Chapter 1457
Chapter 1457 - 1453: The Ambitious Player’s Game
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Facing a world, an individual’s power was always limited.
And by the time it came to Lu Ping’an, it was likely that he couldn’t achieve growth by relying solely on himself... He also needed "anchors," "test subjects," and even "believers," though probably not in the same sense as a typical Church.
In order to gain the power to disrupt the entire world, after determining certain things, Lu Ping’an naturally had to up his ante.
"Welcome, everyone. Thank you for coming from afar. Our Chamber of Commerce will assign someone to communicate with you. ...There’s no rush to invest; first, take a look at the situation. After you’ve made your decision, we can talk further."
He faced another group of entrepreneurs, none of whom were from the Ancient city, and some weren’t even from Changping State.
They were "investors" from numerous small and medium-sized forces... With some people looking to go out and some to come in, from an outsider’s perspective, after Mercury 42 was taken over by Lin Nu’s people and its potential was known, they would naturally seize every opportunity to get involved.
Lu Ping’an didn’t refuse them, partly because it was good to be hospitable to visitors and partly because he indeed needed these foreign investors.
Officially, the Ancient City was a second-tier city, but as an industrial city of the old era, in this new era of technological innovation, it could rely only on the Development Zone, that is, it had some technological accumulation in heavy industry and Land Ship (shipbuilding).
Heavy industry is good; steel and heavy machinery are the foundation of all industry, and the various large-scale machinery needed for Infrastructure is the cornerstone of a nation... But the prerequisite was that Lu Ping’an personally had to bridge the technological gap between the two worlds, allowing for a high degree of localization, whether it was the technology process or the material industry chain, a new system had to be established.
Even for Lu Ping’an, a cheater who was ready to bypass technical challenges with Extraordinary means like "wishes" and "library," he prepared himself to grind through the technical difficulties for over half a year.
Heavy industry was the foundation of industry and also the keystone of a nation; Lu Ping’an was at ease to leave it to the locals of the Ancient city, but when it came to light industry... industries related to clothing, food, housing, and transportation, Lu Ping’an estimated that the support from the Ancient city would be quite limited.
Competitors didn’t just come from the local forces in Mercury 42; Lin Nu’s forces, Saphire people, and even the Eastern Country officials who were investors could all enter a new round of internal competition.
"Business is not just about profit but also retaining good faith. Of course, I still hope everyone here has a pleasant time."
While he said so, the treatment Lu Ping’an provided here was obviously much less generous compared to enterprises from the Ancient city.
If you wish to come, you are welcome; if not, it’s alright... These things can’t be rushed; if they’re truly interested, they will naturally invest. If not, no amount of talking is useful.
"One thing I can guarantee is that this place is probably the safest in the entire world."
After much consideration, Lu Ping’an still placed the core of his Territory in Flower City, located far behind the front lines.
For outsiders’ investments, their primary target is often a stable return that doesn’t lose principal... ideally losing less, with a stable political structure, superior investment environment, sufficient human resources, and quality market potential all requiring serious consideration.
Lu Ping’an wasn’t in a rush; he waited for them to take an interest in his land, the conditions he could offer were astounding.
Let’s not talk about distant matters. His relationship with the Eastern Country could allow "technical personnel" and "education personnel" to enter this world through official channels.
Reality was that the Eastern Country’s trust in him far exceeded any Advanced Combat Power in this world; he was enjoying various favorable policies and resource priorities.
As for the security of the Territory and such, those were secondary... No one had nothing at all, and Lu Ping’an planned to move over a large number of Easterners. These investing enterprises also needed a significant number of mid-to-high-level backbone staff, and although locals could be used, the cost and risk of doing so initially were too great.
And as long as they truly chose his Territory, Lu Ping’an was confident they would find joy in staying here... The mere emergence of a large number of professionals at the grassroots level meant that the potential ceiling for Lu Ping’an’s Territory would be the highest.
