Chapter 228: Only My Way Chapter 228: Water-side Fortress

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Protagonist:

Chen Yi

Before leaving, Chen Yi delivered a batch of supplies to the West Continent, along with a single-cylinder diesel engine and a small amount of fuel; Yu Weichao was so delighted he hopped about like a monkey.

His notebook computer had long since run out of power. For a former otaku, when he could still get online he would intensely despise single-player games; when the power went out he would intensely miss them. Not even the diesel engine's roar could change his determination to stare at the screen, nor shake his unyielding will.

The diesel engine was placed inside the newly built Water-side Fortress, four or five kilometers from Yun Village. Fortunately so; otherwise who knows how the transport beasts would have reacted to this small thing emitting such a tremendous noise.

Compared to Yu Weichao, that anti-elite elitist, She Lei appeared far more panicked. He had been sent to this barbarous continent entirely passively; although he had received some information beforehand, those dry, lifeless conversations paled beside giant saber-toothed beasts, scorching air, deadly bird droppings, plank shacks, straw mattresses, only simply filtered local drinking water, meager grilling methods and food types, and finally a miserable work environment and a bleak future.

In less than two days, She Lei sank into severe anxiety; the protection work was simply impossible to even discuss.

Yu Weichao, who had already gradually settled into his role, was both contemptuous and worried, and told Chen Yi bluntly: "She Lei cannot bear the work on the West Continent; I recommend replacing the candidate."

His tone carried the full posture of a subordinate reporting to a leader.

Chen Yi looked at the small fortress standing by the water, acquired merely with several tens of pairs of shoes and a few blades, and felt Yu Weichao's work was still satisfactory, so he asked: "What kind of candidate do you want?"

"Rigorously trained intelligence personnel, or Organization members."

"Impossible."

"Why impossible?" Yu Weichao still believed he was operating under the command of the "Human Development Research Society," or at least partially under its command.

Chen Yi snorted, offered no explanation, and said: "She Lei won't be transferred back; think of another way."

Yu Weichao sighed and said: "Then send a few more people over — four people, best if two are known to She Lei and two are strangers; that will make it easier for me to lead."

This sentence of his contained two layers of meaning at once. One layer was demanding leadership authority; the other was demanding additional manpower. Otherwise, just two people left alone on the barbarous continent would not only be inconvenient for getting things done, but also isolated and weak, lacking strength.

Chen Yi fell silent for a moment, nodded and said "I'll try," without giving a definite answer.

The people She Lei knew were all fellow townsfolk; sending them over would be inappropriate. If they were merely acquainted trainees it would be better, but the Martial Arts Hall recruited Jiangbei people with families; getting them to abandon everything for the West Continent was also difficult.

His leadership authority having been tacitly acknowledged at least, Yu Weichao was basically satisfied and continued reporting: "I plan to expand the scale of the local fortress; ideally I'd like several hundred people to come in and trade, so I can continue expanding my influence."

"No problem. Also prepare a site to build a logging factory producing wood pulp." Chen Yi thought it over and still dared not place the paper production line directly on the West Continent, lest the paper produced attract the attention of senior officials.

Heaven knows whether Mages exist on the West Continent; if they do, the paper produced for the Holy Qiao Kingdom's scrolls might be seized, and instead create enormous danger.

However, transporting the wood pulp out would still be heavy work. Chen Yi added: "You must thoroughly scout the surrounding situation, especially the military aspect, assess the defensive strength you need, and also strive to secure as much transport capacity as possible."

"Understood; the people of Yun Village are the best fulcrum." Yu Weichao pointed at the tall transport beasts in the distance and said: "The first time I saw them I thought they were Brontosauruses; later I realized their necks were a bit short. But each of these animals weighs at least a dozen tons; moving three to five tons at a time is child's play."

"That's best." Chen Yi naturally hoped to produce paper on the West Continent. Following the subway model, every time he boarded he first had to enter the second carriage, then select a region to enter; only upon returning would he continue toward the Holy Qiao Kingdom. If paper could be produced on the West Continent, each time he entered the subway he would only need to carry goods destined for the West Continent, then bring out paper from the West Continent and deliver it directly to the Holy Qiao Kingdom — effectively doubling his transport capacity out of thin air.

If it were anywhere else, fine; but this was raising his own production efficiency, absolutely worth the risk to promote.

Although Yu Weichao felt making wood pulp production the Phase One target was somewhat wasteful, he raised no objection; he still needed to understand this world better.

Business concluded, Chen Yi told him he would be leaving for a month all at once; Yu Weichao was utterly reluctant to part. Up to now he still didn't know the time difference between the two sides was roughly threefold, and classmate Chen naturally wouldn't tell him.

Returning to the Holy Qiao Kingdom, he consolidated his Body Technique gains, then Chen Yi rode a Raptor to the airport.

Because the hour was too late to fit Jiangning's normal flight schedule, he had long since booked a Jianglu Airlines charter. The stubby A319CJ fuselage was only 34 meters long, comparable to its wingspan. The cabin length was less than 24 meters — a shortened Airbus A320 business jet. Compared to private planes, this aircraft actually offered more space, and four sweet-looking flight attendants accompanied the flight — seemingly a wonderful journey.

