269 Forty-six of One Hundred Thousand Mountains
Watching everyone's skillful movements and rapid transportation, isn't it too extravagant for fifth and sixth-level soldiers to bring along a Martial King to build a city and transport bricks and stones?
By now, the thousand-strong team should have all arrived. After a good night's rest, they are now at ease and at peace. The people are enthusiastic, and today, everyone is in high spirits and full of energy.
At this moment, the group was gathered together, as if in a competition. The soldiers moved with incredible speed, their muscles as strong as bronze, carrying neatly arranged large stone blocks on their shoulders, each about five to six feet long and one foot wide. They were rapidly approaching from afar.
This massive boulder, weighing an estimated ten thousand jin (5,000 kg), was carried by the soldiers with effortless ease, as if a giant were carrying a piece of firewood.
Some soldiers were watching and shouting encouragement, as if they were having a race to see who could arrive first. Everyone had a happy smile on their face.
Near the market in the distance, on the small bridge, some young women and others were secretly watching, as if admiring or perhaps anticipating something.
There were already many stones on the ground. Obviously, this was not the first trip today. There were also soldiers who had turned into bricklayers and were carefully placing these huge stones one by one in the right place.
The craftsmanship was incredibly skillful, not that of a farmer, but rather that of a master craftsman with unparalleled skill. Each stone was precisely positioned between two adjacent stones, and a solid wall was thus formed. At this moment, the wall was already two zhang high, but the massive stone wall now possessed a majestic and awe-inspiring presence, reaching into the clouds. It was ten zhang wide, exuding a sense of solidity and weight that was overwhelming and awe-inspiring.
One side of the boulder was smooth, and now, the city wall gradually became smooth and sturdy as well, a sense of weight and solidity rising from the depths of one's heart. The setting sun shone brightly, casting a dazzling array of light!
A gentle breeze stirred the mortar-filled gaps between the stones, creating a soft, rustling sound, as if the stones had come alive, like a majestic, colossal giant guarding the place. Immovable as a mountain, as solid as iron, unbreakable.
Gradually, the general outline of a city wall began to emerge. People in the distance could not see the details inside. The massive stone walls and the grand, awe-inspiring scene evoked a sense of reverence in the hearts of those in the distance.
A soft, shy voice carried on the wind, "Father, that one looks nice, I'd like to!"
Beside him, a man in a dark, simple shirt and a tattered hat stood with a pair of observant eyes, watching intently as he listened to his daughter's words.
Gently, with a hint of hesitation and uncertainty about her daughter's future, she said, "Daughter, you can think about it again. These soldiers are all fine men, but, going to war... sigh! Daughter, think it over carefully, it's not too late!"
In the distance, beside the small bridge, the stream flows eastward slowly. A dam in the distance holds back the river, and lush aquatic plants grow on both sides. A gentle breeze carries the fragrance of oats and wheat. As far as the eye can see, villagers work in the fields, and rapeseed and soybeans begin to grow.
As far as the eye can see, there are waves of gold and emerald green, like ripples of green and gold on the earth, gently swaying in the breeze.
The golden flowers shimmered in the sunlight, some of them already beginning to transform into dense pods filled with plump seeds—the most precious pearls, the hope of life.
Beneath the green leaves, the soybeans began to swell, forming plump pods. The pods shone vibrantly in the sunlight; they were one of the villagers' most prized foods—tofu, soybean paste, and tofu soup with scallions—a rare treat for the children.
The busy villagers were overjoyed at this moment. This year's harvest would finally be enough to keep them from being exploited to the point of barely filling their stomachs. They could keep 70% for themselves.
Some were thinking, 'I'll get my wife a new dress today; it's been years since I've had a new dress made for her.'
Some were hoping, "This year's harvest is good; we can get our sons married off. I wonder if any families will be willing!"
Some were praying, "May Lord He live a long and healthy life!"...
The joy before the harvest and the foreseeable gains make this year much better than before. At this moment, the tired faces finally show the smiles they deserve, and the effort and reward are somewhat proportional.
The pursuit is so simple and so unpretentious, and it has never changed from ancient times to the present!
There's also a busy iron mine being mined in the distance! Fortunately, this iron mine is located in a relatively flat area. If it were a steep mountainside or a rugged mountain range, it would be much more difficult to mine.
One by one, horse-drawn carriages were slowly emerging from the mine and being transported along the roughly repaired mountain road. Not far away was the ironworks. Since the market town was not deliberately hidden, smelting could be carried out nearby, with a large amount of manpower and resources being invested in it.
With people, work, and market magistrates guaranteeing a relatively reasonable income, even in hardship, people on the border are willing to work. Where there are many people, people from all directions gather, and all kinds of businesses, snacks, clothing, food, housing, and transportation thrive. Wherever there are people, there is prosperity and vitality!
At the market entrance, people came and went in an endless stream. Some were well-dressed, wearing brocade sun hats, and followed by servants. It was unclear whether they were merchants or young masters. They were walking inside.
Villagers who were unable to settle in the market, or whose houses were not yet built, left through the city gates at this moment, either returning to their temporary residences or their own huts.
Busy and fulfilling, without the previous lifelessness, their faces and steps, carrying loads or driving oxcarts, are full of the power and vitality of life.
Inside the secondary city, some soldiers were carefully surveying something, while Yun Qing, Yun Su, and Yun Shuni were discussing something. Besides the soldiers, there were no other helpers.
After watching quietly for a while, surrounded by clouds, the outside was hazy and indistinct, making it impossible to see what was inside.
At this moment, Ji Xixi embraced the person she loved, her expression direct, simple, and unpretentious. Her eyes swept over the surrounding scenery.
In unfamiliar surroundings, surrounded by unfamiliar people, across an era I don't know how long ago, I murmured, "That's oats, that's beans. I remember, I've seen them before." These words carried a strange sadness.
Looking at the endless fields, so vast and natural, with people around, I felt the warmth of human life, as if I had returned to a certain memory.
The breath of every wheat seedling in the field, the dance of every leaf. Once so readily available, yet without a trace of emotion!
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