Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: p@treon.com/CosmicKaminari
----------
The village chief's grass hut.
Tonoyasu pulled open the door curtain and entered the room, running over to Daichi with a fawning, funny smile on his face.
"Daichi-sama, you called for me?"
"Mm."
Daichi nodded slightly, pointing to Hyogoro, who was stunned beside him.
"Meet an old friend."
"Old friend?"
Tonoyasu tilted his head, puzzled, and when he saw Hyogoro, his pupils couldn't help but shake.
Although his body had changed greatly, he recognized the other party's identity at a glance: Hyogoro of the Flower Capital, "Hyougoro of the Flower".
Indeed, an old friend!
And a very good old friend!
The question is, why is Hyogoro here?!
Tonoyasu was greatly alarmed, desperately trying to control the shock in his heart, maintaining his funny appearance as he scratched his head in confusion, trying to play dumb.
"Daichi-sama, who is this?"
"Stop pretending."
Daichi picked up a teacup, slowly took a sip of tea, and said with a playful smile, "I've already investigated your background. Shimotsuki Yasuie, how could you not know Hyogoro?"
"Eh? Eh?!!!"
Tonoyasu froze for three seconds, so startled that snot spurted out of his nose.
Had he been exposed all along?!
Not only was Tonoyasu overly startled, but the four bosses squatting in the corner also had their eyes bulging in shock.
"Shimotsuki Yasuie?"
"Isn't that the name of Hakumai's Daimyo?"
"Could this old man be Lord Yasuie!"
Times had changed. Not only had Hyogoro changed greatly, but Shimotsuki Yasuie had also transformed from a strong samurai into a funny old man.
"Don't be so jumpy."
Daichi frowned slightly in distaste.
They were all well-known figures, what was with all the jumping around?
"I'll give you three minutes to catch up!"
"..."
After more than ten seconds of silence, Tonoyasu put away his funny behavior and approached Hyogoro with a complex gaze.
"Hyogoro."
"Lord Yasuie."
The two old men looked at each other warmly, sighing together as they recalled the days of drinking tea and chatting together.
Three minutes later.
Shimotsuki Yasuie faced Daichi honestly. "Daichi-sama, since you already know my true identity, why?"
"You're still useful."
Daichi replied calmly.
Shimotsuki Yasuie gave a bitter smile. It was indeed this lord's style, but what use could he possibly be now?
"Come over, all of you."
Daichi spread out the map of Hakumai, and when everyone gathered around the table, he pointed to the location of Ebisu Town and began to speak.
"This is our current location. I plan to build a large town here, and construction will begin tomorrow!"
"The specific plan has been set. Tomorrow, Minatomo will bring some craftsmen to be responsible for the city's construction."
"Look here!"
Daichi pointed to the red line on the map, one end leading to the weapon factory in the center of Hakumai, and the other end leading to the sea south of Hakumai.
"This red line shows a river channel. I want to dig a sewage discharge channel between the weapon factory and the sea to solve the water pollution problem!"
The highest point in Wano Country is Mount Fuji, located north of the Flower Capital, and the starting points of the rivers in each village are also from Mount Fuji.
For the water supply of the Flower Capital, no weapon factories were built near Mount Fuji, and the water flowing to each village was clean.
Therefore, as long as each village solves the sewage problem from its local weapon factories, the water supply can basically be guaranteed.
In fact, the sewage problem was deliberately caused by Orochi to get back at the people of Wano Country. He intentionally discharged sewage into the irrigation rivers of each village and specifically controlled the upstream water sources, forcing the people to buy water if they wanted to drink.
"And here!"
Daichi pointed again to the area around Ebisu Town.
"These fields were originally fertile land, but due to long lack of irrigation, they have long been barren and need to be re-cultivated before crops can be planted."
"Finally, look here!"
On the map, with Ebisu Town as the center, the surrounding area was full of lines, covering the town and its surrounding fields, distinguished by different colors.
"These lines represent roads to be built. Blue represents main roads, green represents secondary roads, and yellow represents lower-grade small paths."
Building a town, digging river channels, reclaiming fertile land, and building roads.
A total of four major projects.
Shimotsuki Yasuie and Hyogoro were already shocked by Daichi's plan. According to Daichi's description, they could even imagine the future scene in their minds.
"Now, let's talk about your tasks."
Daichi first looked at the four bosses.
"Omasa, Yatappe, Tsunagoro, and Cho, I need you to gather your subordinates and each form a patrol team of at least 100 people, responsible for the safety and supervision of these four projects, understood?"
"Understood!"
The four took a deep breath.
They were extremely reluctant to work for Daichi, but at this moment, they felt a sense of mission!
This was a great project that would benefit future generations!
Daichi nodded slightly, then looked at Hyogoro.
"I will group the prisoners. Ten people per group, one hundred people per team. Each group will select a leader and captain, and each prisoner team will eat, live, and work together!
"Let me make it clear first: if one person in a team escapes or is lazy, everyone else will be punished collectively!"
"And you, Old man Hyo, I need you to serve as the general captain of the prisoners, commanding them while stabilizing their emotions. Don't harbor any unrealistic fantasies."
"As compensation, I can guarantee that the prisoners' treatment will not be too bad. At least you will be able to fill your stomachs."
"At the end of each month, I will also select 10 'Prisoner Stars' from the best-performing prisoners and grant them freedom!"
"No problem, right?"
Hyogoro was silent for a few seconds, then nodded with difficulty.
Compared to the Prisoner Mine, the conditions Daichi offered were unbelievably generous, and even included the most important thing: freedom!
Whether for himself or for the prisoners.
He could not refuse.
Daichi looked at Tonoyasu, who was the last one.
"Tonoyasu, you were once the Daimyo of Hakumai, and your love for this land must be the deepest. Therefore, I appoint you as the General Manager, overseeing all projects!"
"You will be responsible for coordinating resources, including purchasing supplies, allocating labor, logistics, and everything else!"
"Can you do it?"
Shimotsuki Yasuie opened his mouth, then nodded strongly!
It wasn't a matter of 'can he,' but 'must do'!
Every night, he would dream of the Hakumai of old, dreaming of that prosperous and bustling scene!
Rebuilding Hakumai was his greatest dream.
"Mr. Daichi!"
Shimotsuki Yasuie took a deep breath. There was a question he urgently wanted to know.
"Why do you trust us?"
"Trust?"
Daichi shook his head.
"I don't trust you. In the future, we might even cross swords. As for why I confidently entrust these matters to you, on one hand, there's no one else available, and you happen to be suitable. On the other hand, well."
"It's nothing more than a convergence of interests."
Convergence of interests!
Shimotsuki Yasuie and Hyogoro exchanged glances, clearly seeing the shock and an indescribable emotion in each other's eyes.
What a terrifying man!
Hyogoro hesitated, his tone now respectful. "Lord Daichi, I also have a question I'd like you to answer."
"Speak."
"Beast Pirates and Orochi are allies. What you're doing will definitely anger Shogun Orochi. What good does this do you?"
"It's simple."
Daichi narrowed his eyes.
"If I told you that my ultimate goal is Orochi's head, what would you all think?"
"...."
A strange silence fell over the room.
Everyone was stunned, their shock evident on their faces.
This man!!!
Daichi's lips stretched into a grin that reached his ears.
"Kaido needs weapons, he needs money, he needs reliable subordinates who can do things for him. I can fulfill all of these."
"As for who becomes the Shogun."
"Does it matter?"