Chapter 1559: Everyone's Efforts Multiply the Flame

“No problem!” Grand Master Li agreed instantly. “Please follow me.”

His heart felt heavy.

Even a high-ranking figure like the Heavenly Palace’s Cloud Emissary had rushed to Mount Baimao. What kind of magic did the secret array on the mountain possess?

The Carefree Sect had existed for over a hundred years with great difficulty; it must not be ruined in his generation!

Amidst the undercurrents stirring among various factions and the bustling activity in Tianshui City, half a month quickly passed.

This was a month when the news of Tianshui City’s eastward expansion spread widely, and also a half-month when heroes from all over Yaoguo showcased their abilities and poured into the capital.

He Lingchuan even heard that many friendly nation citizens and foreign merchants had also rushed to Tianshui City, hoping to get a share of this feast of wealth.

Furthermore, previously, due to the “Black Armored Army” operating throughout the Flash Gold Plain, a large number of Yaoguo citizens had retreated back home. Many wealthy individuals among them returned just as the land prices in Tianshui New City skyrocketed. Seeing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, they immediately invested all the money they had earned abroad.

Tianshui City now belonged to more than just its original inhabitants.

The collective effort fueled rapid progress.

From top to bottom, from officials to commoners, everyone’s enthusiasm was like kindling doused with oil, making the new city project blaze so brightly it lit up half the sky.

Here was opportunity.

Here was wealth.

Here was a chance to get rich overnight.

Money from Tianshui City, and even from surrounding regions, poured in like snowflakes, flying into the national treasury.

It was truly as the storybooks described: gold and silver overflowed the national treasury; the strings binding stacks of money broke under the sheer weight.

How many years had it been since Yaoguo’s national treasury and the Yaowang’s private coffers had been so full?

The construction of the new city was also in full swing. Although no pillars had been erected and no buildings were visible—it was still just vast expanses of yellow mud—the ground leveling and planning were well underway. Whenever anyone came to inspect the site or check on the progress, the local government’s official spokesperson would lead them on a tour:

“This will be a residential block, this a canal, this a lake, and these will be shops lining both sides of the waterfront. You’ll be able to shop from a boat without tiring your feet, then disembark to make a purchase when something catches your eye...”

“There’s still nothing here, is there?” someone asked. It had just rained, and the areas reportedly designated for future canals were currently nothing but squelching mud. Walking through it, sinking deep in one step and less deep in the next, felt much like planting rice in a field. The only hint of green in sight was the grass roots that hadn’t been dug up from beneath large rocks.

“Don’t just look at this open expanse of yellow earth,” the spokesperson countered. “In another seven or eight months—no, five or six months—the wide, straight bluestone streets will be complete, and the foundations for the houses everyone purchased will be laid, taking shape. This is a massive project; what’s wrong with waiting a year or two? Can’t you wait, or can’t they?”

If anyone remained unconvinced, the spokesperson would take them to see the government offices and the academy:

“Look, the yamen is almost finished! Over here, in order, are the town granary, the timber yard, the treasury, and the wine cellar. The furthest building is the Metropolitan Works Department... All of them have their outer walls built. Do you see?”

“Oh, and what’s this place?”

“The Dispensary.”

“And there?”

“That’s the Temple of Heavenly Gods, which will begin construction soon!”

At this point, the questioner was satisfied. With government offices and various public facilities already under construction, it was a foregone conclusion that the new city would rise from the ground; it just needed a little time.

Meanwhile, Tianshui City had been bustling during this period, with lively markets and low prices. Almost everyone was as happy as if it were the New Year.

Families that once bickered endlessly over trivial matters were now united, thinking and working towards a common goal. Even mothers looked kindly upon their mischievous children, and household chaos transformed into filial piety and maternal affection. The daily conversation among young and old alike revolved around the new city’s residential plots, which land parcels were appreciating fastest, how much more money they could borrow, and whether it would be enough to buy an additional plot in the new city...

Taverns and inns in Tianshui City were fully booked, with people drinking and reveling day and night.

Tavern prices had doubled, and inn room rates had tripled, yet it was still nearly impossible to secure a table or a room.

He Lingchuan crossed the streets at night, observing the brightly lit establishments on both sides, the sounds of singing and merriment, and the endless stream of visitors, the prosperity of all trades. He couldn't help but marvel at this explosive, almost volatile, flourishing state.

“Yaoguo’s foundations, built over two centuries, are truly solid. No other place in the Flash Gold Plain has such a high frequency of activity.” Despite being mentally prepared, the speed at which property values appreciated and the fervent enthusiasm of the people far exceeded He Lingchuan’s expectations.

On his two visits to the palace to report on the progress of Quiet Lake Villa, the Yaowang was visibly delighted, smiling widely.

Towards He Lingchuan, who had initially suggested the new city’s eastward expansion, the Yaowang showed unusual generosity, bestowing high-profile rewards. Instead of magical artifacts, he granted Yangshan several additional exclusive sales and purchase rights for specialized goods.

With these sales rights, many taxes were also reduced.

He Lingchuan offered a solemn thank you, but the Soul-Devouring Mirror in his embrace grumbled, “Old coot, all talk and no substance. What kind of sales rights? Later, heh, heh-heh!”

As one of the Yaowang’s close retainers, You Rongzhi twice reminded him, “Chief Emissary Liang and the Temple don’t seem very pleased lately, Your Majesty...?”

He put it subtly, but what he meant was that the Heavenly Gods were somewhat displeased. Even You Rongzhi felt that the Yaowang had been insufficiently respectful to the Heavenly Gods lately.

In the past, the Temple frequently approached the Yaowang with requests: cooperation here today, reconstruction there tomorrow. Although the Heavenly Gods and their divine officials were difficult to please, communication was always beneficial.

Unlike now, Chief Emissary Liang himself hadn’t sought out the Yaowang for over half a month; at most, he dispatched subordinate divine officials to handle work transfers with Yaoguo court officials.

You Rongzhi felt a little uneasy; he thought this situation was somewhat dangerous.

But when he brought it up a second time, the Yaowang waved his hand dismissively, “What’s there to be afraid of? Once the national treasury is fuller, we’ll prepare some provisions and weapons, fight ten or eight battles in the Flash Gold Plain, and the Heavenly Gods will be satisfied.”

He knew very well what the Heavenly Gods wanted.

As long as Great Yao was militarily strong and its coffers full, none of this was an issue!

As for the Nightmare Qi, he would certainly provide it to the Heavenly Gods later.

The Yaowang was in high spirits, so You Rongzhi found it difficult to say anything further. He knew the monarch’s temperament too well; this was certainly not the time to cross him.

That night, two pieces of news arrived from the Yangshan Merchant Guild in Jucheng:

The allied forces had recently enjoyed smooth progress, breaking through defenses like a hot knife through butter, successively capturing three major strongholds in Bixia and subtly pointing their swords towards its capital.

With the right timing, all forces aligned. The allied forces were now in a dominant position, receiving support from all directions. In contrast, Bixia, initially the aggressor, had become the disadvantaged party, with half of its territory occupied. However, after reviewing all the information, He Lingchuan believed there were still variables in this war, and Bixia still had a chance to turn the tide.

That variable was Yaoguo.

Yaoguo’s treasury had recently grown increasingly full, and the Yaowang, no longer needing to live within his means, was in an excellent mood. With a grand gesture, he provided Bixia with a continuous stream of money, grain, and weapons. Additionally, two mercenary groups “voluntarily” assisted Bixia, eagerly entering its territory.