Above the mage

Chapter 363 Great Development of the Northwest

"Brother, so much money!" Anna said with wide eyes.

However, it is not an exclamatory sentence, but a declarative sentence.

For someone of royal lineage like her, this should be a minor event.

Gao De patted Anna's head without saying a word.

Now that the funds are in place, we can proceed with the acquisition of Harland shipyard according to the contract.

While Gao De could at least use a false identity to deceive others when it came to selling Ice Jade Wutong Leaf, the Golden Flower Dynasty had little and no oversight of such personal transactions.

However, acquiring Harland shipyard was not that simple.

The transfer of such fixed assets requires official procedures and the signing of numerous official documents, which will inevitably leave traces.

Normally, the sea sentries wouldn't check his assets without a reason.

The problem is that Gaode doesn't intend to develop quietly among the Sea Sentinels. Instead, he wants to fully demonstrate his "talent" to quickly advance and gain a higher status and more resources.

In such cases, especially during rapid promotions in military rank, background checks are almost inevitable.

Some assets, neither too big nor too small, such as a small shop he planned to buy in Dorne, which would only cost a few hundred gold coins, would not be investigated further even if it were discovered.

However, a shipyard is worth nearly 10,000 gold coins, which is significantly different from Gaode's theoretical normal income.

If he is found out and cannot clearly explain the ins and outs of the matter and provide evidence of the legal acquisition of funds, he may be arrested as a spy the next day.

Gaode's original idea was to find a reliable agent or agency to acquire Harland shipyard on its behalf.

—This was actually considered a unique business in the Plantagenet Dynasty.

It is a consensus that 99% of the world's wealth is in the hands of nobles and sorcerers.

However, under the classical doctrines of the Plantagenet dynasty, in order to prevent the abuse of power and the transfer of benefits, the dynasty imposed additional restrictions on officials' involvement in business.

While it's not as straightforward as Gao De's previous life, it's unrealistic under the existing aristocratic system.

However, officials in certain important departments are strictly prohibited from engaging in business.

For example, officials in the finance department are not only prohibited from engaging in business, but they are also required to conduct asset background checks frequently and strictly investigate gray income from unknown sources.

As the saying goes, "For every policy from above, there's a countermeasure from below."

In this context, agents and agencies naturally emerged.

These agencies set up shell chambers of commerce outside the Plantagenet dynasty, specifically to serve officials.

Officials can choose to inject funds into these agencies, purchase properties in the name of these shell chambers of commerce, and register the properties under the agency's name, thereby avoiding direct association with themselves.

Alternatively, one may carefully select a trusted agent who is unrelated to oneself, provide the agent with sufficient funds, and allow the agent to purchase property directly in their own name.

Having an agent handle the entire transaction can also conceal one's connection with the industry.

Many officials who were prohibited from engaging in business secretly acquired substantial assets and businesses through various agencies and agents.

However, while it may be feasible, the risks involved are still enormous: by conducting such a transaction through an agent or agency, you are essentially handing over leverage to them.

Gaode also has some concerns about this.

Now, he has a better option.

"Elsa, could you please ask Dr. Danica to come up here?" God first used his magic hand to close all eight boxes filled with gold coins, and then said to Elsa.

"Um?"

"As I said before, perhaps I can help Dr. Danica and the orphanage," he explained.

Elsa's eyes lit up. "Okay, I'll go and call Aunt Danica right now."

"Sir." Dr. Danica greeted him as always, but this time her eyes were fixed on God's face, clearly Elsa had explained to her in advance why God wanted to see her.

"Dr. Danica, how long can Ronggu Hospital hold out in its current state?" Gao De asked bluntly.

"If you're lucky, it will take three or four months; if you're unlucky..." Dr. Danica fell silent halfway through her sentence.

How many people are currently residing in the orphanage?

"There are 132 children, and including myself, there are 13 monks from the sect who are responsible for the children's daily life, education, and other needs. To be honest, we are severely understaffed. Fortunately, the children are very sensible and do not need us to worry too much. They even take the initiative to help share our work."

"Thirteen cultivators." Gao De's eyes brightened slightly, then he asked, "Can they all be trusted?"

"Of course," Dr. Danica nodded. "They are mostly orphans taken in by the Haiyin Rong Orphanage. After growing up, they naturally joined the Tide Whisperers Cult and became cult monks, responsible for the daily work of the Haiyin Rong Orphanage. They have a deep affection for the cult and the orphanage."

"So even when the sect later disintegrated and was basically defunct, they did not divide up the sect's assets and go their separate ways like other cultivators. Instead, they chose to stay in the sect and support the Haiyinrong Orphanage with me."

"They all follow you as their leader?" Gao De further confirmed.

