarmed out and brought letters and specially prepared gifts to every door to greet those students, officials, and generals.

These sudden visitors shocked some, while others liked it. Some of them treated these visitors calmly, and others rejected them at the door. There were many different reactions. The cooperation between the Lianzhou Lord and Cui Chamber of Commerce had a great effect. A large portion of them said that they would consider it before they gave the Cui Family a definite answer.

As for the artisans, they Cui Family easily recruited them. The main ones were the blacksmiths, tailors, and carpenter.

Chapter 240- Becoming Famous

Translator: TeamTWO
Editor: Nora

Gaia first year, 10th month, 1st day, Dongli Sword Sect base.

Lone Peak, Cloud Platform.

The originally empty cloud platform now had many courtyards. It had patios and pavilions; it looked very majestic. West of the cloud platform was a one thousand mu medicine garden known as 100 gra.s.s garden. It exuded the unique scents of medicinal plants.

A little stream split the cloud platform. There was an arch bridge above stream. Under the cover of the rainbow, it gave off a different aura and was very mystical.

Far away, at the bottom of the waterfall, beside the lake, was a wooden like hut, mixing in with the lake and the old tree, that was the sect leader's secret room.

The sect leader's secret room. One could only enter if invited, the safest room in the complex.

There was a green stone tiled square at the front of the cloud platform. 800 nominal disciples wore the same sect uniform and neatly lined up.

Song Jia wore a sky blue robe and stood before all the disciples. Behind her were her two core disciples, Banxia and Cui Tianqi. One held a sword, while the other held a book.

The sword was the Qingfeng Sword that Ouyang Shuo had given her; the book was the Taoist scripture that Song Jia would read.

Song Jia had a solemn expression, as she was dealing with the system interface. A system notification sounded in her ear.

"System Notification: Congratulations player Jiaqi Rumeng for applying to create a sect, automatically checking if she has met the requirements..."

"Requirement 1: Sect funds not less than 200 gold, requirement met!"

"Requirement 2: must have more than 500 disciples, requirement met!"

"Requirement 3: Cultivation Technique must at least be emperor rank, meets requirements!"

"Requirement 4: has its own sect base, requirement met!"

"System Notification: Congratulations player Jiaqi Rumeng for fulfilling all the requirements. Player is allowed to create a sect. Please name your sect!"

"Dongli Sword Sect!" Song Jia said without hesitation.

In the sect leader secret room, a stone steele slowly rose up from the ground—the sect stone steele.

If this steele was destroyed and 80% of the disciples were killed, the sect would be destroyed.

"System Notification: Congratulations player Jiaqi Ru Meng for building the martial arts sect, Dongli Sword Sect. Player is rewarded five thousand reputation points. As the sect is within Shanhai City, Shanhai City has obtained the t.i.tle 'Home of Martial Arts.'"

As the system notification sounded out, Song Jia instantly became famous in the China region. She didn't need to live in Ouyang Shuo's shadow. Now, she had a bright path in front of her.

Song Wen directly congratulated in the country channel, "Good job Sister!"

Ouyang Shuo didn't lag behind, "Congratulations, Sect Leader Song."

The world was in an uproar. His influence and words had made many player groups very interested in Dongli Sword Sect and Song Jia.

Players who thought about it would have noticed something. Since Jiaqi Rumeng was Song Wen's sister, why didn't she set up her sect in Song Wen's Tianshang Town? Instead, she set it up in Qiyue Wuyi's Shanhai City.

Gossip! Sky breaking gossip!

The country channel burst into activity as players started to throw out conjectures.

"Qiyue Wuyi vs. Jiaqi Rumeng, big reveal, are they friends, a couple or..."

"They are definitely a couple. Don't tell me there is actually such a pure friends.h.i.+p?"

"Couple +1!!"

"Aiyo, another dream has been broken~~"

"[Brother Wuyi Fanclub] demands a battle!!"

"Little sister above, don't forget that Jiaqi Rumeng is the sect leader of a sect. She has many little boys..."

"Wuwu~~"

"This little girl is crying. Nearby brothers, please help her!!"

"Is Dongli Sword Sect accepting disciples?"

……

At this point, Song Jia had dispersed her disciples. She held the Qingfeng Sword in hand and walked toward Ouyang Shuo, "Blockhead, tell me the truth. What's Brother Wuyi Fanclub?"

When he saw this beauty emit such a killing aura, he had to give a serious answer. However, he was giggling inside. As a man, having so many girls idolize him felt good," Jia Jia, I swear I really don't know."

"Hmph!" Her man being so capable was originally something to be happy about. However, Song Jia didn't find it so in this a case. It wasn't easy for her to become famous, but this stupid blockhead had stolen half of her fame.