Lulu had her own way of fighting, and so did Lu Ping’an. His ability was an amplifier, an engine capable of stirring the world.
"So, our Ancient City University will be established in your territory... Flower City?"
Lu Ping’an was about to nod, knowing that this would indeed be a good thing for his territory. The presence of a university could solve many of the city’s development issues and even attract more population and external resources.
However, he eventually shook his head.
"We cannot overlook the Mingxi Archipelago; it’s not only the capital of the New Kingdom, and therefore destined to be the political center, but also our focal point in accomplishing the task of cultural transmission. Letting go of that location would mean isolating ourselves from the core political circle of the New Kingdom. No matter how much Ancient City University develops, it would still be just a local-level university, as if you all had got up early but arrived at the market late..."
Right now, the Mingxi Archipelago is in dire need of development—lacking everything... Many world-class universities began as lecture halls, academies, or even seminars. They simply appeared at the right time, in the right place, and reaped the benefits of a kingdom’s growth.
In a rising market, even pigs can fly as long as they don’t commit suicide, and right now, we are at that rise.
"I will give you a letter of introduction to seek out Lulu. She’s the principal of the newly established National Defense University directly managed by the military, and one of Dawnlight Nation’s education sector managers..."
Lu Ping’an’s candidness invigorated everyone’s spirits—it was quite beyond what they’d expected, almost too selflessly generous.
Was he planning to just give away his "resources" for nothing?
"... She will take care of you. Oh, do you know her? She also went to Earth this time. She’s my disciple and a close ally on my side. I plan to support her rise to power in the future."
At this point, everyone, while shocked by Lu Ping’an’s ability to virtually dominate decisions, also understood that this might well be a case of shifting resources from one hand to the other.
𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
"I suggest you split into two groups, with the main force here on my side, and in the Mingxi Archipelago, just set up the team... Rest assured, I’m not that greedy, and I dare not block the major (cultural transmission) events of the Eastern Country. Here I can offer full support, but the situation over there is very chaotic, extremely chaotic. I fear you might all be wiped out."
No matter how many people come, local forces need to develop and cultivate local talent, which requires time and resources. At least the first group of teachers and students should prioritize loyalty over ability, and Lu Ping’an can certainly offer assistance in this regard.
"Over in the Mingxi Archipelago, you should prioritize securing positions. With my disciple’s help, setting up a semi-nationally-run comprehensive university is no trouble at all—just build the framework... Wait until the situation there is right for our development, and the locally trained talents can also go over to enhance the strength."
Lu Ping’an was not about empty gestures. Even though "cultural transmission (assimilation)" was the nominal first priority, even if it was just increasing the New Kingdom’s recognition of Easterners, he intended to establish this aid "foreign university" as the top national comprehensive university.
Once these talents graduate, and inevitably become key members of the new government, the government at the middle and lower levels would naturally favor the Easterners.
"It’s also because the Mingxi Archipelago currently lacks everything that we have the opportunity to take our positions..."
"Alright, I’ll arrange a leadership team to go there and establish the presence of the school."
Lu Ping’an’s candor and sense of the bigger picture also relieved everyone. If Lu Ping’an had been solely interested in playing the warlord monopoly game, directly monopolizing all the aid from the Eastern Country, others would seem to have little they could do at most make minor complaints to reduce the next batch of aid.
But Lu Ping’an’s approach was to exhibit his name over there while his main body reaped the benefits of his resource development.
"Yes, nominally, that location will be the main campus, and this side will be a branch... I’ll ask Lulu to send over more confidants and junior officers to strengthen your side, laying out the scene. Our goal is to become the leading educational authority in this world... the top institution!"
Making more money, annexing more land—what of it? Lu Ping’an’s methods were of the highest order.
Directly bribing intellectuals? No, no, no. Most of the top intellectuals are ones we’ve nurtured ourselves, using our own textbooks, our own language, our own culture. Weren’t they ours from the beginning?
— End of Chapter 1457 —