650 Capital of Trading (1/2)

Chapter 650-Capital of Trading

Translator: ryangohsf

Editor: Nora

Somalia, Courage Port.

The newly claimed and built Courage Port was just a natural bay at this moment.

The bay did not have any port facilities, and it only had rows of wooden platforms built for the convenience of the merchant ship. Overall, it looked rather lackluster.

Even so, an endless number of ships were entering and leaving the port.

Seeing the voyage squadron slowly close in, the various merchant ships automatically made way. They were not fearful; rather, they had a deep respect for the voyage squadron.

Under Zheng He's instructions, the voyage squadron slowly stopped at the west side of the port.

Ouyang Shuo planned to split Courage Port into two; the west side would be used as a military port, and it would house the navy. On the other hand, the east side would be a trading port for voyaging merchant ships to disembark and resupply.

Both sides had their own purposes and did not interfere with one another.

As for the middle region, Ouyang Shuo was prepared to build a large shipyard to produce merchant ship and warships locally. Shipyards would be built wherever his navy was based, these were Ouyang Shuo's requirements.

Not to mention other things, just through the sales of merchant ships, the profits earned would be enough to maintain the daily expenses of Friendship City. As the newly raised pillar industry of Shanhai City, the shipbuilding industry had matured. Based on the calculations of the Household Registration Division, no less than 30 to 40 people in the territory had jobs related to shipbuilding.

After one month at most, Shanhai City would be able to build up a large shipyard.

After Ouyang Shuo docked, when he saw the various resources piled up like mountains on the shore, he nodded his head in satisfaction.

The coolies coming and going were like ants, queuing up and carrying bag after bag down the ships. When they saw Ouyang Shuo and his men, they all stopped and only left after bowing.

Ouyang Shuo was the Lord of this land.

Based on the plan, the first mission of the land was not to build the city wall or the port but to build the relay and the city's Lord Manor.

The manor had an important meaning. Only after it was built would it signify that Ouyang Shuo had officially become the ruler of this land; it would indicate that he had started his rule.

As for the relay, it was for communications. Only after building the relays could he communicate with China.

Just relying on the voyage squadron and the locally hired artisans and smiths, he would not be able to build Friendship City well. Without mentioning other reasons, what he really needed now was an architectural design team.

The overall planning and design of the city needed to be practical and logical, so he must hire professionals to design it.

The number of things involved in city construction were numerous, involving many elements.

Even after the city was constructed, there would be problems with management; they would need various officials, following the structure of Shanhai City to quickly start work. Of course, they needed a city magistrate to control the overall picture.

After all, there were only a few officials who came along with the voyage squadron; their duties were to help Ouyang Shuo deal with some daily administrative matters. The ones who could truly helm the ship were left in the territory.

All of the above needed the support of the territory.

Everything was fine, the key was just time.

From Xingzhou Port to Courage Port, it would take at least 25 days. Along with the movement of men and the gathering time, it would take a month.

Making use of this time, Ouyang Shuo was ready to personally lead the project to build the port and the city wall.

Five military tents formed a circle at the center of the valley, becoming the temporary command center of the land. Ouyang Shuo personally took charge, moving the artisans and coolies to start construction.

The entire land instantly became a massive construction site, and everyone was extremely busy.

It was like Ouyang Shuo had returned to the 1st year of Gaia where he personally led people to construct Shanhai Village. Thinking back, it seemed like it had happened yesterday.

In truth, in just a short two years, the territory had undergone a huge change, a total upgrade in quality. Furthermore, the current Ouyang Shuo was not the Ouyang Shuo from before.

Even so, Ouyang Shuo was still as passionate as before, throwing himself into the works. In just two days, the Lord's Manor was completed, and the inn was similarly built at the same time.

The moment the inn was built, Ouyang Shuo immediately sent a letter to Xiao He, giving a simple description of the current situation and asking him to quickly prepare a bunch of officials to teleport to Lion City then travel to Friendship City.

”The construction of Friendship City affects the success or failure of the long distance trading of the territory, so the officials must be the elite and good at completing their tasks. Please remember.” Ouyang Shuo instructed.

At the same time, he ordered Xiao He to move Beihai City City Magistrate Gu Xiuwen over to take the role of Friendship City City Magistrate.

When Shanhai City upgraded to Grade 2 Prefecture, and the canyon river passage was expanded, merchant ships going toward Shanhai City could just directly enter the dock and did not need to go toward Beihai City.

With that, Beihai City, which had always been the door to the seas of Shanhai City, saw its strategic position dropping.

As one of the earliest personnel in the territory, Gu Xiuwen was deeply trusted by Ouyang Shuo. He also had vast experience in running an ocean city, so he was extremely suitable for the role of City Magistrate.

Although it was a city, but the importance of this City Magistrate position was the same as a governor.

Apart from officials, Ouyang Shuo also asked for a bunch of talented individuals that Somalia lacked like architects, ship builders, and steel makers.