Spring passed and autumn arrived, summer came and winter went.
In the blink of an eye, eight months had passed, and time had reached June of 1521.
Sakura Kingdom, this Winter Island located on the Grand Line, was still incredibly cold, but it was bustling with activity at this moment.
In a certain area of Sakura Kingdom, a peculiar complex of buildings had appeared. The outermost part of this complex was a magnificent city wall, about four meters high, with a gate on the front, sides, and back.
The front gate was wide and grand, with soldiers guarding it.
The side gate was adjacent to a newly established port, where many sea ships were docked.
The back gate faced another place called Eskimo Village.
Entering through the main gate revealed a wide street stretching into the distance, lined with towering snow firs on both sides.
At the end of the street stood a towering building with "Teaching Building" written on it.
To the left of the teaching building were several other structures, each with a different plaque: "Biomedical College, Dental College, Clinical Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health colleges, as well as the Biomedical Laboratory, Experimental Equipment Research Lab, and more."
Behind the teaching building were several dormitory buildings. These dormitories had a back exit that led directly to Eskimo Village, where villagers had opened many shops.
Barbecue restaurants, bars, fast-food joints, and various eateries, the list went on.
Whenever students were hungry and didn't want to eat in the cafeteria, they could head there for snacks and delicious food.
To the right of the teaching building was a large, circular structure that occupied a vast area. It wasn't as tall as the teaching building but was very spacious, composed of two semicircles.
This building was the affiliated hospital of the Sakura Kingdom Medical College.
The first semicircle housed the outpatient department and pharmacy, while the rear semicircle contained the inpatient wards and operating rooms.
The affiliated hospital was located right next to the port, accessible directly from there.
The teaching building, dormitory buildings, and the hospital together formed the medical center newly established by the Drum Kingdom.
This so-called medical center was a comprehensive facility integrating teaching, research, drug and equipment development, and treatment.
These facilities had been gradually completed over eleven months, from July of last year to June of this year.
The purpose was to leverage the entire Drum Kingdom's medical technology as a selling point.
And this was Zala's vision during this process.
Initially, the doctors of the Drum Kingdom, including Kureha, strongly advocated for the establishment of a research institute. Thus, she injected funds and founded the institute.
In just a few months, someone contributed a medicinal formula. Zala monetized this formula, and through sales, obtained a substantial amount of capital.
This showed Zala a lucrative path, so she increased research efforts, transforming Sakura Kingdom's past medical techniques into drugs and distributing them.
Furthermore, when Cobra, the King of Alabasta, fell ill, he also invited doctors from Sakura Kingdom to treat him.
This presented another lucrative opportunity for Zala, who then planned to build a hospital specifically for treating patients and charging fees.
However, the number of doctors was insufficient. So what could be done? Zala came up with an idea: establish a school to train more doctors.
Thus, she planned to build a teaching center to cultivate doctors.
A research institute, a hospital, and a school.
Why not establish a medical center instead?
Zala had a new idea, but the problem was, there wasn't enough money.
At this point, Zala shamelessly approached Xia Qiu, hoping he would provide some funds.
Xia Qiu saw great potential and wanted to invest in building a hospital. However, Zala only wanted Xia Qiu to become a shareholder and maintain strict ethical boundaries.
Xia Qiu didn't push the issue. He knew he couldn't control the entire hospital and that it had to operate successfully to generate continuous profits.
After negotiations, Baroque Works provided one billion Belly, acquiring a twenty percent stake and offering military protection.
Zala then approached Vivi and negotiated again, securing an investment of one billion Belly from Alabasta, but only granting Alabasta a fifteen percent share.
Moreover, Alabasta was also required to provide laborers and some construction materials.
However, both Vivi and Cobra saw a huge business opportunity and considered this a very important undertaking, so they agreed to the resolution.
Judging by the share distribution, Zala was leaning more towards Baroque Works.
Simultaneously, Sakura Kingdom's state-owned medical company controlled the remaining sixty-five percent of the shares.
