His Highness the Madman gave in again today.

Feng Xingyu was sleeping soundly.

Mo Sangyu called out several times, but he didn't respond.

She remembered, but he held her tightly and wouldn't let go.

In his sleep, he seemed to sense that she wanted to leave, and kept frowning until she obediently let him hold her, at which point he calmed down again.

Helpless, Mo Sangyu had no choice but to close her eyes and stay with him as he continued to sleep.

The next day.

Both of them had rested well and were full of energy.

I got up early in the morning and had just finished eating when a scout came to report.

"Lord, Madam, the army has stormed in."

Feng Xingyu put down his chopsticks: "How is the situation?"

"Apart from the Canglang tribe, which still shows some resistance, the others are not very strong. They originally planned to unite against them, but when they saw our 20,000 troops, they knew they had no chance of winning. At this moment, Strategist Gu is negotiating with them."

Feng Xingyu nodded: "Understood, you may leave."

The scouts withdrew.

Mo Sangyu looked at Feng Xingyu: "Mr. Gu acted quite quickly."

"He's always been like that."

Feng Xingyu took her hand: "Let's go, let's go take a look."

The two rode forward on horseback.

Chu Canglan and Yan Xu will remain in the Black Stone Tribe for the time being.

Ya Zi didn't come along this time either.

Feng Xingyu and Mo Sangyu moved quickly, arriving at the open area where the army was pressing in less than an hour.

When they arrived, they saw several tribal leaders and elders gathered together, their expressions varied.

There was fear, resentment, and hesitation.

Gu Jinzhi stood in the middle, dressed in a refined blue robe, speaking in a calm tone.

"As long as you all submit, Youdu City will never drive you away or make things difficult for you without reason. This grassland will still be your home. Moreover, Youdu City will set up a trade market here in the future, introducing grain seeds, farm tools, cloth, and medicinal herbs, so that the furs, cattle, sheep, and horses of the grassland can be traded more smoothly."

His gaze swept over the crowd, his voice deep and authoritative.

"For the time being, no outsiders will be appointed to manage this area. We will select capable and virtuous individuals from among yourselves. The only condition is that you must drink the 'Loyalty' potion to show your unwavering loyalty."

The leaders looked at each other and whispered among themselves.

At this moment, someone saw Feng Xingyu and Mo Sangyu walking over.

Gu Jinzhi then introduced them: "These two are the city lord of Youdu City and his wife, who will be your lords from now on."

Everyone's attention immediately focused on it.

Feng Xingyu remained calm, merely nodding slightly.

Mo Sangyu stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly spoke, "What Military Advisor Gu said is the sincerity of Youdu City. In addition, I have something else to announce."

Everyone looked at her.

"Youdu City will fund the construction of a highway that connects Youdu City directly to the grassland tribes."

Her voice was clear and composed, reaching everyone's ears distinctly.

Even Gu Jinzhi, Yuan Zhao, and Han Chong looked at her together.

Highway?

That sounds very novel.

Feng Xingyu also turned to look at Mo Sangyu, but he didn't interrupt her, waiting for her to continue.

Mo Sangyu continued, "Once this road is completed, travel between Youdu City and the grasslands will be safer and more convenient. The speed of travel will increase by at least five times."

A chorus of exclamations and murmurs immediately erupted from below.

Five times the speed?

That means that caravan trade, the transport of goods, and the transmission of information will all undergo tremendous changes.

"certainly."

Mo Sangyu changed the subject: "After this road is completed, it will be an official road. Passing vehicles will need to pay a reasonable fee to maintain the road and ensure safety along the way. Both the exit and the entrance will be strictly registered. The specific details will be announced to the public after they are agreed upon."

Everyone was taken aback at first, then nodded in agreement.

Charging a fee is appropriate; such a massive project and maintenance cannot be completely free.

As long as the cost is reasonable, this would be a fantastic thing for the grasslands.

With this road, the grasslands will no longer be isolated, and their connection with the outside world will be infinitely strengthened, bringing immeasurable benefits.

Crucially, safety is also guaranteed.

The leaders, who had initially been hesitant and dissatisfied, now had a gleam in their eyes.

"The city lord is wise, and the lady is farsighted!"

Someone shouted first, and the others followed suit, bowing in agreement.

I am completely convinced.

Seeing this, Gu Jinzhi smiled slightly and said to Yuan Zhao and Han Chong beside him, "Tell Doctor Luo to prepare the medicine. Have all the chiefs call all the people in their tribes to come and take the medicine in line. Women and children in the common people do not need to take the medicine."

What happened next was a natural progression.

I was busy for three days straight.

Subjugating tribes, integrating population, inventorying resources, arranging subsequent management... there are countless tasks to be done.

Gu Jinzhi was extremely busy, but everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

Three days later, the various tribes on the grasslands had basically stabilized.

Those who are willing to submit have all pledged "loyalty" and are now under the jurisdiction of Youdu City.

Mo Sangyu has been busy these past few days. He and Feng Xingyu did not return to the Black Stone Tribe, but instead stayed in the temporary camp set up by the army.

The idea of ​​the highway was something she came up with on a whim, but it was indeed feasible. Since she had already brought it up, she began to plan it out.

However, this is a huge project.

