1166: Chapter 1152: Starting Out 1166: Chapter 1152: Starting Out Lu had made a special trip to the deep sea, and it certainly wasn’t for tourism.
If it had been a year earlier, he would most likely have squatted sowhere mining for money, at best opening up a new frontline—scraping together whatever extra he could.
But now, his scale had grown, his status had risen; squatting in the rear was no longer an option for him, and he might even starve to death due to an insufficient “stable inco”…
“I am a businessman.
In my hotown, they call Lu Ping’an, which is not only a blessing but also a hope for smooth business dealings and for everyone to prosper…”
Lu was here to talk business.
“I am here on behalf of my people, at least those within my sphere of influence, to negotiate business…”
This ti, Lu Ping’an wasn’t just here for himself.
He pondered over what he should do if he truly wanted to change this world, or perhaps how he should go about securing more benefits for his species and his planet?
Was it simply about creating more military resources?
That was indeed necessary; he was doing it, and so was everyone else.
Was it about developing this world’s “Earth technology” to build more shipyards and research centers?
Lu Ping’an was doing that, and so were others.
Was it…Lu Ping’an had thought it over and hesitated; everyone was busy for their own sakes, for their species, vying for this world, but how to put it…..
“…..nothing can be changed in a short period of ti.”
The conclusion Lu Ping’an had reached was that the current situation was one where the enemy was strong, and we were weak.
Humans had arrived too late, and the native Long Hand Clan had already suffered over ninety-nine percent casualties.
And Lu and the Earth people had co too late, their substantial arrival over just three to four years was simply insufficient to shift the overarching trend.
“In order to fight against the other three great disasters, we need to garner the support of the native majority, but the question is, who exactly is the majority…”
Due to certain forces being too ruthless, after so simple calculations, everyone had co to a frustrating realization—the main majority species in this world were no longer the Long Hand Clan, but the Fishn!
Even if you counted down, ranking second or third wouldn’t be the Long Hand Clan, but those aquatic species from exotic realms, even the gray-skinned dwarfs, whose numbers far exceeded the Long Hand Clan’s.
And strangely enough, the relationship between the Fishn and the Long Hand Clan was fairly good; in this city, Lu Ping’an saw several clearly indigenous Long Hand individuals.
Actually, the reason for this was quite simple.
Everyone was a “refugee,” especially the Long Hand Clan who had suffered the most and lacked the power to resist, naturally had no “right” to hold grudges.
“Just justice and sympathy alone can’t change anything…”
After much thought and hesitation, Lu Ping’an made his decision.
He ca to this unvisited Fishman City of his own accord, proactively opening this sea route and trade path.
“I personally own a trade union and also have several long-term stable trade routes.
I can supply the materials and goods you need.
Are you interested?”
Lu Ping’an didn’t ntion “arms,” “power,” “lineage,” or anything of the sort; he simply began his trade route as an independent trade union with a large ship.
These words caught the Fishman Leader off guard.
Under his and his advisors’ speculation, if this stranger really wanted to discuss sothing, it should have been “peace agreents,” “joint cleardown of wild Fishman Tribes,” “ensuring the safety of sea routes,” or the like.
If you wanted to do business, why not just set up shop outside?
The regulations in this Ancient Underwater City were incomplete—would anyone really stop you?
“My volu is a bit large…”
Saying so, Lu Ping’an began to unload his goods.
First ca truckloads of “delicacies,” including but not limited to various cooked foods, processed snacks, cakes—all essentially Human Food Items.
The mont these appeared, Lu Ping’an saw the Fishn instinctively opening and closing their mouths—an indication of this species’ triggered appetite.
Lu Ping’an also knew that Human Items would occasionally end up in these Fishn’s hands as many intelligent Fishn worked in the floating cities.
But to these Fishn and aquatic species who couldn’t even get cooked food, the sight of a small mountain of “Human Food Items” was probably more exaggerated than a pile of gold.