With the funds, construction materials, and manpower secured, Zala ordered the construction of the medical center, but it was built in sections and zones, prioritizing areas with smaller functional requirements and higher practicality before proceeding to the more expensive areas.
Currently, apart from the teaching building, the laboratory equipment had not yet arrived, and many subjects were established but could not be taught temporarily.
The hospital had been completed two months prior. Although most of the rooms in the outpatient building were still vacant and the inpatient building was not yet finished, quite a few patients had already come for treatment.
The medical skills of Drum Kingdom's doctors were already renowned worldwide. Although they had experienced a decline, their reputation still lingered.
Moreover, many places only offered basic outpatient services, unable to handle more complex illnesses, leading many people to seek treatment here.
Even pirates came here, paying generously and not being stingy with their money.
Zala also secretly instructed the doctors to prescribe more expensive health tonics for them to take back, earning a considerable amount of money.
However, the only problem was the shortage of doctors, and training them would take too long.
So, Zala placed advertisements in the newspapers to recruit doctors. Many doctors came, and it also attracted many students from other regions to come and study medicine.
Not only that, but some countries also planned to send people here to exchange medical skills, and even high-ranking officials from the World Government came to visit.
A photo of Zala shaking hands with a World Government official was also published in the newspaper.
In just eleven months, Zala had already built the framework for a medical center, thanks to the foundation of the Sakura Kingdom.
Of course, the help from Baroque Works and Alabasta was also indispensable.
Baroque Works provided military support, ensuring the country's safety. If anyone arrived, Alken and Mr. Christmas of the Sakura Kingdom would handle them with the Sakura Kingdom's guard. If the opponent was stronger, Dalton and Zala would also engage.
Furthermore, the Marines responsible for the Drum Kingdom's waters patrolled the surrounding areas to prevent any trouble.
Due to the hospital's special role, some pirates would also unconsciously protect it.
Moreover, when pirates arrived, they had to lower their pirate flags and were forbidden from causing trouble.
And today was the day the entire medical center was completed and officially opened.
Although the interior was still empty, the student enrollment was insufficient, the dormitories were not full, laboratory equipment was scarce, and the surgical building was also deserted.
However, the medical center had officially begun operations, and with time, it would surpass the former glory of the Drum Kingdom.
"Thank you all for coming..."
Dalton stood on a platform set up on the sports field and gestured slightly behind him.
Behind him sat several people: Queen Zala, Princess Vivi, a Marine Major General, and a World Government Staff member.
Below them were managers from various pharmaceutical companies, doctor representatives from the Sakura Kingdom, village chiefs from different villages, the captain of a certain pirate crew who had infiltrated incognito, and patients, totaling over a hundred people.
In the distance, many residents of the Sakura Kingdom stood watching.
All these people gathered together, looking expectantly at the stage.
Dalton spoke at length on stage, invited a World Government official who was freezing like a nobody to give a speech, and then Zala took the stage.
Zala, dressed in a magnificent robe, gave a triumphant speech and then raised her arm, saying, "I declare that the Sakura Kingdom Medical Center is officially open."
Following her words, everyone stood up, clapping continuously. The applause was thunderous, and they shouted Queen Zala's name.
Over the past year, the changes in the entire Sakura Kingdom were undeniable. Residents' incomes had changed drastically, and their lives were becoming better and better.
The entire country, once listless under Wapol's rule, had become lively, even surpassing the former Drum Kingdom.
After her arrival, the country no longer felt like Winter Island; it had transformed into a summer island, much like her personality.
Therefore, the people below were extremely grateful for her actions.
"Oh, no, no."
Zala waved her hands downwards, speaking words of refusal. Only Dalton heard her whisper, "I mean don't stop, keep cheering, don't stop."
Looking at the spirited Zala, Dalton felt a mix of emotions.
You are beautiful, sexy, kind, and approachable.
Since you came to this country, you have done everything well.
The country has begun to prosper, and the people are gradually becoming happy.
But why must you be a member of Baroque Works?
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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