After the immortal disappeared

Panlong City.

He Lingchuan walked outside the house and first counted the goldfish in the tank.

Numbers 1 to 9, alive and well.

But the color of two of them seemed to have changed. I don’t know if it was the fish and insects Sun Fuling fed that made them more colorful, or...

The hanging jasmine that was originally placed above the fish tank, its snow-like flowers had withered, so it was ruthlessly removed, and its place was replaced by a pot of sweet-scented osmanthus.

The residents of Panlong City like to plant sweet-scented osmanthus trees, but He Lingchuan’s yard is too small, and I don’t know where Master Sun got such a small pot with the flowers blooming just right.

At this time, the summer heat has faded away in Panlong City and the autumn wind is blowing. It is a good time to enjoy the osmanthus.

The fragrance of sweet-scented osmanthus overflowed from the yard into the house.

The sound of wind chimes came from next door. He Lingchuan leaned on the wall and took a look. Sun Fuling's door was closed and the owner was not at home.

He looked up at the blue sky. At this hour, Master should be in class?

From the neighbor's house on the other side, there were the sounds of messy footsteps, the noise of moving heavy objects, and the complaints of children.

He Lingchuan opened the courtyard door and walked out, just in time to see a mule cart starting slowly. The neighbor's man was sitting in the car, waving goodbye to his family.

"Don't worry, I'll be back in as little as half a year or as little as three months!"

The hostess grabbed Xiaopang and watched her husband go away.

He Lingchuan did not interrupt the farewell party. He waited until the mule cart disappeared around the corner and then stepped forward and asked, "Why does he have to travel so far?"

The neighbor works for the Panlong City government office. According to He Lingchuan's understanding, he is a public servant. His life is relatively stable and he doesn't have to travel long distances. Why does it take three to five months to go away this time?

The female neighbor sighed: "He has to help when Yuheng City is renovated."

My son Xiaopang didn’t understand very much: “Dad is not a mason or a carpenter, and he doesn’t know how to build a house, so why should he go?”

The word "ye" between mother and son is very expressive.

The female neighbor stroked his head and said, "Your father is going to help me manage expenses and calculate accounts. Otherwise, who will pay the masons and carpenters?"

The last time Panlongcheng sent troops, Xiqiao was directly wiped out. Although King Xiluo issued an order prohibiting Panlong's soldiers and civilians from returning eastward, it was impossible for Panlong City to spit out the territory it had finally swallowed.

Therefore, the original land of Xiqiao was also inherited by Panlong City. Yuheng City is the border city in the eastern part of the original Xiqiao, separated from Jinying Kingdom by only a river.

Jin Ying was close to Baling Kingdom and Bejia, and had a bad relationship with Panlong City.

As a border town, Yuheng City's original defense facilities were old and even the river embankments were in disrepair. In order to consolidate the border defense after Panlong City destroyed Xiqiao, Yuheng City must be repaired.

Of course, there were many Xiluo people in the original Xiqiao territory, and there were also many skilled craftsmen. He Lingchuan, the neighbor, also went to do some municipal service work.

In fact, this incident is just a microcosm. The entire Xiqiao area is undergoing large-scale construction projects.

In addition to relying on the original city facilities, such as Longhou Pass, Yuheng City and other checkpoints and border towns, Panlong City also needs to build several places for cargo transshipment and troop garrisoning in the Xiqiao area.

The plains of Xilan are also very fertile, suitable for growing crops. In this way, in addition to Chipa Plateau, Panlong City has a new source of high-quality grain.

Because it is too far away from the Chipa Plateau and too close to the Jinyang Kingdom, Xiqiao's safety is a big problem.

Even if it is defeated, it must be defended. Panlong City cannot send troops there every day.

However, the new trade routes brought by Xiluo are extremely important, so Panlong City has been sending all kinds of talents there in the past two months to help the Xiluo people in Xiluo's territory become the masters of their own country as soon as possible.

The first few times He Lingchuan entered Hun Township, he found that many of his comrades had been ordered to station or reinforce Xiqiao. Commander Xiao was even sent to be an instructor. It was said that he would train 50,000 new soldiers.

It is said that Zhong Shengguang is also considering the selection of generals to be sent to Yuheng City, who will be responsible for garrisoning, training and farming.

It is autumn now, and after the autumn harvest it is a good time for military training.

He Lingchuan thought that he would also be sent to Xiqiao, but the Broken Blade Team had not received such an order yet.

As for Xiqiao's old royal city, there are now a large group of civil servants there who are trying to get Xiqiao back on track after the war.

Although Panlong City was rarely as peaceful and peaceful as the Heishui City that He Lingchuan was used to, the changes brought about by the merger of Xiqiao were so great that it was beyond everyone's expectation.

Many people leave Panlong City every day, and many new faces come in every day. This war machine is starting again, but it is not busy for war.

Or rather, not yet.

New things quickly distract residents and dilute the frustration of being unable to return eastward.

This time's major transformation of Xilian also aroused the enthusiasm of the civilians, and the number of people voluntarily going to support was increasing day by day.

This situation may continue for a long time.

Now He Lingchuan stuffed a few brown candies into Xiaopang and chatted for a while. Not far away, a messenger came on horseback and said to him:

"General Hong ordered that He Lingchuan be on duty at the War Hall at three quarters noon."

He Lingchuan received the order and headed south of the city.

