With the material support from the Bataxin Chamber of Comrce, the construction and decoration of the Treasure Bay casino progressed very smoothly over the next few days. Old Huo mobilized everyone in the village, offering two als a day in exchange for the villagers’ enthusiastic participation in the cleanup operation.
While they couldn’t do any fine detailed work, they could certainly handle basic tasks like cleaning and organizing.
On the evening before the trial operation, the village chief of “Lion’s Pride” village, Pink Cat Rabbit, personally escorted several large carts delivering machines from Anderma Hills to the bustling Treasure Bay.
At this ti, the villagers hadn’t yet retired for the night. Old Huo was working overti and provided another late-night al with at for the villagers. Several large pots were set up next to the construction site for cooking, creating a very lively atmosphere of collective labor.
The skillful won, under the leadership of Sinking Fish, Wild Goose, and several civil servants, were doing the final decorating and cleaning in the casino, while the n were dismantling scaffolding while carefully applying gray paint to the exterior walls of this three-story building.
These coatings were special items bought from Tris’s alchemy cottage. They would dry completely overnight once applied and effectively ensure a smooth appearance without cracking, plus they had powerful waterproofing capabilities.
Following Old Huo’s request, Tris had also added so fragrance to the coating so it wouldn’t emit an unpleasant sll.
If one got close enough, they could even sll the sweet scent of roses, which was enough to delight those pretentious rich people.
Of course, such miraculous coating material also ca with a “beautiful” price tag. Its only drawback was its expensiveness, more than half of the 40 gold bars supported by Little Rich Brother went into purchasing this coating.
But Old Huo felt it was worth it!
“Not bad. The exterior still looks a bit rustic, but considering our current situation, achieving this level is quite remarkable. It not only forms a stark contrast with the surrounding villages but could even be considered first-class ‘luxury’ in all of Transia.
Although this luxury is sowhat shabby, we’re just starting our business, so we can’t pursue too many details right now.”
Pink Cat Rabbit, wearing a Greenleaf-style formal suit, leaning on a cane and wearing a top hat, stood beside Old Huo. He examined the “Treasure Bay Casino” that was receiving its final touches with a critical eye.
He said softly:
“Tomorrow afternoon, the Count of White Mountain will entertain the Northern rchants here. That will be the mont of our final debut, success or failure will be determined then. Manager Huo, are you confident?”
“It would be a lie if I said I had no confidence, but if I answered that it would definitely succeed, I probably wouldn’t believe myself.”
Activities Are Pretty Good shook his head and said to the fellow village chief beside him:
“So I can only give you the most common answer as a dodge – I’ll do my best.”
“Hmm, excellent answer.”
Pink Cat Rabbit nodded, showing neither like nor dislike.
This guy had actually been in the ga for quite a while.
He was among the first batch to get involved in administrative professions, but he was really low-key, even among administrative players, few knew him.
However, this fellow was quite “famous” among NPCs.
His administrative abilities were considered by Regent Miriam to be the type that could be “entrusted with important tasks.” When administrative players were being evaluated for assignnts, Miriam had specifically asked if he wanted to stay in the administrative office as an assistant secretary.
Anyone who had worked in administration knew this was a fast track to promotion, but Pink Cat Rabbit decisively refused, saying on the surface that he didn’t want special treatnt, but in reality, he was already sick of office politics.
Rather than continuing to work in an office in the ga, he preferred to be transferred out as a village chief to spread his wings.
And the developnt direction he set for his “Lion’s Pride” village was logistics and transportation industries, and he made a professional plan that would make the Four Sisters – Sinking Fish, Wild Goose, Hidden Moon, and Shy Flower – feel ashad when they saw it.
From this point of view, his real-world identity and experience were quite evident.
At least in Old Huo’s view, Cat Rabbit’s actual job title couldn’t be low, definitely not just the clerk or doorman he humbly claid to be.
The smooth yet steady temperant about him proved this point, but Old Huo very tactfully never asked about these real-world matters, so their cooperation in Transia had been very pleasant so far.
“After finalizing the cooperation with your side, I’m going to the Newbie Village next to talk with Village Chief Typal again.”
Cat Rabbit took out a pocket watch and checked the ti, saying to Old Huo:
“The Newbie Village is backed by the Torrent Knights, and their base will likely be officially established soon. Having an entire area providing resources and developnt opportunities makes the Newbie Village’s potential the highest among the five collective farms.
Even your ‘unconventional’ Treasure Bay can’t match this.
Therefore, I think if we five farms want to maintain unity and developnt, we need to center around the Newbie Village, at least at this stage.
I’d like to get your opinion.
If you don’t object, I can represent our two farms to propose cooperation with Typal. Add in Farm No. 5, which is already positioned as the Stonemason Guild headquarters, and the union of four farms would be enough to make us a united force!
This wouldn’t be bad for anyone.
The only pity is that Farm No. 4 ‘Phantom Island’ is quite far from us, and it’s in a mountainous area with difficult transportation.”
