Author: Gongsun Wujiu

If Zhang Yue and his party had taken the main road, they would have entered Chang'an via Maoling, which had been under construction.

Now because they were checking the water conservancy facilities, they deviated slightly from the direction. They headed to Chang'an from Changling in the northwest of Chang'an instead.

Although the journey was a bit longer, Zhang Yue didn't mind.

After visiting the water conservancy facilities, Zhang Yue felt that his trip was worthwhile.

What's more, Zhang Yue is also very interested in Changling, which is now Si Daling County.

The group climbed over a small hill and entered Changling County.

Changling is the tomb of Emperor Gao and the first mausoleum county in the Han Dynasty.

It is now the largest and most populous city in Guanzhong besides Chang'an.

Although Changling County is not as good as Maoling and Chang'an later, it still has more than 100,000 people.

After presenting the documents, Zhang Yue and his party entered the county town smoothly.

Entering the county town, Zhang Yue felt that he had truly returned to the civilized world. This was the first time he had seen so many people since returning to this era.

Zhang Yue looked at these people and couldn't help but salivate secretly. If all these people were brought to the Western Regions, Zhang Yue swore that he would be able to firmly control the Western Regions.

Not only can they attack the Xiongnu in the north, but they can even conquer Kangju, Daxia and Kushan.

After finally suppressing the evil thoughts in his heart, Zhang Yue began to look at Changling County.

The roads in Changling City are criss-crossed, and the widest main road can accommodate four carriages running parallel to each other.

There is an endless stream of pedestrians on the road, which makes people feel like they are sweating like rain!

At this moment, Zhang Yue felt as if time and space were intertwined, as if he had returned to the pedestrian street of later generations.

Outside the canal, there are adjacent pavilions. Scholars with high crowns and wide sleeves, and nobles in gorgeous costumes are walking along the road. Everyone's face is filled with pride and wealth.

"This is the real atmosphere of the Han family!" Yang You, who was following him, couldn't help but sigh.

"Why do you want to live here?" Zhang Yue laughed and joked after hearing this.

Yang You also laughed, shook his head and said, "Although this is good, it is not a place to stay for a long time!"

Zhang Yue couldn't help but look at him with a strange expression on his face, thinking, "I didn't expect that Yang You, who looks vulgar, would have such an understanding..."

Immediately I had a feeling of admiration for Yang You.

Because it was getting late, Zhang Yue and his party did not go directly to Chang'an, but came to the post house first.

"Can you please wait a moment, Ming Gong?"

Although Zhang Yue was traveling in a 2,000-kou chariot with many guards around him, the postmaster still seriously and carefully checked the verification documents of Zhang Yue and his party before arranging them into the posthouse.

"This little official is pretty good!"

In the library, Zhang Yue praised the little official.

After everyone settled down, Zhao Yi couldn't sit still. He first invited Yang You, and then came to ask Zhang Yue for instructions.

"My lord, can we go to the village for a walk?"

Hearing this, Zhang Yue also thought of going out for a walk.

"That's fine, you can just go on your own!"

After the two left, Zhang Yue changed his clothes and went out with two guards.

Walking on the street, Zhang Yue intentionally or unintentionally inquired about the prices in the market.

"What the public doesn't know is that the price of grain has increased a lot during this period..."

Along the way, Zhang Yue heard many complaints from passers-by.

"It would be great if Your Majesty could be lucky enough to be in Changling this year..."

Zhang Yue couldn't help but become curious when he heard the conversation between the two pedestrians, and immediately stepped forward to ask a question.

"I think this gentleman is from Guandong..."

Zhang Yue nodded.

The passerby said, "Our Majesty..."

After Zhang Yue returned to the post house, he fell into deep thought.

…

The next day, Zhang Yue and his party set off from Changling County for the last day of their trip.

Everyone was very happy to arrive in Chang'an today, especially Zhang Yue. He was extremely excited thinking that he would soon be able to see the greatest city of this era.

Going all the way east, they soon came to a pavilion called "Xiliu". There were still some leaves hanging low on the banks of the Weishui River.

"Is this where Xiliu Camp was originally?"

Zhang Yue casually asked a follower sent by Li Guangli.

"Ming Gong, this is where Xiliu Camp was back then."

Zhang Yue got off the carriage and looked around. The old camp of General Zhou Yafu had disappeared, replaced by acres and acres of farmland planted with wheat.

"Hey!" Zhang Yue sighed

Zhang Yue's attendants had also heard of Zhou Yafu's Xiliu Camp for a long time, and thought they would see a heavily guarded military camp today.

Unexpectedly, it was such a scene, and everyone couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

At this time, Zhang Yue also had a sense of vicissitudes in his heart, that things have changed and people have changed.

He couldn't help but sigh, "I don't know what I feel when I see such a scene when I see such a scene..."

At this time, the attendant sent by Li Guangli smiled and said: "Ming Gong, there is no need to be sentimental. I think it will be a great joy to see you like a marquis for a few days..."

Zhang Yue was surprised when he heard this, "Why is this?"

The attendant smiled and said, "Ming Gong didn't know something. During the reign of Emperor Xiaowen, the Huns invaded twice. They entered Beidi County, killed the captain, captured a lot of people's livestock, and even sent cavalry to burn the palace!"

The Xiongnu advance even invaded south to Yongcheng and Ganquan Palace, and beacon fires often burned throughout Guanzhong."

"It was precisely because the battlefield had advanced to the third auxiliary level that we had to station a large army in Weibei. Therefore, the Xiliu Camp was created, but now it is no longer needed..."

"I see!"

Zhang Yue sighed in his heart, "Because there are people guarding us from afar, the Lantern Festival was born."

I only wish that Chang'an Sanfu will always be peaceful and prosperous, and we will never have to see beacon fires or Xiliu Camp.

The days since he joined the army have also made Zhang Yue understand that it is not enough to just defend when the two countries are fighting. They must take the initiative and fight it out! Only by allowing the war to take place on the enemy's territory can the security of the country be guaranteed.

"We must not be like the weak Song Dynasty in later generations, allowing the enemy to roam freely on our own land and hunt grass and valleys..."

"Let's go!"

Zhang Yue got back on his carriage and continued to Chang'an.

When Zhang Yue was thinking about his thoughts, the team had already crossed a long bridge, which was built during the reign of Emperor Xiaojing. There are three such long bridges on the Wei River, connecting Chang'an and Wuling.

Looking around, to the south is the lush Shanglin Garden, with clear springs flowing and ponds connected vertically and horizontally.

It is said that the winding wall is more than 400 miles long, and there are thirty-six villas in the entire Shanglin Garden.

And to the east of this unprecedented royal garden is the greatest city in the world.

The city is as solid as gold and has tens of thousands of battlements. The city is dredged and filled with water to form a deep abyss. The roads are flat and wide, and the twelve gates are incomparably solemn.

This is Chang'an!

Although they were still far away, Zhang Yue seemed to be able to hear the beating heartbeat of an empire.

He led the huge body of the empire to suppress all barbarian foreign races in the world.

Regardless of whether the group had been to Chang'an City before or not, they couldn't help but excitedly stopped by the bridge and looked at it from a distance, feeling excited.

Zhang Yue jumped out of the car, jumped on his horse, passed the crowd, and rode forward in the cool east wind.

"Chang'an, Chang'an, I have traveled two thousand years, crossed thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, and finally come to you!"

…
Chapter completed!