Chapter 2093: Deal
Construction on Chicken Island began quickly and vigorously.
If any ship passes by here during this period.
You'll find that huge changes are happening here every day.
At first, those slaves only thought about working a day and eating a day.
As for the idea that work points could be exchanged for freedom, they didn't really believe it much.
Because slavery still existed in this era.
Slaves are property, and no one would be willing to give up their wealth at this time.
This is the same principle as throwing your money into a pond.
But in any case, at least the owner who bought them wasn't too bad to them.
They were not whipped, and their daily food was guaranteed.
There's even at least one meal a day that includes meat.
This is the kind of life they lead.
Even without freedom, it's still a pretty good life.
A week passed quickly.
The port on Little Chicken Island was taking shape, and the outline of a city was beginning to appear on the island, with residential buildings starting to be constructed.
"Darkro has delivered all the goods we needed, according to the order form we provided," the secretary said, standing next to Zhao Chen.
"I'll bring him the supplementary order later."
Our current construction speed is quite ideal.
As expected, the basic structure of our Chicken Island was completed within a month.
That way, it will be able to accommodate these people living here.
"Now we can start planning our future development." Zhao Chen nodded in satisfaction.
Chicken Island is crucial as it serves as a springboard for their entry into the Western Continent.
Today, Zhao Chen has one more thing to do.
That is, under Dacroix's arrangement, there will be a meeting at sea with Duke Pedro.
After all, many things now require contact with the forces on the Western Continent.
Relying on Dacroix alone is far from enough.
Pedro is Zhao Chen's next development target.
"Your Majesty, something has happened on the island!"
Just as Zhao Chen was about to board the ship, a voice came from behind him.
Zhao Chen frowned and looked over; it was a person in charge of the construction of Chicken Island.
"What happened?" Zhao Chen asked.
Everything has been relatively normal during this period.
Why did this happen at this time? Could it be that the slaves are rioting?
That shouldn't be the case.
They had already treated these slaves well enough that people who didn't know the situation probably wouldn't even think they were refugees.
"We unearthed some things while we were building a foundation for a building."
Did they dig something up?
Zhao Chen was somewhat taken aback.
There are almost no signs of long-term human habitation on this island, so how could there be anything there?
"Let the ship wait a moment."
"I'll take care of this first." Zhao Chen temporarily shelved his plans to go to sea.
We've returned to Chicken Island.
Have your subordinates explain this matter clearly.
Because construction inevitably requires digging a foundation.
Furthermore, considering the possibility of severe weather such as sea breezes and typhoons in the area, the foundation requirements will be relatively high.
Everything had been going smoothly until now.
But today, when digging foundations for new buildings in an area.
Surprisingly, they unearthed boxes several meters underground.
The box was filled with all kinds of gold artifacts and gold bars.
The value of these things, if placed on West Road...
It's comparable to the value of a small country for a year.
These things couldn't possibly have appeared here out of nowhere.
"Someone buried it here?" Zhao Chen looked at the gold nuggets that had been moved in front of him, somewhat surprised.
To be honest, Zhao Chen wasn't particularly happy about the existence of these gold nuggets.
Although this is a considerable fortune, Zhao Chen is not lacking money right now.
What he least wanted to avoid was unnecessary trouble.
If the person who hid these things here knew that someone was building here, would he still feel at ease?
Aren't they worried that Zhao Chen would dig up their treasure?
That would create unnecessary trouble.
"Could they be pirates?" someone nearby thought instinctively.
In this era, due to the vastness of the sea, pirates still exist.
Pirates naturally had the habit of hiding some of their wealth in certain places, waiting until the storm had passed or when they needed it to retrieve it.
"Unlikely."
The value of this wealth was not something that ordinary pirates could accumulate.
Based on the current value of the Western Continent.
If we convert these things into a calculation...
It can directly build a navy of hundreds of warships.
"These are just what we found. Is it possible that there are other things on this island that we haven't found yet?"
