You became an emperor by letting me AFK.

[Effect: Trade efficiency along the route +5%, influence on surrounding cultures +3%]

As for its defensive function, there's no need to elaborate. In short, it brings considerable revenue to the border region and has strategic significance, so why not continue building it as a long-term project, like a cathedral, to boost the economy?

Feng Tianyin had already planned this all along.

"Don't worry too much about the northern tribes. The focus should be on the southern city-states. Let them see the Great Qian Dynasty during this Heavenly Dao Festival."

There are only three years left until the next round, so prepare well.

The clerks chimed in, “That’s right, a significant portion of those barbarians haven’t even arrived in Xia Yi yet.” “They haven’t been properly educated and need a baptism.” “They haven’t been summoned because the jurisdiction still needs a presiding official.” Everyone dismissed them with disdain.

It wasn't verified.

In the eyes of scholars of the Great Qian Dynasty, only those who have undergone the baptism of the Heavenly Dao upon arriving in Xia Yi are considered to have joined.

It wasn't just a religious significance; it was also because that deterrent power ensured the city-state's leadership was completely subservient, enough to see through any disloyal intentions, and the cause and effect of the world could not escape that glance.

"Let's continue to cultivate the southern city-states."

“Make them beautiful, so that Heaven can see the changes in the land of Daqian over the past ten years.”

"Yes, sir!" the crowd replied in unison.

Feng Tianyin continued to focus on domestic affairs. Now that a group of new people had been selected and brought about a fresh atmosphere, they should naturally take on important responsibilities and hone their abilities through work.

-------

In the years that followed, she continued to prioritize resources for the fiefdoms.

However, a balance must be struck, and only with strengthened control can these measures be properly implemented. This proved to be the right choice; stationing clerks and churches in villages and towns filled what were previously "management gaps."

Otherwise, it would become a place where local gentry could interpret things arbitrarily.

The previous poor tax collection was also due to the fact that Daqian's management had not yet reached the grassroots level, but now the shortcomings have been addressed.

The investment is also substantial.

After all, Feng Tianyin had expanded the security force, priests, and officials quite a bit for this purpose, and it was only because of her control over them that she dared to go deep into the grassroots.

Typical feudal regimes did not possess such a high degree of organization.

She didn't just control everything; she also invested heavily in infrastructure, including but not limited to roads, ditches, reservoirs, dams, and bridges, to ensure convenient transportation. Even a small river could be made to flow smoothly with just a bridge; these capillaries facilitated transportation.

In addition, there are numerous inland river ports.

Daqian's inland waterway transportation development started early, with rich experience and advanced technology. It thrived in the densely networked Cifu Plain in the south, and quickly established a trade network.

Ships connected various places, enabling the exchange of goods and allowing them to quickly reach Xiayi.

They form the giant's blood vessels, ensuring a strong physique.

To get rich, build roads first.

For many years, everyone has kept in mind the teachings of the High Priest, so the transportation in Daqian has always been at the forefront of the times. It is no exaggeration to say that "all roads lead to Xiayi". With the development of transportation, we will also discover locations that we did not notice before.

Most of the city-states in the northern section were associated with mining and strategic locations, but now new cities can be built based on transportation hubs and specialty trade, each with its own function...

Feng Tianyin approved a series of proposed new city construction plans over three years.

It doesn't matter if the population is a little tight.

As the saying goes, "an army marches on its stomach," and this is how the heavens displayed a prosperous and thriving scene.

She looks forward to the next festival.

Chapter 110 The Sixtieth Year (6K)

It's almost time for the next round.

Xia He's routine check of the progress of the beta version of "Civilization Evolution" revealed that a new round of operations is about to begin.

In fact, she could have completely ignored the country during this period and directly entered the turn of operations, but considering that the Great Qian was just a newborn calf, she decided to keep an eye on things first to avoid causing any major problems that would be difficult to handle.

"We should build more cities this round."

Even without opening the detailed map, they could guess Feng Tianyin's general plan.

Just like her.

As a player, you'll likely experience a period of rapid expansion in the early Classical Era, after achieving stability. Spread your territory as wide as possible, regardless of size. So what if there are penalties for overexpansion? With proper management, these can be offset. Now is the perfect time to seize territory.

Xiahe typically establishes the core territory during the Classical period.

Choosing the right position was originally a very important matter, but it was all left to Feng Tianyin to decide. We look forward to seeing how the little AI performs.

Open the window to enter the overhead view.

As usual, I first glanced at the national map, my eyes quickly sweeping over the rivers, lakes and seas.

call!

A gust of wind inexplicably swept through the Great Qian territory and even the surrounding areas. To ordinary people, it was nothing unusual, but the hidden subspace pollution and the inexplicable palpitations of the psionic awakeners soon returned to normal.

"That's strange, what just happened? My neck feels cold."

"Is my head still there?"

"Don't be alarmed. The Heavenly Dao Festival is almost here. What evil spirit would dare to come up at this time?"

