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The aura of killing intent emanating from Harrison Zhou and the others was terrifying.
They had followed Oliver Sheng into countless battles, slaying innumerable enemies, naturally accumulating a fearsome aura.
The army was stationed outside the city, and Calvin Yang had already ordered food and fine wine to be prepared. As the army returned triumphantly, there was wine to celebrate.
Oliver Sheng led some of the generals into the city and held a victory banquet in the former palace of the Hu Kingdom.
This place had now been converted into the Zhangye Protectorate’s government office.
Oliver Sheng walked in front, and the others could only follow behind him.
Controlling the land of four prefectures and commanding hundreds of thousands of troops, it was no exaggeration to say that Oliver Sheng wielded immense power.
“Ladies and gentlemen, take your seats. Let’s celebrate the expansion of our Great Wei and toast to our soldiers who have opened up new territories,” Oliver Sheng said to everyone.
The generals and officials then took their seats.
“The first toast is to our fallen soldiers!” Oliver Sheng raised his glass and said loudly.
Calvin Yang, Jiang Shuyi, Wesley Hu, Elliott Sun, and the others all raised their glasses.
“To the soldiers who died expanding our Great Wei, their merits will never be forgotten by future generations. Heroes forever!”
Oliver Sheng’s voice was powerful and resonant.
“Heroes forever!!”
Everyone shouted in unison, paying their highest respects to the fallen soldiers.
“Their achievements should be inscribed on monuments and passed down to future generations,” Jiang Shuyi said.
Oliver Sheng glanced at Jiang Shuyi and nodded.
“Minister Jiang, you are thoughtful.”
“This is my duty. The incorporation of Zhangye into Great Wei owes much to them. As the first governor of Zhangye, it is my responsibility,” Jiang Shuyi said with a smile.
His years of writing in the Hanlin Academy had taught him the ways of officialdom.
Oliver Sheng valued the fallen soldiers, so he catered to Oliver’s sentiments to gain his favor.
Perhaps a single word from this powerful Shengwu King of Great Wei could save him many years of hardship.
“Is there any unusual activity in the Western Regions?” Oliver Sheng asked Calvin Yang.
“Nothing unusual for now. Beyond Zhangye, it’s all desert and wasteland. To the northwest is the desert, and only after crossing it can one reach the Western Regions,” Calvin Yang replied.
There was still a great distance between the thirty-six Western Regions countries and Zhangye.
“Send people to the Western Regions to announce that Zhangye is now part of Great Wei. Reopen the trade routes connecting Great Wei to the Western Regions and invite their merchants to trade with us,” Oliver Sheng instructed.
“I’ll handle this,” Zane Wang immediately said.
Having heard of the many beauties in the Western Regions, he had long wanted to see for himself. Now that he had the opportunity, he was eager to seize it.
“Alright! It’s in your hands.”
“Build the direct road from the Western Regions to Ding Prefecture as soon as possible. I’ll leave the thirty thousand Hu Jie captives to you, Minister Jiang.”
“I won’t disappoint you, Your Highness,” Jiang Shuyi assured.
At the banquet, Oliver Sheng assigned these tasks.
That night, after the banquet ended, Oliver Sheng continued to heal his injuries.
Three days later, Oliver Sheng’s wounds were fully healed.
He planned to return to River West City because the auction of the shops there was approaching, and he needed to oversee the arrangements.
Looking at Calvin Yang and the others who came to see him off, Oliver Sheng said, “Uncle Yang, I’ll leave Zhangye in your hands. I’ll leave you two thousand heavy cavalry, and Qin Lin will follow your orders.”
“Don’t worry, as long as I’m alive, Zhangye won’t fall,” Calvin Yang said firmly, looking at Oliver Sheng.
“Don’t be so serious. If you encounter an unbeatable enemy, just send me a message,” Oliver Sheng said with a smile.
“Don’t worry, if I encounter an unbeatable enemy, I’ll have someone send you a message,” Calvin Yang nodded.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’ll leave Zhangye to you,” Oliver Sheng said to Calvin Yang, Jiang Shuyi, and the others.
