Chapter 2092: Chicken Island
Western Continent - Baljik Kingdom
To be precise, it is Chicken Island on the coast of the Baljik Kingdom.
You heard right.
This place is called Chicken Island.
Because its shape is just like a chick.
That's why it's called Chicken Island.
Chicken Island itself has no resources; most of it consists of exposed reefs and some mud and grass.
You can see several abandoned wooden houses.
Because this place has little value, apart from refugees, pirates, and fishermen who come here to rest, virtually no one else lives here.
And today, you can see a sailboat moored here.
The sailboat docked.
Zhao Chen landed on the small chicken island.
"Please wait a moment." The leopard woman entered the island with a squad of guards; they were going to search the area.
We've confirmed there's no danger here.
Thus, Zhao Chen stood on the rocks of Little Chicken Island, looking at the island in front of him.
Let's look again in the direction of the western continent.
Because there is still some distance, it is impossible to see the western continent even if you look out from here.
All you can see is the ocean.
"If we were to build a city here, with a port as well."
It will take at least three months to complete a prototype.
This also depends on the weather.
"If there are heavy rains or typhoons, it will not only affect the construction schedule, but also pose a great danger to lives," Zhao Chen said thoughtfully.
"Your Majesty, you don't need to worry too much about this."
We are a race of water spirits, though we cannot stop natural weather phenomena such as typhoons and tsunamis.
However, we can anticipate these disasters well in advance.
"That's enough to give our personnel a warning and buy them enough time to evacuate," said a water spirit who had followed them.
Considering that this is the outpost they want to establish.
Zhao Chen brought along relevant staff members specifically to save time.
We can determine the construction plan for this outpost base and identify any potential problems in the shortest possible time.
Soon, the leopard woman and the others returned.
It was confirmed that there were no outsiders or threats on the island.
Zhao Chen immediately began arranging the work.
People from various departments began to land on the island to collect relevant data.
“A port can be built here.”
I didn't expect the water level here to be so deep.
It is entirely possible to build a deep-water port.
However, the port's size might be somewhat limiting, but it should have no problem accommodating twenty dreadnoughts simultaneously.
"There is an anchorage over there, which can be used to allow some ships to anchor."
It can accommodate at least five hundred ships of various types.
"Look at the watermarks on the rocks of this island."
It can be roughly determined how far this area will be submerged during high tide.
We can build our cities in these areas.
If it is built according to the standards we have in the Dragon Continent.
This small chicken island can support at least 10,000 people, and even in extreme circumstances, it could barely accommodate 30,000.
"Water is a problem."
At least we still have freshwater resources on our Dragon Continent.
But here...
"This can be handled by our water spirits."
With just one water plant, our Water Sprite can complete the seawater desalination process.
Only ten water spirits need to be stationed here to meet the daily freshwater needs of ten thousand people.
"The first thing we need to build is the port and the loading and unloading platform."
Only in this way can we quickly load and unload the supplies we need.
To build the base for this island, all building materials and raw materials needed to be transported in from outside.
Therefore, port construction and waterway planning are of paramount importance!
Soon, blueprints were designed in front of Zhao Chen.
Considering that the island is not yet suitable for habitation, Zhao Chen decided to rest on the boat for the night.
And the next day.
More ships appeared here.
However, these ships did not come from the Dragon Continent, but from Dacroro.
Viscount Dacroix received news of His Majesty Zhao Chen's personal arrival and a batch of orders.
He immediately led his fleet, carrying these supplies, and rushed over.
Dozens of merchant ships were anchored in the distant sea.
Many of them were looking in this direction with curiosity.
They were all puzzled as to why anyone would want to build this little chicken island here.
Although Chicken Island is quite large, its geographical location is average, and it doesn't have many local products, so basically no one likes it.
It's a place where passing fleets occasionally stop for a rest.
"Your Majesty, Emperor Xiaolong."
