Chapter 0133: The Imperial Capital

On the morning of January 18th, arrived in Gyeonggi.

The Changhe Waterway splits into two at the mouth of Dajin. To the north is the Changhe Main Channel, which subducts thousands of miles from the Shenhe Plateau. To the west is the Grand Canal, which originates from Xifanchuan and flows through the three major plains of Tailing, Shangling, and Shaoling before converging here.

The water surface of this Jin River is ten miles wide, with sails and clouds covering the sun. It gathers passengers, goods, waterways, and ferries from all over the world, sharing the lifeline of the capital... The sound of boats and oars hitting the water, shouting in Mandarin with local dialects and flavors, was like a surge of noise, until the commercial boats crossed the Dajin Pass and finally calmed down.

Continuing westward along the Grand Canal, we slowly traced our way through a forest of sails, occasionally hearing guests exclaiming in surprise, admiring the atmosphere of the capital.

In the upper cabin, Ye Qing was alone, with only Jiang Zinan and Zhou Ling. They were still watching at a loss, occasionally pulling Ye Qing to point and nod on the opposite bank.

Facing the cool morning breeze, the two women stood by their sides, their faces slightly flushed with excitement.

Ye Qing smiled at this and stared silently.

Along the way, there were no major cities, only small counties and towns with less than 30000 yuan, but they were very distinctive and specialized in a certain handicraft. The scale was relatively good, and Ye Qing was also surprised when he first saw them.

Whenever encountering a town, busy figures can be seen everywhere on the embankment from the ship. Based on past life memories and Earth time insights, I answer them one by one for the two women to listen to——

Some are connected steel workshops, with large hydraulic forging hammers operating loudly under the drive of water flow and formation, making a clanging sound from miles away, like thunder. Newly made plowing tools, pots, pots, blades, and even scissor needles are transported to the dock, reflecting the clear light in the dim morning sun.

Thousands of ox carts of various sizes were parked in front of the continuous machinery workshops, weaving workshops, embroidery workshops, and garment workshops, carrying exquisite fabrics and clothes made by female workers to supply the market

When Ye Qing was thinking about Earth, he couldn't help but joke, "Most of the new clothes you're wearing are mass-produced in this area. You might bump into them on the street, don't run too far, I won't recognize them

The irresponsible joke of 'Young Master!' caused dissatisfaction and anger among the two women, and Jiang Zinan even touched her clothes, hesitating whether to modify her appearance.

They don't understand the significance of steel production and have a general impression of cheap mass production in large garment factories. They prefer what Ye Qing said about the opening of various morning markets.

Bags of grain and rice were resisted by the laborers, and they went up and down between the ship and the dock. The vegetable farmers, who were walking briskly, picked up their loads from the fields. The fresh vegetables still glistened with dewdrops, and the bakery and bean soup shops emitted a strong and enticing aroma, floating over the river

In Ye Qing's memory, on the eve of this great disaster, it was the peak of the Xiandao version of agricultural society. Under the aggregation effect of Daofa Feixun, the surrounding states and counties under the radiation of the imperial capital Zhili not only developed agriculture, but also naturally evolved into a huge network of industry and commerce.

From the perspective of the Earth, this is a vast industrial and commercial network that combines long rivers and large canals as its meridians, with points and surfaces. The so-called surface is a commercial district with numerous shops and shops that spread to the central areas of various cities - the small town where Ye Qing and his companions stayed during the Chinese New Year is an example, with no shortage of materials - the nodes are various workshops and shops that are scattered throughout towns and villages in various states, and deep into the alleys.

Especially on the surface of the capital city, small towns are built with specialized craftsmanship along various waterways, utilizing water resources to create large-scale nodes, providing services for the capital city and exchanging resources with other states and counties, thus supporting the livelihoods of millions of people in Kyoto.

Carrying industry exchanges, the main waterway is busy, and commercial boats must line up to travel. In just fifty miles of waterway, the journey stops and stops until late the next night when they finally arrive at the southern lake of the imperial capital.

