World Conquest Online

After finishing discussing the new three Armies, Dom began to move on to the non Military items on the agenda, which he expected would have less of an impact on the wider situation.

"The Central Government will continue to be managed by Shang Yang, with Xun Yu and Crassus as his deputies. I do not currently see any need to make any amendments to this area and will allow the three of them to direct how we grow in the future." Dom announced, "I do however want the three of you to work with Subutai and Xun You on drawing our initial land for the Kingdom before my return."

"As long as the Silver Forest Campaign and the Southern Exploration Campaign are both successful, our claimed area can be drawn." Xun Yu replied, "We also need at least two more Town Centre Cubes, if not three. Crassus and myself have been discussing how we can do this in the short period."

"We buy them or build them." Crassus replied with a shrug of the shoulders. "We find other small Towns that exist and propose that they move and merge in to our Kingdom. As long as our areas offer them better prospects, they would be stupid to say no."

"I would only recommend the Southern City for that for now then." Dom replied after thinking for a few seconds, "the Mountview Military Camp Town and the Northern Border one are both more risky." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Our other idea was to build our own Towns there." Crassus explained, "We won’t get daily spawns, but that is normal. We just redeploy excess civilians and create them in that way. I am not sure if it will complete your task, but it’s the simplest idea to reach our goals otherwise."

"It’s a really good point." Lucius agreed, "Something we can look at in a few weeks when everything is settled with Tranquillity and Serenity."

"We also need to expand our trade, purchase more materials, population and gather more information." Dom continued, whilst looking towards Crassus and Meritamen, who both agreed and acknowledged what he was saying.

"Once we have settled the Tongpai Residents across the three Cities and our housing situation is more levelled, I will look at progressing with purchasing more population from the north." Crassus agreed, "I will also need to dispatch a ship north to check in with how Crixus has been progressing with his network creation."

"I have high hopes for when I return." Dom laughed, happy that he had received a Hero like Crassus who looked at things differently from everyone else. Shang Yang and Xun Yu may both be Dom’s highest grade Domestic Heroes, but Crassus was his hidden card. "Finally the Local Government, Lucius and Hatshepsut are currently the lead in this area, however I will be adding Elder Qiao, Artemisia, Gu Kaizhi and Da Qiao to this team."

Dom turned to Lucius so that he could explain more to the Domestic Heroes that were gathered, whilst the Military Heroes sat patiently whilst listening, only wanting to offer their opinions if it was supportive.

"As the Mayor of the Capital, I will continue to manage it’s growth, whilst working with Elder Qiao the Mayor of Tranquillity to create a strong farming district for us. We have spoken with Crassus and the Merchants and are looking to source as many different varieties of seeds and crops that we can, so we can see what grows best in our soil." Lucius began, "Lady Artemisia as the Mayor of Serenity is also included in this group as the three of us need to work in tandem to make sure that our Kingdom grows to be the best it can be, united as one."

There were lots of nods of heads, and Artemisia felt grateful for the role she had been given. She was also happy to hear that Sun Ce would be based near Serenity, as it meant that one of the larger forces would be nearby if she came under attack from the sea, as the current Navy of Riverside was minimal.

"Artemisia will also be in charge of training our new Trireme crews when they are launched." Dom added, "They will leave their Shipyards in Riverside and then head down the coast towards Serenity where the calm Shimmering Sea can be a great place to practice initial tactics. Once this training has been completed, they will be sent to Gan Ning who will redeploy them as our lead Naval Commander. Once we have enough launched, we will keep a small contingent to defend the Estuary and protect our trade route north, these will be under the control of General Sun Ce and Artemisia until our naval capacity has increased."

Gan Ning, Sun Ce and Artemisia nodded their heads in agreement, having been made aware of this yesterday when Serenity had been initially founded. Dom was exited to see how his Navy would look upon his return, as he currently had five ships being built, as well as the Sibylla that was in need of repair. With his current ships, that would be three Bireme and seven Trireme. The only downside currently was the need for crews, as they had ships building, but no one to sail them. This was another one of the tasks that had been given to Crassus, whilst Crassus had explained that it would be ideal if Dom could get them invited to further auctions.

"Lady Hatshepsut will aid us all, by being in control of all new buildings that are built and their locations across the three Cities. She is also working with Sostratus to make sure that we have the correct Sewage and Clean Water being sent or leaving all of the houses. Health is important and Doctor Hua Tou is involved in these projects as well." Lucius explained, before turning to Da Qiao and Gu Kaizhi that hadn’t been mentioned yet. "Lady Da Qiao will aid us in integrating new Civilians to the Cities, and work across the three as an aide to the Mayors."

This role had been chosen for her so that she could visit all of her family that would be based across the three Cities. Xiao Qiao would be mainly in Riverside or the Military Camp, her father Elder Qiao would be in Tranquillity and her Husband would eventually be based in Serenity. Thankfully they were all within a days travel by land or much less by sea.

