You became an emperor by letting me AFK.

The effect is good.

The combined effect of rapid and efficient urban development over the past decade has resulted in a vast expanse of fertile land being cultivated around the cities.

Moreover, it's not just about abandoning the land; it's about integrating a series of agricultural infrastructure such as waterwheels, wells, mills, and ditches. The fields are filled with the figures of old oxen, who, along with the farmers' cultivation, paint the earth with a verdant brushstroke. "This will definitely produce a lot of crops."

Just looking at Xia He evokes a joy that comes from the depths of her genes.

The surplus food would provide additional benefits to the population, allowing for more children to be born, and when she checked the information about the Great Qian Dynasty, she indeed discovered a breakthrough:

[Effectively controlled population: 195 million]

With just one million units remaining, a larger-scale market boost for businesses will be unlocked.

After this, we probably won't need to attack barbarian camps every day anymore.

There's no need to fight the barbarians anymore.

Looking around, Xia He realized that apart from some border areas still inhabited by barbarians, those small camps were not enough to replenish the population. In fact, the burden caused by sending troops would outweigh the benefits.

“According to the rules of the classical era, large-scale settlements would become chiefdoms.”

The former capital of the Great Qian Dynasty was actually a chiefdom.

Their numbers often exceed ten thousand, they possess a certain cultural heritage, and have their own set of historical logic, thus forming the embryonic form of a regime.

However, they are quite remote.

Such a barbarian tribe does not exist within the direct influence and radiation range of the Great Qian Dynasty.

She shifted her focus away from that aspect and instead turned to the micro-perspective of the city-states of the Southern Plains. What had become of those city-states, once the most rebellious of them all?

enlarge.

What came into view was a bustling city on a plateau, with merchants coming and going, hawking their wares.

"It's been expanded? This fortress castle is quite well built."

Centered on the main city on high ground, a ring city, an outer city, and a barbican were successively built on the surrounding gentle slopes and flat land, forming a complex fortified city. Although it seemed to have no high mountains or natural defenses, it controlled the river and served as a strategic hub.

Rising abruptly from the plain, its abrupt presence enhances its visual impact.

Like Mont Saint-Michel.

It even went so far as to be more fantastical, adding numerous pointed towers, fluttering flags, and enormous city gates to the existing city walls…

It's obvious without even guessing that it was Feng Tianyin's doing.

The little robot took to heart what its creators said about liking architecture in the style of fantasy epic games. It used that style in the design of Yingtian Fulu Cathedral, and now it has applied it to Nanyuan New City. Whenever it has the chance, it will continue to use Tiandao's aesthetic scheme.

Yeah.

Xia He thought it was indeed beautiful, magnificent and spectacular, a super fortress complex that could be called a wonder.

In terms of strategy, the Southern Plains should be regarded as a fulcrum. Now that it is on the front line, it must be carefully managed. As the southern city-states move closer to Qingzhou, it is necessary to strengthen the defense.

Because the Nanyuan city-state had a good foundation, expansion was relatively simple.

Her perspective shifts to the city lord's mansion.

The newly appointed city lord and his officials lit incense for the ancestral tablet of the Heavenly Dao, then casually placed it on the white jade statue, while chanting prayers.

As someone directly involved, I felt a little awkward watching it.

Over time, the people of Daqian completely regarded the figurine they had given to Feng Tianyin back then as their official image.

That's not wrong.

Xia He hadn't expected that the Heavenly Dao Sect's beliefs had become so deeply ingrained over the years, essentially becoming a guiding ideology and culture. However, compared to its formal doctrines, it primarily conveyed philosophical and political content.

It's more like a course, a political course, than a religious one.

Feng Tianyin definitely followed this approach in her construction, because the little machine doesn't actually like fanatical piety, but prefers to popularize knowledge, so it is more practical and instructive.

"Now that the prayers are over, it's time for us to head to Xiayi to report on our duties."

The city lord looked impatient.

"Yes, we should give the High Priest a proper report on the progress. The Southern Plains have been developing rapidly lately, and you deserve some credit for that."

"Haha, it's mainly due to the temple's resource allocation."

"No matter what, it's the result of everyone's joint efforts, and we also owe a lot to the hard work of the people of Nanyuan."

They smiled and nodded, but the words had to be politically correct; they couldn't claim all the credit. After all, the temple's official stance emphasized people's livelihood, and they couldn't absolve the people of Nanyuan of their hard work.

Xia He almost dozed off after everyone's long string of polite, pointless chatter.

half an hour.

The city lord's convoy then embarked on its journey.

She looked in the direction of the carriage and saw that the road stretched all the way, building a thoroughfare on the plain, allowing the horses to travel at the fastest speed, and the road surface was not so bumpy.

Despite the poor mobility of transportation in the classical era, the Great Qian Dynasty still invested heavily in building a large number of roads.

We can't stop building them just because they're not very useful now; we need to plan ahead.

