Zheng Quchi ultimately chose to build on the foundation of the boundary moat of Wubao. She planned to add horse-faced ramparts and beacon towers, and build border forts and garrison towns, turning the defensive fortifications from a passive rear defense to an active front defense as solid as a city.
She made this plan, sparing no time or effort, not only for the present but also to create strong and powerful support for the future garrison of Wubao.
She initially planned to have 20,000 people and complete the project within six months. Of course, this was just a prototype, and further improvements and refinements might take more time, but that wasn't a big problem. The initial construction would be enough to withstand an invasion of 100,000 troops.
As for the funds, the savings she just received are probably going to run out soon. Fortunately, logging and material sourcing are relatively easy in the Wubao area, as the terrain is flat and transportation is convenient, with no winding mountain roads.
This greatly saved money, but labor costs were relatively high. However, she had consulted with experts and found that the economy in Wubao was not developing well, so labor was very cheap and they could just feed themselves.
In addition, the civil engineering she was to undertake did not require elaborate craftsmanship; even if it was rough, as long as it was sturdy, solid, and durable, it would suffice.
Wang Zebang was very reliable, and the county government quickly responded, saying that they would give them their full support. They even issued an official document that same day to summon all able-bodied men in Wubao County.
Zheng Quchi had instructed Wei Yao that as long as one was healthy and not disabled, and within the prescribed age range, regardless of gender, one could apply, and not only would food and lodging be provided, but a monthly allowance would also be paid.
The reason why both men and women can work is because Zheng Quchi has long harbored a suppressed idea: to change the mandatory marriage system in Ye Kingdom and allow women to do some work so that they can earn money to support their families through their own abilities.
Society should not be a place where only men work in various industries while women are confined to a very small scope. Although there are differences in physical strength between men and women, every job has both rough and fine work. When men and women work together, not only is the work less tiring, but the division of labor can also be clear.
Ye State has a small population, and every time there is a war, soldiers are summoned, which makes the existing young and strong men even more scarce. That's why the King of Ye came up with such a foolish idea, forcing sixteen men and women in the country to marry each other.
However, this marriage system is inhumane, and no other country has followed suit, which shows that they all understand that it is just a deformed product of power.
But this is not urgent. To achieve the effective result that women can also hold up half the sky, it will take time to gradually promote this.
After more than three months, the winter snow melted and all things came to life, and the construction of their "Xuanjun Camp" had also begun to take shape.
A fortress was built on a steep mountain plateau, with its walls rising along the cliff. A winding walkway was only wide enough for one carriage to pass through. "Zheng Fortress" was built in a strategically important and easily defensible location. The fortress was built in accordance with the terrain, and its four sides were surrounded by walls shaped like mountains.
From a distance, it blends seamlessly with the mountain landscape; upon closer inspection, it resembles a majestic and aloof guardian that stands firm and unyielding.
Because of its high elevation, the area was easily scouted. In early April, as the yellow sand rolled and dust rose, the lookout soldiers were on standby. As soon as they noticed the situation, they rushed to the top of the fortress and sounded the emergency horn.
Waaaaah~
The presence of two enemy commanders indicates that a large army is about to attack Wubao.
Waaaaaah~
The number of people with five short digits is relatively small, the number of people with four short digits is relatively large, and the number of people with five short digits is difficult to estimate.
Upon hearing the bugle call, the people of Wubao who were working in the fortress and inside the city walls quickly dropped what they were doing and swiftly and efficiently hid in the air-raid shelter. They had rehearsed this beforehand, and now that it was really happening, apart from the genuine tension and fear, everything else proceeded in an orderly manner.
Upon receiving the news, Zheng Quchi, Wei Yao, and Fu Rong rushed from the garrison city to the fortress. They ran towards the watchtower on the third floor of the fortress, listening to the soldiers' reports on the situation.
Once they reached the high point, the observation deck, open on all four sides, offered a panoramic view of the plain. The wind and sand whipped their hair, and Zheng Quchi squinted, seeing only a scene resembling a sandstorm, looking menacing and bustling with people.
However, the distance was too great to judge the number of people, but it was clear that there were quite a few, and the phrase "a massive army pressing in" was sufficient to describe it.
She thought to herself, "If only I had a telescope right now."
How do you make a telescope?
She seemed to have done some experiments in elementary school, but she had almost forgotten them as she grew up. However, if she thought about it carefully, she might be able to recall them.
"Madam, it's the Northern Abyss Army!" Wei Yao exclaimed, her eyes wide.
Zheng Quchi said expressionlessly, "I can see it."
Fu Rong's face turned pale: "I had thought about fighting, but I never imagined that my first battle in Wubao would be against the Northern Abyss Kingdom."
"It doesn't matter who we fight with, it's just a matter of time."
Several months ago, Gan Xin inquired about the Mo family on her behalf, and Qiu quickly replied, saying that the Mo family had always had private contact with the Northern Abyss Kingdom, and he even revealed a big secret.
Half of the twelve leaders of the Mohist school were from the Northern Abyss Kingdom.
The implication is quite clear: all the research achievements of the Mohists over the years have been basically for the benefit of the Northern Abyss Kingdom. No wonder the Northern Abyss Kingdom has been far ahead of other countries, leaving them far behind. It turns out that they have secretly established such a "research base".
With the reply to this letter, she could basically conclude that not only the Southern Chen Kingdom and the Hong Sheng Kingdom were targeting Yuwen Sheng, but the Northern Yuan Kingdom was also involved.
However, this still does not confirm who is behind the Kezhu tribe, because in the past few months, Yan Hong and her secret agents have been investigating from various sources and have discovered that people from the Southern Chen Kingdom and the Hongsheng Kingdom have been frequently appearing on the border of Wubao.
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