Chapter 288: Fuzhou and the Yang Longyinyin

"The grain produced by the humans this year is enough for their needs for the coming year, and this is under the condition of poor yields from reclaimed wasteland. Next year's yield will be better, but there will also be new immigrants moving in, so the current grain policy must continue to be maintained."

Sinuoli muttered to himself while writing; finding food and work for his subjects was his main job. "The railway has started construction. The first small section needs some technical difficulties resolved, but it should become smoother as we build further."

"The training of disciples, hmm, is still in the theoretical learning stage; there is no need to rush in laying the foundation. The establishment of the Western Depot is already underway; Andemuge has found several full-time personnel and is currently developing subordinates in various taverns and villages."

"As for diplomatic relations, there have been no new breakthroughs yet; the Southlands are either not open to talk or have already reached an agreement. However, I think there will be changes soon. After Linghu Zhengde and his group took a trip to the Old World and returned to Zhendan, according to them, they should have arrived by now..."

While Sinuoli was busy in his office in Kalake-Zuen, in the distant East, across the vast ocean that the Cathayans call the Jade Sea or the Zhiyuan Sea, a huge and prosperous city stood on the eastern side of the Zhendan continent.

This is Fuzhou City, the capital of the Weidong Province of the Cathayan Celestial Empire. Everyone fortunate enough to have arrived here believes it is one of the largest international metropolises in the world, comparable to Marienburg, Lothern, and Shangyang.

Under the towering city walls, even in the depths of winter, ships still came and went in the ice-free port of Wubo Lake, and a few naval warships with green sails shuttled through to maintain order. Yang Longyinyin commanded the Dragon-Blooded fleet to garrison here, and no petty villains dared to cause trouble.

Inside the city, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, filled with a festive New Year atmosphere. Ten thousand lights flickered high and low. The flow of carriages was endless, pedestrians rubbed shoulders, and the sound of hawking was incessant. On the main streets, besides the figures of Humans, there were also traces of many other races, but all of this seemed to have no conflict at all; everywhere revealed a kind of atmosphere—Ninghe.

Cathayans have an obsessive persistence regarding the balance of Yin and Yang, and even a slight deviation is difficult to tolerate; correspondingly, if the balance of Yin and Yang can be successfully maintained, reaching the so-called Ninghe, then all actions will be more positive.

Some believe that Ninghe is everything to the Cathayan Celestial Empire. Beyond the happiness of the people and their unwavering loyalty, in military thought, Cathayan generals also often use Yin and Yang to describe the different aspects of battlefield elements, such as the perfect combination of long-range firepower and a solid defensive line.

Suddenly, the Ninghe seemed to be broken, as a flying creature shot from the horizon at an extremely fast speed.

"Who dares to trespass in the Fuzhou airspace!"

Seeing that the fellow was about to approach the gate tower of Fuzhou City, two Sky Lanterns rose up. This is a type of hot-air balloon-like flying War Machine. These Sky Lanterns provide lift through the Vermillion Bird in the cage, relying on its burning wings to make the huge balloon take off.

A sturdy general poked his head out from the cabin of the Sky Lantern and roared, and the several Crane Gunners behind him aimed their deadly weapons, which were fixed under the Sky Lantern, at the newcomer.

"I am a messenger from Kuaiji City, with an urgent report to be presented before the Yang Long!"

The messenger reined in his mount in mid-air. What he was riding was actually a brightly colored Dragon Horse with wings on its ribs and two horns on its head. Both the man and the horse were wearing heavy armor, but the speed was still very fast.

"To think it's a Dragon-Blooded delivering a message!"

The gate-guarding general saw the Dragon-Blooded Cavalry and muttered with a curled lip. Although Dragon-Blooded are rare, they have existed for a long time, so there are many Dragon-Blooded descendants born to them within the Cathayan Celestial Empire.

These Dragon-Blooded descendants usually hold high positions. This is not only out of respect for their lineage but also due to the Strength Rune brought by their Dragon-Blooded bodies. They also therefore invite some jealousy and resentment from the upper-class mortals.

Those Dragon-Blooded descendants who have not yet obtained prominent status or prefer to fight for honor in the Celestial Army become Dragon-Blooded Cavalry. The Dragon Horse, which also has the blood of the Shenlong, will only allow Dragon-Blooded descendants to ride them.

"Hmph, go in. Fly higher, don't disturb the people; you cannot afford to interfere with the order of Yin and Yang!"

The guarding general waved his hand, and the two Sky Lanterns moved left and right, clearing a path. The rider patted the Dragon Horse, and they climbed rapidly, skimming over the gate tower and heading straight for the palace in the city.

"The Patriarch has ordered, summon the messenger!"

"The Patriarch has ordered, summon the messenger!"

One gate after another opened in sequence. The Dragon-Blooded rider dismounted, took the intelligence tube from the back of his mount, lowered his head slightly, and walked quickly inside. The guards holding Halberds along the way caught his eye.

These people are the Celestial Dragon Guard, who basically only appear by the side of the Shenlong. They wear the finest equipment of the Cathayan Empire—the Celestial Sword and armor forged by the Kunlan Workshop.

"Present it!"

The messenger quickly passed through three layers of gates. He stopped in front of the final main hall, and a clear, resonant voice came from inside.

"Yes!"

The messenger knelt down with a "Clap!", held the letter up with both hands, and a maid dressed in silk clothing with a graceful demeanor took the item.

"Linghu Zhengde? I have heard that he has nothing extraordinary about him; who would have thought he would have such courage! The previous reports were untrue." The clear female voice seemed to be asking those around her.

"Reporting to the Patriarch, Minister Linghu is a native of Shanyin, from a military background, and was promoted to the rank of Governor-General of the fifth grade through accumulated merit." The female official's voice also sounded very loud with the help of the echoes from the walls.

"Where is he?" Yin Yin asked.

"Minister Linghu was in a hurry to return, but encountered a Storm, the ship was damaged, and he is still resting in Kuaiji."

"Proclaim for him to arrive at the hall quickly... Hmm, this matter is of great importance, I should go personally! Pass on my order, the Imperial Guard will accompany me!"

The voice of the Yang Long became quite dignified, like waves suddenly rising in the sea. As soon as the words fell, a woman wearing a skirt with mixed green and blue colors walked out of the main hall.

The Dragon-Blooded messenger hurriedly lowered his head, but the young man still raised his eyes to secretly size up this master of the Weidong Province.

"Water flows to the wet, fire goes to the dry; this is the Dao of Yin and Yang!"

Yin Yin looked up at the sky, and it seemed that with her gaze, thick dark clouds appeared in the air.

"It's raining, it's raining!"

"Collect the clothes!"

The messenger could hear the sounds made by the residents of Fuzhou City upon seeing the sudden change in the weather. "Boom—" violent thunder followed immediately.

"Ah!"

This was exactly "A mere child, how could they hear the sound of thunder." While the messenger was stunned, the woman disappeared, and a true Dragon that was also blue-green appeared in mid-air.

"Ao ao!"

Transforming into her Dragon form, Yin Yin seemed to have shed some kind of restraint. With a long Dragon roar, she shook her head and tail and rose into the clouds. A team of Dragon-Blooded Cavalry also rose into the air, and they flew straight toward the south.

"Thump!"

The messenger breathed a sigh of relief. Under the Dragon's might, he, who was already tottering, sat down on the ground.