After a year of construction, Luoyang City has already reached a considerable size.
Within the vast city, which spans a radius of two hundred miles, one can see crowds of people everywhere. Along the clean and tidy streets, there are many shops opened by merchants from all over the southern region.
After being reorganized and planned, the city was well-divided into various areas such as residential, commercial, entertainment, education, administrative offices, defense, medical, and emergency response. The various departments cooperated with and supervised each other, forming a virtuous cycle of institutions.
Walking on the wide, bright streets, stepping on the cement and concrete road provided by Shen Zhao, Su Yunying felt a deep sense of emotion.
"Brother Shen is a genius. He came up with such a way to save a lot of costs to pave the road. It's much more comfortable than those potholed roads."
The royal families from the southern regions traveling with them were also astonished by the smooth road surface, constantly calculating how much money it would cost.
"Your Majesty, please come with me."
As Ding Bu'er led the way, he introduced Su Yunying to the situation in Luoyang.
"After a year of construction, the population of Luoyang has reached 330,000, and there are now more than 270 shops."
The main business covers clothing, food, housing, and transportation. Of course, I estimate that by next year, the number of people settling in Luoyang will definitely increase two or three times, reaching a scale of one million is not a problem.
"Furthermore, the election of officials adopts a performance-based model. Anyone with ability only needs to pay a deposit, and if they do not commit any crimes within three years and can achieve good results, they will be eligible."
The money will be returned in full; conversely, not only will they lose their official positions, but the money will also be used to clean up the damages they caused in the city during their tenure.
"By the way, there are currently two gambling dens and one brothel in the city, and they all have to pay 40% of their profits every month."
Furthermore, all personnel in gambling dens and brothels must register with the relevant authorities every two months.
Especially for courtesans, whether they were performing arts or selling their bodies, they had to undergo a medical examination at a clinic to ensure they were not infected with any diseases.
If anyone is found to be infected, the entire brothel will have to close for rectification and won't be able to reopen for the next three months.
The same applies to gambling dens; they are prohibited from lending money at exorbitant interest rates to gamblers, and the interest cannot exceed 10% of the principal.
"And the houses in those residential areas have all undergone rigorous inspections, with the minimum guarantee that even a cultivator at the Profound Void Realm cannot break through the walls."
Even a Supreme Realm expert couldn't break into the highest courtyards.
"Oh, by the way, there's also a ninth-grade magic array set up inside the city. In the event of a crisis, as long as the array's barrier is activated, the entire city can be perfectly protected."
As they spoke, the group arrived at the unfinished Empress Palace in front of Divine Phoenix Street.
"Your Majesty, look..." Ding Bu'er smiled and pointed to the palace, "This is the Empress's Palace, which was personally designed by Master Shen. In the future, when you meet with your ministers, you will receive them here."
Looking at the towering outline of the palace, Su Yunying felt as if she were in a dream.
In my past life, I had to painstakingly piece together a few scraps of material to build what looked like a decent "palace."
Looking at the luxurious yet elegant Empress Palace before her, Su Yunying felt a complex mix of emotions.
Gradually, her eyes welled up with tears.
"Oh dear, Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, just some sand in my eyes."
Su Yunying casually replied, wondering why she was so happy.
"Master Ding..."
What are your orders, Your Majesty?
"I miss Brother Chen."
Ding Bu'er hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Master Chen will be back soon. Please don't act on emotion now, there are so many people watching."
"Um."
Su Yunying tried her best to hold back the tears that were about to fall, and then followed Ding Bu'er to continue walking forward.
When the group arrived at the Star-Picking Platform, Su Yunying announced that everyone could wander around the palace at their leisure. Only Ding Bu'er and Liang Hao remained with her.
Standing on the Star-Picking Platform, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Luoyang.
Su Yunying took a deep breath before speaking, "To be honest, seeing things like this, I don't know what to do."
I only made that as a joke with Brother Shen back then, but I never expected him to actually do it for me.
Actually, I'm really scared right now. I'm scared of not being a good empress.
I have no idea how to repay Brother Shen. I have nothing—no money, no power, and no connections.
Everything I have was given to me by Brother Shen. I...I..."
Liang Hao immediately reassured her, "Little sister, don't worry too much. Your big brother has arranged everything perfectly."
Besides, would someone as outstanding as my elder brother be interested in such material things?
Besides, didn't I have nothing before? Before I met you, I was like a frog in a well, thinking that a mere Profound Void Realm cultivator could roam freely throughout the Nine Realms.
Look at all this gear I'm wearing now, wasn't it all bought for me by my older brother?
Everything my brother has achieved is through his own hard work. For a man like that, all I need to do is support him from behind.
Ding Bu'er: "That's right, Your Majesty. Why are you thinking so much? You've already married Master Shen, so what's his is yours, isn't it?"
Why are you still being so formal? That's too much! If you really feel bad about it, just give Master Chen a son and a daughter, and that'll settle things, won't it?"
Ding Bu'er's words immediately made Su Yunying's eyes light up.
This might also be a perfect way to repay someone.
Moreover, the awakening of the Divine Phoenix bloodline gave her a strange, hidden impulse.
She wanted it; she needed Shen Zhao's nourishment to release this pressure.
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