Chapter 2091: Era Begins
“An island?” Duke Pedro looked at Baron Dacroix with some surprise.
In fact, he also knew that the reason why Dacro was able to rise so quickly was because of an unknown'supplier' he knew overseas.
Compared to Duke Wenger's desire to possess everything.
The Duke of Pedro was more moderate, as long as you kept your promises and did everything honestly.
Do not cross the line.
He is willing to not interfere in these matters.
Everyone can have their own secrets.
Now, Dacromet has actually come to him directly and made a request.
That means the other party wants an island.
"Yes.
Previously, my transactions with the other party were all related to jewelry and diamonds.
I delivered supplies to them, all sorts of things.
This time, the other party took the initiative to expand their business, specifically with these drugs.
The request from the Dragon King was simply for an island relatively close to the mainland.
Dacroix looked helplessly at Duke Pedro and said, "If it were a few plots of land on the continent, I could manage."
However, an island cannot be too small.
Then I really don't have the authority to do it.
And if their demands cannot be met.
That would create a major problem for the subsequent drug supply.
Hearing what Dacroix said.
Duke Pedro stared coldly at the other man: "Are you threatening me?"
Dacromet hurriedly shook his head and said, "Your Grace, you've misunderstood."
That's not what I meant.
I really have no other choice.
I know that King Xiaolong's personality very well; once something is decided, there is no room for negotiation.
If I can't give him what he wants, then he won't give us what we want.
Now, these drugs are no longer just simple commodities.
It also concerns our lives.
If the supply of these medicines cannot be stabilized, the Third Prince's condition will become problematic.
"You and I will both be affected then."
"What does this have to do with me?" Duke Pedro looked coldly at Viscount Dacroix.
Viscount Dacroix smiled helplessly: "Your Grace, there's no need for you to put on this act now."
To outsiders, we are all in the same boat.
If any problems do arise.
I am guilty of a capital offense.
But you won't be much better off.
Therefore, you must find a way to resolve this matter!
Hearing Dacroix's request.
Duke Pedro snorted coldly.
He knew that what the other party was doing was actually a threat.
But alas, he simply couldn't do anything about it.
Because what he said wasn't wrong.
To outsiders, Pedro and Dacromet are now in the same boat.
If any problems arise.
That's their problem.
"I see.
I'll figure out how to handle things on this island.
"But now, I want to get to know this so-called His Majesty the Dragon you speak of." Duke Pedro stared at Dacrovi across from him.
...
More than a month has passed.
Zhao Chen met Dacromet again.
Zhao Chen had actually anticipated that Dacromet's fleet would arrive ahead of schedule.
He knew very well that the effects of those drugs far exceeded those of ordinary jewelry and diamonds.
After all, this is something that can save lives.
He just didn't expect Dacromet to arrive so quickly.
His fleet dutifully anchored in the open sea, and then he personally took a small boat ashore to request a meeting.
Zhao Chen did not refuse.
"It seems the medicine I gave you..."
"You should be quite satisfied." Zhao Chen got straight to the point, smiling as he looked at Dacrovi across from him, and directly stated the purpose of Dacrovi's trip.
Dacromet was also familiar with the temperament of this Dragon King.
He smiled helplessly and said, "Since Your Majesty already knows the purpose of my visit..."
Then I'll just say it directly.
Every three months thereafter, I hope to receive ten times the amount of medication I received before!
"There is no problem with the medication."
"But what about what I want?" Zhao Chen asked with a slight smile.
Dacromet pulled out a map.
The location of the western continent was indicated on the map.
Zhao Chen was very familiar with this map; Dacromet had provided a similar map before.
He was already very familiar with every location on the map.
The geographical locations on the western continent are very detailed, while the locations on other continents are somewhat rough.
After all, this planet is really too big.
Dacromet pointed to the location of an island next to the western continent.
"This island covers an area that is about one-twentieth the size of your mainland."
Although it's not big.
However, all the conditions are quite good.
It takes an hour and a half to reach the coast of the Western Continent by sailing ship in calm weather.
This island is available for rent to you.
The condition is that the required quantities of the medicines I just mentioned will be supplied in batches every three months.
At first glance.
It seems that Zhao Chen and his group suffered a loss.
They need a constant supply of medicine.
But you have to understand that medicine is something like that.
Except for certain drugs whose raw materials are extremely scarce.
The vast majority of drugs actually have very low manufacturing costs; their prices are determined during the research and development stage.
Zhao Chen and his team, however, completely bypassed this research and development phase thanks to the technology they brought back from the interstellar era.
Therefore, the investment cost is greatly reduced.
"The island's location is good, and its size is also acceptable."
However, this is how we are supplied with a batch of medicine every three months.
"Isn't this a bit of a bad deal?" Zhao Chen said with a slight smile.
“What else do you want?” Dacromet asked in return.
"You can earn 30% of the profits from selling these drugs that I provide to you."
But I don't want money, just like before.
"I want goods of equal value in lieu," Zhao Chen said.
"Deal!" Dacromet agreed to the deal without hesitation.
Although 30% is not a small amount.
But it's nothing compared to the value of those medicines.
The remaining 70%, even if 30% is given to the Duke Pedro, plus other favors.
Even if in the end only one-tenth remains for her.
That was enough for him to make a fortune.
Most importantly, the network of contacts built through these drug sales is worthless.
Tell me about it.
Is this island owned by the powerful figure behind you?
"You must have told him quite a bit about me, right?" Zhao Chen suddenly said, looking at the other person with a smile.
Dacromet remained expressionless, but his heart was pounding.
He stated frankly, "Yes, I said that."