After about three hours airborne, around dawn the A319 landed at Xijing Airport. The charter service was like a deadhead run; it charged by the per-kilometer rate, plus a return fee of roughly 80% of that rate. Chen Yi slept through it and woke up to a massive waste of money.

"To the General Equipment Department." Chen Yi got into another taxi. He had come alone — no bodyguards, no entourage — and he didn't want to alert anyone in Xijing, lest certain gentlemen get oversensitive.

The Chen Family rose and fell together; when Chen Family juniors thrived outside, the old master's existence instead made countless insiders and outsiders anxious. They did not want to see Chen Yi set foot in Xijing, even though the actual threat was minuscule to non-existent.

The driver gave a "yo," pulled away smoothly, and said: "Little brother got relatives in General Equipment? That's a fine place — rolling in wealth, not to mention power."

Chen Yi chuckled twice.

"Of the military's four major departments, General Staff is the most awesome, but General Equipment is the most comfortable — that I know best of all…"

"Why do you know best?"

"My family's got relatives in the military too — my grand-uncle's daughter-in-law, she has a clansman brother in the army, Senior Colonel rank, mighty impressive…"

Chen Yi couldn't help laughing; all the way they chatted nonsense, and the taxi arrived at the General Equipment Department gate.

Outside the grand yamen stood sentries with guns on guard, and a conspicuous sign: "Sentries Are Sacred and Inviolable." Looks like in the days before signs, plenty of sentries must have been sacredly violated.

"I'm looking for Chen Guoliang, Minister of the Comprehensive Planning Department." Chen Yi presented his ID card. He didn't have his uncle's secretary's phone number.

The sentry phoned inside as per routine, soon let him in, and helpfully pointed the way.

When he reached the corridor outside the Comprehensive Planning Department Minister's office, a whole row of military personnel were waiting — all there to see the department. Among them, three Major Generals held the highest rank; the rest were almost all Colonels and Senior Colonels, with a few Lieutenant Colonels (two bars two stars) hiding in the middle, easy to miss if you weren't careful.

"Lively, isn't it — don't tell me we have to queue." Chen Yi grinned at the deputy officer outside, as if utterly unaware he was the center of everyone's attention.

On an occasion like this, even someone who wasn't the focus becomes the focus; he wasn't even wearing a suit, clearly not a proper business visitor — how could he fail to draw the eyes of the petitioners?

Secretary Liu stood up smiling: "Please wait a few minutes; once the people inside come out, you can go in."

"Fine." Chen Yi smiled and sat at the near end of the office area, to avoid attracting too much attention.

Mo Shaoqiu hummed a tune as he walked down the corridor.

He had just visited a General Logistics Department official and settled the military uniform issue; it was precisely his moment of elation. Seeing a non-uniformed young man sitting beside Secretary Liu, curiosity stirred.

On closer look, Mo Shao narrowed his eyes and sat down beside him, asking: "You're Chen Yi, right?"

Chen Yi turned curiously: "You know me?"

"I've seen photos — oh, and a little guesswork. This is General Equipment, after all."

"Correct."

"You're in business, aren't you?"

"Counts as it."

"Then we're family."

Chen Yi didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and fell silent.

Mo Shao seized the rare opportunity and said: "Interested in doing a business deal together?"

When he drew near, his head was bowed, his face full of expectation—not entirely for the sake of making money.

Chen Yi laughed: "Do business? With whom?"

"Me."

"What's your company?"

"Forget the company—what is a company but a layer of skin? I have resources on hand, you have resources on hand, we exchange resources, and the deal is done. Isn't that right?"

Chen Yi chuckled without taking the bait. All around were officers of every rank; though the two spoke in low voices, who knew who might overhear, and he was already starting to want to get away.

Mo Sha, oblivious, went on: "I'm the kind of person who loves doing business most. I heard you've been doing well buying and selling securities companies in Malaysia—want to try the futures market?"

Chen Yi couldn't figure out his background, and only smiled: "Financial markets—I like playing them myself."

"Got personality." Mo Sha gave a thumbs-up. "Military uniforms? I just made a deal." Seeing Chen Yi shake his head again, he continued: "How about vehicles? We import some things from abroad, then refurbish them…"

He had already begun introducing his business.

But, just as he said, it was all business relying on some kind of resource to proceed. Chen Yi had little interest, and was tired of making perfunctory replies.

Two officers standing nearby could catch three or five parts of the conversation, and at this moment they also pretended to know nothing. Those who could chat in the general assembly's office—who didn't have some background? Especially those not in military uniform—they were even more people they couldn't afford to offend.

Mo Sha only lowered his voice somewhat, but otherwise wore the full face of a businessman. Not angered by Chen Yi's refusal, he counted on his fingers and said: "You don't want vehicles, futures, or military uniforms—how about edible oil? Bulk?"

Chen Yi still shook his head, as before saying nothing.

"Steel? Chen Group does machinery, right? I have good cheap goods. From Russia." Seeing him still not speak, Mo Sha grew anxious: "Come on, anything can be negotiated, right? I'm telling you, even armored vehicles, destroyer business—we can do it. There's always something you'd like, right?" (Unfinished, if you want to know what happens next, please log in to www. qidian. com, more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)