“Yes,” Dr. Danica sighed, “they are all just junior monks in the sect, just apprentice mages, while I used to be a deacon in the sect.”

"Then they should all be literate and have some knowledge, right?"

"Sect monks are required to read and copy doctrines and sect scriptures, and also to perform duties such as recording church affairs and preaching doctrines. Literacy is the most basic requirement. In addition, Haiyinrong Orphanage has always provided basic education to the children, so they have to teach every day."

"What aspects of education does the orphanage offer?" Gao De pressed.

Dr. Danica explained with great familiarity, "The curriculum mainly focuses on basic literacy and religious studies, while also teaching some basic life skills and art lessons."

"Reading and writing courses go without saying, and religious courses are also compulsory for children, mainly teaching the doctrines and prayers of their respective sects."

"Then, depending on the children's gender, we will teach them needlework courses such as sewing, embroidery, and weaving, or handicraft courses such as woodworking and simple metal processing."

"Arts courses mainly provide basic music education and teach children to sing, but they usually teach sectarian hymns or classical recitation music."

Gaode's insight has become even more keen.

Although it's called an orphanage, it's actually equivalent to a small Hope Primary School.

"If you trust me, I can help you," he said earnestly, looking at Dr. Danica.

"Things can't get any worse than they are now, can they?" Danica said quite frankly.

"That makes things easier," Goddard paused, then said, "You and Elsa Anna leave here and head to the North."

"Once we get there, I can't guarantee anything else, but we should be able to get enough to eat and wear."

His idea was simple: pack up the entire orphanage and send it to the northern border.

The 13 monks, including Dr. Danica, are precisely the teaching resources that Phoenix desperately needs.

Strictly speaking, these monks don't know many things.

But for Phoenix, that's enough.

Because what Phoenix needs most right now is teachers who are fluent in Common Tongue.

Although they don't understand Ace language, it doesn't matter much; they can be considered "foreign teachers."

"The North." Dr. Danica opened her mouth, but hesitation still flashed across her face.

This isn't about distrusting Gaode Maps, but rather because the name "Northern Territory" itself implies "hunger and cold."

It's like someone telling you that if you go to the Arctic, you'll have no worries about food and clothing. Even if it's your most trusted parents who say this to you, your first reaction will be skepticism.

"Mother Danica, what would Master Gaode gain if he were deceiving you?" Elsa, an observer with a clearer perspective, offered this insightful advice.

And that is indeed the case. If Gaode had lied to her, one could at least say that she gained something.

But it makes no sense to lure over a hundred children from an orphanage and a dozen or so novice cultivators to the Northern Territory.

At least that's how she sees it.

"Sir, may I ask what we'll be needed to do once we reach the North?"

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

It is said that once they reach the North, they will be provided with what they need, but there will definitely be things they need to do. It's impossible to support them for nothing, right?

At her age and having experienced so much, she still has this basic understanding.

"What do we need you to do? Does Daxing in the Northwest count?" Gao De said with a smile, then his expression turned serious. "Just kidding. They're in dire need of teachers there right now. Once we get to the Northern Territory, the cultivators from Ronggu Academy will need to serve as teachers and instruct the children there."

"That's all?"

That's all.

Dr. Danica gave God a deep look, bowed slightly, and said, "Sir, I trust you."

Gao De clapped his hands and said, "However, sending the children to the North will not be an easy task."

"The procedures must be followed properly. Given my status, I would never attempt to smuggle myself into the country."

"What do you mean?" Dr. Danica naturally understood what Gao De was saying.

As a sea sentinel mage, he has a bright future ahead of him, so why would he do something to ruin his own future?

"I have studied the laws of the dynasty. According to the Plantagenet dynasty's Apprenticeship Law and the newly promulgated Poor Law Amendment, child labor contracts are already a legal and reasonable thing, especially for orphans without relatives, who can voluntarily sign contracts to go overseas to make a living," Gao De said earnestly.

"Moreover, the Plantagenet dynasty was relatively tolerant of the autonomy of religious groups, and using the name of religion could help them evade a lot of censorship."

"Although the Teochew Speakers Cult is now defunct in name only, at least the name still exists, and all that is needed now is that name."

"I happen to be acquiring Harland shipyard, and my idea is for you to act as my agent and acquire Harland shipyard on my behalf."

"After the acquisition is completed, Dr. Danica, you should register a charity similar to a 'Children's Welfare Association' under the names of the shipyard and the Teochew Church, claiming that you will send children to other countries overseas to learn skills and employ them."

"This is in line with Article 12 of the Poor Law Amendment, which allows parishes to send poor children overseas as apprentices."

He blurted out his thoughts in one breath.

