In other words, a Yellow-level world, after merging with the main world, can provide at least five or six blessed lands. A Profound-level world, after merging, can provide three or four grotto-heavens.
Such immense profits were impossible for these powerful families to overlook. Besides, even if the world expansion failed, as long as Lin Yang truly wiped out the Shan Yue tribes, he would still have a province to his name. Several earls could still be earned. Therefore, the powerful families weren't afraid that Lin Yang would renege on his promise.
Besides, with over three thousand guests here, if Lin Yang manages to sway just thirty of them, it will be considered a victory. But judging from the current situation, there are definitely more than thirty! At least sixty!
"In the past year, I was framed by Xiang Yu's subordinates, but what was the result? I entered the Jiang Shen's cave and turned misfortune into blessing!"
"In the past year, under my leadership, the people of Wu defeated the Yue tribes, expanded their territory by hundreds of miles, cultivated millions of acres of fertile land, and solved the survival problem for millions of people!"
"In the past year, we have overcome disease, schistosomiasis, and natural disasters, and won the final harvest!"
"Although the expansion of the Wu Kingdom was not smooth sailing, it was through these hardships that the entire Wu Kingdom grew stronger and more resilient! This is a perfect example of how adversity strengthens a nation!"
As Lin Yang narrated, the guests below grew increasingly excited and thrilled. After all, how could they not be excited to witness the birth of a legend?
Especially now, this legend was once a nobody. The story of a grassroots entrepreneur becoming a tycoon always attracts a lot of attention, regardless of the era.
Of course, there's no need for ordinary people to know the inside story about Lin Yang becoming the Chosen One, being granted the title of Duke of Wu, and his friendship with Cai Yan.
"Alright, as the saying goes, seeing is believing. No matter how eloquently I describe it, it can't compare to the results you see with your own eyes! So, if you're interested, why not go through this portal and take a good look at the Kingdom of Wu, observe it closely, and personally assess the potential of the entire Kingdom of Wu."
"I'll say it again: investment is welcome in any industry. Noble, baron, or even a full baron—as long as you make a significant contribution, it's not a problem!" Lin Yang declared loudly.
With that, he gave everyone a serious look before leaving. Meanwhile, Guo Jia stepped forward and began organizing the interested guests to enter the teleportation array.
"Shiyuan, what do you think?" Cai Mao asked, a little excited.
It must be said that Lin Yang's words thoroughly fooled him; at least for now, Cai Mao genuinely had the idea of investing in the Wu Kingdom. However, just to be on the safe side, he consulted Pang Tong.
After all, in the eyes of many friends, although Pang Tong was quite ugly, he was undoubtedly the most intelligent among them. Asking him about such matters was always the right thing to do!
Upon hearing this, Pang Tong smiled and said, "Anyway, I think this Duke of Wu is quite interesting. If nothing unexpected happens, my Pang family will definitely mobilize 100,000 people. Moreover, I heard that Zhou Gongjin, at such a young age, is already a Gentleman of the Imperial Guard and a Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat. Aren't you all tempted?"
"Yes, and there's Gu Yuantan and the others. They're only two or three years older than us, and now they're already seventh-rank township heads. I'll have to take a good look at them later. If nothing unexpected happens, they should be able to produce ten thousand people," Kuai Yue nodded.
“Then let’s go together. Even if something goes wrong, it’s not a big deal. A thousand people isn’t a lot. Every family has more private soldiers than that!” Huang Zu said, scratching his head.
Soon, a group of second-generation rich kids looked at each other and formed a group to head to the Kingdom of Wu!
Perhaps the Kingdom of Wu truly has great potential, or perhaps everyone has already understood the current situation of the Kingdom of Wu and genuinely feels that this matter is worthwhile, or perhaps they simply want to go to the Kingdom of Wu to see the scenery, or perhaps they are truly optimistic about the future of Lin Yang, the Duke of Wu.
In the end, out of more than three thousand guests, a full ninety percent of them directly entered the teleportation array and began their journey in the Kingdom of Wu.
...
Wu Kingdom, Yuan Tan Township.
Just as the group of over three thousand guests were heading to the Wu Kingdom via the teleportation array, Gu Yong was also standing nervously at the entrance of the village, looking around.
As for why it's called Yuantan Township, that's Lin Yang's original idea.
Lin Yang remembered that even in his hometown in later years, he often encountered similar names such as Minquan Road and Zhongshan Road.
At first, Lin Yang never really thought about the meaning behind it. He just got used to saying it, so he didn't care if it was appropriate or inappropriate.
It wasn't until later that I accidentally discovered that the name "Zhongshan" was the same as the name of Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China. And the name "Minquan" was the same as the Three Principles of the People advocated by Sun Yat-sen during the Xinhai Revolution.
In a sense, this approach can be considered a way to achieve lasting fame and immortality. After all, more than a hundred years have passed since the Xinhai Revolution, yet Sun Yat-sen and the concept of civil rights have truly endured.
So here's the question: If the Founding Father achieved lasting fame in this way, why can't we do the same?
So, an administrative order was issued.
The gist is to mobilize everyone to go to the grassroots level and become village chiefs! The ten villages with the fastest and best development can automatically change their names to reflect the village chief's title. Similarly, the five best-developed townships can also change their names!
For example, this so-called Yuan Tan Township is actually named after Gu Yong's courtesy name. It must be said that while this tactic is very simple to use, its effects are remarkably outstanding!
Previously, no matter how much Lin Yang emphasized the importance of the grassroots level, and how much he stressed the principle that a prime minister should be from the grassroots, many nobles were still unwilling to become village chiefs. This was simply because being a village chief was too low-class.
When you run into an acquaintance, the acquaintance will ask, "What kind of official are you?"
I am the village chief!
It's fair to say that encountering this situation would be extremely awkward. Therefore, previously, the number of village chiefs was genuinely insufficient!
Many people would rather be a general with no real position and only a nominal title than be sent down to the grassroots level to be a village chief!
However, things changed after the "Plan to Make a Name for Oneself in History"—that is, the plan to rename villages and towns—was officially announced. Village chiefs, who were previously ignored, suddenly became highly sought after.
Otherwise, do you really think that a scion of a noble family like Gu Yong would go to the grassroots level and become a village chief? I bet he wouldn't even be willing to try. If word got out, what would people think and say?
But now, with Yuan Tanxiang by his side, everything is simple! Gu Yong felt his whole body brimming with energy, and he was full of enthusiasm!
"How are the preparations going?" Gu Yong asked his deputy seriously. Although he already knew the answer in his heart, he couldn't help but ask again.
"Everything is under control!" the deputy said, somewhat nervously.
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Chapter 44: Gu Yong's Metamorphosis
Yuan Tan Township, crossroads.
"Hey, isn't this Gu Yuantan? Why is he standing right at the intersection? And what's with that outfit?" Huang Zu couldn't help but laugh as he looked at the scene before him.
At this moment, Gu Yong was dressed in coarse cloth, his face tanned considerably, and his skin much rougher. What was once a handsome young man had transformed into a muscular man. The change was truly drastic!
“Yes, Yuan Tan used to have smooth, fair skin, just like a woman. But now, it’s really hard to recognize him,” Cai Mao said curiously.
In the past, everyone was part of the second-generation elite circle; who didn't know who? Therefore, although Cai Mao wasn't very familiar with Gu Yong, he basically knew him. They had even spoken several times. Now, however, things had turned out this way, which was truly intriguing.