It was also very busy in the alliance channel. Be in Sun Xiaoyue or Song Jia, they were all added in to make it convenient for everyone to communicate.

"Sister-in-law is so amazing!" Gong Chengs.h.i.+ was playing around again. Every since he saw Ouyang Shuo and Song Jia acting intimately during the Battle of Muye, he would tease them and bring it up.

The others all sent their congratulations. After she created the Dongli Sword Sect, Song Jia finally had the ability to stand on the same level as Bai Hua and Feng Qiuhuang. She no longer felt so pitiful and lowly.

Ouyang Shuo took the chance to take a look at the stats of the new t.i.tle.

[Home of Martial Arts]: Raise body quality of residents by 20%

Ouyang Shuo nodded, it was as he had expected. Although they had the same t.i.tle, Ouyang Shuo guessed that the buff of the Swordsman City would be stronger. After all, they were the first territory to set up a sect.

After building the sect, there were many things that she needed to do. Before she settled all this, most of her time would be spent in the sect. As a result, she would have less time together with Ouyang Shuo, which made him feel a little melancholy.

After congratulating her, Ouyang Shuo didn't stay for any longer and went down the mountain.

After he went down, he didn't choose to return to the main camp. At the foot of a mountain, a squadron of Guards awaited him. Ouyang Shuo planned to make a trip to Yishui Town and Gushan Town.

Ever since he conquered them, a month had pa.s.sed. As the lord, Ouyang Shuo hadn't even visited once, which was somewhat a neglection of his duty.

Yishui Town was built at the side of Qiushui river. After the residents of Gushan Town moved here, the population of the town had pa.s.sed 10 thousand.

After Ouyang Shuo reached Yishui Town, he officially renamed it Yishui City. As for the position of city magistrate, he wasn't in a rush to appoint one. He temporarily allowed the current head to take charge of daily duties.

The merger of Yishui Town and Gushan Town was also a merger of administrative personnel, which made the political structure well filled.

The current head of Yishui Town was a normal official in the past, so how would Ouyang Shuo be at ease if he let this person be in charge? If it was before, he might have taken someone from the main city and given him an opportunity.

But now, Cui Chamber of Commerce had sent the news that recruiting had been going well. It wouldn't be long before they could send a batch of people to Shanhai City.

Based on Ouyang Shuo's plan, he naturally wanted to choose an official from this batch of people to take up the position of city magistrate. These plans included Yongye Town and Guangshui Town in the west.

As the castle on the east side, Yishui Town held the responsibility of monitoring the player territories on the east side, so he naturally couldn't forsake its defence. After both towns merged, Yishui City followed the standard rules and built a city protection unit.

Ouyang Shuo's arrival, apart from just taking a look, was to check the training of the city protection unit. What he saw made him displeased. The soldiers were rookies that remained from both towns. Even when they included their affiliate territories, they only barely managed to form a unit.

To raise their combat power, Ouyang Shuo chose 10 elite soldiers from the Guards squadron to join the Yishui City city protection unit. These 10 elites would act as lieutenants and majors. As for the original ones, Ouyang Shuo demoted them to sergeant.

He gave them a goal—eradicate the raider camps and raise their combat power.

Apart from the city protection unit, he couldn't overlook the city protection facilities either.

Compared to Tianfeng City, Yishui City's city wall was really bad; it was just a mud wall.

After Ouyang Shuo saw it, he decided it was necessary to start a city wall building project.

Based on his long term plan, the future Yishui City would be a second grade city. Hence, its walls must follow the standards of a city and be 5 kilometers long.

After he made these changes to Yishui City, Ouyang Shuo spent the night there.

The next morning, Ouyang Shuo left and brought the Guards. They rushed to Gushan Town, which was a little further away. There were a bunch of mountain barbarian tribe leaders waiting for him.

After he destroyed the mountain bandits in Er's.h.i.+ Ridge, Shanhai City's reputation and position in the hearts of the mountain barbarians had soared to new heights. Especially the resources he had left them, which had helped to solve many of their problems.

After the mountain tribes took the resources, they burned the mountain stronghold down. From this, one could see how deep their hatred for the mountain bandits ran.

Mountain barbarians were a race that clearly differentiated friend from foe. They would hate those who bullied them, while they would forever remember those who helped them.

With the previous example of mountain barbarian soldiers joining the military and the example of the Qiushui City mountain barbarian settlement, Tian Wenjing easily convinced a large scale tribe, three medium sized tribes, and seven small sized tribes to move down the mountain. These were pretty much all the tribes in this region.

These eleven tribes will all settle down in Gushan Town; they would form a small, self-ruled community.

Based on Ouyang Shuo's promise, apart Four Seas Bank branch, the officials in Gushan Town would all be mountain barbarians. The only thing that Shanhai a City interfered in would be the building of the city defence unit.