novelraw Chapter 235: Chengcheng County also came into view
Chapter 235: Chengcheng County also came into view
After a while, Li Daoxuan finally stopped panting and regained his breath. He took out the medical nebulizer and rained on the area around Bai Family Fortress. Then he sat down in front of the computer, opened the online shopping site, opened the store where he had bought the small train last time, and sent a message to the store owner: “Boss, I’ve come back to buy the small train and tracks.”
The store owner was overjoyed: “Dear, welcome back. What do you want this time?”
“Still two engines, two train stations, and then… small tracks…”
Li Daoxuan thought seriously. The straight-line distance between Bai Family Fortress and Gaojia Village was well over thirty li. With all the twists and turns, crossing mountains and rivers, it was at least forty li, which converted to twenty thousand meters. Divided by two hundred times, that came to one hundred meters.
For this sort of thing, it was always wiser to buy more than less; having extras prevented problems.
Li Daoxuan said: “I want one hundred fifty meters long of small track.”
“Pfft!” The store owner nearly spat out in shock. “Dear, what are you buying such long small track for? Is your house really that big?”
Li Daoxuan: “My estate takes up half a mountain, and my kid’s play area is football field-sized. Is it strange for me to buy one hundred fifty meters of track small train for my own child? Never seen a rich guy? Are you doing this deal or not? Not, I’ll find another shop.”
The store owner was sweating: “Boss, don’t get mad. Business is always doable; I’ll prepare it right away. By the way, since dear’s small track is so long, I suggest buying several more train stations. Placing more stations along the path would be pretty fun, and the kids will love it.”
“That makes sense.” Li Daoxuan had no idea if the bridges would be useful or not, but he figured he’d buy them just in case. “Also get me five big bridges, ones that combine freely to fit all sorts of terrains.”The store owner was overjoyed: “Got it! Dear, you are really my lifesaver.”
A big batch of goods was ordered…
Li Daoxuan secretly thought: Later, I would have to lay the small train tracks all the way from Gaojia Village to Bai Family Fortress. That was no small job; over one hundred meters long with twists and turns, and it might need “land clearing” or “bridge building” in spots, exhausting me for sure.
But thinking again, this was actually pretty fun, wasn’t it? This wasn’t setting up a small train in the living room; it was playing with toy trains in a real world, making it feel really rewarding when you got it right.
“Cai Xinzi, I’m going to modify two small trains again.”
“Done, no problem.”
“Then later I’ll spend twenty dollars to hire a runner to deliver them to you.”
“Oh, you’re getting richer these days, even hiring runners.”
“Hahaha, rich, carefree.”
“Hey, I’ve made a bundle working with you too. Keep the micro-sculpting jobs coming; I’m loving these commissions.”
“You bastard, you run a model shop; don’t go turning yourself into a micro-sculpting broker.”
“When money’s at stake, anything goes. No shame in that.”
Just as they talked, Cai Xinzi abruptly said: “By the way, after earning a few deals with you, I’ve got enough cash. I plan to finally marry my long-time girlfriend soon. You? You’re flush now; shouldn’t you find a good woman?”
Li Daoxuan laughed: “Nah, I don’t want to step into the grave of marriage. Isn’t it better to spend all this money alone?”
Cai Xinzi chuckled: “You… fine, whatever, as long as you’re happy.”
Closing WeChat, Li Daoxuan’s focus turned back to the box.
The small people in Bai Family Fortress were holding boat races on the lake, one happier than the next. They clearly didn’t need tending right now; Bai Yuan had been keeping them in good shape.
Li Daoxuan considered carefully.
Since he could see Bai Family Fortress, that meant nearly all of Chengcheng County was visible. Shifting his view a bit, he might get a clear look at many villages too.
Moving his view southwards from Bai Family Fortress, he tapped east and west from time to time. The view wobbled as it headed south, and soon Li Daoxuan spotted a small town that looked fairly busy.
This small town even had low town walls, about one zhang high, with archers patrolling them. Over the town gate hung a plaque that read “Fengyuan Town” in large characters.
Li Daoxuan felt a stir in his heart: So this is Fengyuan Town!
County Magistrate Liang Shixian had repelled the bandit army here twice, defeating Bu Zhan Ni, Zuo Guazi, Yan Qianer… This place was a key stronghold against bandits for Chengcheng County, no wonder archers guarded the town walls.
It was likely in war mode right now.
A quick look was enough; everyone here was a wild figure. Li Daoxuan wasn’t rushing to meddle.
In a place full of wild figures, if he rashly stuck out a “Thanos-like hand,” it would just scare them without any good results.
Putting yourself in their place made it clear: if he was gaming at home and a big, bright golden hand suddenly loomed from the sky without Gao Yiye around to explain, would he think it was a force for good?
Obviously not; he’d be wary and cautious, and bolt the other way first!
Humans feared unknown giants before deciding on worship; until knowing the giant’s nature, fleeing for safety was the average person’s instinct.
Better not scare Fengyuan Town’s citizens; life was tough enough in famine years, so he should approach these small people gently.
His view slid onward, continuing south.
Tapping and tapping…
South of Fengyuan Town were many villages where people still lived. It wasn’t that these spots escaped disaster; they lined a wide “great imperial road.”
This great imperial road ran north from Chengcheng County, through Fengyuan Town, onward to Yan’an Prefecture. As a result, plenty of merchants traveled it, so villagers managed teahouses and inns, surviving day to day by the skin of their teeth.
Li Daoxuan traced this great imperial road all the way south until a small, crowded county seat appeared in view.
Chengcheng County!
No surprise there—he’d expected it. The distance from Gaojia Village to the county was similar to Bai Family Fortress’s, so seeing one meant he should see the other.