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Chapter 187 Tokyo's Number One Building (Part 1)
Longjin Bridge spans the Cai River and is located on the north-south central axis of Tokyo City. It is only a few hundred steps away from the majestic and solemn Zhuque Gate of the inner city.

The riverside teahouse that Li Yi chose happened to be located in the southeast corner of the bridgehead. The oily, carved wooden windows were half-open, and the river breeze, carrying dampness and a faint scent of tung oil and river mud, quietly drifted into the room.

Li Yi and Luo Yanhuan sat facing each other, drinking tea and chatting occasionally, but the conversation gradually faded away.

He frequently glanced out the window, taking in the view of the river: barges crisscrossed the water, their prows following one after another, weaving through the slightly bluish surface. The long, intermittent shouts of the boatmen drifted across the misty water, sounding somewhat distorted and ethereal.

The sacks and containers, fully loaded, were piled up like mountains on both sides of the boat, making the hull draft extremely deep. The dark gunwales were almost level with the flowing water, vividly depicting the lifeline of the canal transport.

Through this window, a slight shift in gaze reveals a shop not far from the teahouse—a faded white banner bearing the character "Li" hangs listlessly in the lingering morning mist.

That was the breakfast shop that Guo used to run. It wasn't a big shop, but it was right next to the bustling riverbank. The steaming heat and the noise of the diners seemed to still echo in my ears.

Since Li Yi bought it last year, the doors have been locked and it has remained empty and quiet ever since, like an abandoned old dream in this corner of the bridge where the city is gradually coming to life.

Although only a little over a year has passed, the sense of disorientation that welled up in Li Yi's heart as he sat in the teahouse and looked at the now-closed shop felt as distant as a past life.

Back then, he never dreamed that he would be in such a situation today, rising from a nobody in a chaotic world to a prominent figure in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty and even the whole world.

The world is full of ups and downs, and fortunes can change in an instant. It is just like the ever-flowing river in front of us, sometimes turbulent and sometimes unpredictable. And he, Li Yi, is like a fish swimming through the waves... Perhaps there will really be a day when he will leap over the dragon gate.
The tea on the table had long lost its rising heat, becoming lukewarm and murky in the rough earthenware bowl. A layer of undispersed, mushy residue settled at the bottom of the bowl, like condensed thoughts.

Seeing that Li Yi seemed lost in thought, Luo Yanhuan immediately understood. Without making a sound, he reached out, picked up the bowl of lukewarm tea in front of him, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

“Commander Li…” Luo Yanhuan put down the empty bowl, stood up tactfully, and his movements carried a hint of a martial artist’s straightforwardness.

He clasped his hands in a deep bow, paused for a moment, and waited for Li Yi's gaze to turn to him before continuing, "This humble general has already troubled you for a long time, and dares not linger any longer to delay Commander Li's important business. I shall take my leave now."

Li Yi nodded slightly and said, "Just go back and focus on recovering from your injuries. As for your future job... I dare not boast that it will allow you to rise to the top, but it will be much better than staying in the government office as an insignificant military inspector. Your future prospects are much brighter."

Upon hearing this, Luo Yanhuan bowed deeply again and said firmly, "To be favored by Commander Li is the greatest fortune of my life. I, Luo Yanhuan, may not have any other skills, but I believe I do have some courage and strength. From now on, as long as Commander Li gives the word, even if it means braving mountains of knives and seas of fire... I will not hesitate!"

Li Yi noticed the burning intensity in Luo Yanhuan's eyes, which he was trying to suppress, and knew that the other party's words were somewhat of a declaration of loyalty.

Normally speaking, it would be somewhat taboo for someone to pledge allegiance to him, a general of the Imperial Guard... However, in the chaotic Five Dynasties period, one cannot follow normal rules. In those days, dynasties changed too quickly, and the only constant was the status of military men.

In particular, the Imperial Guards of Tokyo have seen a succession of emperors over the past decade or so, but the generals who have served through several dynasties have rarely been affected.

Even though Chai Rong vigorously reorganized the Imperial Guard last year and promoted a large number of young and middle-aged men to higher positions, most of them had been in the military for many years.
The personal dependence among generals, the formation of cliques and factions, and the intricate web of interests made these problems difficult to eradicate.

As the saying goes, the world is bustling with people because of profit, and the world is bustling with people because of profit.

Affection is the bond that maintains relationships, while interests are the bargaining chips that solidify these relationships. Only when both are present can the connections between people become closer.

If you want everyone to work for you wholeheartedly, you have to give them something to look forward to. Who doesn't join the army and risk their life for a better future, wealth, and honor?
For Luo Yanhuan, Li Yi was his mentor, willing to help him, and had a dazzling record, so he was naturally someone he could pledge his loyalty to.

As for the general trend of the world and the will of the people... it's useless to talk about sentiments with these warriors who risk their lives on the battlefield.

Just like in history, when the powerful emperor Chai Rong died, who in the Imperial Guard would take the young emperor who lived deep in the palace seriously?
You have neither strong prestige nor can you bring benefits to the people, so what does it matter if you are the emperor!
"I will retire at the end."

Li Yi watched as Luo Yanhuan stepped out of the teahouse, and the figure leaning on a cane quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Without further delay, he casually took out a silver coin from his waist pouch and slapped it onto the gleaming black table, producing a deep, crisp sound.

