Chapter 346: Cooperation and Support

Though Baron Hammett, who had journeyed to the Northern Territory of Wushan for reconnaissance, had not yet returned, the cooperation between Ronin and Vitorino could already be finalized ahead of schedule.

Vitorino had initially harbored doubts regarding Ronin’s previous proposal, but now the young man had suddenly transformed into the Master of Torrent Island, a location that was undeniably excellent.

Having served as the Lord of Cape City for so many years, he possessed at least some measure of foresight, and he faintly guessed whether His Majesty the King intended to use the Wushan family to counterbalance Screaming Island.

As this suspicion began to take root and sprout, Vitorino naturally grew increasingly interested in partnering with Ronin.

This might very well be the opportunity for the Dennis family to expand and strengthen, and he had to seize it.

After a round of discussion, the details of their cooperation were summarized into three main points.

First, he required the Dennis family to provide him with sufficient craftsmen and professionals to construct a temporary wharf and, eventually, a formal port.

Second, he needed the Dennis family to train and provide experienced captains, sailors, and other relevant personnel.

Finally, Ronin required the Dennis family to build a shipyard on Torrent Island, as he had no desire to continuously purchase warships and cargo vessels from the hands of the Earl of Screaming Island's family.

The Dennis family was reasonably adept in these areas, and Viscount Vitorino raised no objections to the three points of cooperation.

However, a disagreement arose between the two men regarding the method of collaboration.

Ronin had originally intended to use a "buyout" model, such as paying a certain amount of gold coins to have the other party complete these tasks for him.

Yet the quotation provided by the other party made him falter.

The construction of the port required three hundred thousand gold coins, while the building of the shipyard, along with the transfer of shipbuilding technology and training, would command a fee of eight hundred thousand gold coins.

In addition to this, Ronin would need to pay the workers' wages and provide food and lodging.

Although the other party also mentioned that only a deposit of three hundred thousand was required in the early stages, with interest and installment payments calculated later, Ronin was still deterred by such exorbitant costs.

Fortunately, there was a second method of cooperation.

Vitorino could provide all of the above for free, and Ronin would only need to provide the workers' food and lodging.

The condition, however, was that once the port and shipyard in the Northern Territory of Wushan were completed, Cape City would participate in the subsequent management and permanently receive a fifty percent share of the profits.

This method was something Ronin could actually accept.

After all, the investment could be shared with someone else, and he was entirely in the dark regarding port management, making the introduction of professional personnel a necessity.

Nevertheless, he had strong objections to the share of the profit distribution.

While the help and support from Cape City were undoubtedly important, all of this was predicated on the conditions Ronin himself had created.

Whether it was the Northern Territory of Wushan or Torrent Island, this was his domain.

Moreover, he possessed great confidence in the prosperity of the port in the Northern Territory of Wushan, and under those circumstances, for Vitorino to permanently take half the profits was simply too much!

Over several rounds of negotiations during the next two days, the two sides painfully reached an agreement.

For the port profits, Ronin could offer thirty percent.

For the profits of the Torrent Island shipyard and shipbuilding, Ronin would only give ten percent.

At the same time, it was agreed that in all matters, Ronin would hold absolute control, which is to say, the commonly known right of veto.

Vitorino was clearly not entirely satisfied with such an outcome.

However, seeing that Ronin carried the distinct posture of being ready to do it alone if he did not receive support, he could only agree in order to avoid missing out on this opportunity.

Fortunately, though the investment was large, the returns should be quite substantial once successful.

If they truly could suppress Screaming Island in the future as Ronin claimed, and keep the ships of Port Dennis from being harmed, such an investment was completely acceptable for Cape City.

As for the veto power Ronin demanded, Vitorino did not care all that much.

After all, the port and shipyard were on another's territory, making it difficult for him to exert control anyway; rather than wasting energy, it was better to simply make good money.

With the cooperation finalized and the contract signed, Vitorino immediately swung into action, having already dispatched surveying personnel to the Northern Territory of Wushan, with the recruitment of workers to follow next.

As for Ronin, he also needed to organize men to construct quarters for the workers' food and lodging once the location for the port construction was determined.

If nothing went awry, a new city would arise there in the future.

After leaving Cape City, the trio of Ronin arrived at Wushan Castle under the escort of Melonika.

This bodyguard uncle could be considered to have successfully completed his mission, allowing him to submerge his mind and adapt to his meteor-level strength.

Rulance was extremely gratified by the achievements his grandson had made, and amidst his concern, he also inquired about the construction issues of Torrent Island.

Ronin hid nothing, recounting the matter of his cooperation with Viscount Vitorino.

"Cooperating with Cape City is indeed a wise move."

It was November again, a time when the temperature gradually dropped, and compared to last winter, Rulance seemed even more sensitive to the cold this year, having wrapped himself in a blanket early on.

"Cooperation is the only way to achieve a win-win situation."

Ronin said with a smile, "If one develops in isolation with their head down, starting everything from scratch, success might eventually be achieved, but it would require far longer. Attracting others to invest in my Northern Territory of Wushan will bring returns much faster."

Rulance nodded, offering a reminder, "A win-win cooperation is certainly good, but do not let your guard down and allow yourself to be hollowed out by others."

"I understand."

Looking at his eldest grandson, Rulance could not help but sigh softly, "Regrettably, the help I can provide regarding the Screaming Sea is limited, and how you maneuver with the Fleming family will depend entirely on your own capability."

Handing the Fifth Knight Order over to Ronin was likely the greatest military assistance he could provide, and beyond that, what he could offer was quite limited.

Perhaps after his death, when the massive amount of gold coins invested each year to alleviate the pain brought by the Soul-Devouring Surge was released, Wushan Castle would be able to assemble more knight orders.

Only, the one inheriting the title of Marquess at that time would be Wiggins, who might not support Ronin as he did.

Perhaps I need to transfer more resources to Ronin before I die.

So Rulance thought to himself, yet his tongue did not forget to admonish:

"I must remind you that the ancestors of the Fleming family once produced a Grand Mage; as a magical family, their heritage runs deep, and they do not lack magic cannons or magical weapons, so you must not lightly provoke a conflict before you have absolute certainty."

Ronin nodded solemnly, thoroughly agreeing with this sentiment.

Fortunately, the path he was currently walking involved biding his time and concealing his capabilities, so there would be no overt conflicts for the moment.

"Leave these matters to me, Grandfather; you only need to peaceably nurse your health, for there is still a long time ahead."

Hearing these words, Rulance laughed heartily, knowing full well that his time was short.

"Did you not mention just now that you intend to develop a city near the port? Do you have a plan?"

Ronin scratched his head, "For now, it is merely a concept without a specific plan. However, I have great confidence in the development of the Northern Territory of Wushan, and in the future, this city will at least reach the level of Oxhorn Bay."

"That is a great city."

Rulance also looked forward to Ronin possessing such a new city, "The planning of a great city must be meticulous, and when the time comes, I will have your father provide a group of urban planners to assist you."

"Thank you, Grandfather!" Ronin said gratefully.

Though Ronin knew little of urban planning, he possessed his own ideas.

Setting aside any comparison to a modern city, there would at least be new breakthroughs in details such as spatial layout, land utilization, drainage design, and sewage treatment, giving the city a fresh aura.

However, this was a lengthy endeavor that required step-by-step deliberation and practice.

After a brief stay at Wushan Castle, Ronin went to the back mountain, mounting Carlos directly to fly toward the Northern Territory of Wushan, while the Cloud-Treading Steeds were left to Tom and David to bring back.

This departure had consumed nearly two months from start to finish, and returning to his territory once more, there should be a considerable harvest waiting for him.