“So you already have plans for the future developnt of Baron of Leim’s domain?”
Activities Are Pretty Good asked curiously:
“Where do you see the endpoint of our farms’ future developnt path?”
“That’s hard to say.”
Cat Rabbit played with his cane, thought for a mont, and replied:
“The locations of the five farms are very delicate. Old Chen clearly wanted to use the union of settlents to create a ‘production core’ in Baron of Leim’s domain. By my estimate, if the farms can maintain unity without divergence, the final result will be us coming together to form an urban area.
Looking at the terrain, the Newbie Village is most suitable for city building, with the remaining four farms serving as satellite towns for this city. I guess this is also Lord Murphy’s plan.”
“So you an the first player city lord of Transia will be chosen from among us five village chiefs? No wonder you gave up being an assistant secretary in the administrative office to co be a village chief. You have grand ambitions.”
Old Huo narrowed his eyes.
He now understood why Cat Rabbit had brought this up with him. Old Huo rolled his eyes and said softly to Cat Rabbit:
“I can fully support you, but I need to ensure the interests of my ‘Treasure Bay.’ Do you understand my aning?”
“It’s too early to discuss these things, Manager Huo.”
Cat Rabbit, this steady but cunning middle-aged man, waved his hand and smiled:
“Let’s survive the Black Plague first, then talk about later developnt. But I can assure you that if I beco the administrative regent of Baron of Leim’s domain, I wouldn’t be foolish enough to give up the profits that can co from the region’s comrcial hub.
Also, I didn’t co out here to be a village chief just to beco a city lord. To put it in more dramatic terms, my ambitions aren’t that modest.”
Pink Cat Rabbit pushed up his top hat and said softly:
“As Transia’s power expands, Lady Miriam won’t remain regent forever, she’ll be promoted too. Look, this land is what we helped Lord Murphy conquer, it’s our holand on this continent, so why shouldn’t we enjoy its control and managent rights?
Transia’s area is equivalent to one and a half central provinces.
High official… That’s sothing completely unattainable in reality. In the ga, I can at least satisfy my small expectations by getting a taste of it.”
“Hahahahaha.”
Old Huo bent over laughing and bowed to Pink Cat Rabbit, saying:
“Then let , as a village chief, pay my respects to the future Second Regent! Though I have a small question, you don’t have to answer it.”
“Go ahead, I have an obligation to address my cooperation partner’s concerns.”
“Big brother, your bearing, your ambition, your way of handling matters is so steady yet bold, it’s really admirable, but why did you give yourself such a na… it doesn’t match at all!”
“Uh, when you have a precious daughter and a black-hearted little cotton jacket, you’ll understand why.”
————————
“Click”
The chanical lever pulled down with a satisfying feel, and as the gears and levers moved, the three rows of reels at the top of the tabletop machine began spinning rapidly. Images representing various Transian beasts began whirling past at a dizzying speed, then gradually slowed down under the control of so “pseudo-random program” in the computation bead inside this unique machine.
Several elegantly dressed young n and won with Northern style gathered around the machine, holding wine glasses and holding their breath.
Especially the slightly tipsy young man sitting in front of the machine, who stared unblinkingly at the spinning reels before him, muttering:
“Flying Lion! Flying Lion! A Griffin would work too!”
“Snap”
The first symbol locked in place as a golden Flying Lion, making the young man clench his fist.
The second symbol stopped next, showing another Flying Lion in the three-fra display. By now the young n and won around the machine had started cheering. When the third reel stopped and the third Flying Lion appeared before everyone, the tipsy young man stood up with a roaring cheer.
It seed all the anger and frustration from his previous thirteen losses were transford in this instant into the sweetest joy and victory, in this one play he had won back all his lost chips plus a third more.
“Hahaha.”
The bear-like young man laughed heartily while holding his flirtatious lover’s waist, who very perceptively rewarded tonight’s luckiest person with a passionate kiss.
As the machine’s latch opened, the pleasant tinkling of chips falling into the box seed to tempt those eager onlookers one by one into readying themselves to try their luck.
There were six such chanical gambling devices in total, placed along the edge of Treasure Bay’s main hall, now surrounded by the Northern rchant families’ young heirs.
Young people always love such novel things.
Especially when the gaplay is simple enough yet exciting and even cool enough, it can quickly beco the new entertainnt favorite.
But older people don’t like such blatant gas of chance. They consider it to have no skill elent at all, preferring to achieve victory through their own operations to taste true sweetness.
For instance, at the four smooth black stone tables next to the chanical gambling devices, three rchants of notable background sat in luxurious velvet chairs, each holding three Transian playing cards, observing each other’s expressions and micro-movents to guess their opponents’ hole cards.
Various sized chips were placed beside the three of them, while Sinking Fish, serving as temporary dealer, maintained a professional smile while calculating tonight’s trial operation earnings in her mind.
Hmm, much better than the anticipated dismal results.
