Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 623 - 435 Inner State’s Intentions (Seeking Monthly Pass)

Chapter 623: Chapter 435 Inner State’s Intentions (Seeking Monthly Pass)

"Hey there, cha-cha-cha-cha-cha, everyone dance, don’t be shy, don’t be shy! Hey there, cha-cha-cha-cha-cha, learning rumba isn’t trendy, learning samba lacks flair..."

"I Love Cha Cha Cha," a popular song in Puluo State that, once heard, easily gets stuck on an endless loop in one’s mind.

Liao Zihui was especially fond of this song today, singing and dancing to it in the office all afternoon without feeling a bit tired.

This was because the inspectors had left, and so had the Balancer.

Ling Sujun entered the office. "Chief Envoy, Liu Guocai, the Border Defense Envoy from Wuqin Village, is here."

Liao Zihui quickly sat back at his office desk and nodded. "Let him in."

Liu Guocai had come to offer his apologies to Liao Zihui once again regarding the previous matter.

Liao Zihui waved his hands emphatically. "Guocai, it’s all in the past. Why bring it up again? Hurry back to Wuqin Village and take care of your business. The railway connection with the Ink Shop has been severed for so long; it should have been repaired by now. You and Li Qi should discuss it thoroughly. Avoid any conflict between your sides, and strive to begin construction before the end of the year."

With only a few days left before the New Year, this task was rather urgent.

Liu Guocai quickly went to find Deputy Envoy General Tang Huanjie, who was mainly responsible for railway matters.

Tang Huanjie was well-prepared. "Guocai, just go ahead with it. I’ve handled all the paperwork for you and even prepared the equipment. I have a banquet to rush to now. We can communicate more later if there’s anything."

Liu Guocai found it odd that Tang Huanjie seemed to be in a rush to attend banquets every time they met recently.

Back in Wuqin Village, Liu Guocai made some preliminary preparations and had his subordinates notify Li Qi that he was going to repair the railway.

His subordinate went and returned with the message, "I didn’t see Li Qi."

Liu Guocai didn’t make much of it. "As long as the message is conveyed, we’ll start work tomorrow."

Liu Guocai hadn’t been in Puluo State for long and didn’t have a particularly good impression of it.

He knew Li Qi wasn’t a benevolent person, but Li Qi was ultimately a person of Puluo State.

Previously, Liu Guocai was somewhat fearful of Li Qi because he suspected that Li Qi could manipulate the Boundary. He was afraid of losing his official position due to entanglement in this matter.

Now that the situation had turned out to be a misunderstanding, in Liu Guocai’s eyes, Li Qi was no different from other wealthy businessmen.

Being able to carve out an entire territory is indeed some skill, but no matter how skilled, isn’t he still just a person from Puluo State?

As for why Liao Zihui cared so much about Li Qi, even making major concessions on shipping costs, Liu Guocai neither knew nor cared to know.

Liu Guocai disapproved of many of Liao Zihui’s methods, which was one of the reasons he had reported matters by bypassing his immediate superior.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place as scheduled, with Liu Guocai personally attending.

The materials were transported directly from the Outside Provinces, and the technical personnel were also transferred from there. However, some local laborers had to be recruited from the area, and not many had been hired yet.

But Liu Guocai felt this didn’t significantly impact the overall situation; what mattered most for commencing work was the atmosphere and momentum.

On the construction site, Liu Guocai highly praised the various tasks while also pointing out some issues.

Actually, he didn’t understand engineering, but issues still needed to be raised. After all, no one would dare to contradict him even if he was wrong.

Walking to the stone pile, Liu Guocai immediately pointed out that the stones were stacked untidily and delivered a harsh criticism, "This might seem like a small issue, but it’s the small issues that fundamentally reflect bigger problems—this is a serious issue of awareness and attitude..."

As people were taking notes of the Border Defense Envoy’s requests, the stone pile suddenly collapsed, and Liu Guocai died in the line of duty on the spot.

「...」

With the report in hand, Liao Zihui sighed repeatedly, "Guocai, oh Guocai... Why didn’t Li Qi show up on the day of the groundbreaking ceremony?"

The report was delivered by Zhang Xinglai, the Deputy Defense Officer from Wuqin Village. There was, of course, a reason Liao Zihui had him deliver the report.

Zhang Xinglai said, "Officer Liu didn’t invite Li Qi; he just had someone notify him."

