157: Chapter 157 Hurricane Merchant Guild

Gang Yishawa and Golden Deer teamed up to establish the Hurricane Chamber of Commerce here within a year, and there was definitely a Logic behind it.

However, there was no doubt that no matter how massive the Chamber of Commerce became, it could not confront the authorities head-on.

Therefore, Gang Yishawa's plan appeared to be quite a long way around.

"Commander, you've arrived."

Pearl was like an angel, as always.

The "pure" Seraph had now given almost all the meaning of "love" to him, which put Li Ming under a bit of pressure.

Of course, she was still a wonderful jewelry designer, although he had only carefully stored away the jewelry she gave him last week and had never worn it.

It wasn't that he cared about the influence; he was simply not used to it.

It felt strange for a boy to wear jewelry. He wasn't the kind of knight who needed magnificent armor.

"Mm... this place is huge. If you hadn't come to pick us up, the two of us probably would have gotten lost."

Li Ming approached with Z23, and Pearl led them into the Chamber of Commerce, quickly leaving the sight of the crowds at the entrance.

"Are you being watched?"

Li Ming felt the prying eyes at the entrance.

"Commercial spies, it's normal," Pearl replied. "Usually, these guys aren't a threat. If you feel uncomfortable, Commander, I'll notify Lime to deal with them immediately."

"Uh..." Li Ming rubbed the back of his head. "If there's something like a Great Amnesia Technique, let's not silence them permanently. Anyway, our relationship is pretty much public now."

"Don't worry, Commander, I know what I'm doing," Pearl chuckled. "Miss Logic is also monitoring strictly. If there's a problem, she'll tell us."

"Then there's no problem." Li Ming trusted everyone very much; since they said there was no problem, then there was no problem.

Through the corridor, Pearl led them to the lounge.

Today was the weekend, and the Chamber of Commerce was not open for work, so Gang Yishawa had taken sole possession of the lounge originally intended for the employees.

"Good morning, Commander~"

She leaned against the bar counter, looking like she had already had a couple of drinks, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Good morning, Gang Yishawa... Are you drunk?"

"No, I've only had a little... Don't treat me like Royal Fortune; she's the child who passes out after three glasses..."

"So she's been fake drinking?"

"Bingo! She's always been drinking fruit juice~"

"Now I've caught her red-handed. It turns out her alcohol tolerance isn't even as good as mine."

"Is the Commander already thinking about how to trick her into bed?" Gang Yishawa laughed foolishly.

"...I don't have that thought for now." Li Ming shook his head. "How is the matter I mentioned before coming along?"

"According to the plan, I obtained fifteen federal-wide radio channels from the Edenia Broadcasting Bureau this Thursday. Now we can just use relays."

"Relying on shortwave transmission, theoretically, our radio station can be received by any corner of this continent." Gang Yishawa pulled a document from under her skirt. "Next, Miss Logic will take over the radio station and broadcast 24 hours a day according to your requirements."

"Very good." Li Ming took the documents. These were authorization papers; it was obvious Gang Yishawa had likely used her 'money power' to pave the way. "Thank you for your hard work... it didn't cost you too much, did it?"

"What are you worried about, Commander?" Gang Yishawa laughed in spite of herself. "You are the Vice-Commodore of the Hurricane Fleet; isn't my money yours?"

"Erm..." Li Ming was embarrassed; this Vice-Commodore title was truly in name only.

"Hehe..." Gang Yishawa sat up straight. "Why has Z23 been so quiet?"

"Eh?" Z23 was startled. There's something for me too?

"Z23 came to help check the information," Li Ming replied. "And there's one more thing she needs to help with."

"I knew you'd say that." Gang Yishawa pulled another document bag from under her skirt. "You should have seen today's news. Simply put, our legitimacy will be questioned by the federal authorities. But the impact isn't very large because, in essence, we are a chamber of commerce under the Maritime Bureau, not the Federation."

"However, we will still face some impact. The previously established deep-sea fishery taxes will be affected, but that isn't our primary business, so it doesn't have much connection to us."

"However, based on the information you shared a few days ago, our own territory will soon conduct formal diplomatic activities. Similarly, our intelligence activities will enter the next stage."

Gang Yishawa opened the document bag and placed a large stack of papers in front of Z23. "These are our information results from this year and information on some organizations in the Oronia region. I don't specialize in intelligence. In the next stage, Commander... you will need a dedicated intelligence director."

Z23 began to check the information, while Li Ming began to think.

"As far as the current situation goes, among those we can trust who have experience in information gathering, I only know of one in our camp."

"You mean Terrible." Li Ming rubbed his temples.

"Yes." Gang Yishawa nodded. "It's simply a matter of whether you are willing to let her take over."

"I'm not sure if this is right, after all..."

"She's just a child? She's your Ship Girl? You don't want her touching this dirty work?"

"..."

Z23 looked up and glanced at him.

"Commander, although Ship Girls have differences in size and personality, strictly speaking, there is no distinction between adults and minors for Ship Girls." Gang Yishawa restrained her smile. "Terrible is directly subordinate to the Holy See's clergy; in terms of rank alone, she is only below Richelieu. Do you think she is really as simple as what you see?"

"I can understand..."

"You only understand that she can help, but you don't understand our will, Commander." Gang Yishawa took out a glass and poured him a glass of red wine. "We were born to serve war; it's just that your existence gave us a different life and possibilities."

"Therefore, we are very willing to solve your problems—and perhaps because your memories cannot synchronize with ours, the port has always had its own information department. It's just that as a 'player,' you aren't aware of it."

"...You're right." Li Ming felt deflated. "Maybe I really should reflect on myself..."

"No, darling." Gang Yishawa shook her head. "You've reflected enough. What you need to do is delegate power and trust."

Looking at this Ship Girl who had relied on a surprise attack to reach a vow with him, Li Ming was speechless.

Z23 kept her head down and didn't speak.

Gang Yishawa seemed to have thought of something; she signaled Li Ming with her eyes to pay attention to Z23, then nodded at him.

Li Ming quietly gave a thumbs up.

"Very well then, you two take your time looking through this information~" Gang Yishawa stood up. "I'll go get some other things..."

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