I couldn't possibly find this island for you on my own.
In our transaction, I also gave him a large share of the profits.
This island was also arranged for you by him.
In addition, this Duke Pedro asked me to pass on a message.
He would like to meet you if given the opportunity.
"Yes, there will be opportunities." Zhao Chen did not pursue the matter of Dacromi spreading his information to others.
His Dragon Kingdom cannot remain hidden forever.
When he decided to make contact with the Western Continent, he was already prepared to stand under the spotlight.
And in doing this, you will naturally need to meet a local.
However, Dacromi's identity makes it difficult for him to provide the value that Zhao Chen wants.
But the person behind Dacromet was different.
A duke, given his status, position, and methods, if it were possible to cooperate with him.
This will undoubtedly bring Zhao Chen many opportunities.
After these transactions were finalized.
Dacromet immediately returned with a batch of medicines that Zhao Chen had prepared in advance.
You should know that the Third Prince is still waiting for these medicines to keep him alive.
The only question is when Zhao Chen will take over the island.
He asked Dacromet to keep an eye on things for him, and he would go whenever he wanted.
Zhao Chen watched the departing fleet.
"Our current level of technology is considered to be in the early to mid-stages of the industrial era."
Our navy has entered the era of dreadnoughts.
Soon, building more advanced warships will not be too much of a problem.
And that's just our current naval power.
We have ten dreadnoughts, thirty ironclads, and one hundred sailing ships.
Although it is true that these naval forces alone would still find it difficult to confront the navies on the western continent.
Furthermore, our current military strength is concentrated in the navy, and the army is a major problem.
However, given enough time to develop...
We can build an army in the shortest possible time.
However, the most important issue right now is our springboard to the Western Continent.
The island they offered us was an option.
"But we can't put all our eggs in one basket," said Secretary Barbara, standing behind Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen nodded and said in agreement, "I know all that too."
We need to take two steps, one overt and one covert.
I already have some ideas.
We can then disguise some of our sailing ships as merchant vessels and search for large islands in the seas surrounding the Western Continent.
The distance can be a little further.
As long as it's suitable, that's fine.
Then we'll build it into our base.
In this way, we will have a base in the open.
They also have a base in the shadows.
Furthermore, we should choose a remote login point.
We will establish our shore base there, and then we can build our army.
To build our army, population becomes another problem.
Establishing a navy is not too much of a problem in terms of soldiers.
"But the key to the army lies in its people," said Secretary Barbara.
"How is Medusa doing?" Zhao Chen asked.
"All three islands have been recovered."
Now, with the three islands combined, we control a population of at least 200,000.
Of these 200,000 people, about 40% are adult men and women, which is about 80,000 people.
Of these 80,000 people, we can select 50,000 to train as soldiers.
These are the seeds of our future army.
We have actually prepared the relevant technologies for the army equipment.
All you need to do is set up the production line.
We can mass-produce those army equipment.
However, transportation issues need to be considered.
We can build things like guns and artillery here.
However, it would be very difficult to build vehicles, tanks, and other heavy equipment here and then transport them over.
Therefore, it would be best to build our army military bases directly on the western continent.
"We'll build our tanks, and even airplanes and artillery, in large numbers there." Secretary Barbara finished explaining the plan that her secretariat had devised.
It's very comprehensive, with almost no problems.
Zhao Chen was also very satisfied with these.
Everything was proceeding according to their plan.
"Okay, let's do it your way."
If you have any questions, please let us know.
"It's time we really took a look at this world." Zhao Chen smiled as he gazed at the azure sea and sky.
Inside Dragon City
Narcissus looked at the wind chimes opposite her.
She happily rushed over and hugged him tightly.
Why did you come back so early?
"Isn't there still some time before the three-month assignment?" Narcissus asked curiously.
"I came back temporarily too."
The main purpose was to bring back the third batch of people.
This time I brought nearly ten thousand people.
"Your department is going to be very busy," Fengling said with a smile.
"We received the news a long time ago."
All preparations are complete.
We have experience training two thousand people previously.
There is no problem with these 10,000 people.
"Tell me quickly, how is the situation on Fengshui Island these days?" Narcissus asked curiously.
They also care a lot about the development of their hometown.
Although she now really likes the Dragon Kingdom, and even wants to obtain citizenship there.
But Fengshui Island is, after all, his hometown.
It's impossible not to care or be curious.
"Over the past few months..."
Our people built a great city on the flat-topped mountain in the middle of Fengshui Island.
People of both ethnicities can live and work there.
And some simple light industrial factories were set up there.
People of both our races can work there, and they can earn food in exchange for their work.
Although the food rations are not as good as what we get here.
But it's so much better than before.
In addition, a school was specifically established.
To impart knowledge and skills to young children.
At the same time, it will also teach some adults a skill.
On Fengshui Island now, aside from some of the original aristocratic class who remain somewhat resistant, most people are living quite well.
"Those people suddenly lost their original status and power."
"They'll definitely jump out," Narcissus said, frowning.
In fact, they were part of that group of people.
Feng Ling said seriously, "That's right, and there were even several riots during this period."
The main reason is that some young people feel they have lost their original privileges and are very dissatisfied.
At the same time, they strongly oppose living with the other party's race.
Especially the construction of the new city.
So they quietly objected.
However, I arranged for a patrol team to launch a swift and decisive attack, resulting in the deaths of nearly three hundred people.
Some of them are related to us by blood.
After Fengling finished speaking, her gaze remained fixed on the narcissus.
Narcissus simply smiled.
"This is what you should do."
In order to get our Feng Shui Island on the right track and develop rapidly.
We must sweep away all obstacles!