Moreover, she and Old Huo seed to have overlooked one point, for people eager for relaxation and leisure, the fun itself matters much more than the environnt where they find it.
When faced with Treasure Bay’s dazzling array of never-before-seen entertainnt options, accompanied by otherworldly music and exotic food offerings, even the Northern big rchants found it hard to resist.
Furthermore, the distinguished Count of White Mountain was now playing bridge with several of the most prominent rchants in the VIP room on the second floor.
With the Queen’s brother not leaving, the rchants present had to maintain an appearance of full enthusiasm even if they had no interest in these forms of entertainnt.
They had already learned through their various channels that Count of White Mountain held so shares in this casino.
Never mind how this information got out!
The important point was that this information was true, and just knowing this was enough for the shrewd rchants to understand the significance of this casino’s existence. Although the Count always clarified that he didn’t participate in dostic politics, his identity and status had already determined that his friendship was both very expensive and precious.
So who would give up this good opportunity placed before their eyes?
Old Huo’s face was glowing red as he looked down from the railing on the second floor.
To increase the atmosphere tonight, he had specially invited all the idle little players to co over. From here he could clearly see Brother Stick and Brother ow playing mahjong with two Northern rchants at a table, with several brothers skilled in the ga pointing and comnting nearby.
And further away, Professor Chen was smilingly instructing several ladies in playing bridge.
Tsk, sure enough the old professor’s scholarly temperant was popular with won, those ladies were practically clinging to Old Chen.
The young student party mbers had “occupied” one machine and were shouting and yelling as they gambled on luck, even chatting and getting along with so younger little Northerners about topics that only interested people their age.
Because the service staff’s training was completely substandard, Old Huo had to invite mbers of the sister team to temporarily act as dealers, and then he unsurprisingly discovered that Lady Aqua’s table had particularly many custors.
Ah, how the world has declined!
“How’s everyone’s acceptance level?”
Old Huo happily picked up a cup of tea and took a sip, asking Shy Flower who was following beside him.
Shy Flower lowered her head and said in a muffled voice:
“No negative reviews, at least not yet, though acceptance is low for several of the more complex ga types, but the Blood Rat Gang’s lottery sales at the entrance are doing very well.
The rchants buy them casually, but their servants are very keen on these chances for ‘overnight riches.’ Also, I noticed a phenonon.
The rchants’ servants don’t follow them into the casino hall, perhaps due to status differences from the hierarchy system, but they wait outside until the rchants finish playing.
This is manpower we can utilize!
I suggest when we start phase two construction, we specially build an entertainnt venue for them. The na can be more low-key, but the interior decoration should be the sa as here, to satisfy the servants’ vanity.
This is sothing we overlooked before, the localization still isn’t good enough.”
“Mm, note it down for later modification.”
Old Huo nodded, then looked at the lowered head of Shy Flower with a strange expression, saying:
“Sinking Fish didn’t beat you up, did she?”
“Wuwuwu”
Hearing this matter, Shy Flower cried so sadly she nearly collapsed, pleading:
“These past two days she’s giving the cold shoulder treatnt, and even got the other two bad guys to ignore too. I feel terrible. Hurry up and marry her so she’ll move out.”
“That’s not sothing I can decide either.”
Manager Huo sighed, his face full of gloom.
But soon soone ca looking for him, a Northern rchant actively sought out Old Huo wanting to invest in the casino. From his gleaming eyes, one could see this fellow wasn’t spending money just to build connections with the Count of White Mountain, he truly saw Treasure Bay’s potential.
Old Huo never refused when it ca to investnts.
He had promised Lord Murphy that the casino could absorb foreign capital for local developnt, see how the gold coins were actively being delivered to their door?
Their discussion was very pleasant and quickly settled on an amount, but when it ca to paynt thods, Old Huo refused gold coins or materials.
“I hear there are many serfs in Nordtov?”
Activities Are Pretty Good smiled at the rchant before him and said:
“Paynt can be made with serfs!
You see, Transia is currently in need of reconstruction everywhere, we need large amounts of manpower. If you could send us honest and reliable serfs to work for us, not only would we be very grateful, but the local Governor would reward you as well.”
“Serfs?”
The Northern rchant hesitated for a mont, then said:
“Serfs all have masters, those stubborn landlords won’t so easily give up their slaves. However, if you just need people, I might be able to think of sothing.
All the good farms in the Kafhoka Plains region have been divided up, leaving large numbers of farrs landless and forced to beco vagrants. The Winter Wolf Legion won’t care about their survival, letting them wander everywhere is also a hidden danger.
My brother happens to be an administrator in the Kafhoka region, and he’s been having headaches lately about the vagrants in his domain. Once winter cos, these people will have a hard ti surviving.
Only, I wonder how many displaced farrs can you accept here? Do you want the more vulnerable won and children? If you accept whole families, I think the recruitnt work would go much more smoothly.”
“Of course! We want them all.”
Old Huo’s eyes lit up, and he said seriously:
“The more the better.”
User Comments
0 comments from readers