The Great Seminary

Chapter 257 The Strategic Advantages of Southeast China
After the grand court assembly of the True Dragon Kingdom, half of the flying metal craftsmen from the Heavenly Gang's "Heavenly Craftsmanship" arrived at Shangshi Shijing and began to expand the capital of the True Dragon Kingdom.

The other half began constructing fortresses and customs houses on the east and south sides of True Dragon Island, in all artificial or natural harbors except for New World Sea City and Blackwood Town.

The government will continue the policy of "closed-door isolation" as decided during the Grand Assembly.

Zhang Gui, the instigator of these two incidents, leisurely returned to the Eastern Continent.

He rode the flower dragon beast that Zhen Ciyun had given him.

Alone, I traveled a thousand miles in one night, head down, rushing along the wide, open thoroughfares.

Arriving just before the evening of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, outside the main city of the southern border region of the Ming and Song Empire, which is also the only capital city today, 'Jinlingdu'...

Actually, if it weren't for the fact that, according to folk custom, on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, my aunt's married cousins ​​would bring their husbands and children to my house to make a scene.

Zhang Gui will definitely accompany his mother to watch the lanterns on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month before setting off on her long journey.

However, Tsuneo Doge herself felt that her in-laws were 'honored guests'.

In case the family visits early on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.

It was incredibly embarrassing when my son happened to be leaving right then and there.

It would be better to hide away and avoid each other altogether.

Anyway, important people have always been busy, so they can easily find an excuse.

It is said that Zhang Gui, as a general of the Dragon and Tiger Army, must "conduct a troop inspection" after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to restore the daily training routine in the camp;
Or, as a feudal lord who possesses a small but complete fiefdom, he must reopen his office on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month to host a banquet for his capable subordinates and win their hearts.

Etc., etc.

In short, as long as it's acceptable on the surface, even if everyone knows it's an excuse, no one will care...

that's it.

In order to escape the noise and, incidentally, to fulfill the promise made to Zhen Ciyun in a moment of madness—to visit the Zhen family of Jinling Flower Fish—...

Zhang Gui changed the location where he originally planned to celebrate the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

Gazing at the magnificent city walls in the distance.

I couldn't help but click my tongue.

In his mind, he held the name 'Jinlingdu', a former capital of the Ming and Song dynasties built hundreds of years ago, which for a very long period of time actually had no corresponding political status.

I compared it with my imagined expanded True Dragon Kingdom, 'Killing Angshi Corpse Capital'.

He couldn't help but mutter to himself:
"Alas, no matter how big an island is, it's still just an island."

Originally, I thought the giant snake head—oops, oops, even though True Dragon Island is only a little over 100,000 square kilometers in area—was a huge snake head.

However, due to the ancient Western divine power that transformed the land, 99% of it became fertile paddy fields.

With full development, based on the current grain harvest, it can definitely feed 250 million people.

If we add the support of a developed marine fishing industry, then adding another 40 to 50 million people would not be a problem.

Based on this carrying capacity, I worked tirelessly for three whole years, but I still didn't even fill one-fiftieth of the maximum population of True Dragon Island.

This is truly a land blessed by heaven!
Unfortunately, the spirit of a small country is ultimately weak.

'Giant Wolf Capital' is the undisputed premier capital of Dongsheng Continent. We dare not compare ourselves to it, nor will we attempt to.

Even a mere 'Jinling Capital' that was abandoned by the Ming and Song empires for hundreds of years possessed such a strategic advantage.

That's just so pathetic.

As he muttered to himself, the flower dragon beast beneath him walked steadily on its own.

We arrived at the city gate of Jinlingdu.

Although the Ming and Song dynasties were already in their twilight years, one could still look into the city through the gate that was over a hundred feet wide.

It still exudes a luxurious atmosphere of "burning oil over a blazing fire and brocade-like splendor".

Combined with the magnificent view of the three rivers converging outside the gate.

It's as if one is instantly transported back to the glorious era when Zhao Zhusha, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, held power in Jinling and commanded respect from all sides.

