CHAPTER 593: URBAN PLANNING

TL: Rui88

“I think this version of the planning proposal is good. If no one has any objections, then this is it.”

In Paul’s office, a group of people had gathered, pointing and discussing a piece of paper that resembled a map.

They were discussing the latest plan for the urban construction of Lakeheart Town.

Lakeheart Town had experienced very rapid expansion in recent years. The rapid influx of population meant that new buildings were being constructed in the city every day. Now, in addition to the original island district with an area of over 600 acres, Lakeheart Town had also expanded to include a new urban area of nearly 8,000 acres on the south bank of Lake Weiss. This included residences, schools, shops, factories, and other facilities. The city’s total population was now close to 100,000.

Faced with this situation, Lord Paul Grayman felt it was necessary to make a good plan for his city and not let it develop wildly and freely. To this end, he had sent Hansel to specially invite Sir Smollett from Crystal Shine. This urban planner had a considerable reputation in the south and had presided over the reconstruction of Crystal Shine’s urban areas many times.

“Oh, esteemed Count Grayman,” Sir Smollett was standing right next to Paul at this moment. He was a tall, thin middle-aged man with a head of curly hair so exquisite that it looked artistic at a glance. His thin, long face carried a trace of arrogance. “I have to admit, your city is the most vibrant I have seen since I traveled north across the Lesmon River. I believe that with our efforts, she will surely become the most dazzling pearl in the north of the kingdom.”

Since Paul had approved his plan, the knight did not hesitate to offer a few words of flattery. Of course, his praise was also largely sincere. Along the way, the towns under Count Grayman’s rule truly stood out among the country bumpkins of the north. At the very least, they were leagues ahead of the towns in other territories in terms of cleanliness and tidiness, even better than Crystal Shine. This was because in Crystal Shine, only the uptown where the nobles and the rich lived could be considered clean and tidy. Other places were just as dirty and chaotic, whereas the towns under Count Grayman’s rule were clean all around.

When Smollett first discussed the plan with Paul, some of the requirements Paul put forward greatly surprised the knight. For example, Paul insisted that the main roads should be able to accommodate 10 medium-sized carriages driving side by side. Smollett could not understand what use Count Grayman had for such wide roads. The other party replied that it was to prepare for the busy traffic in the future. In addition, when discussing the plan with him, Count Grayman repeatedly emphasized the design of the sewer system, requiring it to be wide enough to ride a horse through. In the end, he even looked up at a 45-degree angle and said something that deeply impressed Smollett…”The sewer is the conscience of a city!”

Smollett extended his little finger and carefully pointed to a place on the map, a location in the island district. “I need to remind you, Lord Grayman. I don’t know if you have noticed, but if we follow this version of the plan, this area of… graves on the island will need to be moved.”

Graves? Paul was taken aback. He hadn’t noticed that. He picked up a magnifying glass, focused on the spot Sir Smollett’s little finger was pointing to, and then said, “I think… it seems that there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Ahem!” Butler Philip, who was at the side, reminded him, “According to the customs of our Northwest Bay, moving graves is something that should not be done unless absolutely necessary. If it is not handled well, it may cause public resentment. Besides, Lord Grayman, your family’s mausoleum is also in this area. The remains of your parents and your brother who died young are placed there. So, do you think you could ask Sir Smollett to revise the plan here?”

“No!” Paul rejected Butler Philip’s suggestion. “I think the current plan is the most perfect one. As for the public’s sentiments, alright, I, Grayman, will take the lead in moving the graves. With the lord setting an example, let’s see if they follow or not. Of course, the Administration Council must prepare a sum of money. All expenses required for the people to move their graves will be paid for by the Administration Council. It is decided.”

Philip did not try to stop him again, but only sighed and said, “Alright, I will immediately begin preparations for the relocation of the Grayman family mausoleum. I hope your father and mother will not blame us.”

The group continued to discuss some details for a while. Paul’s secretary, Bernard, suddenly raised a question…as the city grew larger, was it still appropriate to continue calling it “Lakeheart Town”?

“You have a point.” Paul was moved by his words and then thought of what Smollett had just said. He proposed, “How about renaming it [Northern Star]?”

“That name is too rustic!” Hansel said his opinion bluntly. “And it sounds very arrogant. A tall tree attracts the wind, Lord Grayman. Look, this place is surrounded by green trees every spring and summer. How about calling it [Emerald City]?”

“Ho ho!” Paul smiled and waved his hand. “It sounds like it would be easy to shatter. I need a grand and magnificent name! A name that, upon seeing it, one can associate with words like great, glorious, and indestructible.”

Old Ford made a suggestion, “Perhaps we can solicit names from all the city’s residents. They live here and have the right to participate in the naming of the city.”

“That’s a good idea, Director Ford!” Paul nodded and seemed very happy. “I believe in the wisdom of the collective. Immediately post the matter of soliciting a name for the city on the notice board, and add a little reward money. I think someone will come to us very soon.”

“However, as the city expands, we will definitely need to divide the city into different districts. I will decide the name of this district first!” He pointed to the island district surrounded by the lake and said, “This island will still be called…Lakeheart Town.”

At this moment, Bernard looked at the grandfather clock in the room and reminded Paul, “Lord Grayman, the people from the chemistry laboratory should be arriving soon. They have an appointment for this time. Do you think the discussion of Sir Smollett’s plan should continue tomorrow?”

“Ah!” Paul looked at the time and suddenly remembered. He stood up and said apologetically to Smollett, “I’m afraid I have other matters to attend to now. Could we continue our discussion tomorrow?”

“Oh, of course. Please, go ahead, Lord Grayman,” Smollett said as he rolled up the planning map on the table.

After seeing Smollett off, the other officials of the Administration Council, except for Ladi, also took their leave from Paul. After all, what was to be discussed next were academic issues, which they did not want to listen to and would not understand.

Soon, several members of the chemistry laboratory appeared in Paul’s office. They were about to report their latest progress to Paul.