Chapter 1164

During this period, the Imperial Flow Fluid had come four more times. The Panlong Wasteland was even more vibrant, and the golden fields on both sides of the road were boundless, just waiting for a harvest.

Passing by the Tianhe Plain, He Lingchuan found that the autumn meadows had turned into golden fields, high and vast.

The dogs of the herdsmen still recognized him, wagging their tails as they dashed over, barking around the horse's hooves.

It was said that there had been several heavy rainstorms in the past six months, and several new rivers had appeared on the plains, winding and turning, silky and azure, injecting infinite vitality into the grassland.

The ecology on the wasteland had completely changed.

Swish, swish, two swallows skimmed over the tips of the long grass, chasing insects that had become increasingly sluggish after the arrival of autumn.

He Lingchuan stopped for a long time, his gaze unable to move away from the oil painting-like scenery. Having seen the "ten fields, nine barren" reality of the Bo Nation, everything before his eyes was truly refreshing.

This was his second hometown, and it had already become better and better.

On the way back to Panlongcheng, he also discovered two new cities under construction on the wasteland.

Near the large lake where he often watered his horses, several hundred large tents had been set up, with herds of cattle and sheep.

This was a... tribe? He Lingchuan and his party specifically went in to look around; it happened to be market day, and it was bustling with noise and excitement, with supply and demand both thriving. They also filled a skin bag with warm milk, which they could drink as they walked.

Fragrant, it was truly fragrant.

Hu Min clicked his tongue in wonder: "We only left for half a year, right? How did the wasteland change so much?"

As he spoke, several loud, long sounds like a steam whistle came from not far away.

He Lingchuan thought someone had blown a horn, but the children in the market cheered: "The elephants are coming, let's go out and see the elephants!"

Elephants?

Menban scratched his head: "Wait, did the Panlong Wasteland originally have these things?"

They had all been wasteland patrols, wandering this land all day long, but at that time, let alone elephants, they hadn't even seen a single elephant hair or footprint.

He Lingchuan followed the crowd out and indeed saw a group of behemoths coming toward the lake.

"Wasteland Elephants!"

This kind of creature was very similar to the mammoths, or woolly elephants, he had seen in picture books in another world; they were two sizes larger than ordinary elephants, with light brown fur, striped patterns on the surface, and four tusks curving forward like spears, exceptionally fierce.

About fifty wasteland elephants were like fifty moving mountains of meat.

As soon as they approached, they blocked the scenery behind them completely.

Beijia had a White Elephant Nation, and He Lingchuan had also seen elephant demons in Lingxu City; before they went into battle, they would add spiked sleeves or rakes to their long tusks, which had great lethality against cavalry and infantry.

Of course, this group of elephants strolled over looking very gentle.

The two female elephants walking at the very front had somewhat white fur, obviously the elder leaders. They gave low-voiced orders, and the herd avoided the humans and livestock to go to the lake to drink water.

The children ran around the herd, and they didn't care. Two young elephants wanted to play with the children but were called back by their elders.

The "young elephants" were also a zhang tall; what if they accidentally stepped on a human child? A man nearby laughed: "These wasteland elephants come over to drink water every day."

It seemed the tribal humans and the giant elephants were living in peace; otherwise, the atmosphere wouldn't be so harmonious.

He Lingchuan turned his head and asked him: "May I ask, where are you people from?"

"We are the Bitter Bamboo tribe." This man had dark skin and was short but sturdy, with the distinct characteristics of this tribe. "We migrated from the south to build a new city here. Once it's built, we will move into the city to live."

The south?

The southern countries?

Alo said in surprise: "Was this done with the permission of Panlongcheng?"

"That goes without saying. If the host didn't accept us, how could we have come over?" The man pointed to the herd, "They are the same."

Yes, with Panlongcheng's control over the wasteland, if it didn't allow it, let alone this group of elephants, even Zhu Xiuer wouldn't be able to stay.

The next morning, He Lingchuan finally returned to Panlongcheng.

Passing by the South Gate, he was surprised to find that the swarm of Three-Corpse Insects that originally wandered in the Wengcheng was gone! Looking up now, it was empty and there was nothing there.

Others couldn't see the Three-Corpse Insects, but He Lingchuan knew they had always been an important reliance for Panlongcheng's external defense, capable of screening those who harbored malice toward Panlongcheng.

Why did General Hong take them all away? Apart from being busier and having more new shops on the streets, this city was no different from half a year ago.

Zhong Shengguang was not in the government office, so He Lingchuan went straight to the Shumin Academy.

The bluestone road was swept spotlessly clean, and the hibiscus flowers blooming in the corner of the wall were white with a hint of pink, like the vibrant smiling faces of children.

The old osmanthus of golden autumn gently spread its flowers on the thick wall tiles; once the breeze nodded, osmanthus fell like rain, fluttering down.

When he saw Master Sun, she was leaning against the wall, the autumn light passing under her sleeves, the person standing alone amidst the falling flowers, stained with fragrance all over.

"You're back!" Her eyes were full of surprise.

With students passing by nearby, she couldn't give He Lingchuan a hug.

"I'm back." Having been separated for more than half a year in his dreams, He Lingchuan found that what he missed most was still her smile. "Are you happy?"

Master Sun nodded vigorously, her smile also like the hibiscus in the corner of the wall: "Mm!"