The bystanders remained silent.
"Then Your Majesty, what should we do now?" someone asked.
Zhao Chen thought for a moment.
Has news of the discovery of these treasures spread?
"There shouldn't be any for now."
When we unearthed these things, we immediately sealed off the site and took control of all the slave workers involved.
This ensures that they will not have contact with anyone during this period.
"So, this news shouldn't spread," the subordinate reported.
Zhao Chen nodded: "Very good, handled very well."
Those who participated in the excavation, and who might know what we dug up.
Next, unified management will be implemented.
They must not be allowed to have any contact with other people outside, and it is strictly forbidden for them to discuss this matter.
When we have time later, we'll arrange for them to return to our Dragon Continent.
We have better control over there.
In short, block the news.
In addition, send people to conduct a thorough inspection of the island to see if there are any other similar objects or valuable clues.
Then, orders were given to the outer fleets to enter a level-two combat readiness state.
Be aware of any suspicious vessels that may appear in your vicinity!
The patrol teams on the island also need to be more vigilant to prevent anyone from swimming directly over and infiltrating our Chicken Island.
"yes!"
After explaining these things, Zhao Chen didn't waste too much time on this matter.
Because he had other things to take care of.
He boarded the ship as planned.
First, meet up with Viscount Dacroix.
Viscount Dacroix's ship was located in a stretch of sea between Chicken Island and the western coastline.
Zhao Chen's ship and Viscount Dacroix's ship were connected by chains, with a plank placed between them.
Viscount Dacromet personally came to greet Zhao Chen.
“Duke Pedro was a little delayed, but he arrived soon.” Viscount Dacroix observed Zhao Chen’s expression.
"It's alright, it won't make a difference." Zhao Chen didn't pay much attention to the time.
"I have some additional invoices here for you."
"We need you to continue making purchases for us." Zhao Chen directly presented the prepared supplementary order.
Viscount Dacroix took the invoice, glanced at it, and then said, "No problem."
I can deliver these items within a week.
It seems your Chicken Island is being built very quickly.
Zhao Chen glanced at Dacrovi: "Viscount Dacrovi is very concerned about the development of my Chicken Island."
This statement has a double meaning.
Viscount Dacroix immediately explained, "I absolutely did not mean anything else."
Each time a cargo ship returns, it will inform you of the construction progress on that side.
I did this so that I could better assist you with your work.
"Relax, I didn't mean anything by it."
Oh, right.
Was there any powerful force or individual stationed on this Chicken Island in the past?
"My men found some rather old weapons on the island," Zhao Chen inquired tentatively.
Viscount Dacroix thought for a moment: "I'm not quite sure about that."
Chicken Island is located neither too far nor too close to the mainland.
Ordinary people won't get close.
In addition, the location was not well hidden, so pirates and passing ships would only stop here occasionally.
Pirates wouldn't stay here openly either.
After all, Chicken Island itself has no natural defenses.
It's not far from the mainland, so if it's true that a large number of pirates are gathered here...
That kingdom can simply send a fleet over, and after a few rounds of bombardment at sea, they can wipe out the pirates on Chicken Island.
Therefore, no pirates would set up camp here.
The things you found were probably things they left behind by chance.
It's not of much value either.
While Dacroix was speaking, Zhao Chen kept a close eye on his expression.
He did not lie.
It seems he was also unaware of Chicken Island's past.
It seems that the owner behind that treasure is very careful.
Without alerting anyone, they hid this enormous treasure right under everyone's noses.
In other words, the most dangerous place is the safest place.
"I have one more request."
Because I want to learn about the situation on the mainland.
"So could you prepare some historical records about the Western Continent for me, the more detailed the better, I need them from all aspects." Zhao Chen looked like he was very eager to learn.
"No problem, these things are easy to find."
"I will deliver it to you later along with the supplementary goods." Dacromet readily agreed.
These things are not of much value.
