EBE Chapter 1293 First Visit to the Western Regions
Chapter 1293 First Visit to the Western Regions
After listening, Xiao Ce nodded, recalling his first experience entering the Western Regions...
Those were truly tough times!
Seeing this change, Xiao Ce remarked with emotion, "Actually, everyone attributes all of this to me... I really feel ashamed..."
"Without everyone's desperate efforts, this situation wouldn't be possible... Compared to them, what I did was the least significant..."
As he spoke, Xiao Ce's gaze suddenly sharpened...
"Given this situation, I will absolutely not let those guys destroy all of this..."
After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Yin Pan'er nodded solemnly.
She naturally understood what Xiao Ce meant by what he was implying...
Yin Pan'er said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, no... and even so, I think everyone is willing to stand with you through thick and thin... without any regrets..."
Xiao Ce grasped her hand in return, nodding firmly with a determined look...
As Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er were talking, their gazes once again drifted to the view outside the window...
These railway tracks and these trains not only shortened distances, but also continuously delivered the empire's will and the nourishment of new policies to the most remote corners...
He thought of the roots that refused to leave the Ghost City of Dragon Guard, and looking at the new roots that had sprung up because of the railway, he was filled with emotion.
It truly proves the old saying that the difficulty of governing a country is revealed in the process of destruction and construction.
The further west you go, the colors of the world gradually change.
The lush plains were left behind, replaced by an increasingly vast and desolate landscape.
The distant mountains are a rusty ochre red, with exposed, jagged rocks, and the earth is covered with grayish-yellow gravel and sparse meadows.
The air became dry, carrying a rough smell.
This scene felt both so familiar and so strange to Xiao Ce...
"Ugh...!"
The long, resounding whistle rang out again...
"Yumen Pass! We've arrived at Yumen Pass!"
The train conductor's loud voice echoed throughout the carriage.
A slight commotion broke out in the carriage, and the workers in the back carriages couldn't help but press their eyes against the windows to look.
Of course, some of the older workers continued to rest; such scenes were nothing new to them...
Xiao Ce looked up and saw the ancient pass, which had stood majestically at the strategic pass for thousands of years, already at the edge of his field of vision.
The massive, weathered loess walls take on a deep golden-brown hue under the afternoon sun. The imposing fortress and towering arrow towers silently recount the vicissitudes of history and the ruggedness of the frontier.
The Jade Gate Pass was exactly the same as when he first set foot there.
However, Xiao Ce's state of mind was completely different at this moment...
However, on this ancient backdrop, new life is growing and flourishing like vines.
The scene below the fortress is even more breathtaking.
A brand-new, gleaming railway track, like a silver dragon, extends from the side of the ancient city gate and intersects with the main line that Xiao Ce was traveling on.
Another branch line meanders northward toward the distant mines...
I had heard Yin Weiyong mention it before, that a lot of minerals had been discovered in the Western Regions.
As the number of talented individuals in the Tianji Academy increases, their exploration capabilities become stronger and stronger.
Some of them use science.
However, I've heard that another group of people use metaphysics.
What's most impressive is that those masters of metaphysics actually found mineral deposits, something they themselves couldn't explain.
However, according to Lin Zhong, a good cat is one that can catch mice, whether it's black or white...
A massive steam locomotive was pulling a carload of ore from a branch line at the mine, its heavy, powerful breaths echoing through the air.
The sounds of steam whistles, the clanging of wheels against rails, the hissing of steam valves releasing steam, and the distant, melodious sound of camel bells echoing along the traditional trade route...
Ding Dong, Ding Dong...
Various sounds blend and collide here in a wonderful way, creating a magnificent symphony of the ancient and the modern, the frontier and the central government.
Inside and outside the pass, traffic flows like a river.
The new army soldiers guarding the border wore crisp, dark blue woolen uniforms with gleaming brass buttons and new-style short guns at their waists, patrolling and standing guard at various points along the passes.
Their upright posture and sharp eyes formed a striking yet harmonious contrast with the weathered veterans on the gate, clad in worn leather armor and wielding spears.
The new and the old are not separated at this moment, but rather coexist in inheritance and preservation.
Caravans came and went in an endless stream, creating a scene reminiscent of a moving World's Fair.
