Chapter 1158: Rain After the Spring Rain

During this period, the Dilujiang appeared four more times.

The Panlong Wasteland became even more vibrant. On both sides of the roads, endless golden fields stretched out, awaiting a bountiful harvest.

As He Lingchuan passed through Tianhe Plain, he noticed that the autumn meadows had transformed into a vast, golden expanse.

The herdsmen's dogs still recognized him, wagging their tails as they darted over, barking around the horses' hooves.

He heard that several heavy rainfalls had occurred over the past six months, adding several new rivers to the plains. These winding, silky, and deep blue waterways injected endless vitality into the grassland.

The ecology of the wasteland had been completely transformed.

Whizzing past the tips of the tall grass, two swallows chased insects that had become increasingly sluggish with the arrival of autumn.

He Lingchuan stood still for a long time, unable to tear his gaze away from the painting-like beauty. Having witnessed the reality of nine out of ten fields lying fallow in Boh State, everything before his eyes was truly refreshing and uplifting.

This was his second home, and it was becoming increasingly better.

On his way back to Panlong City, he also noticed two new cities under construction in the wasteland.

Near the large lake where he often watered his horses, hundreds of large tents had been erected, surrounded by herds of cattle and sheep.

Was this... a tribe?

He Lingchuan and his companions specifically went in to explore. It happened to be market day, bustling with people and thriving with supply and demand. They even filled a pouch with warm milk, which they could drink as they walked.

It was truly fragrant.

Hu Min clicked his tongue in wonder, "We've only been gone for half a year, right? How has the wasteland changed so much?"

As he spoke, several loud, prolonged, whistle-like sounds came from nearby.

He Lingchuan initially thought someone had blown a horn, but the children in the market cheered, "The elephants are here! Let's go see the elephants!"

Elephants?

Men Ban scratched his head. "Wait a minute, were there originally such things in the Panlong Wasteland?"

They had all served as wasteland rangers, traversing this land every day, but back then, not only were there no elephants, they hadn't even seen a single elephant hair or footprint.

He Lingchuan followed the crowd outside and indeed saw a group of colossal creatures approaching the lake.

"Wasteland Elephants!"

These creatures strongly resembled the mammoths, or woolly elephants, he had seen in picture books from another world. They were two sizes larger than ordinary elephants, with light brown, striped fur and four tusks curving forward like spears, making them exceptionally imposing.

Around fifty wasteland elephants amounted to fifty moving mountains of flesh.

As soon as they approached, they completely obscured the scenery behind them.

Beijia had a White Elephant Kingdom, and He Lingchuan had also seen elephant demons in Lingxu City. Before going into battle, these demons would wear spiked sleeves or rakes on their tusks, making them incredibly lethal to cavalry and infantry.

Of course, this group of elephants strolled in, appearing very gentle.

The two lead female elephants had slightly whitening fur, clearly indicating they were elderly leaders. They issued low commands, and the herd avoided humans and livestock, proceeding to the lake for water.

Children ran around the edges of the herd, and the elephants paid them no mind. Two young elephants tried to play with the children but were called back by their elders.

Even the "little elephants" were ten feet tall; what if they accidentally trampled a human child?

A man nearby chuckled, "These wasteland elephants come here to drink every day."

It seemed the tribal people and the giant elephants coexisted peacefully; otherwise, the atmosphere wouldn't be so harmonious.

He Lingchuan turned to ask him, "Excuse me, where are you from?"

"We are from the Kuzhu Tribe." The man, dark-skinned, short but sturdy, possessed the distinct features of his tribe. "We migrated from the south to build a new city here. Once it's complete, we'll move into it."

The south?

The southern kingdoms?

A Luo asked in surprise, "Is this with Panlong City's permission?"

"Of course. If the host city hadn't welcomed us, how could we have come?" The man pointed towards the elephant herd. "It's the same for them."

Indeed, given Panlong City's control over the wasteland, if it hadn't allowed it, not only these elephants, but even Zhu Erniang wouldn't have been able to stay.

The following morning, He Lingchuan finally returned to Panlong City.

Passing the South Gate, he was surprised to find that the Three Corpse Insects, which had once roamed the barbican, were gone!

Now, looking up, there was nothing but emptiness.

Others couldn't see the Three Corpse Insects, but He Lingchuan knew they had always been an important reliance for Panlong City's external defense, capable of screening out those with malicious intentions towards the city.

Why had General Hong taken them all away?

Aside from being busier and having more new shops appearing on the streets, the city seemed much the same as it had six months ago.

Zhong Shengguang was not at the government office, so He Lingchuan went directly to Shumin Academy.

The bluestone path was swept spotlessly clean, and the blooming hibiscus at the corner of the wall, white tinged with pink, resembled the vibrant smiles of children.

In the golden autumn, the old osmanthus gently draped its abundant blossoms over the sturdy wall tiles. With every nod of the breeze, osmanthus petals fluttered down like rain.

When he saw Tutor Sun, she was leaning against the wall, autumn light filtering through her sleeves, a solitary figure amidst falling blossoms, imbued with their fragrance.

"You're back!" Her eyes were filled with pleasant surprise.

With students walking by, she couldn't give He Lingchuan a hug.

"I'm back." Though they had been apart for more than half a year in his dreams, He Lingchuan realized it was her smile he missed the most. "Are you happy?"

Tutor Sun nodded vigorously, her smile as bright as the hibiscus by the wall. "Mm!"

