Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 533 Pompeii
"Tsk tsk!"

"It looks like a volcanic eruption is imminent!"

When the Great Teacher could not resist Augustus's enthusiasm and was ushered into the luxurious palace by the Praetorian Guard he had sent,
Pigeons that had been roaming the Mediterranean Sea landed on the land of Niapolis.

This city, which means "new city" in Greek and was later known as "Naples," is still reeling from the devastation caused by the earthquake.

But the aftershocks have subsided, and the uproar is destined not to last long.

The Roman generals living in the Golden Age, with the composure and confidence common to people of prosperous times, continued to enjoy the beautiful sunshine around the Mediterranean after the dust from the upheaval settled.

Only pigeons flew over to the volcano called "Vesuvius" near the city, peering into the ever-smoking crater.

"Cuckoo!"

When a deep, intense burst of subterranean fire suddenly erupted, the heat rushing towards the pigeon's pointed head, he recoiled and uttered a "No!" sound.

"If I were to touch this, I'm afraid I'd turn into a roast pigeon."

Although Yege'er, who grew up under the watchful eyes of pigeons, often said that this ghost was somewhat "improper."

But Pigeon felt that compared to his brothers, the Black Bird and the Turtle, who had split off from mitosis, he was still very young and inexperienced.

As for the heavy flesh all over his body?

That was simply a manifestation of his happiness as a pigeon.

"Um……"

"Tell the main body later to invite all the brothers here for a barbecue party, and then go to Pompeii next door for a stroll, so that if the volcano explodes in the future, this city will be like Daliang City, and we can only go underground to see it."

Daliang City
It is a city located on the banks of the Yellow River. It was built by order of King Hui of Wei and became the new capital of the Wei Kingdom after its completion.

but,

The fate of this prosperous city is quite similar to that of its builders—

Although the ancestral sacrifices to his descendants ceased, King Hui of Wei, who frequently appeared in the writings of various philosophers and played a leading role, was able to live on in the world, floating in the netherworld.

Meanwhile, the Great Liang, which stood firmly on the earth with its sturdy and thick walls, making it difficult to breach from the outside, also floated and sank in the Yellow River.

This is where it lags behind the equally sturdy Jade Wall City of Western Qin.

After all, the ocean next to Jade Wall City is calm and won't cause towering waves that could submerge this city built on the strait.

But with the help of others, the Yellow River can often enter Daliang to visit the children who drink from its waters.

At the end of the Warring States period, the artificial flood created in order to unify the world successfully buried the foundation of Daliang City in the silt of the Yellow River.

From this perspective,
If Vesuvius, this ever-present "active volcano," were to erupt, Pompeii, the closest city to it, would follow in the footsteps of Daliang.

One was submerged in water, the other was buried in fire.

"Ok?"

"They can even manage to make something symmetrical in this aspect?"

"With a long history, you can indeed see all sorts of examples."

The pigeon cooed twice, then flapped its wings and left before the feathers on its wings could be ignited by the heat emanating from the volcano.

As a deity appointed by Rome to oversee the waters and soil of the Mediterranean coast,
Although pigeons often like to float on the Mediterranean Sea like seagulls, they will eventually stay on the shore for a while.

He naturally brought some of the mountains and rivers here under his control.

However, the peninsula where Rome originated has many volcanoes.

These entities, which are more closely connected to the earth than ordinary mountains, bring extraordinary and profound feelings to the spirits that wriggle around on them, intending to communicate deeply with the earth through the opening at the top of the volcano.

in short,
It's so hot that it gives the pigeon a spicy and scalding feeling, as if it were in a hot pot.

Therefore,
Whenever his mitotic brothers laugh at the pigeon for only knowing how to "go to the dock to get some breadcrumbs," the pigeon will tearfully recount how much injustice he has suffered on Roman soil.

When an earthquake strikes...

The pigeons, who had already gritted their teeth and taken Mount Vesuvius into their nests, naturally sensed the surging heat beneath the seemingly peaceful and serene mountain.

Within twenty years, this volcano will surely unleash its fury upon humanity, bringing unparalleled warmth to the lives of its neighbors and merging into the embrace of the earth.

……

"Therefore, I hope you can arrange for the relocation of people from nearby cities, in case something unfortunate happens."

In the luxurious palaces of Rome,

The great wise teacher, who had been invited, was speaking to Augustus, who controlled Rome.

He answered the question that Augustus had previously raised.

unfortunately,

This answer did not satisfy the Roman monarch.

He asked the Great Teacher, "Is this a divine oracle?"

“No,” Yorgos told him, “that is a deduction made with common sense.”

While traveling throughout Rome with his master, he had reached as far as Niapolis.

Because its city was a famously prosperous place in Rome.

Pompeii, not far from Pompeii and even closer to Mount Vesuvius, may not be as bustling and expansive as Niapolis, but its beautiful scenery made it a popular destination for wealthy and powerful people traveling around.

