CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 74 CANAL AND HIGHWAY_1

When Yan Xing first agreed to Duan’er’s request, allowing the grain exchanged by Red Mud Wetland for agarwood to be stored in Eternal Domain, he had been considering the feasibility of establishing a grain bank.

If all the Werewolf Tribes on the southern edge of Thunderous Swamp stored the grain they obtained from Eternal Domain here, then anyone who dared to covet Eternal Domain would undoubtedly be provoking these thirty-plus Werewolf Tribes.

This metaphor might not be entirely appropriate, but the meaning is roughly the same.

The werewolves would definitely fight desperately for their own grain.

Looking further into the future, Yan Xing’s decision to permit the werewolves to use their stored grain to purchase goods from Eternal Domain also solidified the role of Eternal Domain’s grain as a common equivalent, effectively becoming a "currency" that could circulate within the Werewolf Tribes.

Currently, this "currency" could be used to buy resources in Eternal Domain, and naturally, it would circulate among the Werewolf Tribes in the future.

Once the werewolves accepted this "currency," an economic system would be established among them.

These thirty-plus Werewolf Tribes would also become a community of shared interests due to these economic ties.

At that point, as the issuer of the "currency," Eternal Domain would naturally become the treasury for this werewolf community.

Moreover, since grain was difficult to store in the swamp and transportation would result in losses, trading activities between the Werewolf Tribes would inevitably take place within Eternal Domain.

Eternal Domain would become the most important economic center for the Werewolf Tribes, then the cultural center, and eventually an irreplaceable political center.

Yan Xing currently didn’t mind issuing more grain to the Werewolf Tribes. After all, the benefits would remain within his sphere. As long as the Werewolf Tribes didn’t haul away all the grain, it was merely a number in Eternal Domain’s accounts. He could write whatever amount he wished. The more that was distributed to the werewolves, the more they would consider spending with the surplus grain they possessed. Buy slingshots, weapons, tricycles, bicycles... Seeing the attractive and sturdy houses in Eternal Domain, the werewolves would surely want to live in them. Once houses were built... furniture would be needed, and with furniture would come the desire for a better life. The pursuit of a better life by any intelligent species is endless. And to live a better life, one must keep consuming. To have the "money" to spend, one must work. Work for Master Yan Xing.

The jobs for the werewolves had already been planned out by Yan Xing.

After finalizing the agreement concerning the agarwood trade and grain storage, the foundation for this meeting was firmly laid.

Yan Xing asked the Werewolf Clan Leaders to sit down again, and then he introduced the project to construct a canal from Eternal Domain to Red Mud Wetland.

"Please, Clan Leaders, open the documents my maid has distributed to you."

The Werewolf Clan Leaders opened the documents...

They couldn’t read, but they could understand the illustrations.

The second page of the document contained a rudimentary map of the southern edge of Thunderous Swamp.

He didn’t know if it was accurate, but as long as the Clan Leaders couldn’t tell it was his amateurish drawing, it was good enough.

The map marked the locations of Eternal Domain and Red Mud Wetland, with two lines drawn between the two points.

"I have been to Red Mud Wetland before... The paths are extremely rugged, and it’s even muddier and harder to travel at the edge of the swamp," Yan Xing said.

"If you want to get rich, build roads first.

Only when the roads are open can the special products from your swamp be transported out, and Eternal Domain’s resources be transported in.

Among the new products Eternal Domain is preparing to provide the Werewolf Tribes are bicycles and tricycles. These wheeled vehicles travel quickly and effortlessly on smooth surfaces.

Therefore, Eternal Domain is willing to provide funding and invite the Werewolf Tribes on the southern edge of Thunderous Swamp to dig a canal from Eternal Domain to Red Mud Wetland. The excavated earth would be used to form the embankments, on top of which two roads could be built."

Digging canals, building roads—the Swamp Werewolves had never done such work.

Moreover, such a large project would definitely require a lot of labor. If everyone came to dig the canal, what would happen to their own territories? But if they were to refuse...

Master Yan Xing had just provided so much grain, so the Werewolf Clan Leaders felt too embarrassed to outright say they wouldn’t do it.

The major project proposed by Yan Xing was a huge boon for Red Mud Wetland.

Duan’er, seeing these Clan Leaders silent, was somewhat annoyed and looked as if he wanted to slam the table.

At this moment, Li Zhua asked Yan Xing, "Lord Yan Xing... The Stenchwater Forest Tribe is willing to send people to assist Eternal Domain in digging the canal and building roads. But if we send out too many werewolves, guarding our territory will become a big problem.

Also, without enough hands for hunting, there would be a shortage of food for the tribe."

Yan Xing understood that Li Zhua had voiced the concerns of many Werewolf Clan Leaders.

He replied with a smile, "Since I just said Eternal Domain would fund the project, naturally, I won’t let the werewolves work for nothing.

All werewolves working for Eternal Domain will have their meals provided by Eternal Domain.

I promise, whatever I eat, my werewolf friends will eat too!

In addition to meals, Eternal Domain will also provide two sets of clothes, towels, gloves, and iron shovels for every werewolf who comes to work.

After completion, they can take these items with them.

As work compensation, every werewolf can also receive two bags of grain each week as wages. If the work is finished on schedule, I will give each werewolf an extra ten bags of grain as a reward.

This grain will be enough for those who stay behind in your tribes to eat, with plenty left over.

As for the security issues in your territories, I suggest each tribe send at least ten Werewolf Warriors to form a joint patrol squad responsible for patrolling the entire southern edge of Thunderous Swamp.

This patrol squad could be commanded by Clan Leader Duan’er and Clan Leader Li Zhua.

Clan Leader Duan’er will use the grain he has stored in Eternal Domain as collateral to purchase from me 400 sets of Steel Studded Armor, 400 Steel Chains, and 400 slingshots.

Initially, I didn’t plan to sell the Steel Studded Armor, but I will make an exception for these 400 sets.

After the patrol squad is disbanded, you can buy this equipment from Clan Leader Duan’er with grain.

Clan Leader Duan’er can also make a little profit."

Hearing that the 400 sets of armor were to be sold, Duan’er said reluctantly, "Lord Yan Xing, these 400 sets of armor... can I choose not to sell them?"

At this time, Li Zhua said, "Clan Leader Duan’er... We’re providing the labor to build the canal and roads connecting your Red Mud Wetland to Eternal Domain. Your territory is in such a prime location, so don’t compete with us for the armor.

Moreover, given your relationship with Lord Yan Xing, if Eternal Domain’s Steel Studded Armor isn’t sold to us, could it really not be sold to you?"

After hearing Li Zhua’s words, Duan’er immediately started laughing.

"Right, right, right... Clan Leader Li Zhua is correct. These 400 sets of Steel Studded Armor, after the patrol squad is disbanded, if you want to buy them, I’ll sell them to you at a cheaper price."

At this moment, the Werewolf Clan Leaders had completely changed their tune.

Eat a share, earn a share, take a share, and in the end, even buy limited-edition Steel Studded Armor! Could such a good deal be refused? If refused, could they still have the face to go back to their own tribes?

The Werewolf Clan Leaders all expressed their willingness to provide labor for Lord Yan Xing to dig the canal and build roads. They weren’t just willing to send workers; they were eager to send many.