Despite the availability of various advanced means of transportation, camels remain the primary mode of transport in the Western Regions.
The massive camel caravans were laden with bulging sacks filled with spices unique to the Western Regions, exuding a peculiar fragrance. The aroma of benzoin, myrrh, and pepper mingled with the scent of livestock, filling the air.
A foreign merchant, wearing a headscarf, with deep-set eyes and a high nose, speaking with a foreign accent, was bargaining with a shrewd Central Plains merchant wearing a melon-shaped hat.
The goods they traded were dazzling: exquisite silks from the heart of the Central Plains shimmered with color, porcelain as thin as cicada wings gleamed with a warm luster, and boxes of tea exuded a delicate fragrance.
In return, they received colorful and lustrous Hetian jade, the smooth and glossy fur of horses from the Western Regions, bundles of precious medicinal herbs, and gold and silver utensils inlaid with gemstones from the more distant West.
I had heard before when I was in the West that many Western businessmen came here to do business.
The newly built customs house next to the fortress is tall and spacious, with long queues in front of it.
Tax officials, dressed in uniform dark blue suits, were methodically checking customs documents and verifying tax bills.
A huge, clearly printed "Trade Tax Regulations for the Western Regions" was posted on the wall, attracting merchants to stop and take a closer look.
Order replaced chaos, and rules ensured prosperity. Little Mudskipper watched intently; to him, all of this was a hundred times more exciting than the chaos of the Dragon Guardian Ghost City.
"Yumen Pass, a strategic and vital pass!"
Looking out the window at the vibrant scene where the old and new intertwined, Xiao Ce couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.
"Today, it is no longer a barrier of isolation, but a hub of exchange. Guarding the nation's gates is not only about protecting what is available, but also about facilitating trade..."
Upon seeing Xiao Ce's expression, Yin Pan'er instinctively said to him, "Your Highness, isn't this exactly what you imagined..."
"These are all your policies..."
Xiao Ce smiled and said to Yin Pan'er, "Pan'er, everything here has far exceeded my expectations... They have exceeded my policies..."
Yin Pan'er said to Xiao Ce, "Of course, this is also thanks to my father's help, through various policies. My father said he was worried about going to war with the West. The Western Regions, with their unique geographical location, can perfectly serve as our Xiao Kingdom's backyard..."
"So, that's what they've always done... and judging from the current situation, their efforts are paying off..."
As she spoke, Yin Pan'er grew increasingly curious, even excited, and said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, Yumen Pass is already so bustling. The Three Passes City, located at the very heart of the Western Regions... must be even more lively...?"
The Three Passes City that Yin Pan'er mentioned was the first trading center that Xiao Ce designated here. After he left, Nan Xi followed suit and carried it out.
The effect is self-evident; it's surprisingly good...
His gaze swept over the new army soldiers and customs officials; the foundation of the new policies was being laid through these details, which also corroborated his idea...
The train made a brief stop at Yumenguan Station to replenish its coal and water supplies.
The massive chimneys once again spewed thick smoke, the steam whistle blared, and the steel behemoth continued its westward journey.
Leaving Yumen Pass, the landscape becomes increasingly desolate and magnificent.
The ochre-red mountains, like solidified giant waves, surged towards the horizon in layers.
The dried-up riverbed exposed white pebbles, like the veins of the earth. Sparse vegetation stubbornly dotted the Gobi Desert, and occasionally herds of gazelles could be seen leaping and running in the distance.
The journey was monotonous and long, with only the scenery outside the window changing silently.
As the third day's sunset began to paint the western sky a magnificent blend of orange and gold, a breathtaking silhouette finally appeared on the horizon...
"The Three Passes Road! Your Highness, Madam, look! It's the Three Passes Road!"
The little loach was the first to jump up, pointing into the distance, its voice trembling with excitement.
Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er looked in the direction of the sound.
Bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, the silhouette of a city, larger than anyone could imagine, rises slowly from the embrace of the Gobi Desert and distant mountains...
Xiao Ce had indeed anticipated this, but what he was seeing still shocked him...
The first thing that catches the eye is the railway hub that stretches out like a giant spider web!
The density of railways here far exceeds that of Xiao Kingdom.