Back then, Feng Tianyin had considered future transportation needs. Just like now, a large amount of supplies transported by the large city-state of Nanyuan need to be transported by road and then loaded onto ships at an inland river port.

Once loaded onto the ship, it will be quick.

The inland waterway network is Daqian's highway.

Xia He's gaze fell upon ships heading towards the capital, and city-states prospered in her eyes.

Even the Longshanpo city-state, which she was initially involved in, has expanded.

As a city-state relatively close to the Great Qian mainland, it enjoyed the benefits of the cluster effect and was thriving. The cultivated land stretched all the way to the fishing fire shore. It seemed that the new city lord was doing a good job, and there was a sense of anticipation in the mansion.

"...Actually, I'm quite nervous. I wonder if the High Priest will think there's still a problem with Dragon Mountain Slope?"

"Lord of the city, the predecessor is the predecessor, you have already done very well."

"Hard to say."

"Since the order to report on duties has been issued, it means that His Majesty approves of it. Let's go and come back quickly. She will not overlook the contributions of a capable subordinate."

"If you really want to hold someone accountable, a transfer order will suffice... Okay."

After listening to the clerk's advice, the city lord felt a little relieved and hurriedly packed his bags to leave.

He was so nervous that even the servants reminded him to be prepared, so this was no small matter for the city lord to worry about. Thus, the group set off quickly and simply, not daring to make a big fuss.

"Is Tianyin really that scary?"

Xia He watched the whole process with mixed feelings of amusement and exasperation. These powerful officials were all afraid of the High Priest and kept their tails between their legs.

I never expected her intimidating power to be so extraordinary.

In my memory, Tianyin has always been approachable and friendly, never putting on airs or maintaining an air of authority, and always treating people with modern thinking. So why are people still so cautious and reserved?

That seems reasonable.

After all, she had dealt with quite a few disobedient local city lords.

"Including this time, Tianyin has ruled for 60 years. Most of the people who lived before her ascension are probably dead by now."

A long reign brings a deterrent effect.

The main group of people currently in power in the Great Qian Dynasty are around fifty years old. They know the title of the High Priestess from birth and grow up in her majesty. It is part of the shaping of their outlook on life, world view and values. How can they not feel awe?

If we disregard the Heavenly Dao that transcends all boundaries, Feng Tianyin, who truly walks among mortals, can be considered—

Hermit.

Immortality, which many emperors and generals sought but could not attain, was something this man had already achieved through Xia He's promotion, and his indifferent yet wise demeanor certainly matched everyone's impression of him.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that she shaped people's impression of what immortals should be like.

After looking around, Xia He confirmed that there was no need to worry about the local control of Daqian; the rest was up to the capital.

Or, as is popular now, it's called the capital city.

Nowadays, officials of the Great Qian Dynasty call this trip "entering the capital," and the people of the Great Qian Dynasty have also spontaneously given Xiayi a new name.

Its current size certainly lives up to the name of the capital city.

When Xia He's gaze focused on this place, she was surprised to find a continuous stretch of houses in the capital region.

They've moved again.

Seeing the vast suburban towns centered around Xiayi, one understands that a round of "Yiling system" relocation had just taken place.

The influx of wealthy and powerful individuals has made the capital increasingly prosperous.

Xia He took a closer look and saw that the city population of 20 was quite exaggerated in the early classical era, considering that the version update had just begun and the workforce had been mobilized to such a large number all at once.

In addition, happiness, livability, and productivity have also seen a qualitative leap.

Far ahead.

No other city-state I've seen can compare; after all, it absorbed the essence and nourishment of the entire Great Qian Dynasty.

It's no wonder that people have gradually come to call it "the capital"—a name that comes from classical texts but is quite fitting. Today, this capital city is practically equivalent to a country, and even within the wealthy Great Qian Dynasty, there is no city that can compare to it; it is simply beyond compare.

The current version of the inland city's disruption has touched upon it.

If we really want to see who comes out on top, we'll have to look to the coastal cities, but unfortunately, Daqian doesn't have that yet.

rumble!

Suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves filled the air.

A grand procession arrived from the direction of the northern city gate, and the information shown to Xia He was that the Khans of the [Northern Desert Principal States] were the Khans of those tribes. There were familiar faces as well as unfamiliar faces, indicating that a change of leadership must have occurred recently.

Although they arrived with a large number of warhorses, their attitude was respectful, and they were less barbaric than before.

Xia He looked around and saw a series of luxury goods being transported to the area, including truffles, furs and other treasures purchased at high prices from merchants from the Western Continent, as well as excellent breeds bred at the Mobei Horse Ranch.

As is widely known, the High Priest is Hermes.

She always attached great importance to the development of cavalry, so she issued quotas to various places with horse farm resources and did her best to train horses.

Although the Great Qian Dynasty was an agrarian civilization, its horse administration was extremely advanced.

They even surpassed nomadic peoples.

Because Feng Tianyin's initial goal was to solve the strategic problem of nomadic peoples.