As Zhang Gui was peeking around and thinking, a hand suddenly patted his shoulder.

Zhang Gui turned around in surprise and saw a thin, small face made up by a loose, snow-white Taoist robe, but with beautiful eyebrows.

"Hey, Zhen Shijing, what are you doing here?"

"You, a native of Siyang County, whose hometown is thousands of miles away, can come to Jinling to celebrate the festival."

"Am I, a native of Jinling, not good enough?" Zhen Shijing retorted. Zhang Gui thought to himself, "So what if I'm a native of Jinling?"

If it weren't for a group of newly adopted snobbish relatives forcing me to 'run away from home,' I wouldn't even bother coming here.

But he just smiled and casually said, "That's right, I was wrong. Go play."

Zhen Shijing seemed not to have heard Zhang Gui's words and asked again:

Why don't you go into town?

From the twelfth lunar month to the first lunar month, Jinling doesn't check border gates, so even if you want to hide your identity, it won't be a problem.

"This is my first time in Jinling, and I want to take a good look at this magnificent city!"

Behind Zhen Shijing was a group of companions who had come to Jinlingdu City to celebrate the lantern festival.

Seeing her chatting with Zhang Gui, some people curiously approached.

Looking Zhang Gui up and down, he interjected with a grin:
"Young man, the beauty of Jinling City isn't outside the city walls; the main hall inside is the real gem."

Zhang Gui shook his head, pointed ahead, and said loudly:

"The southeast of this city is a strategically important location."

There is a word cloud:
The confluence of three rivers has been a prosperous place since ancient times, with willows and painted bridges, wind-blown curtains and emerald screens, and thousands of houses scattered about.

Clouds and trees encircle the sandy embankment, raging waves roll like frost and snow, the natural barrier stretches endlessly.

Though the lakes stretch for miles, lotus leaves abound, the reed pipes play in the clear weather, and the water chestnut songs float on the night, yet none of them can compare to the sight of ten thousand boats embracing Gao Ya!

Jinling was built here, and the navy was encouraged.

Even a million-strong cavalryman from Yuanshan could sweep away the enemy with a single charge if they went downstream!
Thinking back to when Zhao Zhusha established his capital here, he considered defeat before victory, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Ming and Song dynasties.

Taking a step back to advance—how brilliant!

Truly a great and heroic ruler!
There's a better place out there.

In a little while, I shall drink a great toast to this.

"Dear Miss Jing Shi, and my friends, I must take my leave now."

After that, he urged his flower dragon beast to gallop away and disappeared into the capital city of Jinling.

"Where did this scholar come from? His poetry is quite good, and he seems to have some knowledge."

The most stubborn and out of touch with reality are those born at the wrong time.

It's such a pity.

"He is the golden son-in-law chosen by my sister. He is eighteen years old this year, but he is already a sixth-rank extraordinary person in the 'Bingzhong' category."

"The bloodline and spirit clusters can transform into true form."

"Is this really the Stone Corpse Prince, General Dragon Tiger?"

That would be quite interesting.

Sister Ciyun is indeed extraordinary; she uses gentleness to overcome strength. She has excellent judgment and skill.

"Just now we were saying that people were born at the wrong time, but now it's 'quite interesting'."

Chen He'er, you change so quickly.

"How have I changed?"

Even for ordinary people, including scions of prestigious families, in this era of great competition, if they cannot adapt to the changing circumstances, no matter how good their poetry is.

That Eternal Heaven doesn't really care about this.

As for having a lot of experience, unless you reach the pinnacle, that's about it.

But he is a young powerhouse with his own strength.

Adding literary talent and insightful knowledge to make it even more remarkable.

Competing with martial prowess and enriched by literary skills, they complement each other perfectly, making them truly outstanding.

Upon hearing this, Zhen Shijing glared fiercely at her best friend.
"Chen He'er, you are really quite pragmatic. Be honest."

My sister is practicing spiritual cultivation at home right now, and she'll come to meet us in a little while.

"Don't speak so rudely then."

(End of this chapter)