Chapter 235: Chengcheng County Town Also Enters View
After a good while, Li Daoxuan finished panting and caught his breath. He took out the medical nebulizer to make it rain around Bai Family Fort, then sat down at his computer. He opened a certain online marketplace, went to the store where he'd bought the small train last time, and sent the shopkeeper a message: "Boss, I'm back to buy a small train and tracks."
The shopkeeper was thrilled. "Hello, welcome back! What are you looking for this time?"
"Two more locomotives,two train stations, and then... for the small tracks..."
Li Daoxuan thought seriously. The straight-line distance between Bai Family Fort and Gao Village was over thirty li. Factoring in twists, turns, mountains, and rivers, it would be at least forty li. Doing the conversion, that's 20,000 meters.
Divided by the 200x scale factor, that equals 100 meters.
Better to have too much than too little. Be prepared.
Li Daoxuan said,"I'll take 150 meters of small track."
"Pfft!" The shopkeeper nearly spat out a mouthful of imaginary blood. "Sir, what on earth are you doing with such long tracks? Is your house that big?"
Li Daoxuan:"My large detached villa covers half a mountain. The small courtyard where my kids play is the size of a soccer field. Is it strange for me to buy 150 meters of track for my kids' small train? Haven't seen rich people before? Are you doing this business or not? If not, I'll find someone else."
The shopkeeper broke into a cold sweat."Sir, please don't be angry, business is definitely business. I'll prepare it right away. By the way, since the tracks are so long, I'd suggest buying a few more train stations. Placing several stations along the way would be quite fun; the kids would definitely love it."
Li Daoxuan thought of the many deserted villages between Gao Village and Bai Family Fort,a pang in his heart. Sooner or later, people would live in those villages again. "You have a point. Add five more stations along the route."
The shopkeeper was overjoyed."Oh, right, sir, do you need things like elevated bridges or soaring over-the-sea bridges? Let the kids build bridges in the yard, set the train tracks over them, choo-choo — how happy the children would be!"
"Good point."Li Daoxuan wasn't sure if bridges would be needed, but having them on hand wouldn't hurt. "Give me five big bridges too, the kind that can be freely assembled for various terrains."
The shopkeeper was ecstatic."Great! You truly are my lucky star."
A large batch of goods was ordered...
Li Daoxuan thought to himself: Later, I'll have to lay the small train tracks all the way from Gao Village to Bai Family Fort. That's no small task. Over a hundred meters of winding tracks, probably needing 'land leveling' and 'bridge building' in the middle. It'll exhaust me.
But come to think of it, that's pretty fun, isn't it? This isn't setting up a small train in the living room. It's setting up toy train tracks in a real world. Must be incredibly satisfying to play with.
"Cai Xinzi, I need to modify two more small trains."
"Sure,no problem."
"I'll have a courier deliver them to you later for 20 bucks."
"Wow,you're getting more and more extravagant, even hiring couriers now."
"Hahaha,got money, feeling willful."
"Hey,I've made a good bit off you too. Keep sending me that micro-carving work; I love the commission."
"You run a model shop,don't turn yourself into a micro-carving agent."
"Money's money,no shame in that."
Just as they were chatting, Cai Xinzi suddenly added, "Oh yeah, after making a few deals with you, I've saved up enough. Planning to finally marry my long-time girlfriend. What about you? You're a big shot now; you should at least find a decent woman, right?"
Li Daoxuan laughed."Cut it out. I have no desire to walk into the tomb of marriage. Isn't spending all this money by myself more fun?"
Cai Xinzi laughed."You... whatever, as long as you're happy."
Closing WeChat, Li Daoxuan's attention returned to the box.
The little people at Bai Family Fort were having a boat race on the lake, each happier than the last. They probably didn't need attention for a while; Bai Yuan had always taken good care of them.
Li Daoxuan thought carefully.
Now that he could see Bai Family Fort, he could basically see most of Chengcheng County. He should pan the view a bit more, see other places. Maybe he could take in many villages at once.
Starting from Bai Family Fort, he continuously moved the view "south," occasionally clicking "east" and "west." The view wobbled its way south. Before long, Li Daoxuan saw a relatively bustling small town.
The town actually had town walls, short ones about one zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) tall, with archers patrolling on top. A plaque hung above the town gate bearing three large characters: Feng Yuan Town.
Li Daoxuan's heart stirred: So this is Fengyuan Town!
Magistrate Liang Shixian had twice repelled bandit armies here, defeating Bu Zhanni, Zuo Guazi, Yan Qian'er... This place was essentially Chengcheng County's frontline fortress against the bandits, no wonder archers patrolled the walls.
It must also be in a state of readiness.
A glance was enough. The people here were all "wild little people." Li Daoxuan wasn't in a hurry to intervene.
In a place full of "wild little people," recklessly extending the "Thanos Gauntlet" would likely only frighten them, not have any positive effect.
Putting himself in their shoes made it clear. If he were playing a game at home and a multicolored golden giant hand suddenly reached down from the sky—without a Gao Yiye to explain—would he assume it belonged to a lawful good deity?
Obviously not. He'd be wary, maybe even turn tail and run!
Humans instinctively fear the unknown "giant" before considering worship. Before knowing the "giant's" nature, most ordinary people's first thought would be to flee to safety.
Better not scare the common folk of Fengyuan Town. Everyone's struggling in these calamitous times; contact with these little people should be made gently.
The view swept past, continuing south.
Click after click...
South of Fengyuan Town were many villages, all inhabited. It wasn't that this area was untouched by disaster, but these villages were located alongside a wide "main official road."
This main road ran north from Chengcheng County town, passed through Fengyuan Town, and continued north all the way to Yan'an Prefecture. Quite a few merchants and travelers used it. Villagers running teahouses and inns could barely scrape by.
Li Daoxuan followed this main road south. A county town, not particularly large in area but teeming with people, entered his view.
Chengcheng County Town!
This was no surprise; he'd expected it. The distance from Gao Village to the county town was about the same as to Bai Family Fort. Being able to see Bai Family Fort meant he could also see the county town.
(Ming Context: The 'official road' (官道) was the Ming Dynasty's state-maintained road network, crucial for military movement, tax grain transport, and official travel. Villages thriving along such routes were common, as they provided services to travelers. Fengyuan Town's walls and garrison highlight its strategic role in defending this vital artery and the county seat beyond.)