Three days later, the Zyjuns submitted a document.
The blueprints for Music City.
The scale of the blueprints was immense, a vast city covering an area of one thousand mu. Every detail was marked, from roads to buildings, from road materials to the purpose of each structure.
Jiang Ye took the blueprints to meet Xu Yan, and the two discussed the proposal together.
Xu Yan was also deeply impressed. "Did the Zyjuns really come up with this proposal themselves?"
"Yes, I didn't offer any help. They spent three days not composing music but creating these blueprints," Jiang Ye replied.
"It's amazing. These fungi could absolutely be architectural designers. Their work efficiency isn't slower than the company's programs," Xu Yan nodded repeatedly.
"Is this proposal reasonable?" Jiang Ye asked. "How feasible is its construction?"
"It appears reasonable. The Zyjuns' main pool is located underground, and each district has a large breeding pool. Surrounding the breeding pools, numerous supporting facilities are designed. A complete power system, human residential areas, commercial districts... I have a feeling, and I hope you don't mind me saying it."
"Please do."
"From these blueprints, it seems as though the Zyjuns are the emperors, and the human residents of Music City are eunuchs, palace maids, guards, and laborers. In other words, all the humans in the city serve the Zyjuns. It's a bit of a role reversal," Xu Yan said. "I wonder if you mind?"
"Jiang Ye Star's economy isn't optimistic right now. Many people have very low incomes, or no jobs at all. Building this Music City can provide employment for at least two hundred thousand people. If the Zyjuns' composition goes smoothly, the entire city will be very prosperous. From this perspective, it's a good thing," Jiang Ye stated. "As for who serves whom, I don't consider such ethereal matters of face. Besides, the Zyjuns can only stay in their pools and obey my commands. I can switch their wine for disinfectant at any time and kill them all."
"Good," Xu Yan tapped the office desk screen. "If we build the city according to these blueprints, it will cost approximately sixty-eight billion in construction funds. The subsequent population relocation, equipment maintenance, and Zyjuns transfer will also be extremely costly."
"There's plenty of money," Jiang Ye said. "Prepare for construction. The location will be fifty kilometers north of the 18th Continent's military base. The land on that continent is barren, but the terrain is vast and flat, with many rivers. I plan to designate that continent as the Zyjuns Continent. All future Zyjuns-related industrial parks will be arranged there."
"To specifically set aside an entire continent for the Zyjuns, you have very high expectations for these things!" Xu Yan was surprised.
"I have a premonition that if the Zyjuns are cultivated well, they can become the main economic engine of this planet within the next fifty to sixty years. The Zyjuns I have are still experimental. Other planets don't have them yet, so we have a first-mover advantage. Once the official Zyjuns products are released throughout the galaxy, our advantage will only last for two to three years at most," Jiang Ye said. "At least before I grow white hair, the Zyjuns will be a money tree."
...
On the weekend, Jiang Ye woke up at four in the morning.
In three hours, he needed to attend the opening ribbon-cutting ceremony for Music City. This was the first globally broadcast event for Jiang Ye Star, and his first public appearance.
Cen Yemeng woke up even earlier. She ironed Jiang Ye's clothes and made breakfast, then called him to wake up.
After Jiang Ye finished eating, Cen Yemeng helped him change and tie his tie, acting like a virtuous young wife.
"Be safe," Cen Yemeng hugged him.
"Of course, it's safe. It's just a ribbon-cutting ceremony, what could happen?" Jiang Ye patted her back. Cen Yemeng would not be attending the ceremony this time; she had decided to stay home and watch the children.
"You are a big shot, you must be careful," Cen Yemeng's voice was gentle and worried. "If anything happens, don't try to be a hero. You have so many subordinates, let them handle it. Think of me, think of Forest."
"Don't worry," Jiang Ye smiled.
He went out, got in the car, and headed straight for the military port.
At the military port, he transferred to a cruiser and set sail for the Zyjuns Continent.
At six-thirty, Jiang Ye set foot on the land of the Zyjuns Continent for the first time.
Before him was the brand new Music City.
There were no tall skyscrapers, only beautiful, low-rise white buildings, many of them glass houses, shimmering in the morning sun. The entire city was a bright white.
Troops had already been deployed, conducting final checks around the venue.
Red carpet, a podium, a monument, colorful flags, VIP seating – all the necessary elements were in place.
A large group of reporters had also arrived, busy setting up their cameras.
Jiang Ye was guided backstage, where several stylishly dressed makeup artists approached him and bowed.
"Commander, we'll apply some light makeup to enhance your appearance on camera."
"Okay, thank you," Jiang Ye smiled warmly.
He didn't need to do anything but sit quietly with his eyes closed and wait.
There were five minutes left until the ceremony began.
Jiang Ye looked radiant, holding his speech, ready to go on stage.
Suddenly, his earphone crackled.
Feng Zishuang: "Big trouble!"
"What is it?" Jiang Ye reached out and pressed his earphone.
"Sixty-four companies have jointly sued you. The notice from the Interstellar Court just arrived," Feng Zishuang's voice was tense. "The lawsuit is related to the music created by the Zyjuns."
"Why?" Jiang Ye was stunned. What kind of companies were these, trying to rob him out of the blue?
"The lawsuit claims that the Zyjuns creating and releasing musical works for profit violates a clause in the 'Galactic Empire's Art Market General Law.' The legal text defines artistic works in the Earthling territories as those created by humans or through legal processes. It does not mention fungi. Therefore, these sixty-four companies believe that the Zyjuns' massive profits from their music are illegal," Feng Zishuang explained. "Should we postpone the opening ribbon-cutting ceremony for Music City?"
"Their lawsuit is pure nonsense! The law doesn't say Zyjuns can't create art, nor does it say they can't. What is not forbidden is permitted!" Jiang Ye exclaimed. "The opening ceremony is about to be broadcast live, how can we just stop it?"
"But Music City is enormous. If the Zyjuns' music creation is ruled illegal by the court, the entire Music City will be classified as a super-large illegal industrial zone and will face a penalty of over five hundred billion!" Feng Zishuang stated. "If we temporarily halt the opening ceremony, Music City will simply be an ordinary construction zone, and there will be no consequences."
Jiang Ye was startled.
A fine of five hundred billion!
Good heavens, that's brutal!
"And if the court rules that the Zyjuns' song creation is legal?" Even though the situation was urgent, Jiang Ye's mind was still racing. "Will Music City be fine then?"
"The trial is in a week. We can't know the verdict now!" Feng Zishuang replied.
"What's your estimate of the probability of winning the lawsuit?" Jiang Ye asked.
"I'm not a legal expert; I'm a financier," Feng Zishuang said. "If this goes wrong, billions will be lost. We need to be cautious! Should we stop the ceremony first?"
"I understand," Jiang Ye hung up the phone.
The car carrying the military uniform driver, Zhen, approached. "Sir, twenty seconds left. Shall we proceed as planned?"
"Proceed as planned," Jiang Ye took a deep breath.