She had herdsmen and caravan guides from the grasslands who were familiar with the terrain and routes found.

Inquire in detail about the terrain, water sources, and potential natural obstacles along the route from Youdu City to the heart of the grasslands and then to the various regular routes.

Seeing her so busy, Feng Xingyu felt a pang of sympathy: "Road repair is a major undertaking, time-consuming and labor-intensive. Just delegate it to the subordinates; why do it all yourself?"

Mo Sangyu was hunched over a makeshift long table, sketching a route on rough parchment with a charcoal pencil.

Upon hearing this, she replied without looking up, "This road is not just a road, it's a chain."

Feng Xingyu walked to her side and looked down at the crisscrossing lines.

"chain?"

"Um."

Mo Sangyu put down his pen and pointed to several key points on the parchment: "Once the roads are open, the flow of people, goods, and information will be unimpeded."

She turned to look at him and patiently explained, "If you want to get rich, build roads first."

Feng Xingyu listened attentively.

"By controlling the main entrances and exits, post stations, and checkpoints along this route, we have effectively strangled the throat connecting the grasslands with the outside world. We can know their needs quickly, and their intentions are also closely watched."

Mo Sangyu's eyes lit up when she talked about these things.

"Compared to military suppression, binding them to our war machine with benefits and convenience is more secure and less troublesome."

Feng Xingyu's gaze fell on her face. After looking at her for a moment, he suddenly raised his hand and gently wiped away a bit of charcoal ash that had accidentally gotten on her cheek with his fingertips.

"You're thinking very far ahead," he said in a low voice.

Mo Sangyu was quite pleased with his sudden closeness, and she smiled, "We should have thought long-term, otherwise what's the point of conquering it, just to use it as decoration?"

"Yes, that makes sense."

"Moreover, this road is just the beginning. In the future, every time we conquer a piece of territory or capture a city, we will build a highway like this to connect and link all the land that belongs to us, forming a solid, powerful, and impregnable fortress."

Feng Xingyu felt her blood boil just listening to her.

He hugged Mo Sangyu tightly from behind: "Yu'er, how fortunate I am to have met you in this lifetime."

Mo Sangyu: "..."

The topic changed so suddenly she almost didn't react.

What did Feng Xingyu call her?

It feels so strange.

However, Mo Sangyu did not refute him. She turned away from his embrace, put her arms around his neck, and replied, "I'm quite lucky too. I like my current life, and... people."

Feng Xingyu was stunned.

She said she likes...does she like him?

"Alright, let's get down to business."

After Mo Sangyu finished speaking, she pushed him away without caring whether he understood or not, and continued doing her own thing.

Feng Xingyu chuckled to himself for a while, then didn't bother her anymore.

He walked aside to attend to his military affairs, but his gaze kept drifting to the focused figure at the desk.

Two more days later, the basic route plan and preliminary budget finally took shape.

Mo Sangyu handed a thick stack of records and sketches to Gu Jinzhi.

After reviewing the document, Gu Jinzhi couldn't hide his surprise: "Madam's thinking is thorough. There are many details that I hadn't even considered, especially the establishment of post stations along the way, which serve multiple purposes such as supply, protection, and communication. It's a win-win situation."

The most ingenious part is that this road is closed.

However, this means that we will need more and more manpower in the future.

"This is just a preliminary idea."

Mo Sangyu said, "For specific implementation, you will need to lead people to conduct on-site surveys and refine the plan. The project is massive and cannot be accomplished in a day. It can be carried out in stages, starting with opening up the main trunk lines."

"Understood."

Gu Jinzhi carefully put the package away: "I will personally oversee this matter."

After finishing their business, Gu Jinzhi hesitated for a moment, then looked at Feng Xingyu: "Master, I have something to discuss with you."

Feng Xingyu, who was engrossed in military affairs, looked up at Gu Jinzhi and said, "Speak."

Gu Jinzhi rubbed his hands together, a bitter look on his face: "Look, sir, we just pacified this grassland, and now the road construction is on the agenda. There's integration, management, construction... one thing after another. I'm so busy every day that I'm exhausted. Even an ox wouldn't be as tired as me."

Feng Xingyu: "...So?"

"So, could you... find me another helper? I don't need someone super capable, just someone who can help me out a bit. I'm almost thirty, and I haven't even had time to get married yet. You can't bear to see me grow old alone, can you?"

That's making it sound so serious.

Mo Sangyu couldn't help but frown as he listened.

Mr. Gu is thirty years old?

That's true. It's normal to feel resentful if you're thirty and still unmarried.

Feng Xingyu put down his pen, a barely perceptible curve appearing at the corner of his lips: "Understood."

He picked up the teacup beside him, took a sip, and said in a calm tone, "I'll keep an eye out. If you have any suitable candidates, you can recommend them."

Gu Jinzhi's eyes lit up; this was exactly what she had been waiting for.

"There is indeed a candidate."

He immediately replied, "I know, Your Majesty, we're preparing to attack the Iron River Kingdom next, aren't we?"

Feng Xingyu nodded: "Mm."

"Have you heard of Chu Tianxiong, the invincible general of the Iron River Kingdom?" Gu Jinzhi asked.

"I've heard a bit about him. What, you've taken a liking to him?"