The South Lake of the Imperial Capital is a deep water lake, with an irregular elliptical thirty mile embankment almost transformed into a dock and shipyard.

Ye Qing saw large cranes operating, several of which were no smaller than the size of the Earth, and couldn't help but enthusiastically point them out to Jiang Zinan and the others: "This is used to manufacture ten thousand material ocean going giant ships, basically driven and controlled by large arrays, truly a national treasure

But only two women exclaimed in amazement and gave general praise.

Ye Qing couldn't help but be speechless, knowing that they didn't understand. This praise was mostly for her own face, and she cursed in her heart, "If it weren't for them, they could understand the steel romance of men

At this time, it was almost two hours late, and there were still large boats moored at the Fengle Tower by the lake. Fengle Tower was only a thirty berth point, and during the summer flood season, it would open the deeper Jinming Lake in the south to accommodate overseas giant boats worth millions of dollars.

After paying the final part of the shipping fee, he finally disembarked and set foot on the land of God.

Approaching the dock, you can see two lights hanging not far away, shining brightly. Not far away, a tea house is still open, and six or seven people are sitting inside drinking tea, smoking, cracking melon seeds, and chatting. Even further away, you can see the continuous streets and alleys, with various brothels, restaurants, and nightclubs lit up.

From time to time, a nobleman would pass by the Fengle Building. Seeing Ye Qing dressed in official attire, he nodded and smiled in greeting, carrying his concubines up to the ten story Fengle Building. There was a feast and revelry, with silk pipes bustling and even several scholars leaning on railings and singing songs from afar across the streets and alleys.

Another fierce roar of hooves, galloping horses, and a large number of people roaring from the embankment. Under the weeping willows, colorful clothes were hidden, and even some women eagerly followed the galloping horses.

Are all the people in the imperial capital so... reckless? "Jiang Zinan was a little scared, and with her education, she couldn't imagine that women could behave like this.

Idle and boring, a group of people are fooling around, claiming to be promiscuous. No state or county is lacking, but there are more gatherings and organizations in the Gyeonggi area. On festive nights... "Ye Qing laughed when she saw that they couldn't understand at all." Don't worry about these guys, let's find our inn

The name of the bustling place is well-known, and when I asked two inns, they were also fully booked with their families. When I found a vacant room in the third one, I quickly checked in first.

This inn was deliberately chosen to be remote, much quieter, and quiet all night.

The next day, Ye Qing got up early and called for a ox cart. He went to report to the Ministry of Personnel in the city first. Nanhu, the capital city, was a suburb and not yet the capital city's ability.

The sky is not very good, it's a bit dark, but you can still see a jade belt appearing far away on the horizon. This is the outer wall that stretches for a hundred miles, making it easy for spiritual power to be transmitted. It's all made of Han jade, which is also the origin of the term 'Baiyujing'.

Approaching several miles away, the broad city moat stretches thirty steps, leading to flowing water. The walls are as high as five zhang, with undulating shapes and wavy twists, making it impossible to see the end at a glance.

The carriage driver, who is talkative, sat in front of him and introduced, "Yujing has three dynasties for a thousand years. It is said that during the construction of the city, the Ministry of Works submitted a construction plan for the city walls. When the Taizu of the previous dynasty saw the square and straight lines in the plan, he was furious and personally took a vermilion pen to alter it. He drew the waves and twists on the city walls, and made a special note on the side to build it accordingly

Jiang Zinan listened intently, but felt a slight aversion to the cart driver's subtle sense of superiority in his words. He couldn't help but ask, "Why is that

The coachman hesitated for a moment and said, "Where do we know about the teachings of the founder of the previous dynasty? You girl, you ask too many questions

Ye Qing frowned and spoke softly, "The curved firepower is interlaced, covering from left to right, which is only beneficial for the city defense. Actually, it's overthinking. If we really want to attack the imperial capital, people's hearts will be scattered long ago. With this city defense, it's probably useless. Will you defend against the wall at that time

This is the truth. The coachman was somewhat dissatisfied, but due to Ye Qing's status as a juren, he dared not defend himself. He heard that he did not like it and awkwardly realized that he dared not answer Ye Qing's question. However, he apologized to Jiang Zinan, "Madam, you are asking the right question. You are a petty person without any evidence

Jiang Zinan pursed his lips, his eyes rolling over Ye Qing, and he chuckled lightly.