"Then let's skip class!" He plucked a tiny osmanthus blossom from her thick dark hair. "I'm starving. Come have dinner with me."

"Alright," Tutor Sun said with a smile. "Let's go."

"Huh?" He Lingchuan was a little surprised. "Are you still the tutor who prioritizes teaching above all else? What happened in the past six months?"

"It just so happens that autumn break starts today," Sun Fuling said, giving him a look. "The older students need to go home to help with the wheat harvest."

"Was there this holiday before?"

"It only started this year," Sun Fuling replied with a smile. "Shumin Academy has taken in many new students, all residents of the new cities at the foot of the Chipa Plateau. The academies there haven't been built yet, so they're temporarily studying here. As you know, that area wasn't very fertile for crops before, but last year, they started growing grain."

Eleven Dilujiang occurrences within two years had almost completely altered the Panlong Wasteland's topography and ecology. When even the most barren Gobi desert could grow grass, what was impossible about the wasteland opposite Panlong City transforming into farmland?

In the six months since he last saw it, new restaurants in Panlong City had sprung up like mushrooms after rain. Walking down one street, seven out of ten establishments were new.

Flavors from all corners of the land had arrived.

Sun Fuling specifically chose one, linking her arm with He Lingchuan's as they entered.

This restaurant specialized in steamed chicken in a clay pot. A ceramic pot was brought to their table, with charcoal smoldering underneath and a lid on top. The hot steam cooked the chicken and mushrooms inside, leaving behind a rich broth as the base.

It was natural and authentic.

"This cooking method comes from the west, but the pots are made from the red clay of the wasteland, and it's recently become very popular in Panlong City."

He Lingchuan laughed despite himself. "Even this place is catching up with trends."

It wasn't surprising for Yuheng City to change day by day, but Panlong City? How serious a place was it? Yet, even here, people's eating, clothing, and entertainment options had actually diversified.

Sun Fuling whispered, "I heard the dean say that some merchants originally wanted to set up 'Bewitching Arrays' in Panlong City, but Commander Zhong didn't allow it."

He Lingchuan understood immediately. "Panlong City is still wary of dissolute pleasures."

Panlong City could not tolerate such indulgent entertainment.

Sun Fuling let out a sound of surprise, her eyes full of curiosity. "You know about them? Did you see them on your trip?"

How should he answer that? He Lingchuan scratched his head. "They exist in Julu State, but they're not good things; they're very crude."

Bewitching Arrays were essentially illusory transformations, primarily offering an immersive experience.

Of course, the most popular content was always indescribable.

He wasn't lying; Julu State indeed had Bewitching Arrays, but they were very poorly made.

He had only seen truly well-crafted, lifelike Bewitching Arrays in Lingxu City. Their establishments were exquisite, and their service impeccable. A deeper investigation would reveal that they were actually run by aristocratic families and powerful figures.

Things that cause addiction are the most profitable, and such easy money rarely falls into the hands of ordinary people.

He quickly changed the subject. "By the way, why are there so many new things in the city?"

"Panlong City has reduced taxes again. During non-war periods, or normal times like now, land taxes and grain taxes on the wasteland are progressively reduced or waived, and commercial taxes are halved. Everyone's burden has been significantly lightened, and more of their earnings can be kept safely."

With lower taxes, people had more money in hand and felt more confident spending it, naturally leading to a flourishing market.

He Lingchuan was greatly surprised. "Reduced again?"

When he first arrived in the Panlong world, Panlong City's taxes were very heavy—because battles occurred every few days. Although the military and civilians were united, everyone lived in poverty, and the unsatisfactory material conditions were a tangible reality.

He hadn't expected that in just a few years, the people's money pouches would have swelled.

"In the past two years, with frequent Dilujiang occurrences, grain prices have plummeted. Commander Zhong said that the Panlong Wasteland and Maohe Plain now have abundant grain, enough to even sell externally. Coupled with thriving commerce, customs duties and market taxes have significantly increased, already covering financial needs with a surplus. Therefore, he hopes the common people won't be so financially strained, and that everyone can live stable, peaceful, and good lives," Sun Fuling said, smiling. "When that announcement came out, the whole city set off firecrackers."

"I see," He Lingchuan said, visibly moved.

Panlong City's active efforts to benefit its people showed that Zhong Shengguang had not forgotten his original aspirations and still cared deeply for the welfare of the populace.

Unlike many in power who, lost in years of conquest and political maneuvering, became accustomed to the people's sacrifices and no longer remembered to prioritize their well-being.

Governing the people with benevolence and righteousness, He Lingchuan seemed to glimpse a core reason why Panlong City's vital energy was exceptionally strong.

But after his initial emotion, he immediately began to ponder the implications of this.

Panlong City had only accumulated resources for less than two years. Its territory and army were expanding rapidly, and financial and military expenditures had increased significantly. From the perspective of an administrator, it wasn't yet time to "lightly spend" or "distribute benefits."

War was about money and logistics. Zhong Shengguang, who had constantly had to make do with scarce resources, should know this best. Why would Panlong City not widely accumulate funds and grain during the most prosperous years, but instead choose to enrich its people?

Commander Zhong kept his truest thoughts hidden deep within his heart, and He Lingchuan naturally couldn't know them all. However, he was well aware of Panlong City's ultimate fate in history, which led him to a conjecture:

Could it be out of guilt?

He Lingchuan immediately thought of someone else:

His nominal father, He Chunhua.