"That's true. Let's continue escorting the supplies and get there as soon as possible."

Only a very few powerful psychic awakeners standing at the pinnacle of their era could detect a trace of pressure. It was that will looking down from the infinitely high and distant land. He had returned, as always, on time.

The one who felt it most clearly was Feng Tianyin.

As she inspected the arrangements on the high altar platform at the very top of the temple, she slightly raised her head. That aura was so familiar; she couldn't possibly mistake it.

coming.

Beside her, Gergentana noticed as well, and unconsciously wiped the sweat from her brow. No matter how much time had passed, even after being elevated to the status of a Great Prophet, the fear lingering from their first meeting hadn't faded; it still lingered...

"Excuse me, I'm going to pick some flowers."

Feng Tianyin watched the hurried figure leave and tilted her head, unable to understand her partner's sensitivity in this regard.

Neither of them made a fuss, as letting everyone know that the Heavenly Dao had come ahead of time would inevitably cause a stir, and enjoying the experience of having exclusive access to this perception was a reminder to prepare themselves to the best of their ability.

at the same time.

Xia He was unaware of the attention directed at her from a more microscopic level and continued to observe the changes.

"Just as I expected, they built five new cities."

Apart from the few city-states that had previously submitted to it, during this period the Great Qian began to build new cities along the main transportation routes to consolidate its occupation of the northern plains.

The progress was a bit rough.

Construction has only been underway for three years, and without significant bonuses, so it's currently only in the rudimentary form of a city. However, once they are connected, they can quickly occupy and assimilate the northern plains.

Feng Tianyin had planned it all out: to establish a foothold in the new cities and strengthen control over the various fiefdoms.

She would never be an emperor who could not be controlled after being granted fiefdoms; on the contrary, her control over the fiefdoms only increased.

Loyalty: 100%

The result is that everyone is 100% and completely devoted to the Heavenly Dao Sect.

Looking around, Xia He had to admit that the Great Prophet had a set of effective methods for spreading his teachings, and all the city-states were immersed in the glory of the divine way.

loyalty!

They follow the lead of the high priest without question.

At this point, the city-states have essentially become functional entities, serving as "mascots that exclusively consume the overall resources of the fiefdom." They are no longer able to escape control; they are firmly in the hands of the authorities and have permeated every aspect of their existence.

Many of the officials working in the city lord's mansion were sent down from the Great Qian Dynasty to govern alongside the feudal lords.

The scribes selected by the temple were in charge of the specific execution. To put it extremely, if they were removed with a single order, the city-state's administration would collapse on the spot and disband, essentially becoming brain dead.

Furthermore, they can take control of the city lord's mansion at any time.

That's why Xia He said that Feng Tianyin had turned them into mascots.

An empty shell.

After thoroughly investigating the matter, the feudal lords were completely subdued and obedient. As a result, the enfeoffed lords also behaved themselves.

Obeying the high priest's orders guarantees wealth for generations—it's effortless. Conversely, disobeying will have dire consequences; your home will be confiscated and you'll become a commoner in no time.

Xia He checked the logs and found:

We have received news that the former city lord of Longshanpo has been dismissed and sentenced to life imprisonment...

He ultimately couldn't escape it, the reason being that he had concealed taxes.

Feng Tianyin resolved the issue with a single transfer order, eliminating any possibility of a "Rebellion of the Seven Kings" or "Rebellion of the Eight Kings." Their strength simply prevented them from causing trouble, and everything was under the control of the Great Qian Dynasty. The net of heaven is vast, yet nothing escapes its reach.

After confiscating all the property, she even generously appointed a new city lord, who naturally received widespread support and became Lei's most steadfast supporter.

Foresight.

As long as you work diligently and obey orders, you will reap the rewards; otherwise, you will surely suffer.

According to Xia He's investigation, most of the former city lord's clansmen died in one winter after their homes were raided, leaving nine out of ten houses empty.

Since they have obtained the benefits they previously embezzled, they must pay the price.

Those who survived were destined to decline.

It is well known that the High Priest is kind-hearted and wouldn't commit such a heinous act as the extermination of nine generations of a family, but he is also impartial and ruthless, punishing those who are not lenient. Moreover, some people who received the signal naturally helped to sabotage the situation, so the former city lord's clan became extremely unstable.

"It's become much milder on the surface, but in reality it's about the same."

Xia He could tell that this was still a precise strike against an entire clan-based profiteering group.

Good tactic.

Given Feng Tianyin's authority, once the verdict is announced, everyone will definitely keep their distance. This criminal is a social death, and the city lord's wealth and glory have collapsed overnight, resulting in heavy losses.

This means you've reached the point where you're facing an ancient annihilation threshold.

Overall, the Great Qian Dynasty has ensured its control through a comprehensive and rigorous system of containment, turning city-states into mere toys.

The design of the human-machine interface makes it clear that she is hoping to benefit from the system's advantages.