“We should go too.” Li Yi took the lead and stepped out of the threshold. Behind him, Xu Sheng, with several personal guards, followed in single file.

The guards waiting outside saw Li Yi emerge from the teahouse and quickly led his horse forward.

"Let's not ride horses anymore, let's just walk along the Longjin River," Li Yi waved his hand.

Before long, a group of personal guards, dressed in ordinary clothes but unable to conceal their fierce spirit, led their horses and followed Li Yi along the riverbank, like a steady undercurrent merging into the bustling city noise and traffic.

……

On the banks of the Longjin River after the snow, thin layers of unmelted ice still remained on the bluestone path.

Li Yi tightened his fox fur cloak and trudged forward on the crunching ice. Several ice floes floated on the river, shimmering with an orange-red glow in the morning sun, and the distant calls of merchant ships docking echoed. Currently, there are four main rivers flowing through the city of Tokyo.

The Bian River was the main waterway for grain transport, running east-west through the entire capital. It flowed from the West Water Gate through the outer city to the inner city, then through the Zhou Bridge on the central axis, and out through the corner gate of the inner city. At the Qian Street in the east of the outer city, it forked, with each branch exiting the city through the East Water Gate and the Upper Water Gate.

The Wuzhang River and the Cai River are located in the north and south of the capital city, respectively. The Wuzhang River flows through the outer city to the north and exits through the northeast water gate.

The Cai River is shaped like a U. It flows from the Cai River Upper Water Gate in the south of the city, through the New Gate of the Inner City, then makes a 90-degree turn to the Longjin Bridge south of the Zhuque Gate, and then flows straight to the corner gate in the southeast of the Inner City, where it makes another 90-degree turn and exits the city from the Cai River Lower Water Gate in the south of the city.

As for the last Jinshui River, it is much shorter than the previous three. It only passes through the outer city from the northwest water gate, then through the Jinshui gate of the inner city to the north of the imperial city, where it flows into the Jinshui Pool in the rear garden of the imperial city. Finally, it flows back to the Jinshui gate along the waterway outside the imperial city, forming a complete cycle.

Interestingly, the section of the Cai River that flows east and west of the Zhuque Gate is often referred to as the Longjin River by the people of Tokyo. As for when this name originated, no one knows.

However, it is precisely for this reason that the bridge that runs through the Zhuque Gate on the central axis is named Longjin Bridge.

As Li Yi passed the breakfast stall, he paused for a moment. His gaze swept over the dusty windowpane, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly—

This breakfast stall holds many memories of his early days in Tokyo, and it was here that his last direct blood relative...his older brother, passed away.

Deep within my heart, a dull ache unexpectedly spread, slowly and heavily pounding against my chest. Time has passed, yet the memory remains as vivid as yesterday's frost.

Li Yi still remembers that it was in this simple little shop that he held his brother's hands before he died.

With his last breath, the elder brother struggled to breathe, his eyes following his somber face with pain and despair. He tried to say something, but in the end, he could only move his lips silently and futilely a few times, unable to utter a single clear word... and then, it was goodbye forever!

Non-vegetation, ruthless Practice makes perfect?
Li Yi is a rather sentimental person. When he transmigrated to this chaotic world, his initial wish was simply to make a name for himself and let his family live a good life with him.

At that time, he did not have much ambition, nor did he harbor any illusions that "historical responsibility rests on my shoulders." He simply pursued wealth and honor.

Today, his achievements have far exceeded initial expectations and will surely leave a significant mark on history.

But he could no longer share this honor with his parents and brothers, and he inevitably felt a strange regret in his heart... The most easily overlooked yet most precious thing in the world is family affection.

However, the breakfast stall that holds Li Yi's memories of the past is also about to disappear. As the construction of the outer city has extended to the Longjin Bridge area, these shops located along the river will be demolished and rebuilt to replace the previous chaotic layout.

The shop that Li Yi bought is among them.

In fact, the officials in charge of the demolition had privately asked Li Yi whether the breakfast shop should be preserved after learning that it belonged to him.

But naturally, Li Yi selflessly declared: Just demolish it!
He did consider using his power for personal gain to keep the shop, but after careful consideration, he ultimately abandoned the idea.

Li Yi closed his eyes, as if trying to force the surging, churning sorrow back into the depths of his eyes. When he opened them again, his eyes were like a deep, ancient well, filled only with an unfathomable calmness.

He looked away, no longer gazing at the old door that held so many memories. His jaw tightened slightly, and he took another step, each step resounding on the stone path of reality, walking straight ahead.

People should always look forward; the deceased can only be remembered.

Li Yi also had family members he cherished—his wife, Madam Fu, and their unborn child, his nominal sister-in-law, Madam Guo, his two newly acquired concubines, and even his maternal uncle's family, who were related by blood.

For the sake of these living people, he needs to move forward steadily step by step. He is the pillar of this family, and also their shelter from the wind and rain.

Li Yi couldn't help but think of Zheng Renhui, who had passed away. No matter how respected he was while he was alive, once he was gone, all that remained was an empty reputation.

Now, Zheng's eldest son, thanks to his father's favor, has obtained a leisurely job, which is certainly much better than that of ordinary people.

However, the Zheng family's decline was only a matter of time...

Li Yi knew that he could not be satisfied with the status quo. He needed to put in more effort, keep climbing, and strive towards that unknown end.

Right now, he does have something very important to do.

(End of this chapter)