As for whether the King of the Falcon truly just wanted to understand, or whether he had other motives.
This is not something Dacroix needs to worry about.
Sometimes, you can't be too smart.
So Dacromet would pretend to be confused.
Time passed little by little.
Soon, several ships appeared on the sea.
These ships are much more luxurious than Zhao Chen's and Dacromet's.
One of them wasn't a warship; it looked more like a ship specifically prepared for tourist voyages, and it was very beautiful.
Even from a distance, you could see that the deck was decorated with many colorful things; if you didn't know better, you'd think there was a banquet going on at sea.
The ship quickly docked with theirs.
The opponent extended a warm invitation.
Dacromet looked at Zhao Chen and asked for his opinion.
Zhao Chen did not refuse.
In any case, given his personal strength, he is not worried about anyone attacking him in this world.
After boarding this magnificent ship.
Zhao Chen also saw Duke Pedro.
He was around forty years old, with a large belly, and looked quite prosperous.
He gives off a very approachable vibe, unlike the stereotypical image of a bad aristocrat.
"This is Duke Pedro XIV of our kingdom."
Duke Pedro I was the younger brother of the King and Queen of our kingdom at that time.
At that time, a civil war broke out in our kingdom, and the regime was on the verge of collapse.
It was Pedro I who stood up to support the royal family at the time, allowing the kingdom to continue smoothly.
It was also at that time that the king granted the Pedro family the hereditary title of duke.
Even now.
Duke Pedro holds a very important position in our kingdom.
"Your Majesty, King of the Dragon King, please do not listen to this glib-tongued merchant's words."
Actually, I am now a leisurely duke.
"I just rely on the family's influence to earn some money and live a life without worries about food and clothing." Duke Pedro looked at Zhao Chen in front of him, holding a glass of red wine.
"I'm not like His Majesty the Dragon King, so young and accomplished."
The conversation went very smoothly, as if they had known each other for a long time.
They drank and chatted about all sorts of things.
And after half a round of drinks...
Duke Pedro finally brought up the first important topic since they met today.
"I would like to purchase the formulas for your medicines."
"How about you name your price?" Duke Pedro smiled at Zhao Chen.
At this moment, Viscount Dacro, who was accompanying him, had sweat on his forehead and dared not look Zhao Chen in the eye or speak.
He could guess that if Duke Pedro wanted to meet King Xiaolong, then he must have something to ask for during the meeting.
I never expected that the first thing they would ask for was the drug formula.
This is now the cash cow in the hands of the Dragon King.
If it were him, Dacromo, he would never have handed it over.
"You want it?" Zhao Chen asked Duke Pedro with a smile.
“I want it,” said Duke Pedro.
"No problem."
Zhao Chen's answer made Dacromet look incredulous.
A strange light also flashed in the eyes of Duke Pedro.
"But we're talking business."
How much profit can I generate from the formulas for these medicines I have?
I think Viscount Dacroix should know very well.
If it were you, what price would Viscount Dacroix offer?
At this moment, both Zhao Chen and Duke Pedro's gazes fell on Dacroix.
Dacromet shuddered, never expecting this topic to involve him.
This is like putting yourself on the hot seat of a fire.
No matter how I answer, there will be problems.
If you quote too high a price, you'll be offending the Duke of Pedro.
If you quote too low a price, you'll offend this "King of the Falcon".
Neither of these two situations is good.
"Oh dear, I feel a bit seasick."
My head is spinning.
"I might need to rest, but I can't figure that out right now." Viscount Dacroix clutched his head, looking as if he might faint at any moment.
Pedro and Zhao Chen naturally saw through Dacroix's little scheme.
Duke Pedro and Zhao Chen exchanged a glance.
"Your Majesty King of the Dragon King, please don't make things difficult for Dakro."
Just name your price.
He hadn't expected that the King of the Dragons would be willing to hand over the drug formula.
He's now quite curious about what price the other party will offer.