"What is left to do?" Dom asked, worried about the time and his plans to visit both Noctus and Renatus.
"The new Warriors Hall need creating, as well as using both of the Elite Unit Cubes." Shang Yang stated in a tone of someone telling you what to do, "Xun Yu also wants to discuss some more Civilian plans and I have some other matters to discuss with you."
"I doubt I'll see Noctus and Renatus today then?" Dom asked with a weak laugh.
"Doubtful, there is a lot to be done, especially with the upcoming campaigns in the south." Shang Yang replied seriously, however Dom appreciated the old man's support. Shang Yang was the real powerhouse in Riverside that made it work, whilst Lucius made sure that the Kingdom's Citizens had food.
"Then let's continue." Dom replied reluctantly, knowing that he would have to replan what he intended to do for the next two days.
"I have arranged for all non Military Heroes to be gathered tomorrow for a meeting to plan for after our Kingdom has been declared." Xun Yu stated, "This was originally planned in the evening in case you had visited Noctus and Renatus, but I can bring it forwards slightly?"
"Yes please bring it forwards to mid afternoon, we can have it in the palace and it can be a mini celebration for our current growth." Dom said kindly, as Xun Yu continued.
"I'll get that arranged after we have finished here." Xun Yu continued, "My only other update was that everyone has now been registered, population is now being distributed across Riverside, Tranquillity, Renatus and Serenity. After this has been completed, I plan to then move population across both Noctus and Jia as well. Jia is a great city with huge opportunities for us for our Sea naval presence, so I intend to partially militarise it. We also plan to build farmland from Jia to Riverside across the southern bank of the Calm River, with houses situated across it."
"We have been working on developing small wharfs that the transport ships can dock at across the Calm River. Some for delivering and receiving goods at this long stretch of farmland, but the rest to be used as a public transport service so everyone who is in the south can travel easily to the Towns." Hatshepsut added. "I have also arranged for some Legionaries to train some of our new arrivals in road building so that we can have networks built across the Kingdom quicker."
"The quarries are working overtime at Mount Calm River, with stones being sent on a regular basis." Xun Yu continued, "The Lumberyards are also working overtime to bring in additional wood for both the Navy and construction. We have enough people to fill all of our roles, and enough space to expand in for now."
"Thank you Xun Yu and Hatshepsut." Dom replied positively, as they finished their updates and left the room to just Dom and Shang Yang. Hatshepsut gave Dom a kiss on his cheek as she left and wished him good luck, not that he was aware as to why, whilst Xun Yu had just shook his head with a smile.
"Everyone is acting strange today." Dom complained to Shang Yang, as the old man smiled at his comment.
"They do that here sometimes, a strange bunch indeed." He replied with a gentle laugh, "I wanted to speak with you about what comes next, I believe once the two abandoned locations in the Red Woods and the Cove have been dealt with, we can declare our kingdom. I think this way, as we do not currently intend to claim the lands of the San and wish to use that as a border."
"How soon could we declare?" Dom asked Shang Yang who seemed to be in thought as they spoke.
"I would rather we had more towns in the south, specifically one on each side of the Red Woods with a road connecting them and at least two on the sea, one to the south of the two towns connecting the Red Woods and one in the south eastern point." Shang Yang continued, "However, if we want to go ahead then we could be ready within ten days. That would mean sending a unit to clear the ruins and dealing with the Cove at the same time."
"We can head to the Cove on my next return and dispatch the Military to the Red Woods after our meeting in two days." Dom agreed. Understanding Shang Yang's opinion on building the additional towns.
"For now, we will need to build Forts in these locations, which will take additional time after the other things have been done. Xun You and Xun Yu have been working together to have all of the necessary resources gathered for the Forts. These can be dispatched by ship once we are ready." Shang Yang explained. "Regardless, these are just some of the important next steps."
"It is good that we are prepared, we can dispatch those as soon as the Cove has been taken." Dom agreed as he sat back in his chair, rubbing his hand through his hair as he thought about all of the things that were taking place. Ideally they needed at least four more Town Centre Cubes, regardless of grade. However, Dom could clearly imagine that they needed another ten, four for the north and six for the south. Shang Yang seemed to be reading Dom's thoughts as he spoke.
"I know that we looked to no longer expand, but we will need to raid and claim outside of our lands to grow our kingdom." Shang Yang said flatly. "Otherwise we will stagnate and not be able to compete against the bigger kingdoms in this world. If Sun Ce's brother had brought his land here, we would not be able to compete, let alone against Rameses or even this Liangshan Marsh. We can aim to peacefully incorporate, but we now have over eight thousand Warriors and a large Navy, we need to use them."
"I understand." Dom replied seriously, agreeing with Shang Yang's judgement. He was happy that Andrew and Kai would be arriving soon, as he looked forward to adventuring and conquering with his friends. "Was there anything else?"
