Chapter 465 - 436: Investing in the Shipyard
City Hall, Da Fei reported to the guard his intention to meet with the mayor.
Under normal circumstances, players must trigger related task events to meet big shots like the mayor, duke, or prince; otherwise, they are not allowed an audience. Even though Da Fei was now Duke Makar’s nominal student, he only had the chance to meet him to hand over tasks.
But it was different in Elorin. Da Fei was the president of an old Chamber of Commerce, had status and reputation, and could basically see the mayor anytime. Of course, if he was just bored and wanted to invite the mayor for tea to raise friendliness a bit, well, sorry, it might be a waste of time and could even lower friendliness.
Under the guard’s guidance, Da Fei once again met the mayor.
The mayor laughed heartily, saying, "Mr. President, long time no see. I heard you’ve tamed a group of alien Fishmen this time. Would you be interested in settling their household registration in our city? That way, we’ll gain a large batch of excellent and affordable underwater labor, which will significantly contribute to the development and defense of our fisheries!"
Whoa! I haven’t even opened my mouth, and you’ve already started talking!
Da Fei looked troubled and said, "Well, Mr. Mayor, I intend to settle the Fishmen in Radiant City first. The underwater defense there is terribly precarious and urgently needs such Sea Race warriors to guard it."
The mayor nodded, "Indeed, Radiant City is the kingdom’s strategic focus. We must prioritize the bigger picture."
Whoa, I came to ask for a favor, and you rejected me right away. Is this how you ask someone for something? Da Fei quickly added, "But don’t worry, my Lord. Once the Fishman Tribe expands, I will certainly send some people to work in our city!"
The mayor chuckled, "That’ll do. By the way, Mr. President, what brings you here this time?"
Da Fei pulled out an expired ship certificate, "My Lord, this is the Jade Dragon’s ship certificate I salvaged from the Dragon Cavalry Chamber of Commerce’s wreck."
The mayor couldn’t help being moved and then said with endless regret, "What a pity for the ship! Whether it was the loss of the sunken ship or the goods it was transporting, the Dragon Cavalry Chamber of Commerce couldn’t bear it then and rapidly declined as a result. But Mr. President, what’s your purpose in showing me this?"
Da Fei coughed, "Well, my Lord, I want to rebuild this ship and seek your help."
The mayor was astonished, then shook his head with a laugh, "Mr. President, this is a giant ship. Neither your personal reputation nor the Dragon Cavalry Chamber of Commerce’s prestige is enough to build it. Moreover, giant ships are military facilities with stringent approval procedures; it’s not something we can achieve right now."
Such a standard refusal, just as Da Fei expected. But Da Fei was convinced that this ship certificate held secrets—it wouldn’t just be a useless piece of paper! Some conditions for shipbuilding are system-imposed, like reputation? But others might be negotiable! Like approval? Anyway, somehow, I must bypass this toughest approval hurdle!
With a nimble mind, Da Fei immediately presented his prepared argument, "But, my Lord, didn’t our Dragon Cavalry Chamber of Commerce once have a giant ship? This shows we have passed the approval and possessed the qualification for a giant ship. Now that I’ve taken over the Dragon Cavalry Chamber of Commerce, it’s only natural to uphold tradition and continue to qualify for a giant ship!"
The mayor laughed wryly, "Mr. President, approval isn’t like a hereditary noble privilege. Sure, the prosperous Dragon Cavalry Chamber of Commerce could pass the approval back then, but now, it faces a long road ahead..."
Of course I know that little reasoning, but I also know that you, esteemed god-level mayor with the "get on board and pay later" Divine Skill, can’t be so rigidly conventional, right? I’ll cut to the chase—I don’t even want to meet the reputation requirement!
Da Fei laid it out, "My Lord, it’s precisely because the Chamber of Commerce lacks a giant ship that the revival remains challenging. If we had a giant ship, the great revival would be within reach. My dear mayor, why don’t we build the giant ship first and slowly complete the necessary procedures?"
The mayor’s face changed as he said sternly, "Mr. President, you must never speak of this again! Building a giant ship without approval is tantamount to treason. I’d immediately lose my mayoral position, and no shipyard would dare accept an order without approval—by the way, speaking of shipyards, I regret to inform you that not only does Elorin Shipyard lack the technical capability to build giant ships, but all the shipyards in the Bright Alliance equipped for this are very few. Furthermore, it’s not just technology restricting giant ship building, but ship materials! Perhaps you don’t know, the Jade Dragon’s ship orders at Tarolan Military Port’s First Shipyard have lined up for dozens, but due to the lack of materials, they haven’t completed a ship in years. So, even if you meet approval now, it would take years to actually build one. I advise using these years to continue striving; this can’t be rushed!"
Listening to the mayor’s spurt of information, Da Fei was stunned on the spot!