Liao Zihui was somewhat displeased; he had intended to pin the incident on Li Qi.

But even though Li Qi hadn’t come, some connection could still be fabricated. And even if no connection could be made, it didn’t matter—the important issue was already resolved.

"Xinglai, you’ve been in Wuqin Village for quite a while now. Guocai died in the line of duty, and you have to shoulder the responsibility of the Defense Agency."

Zhang Xinglai immediately stood up and firmly pledged to be diligent and responsible.

After receiving his appointment, Zhang Xinglai returned to Wuqin Village.

He had spent many years in Puluo State, even longer than Liao Zihui, so he knew whom he must not offend.

That very night, Zhang Xinglai took gifts to meet with Li Qi.

Li Qi had just built a new residence and was enjoying a lamb hot pot dinner with Ma Wu.

Seeing the gifts Zhang Xinglai brought, Li Qi was quite pleased. "Brother Zhang, you are more mannered than your Chief Envoy."

Zhang Xinglai laughed. "The New Year is approaching, and I have just assumed office, so I came especially to pay my respects to you, Seventh Master."

"You’re too courteous, Brother Zhang," Li Banfeng stood up and said, "Old Five, hurry and add a chair to celebrate Brother Zhang’s promotion!"

After the pleasantries, Zhang Xinglai raised his glass. "Seventh Master, I am a straightforward man and won’t beat around the bush. As for the affairs of Qi Qiu City, everything is up to you, Seventh Master. I will be relying on your care in the future."

This man knows how to speak.

Not just how to utter a few pleasantries.

Everyone else called it Wuqin Village, and had for who knows how many years.

But Zhang Xinglai had switched to calling it Qi Qiu City, which showed genuine respect for Li Qi.

The three of them raised their glasses and drained them in one go.

Zhang Xinglai continued, "Concerning the railway construction, we are in urgent need of manpower. I ask for Seventh Master’s assistance."

Li Qi nodded. "That’s easy to handle. Leave it to Old Five."

Ma Wu said from the side, "We have the manpower, and the price is negotiable. If Brother Zhang thinks highly of us, I’ll arrange a private meeting for us on Junyang Avenue tomorrow, and we can discuss the details then."

Wuqin Village’s only main street was now renamed Junyang Avenue.

Zhang Xinglai raised his glass again. "With Master Wu’s word, I feel reassured."

Li Qi said, "As for the railway construction, we should support each other. And Brother Zhang, you’ll have to look after us more when it comes to transportation fees."

"Seventh Master, you’re being too formal. I will report to the Chief Envoy tomorrow. You were originally paying fifty percent for transportation fees. While I can’t control other places, for goods entering or leaving our Qi Qiu City, I will strive to reduce that to thirty percent."

Li Qi didn’t respond.

Previously, managing to reduce it to fifty percent was the result of several secret skirmishes between the two parties.

And now, just by Zhang Xinglai’s word, he expected to drop it to thirty percent? How could Li Banfeng possibly trust him?

Ma Wu smiled and said, "Officer Zhang, I’m afraid Envoy Liao won’t agree to this."

Zhang Xinglai looked at Li Qi and Ma Wu and lowered his voice, "If it were any other place, I wouldn’t dare to speak up. But this territory originally had no significant industry; it has a train station that occasionally transports people and some daily necessities, so there isn’t much profit in transportation fees. Now that it’s in the hands of you two masters, Qi Qiu City is bound to prosper. As long as I can earn a little without making things difficult for me, everything is negotiable."

He made his point clear.

The three of them found more common ground as they talked, and their drinking continued late into the night.

Indeed, Ma Wu’s workers were used for the railway construction. Li Banfeng specifically instructed, "Don’t ask for too much pay for the labor. It doesn’t matter even if we have to subsidize the difference."

He called Chuanzi back from Black Stone Slope and had him blend in with the workers.

Chuanzi also wanted to learn the railway Craftsmanship Methods from the Outside Provinces, but after two days, he returned dispirited.

"Seventh Master," he said, "they let us work on the middle section of the railway track, which involves placing sleepers and laying tracks. That part isn’t difficult; I already knew how to do it. But the other sections of the railway, especially those near the Border Line, are all enclosed by the Boundary. They don’t allow us close. I can’t learn this Craftsmanship Method."

The construction of the sections on either side was crucial, as it involved the method for trains to cross the Border Line.