"There was a few things." Shang Yang smiled, "The Military reorganisation needs to be with the Kingdom's formation already in your mind. We can not keep reorganising and now need to plan ahead. I recommend that you have the three key pieces of the overall Commander, Head Strategist and Head of Navy, with then heads of the different armies. If we split our Military in to zones, then we can have sub commanders within them."
"So a formalisation of what we have now?" Dom asked him, understanding what he meant. He already had an idea of who and where, but Shang Yang saying it made him realise that this would have to be the final time for a long time.
"Correct, the same needs to be done for the Government, which is why Xun Yu has arranged it for tomorrow." Shang Yang explained, "Many government types have been proposed and discussed, but I believe we should stick to what is known best amongst your Heroes. You at the top as the Lord whose title will grow as the Kingdom does, with a Prime Minister below you and then four heads of department for Central government, with a separate branch for the Local Government."
"Similar to what we have now?" Dom asked, as Shang Yang was already in charge of the Central Government and Lucius of the Local Government.
"Correct, but with specific roles outlined so we can move forwards more flexible without having to wait for your or Meritamen's approval." Shang Yang stated seriously, his passion now coming through his voice. "My first proposal would be that the Mayor's will be upgraded to Governors once their towns have over ten thousand residents. Xun Yu and Cicero both agree with this."
"That is fine with me, it gives those that manage a city a more senior title, with the Capital being even more important." Dom agreed, a slight grin on his face as he knew that Lucius would not appreciate the promotion.
"The four departments under the Prime Minister should be that of State Affairs, which manages all of the other major and minor departments under the Prime Minister. The other departments are the Secretariat that manages the laws and rites, the Chancellor who will manage the finances and trade, with the Head of Development as the final one to manage the forwards planning of the Kingdom." Shang Yang continued, "There are many others that are key, but these are the areas that are the most important for our internal."
"What about a Head of Agriculture or War?" Dom asked, thinking these were as important.
"I think there is a Governor who can manage Agriculture, whilst against my better judgement I think the Military should stay separate." Shang Yang stated, "Retired or Ex Generals can join the Government, but too much power can be dangerous."
"Have you names of who should do each role?" Dom asked Shang Yang, who nodded in response.
"I do, however the choice is yours. I believe you will already have made your mind up when I mentioned the titles." Shang Yang replied with a smile, Dom had done that in his mind and couldn't disagree with him. He would think it over more and decide tomorrow, it seemed that the creation of the Kingdom was coming close.
"Was there anything else?" Dom asked, a pleading look in his eyes that there wasn't.
"We are looking to increase our purchase of slaves, Crassus has already sent a message to Crixus in the north. Primarily single females to increase the connections of our single warriors." Shang Yang explained, "Crassus has said that we will need to start travelling further to make purchases so we do not flag up as a risk to our local larger Kingdoms. As always, we are also recruiting skilled labourers and their families."
"It is an ideal way to easily increase the population and improve morale, however we need to make sure we have roles for them as well." Dom replied, not wanting to just add more mouths to feed.
"Do not worry, Xun Yu has been working on roles and education for them." Shang Yang smiled gently. "You also need to speak with your wives, especially as there is also a need to agree a name for the Kingdom, I believe the Lazarus Kingdom or the Kingdom of Lazarus may work as this is your name and then for the Kingdom to continue the heirs must always be of direct Lazarus blood. This will stop any situations from arising when we have turned to dust, reducing the chances of others trying to lay claim, it at least gives your descendants some protection. Their biggest competition will then be fellow members of the Lazarus blood, and not everyone else outside of that."
"I do feel that I need to speak with my wives, something strange is happening and I am worried." Dom replied in a defeated tone, whilst Shang Yang gave him a reassuring look.
"Both are exceptional women, I would have been proud if my Son had married a woman of either of their calibre. They are both intelligent, loyal and dangerous in their own ways." Shang Yang smiled, having taken them both as his part students. "Talking of dangerous, our new Mayor Lady Xu seems to have some subterfuge skills, that is something else we should look at both at home and away."
After discussing some minor things with Shang Yang, Dom left the Town Centre and headed towards the Warriors District where he planned to use the Warriors Hall Cube. Dom was less excited about this one as he knew it was related to Gan Ning's quest and he already have the marines that he needed. Part of him hoped it was more Marines or even an Archer unit. He didn't expect a high grade, but with training and his current list of Military Heroes there could be improvements.
He also had the two Blue Elite Unit Cubes with him, and would use them after spawning the Warriors Hall, before tracking down his Wives and working out what to do with the rest of his day. In the distance he noticed a large group of the new Warriors doing some fitness routines with two experienced men shouting at them. Dom decided to avoid this area for now, hoping that Pullo and Huang Zhong would not get him involved in anything.