Zhou Yi's heart immediately blazed with excitement.

A great opportunity!

Duke Destructive would never expect that he would take this opportunity to salvage the bridge from the sea floor.

The Light Seeds he had saved up were finally coming in handy, and thankfully, he hadn't squandered them.

Consequently, Zhou Yi began to look more favorably upon Liu Zhaoshan.

"You've come to see me with what in mind?"

Liu Zhaoshan's expression was serious as he took a deep breath, "Mr. Zhou, please surrender and join Duke Destructive. It's the best choice!"

"..."

Zhou Yi's smile stiffened.

All right then.

You come straight to me with a plea for surrender. This is a first.

Zhou Yi said with interest, "Let's hear it."

"The fragile structure of regional industry offers little support to the Wasteland Development Company."

Liu Zhaoshan spoke earnestly, "I've investigated the Sand Port Region, with a total population of only 44,000 people and an average monthly income of less than 2500 mushrooms. With such income and population, it is difficult to absorb high-quality goods that your company produces like Sweet Red Gourds and dried sweet potatoes."

"Even if your company strives to lower prices, top-quality goods like Jade Soup and Flame Cup, which are needed everywhere, can only be processed and sold through Mechanical City."

"The Sand Port Region lacks manufacturing and processing capabilities, and the local purchasing power is too weak to give any substantial support to your company."

"Even if we include Shell City and Steel Refining City, the outcome is the same. These three cities can only gather and process primary materials and cannot sustain even the slightly more complex manufacturing industries."

"But the Shuanghe Region is different."

The young man spoke with fervor, "We have a specialized 'Downstream City' for fine processing of raw materials, an 'Upstream City' known for manufacturing finished products, particularly in clothing and shoe-making, and 'Harvest City,' focused on food cultivation."

"We have Guangtai Port that specializes in developing resources from the Dead Sea, 'River End Port' focused on trade and maritime services, 'Craft City' that takes orders for the Craftsmen Light Seal and manufactures Light Seal components, and 'Water Town,' which focuses on river-based and underwater resources."

"We also have 'Shuanghe City,' the core city that houses numerous professionals capable of attracting and supporting a multitude of talents."

He rattled on, "The Shuanghe Region is an entire medium-sized Land, interconnected by ground between cities, eliminating the need for enhanced ships for transport. Duke Destructive introduced a transportation track that traverses seven cities very early on. It was built and maintained by the Track Knights, enabling quick circulation of goods and residents."

"We have a population of over 650,000, ample to support the workforce your company needs, and can manufacture the goods you require at very low costs. Our city's average income is 3400 mushrooms, affordable for the products of the Wasteland Development Company."

"Compared to these backward cities, standing with the Shuanghe Region offers a much brighter future, doesn't it?"

Liu Zhaoshan delivered his pitch in an orderly fashion, effortlessly referring to various data.

This made Zhou Yi realize that the other party had indeed come well-prepared.

The comprehensive strength of the Shuanghe Region was undoubtedly far superior to the Development Alliance.

He hadn't expected them to be involved in multiple industries, seemingly aiming to become a comprehensive region.

Zhou Yi inquired, "So, what would our company gain by joining Duke Destructive's camp, and what is your ultimate goal?"

The young man across from him immediately showed delight, "The Wasteland Development Company would gain more profit, which is the most immediate effect. Moreover, with the Shuanghe Region, you won't have to worry about security issues at all. We can provide and cover whatever you need."

"As for the goal, we aim to become the strongest overseas territory of the Heavenly Kingdom! To transform our region into the wealthiest and most powerful!"

Zhou Yi chuckled lightly, "Based on what you're saying, wouldn't a better choice for me be to join the Heavenly Kingdom directly? Choosing the Shuanghe Region instead of the much stronger Heavenly Kingdom. Right?"

The other party was momentarily at a loss for words.

"So the question arises, why did Duke Destructive resist the pressure back then to become an overseas territory? Wouldn't joining the Heavenly Kingdom directly have been simpler and more advantageous?"

"..."

Zhou Yi explained, "The reason is very simple, Duke Destructive wants a territory he can control and govern. Everything you are doing also revolves around this ultimate purpose."

"I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it. Every sea lord has their own interests to pursue, and their growth and expansion are also beneficial to every member of their respective camp."

"However, I chose Sand Port, not for that purpose."

Liu Zhaoshan was somewhat puzzled, "Then why did you choose this place?"

"It might sound a bit arrogant and inaccurate... What I want to do is to liberate human productivity."

"Liberate humans?"

The other party's eyes widened.

"No, it's liberate human productivity."

Zhou Yi corrected himself.

He didn't have the ability to liberate all of humanity, developing production was already difficult enough.

He looked at the young man in front of him, "Do you know how prehistoric humans lived?"

"It is said... they had the ability to fly and burrow, but many alchemists think that lacks direct evidence," said Liu Zhaoshan.

"Do you think the gods of the Divine Era would go build houses and roads?"

"Probably not, gods are high and mighty."

"Then who were the builders?"

"That would mean... it was the prehistoric humans."

Zhou Yi nodded, "The Divine Era cities and structures on the sea floor, can today's human cities achieve and approach them? I'm afraid not. Why are we so weak now?"

"I read a sentence in the Dead Sea Documents, it might be somewhat awkwardly phrased, called 'When the granaries are full, then people know what propriety is; when food and clothing are sufficient, people know honor and disgrace.'"

"What this means is, only when people are well-off will they place great importance on honor and shame. If people can't even solve the problem of having enough to eat and wear, they won't think about these things."

He patiently told the other party, "What I want to do, or what the Wasteland Development Company wants to do, is to let a portion of humanity escape hunger and cold, let them demonstrate their ingenuity, and gradually improve the living conditions of the human community."

"The residents of Jade City have already provided the proof. The inventions of Jade Soup, Desperate Machine, and Flame Cup all involved human participation, which proves that provided the right environment, humans are full of potential and hope, able to liberate their own strength."

"If we continue this propulsion, more people will have enough to eat and stay warm, have better medical conditions, have longer lives, and then they'll be able to express their own talents and imagination. No matter which city they end up in the future, they'll be able to shine."

"If a tough place like the Sand Port Region can do it, so can people like you who live in more affluent and superior places. One day, I hope to witness the same achievements of humanity as in the Divine Era. That's why I invest in the upper limits of humanity."

"This is what I want to do."

Liu Zhaoshan seemed nailed to his bench, somewhat absent-minded.

After a long while,

The young man snapped back to reality and shivered, "I don't believe it!"

Zhou Yi shrugged, "You gave me the information I needed, I answered your question. That is all."

Before Ding Ye sent him away, Liu Zhaoshan couldn't help but look back and ask, "Mr. Zhou, can people from different camps also liberate their strength?"

"Of course."

Zhou Yi nodded, "Though we serve different lords, for the entire human community, it's all progress."

"We are currently enemies, but I likewise hope that the people of the Shuanghe Region can develop quickly. Who makes good use of these forces, that's another matter."

The other party nodded, seeming to have understood something.

"Thank you for your answers."

Liu Zhaoshan bowed.

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