120 Invitation (1/2)
After the completion of the teleportation formation, Ouyang Shuo checked the teleportation fees.
On the battlefield map, every single individual would be charged 1 gold. Between territories during wartime, each individual cost 1 gold, or 10 gold each during times of peace. While the special mode of teleportation name-adding would be charged at 20 gold per individual.
All the prices stated above applied only to single-way teleportation. That is, if you visited an ally, a round trip would cost you 20 gold.
These teleportation fees were charged directly by the system, so the lord would not benefit a single copper from them. Of course, there was simply nothing to complain about, since the teleportation formation itself was constructed for free by the system.
_“System notice: Select your payment methods!”_
As stated before, the teleportation formation could charge at either end. Just like mailing services in the real world, one could choose to pay through either the sender or the recipient.
Battlefield map teleportation fees were naturally paid for by their own lords. While for teleportation fees between territories, Ouyang Shuo had decided that Shanhai would fully pay for the teleportation fees during wartime, whereas during times of peace, Shanhai would pay the teleportation fees for the visitors back to their respective territories.
While the add-on teleportation was a one-way teleportation, naturally it would be paid for by Shanhai Town.
With Shanhai’s financial status, Ouyang Shuo could totally bear all the costs on his own. However, as the leader of the union, his position did not allow him to do so, as he had to take care of his allies’ feelings.
The teleportation fees taken on by Shanhai Town would be a benchmark to the union members.
If Ouyang Shuo had decided to bear all the costs to act as the good person, then the others would’ve had to be forced to follow after him. Otherwise, if they did not follow his act of bearing all the costs, they would be looked down upon by their fellow members. These fees might have meant nothing to Shanhai Town, but they could be big financial burdens to the other lords, and that was not something he would like to see.
That said, as a lord, especially as the leader of a union, one must fairly understand the art of moderation. So it had to be known when to stop, and the limits should not be passed. Otherwise, one could pave a road to hell with good intentions.
After setting the fee payment methods, a series of system prompts rang in Ouyang Shuo’s ears.
_“System notice: Please fully prepare your troops for the first battlefield. Note: The number of soldiers the lord can bring along is directly linked to the lord’s rank._
_3rd viscount is limited to 100 men, 2nd viscount 200 men, 1st viscount 300 men._
_3rd earl is limited to 500 men, 2nd earl 1000 men, 1st earl 3000 men._
_3rd marquis is limited to 10,000 men, 2nd marquis 20,000 men, 1st marquis 50,000 men. A lord with the rank of Duke has no soldier limits and can decide the number freely.”_
Ouyang Shuo’s rank was now 2nd earl, which meant that he could bring along 1000 soldiers. Including the soon-to-be-expanded naval unit, Shanhai’s official military forces had reached a total of 4000 soldiers. As for specifically which units would be participating in the battle, Ouyang Shuo still had to have some discussions with Ge Hongliang.
Leaving the teleportation formation, Ouyang Shuo sent mail messages to his 4 allies, inviting them over to Shanhai for a gathering along with a discussion meeting tomorrow morning.
To be honest, making such a decision was a difficult step for Ouyang Shuo. He was reluctant in the first place. Inviting the allies over would mean that Ouyang Shuo would be taking off the layers of mysteries, and unveiling the true face of Shanhai, exposing it clearly to them.
However, as the union leader, Ouyang Shuo found it necessary to do so. Only by doing so could the union members build up trust amongst one another, slowly shaping the union into an unified body.
Back at the manor, Ouyang Shuo gathered the 4 directors. They would prepare the town for tomorrow’s visit from their allies. Since it was a gathering, there would of course be a touring session.
Although they were his allies, there were still limitations on what they could and couldn’t see. There were others they were allowed to see, but only up to a certain extent. All these matters had to be taken into serious consideration by Ouyang Shuo.
……
_Consonance Town, Council Chamber._
“Qiyue Wuyi invited us to Shanhai Town tomorrow for a discussion on the Battle of Zhuolu. Which of you will come along with me? I’m saying this beforehand, Tsing Yi will be coming. It’s a must.” Bai Hua asked and looked around.
Tsing Yi nodded and stayed silent.
Zi Luolan laughed and said, “How unexpected. He openly invited us over to Shanhai to have a tour. Such an event, I wouldn’t want to miss it.”
“What’s so special about it? We all have a territory. I won’t be going.” Hong Ying said.
Bai Hua nodded and said, “Alright, in that case, Hong Ying will stay in the territory and the 3 of us will leave for Shanhai tomorrow.”
……
_Mulan Town, Mayor’s Office._