"I never expected you to come in person." Viscount Dacroix's attitude towards Zhao Chen was becoming increasingly respectful.
After all, they should know that their lives and fortunes are now entirely in Zhao Chen's hands.
If Zhao Chen stops supplying those medicines, they're all doomed.
"Did you bring everything I asked for?" Zhao Chen asked.
"I have already brought some of the goods you requested."
But because you want too much.
So there's still a large part that I'm still collecting.
Once a fleet is assembled, it will be sent over immediately.
At most... at most half a month.
Everything you requested will be delivered.
"I assure you!" Viscount Dacroix assured him solemnly.
“Then these payments will be deducted from the profit sharing of our drug trade,” Zhao Chen said.
“Okay,” Viscount Dacroix replied with a grin.
In this way, he can also make a profit from it.
“You are going to build a city here.”
"Would you like me to arrange some more people for you?" Viscount Dacroix inquired.
"No.
Everything I need is on the list I gave you.
If there is anything else needed later.
"I'll add more later," Zhao Chen said calmly.
"Okay, please feel free to ask me anything."
Just tell me.
I will definitely meet all your needs.
After Viscount Dacroix finished speaking, he looked at Zhao Chen hesitantly.
"Anything else to say?"
"We've known each other for over a year now, so let's talk things out." Zhao Chen noticed Viscount Dacroix's hesitant expression.
"As you know, Duke Pedro, who is behind me, already knows about your existence."
He has always wanted to meet you.
"Look..." Viscount Dacroo looked at Zhao Chen tentatively. He had mentioned this matter to Zhao Chen before, back in the Kingdom of Xiaolong.
But at the time, Zhao Chen only said he would think about it and then decide.
Now that Zhao Chen has come here in person, this is a rare opportunity, so he naturally asked directly.
"Can.
"But going to the mainland is out of the question," Zhao Chen said.
"In that case, we'll arrange to meet on my ship."
"I guarantee your safety!" Viscount Dacroix beamed with delight.
Duke Pedro has mentioned this matter countless times.
They have even expressed some dissatisfaction.
Now there's finally a result, and it's a relief.
“Okay, we’ll do it your way,” Zhao Chen said.
Next.
Zhao Chen then began receiving goods from Viscount Dacrois.
It mainly consists of stone, wood, and other materials used in building houses.
What remains are slaves.
That's right, they were slaves.
Building a new city naturally requires a large amount of human and material resources.
Although it's not impossible to bring people from the Dragon Continent.
However, considering the harsh environment and its proximity to the mainland, there is a certain degree of danger.
Therefore, choosing slaves is undoubtedly the most cost-effective option.
Furthermore, slavery was also a way to increase the population.
Therefore, in the order that Zhao Chen placed with Viscount Dacromet.
One of them was the slavery of five thousand people.
These five thousand slaves were not simply living people.
The requirement is that applicants be young people between the ages of sixteen and forty.
Ideally, they should have some knowledge, and if they have some technical skills, that would be even better. Being literate would be a bonus.
Zhao Chen also purchased these slaves at different prices.
Younger, more educated individuals, and those who may even have come from noble or wealthy families, will command much higher prices.
Therefore, Viscount Dacroiss would naturally be willing to buy some of these kinds of slaves for Zhao Chen.
These slaves were few in number, but they were in a rather awkward position in the market.
First, they were expensive, although they possessed some characteristics that ordinary slaves did not have.
But the question is, what do most people buy slaves for?
It's just work.
Do we need these things for work?
Therefore, the sales of these slaves were actually mediocre.
Zhao Chen needed it, and Viscount Dacromet bought a lot of it with a wave of his hand.
This resulted in more than half of the five thousand slaves being able to read and write.
"Actually, if we're talking about work..."
Those who are strong and muscular are still the most suitable.
Some people can read and write, but the problem is they can't do any work." Viscount Dacroix even gave this very conscientious reminder when handing over the slaves.
