Kays Translations

Chapter 208: The Emperor’s Death

Bei Chen Yuqing merely glanced around briefly before no longer paying attention, instead directing the soldiers with artistic precision to reassemble and await inspection. Over two hundred machines moved in graceful arcs, skillfully lining up and forming a formation that continuously demonstrated the essence of the “three-phase” attack. Young Master Li Xian was generous, even showcasing such an excellent form of attack.

Fang Shijing then stepped forward and loudly announced that those wishing to purchase military equipment could now begin negotiations.

The negotiation space was quite simple, merely constructed with magic into a temporary site. Those wishing to purchase military equipment could enter directly for talks.

After a demonstration of military equipment and a full-cover attack, all those with intentions couldn’t wait any longer.

Xiao Liming was the first to walk in, sitting directly in front of Fang Shijing. “Hello. I’d like to ask, how many artillery pieces and shells can Anyang provide at most?”

Fang Shijing smiled slightly, giving an interesting response. “For now, Anyang will supply 47mm artillery pieces—1,000 units per month, 57mm artillery pieces—800 units, 105mm artillery pieces—300 units, and 150mm artillery pieces—50 units each month.

As for the shells, it depends on your purchasing ability.

Orders must be placed at the beginning of each month, with deliveries at the end. Payment must be made in full five days before delivery, no deferred payments allowed. If you are unable to pay on time, we reserve the right to select a different buyer.”

Xiao Liming narrowed his eyes slightly. “What if I were to pre-order all the artillery for the next year?”

“That’s possible! It will still be monthly settlements and deliveries. As long as you can guarantee sufficient funds, we will prioritize supplying you,” Fang Shijing replied. At this point, his eyes narrowed slightly, as if there was an unspeakable sense of superiority and mockery. “But one thing must be made clear—military equipment is not an ordinary commodity. Every month, we hold an auction at the beginning of the month. Naturally, the highest bidder wins!”

“At the beginning of each month, the auction is held to confirm orders. Payment must be made by the last five days of the month, no deferred payments allowed. Deliveries are made at the end of the month. Once the price is set, it won’t drop.

Therefore, anyone wishing to acquire all the artillery for the year should participate in the auction.

The specific auction standards are as follows:

47mm artillery: 10 units per set, starting price is 1,000 taels of gold. Shells: 100 per set, starting price is 50 taels of gold.

57mm artillery: 10 units per set, starting price is 1,200 taels of gold. Shells: 100 per set, starting price is 100 taels of gold.

105mm artillery: 3 units per set, starting price is 1,200 taels of gold. Shells: 50 per set, starting price is 150 taels of gold.

150mm artillery sold individually, starting price is 1,000 taels of gold per unit. Shells: 10 per set, starting price is 200 taels of gold.

If you wish to train artillerymen, it’s 100 taels of gold per person, with a training period of five days. The training covers driving, maintenance, and the principles of artillery operation. However, any costs incurred during the training will be calculated separately.”

“That’s so expensive!” Everyone gasped. Even Xiao Liming frowned upon hearing the price.

Some had already calculated that the artillery demonstration earlier would cost thousands of taels of gold! This truly was a case of ‘the bigger the cannon, the greater the wealth,’ with no exaggeration at all!

Xiao Liming hesitated for a moment. “Besides gold and silver, what else do you accept?”

“Spiritual materials. Specifically, spiritual stones, spiritual medicines, and the like. However, we only convert them based on the minimum price. I must make this clear beforehand. Trading directly with us using spiritual medicines would not be a good deal for you.”

Xiao Liming suddenly said something shocking, “What about slaves in the Foundation Establishment or Golden Core stages? Would you accept them?”

Cultivation slaves were quite valuable! What could a cultivation slave do? There was so much they could be used for! Some people specifically bought such slaves to serve as personal guards, confidants, or loyal substitutes. Of course, some demonic cultivators purchased such slaves to use as “spiritual stones” or “spiritual medicines,” or even turn them into puppets.

Cultivation slaves were rare, expensive, and very useful!

Fang Shijing hesitated for a moment before making a decision. “For now, all prices will be based on gold. Any further details will be reported back to the young master once I return.

Today, the artillery we’re showcasing is for sale, and you can start bidding now. According to Anyang’s long-standing tradition, military supplies are always auctioned off with secret bids to ensure confidentiality. I’ll give everyone an hour to consider.”

An hour quickly passed, and Fang Shijing received a highly satisfactory result. Secret bidding was indeed effective; the final price was almost 1.5 times the starting price! The transactions began with the highest price, and all artillery and shells were sold out. The next auction would begin with secret bidding again. Once the price was set, it would never drop.

Such weapons, crucial to one’s survival, didn’t fear private negotiations. Even if agreements were reached privately, the lowest price was still set in stone.

