Chapter 1273: Closed-Door Meeting

When the statisticians brought out the gems, Laini was present. The dazzling light they reflected in the sunlight made her instantly clutch her chest and quickly turn away.

No woman could resist such brilliance.

The third major category consisted of various valuable materials and metals, whose value far exceeded that of gold of the same volume. He Lingchuan directly packed them into his storage space and carried them back to the island.

Of the estimated five million taels, at least nearly two million taels were for materials.

For instance, there were four or five pieces of a rare metal, each about the size of a fist. He Lingchuan didn't recognize the other metals, which were blue, white, and red. When the subordinates from Songyang Mansion arrived and saw them, they were so astonished they couldn't move.

He Lingchuan also recovered many magical artifacts, but they had been in the malevolent place for too long, and most were already ruined. The Songyang Mansion sub-branch regrettably collected them to see if they could be salvaged.

Of course, the value of items like divine bones and divine blood was already immeasurable.

Ghost King Xuanlu had painstakingly operated in the Howling Forest for three hundred years, and the substantial fortune he accumulated ultimately benefited He Lingchuan.

The Yangshan Archipelago was as delighted as if it were New Year's.

Their leader was back, and with him, their guiding force was restored.

It's worth noting that these treasures were only half of the dungeon's inventory.

Ding Zuodong looked at the glowing wealth before him and let out a long sigh of relief. The Yangshan Archipelago was constantly undergoing development; land reclamation had resumed, and this year's cultivated land area would expand by another twenty percent. Residential areas needed further expansion because the long-term settled population on the islands had increased again.

New ports, new ships, and new docks were also in preparation, as the current transportation capacity could not keep up with the passenger flow to Yangshan.

All of this required money.

Furthermore, the Yangshan Archipelago had to allocate more financial and human resources to support the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce in developing the Shanjin Plain. This included, for example, providing money and provisions to support the Seven-Way Allied Army in its campaign against Bixia, and supplying the reorganization of the Yuanxiang Association. These investments would not yield returns in the short term.

All grand plans were built upon expenditures.

Money, money, money – Yangshan's lifeblood.

So, with the arrival of Ghost King Xuanlu's treasure, the Yangshan Archipelago's financial situation not only immediately improved but also became abundantly prosperous!

They were suddenly well-off, immediately prosperous.

Ding Zuodong felt he would be smiling in his sleep that night.

Before that, however, he first reported to He Lingchuan on Yangshan's work over the past few months.

It took a total of five hours, and Ding Zuodong spoke until his mouth was dry.

The patron inquired about every detail, no matter how small, even showing concern for his subordinates' personal affairs. For instance, he asked, "What about Qiu Hu and Laini? When I last left, they were already discussing marriage."

The local customs were very open.

"Uh, their relationship is good, but as for marriage... I haven't heard anything."

He Lingchuan wasted no time. The day after returning to the island, he summoned all Yangshan high-ranking officials to Centipede Island to hold a top-secret meeting.

The sole topic was:

Expanding the military and preparing for war!

Qiu Hu and the others were overjoyed, rubbing their hands together in anticipation. "Finally, we can fight!" they exclaimed.

"Isn't this why we've been training soldiers for so long?"

Ding Zuodong smiled, "Haven't we fought pirates on the eastern sea routes over a dozen times already?"

Qiu Hu gave him a sidelong glance. "Do you call that fighting? That was just clearing out vermin, just practice!"

The Yangshan Archipelago Guard had cleared the waters east of the archipelago, including the areas around Platinum Island and the trade routes, eliminating over a dozen pirate nests and significantly ensuring the safety of passing merchant ships.

But for the Yangshan Guard, these were merely a dozen training exercises.

Everyone eagerly asked, "When will the fighting begin?"

"In a few months at the shortest, but no longer than two years," He Lingchuan said, opening a sandbox map. "Beijia and Mou Nation have recently gotten heated in their conflict, no longer as lukewarm as before. Both sides have committed more generals and troops. Last month, Mou Nation suffered two consecutive defeats, and they should be making further tactical adjustments. Several major merchants who trade between Mou Nation and Beijia say that their bulk commodity business has been disrupted, and they've already given up on many categories of goods. This is not a good sign; Yangshan will eventually be affected."

Although Beijia and Mou Nation had been fighting for two or three years, trade between the two major powers had never truly ceased.

Now that Mou Nation was beginning to restrict commercial exchanges, it indicated that the intensity of the war had increased.

The largest customer base for the Yangshan Archipelago came from these two nations.

"To some extent, Beijia is using the Yangshan Archipelago to establish closer ties with Ya Nation and Yao Nation, essentially extending its influence into Mou Nation's rear," He Lingchuan said with a serious expression. "As the war progresses, Mou Nation likely won't be able to stand by idly."

Ding Zuodong asked, "Is the patron concerned that Mou Nation will use force against us?"

"At the very least, it will want us to favor Mou Nation and distance ourselves from Beijia," He Lingchuan replied. "At that point, if we can't secure more autonomy, our room for maneuver will certainly be compressed."

"With an army, there is autonomy. A counter-example is Bailie." He then pointed to Bailie on the sandbox map. "Second Elder Lu returned home to guard the border for too long, and Mou Nation just recalled him. As soon as he left, Ya Nation instigated two combat demonstrations on Bailie's eastern front, incidentally seizing some grain. Bailie is about to be in a difficult situation again."

Wan Qifeng interjected, "Borrowed troops, after all, don't last."

"The surrounding instability is the reason for Yangshan to expand its military," He Lingchuan told Ding Zuodong. "From now on, the Yangshan Archipelago will only retain rigid expenditures; short-term, unnecessary demolition, construction, and expansion projects are to be postponed. Operational surpluses and the treasures I brought back will be prioritized for military supplies and equipment!"

Ding Zuodong immediately responded with a "Yes," while Qiu Hu and Wan Qifeng did not conceal their joy.

"Now, about the Shanjin Plain," He Lingchuan said, pointing to it on the sandbox map. "Others say it's chaotic and disorderly here; Mou Nation suffered significant losses there, and even Beijia can only indirectly control Shanjin through Yao Nation, Luodian, and others. But the fact that two major powers repeatedly try to gain influence there indicates that Shanjin Plain itself has enormous potential, whether in terms of territory, population, resources, or wealth!"

Everyone present had already been thoroughly shocked by the treasures brought back by the Changlong Martial Arts Academy and piled into hills. They all agreed with this point of view, especially regarding the last two points: resources and wealth.

"I personally traveled here for several months, and this place has great potential!" He Lingchuan watched their expressions, noting that indeed, nothing could ignite ambition and stir emotions more than wealth. "I am very fond of this place!"

Even Qiu Hu subconsciously clenched his fists. "Please, Master, show us the way."

Although Yangshan was good, it was too small!

Qiu Hu had lived here for over two years, and he knew every corner of the archipelago not covered by malevolent energy like the back of his hand.

They were warriors, and they needed a broader world.

"The Shanjin Plain may seem chaotic, but it actually has its own inherent rules that repel any forceful intervention from external powers," He Lingchuan said seriously. "Our current strength and military power are not as great as Mou Nation's, or even Ya Nation's, and we lack renown, but this is actually a good thing."

"Regarding the Shanjin Plain, the overall strategy I have formulated centers on the principle of 'subtle influence'!"