"Then skip class!" He took a small osmanthus flower from her thick black hair. "I'm starving, come eat with me."

"Okay." Master Sun smiled. "Let's go."

Huh? He Lingchuan was a little surprised: "Are you still the teacher who puts teaching work first? What happened in the past six months?"

"It just so happens that the autumn break starts today." Sun Fuling rolled her eyes at him. "The older children have to go home to help harvest the wheat."

"Was there this break before?"

"It only started this year." Sun Fuling laughed. "The Shumin Academy has taken in many new students, all residents of the new city at the foot of the Chipa Plateau. The academy there hasn't been built yet, so they are temporarily studying here. You also know that that place didn't grow much grain originally, but last year it started growing grain."

Eleven Imperial Flow Fluid events in two years had almost changed the topography and ecology of the Panlong Wasteland. Even the most barren Gobi desert grew grass; what was impossible about the wasteland opposite Panlongcheng turning into farmland?

Half a year later, new restaurants in Panlongcheng were springing up like mushrooms after rain. They walked down one street, and seven out of ten shops were new.

Flavors from all over the world had all arrived.

Sun Fuling specifically picked one and walked in, holding He Lingchuan's arm.

This restaurant specialized in steam-pot chicken; a clay pot was brought up with charcoal smoldering underneath, and a lid was added on top. The hot steam stewed the chicken and mushrooms in the pot, and then it was left as a soup base.

Original flavor and original taste.

"This way of eating comes from the west, but the pot is fired from the red soil of the wasteland, and it has recently become popular in Panlongcheng."

He Lingchuan laughed: "It's actually catching up with the trend here too."

It wasn't strange for Yuheng City to change with each passing day, but Panlongcheng was such a serious place? The people here were actually becoming rich in food, clothing, and entertainment.

Sun Fuling whispered: "I heard from the dean that some merchants originally wanted to set up a maze array in Panlongcheng, but Commander Zhong didn't allow it."

He Lingchuan understood as soon as he heard it: "Panlongcheng is still wary of debauchery and dissipation."

Panlongcheng couldn't tolerate such indulgent entertainment.

Sun Fuling made a sound, her eyes full of curiosity: "You know? Have you seen it on this trip?"

How to answer this? He Lingchuan scratched his head: "The Giant Deer Nation has it, but it's not a good thing, it's very crude."

A maze array is actually an illusion change, focusing on an immersive experience.

Of course, the most popular content is always indescribable.

He wasn't lying; the Giant Deer Nation did have maze arrays, but they were poorly made.

He had only seen truly well-made, realistic maze arrays in Lingxu City. The storefronts were exquisite, the service was thoughtful, and if you dug deep, they were all opened by aristocratic families and powerful officials.

Things that can be addictive are the most profitable, and profitable money often doesn't fall to ordinary people to earn.

He quickly switched the topic: "By the way, why are there so many new things in the city?"

"Panlongcheng has reduced rents and taxes again. In non-war periods, or in normal times like now, the wasteland's land tax and grain tax are reduced or exempted in tiers, commercial taxes are halved, and the burden on everyone has been reduced a lot, so more of the money earned can be kept in their pockets."

With taxes reduced, everyone had more money left in their hands and dared to spend it, so the market naturally prospered.

He Lingchuan was very surprised: "Reduced again?"

When he first entered the Panlong world, Panlongcheng's taxes were very heavy—because they had to fight wars every few days. Although the military and civilians were of one heart, everyone lived in poverty, and the unsatisfactory material conditions were real.

Unexpectedly, only a few years had passed, and the people's purses were already bulging.

"In the past two years, Imperial Flow Fluid has occurred frequently, and grain prices have dropped significantly. Commander Zhong said that the Panlong Wasteland and the Maohe Plain are now abundant in grain and can even be sold abroad. Coupled with developed trade, customs duties and market taxes have increased significantly, which can already cover fiscal needs, and there is even a surplus. Therefore, he hopes that the people won't be so tight-fisted and that everyone can live a good life steadily." Sun Fuling laughed. "When this announcement came out, the whole city was setting off firecrackers."

"So that's how it is." He Lingchuan was moved.

Panlongcheng was so active in letting the people benefit, which showed that Zhong Shengguang hadn't forgotten his original intention and was still concerned about the people's well-being.

Unlike many superiors who gradually lost their way in years of conquest and infighting, getting used to the people sacrificing and no longer remembering to put the people first.

Governing the people with benevolence—He Lingchuan seemed to catch a glimpse of the essence of Panlongcheng's exceptionally strong primordial power.

But after being moved, he immediately began to calculate the significance of this.

Panlongcheng had been accumulating for less than two years, and its territory and army were expanding rapidly, with fiscal and military expenditures increasing significantly. From the perspective of a policymaker, it was actually not yet time for "thin hair."

War is about money and logistics. Zhong Shengguang, who had been making bricks without straw for years, should know this best. Why didn't Panlongcheng hoard money and grain during the best years, but chose to hide wealth among the people? Commander Zhong kept his truest thoughts deep in his heart, and He Lingchuan naturally couldn't know everything. But he was very clear about Panlongcheng's ultimate ending in history, so he had a speculation: could it be out of guilt?

He Lingchuan immediately associated it with another person:

His cheap father, He Chunhua.

(End of chapter)