Countless railway tracks converge, branch, and intertwine here, forming a vast and intricate steel labyrinth...
One after another, magnificent steel trestle bridges rise from the ground, crisscrossing in the air like the skeleton of a giant dragon.
Steam trains approaching from different directions, like worker ants returning to their nest, slowly entered the station, stopped, unloaded cargo, or replenished supplies, all under the guidance of signal flags and brass whistles, before sounding their whistles, spewing steam, and heading towards the more distant west...
Or perhaps return to the East...
As dusk settles over the entire hub area, enormous gas lamps illuminate the tops of steel frames, steam billows, vehicle headlights flash, and signal flags flutter, creating a bustling yet orderly industrial spectacle.
And under the protection of this massive hub, the main body of the city stands majestically.
The most striking feature is the magnificent architectural complex built against the mountain in the city center!
Protectorate of the Western Regions.
The seven-story main building rises from the ground, with a solid base made of huge stones, and a unique style that combines the flying eaves and brackets of the Central Plains with the dome arches of the Western Regions.
The glazed tiles reflected a rainbow of colors in the setting sun, and the tall arched windows let in the twinkling lights inside.
It stands like a giant clad in golden armor, or a snow-capped mountain rising abruptly from the ground, silently overlooking the vibrant city below, symbolizing the empire's supreme authority and unparalleled dignity here...
Seeing the scene before him, Xiao Ce said to Yin Pan'er, "Pan'er, looking at this place, don't you notice that even the capital city is somewhat shabby?"
Yin Pan'er smiled and nodded: "Actually, it's not surprising..."
Upon hearing Yin Pan'er's response, Xiao Ce asked curiously, "Oh? Not surprised?"
Yin Pan'er said to Xiao Ce, "That's right. Actually, regardless of the situation, back then, when the situation was unclear, Xiao Kingdom only dared to develop its basic infrastructure. The reason was that they feared Xiao Kingdom might also fall, and the Western Regions served as a backup capital—a place with no other option but to retreat to..."
"Therefore, the Western Regions have always been developed as a last resort, gathering the most valuable resources of the entire East Asian Alliance..."
Xiao Ce nodded after hearing Yin Pan'er's explanation.
He gave an awkward smile: "To my shame, I was also unaware of this..."
Yin Pan'er said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, the main thing is, you have more to worry about... I only started looking into it because I had nothing else to do..."
As the two chatted and laughed, the train slowly pulled into Sanguandao West Station.
The enormous domed station was bustling with noise...
Shouts in various languages, the hissing of steam, and the rolling of luggage wheels mingled together. The Western Regions were originally a fusion of various countries.
With Xiao Ce's previous help, they were now inseparable...
Xiao Ce and his group walked out of the station with the flow of people.
A strong, complex aura instantly washed over me; it was the scent of the heart of the Western Regions...
In the dry, slightly dusty air!
The first thing that fills your nostrils is the rich aroma of spices: cumin, pepper, cinnamon, cardamom...
It was as if hundreds of spice stalls were breathing at the same time.
Next comes the distinctive smell of leather, with a slightly fishy and tanned aroma, coming from the leather shops lining both sides of the street.
The aroma of toasted bread wafts from the naan oven, and the freshly baked naan is golden and tempting.
The smoky aroma of grilled lamb skewers, mixed with the smoky fragrance of charred fat, permeated the street corner.
There was also the sweet aroma of fruits; cantaloupes, grapes, and fragrant pears were piled up like small mountains on the fruit stand, radiating an enticing sheen and fragrance.
The little loach watching nearby was so engrossed that it kept swallowing its saliva.
The streets were wide enough to accommodate several horse-drawn carriages side by side.
The road surface was paved with huge, neatly cut stone slabs, which were sturdy and flat.
Shops line both sides of the street, with signs hanging high.
The carved wooden buildings with upturned eaves in the style of the Central Plains coexist in a strange harmony with the shops with arched doors and windows in the style of the Western Regions.
In the silk shop, the shimmering silks flowed like water under the lights; in the porcelain shop, exquisite blue and white porcelain was displayed; and in the jade shop, the warm and lustrous jade stones gleamed softly under the lights.
In contrast, there was the clanging sound of artisans from the Gaochang Kingdom striking bronze.