“We won’t disappoint the imperial court or Your Highness.”
Oliver Sheng left tens of thousands of troops to guard Zhangye and returned to River West City with Wesley Hu, Felix Wu, Xiao Chuyi, and other subordinates.
Back in River West City, the place was bustling.
The army was stationed outside the barracks, and Oliver Sheng entered the city with Wang Zhan.
Merchants from all over Great Wei had gathered in River West City, all eager to secure a few shops.
The streets of River West City were bustling with pedestrians and merchants, showing signs of prosperity.
“So many merchants. It seems that merchants from all thirty-six prefectures of Great Wei have gathered here,” Wang Zhan exclaimed.
“Of course. Occupying Zhangye and reopening the trade route to the Western Regions means a continuous flow of gold and silver. These merchants have the keenest sense for such opportunities,” Oliver Sheng said with a smile.
At the entrance of the River West government office, the guards saw Oliver Sheng and quickly stepped forward to salute.
“Greetings, General!”
“No need for formalities. Go inform Governor Chen that I’m back,” Oliver Sheng waved his hand.
These guards were also soldiers under his command.
“Yes, General!”
The guard quickly turned and walked into the government office.
“Governor, Governor, the General is back.”
Governor Finn Chen, busy with various administrative tasks, was overjoyed upon hearing the guard’s shout.
He stood up and hurried out.
“Where is His Highness?”
With Oliver Sheng back, he finally had someone to rely on.
Otherwise, he had no clue or experience with auctioning the shops.
Governor Finn Chen quickly came out and, upon seeing Oliver Sheng, his face lit up with joy, “Your Highness, you’re finally back. Merchants from all thirty-six prefectures of Great Wei have gathered in River West City. The pressure on me is immense.”
Now, River West City was filled with wealthy merchants from all over, all waiting for the shops to go on sale.
“Didn’t I rush back?” Oliver Sheng said with a smile.
“After just a month, Your Highness, you look even more handsome and majestic,” Governor Finn Chen said, looking at Oliver Sheng.
Oliver Sheng’s aura had become even more imposing, almost divine, giving off a very dignified feeling.
“Really? I always thought I was quite handsome and majestic.”
Governor Finn Chen couldn’t argue with that. Oliver Sheng indeed had an ethereal, almost immortal aura about him now.
“Your Highness, here is the information I’ve gathered on the wealthy merchants,” Governor Finn Chen said, handing over the information he had collected.
The list contained the names of wealthy merchants and prominent families from various prefectures.
It was no exaggeration to say that merchants from all over the world had gathered here.
“Not bad. It seems these people know where the next big opportunity lies,” Oliver Sheng nodded.
“Opportunity? What do you mean by opportunity?” Governor Finn Chen asked, puzzled.
“Opportunity is something that can even make pigs fly,” Oliver Sheng said casually.
Governor Finn Chen scratched his head. Wind that could make pigs fly?
He had never seen such a thing!
“Notify everyone that the auction will be held at the auction house in three days,” Oliver Sheng said.
“Yes, Your Highness!” Governor Finn Chen didn’t dwell on the idea of wind making pigs fly.
In River West City, Oliver Sheng had planned an auction house that could accommodate three thousand people.
“By the way, has the Xiaoyao Tower I ordered to be built been completed?” Oliver Sheng asked.
“It’s already finished.”
The Xiaoyao Tower, located in the center of River West City, was a tall seven-story building, luxurious and spacious. Governor Finn Chen didn’t know what Oliver Sheng intended to use it for.
“Also, after the auction, arrange for the captives to build a direct road connecting Zhangye and Ding Prefecture.”
Upon returning to River West, Oliver Sheng immediately began handling affairs.
The wealthy merchants in River West City were all thrilled to hear of Oliver Sheng’s return.
Oliver Sheng’s return meant that the auction of the shops in River West City was about to begin.
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