radicalducati Chapter 55 I, a scientist, need money!
Chapter 55 I, a scientist, need money!
"Do it if you think of it" has always been Shen Yi's motto.
Moreover, he is a transmigrator, and now he is the captain of the Gotei 13. How can he only stay in his own mansion to do research? Where can you find justice?
Moreover, the laboratory is pitifully small, and there are some slightly dangerous experiments that he dares not carry out. After all, he blew up the captain's mansion again, and even old man Yamamoto will probably have to give him a special training session.
"Your idea is good, but we could totally set up a formal research institution."
Shen Yi looked at the spirit rice seedlings on the table again, then turned to look at Hikifune Kiryu and Yoruichi: "You should both be clear about the prospects of this spirit rice, but I want to use the expected returns as seed money to set aside a piece of land in Seireitei and build a dedicated technology development bureau."
"Technology Development Bureau?"
Kisuke Urahara blinked. Why did this name sound so familiar?
However, he was genuinely interested in a department dedicated to technology development, and immediately asked, "Can I join?"
Although his current job is guarding the insect hive, it's essentially the same as being a prison guard, and like Shen Yi, his purpose in joining is to have a laboratory.
After all, as everyone knows, scientific research is not just about having a brain; you also need money and people. Even when China was poor and backward, it mobilized the entire nation's resources to develop the atomic bomb.
"sure."
Shen Yi waved his hand and said, "Go ahead, go ahead. Everyone will have a piece of Bengyu, no problem."
"Can I do it too?"
Kiryuu's eyes lit up as well, since she was also a research-oriented team leader. However, in this era, scientific research was not valued, so she could only tinker around on her own. This was probably one of the reasons why she was willing to join the Zero Squad in the original story.
"sure."
Shen Yi leaned back, hands behind his head, striking an arrogant pose that said, "I'm rich now." He continued, "What do you think this spirit rice is? It's a strategic resource that can mass-produce and increase the spiritual pressure of Shinigami. As long as we cultivate the first batch of seeds and show the effects to a few noble lords, we won't have to worry about finding investors."
"Indeed, my Shihōin family is the first to invest!"
Yoruichi raised her hand decisively, her golden eyes full of shrewdness.
Although she usually seems carefree, as the head of the Shihouin family, her sense of profit is second to none. If this spirit rice is truly promoted, the entire Soul Society will change. There's no reason for the Shihouin family to miss this opportunity.
Moreover, the name "Technology Development Bureau" sounded intriguing, and she loved interesting things the most.
"Of course you can get involved."
Shen Yi brought this up in front of Yoruichi, wasn't he just trying to get Yoruichi involved?
There was no way around it; his foundation in Soul Society was too shallow. Apart from the title of captain, he had no money, no manpower, and no land. If he wanted to promote Spirit Rice from the laboratory to the entire Rukongai, it was simply not enough for him and Kiryu Hikifune to do it together.
Don't be fooled by the fact that the Shihouin family doesn't seem to be known for its wealth. That's just on the surface. The Shihouin family is one of the four great noble families. How could they possibly be poor?
Take, for example, the infamous former God family, who were arguably the richest family in Soul Society, so rich that they had nothing but money.
Some people say that it's the money of the Ōmaeda family, and what does it have to do with Yoruichi?
For details, please refer to Soi Fon. The Soi Fon family is a lower-ranking noble family that has been engaged in assassination for generations. There is even a family rule that if you cannot join the Execution Army, you will be exiled by the family. You are considered a retainer of Shihouin.
According to official sources, the Ōmaeda family has possessed the skills of the Onmitsukido (Secret Mobile Unit) for generations, which means that the Ōmaeda family is very likely to have been the vice-captains of the Second Division for generations!
Oh, I forgot to mention, the first captain of the Second Division was named Shihouin Chihiro.
Think about it carefully!
That's why some people say the Gotei 13 are actually a noble's guard. Do you really think only the 6th Division is a noble's exclusive force?
Moreover, with Yoruichi as the head of the family backing her up, at least other nobles won't have any ulterior motives.
After all, anyone with a normal brain can see the profit margin of this spiritual rice. A commoner captain with no background is holding such a big piece of meat in his hands, and some people are probably going to have crooked ideas.
Not to mention that Seireitei is a society ruled by nobles. Without Yoruichi's help, would those nobles honestly hand over their money?
The three hit it off immediately, and that very day Yoruichi took the spirit rice to visit various noble families to show off—she was the most suitable person to do this, after all, she always did.
Sure enough, the day after Yoruichi boasted, several groups of nobles sent envoys to sound out her intentions.
The first to arrive was naturally the Omaeda family, Shen Yi's old acquaintances. Moreover, it was Omaeda Noriyuki who personally came to visit, chatting with Shen Yi for a long time with a smile. From Shen Yi's rise to prominence to his later becoming the captain, he openly and secretly said that the Omaeda family was Shen Yi's benefactor. He even mentioned that Omaeda Noriyo would occasionally mention Shen Yi.
Shen Yi: ……
To be honest, he did like the girl, Kiyo Ōmaeda, after all, she was indeed his benefactor. However, he didn't really have those kinds of feelings for her. Mainly, she seemed too delicate, the kind who would cry for a long time if punched, which wasn't his type.
Yes, it's definitely not because I'm afraid my nephew will act like my uncle, absolutely not!
"Ahem, Vice Captain Ōmaeda, just get to the point."
In reality, given the way the Ōmaeda family operates, Ōmaeda Noriyuki was just making empty promises; he would never use his precious daughter as a tool for a marriage alliance. Shen Yi knew without even guessing that this was just empty talk.
"Alright, regarding that Spirit Rice, Captain Shen Yi, do you need any funding?"
Ōmaeda Kinoshita had no choice but to reveal his purpose this time. As a front man for the Shihōin family, he certainly wouldn't say that Yoruichi sent him; he just wanted to make a simple investment.
"Of course we're lacking! We're lacking not only funds, but also people, land—we're lacking everything!"
If he were strong enough, Shen Yi would definitely be like the Shen Yi in the Legend of the Condor Heroes world, directly controlling everyone to become his subordinates. But obviously, he can't do that. Fortunately, he doesn't have any ambition to become king or conqueror. He just wants to do some research, such as immortality, which he is still very interested in.
"That's easy. How about a pleasant collaboration?"
Upon hearing this, Ōmaeda Kinoshita's previously somewhat commercial smile became more sincere, and he extended his hand to shake hands with Shen Yi.
The two discussed the profit-sharing issue again, and then Shen Yi brought up the idea of the Technology Development Bureau and began to paint a rosy picture for Omaeda Noriyuki.
Look, Kiryu and I casually researched and created Spirit Rice. Now that Kisuke Urahara has joined us, along with a professional team and equipment, wouldn't it be a piece of cake for us to develop a way to turn lead into gold?
In short, I, a scientist, need your money!
Ōmaeda Noriyuki was completely bewildered, thinking that Shen Yi's words made sense. If the first generation of spirit rice had such effects, what if the research institute developed the next generation of spirit rice? He would have to get involved in the technology development bureau!
With the Ōmaeda family taking the lead, other nobles followed suit. In no time, Shen Yi's captain's mansion was more lively than an izakaya, and the threshold was almost worn down by envoys from all sides.
Thus, while cultivating a large number of spirit rice seeds, the framework of Shen Yi's Technology Development Bureau had already begun to be established.
Originally, Shen Yi's idea was to place him under Kiryu Hikifune's 13th Division, or even under his 10th Division, just like in the original story. He had even asked Isshin Shiba to write a report.
But old man Yamamoto gave him a pleasant surprise...