The main entrance has a huge flow of people and goods, with long queues of ox carts.

At this moment, Ye Qing noticed that there was a two-story black low wall outside the city. The carriage driver glanced at it and smiled, saying, "Young master, this is a sheep and horse wall. It is said that the emperor wants to keep it clean. If there are too many cows and horses, there will be a cow manure tax. Many people who are unwilling to pay can send it here

Foster care also costs money, "Jiang Zinan asked again.

It costs money, but it's much lower than the cow manure tax. You can retrieve it when you leave the city. If you don't have cows and horses, it's inconvenient to leave the city. You can also buy cows and horses here

How can you go in? "Jiang Zinan asked.

Our specialized ox cart for transporting passengers is different. The capital is so big, how can we travel without transportation? I'm not sure about the specifics, I have to ask the owner

Without reaching the imperial capital, I don't know about wealth and prosperity! "Ye Qing murmured as she watched many livestock such as cows, sheep, and horses being led and fostered in the narrow alley between the high and low walls, forming a prosperous sheep and horse market around the city.

Ye Qing smiled and pointed out, "The livestock to be sold here are only borrowed during peacetime. When it comes to war, they will be integrated with the main city wall and the living water moat into a complete three-dimensional defense system. Soldiers can go down behind the sheep and horse wall at any time and form a dual three-dimensional attack with the city guards

Jiang Zinan and Zhou Ling both listened in admiration, staring at their own young master. At this moment, someone answered, "Is this young master also a juri who came to the imperial capital? His words are insightful and truly admirable - student Fu Chengshan

Ye Qing was startled and turned to look, only to see a ox cart pulling towards the window from the side. Ye Qing's eyes lit up instantly. He saw that this person was about thirty years old, with only his upper body exposed and slightly worn clothes. On his calm face, his black eyes shone brightly, giving him an indescribable and elegant temperament that made people forget their vulgarity at first sight.

Ye Qing secretly praised in her heart, "What a scholar, what a temperament

Upon closer inspection, I felt a faint green aura and didn't dare to look too much. This kind of voyeurism was very sharp in a juren who had practiced Taoism, but at this glance, I knew that this person had a solid foundation. I humbly said, "So it's Brother Fu, student Ye Qing - just now it was just casual talk, so I was too reckless. I don't dare to praise Brother Fu

As he spoke, he thought that the name was somewhat familiar and quickly searched his memory.

It's just casual conversation, but I also see Brother Ye's talent. It's really rare to be able to see through the barrier at a glance, "Fu Chengshan said as he looked at Ye Qing carefully. He saw that the young man in front of him was only fifteen or sixteen years old, and the wide robe was a bit old, but wearing it on Ye Qing was just right. He had a youthful and elegant demeanor, calm and composed, but also had a heart wrenching feeling. After thinking for a moment, his eyes lit up and he said," Ye Qing, is he the same jinshi who won the Yingzhou Jieyuan at the age of sixteen and was promised by the Dragon Lord

At this moment, Ye Qing remembered that Fu Chengshan was the Jinshi of this class and would become a rising star in the court in the future. In less than ten years, he became a Grand Academician, but he was famous in both the central and local areas and had never met before. He didn't want to be this person!

At the moment, he quickly bowed and said, "Are you Brother Fu Chengshan, who was born with white jade in his mouth, became a child at the age of twelve, a scholar at the age of fifteen, and received a gift of gold from the prefect

Both of them said this, exchanged a glance, and couldn't help but applaud and laugh.