Chapter 385: Chapter 219: Expanding the Wilderness Map
Gazing at the information on the wilderness map, Cheng Zongyang studied the place names displayed on it. These were the names he had appraised, and they would now be synchronized and shown on the map.
His current position was at the foot of a mountain peak named Snow Moon Peak. The map’s five-kilometer radius also encompassed a small part of the ocean, which he had similarly appraised and named the Yu Sea.
This ten-kilometer-diameter area was essentially all within the territory of Snow Moon Peak.
Increasing the map’s displayed area required spending Points.
Just then, Luo Dingran brought over a piece of paper with a drawing of the wilderness map on it. It was a simplified sketch, of course, lacking the original’s detail.
However, it already had the locations and names of the supply stations established by the five teams marked on it.
They were named Line One, Line Two... through Line Five, and the supply stations were labeled Number One, Number Two, and so forth. For example, Line One Station One, Line One Station Two. Simple, clear, and easy to remember.
Cheng Zongyang matched them one by one on his map and made some rough annotations. Of course, such markings were temporary and wouldn’t be saved for long; only appraised place names were permanently displayed.
After taking note of everything, Cheng Zongyang handed the paper to Luo Dingran and said, "You hold onto this and keep it updated."
Luo Dingran accepted the paper. He then saw Cheng Zongyang put the map away and asked, "My lord, are you setting out today?"
Cheng Zongyang nodded. "I need to appraise the place names on the map one by one first. It’ll be more convenient for positioning and work later. As for exploring, that will probably have to wait until July. I’ll mainly be looking for places like ruins. The Collection Hunting Teams can handle the rest, so I don’t need to do much."
Although he had to wait for news from the Da Yi Commerce Association, it didn’t mean he would just wait idly.
Luo Dingran asked, "Then, are you finished with the Mole Beast? The ore we’ve already excavated has been mostly transported, so we need the Mole Beast to resume digging."
Cheng Zongyang smiled. "Wait a little longer. I’m using it to search for Gold and Silver Ore, which is very important for the expansion of the Wilderness World."
Upon hearing this, Luo Dingran said no more on the matter. Instead, he said, "My lord, what about the Wilderness Rice? The warehouses are almost full. If we plant more, I’m afraid we’ll have to dig caves to use as granaries. It’s a pity no one wants it for consignment."
Cheng Zongyang smiled. "Don’t worry. I’ve already made contact with people from the Da Yi Commerce Association. There should be some results."
Hearing this name, Luo Dingran asked in surprise, "You went to the Prefecture City?"
That Commerce Association is only located in Prefecture Cities; you can’t find it anywhere else.
Cheng Zongyang shook his head slightly. "No, an acquaintance of mine joined the Commerce Association and happened to come to the County Town. We ran into each other by chance, which is how I learned of the association’s existence."
After he spoke, he suddenly looked at Luo Dingran, and it dawned on him.
’He’s one of the Noble Family Descendants, so his understanding of the Da Yi Commerce Association should be much deeper.’ Realizing this, he immediately asked, "What do you think of the Da Yi Commerce Association? Do you think they might get some ideas about the Wilderness Rice? The terms of my cooperation with them..."
Cheng Zongyang briefly explained the matter of his cooperation with the Commerce Association, and also informed him of his idea for an exclusive partnership with the Da Yi Commerce Association.
Luo Dingran knew about the unique nature of Wilderness Rice. After being planted elsewhere, the second-generation rice plants were unable to bear grain.
Therefore, after hearing about Cheng Zongyang’s cooperation plan, he gave it some thought and said:
"Although I have some understanding of the Da Yi Commerce Association, the value of the Wilderness Rice is also extremely high.
"If those in the Royal Family were to find out, the danger would be extremely high. After all, their families are large and their enterprises are vast; if they had this kind of grain, it would completely help them lower costs and bring in greater profits. They would spare no effort to take it for themselves. Even the Dynasty might make a move.
"Therefore, my lord, what you are doing is correct. By putting the Da Yi Commerce Association at the forefront, you are essentially blocking the gazes of those people and cutting off their ambitions. The Da Yi Commerce Association will also protect you.
"After all, the profits the Wilderness Rice can bring to the Da Yi Commerce Association are also extremely high.
"According to my understanding of the Da Yi Commerce Association, even if they have ideas, they won’t go so far as to covet it.
"Although its unique properties are potent, the scale of the Da Yi Commerce Association is just too vast—so vast that even the Da Liang Dynasty and the Royal Family dare not provoke it casually.
"And the neutrality of the Da Yi Commerce Association is the very reason they can develop peacefully in all regions.
"If you and the Da Yi Commerce Association truly achieve an exclusive partnership, it would be equivalent to the Da Yi Commerce Association having exclusive rights to the profits.
"Compared to coercing you, which could lead to unpredictable accidents, an exclusive partnership that doesn’t compromise their profits is far more beneficial to them. They would actually be happy to shield you from threats posed by other powers."
Cheng Zongyang nodded; these were his initial thoughts exactly.
Before the Da Yi Commerce Association appeared, he had planned on bearing the burden himself in the future. But now he had a good shield, which he could naturally put to better use, reaping benefits in multiple ways.
"Then that’s settled," Cheng Zongyang said. "By using the Da Yi Commerce Association, we can offload many things directly through them in the future. Now we just have to see if they’re willing to establish a branch in Jade Peak County."
Luo Dingran chuckled. "That part I can’t guarantee. The establishment of a Commerce Association branch involves a great deal of scrutiny. But relatively speaking, the conditions you’ve offered are good, and with the Wilderness Rice in the picture, they’ll have to consider it if they want the rice. The probability isn’t low."
Cheng Zongyang nodded and smiled. "Since your analysis is the same, it’s probably more or less certain. Alright, I’ll be on my way."
"Safe travels, my lord," Luo Dingran said with a smile, clasping his hands.
Cheng Zongyang took the Town Recall Talisman, picked up the map, and left, heading for the back of the mountain.