“A valuable slave, if used properly, will be of even greater value to you,” Zhao Chen said.
This left Viscount Dacroix completely bewildered.
Regardless, Viscount Dacroix was naturally happy to be able to make money.
If Zhao Chen wants to build such a city here, he will definitely need to purchase a large amount of supplies from the mainland.
In this back and forth, he made money!
Hehehe
Becoming the richest man in the kingdom is just around the corner.
The delivery was completed quickly with 5,000 people.
Of these 5,000 people, 3,000 are men and 2,000 are women.
They were assigned to an open space on the island.
Then they began registering their identities.
"age."
"twenty three."
"gender."
"..."
"I'm asking you, your gender."
"male."
The tall man, standing at 23.18 meters, hesitated for a moment before answering.
I'm such a strong man, do I need to say my gender? It's right there in front of me.
But seeing the 'truth' standing in a neat row behind them, they still answered the questions honestly.
Most importantly, there were baskets of bread placed next to it.
The people here said that as long as you register your information, you can go there to pick up food.
Before this, these slaves ate things like black bread every day, just enough to keep them from starving.
Where did you come from?
"The Kingdom of Northern Ai".
"Why were you enslaved?"
“I was a knight of the Kingdom of Northern Ai. I was captured on the battlefield and then became a slave.”
...
Soon, the information on all types of slaves was registered.
"The information of these slaves has been basically registered."
The vast majority were slaves from the battlefield, and the rest were slaves convicted of violating the kingdom's laws.
"Thirty-nine of them are serious offenders, and they have confessed to their crimes," a secretary said, standing next to Zhao Chen and pointing to the stacks of papers.
In the information age, one drawback of recording this information is that it consumes too much paper.
If they hadn't already developed their own methods for recording information, it would have been really time-consuming and laborious.
Zhao Chen glanced at it.
Especially those serious offenders.
Child trafficking... rape...
Those who can be convicted of serious crimes by Zhao Chen are basically the most heinous criminals.
Anything with a valid reason would not be considered a serious crime by Zhao Chen.
Even if you kill some high-ranking officials because of hatred, it will not be recorded as a serious crime by Zhao Chen.
Only those crimes that incur divine wrath and public resentment.
"You should know how these people are arranged, right?" Zhao Chen looked at the secretary that Barbara had assigned to this mission.
“I know.” The secretary nodded. “These people will be assigned to some high-risk jobs.”
Each of them would be placed under strict surveillance; there was absolutely no chance of them surviving.
In the course of construction, there will inevitably be some very dangerous tasks.
In the past, for the sake of safety, people would often compromise on the time required for those jobs.
But with these criminals who deserve to die, it's perfectly appropriate to let them do these things.
"Don't discourage these serious offenders from their work."
They are treated the same as everyone else in their daily lives.
You can't work well if you're not full.
Then tell them that as long as they work here for a certain amount of time, they can be freed.
"We need to give them hope, right?" Zhao Chen said.
"What if they survived after working for a certain period of time?" the secretary asked.
"The ocean is so vast, no one will even notice if one person is missing," Zhao Chen said with a smile.
"Yes." The secretary did not find anything wrong with His Majesty's arrangement.
In her view, these people deserved to die.
If it weren't for His Majesty's 'benevolence,' they wouldn't even have had the chance to contribute their last bit of energy here.
This is their atonement.
"Listen up, everyone."
You are now slaves on Chicken Island.
You will be working here from now on.
You can earn work points by doing your work.
The tasks will be arranged according to your individual circumstances, and you are not allowed to refuse.
The work points vary depending on the intensity of the work.
Once you accumulate enough work points, you will gain freedom.
During this period, you can get a fixed amount of food as long as you complete your daily work.
"Anyone who doesn't follow the rules will bear the consequences." The secretary looked at the five thousand people wolfing down their food and announced the rules of the game here.