The local residents also enjoyed this peaceful life.
They entertained visiting guests, built magnificent houses, and planted grapes and olives, which the Romans loved, all the way to the waist of the volcano.

The area is rich in volcanic ash, which can provide ample nutrients for crops.

Other than that,

Volcanic ash can also be used in construction.

Simply add water and mix, and you can easily pour a house into a concrete structure.

This made both local and foreign wealthy people in Pompeii fond of climbing mountains for panoramic views, living in brand-new houses, and enjoying fresh grapes picked on the spot.

When Zhao Shen led his disciples past Niapolis and arrived at the scenic Pompeii, they naturally wouldn't miss such tourist attractions.

The old but still vigorous preacher climbed the mountain and then frowned.

Yggdrasil asked the elder the reason.
The old man then gave Yage a lesson in geography—

Thanks to the control of spirits and deities over heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers,

This gave Taoists, who followed the Way of Heaven, a level of knowledge in astronomy and geography that far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Although the martial prowess of the Taiping Dao in Western Qin has led to a decline in their knowledge in this area compared to their fellow Daoists in the Central Plains and Xinxia.

On the one hand,

They are simply not as good as their peers.

on the other hand,

The Way of Peace, relying on the power of ghosts and gods, can exchange many things.

The Taoist priests of the new summer lacked martial virtue, but because of this, they were able to devote more energy to various theories and experiments, writing one book after another on the investigation of things, enlightening people's ignorance, and enabling ordinary people to see more clearly what the world they lived in under the sun really looked like.

For this,

Comrades from Xiqin often say:
"Is this the culmination of your wisdom?"

"it is good!"

"Send it to me later!"

"And slip me some gems while you're at it; I'll exchange them for money."

Therefore,

Zhao Shen was able to tell that the volcano beneath his feet was not as calm as it appeared.

of course,

This is also related to the pigeon that happened to jump out of the crater at that time, covered in charred black fur, and shouting "Hot hot hot!"

nowadays,
Many years after the old man's death, Yege'er, who was once strong enough to ride a horse and lift a heavy tripod, gradually began to feel the erosion of time.

The young child has transformed into a gentle-faced, approachable, and trustworthy elder, seemingly enveloped in a halo of divine light.
But he still has a deep impression of Vesuvius, this very active volcano.

When news of the earthquake reached him, Yageer's first reaction was, "This mountain is going to be blown up!"

Maybe in a few days
Perhaps in a few years
But it will definitely explode.

“Costrabo does not believe the volcano is still alive,” Augustus said, drinking his wine and still rejecting the words of the Great Teacher.

Strapo,

They were descendants of Greeks, born in Beidi Commandery under the rule of Western Qin.

After growing up, he moved to Rome with his parents and obtained Roman citizenship through his education.

Influenced by the culture of his birthplace, Strabo focused on writing history and was one of the scholars who held the position of official historian after Rome established its own bureaucracy. Beyond history, Strabo also possessed extensive geographical knowledge.

He believes that geography influences local customs and traditions, is an integral part of history, and is an important factor in analyzing the origins and development of many things.

This contributed significantly to the Roman Empire's rule over the Mediterranean.

Because its territory was isolated by the sea, Rome was a latecomer in terms of civilization.

Therefore, the ethnic groups and civilizations under its rule were extremely diverse.

Strabo traveled around the Mediterranean, recording the history of each province from a geographical perspective, enabling the rulers of Rome to manage the local people from a more comprehensive viewpoint.

He was therefore commended by Augustus and became a famous scholar in Rome.

When this wise man arrived in Pompeii and climbed Mount Vesuvius, he asserted, based on his experience, that it was a volcano that had already lost its life.

It has absolutely no chance of erupting!

"Besides, do you know how much the residents in the neighborhood long for me?"

Earthquakes inevitably bring disasters.
The quelling of the disaster requires not only time, but also a large amount of money and manpower.

After being influenced by the teachings of the Chinese,
Each Augustus in history made his own efforts to centralize power.

The "Holy Family" envisioned by the first monarch, Octavian, was passed down to Alexius, who became the current Augustus.

Standing on the shoulders of his ancestors, and given that Alexius was not a dull or incompetent man,
The power in his hands has reached a new peak.

The Senate was a wine glass under his brilliance, existing only to please Augustus;
The Janissaries were the scepter he held tightly in his hand, wielded only by the monarch's conquests.

Corresponding,

The nation's vital tax revenue was also forged into his hands by the sun.

Without Augustus's permission,

The money used for repairing the disaster-stricken areas could not possibly have flowed out of the national treasury.

This resulted in a flood of requests for funding from officials in Pompeii, Niagara, and other places appearing on Augustus's desk.

They said with absolute certainty:
"Once the city is repaired, everything will be better than before!"

The earthquake will not affect Rome's prosperity.
Like the sunshine above them, they are always bright and radiant.

result,

Someone actually said to Augustus, who was calculating how much money he would spend, "It's no use building it. It will be a waste if it gets blown up after a while. It would be better to choose a site to build a new city and relocate the people."
If it weren't for the fact that the Way of Peace is indeed quite something...

