253 Navy Base (1/2)

Ouyang Shuo placed the <beihai bay=”” treasure=”” map=””> into a random location in his storage bag. It would take countless days and nights to gather all the parts of a map like this. He might not even gather all the parts before the game ends.

After he looked through the plundered goods, Ouyang Shuo sat back in his seat. Then, he turned to look at Pei Donglai and asked, “General Pei, what is your opinion on the next course of action regarding Moon Island?”

This question wasn’t meant to make things difficult for Pei Donglai. As the commander of the Beihai navy fleet, he needed to be a proficient leader in battle and had to handle the affairs and logistics behind in the base.

Pei Donglai pondered for a moment before he answered, “The facilities here are primitive and simple, but we can salvage the dock and use it as a supply replenishment station in the future.”

Pei Donglai understood why the lord established the navy fleet. It wasn’t only to exterminate the pirates. His lord had a greater vision and place in mind for the Beihai navy fleet. Regardless, if the fleet wanted to sail deep into the middle of the ocean and dominate the seas, supply replenishments was an issue that they couldn’t avoid. Ships sail day and night, so a lack of supply replenishment stations would greatly challenge the sailors and the logistics members.

Ouyang Shuo nodded, but he shook his head moments later.

“What does the lord mean?” Pei Donglai felt anxious.

“The supply replenishment stations are a must.” First, Ouyang Shuo confirmed Pei Donglai’s point of view. Then, he said, “But, that is far not enough. Moon Island is small but robust. The conditions here are consummate and there are sufficient sources of fresh water. Therefore, we can change Moon Island into a small navy base.”

As a supply replenishment station, Moon Island had to contain a large storage of resources. In turn, they needed to station a team of guards on the island to protect the resources.

Hence, Ouyang Shuo would rather settle everything once and for all. He would make a round of major changes to the island.

“I have a few specific requirements. You will talk to Xiuwen regarding the details on how to make it happen. The Construction Division of Beihai City will complete it,” Ouyang Shuo said, “First, upgrade the dock into a port. Not only will it act as the docking place for the warships, but the navy can also repair and maintain warships there.

“Second, demolish every building on the island and rebuild them systematically. The core of this island will take the role of a military fortress. It will act as the base of the island guards, and the storage place for the resources. The reason for a military fortress is to shrink the defensive force. Moreover, it will not take up a lot of the island’s land. Woodworking workshop, blacksmithy, weapons workshop, and the other building structures will be built inside of the fortress, forming a relatively enclosed fort.

“Third, land reclamation. You need to make use of the land outside of the military fortress. Plant some vegetables and crops so that the island can be self-sustainable. I have estimated that we can reclaim at least 500,000 mu of land on Moon Island.

“Once we reach such a scale, the island can achieve self-sustainability but also supply externally. There will be no more need to transport food and resources to Moon Island from Beihai City.

“Lastly, the retransformation of the pond. In order to grow crops on a large scale, we need sufficient irrigation water. Therefore, there is a need to expand the pond to at least five to ten times the scale of the existing one. Eventually, we will turn the pond into an island lake or a small reservoir.”

Ouyang Shuo told Pei Donglai his plan based on his observation of the island this afternoon. In the future, Moon Island would become a mixture of a military fort, port, reservoir, and farmland. When combined together, it would form a strong and powerful navy base.

After they completed the Moon Island navy base, it would become the ‘Midway Island’ where the fleet enters the deep sea.

The layout of Ouyang Shuo’s great plans excited Pei Donglai. He said respectfully, “May the lord be at ease. I will coordinate with Beihai City and complete the transformation of Moon Island as soon as possible.”

Ouyang Shuo nodded and said, “Then, I will pass it to the general. When the navy base is established, I will visit Moon Island again. Together, we will celebrate your accomplishment.”

“Yes, my lord!” Pei Donglai was indeed in great excitement.

After the discussion, Ouyang Shuo stayed on the island for one night.

Morning of the next day, the Beihai navy fleet departed for home. They left behind the navy 1st unit to guard Moon Island. As for the captived pirates, they brought them all back to Beihai City.

Moon Island held a significant spot in Ouyang Shuo’s strategy, so he did not trust the placement of these pirates on the island.

October 25th, afternoon, Beihai navy fleet returned to Beihai Port.

After Ouyang Shuo left the port, he intentionally went into the city and had a small talk with magistrate Gu Xiuwen. He explained the navy base construction work required on Moon Island.

On the night of the same day, Ouyang Shuo returned to the Lord’s Manor.

After he returned, Ouyang Shuo took out the box of jewelry and passed it to Zi Su, who would store it in the internal storehouse. This was Ouyang Shuo’s third box of jewelry.

Ouyang Shuo wasn’t a stingy man. He rewarded Song Jia, Sun Xiaoyue, Yingyu, Qing’er, the two sisters, even Zi Su and Si Qin the servant maids. He gave all of them jewelry.

Next day morning, Ouyang Shuo accompanied Bing’er for breakfast. After that, he immediately rushed to the Armory Division in the east district and looked for master blacksmith Wang Gao.

“Greetings to the lord!” Wang Gao bowed and greeted.

Ouyang Shuo nodded. Then, he took out the [Meteorite Fine Iron] and placed it on the table. He smiled, “Can you recognize this item?”