This was as Li Banfeng had expected. If the Craftsmanship Method were so easy to learn, it would have been learned long ago.

He had Chuanzi mix with the workers mainly to investigate one thing: "Are the materials used for the middle section of the railway the same as those used at both ends?"

If the materials were the same, it meant that craftsmanship was used during the construction process, which would make things more difficult. Li Banfeng was not a Craftsman Cultivator; he could not learn the Craftsmanship Method.

But if different materials were used, that would prove the part of the railway crossing the Boundary used special materials, making the task much easier. Procuring some of those materials would not be too difficult for Li Banfeng.

Chuanzi answered with certainty, "Seventh Master, the materials used are all the same. The first time they unloaded, the Border Line side had too much and even distributed quite a bit to other areas."

The Outside Provinces used Craftsmanship Methods—this was troublesome.

That very night, Li Banfeng put on a work uniform and went to the construction site near the Border Line.

The construction site was silent; no work was done at night. It was surrounded by a Light Halo, forbidding anyone to enter.

Li Banfeng triggered a mechanism, opening a passage. He used a Cabbage Person to test it, ensuring it was safe before entering himself.

What was he doing at the construction site? He didn’t understand anything, and besides, there was no work at night.

This was where the Portable Residence came in. Wherever the key went, the Portable Residence followed. It didn’t matter if Li Banfeng couldn’t understand; as long as the Portable Residence could, that would suffice.

Ahead was a partially constructed section of railway. Li Banfeng walked back and forth along it a few times and then sat down by its side.

Old Man, you must watch carefully.

The switch can only be used once a day. Anyway, I can’t get out now, so take your time and learn.

「...」

Construction had already begun on Qi Jun Restaurant on Junyang Avenue.

The blueprints designed by Chu Shaoqiang were excellent. The restaurant had a main building, two annex buildings, with interconnected corridors and pavilions. A garden was constructed behind the restaurant, featuring six premium private rooms.

It possessed both classical charm and the distinctive luxury of Puluo State. Ma Wu fell in love with the blueprints at first sight and gave Chu Shaoqiang a generous reward.

Yet, he still couldn’t remember who Chu Shaoqiang was.

Chu Shaoqiang casually made up a false name. Although Ma Wu was somewhat suspicious, he didn’t rush to investigate. Instead, he invited Chu Shaoqiang to dine alone at his residence, trying to pry some information from him. However, halfway through, it was Ma Wu who ended up drunk.

Chu Shaoqiang took out a Puppet, which convincingly continued to dine with Ma Wu, while he himself left the residence and headed towards Qiu Luoye’s territory.

With the New Year approaching, Qiu Luoye was at home, drinking with Old Hu. After two jars of wine, just as Old Hu was about to open a third, Qiu Luoye’s ears twitched, and he told Old Hu to stop.

He walked out of his residence, looking off into the distant forest.

Chu Shaoqiang’s figure slowly emerged, and Qiu Luoye asked directly, "Who are you?"

"You’re Qiu Luoye, right?" Chu Shaoqiang smiled. "I’ve heard your name in the Inner State, and I’ve even seen your Contract Book."

"Inner State?" Qiu Luoye spat, eyeing Chu Shaoqiang. "What do you want with me?"

"Don’t be so tense. I’m here to help you. I heard you turned Deep Land into Proper Land; everyone in the Inner State praised your capability. Your reputation has already spread."

Qiu Luoye spoke emotionlessly, "Cut to the chase. If you have something to say, say it quickly. I don’t have time to listen to your nonsense."

Chu Shaoqiang nodded. "I appreciate your straightforwardness. I’ve come this time bringing you three good things.

First is money. A newly established territory requires a lot of work, and money is needed everywhere. I’ve brought you plenty of shiny Silver; feel free to spend it.

Second is cultivation level. Now that you’ve become the Local Deity of a Proper Land, you’ll encounter more challenges and more opponents. We promise to help you ascend to another level.

Third is manpower. The Inner State has sent quite a few helpers. They’ll assist you in managing this land..."

Qiu Luoye cut Chu Shaoqiang off with a chuckle, "I don’t need the money—I have brothers who know how to make it. As for cultivation level, I’ll slowly accumulate it myself; there’s no need for the Inner State to worry on my behalf. And as for manpower, take them and get lost. Go as far away as you can."

PS: The Inner State still came knocking.