Secondly, the total volu and quality of “kitchenware,” “modded household appliances,” “simplified underwater shuttles”…
Lu Ping’an brought an absolutely exaggerated assortnt of “goods.”
And their common feature was that their function was clear at first glance; they were very simple and user-friendly.
At first, the Fishman nobles could maintain their composure, but eventually, when every room and even the plaza outside were cramd full of goods, no one could stay calm.
“You…
What do you want?” The Fishman Leader’s eyes bulged, unable to contain his own desires.
“Everythi…”
Before Lu Ping’an could play with his favorite gag, Catherine hastily interrupted, urgently saying.
“We need so of your deep-sea specialties, as well as spoils of war from battling other ethnic groups.
This is the list; see if you have them.
We also accept similar items.”
If Lu Ping’an made a casual joke, things might blow up and then lead to conflict; with her hand over her heart, Catherine quickly explained.
In fact, it had already been agreed that the first trade would be half sale, half giveaway.
There were no expectations to gain much from this city, as no one was sure of what exactly it had to offer.
“The important thing is to get them used to the existence of ‘humans’…”
Cultural erosion?
No, it’s just about a better standard of living, that’s all.
Food, entertainnt, dical care, transportation tools, and so on—compared to the Fishn still living in primitive tribal societies, humans were much more advanced.
But in reality, they stayed with their simple and plain primitive lives, not out of nostalgia for the past, but simply because they hadn’t tried anything better.
Food is the most valuable commodity, signifying population and the foundation of a stable life, and “flavoring agents”—these things that even humans get sick of—if slightly adjusted to Fishn tastes, can truly be sold at prices of gold.
In human history, tea, spices, flavorings, and alcohol were once the mainstays of trade.
Faced with the impoverished Fishn, these too proved to be an irresistible temptation.
“This is just the first transaction.
If we can confirm that our Trade Union can profit here, then naturally, more trade unions will co…”
Lu Ping’an even didn’t plan on monopolizing this trade route.
On the contrary, he was actually pioneering it, despite the high likelihood of spending money without seeing imdiate returns.
God knows whether these ethnic groups will like your goods, and nobody can be sure they will prefer trading over pilfering.
Even if everything goes smoothly, they might not be able to offer sothing of equivalent “value.”
Lu Ping’an, however, was unconcerned; apart from the underwater shuttle, which was a bit valuable, all the other goods combined weren’t worth a single near-pollution weapon.
As for looting?
Well, first of all, according to Lu Ping’an’s understanding, any tribal leader with a bit of intelligence knows the importance of long-term trade routes.
And even if they encounter soone too foolish to understand, Lu Ping’an is confident he can leave by himself.
“Making money?
Business dealings?
They’re just byproducts.
What we really aim to achieve is an overt strategy that cannot be concealed.
We need to unite the disparate ethnic groups of this world.
Our enemy is too strong; we need the power of all life…”
How to do it?
Slogans?
Inciting hatred?
No, this is just a group of refugees and spendthrifts.
Despair and anger alone are not enough.
The warriors among them dare to face death, but most ordinary beings simply try to survive, seeing each day they can hide as a blessing.
Moreover, having endured for thousands of years, if Doomsday is destined to co, why should they be the ones to stand on the frontline if they’re dead by that day.
“People with nothing have too little to desire.
To want them to have the courage and determination to protect themselves, we just need to give them sothing worth protecting now and in the future…”
This ti, Lu Ping’an might really be doing charity work, even if the other side can’t offer anything of significant value, he would still leave most of the goods behind.
He needs them to have possessions, to yearn, to understand humans and other ethnic groups, to erge from their sheltered shells and confront the impending apocalypse.
Where to start?
With “trade,” with everyone getting rich together, starting with almost charitable ho deliveries.
“There shouldn’t be a loss, after all these years, there should be so good stuff.”
But even he underestimated the terrifying profits of cross-civilization trade…
“Gold-tier Divine Artifacts, you want to trade them for snacks…
hold on, let think about how to give you change.”
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