Chapter 1449: Chapter 1449
Chang Xi didn’t want to take advantage of Long Fei, so she took out a pill to give to him.
Paying back money is easy, but paying back a favor is difficult.
Long Fei ignored her and went straight to sit with Taida and the others, drinking together, so Chang Xi could only give up.
At dawn, Long Fei quietly left with Bald Dog and a few others.
He didn’t like to see the sad faces during farewells; the green mountains don’t change, and the green waters will always be.
If fate deems it, they will meet again.
Chang Xi didn’t sleep all night. When they left, she stared out the window for a long time.
She wanted to go down to say goodbye but feared being laughed at, so in the end, she held back and didn’t go out.
This time Long Fei gave her spiritual medicine, warming her heart, making her feel Long Fei wasn’t as annoying as usual.
On both sides of the Great River, military tension was palpable.
The advance forces gathered by the New Emperor were already stationed on the North Shore, waiting for the provisions and reinforcements to arrive, ready to attack Southern Capital City.
Southern Capital City had layered defenses along the Great River, placing troops at every military strategist’s fortress.
The atmosphere was tense on both sides; even a tiny spark could trigger a war.
After Long Fei and Bald Dog, along with the Ground Rat Demon King and Da Heiniu, returned, they didn’t rush back to the Prefecture Princess Mansion, instead observing the enemy and their own positions from above.
The New Emperor’s troops were outwardly strong but internally disorganized, stationed haphazardly without any method.
On the ground, there was surprisingly no expert in command.
Even when he went up to scout, no one stopped him.
When Long Fei returned to his side, he found a neat military formation and orderly defenses.
Various defensive barriers were built at all the ferry fortresses, vastly different in momentum from the opposing side.
The New Army was fully dressed in nano-grade silver uniforms, looking like an alien force.
All this relies on the large-scale steel furnace of Mystic Turtle Island, different from the outside world.
The outside world uses coal for steelmaking, while this world uses a Spirit Stone Formation.
Absolutely clean energy, with no black smoke emanating from the refinery, and extremely high efficiency. The rıghtful source is 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝙣𝙚𝙩
Only recently, the New Emperor seems to have become aware of this matter.
Elder Mu Qingzhu from the Yin Yang Sect and Ji Wanrong have discussed transferring resources from Mystic Turtle Island to Snake Island in the South Yangtze Prefecture.
Long Fei carefully scouted around and felt there might be significant issues within the New Emperor’s ranks.
Some wanted to reclaim South Yangtze Prefecture, while others only wanted to make a show.
In any case, military orders were as firm as a mountain.
This battle wouldn’t end without a fight.
On the way back to the city, Long Fei walked into the city.
He wanted to see if anything had changed in Southern Capital City over these days.
At the city gate, they were quite surprised.
To their astonishment, carriages lined the main entrance, each with special license plates.
Coachmen continually asked passersby, drumming up business.
One coachman approached, nodding and smiling, greeting Long Fei as if he were an outsider, warmly inquiring, "Sir, are you from out of town?"
Long Fei smiled and nodded.
The coachman said, "Then get on the carriage! Wherever you want to go, just take our carriage. Since it’s your first time in Southern Capital City, we’ll give you a 20% discount, only one copper coin per kilometer."
In this world, Spirit Stones, gold, silver, and copper are used as currency.
A copper coin is approximately equivalent to one dollar in the outside world.
Some time ago, Ji Wanrong and Long Fei discussed printing numerical values on copper coins.
Thus, gradually transitioning to paper currency.
After all, the benefits of paper currencies are numerous, reducing the cost of currency issuance and resisting various financial risks.
Some people like to cast gold and silver into Buddha statues and other objects, which inevitably reduces the circulating currency in the market.
This leads to deflation, a situation not unheard of during the late periods of dynasties in the outside world.
Long Fei and Bald Dog shared a laugh; it felt like they had stepped into modern civilization.
They supported the coachman’s business and once on board, Long Fei curiously asked the coachman, "How long have you been in this business?"
The coachman laughed, "Thanks to the Commandery Princess, it started just two months ago. Now the government office here has a Department of Transportation, specifically managing these matters. We are among the first batches of coachmen registered in the Department of Transportation, and the carriages were bought through government loans, requiring only monthly loan payments."
Long Fei usually didn’t concern himself with these minor matters, but the slight changes he saw now filled him with curiosity.
This world has a large population, and long lifespans, a tremendous demographic advantage indeed.
If fully utilized, resisting the Demon Race wouldn’t be an issue.
Bald Dog couldn’t help but ask Long Fei, "Master, do you fancy that Chang Xi Fairy? It seems Chu Feng is also interested. You guys shouldn’t fight over a woman!"
"Since when did you become so nosy?"
Long Fei gave it a sidelong glance and asked, "I wanted to ask you what’s going on with the Mount Tai Secret Realm?"
Bald Dog’s eyes shifted, quickly turning its head to cover up.
The Ground Rat Demon King and Da Heiniu listened curiously and asked Long Fei, "Master, what about that Mount Tai Secret Realm?"
"We’ll discuss it when we’re back."
Long Fei tapped Bald Dog on the head, intending to leave it some secrets.
However, considering how nosy this dog is, he joined in the gossip.
Bald Dog gnashed its teeth, wishing it could slap itself; why tease the master for no reason? Now nothing can be hidden.
They got off the carriage in front of the Prefecture Princess Mansion, not expecting the front of the government office to be quite lively.
Various exotic beasts pulling carriages stopped before the government office, guided into the backyard by people.
Those disembarking were richly dressed, each with an extraordinary aura.
Only Long Fei and his three companions appeared poorly dressed.
The front-door servants didn’t want to bother with them; only one approached to ask, "Gentlemen, are you here to attend the business development summit?"
Long Fei and Bald Dog exchanged glances, almost thinking they had traveled through time, disoriented by the era’s shift.
The little servant warmly smiled and said, "Guests, please follow me. Our Commandery Princess mentioned at this business development summit that no matter what business you are engaged in or its size, you’ll be treated as distinguished guests."
Long Fei grinned and asked him, "What’s your name?"
The servant replied, "I’m Liuu Qingzhu."
"From the Liuu family?"
Long Fei casually inquired.
The servant bowed and answered, "Yes, from a minor branch of the Liuu family."
Long Fei noted down the name and entered the east courtyard at his invitation.
Inside the Prefecture Princess Mansion, the eastern courtyard served as a garden for relaxation.
At the moment, long tables were set up on the garden’s grass.
They were laden with an array of fruits and delicacies, with officials and wealthy merchants mingling and chatting, obviously still getting accustomed to this innovative banquet.