Alexius himself had experienced that magical dream, in which he was praised and embraced by Octavian's ancestor. He would never have met this great wise teacher who was leading a group of Chinese people to dig at the foundation of the Roman wall along the Rhône River!
What happens after death can be discussed after death.
As the monarch of the mortal realm, he needs to be responsible for his rule and his people!

"Unless you can give me a definitive divine revelation."

“Otherwise, this won’t convince me, nor will it convince the residents of those cities.”

Augustus looked into the eyes of the man before him and said.

Yacob thought of the spirits who had committed the sin of sloth, and of the Western people's fervor for worship, which far surpassed that of the Chinese gentlemen. He felt it was better not to heed Augustus's advice.

The Way of Peace has developed to this day,

It is already a top-tier organization in the world.

Even the Great Teacher needs to be chosen and approved by God to have sufficient assurance in virtue and wisdom.

But what about the people below?

Temptations always exist, and the Taiping Dao is not without its flaws and dark history.

While he was preaching, he was often worried that after his death, people's hearts would collapse and then the influence of the Way of Peace would cause great destruction.

After all, Westerners always need to believe in something to survive.

With its excellent doctrines and reliance on spirits and deities, it was inevitable that the Way of Peace would spread widely in the West.

But as the forest grows larger, so too will the number of birds and insects increase.

What if our worries come true?
We can't just expel someone from the Daoist order as soon as we find someone with problems, in order to ensure the sanctity of the Taiping Dao, can we?

Do that.
The Taoist priests were indeed flawless and immaculate.

But wouldn't all the dirty water that's poured out end up splashing onto ordinary people?

Therefore,
A miracle was performed.

Converting a monarch into a fanatical follower of the Way of Peace was not in line with Yacob's ideas.

Faith is a beautiful thing.
It should guide people in a better direction, not give ambitious people the opportunity to manipulate their hearts.

"...Why doesn't Your Majesty go there and see for yourself?"

At last,
This is what Yggdrasil said to Augustus.

The monarch sitting before him possessed boundless energy.

In order to establish the authority of the central government and increase personal prestige,
After hearing about the deeds of some of the Chinese rulers, Alexius also developed a love for touring the regions.

Traveling by boat along the coastline is much easier and more convenient than traveling by car.

During his inspection tours, he could see firsthand what was happening under his jurisdiction, hear the voices of the people, and directly bestow his benevolence upon the common people. With his deep and moving voice, he could drown out the inducements of opponents and ambitious individuals.

Upon hearing of the disaster in the region, the monarch personally went to offer his condolences...

What could be more touching and heartwarming for the locals?
Moreover, Pompeii is located near the bay, and the roads are generally straight when traveling by land.

It was not difficult for Augustus to get there.

"...I agree to your request."

After considering it for a few days,

Augustus gave the Great Teacher a reply.

immediately,

He arrived in Pompeii, escorted by the Praetorian Guard.

The great Augustus, like the sun, gave boundless warmth to the local people who had just experienced suffering.

Countless people were moved to tears when they saw him.

Augustus's hardened heart was almost melted by it. He decided to stop hesitating and allocate funds directly to repair and improve the damaged city in front of him.

Fortunately, he calmed down in time.

Accompanied by Yggdrasil,
He also climbed Mount Vesuvius, which had turned over and fallen asleep again, to observe whether it was dead or alive, and to consider the possibility that it might one day rise up and throw a party in the surrounding cities.

……

"You said this volcano will erupt in ten or twenty years, is that true?"

"Anyway, based on my experience in Japan, that's how it is."

"Wouldn't everyone in this city have to be cast into models on the spot?"

"Heh, although I've never had the chance to see it in person before, haven't you seen any footage of Pompeii? The one of that craftsman!"

"And what about that couple embracing each other!"

"That's something for the future; it hasn't happened yet!"

When Augustus changed into simple clothes and, accompanied by his guards, "incidentally visited the common people,"
He suddenly overheard a group of people talking.

He looked up and saw that they were several people from the Xia people.

They were untouched by the dust of travel, and the shimmering silk seemed out of place in Pompeii, whose dark colors had not yet faded.

The surrounding empty streets should not be a place for them to appear.

Because this is the area most severely affected by the disaster, the houses are still in ruins, and the original residents are gathered on the other side of the city, waiting for relief.

If you weren't looking for the specific extent of the disaster and the local officials' response,
Augustus would not come here either.

"Go and see!"

The puzzled monarch gave instructions to his subordinates.

He was quite a distance away from those people.

at this time,

His group was being concealed by a section of remaining wall, while the enemy was heading into a well-preserved alleyway.

The guards obediently ran over, trying to catch up with the group of Chinese.

But when he arrived at the short, narrow, collapsed alleyway that was impassable, he did not find his target.

(End of this chapter)