The next day, the bidding continued. Yesterday, the bidding was for the more than two hundred ready-made cannons; today, the bidding was for the cannons to be traded next month, which were pre-ordered.

The arms trade ended in a calm, yet turbulent way, lasting only two days. It seemed far less crowded than the typical industrial exhibitions. However, the impact was immeasurable.

During these two days, the second Industrial Expo also finally came to a close. The transcription of blueprints was exceptionally popular, and the white cloth and other materials in Anyang were nearly sold out. Additionally, seven spiritual stones were displayed, and someone indeed bought them for 500,000 taels of gold. Li Xian exclaimed, “There are so many rich people.” In fact, for many advanced experts in the Yuan Ying stage, they were not lacking in gold, but in spiritual stones.

At the end of the expo, a bicycle race was held to conclude the event.

Not long after the expo ended, the new year began. The new year in Anyang was especially lively, with merchants coming from all directions. The internal combustion engine had already started mass production and became one of Anyang’s most popular products. Bicycles had become the most popular means of transportation in Anyang County.

Moreover, the price of bearings sold in Anyang dropped drastically, from one or two taels of silver per piece last year, to 20 per tael of silver! The official explanation was that the technology had matured.

Many other products also saw price reductions, including cold weapons, iron ingots, textiles, colored lights, and so on. But there were also many products that did not decrease in price, such as stainless steel, sea soul silk, large bells, and precision tools.

In short, products with low technological content had their prices slashed, while those with high technological content remained strong. Such large price reductions brought a devastating blow to newly established businesses that were just starting on the path of industrial development.

After the Industrial Expo, the prime minister of the Liu Kingdom, Han Yuan Chang, quietly left. Anyang had shocked this prime minister too much.

This New Year, the people of Anyang County were very happy. The main cities such as Anyang City and Ding Shan City had all connected to the bus system. The railway line from Ding Shan City extended further south and finally reached the southern border, connecting with the border checkpoints.

Furthermore, the legal system and other aspects had also begun to improve.

But the people’s surprise in Anyang didn’t stop there. Especially in Anyang Prefecture, there were two unexpected delights.

The first big surprise was the completion of the first skyscraper! With the help of magic, a 15-story building, nearly 50 meters tall, was constructed in just five days, with basic interior decoration completed in another three days. The building featured floor-to-ceiling glass windows, crystal doors, and dazzling colored lights, all of which could be called luxurious. When everyone assumed this was Anyang’s new lord’s mansion, a sign was hung at the entrance announcing—this is a commercial building, welcoming merchants to settle, work, and trade.

Anyang had once again created something extraordinary. First, the school was larger than the lord’s mansion, which made sense given the importance placed on education. Now, even the commercial building was larger than the lord’s mansion, which seemed to signify something more.

Sharp-eyed merchants quickly noticed this, and within half a day, the commercial building was fully occupied. This caused a major shift in Anyang’s business atmosphere, and a completely commercialized government system began to take shape.

In addition, Anyang saw another major change with the establishment of a company called “Peng Cheng Wan Li Civilian Technology Group.” This company focused on civilian technology products, including air conditioners, fans, kettles, flour mills, rice steamers, small woodworking machinery, and cheap lighting, among other miscellaneous items.

These products had one characteristic: they were inexpensive.

If another characteristic could be added, it would be: plain and simple.

The Peng Cheng Wan Li Civilian Technology Group was actually formed from the remaining staff of 13 businesses that were killed in Luliang County. With technical guidance from the Brilliant Stars Group and cheap industrial wires provided, plus funding from the Anyang government and basic technical training, the company was finally established.

This was a compensation from Li Xian and Anyang for their sacrifices, and they deserved it. When Zhang Yun Hai and others chose to die rather than tarnish Anyang’s reputation, they became heroes of Anyang.

Additionally, they were able to produce such cheap products due to a crucial breakthrough in industrial wiring technology.

Initially, industrial wires were made using 5% dark iron content, and the Brilliant Stars Group was reluctant to use these wires for fear of sparking greed.

However, recently, due to advances in bacterial technology and crude oil refining, an unexpected type of thread was discovered—mycelium! This mycelium, similar to blue algae, is about a foot long and as thin as a hair, with limited spiritual energy flow. But as a wire for household items, it was more than sufficient!

Naturally, with this breakthrough in wiring technology, civilian technology was released by Li Xian. The mycelium-made wires even started to be sold in small quantities in the market, causing a sensation once they appeared.

As Li Xian had previously mentioned, wires were a crucial component of industry. The issue of wiring had become one of the most important factors restricting the current development of industrial technology in the Immortal Domain.

But just as Anyang was immersed in the joy of the new year and a new life, ten days after the new year, the celebration was interrupted by a piece of news.

A messenger in white, riding a horse, came galloping and screamed hoarsely, “His Majesty has passed away, the whole country mourns!”

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