"Finally, Gu Kaizhi, we appreciate your Heroics at Tongpai Town." Dom continued, "However, rather than redeploying you in a Military role which we know you would rather not. We decided that you could become our new Head of Education."

Gu Kaizhi was taken aback by this, not expecting such an important role. He had been happy with concentrating on his Art and speaking with the other S Grade Villagers who were mainly Academics that had joined Riverside. However the idea for Tongpai Town came to him and his Military roots kicked in and put him to action.

"We currently have the teachers Kento and Minato, who mainly teach basic skills to the adults of Riverside. With our growing population and the arrival of younger residents, we need to concentrate on the Education for our own future." Lucius explained, "We currently have a School in Riverside, but we also need to build one in Tranquillity and Serenity."

"With the founding of the Library and the high number of Academic Elite Villagers, we have the capacity to grow the Education sector." Shang Yang added.

"It’s an important role, but we feel you would be the best person for it." Dom finished, looking at Gu Kaizhi for his answer.

"It’s an honour and I would be delighted to take up this role." Gu Kaizhi said with a bow of his head, "Do I have permission to include Aristarchus, Herpatya, Thucydides and Zenodotus in this department?"

"Of course, I was hoping that they would be involved. Hopefully you will find people yourselves as it grows and can recommend them to join the teaching staff." Dom replied with a smile, "With those fellow Academics and the Library, I expect our education level will be much higher than others."

"I can also work with you on recruitment." Crassus announced from slightly higher on the table, "If there are any skill areas that you are missing we can look to hire them."

"Would Elder Shang Yang be willing to teach occasionally?" Gu Kaizhi asked politely, still mesmerised by the people he was surrounded by, especially the new arrival Sun Ce whose mind he couldn’t wait to dig in to.

"Of course." Shang Yang replied with a light laugh.

....

The meeting soon ended, with expansion plans agreed between the Local and Central Government departments. Crassus and Xun Yu both left with long lists of tasks, primarily with resources that needed to be sourced and distributed. Whilst Hatshepsut had promised that she would get Sostratus working on a long list of Schematics. She had also explained that Sostratus had done a roll and received Schematics for a couple of new building types that could be useful, but would keep them as a surprise for now.

The Meeting had taken a long portion of the day, and by the time they had ended it, the sun was slowly on it’s decent. Artemisia had decided to head back to Serenity and Crassus had explained that he would join her there. Elder Qiao had mentioned that he would get a lift with her, and Da Qiao had said that she would join him, before taking up her new role in a couple of days.

All of the Military Heroes stayed behind as Subutai and Xun You would split the force across the three armies the following day, including which Centurions would be based in what units, as well as which Warriors were being promoted to Centurion as they re-organised the Military. They had planned their own meeting and would use the meeting room in the Palace to arrange it. Gan Ning was very excited when he had been informed he had his own office in the Government Centre, whilst Liao Hua had been a bit embarrassed as he felt he had very little use of it.

.....

Dom was now sat with Meritamen, Lucius, Shang Yang, Hatshepsut and Xun Yu at the Sabre Tooth Tavern. There was a low amount of Alcohol currently available in Riverside, but the Sabre Tooth Tavern had some entertainment on and was serving some steaks that had been provided by the Ox Animal Husbandry. Subutai and Xun You had been invited, but they were having a separate meal at the Government Centre with all of the Military Heroes to create unity and a bond between them all.

"This has an amazing taste." Xun Yu commented as he ate a piece of the meat, it had been barely cooked on an open wood burning stove in the kitchen area, with the juices of the meat flowing on Xun Yu’s plate. Beside the steak was a small salad that had also come from one of the farms, with a variety of different items on it that most of those in Riverside had never tasted before.

"The Ox Animal Husbandry is definitely one of my favourite buildings in the whole of Riverside." Lucius replied with a laugh, having already finished his steak and sharing his excitement again at the prospect of them gathering goats.

"I have asked Crassus to see if there are any opportunities to get another Animal Husbandry through his trade conversations." Dom replied seriously, also enjoying his meal. "He is also looking to get us a shipment of more domestic animals that can we breed."

"Most people very rarely get chance to eat meat." Meritamen commented, "The Civilians of Riverside are spoilt."

"But they are much happier than those where none is provided." Shang Yang agreed.

"One more song please!" Hatshepsut said from beside Lucius, politely asking the singer who was on the small stage to sing another song. The Sabre Tooth Tavern was busy and full of Civilians, most of them were sat away from Dom’s table, as some guards were sat in normal clothing nearby, still with swords at their waist.

Dom felt that there was something developing between Hatshepsut and Lucius, but he hadn’t wanted to comment on it as he knew that Lucius had originally had a family before he joined Riverside. He hoped that families of the Heroes would join them, as well as his Warriors, as some of them had mentioned their own families as well. He knew it was just a game, but part of them had really connected with these characters. As with any role playing game, he wanted to follow the positive route.

Time soon passed and Dom headed back to the Palace with Meritamen, his time to log out quickly approaching. He lay down on his bed and prepared to log out, however Meritamen had other ideas first.