At the same time, doing so would completely sever his ties with Harland shipyard and would not affect his future development and promotion within the Sea Sentinel.

"Okay." Without any hesitation, Dr. Danica agreed immediately.

Long nights bring many dreams.

The funds have been prepared, and an "agent" has been found.

Without further delay, Gao De tallied the required funds, hailed a carriage, and took Dr. Danica to the Harland Shipyard.

Haaland is a very shrewd businessman. He had already arranged everything he could in advance, including drafting and filing the contract, arranging the contract signing location, and scheduling the notary, all while waiting for Gaode to officially launch the transaction.

The contract was signed in Harland’s spacious and bright office, where the oak tables were polished to a shine and the contracts were brand new, exuding the scent of ink.

Given his status as a Highseas Sentinel Mage and his previous agreement to invest, Harland did not tamper with the draft contract.

The terms are accurate and complete, in line with the interests of both parties, and also comply with laws, regulations, and industry standards.

When the client changed from Gaode to Dr. Danica, Harland did not raise any objections—the most important thing was that the money was in place, and who the client was did not matter.

After witnessing Dr. Danica and Harland sign the two contracts, the notary, hired by Harland, solemnly announced, "Today, Ms. Danica and Mr. Harland have formally signed a contract regarding the acquisition of Harland Shipyard. As the notary, this contract is effective immediately."

With the contract in effect, Danica became the owner of the Harland shipyard from that moment on.

Subsequently, as stipulated in the contract, Haaland, along with Gord and Danica, first conducted an inventory of the assets at the shipyard.

After ensuring that all assets were intact, Harland transferred the shipyard's title documents, land deeds, contracts, technical data, and other important documents, along with fixed assets such as machinery and raw materials.

Gaode then took out a metal box that he had prepared beforehand, opened it, and revealed that it was filled with golden bird coins.

The acquisition price was 9200 Gold Bird Coins. After deducting a deposit of 50 Gold, 10% of the shares were transferred to Harland according to the valuation. After deducting another 920 Gold, a total of 8230 Gold Bird Coins were paid to acquire 90% of the shares of Harland Shipyard.

Even with the [Heavy Burden] spell, it still took Gao De a lot of effort to carry this box of golden pheasant coins over.

But seeing that the shipyard was in his hands, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He now owns his first business.

"Mr. Harland, please trouble you to bring the shipyard workers back as soon as possible, and then contact the original suppliers to purchase raw materials and resume work as soon as possible," Gao De said. "I will also invest another two thousand Goldbird coins into the shipyard's account as initial operating capital."

A Harland two-masted sailing ship can carry an additional 15-30 passengers in addition to the crew required for the voyage.

This capacity is clearly far from sufficient to meet Gaode's needs.

Therefore, shipbuilding will definitely continue, and Gaode's initial goal is to build a small fleet.

"No problem." Haaland quickly got into his new role.

While the iron was hot, after completing the ownership transfer of Harland Shipyard, Gao De and Dr. Danica worked together to draft a management charter for the "Tide Whisperers Children's Aid Association," fabricating the association's operating rules, charitable purposes, organizational structure, financial terms, and other contents out of thin air.

Subsequently, in the name of Danica and the Teochew Speakers Cult, the management charter, project planning documents, and explanatory documents were submitted to the Lagos City government to apply for registration of the "Teochew Speakers Children's Aid Association".

However, the review process is not that quick.

Even with Haaland pulling strings and using money to pave the way, it still took the association three whole days to pass the review and successfully register.

Of course, Gaode Maps wasn't idle during those three days either.

On one hand, he issued notices in the name of the shipyard to recruit sailors and hire skilled craftsmen at high prices to go to sea with the ships to "aid construction".

On one hand, they are acquiring materials needed for Phoenix's current construction within the city.

The "aid" period starts at three years, and since it involves going overseas, it will definitely be difficult to recruit skilled workers. Therefore, Gaode directly offered a high salary of 400 Golden Bird Coins per year.

"That's just how the nobles and officials in Lagos are—arrogant, lazy, and greedy. It's only because you're registering with a relief association that can solve their headaches about orphan care that they won't have much trouble with your registration process. Otherwise..."

After the association's registration was approved, Haaland, who had contributed greatly to the process, complained to Gaode in a sarcastic tone.

"Thank you for your hard work," Gao De said sincerely.

In the past few days, in addition to helping Gaode with the association's approval process, Haaland has also been busy applying for the necessary sea-going permits for ships to go to sea.

As expected, some favors will need to be made.

Given the habits of local officials, if you don't offer them some benefits, the department responsible for review and inspection will not only prevent you from going to sea, but will at least drag out the entire approval process for an extremely long time.

Haaland was already used to this, and it was also a long-standing grudge.

(End of this chapter)