Reputation, approval, technology, ship materials—these are the four mountains on the giant ship road! Maybe, within normal game progress, this indeed isn’t the time to consider this. Sometimes being too ahead of the game is a pain too.
Da Fei shook his head wryly, "Thanks for the guidance, Mr. Mayor. It seems I was too anxious for quick success!"
The mayor sighed, "I wish the Dragon Cavalry Chamber of Commerce could revive quickly too, but truthfully, there’s nothing I can do right now. Oh, if you do manage to get the qualifications to build a giant ship, I suggest developing ties in Tarolan City to earn their favor. Perhaps you can cut the queue to build a ship there since orders are excessive."
Da Fei was taken aback, "Cut the queue?"
The mayor sighed again, "Yes, having talent like you develop in Tarolan, who knows what achievements it might bring to Tarolan’s mayor..."
What the hell! I can barely manage my base now and they want me to start fresh in a new city? Imagine the thousands of players’ reputations towering over me—I’d be in big trouble!
Wait a minute! Da Fei’s eyes sparkled. Why should I go suffer in another city? Can’t I enjoy my status right here? Suddenly, a vague idea surged to Da Fei’s mind! Perhaps I need to change strategies?
Da Fei asked, "Mr. Mayor, why can’t our Elorin Shipyard build giant ships? Is it a lack of qualification or technology?"
The mayor sighed, "It’s certainly due to a lack of technology. As for qualifications, the kingdom would love to have more factories to build giant ships."
Huh? They’re eager for more such factories? Doesn’t this encourage shipyards to develop technology? Da Fei’s thoughts instantly became clear, and he continued to confirm, "So if a shipyard has the resources and strength, it can build a giant ship at leisure, keeping it at the dock, and the shipyard itself doesn’t need kingdom approval?"
The mayor’s brow twitched, and he said gravely, "The demand for giant ships far exceeds supply. Your scenario hasn’t happened before. But—if someone wants to buy that finished giant ship, of course, they must present approval..."—at this point the mayor suddenly trembled and stood up!
Yes! There’s potential! Da Fei immediately stood up in unison!
The mayor waved to cover Da Fei’s mouth, signaling him to stay silent, entering a state of deep thought with his eyes piercing ahead!
Da Fei was elated! There’s potential! Hahaha! I understand now. Players might be limited, but shipyards aren’t. If that’s the case, start from the shipyard!
After a while, the mayor clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "I have a solution! Would the president be willing to invest in our city’s shipyard under the Chamber of Commerce’s name to develop giant ship technology?"
Hahaha! Great minds think alike, you truly are the god-level mayor I admire!
Da Fei was invigorated, "Of course I would! As an Honorary Citizen of this city, I’m definitely obliged to contribute to its technological development!"
The mayor was delighted, "Good! As long as giant ships are built under the guise of technological development, the kingdom will not only not oppose but will also wholeheartedly support it! And since the Dragon Cavalry Chamber of Commerce once qualified for giant ship possession, participating in the shipyard’s giant ship development has a high chance of passing the approval again upon successful giant ship creation, thereby gaining a giant ship! Plus, creating a giant ship will grant massive acclaim, meeting the prestige to use a giant ship. In short, should your Chamber of Commerce invest in shipyard development, you’re likely to obtain a giant ship! Any little approval hassle, I’ll fully assist you in resolving!"
So that’s how it is; the certificate serves to claim old status! Da Fei was overjoyed, "I’m willing to invest in the shipyard!"
The mayor was delighted, "Great! By the way, do you recall that the Exchange still owes you 30 million gold coins?"
Whoa! I dream about it! I’m running short and just waiting for that sum to roll in now! But why do I sense a thick fathering trap in the air?
Da Fei coughed, "Of course I remember."
The mayor sighed, "The thing is, the Exchange has invested heavily in fisheries lately, making cash flow quite tight, and repaying could strain the next steps. So, I believe we should flexibly move funds and let’s use your 30 million gold coins to invest in the shipyard—it’ll help the Exchange, achieve shipyard growth, and bring you a return; a win-win situation, what do you think?"
Whoa! Da Fei’s jaw hit the floor. No wonder nothing’s moved with the 30 million gold coins after all these days; turns out you’re just sitting on it, avoiding repayment! But after rejecting his Fishman request right after entering, and pinning my hopes on him for future approval smooth sailing, I can’t reject him now, can I? Otherwise, how can we happily play together in the future?
Da Fei restrained his helplessness and laughed, "No problem! Money should indeed be used at the most appropriate time in the most needed place!"
The mayor gratefully patted Da Fei on the shoulder, "Very nice, very nice! I’ll immediately invite the shipyard owner over to draft an investment and equity contract, and discuss the technical development plan!"
Da Fei nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, good!"
Good, my foot! Truly out of money! Does this mean I have to go out to sea and strike it big? Well, money’s no biggie, I can easily sell a piece of equipment or a Holy Vine Seed anytime and not worry about money.
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