Since he killed Jindu's cub and rescued Wen Daolun in Panlong City, Zhong Shengguang and General Hong's trust in him has grown day by day. During the Battle of Xiqiao Kingdom, he led the Broken Blade Team to successfully complete the mission at Longmiao Pass. He performed well in the Battle of Xiqiao King City and the Battle of the Xianba Allied Forces. He made many military exploits and became closer and closer to the top management of Panlong City. .

The security level of the activities he participated in was getting higher and higher, and Zhong Shengguang and General Red did not shy away from him in their speeches.

Going on duty in the Gange Hall like this is a privilege in itself for Dafeng soldiers. Only the most trusted warriors are qualified to guard Panlong City’s war secrets.

With plenty of time, he still had time to go around the South Gate Square first.

There was no change in the Juluo tree by the river. The strange-headed nightmare that was entangled in the branches complained when he saw him:

"When will you let me go! I have completed all the tasks you gave me."

"You are just a weakling now." He Lingchuan said with a smile, "Wandering around can easily be eaten by other nightmares."

"I need a dreamland, otherwise I will be so weak that I die!" Soulland is not a place where it should stay for a long time, let alone this place...what the hell is this place!

"I'll help you find it when you have time." He Lingchuan comforted it. This nightmare had already seen the inside of Panlong City and was considered a half-informed person. There was no way He Lingchuan would release it.

Dafang Hu and Panlong City are his biggest secrets. Once leaked, the consequences will be disastrous.

He turned a deaf ear to the nightmare's sad roar and quickly passed by Wanglin Street.

Passing Yunling Island, he found that there were more guests coming in and out, not to mention crowded, at least they were coming like a cloud. Even though it was a slightly cool autumn day, Fatty Bai was still so busy that his forehead was shiny, and he didn't know whether it was sweat or oil.

The store has hired two more clerks, and there are many fresh products on display.

The goods displayed by profiteers like Bai Ku in prominent locations in stores are either very expensive, rare in quantity, powerful in function, or very trendy.

He Lingchuan immediately saw a shell among the entire row of products. It was oily yellow and larger than the palm of his hand. The texture on the surface was like tiger stripes, and the mouth of the shell had tiny serrations.

Although he was mixed in the crowd, Bai Qiao's sharp eyes still recognized the landlord, and he ran over and said:

"You're here!"

This guy has a good way of treating people and he deserves to make money. He Lingchuan smiled and said: "Boss Bai is getting rich, and his business is booming. Look, should the rent of this store be..."

When he heard that the unscrupulous landlord wanted to raise the rent, Bai Xiaochu complained bitterly: "Hey, you don't know, there are so many new things recently, but the cost is also high, and the competition is very fierce. The shop across the street is just like my shop." When I purchase the items, the prices are a little lower than mine. If I hadn’t had so many repeat customers in this store..."

He Lingchuan squinted at him: "If I hadn't revealed the information to you in advance, would you have dared to take over the store on the west corner of Wanglin Street?"

When rumors of returning home were flying, he told Fatty Bai that Panlong's soldiers and civilians would definitely not move eastward. At that time, people's hearts were in a state of flux, and people were selling their shops on Wanglin Street. After hearing his "inside information," Fatty Bai not only gave up the idea of ​​canceling the lease, but gritted his teeth and stamped his feet, and even bought the shop.

This is called starving the brave to death and starving the timid to death.

It's okay now. Panlong's soldiers and civilians won't leave. The other party regrets his death and can only sit back and watch the fat man fight for money every day.

Bai Xiao quickly took out a box, which contained five ghost cicadas: "Brother He, no, Master He is awesome, small gifts are not a sign of respect."

He Lingchuan was not polite, grabbed it and put it in his arms, and then said strangely: "I usually ask you to buy a few cicadas, but it's hard to explain. Why are you so happy today?"

White Grasshopper wiped his sweat: "In the past, this was a rare thing. It had a price but no market. You might not be able to get it even if you wanted to."

"Now?"

"Didn't we capture the prickly pear?" White Grasshopper grinned almost to the back of his ears, "Kicking away this roadblock will open up the trade route south, and even open it to the seaport of Song State! Goods from outside can come in, The variety is also complete.”

He Lingchuan understood.

Panlong City has always been an enclave, with development blocked on all sides. The capture of Xiqiao also opened up the southward trade route, which was very beneficial to Panlong City's external communication.

White Grasshopper is right, the trade road extends further and can even reach the seaside!

He Lingchuan even suspected that this was the real purpose of Zhong Shengguang and others in taking over Xiqiao - to strive for external connectivity and get rid of the enclave's predicament.

If he guessed correctly, Panlongcheng would put more effort into consolidating and managing Xiqiao.

For Panlongcheng, this is a brand new opportunity.

"In other words, you can sell cicada sloughs to me cheaper in the future?"

"Uh..." The landlord is so evil! "Yes, yes! If you try again, get 10% off!

Stingy, He Lingchuan shook his head and pointed at the conch: "What is that?"

"Oh, this is a magic conch." Bai Kuai smiled, "If it is used as a marching horn, the sound can be transmitted ten miles away, basically the entire battlefield can be heard; it can also remember different sounds, so it can be used directly next time Blow it out, such as birds chirping, tiger roaring, etc... Do you want one? It's also useful when performing tasks."

"No." He Lingchuan saw the price tag.