Section One, Budding (1)

Near the four city gates, there are military camps both inside and outside the city. The four military camps inside the city are garrisoned by the four divisions of the Imperial Guard Corps, while the four military camps outside the city are garrisoned by the four divisions of the Imperial City Defense Corps

"Who is it?" With a creak, a door pushed open, and a middle-aged woman in her forties stepped out. The young man immediately recognized her as Aunt Wu, the neighbor who had watched him grow up since childhood.

In the western part of the continent, four powers are vying for supremacy, with three strong nations and one national alliance engaged in continuous conflict for their respective interests. Meanwhile, the nomadic tribes in the north invade southward year after year, further exacerbating the already tumultuous situation in the western continent.

Aunt Wu, Aunt Wu

In the central region of the continent, the nomadic tribes on the northern grasslands possess significant power, continuously engaging in external invasion wars, while internal conflicts are rampant. The central and southern regions are characterized by numerous small states and city-states. Due to the absence of intervention from powerful forces, there have been no major wars in the past decade, resulting in a relatively calm situation. However, minor conflicts still occur from time to time, and the possibility of war remains due to the uneven economic development among the various countries and city-states.

Big Niu and his father went to the dock to haul goods. Er Niu got married last year to the fourth son of the Zhang family on the street ahead. The fourth son of the Zhang family works as a clerk in a pharmacy in the east of the city, and their life is still manageable. Recently, I heard that there is fighting in the west and banditry in the north, it seems that these days are becoming increasingly unstable. Your uncle and the others will be back soon. I will prepare some dishes so we can have a good gathering when they return

Outside the door, Aunt Wu's voice called him to come over for breakfast. Li Wufeng tidied himself up and went over. After the meal, Wufeng shared his decision with Aunt Wu's family. Aunt Wu was somewhat worried, while Uncle Wu strongly supported him, believing that a man's ambition lies in the vastness of the world and that he should venture out.

The western part of the city is the main residential area, where most ordinary citizens of the capital reside. Exiting through the west gate of the palace, one encounters the famous Arc de Triomphe and the Place Charles de Gaulle, which serve as the venue for major celebrations of the empire and the emperor's military parades.

Joining the military today provides an opportunity to showcase one's talents and build a career. With this thought in mind, he resolutely made up his mind and fell into a peaceful sleep. In the morning, he awoke before dawn, having not slept so comfortably in a long time. He got up and went to the yard to stretch his body and practice some martial arts. As the saying goes, "A fist should not leave the hand, and a tune should not leave the mouth." Practicing martial arts is like rowing upstream; if you do not advance, you will retreat. He had long since developed the habit of rising early to practice, and unless there were special circumstances, he would persist in this routine every day.

At this point, Wufeng deeply felt that in order to make a mark in today's world, lacking strength was nothing but a delusion; only with strength does one have the right to speak. Wufeng could not recall which philosopher had once said such a thing

Two years ago, the master mentioned that in today's mainland, within the Eastern Tang River Empire, there are hidden concerns regarding local warlords, while surrounding nations eye it covetously. In the northwest frontier, there are annual invasions and disturbances from northern nomadic tribes. Internally, the empire faces numerous issues, with small-scale peasant slave uprisings occurring frequently, and many impoverished individuals, driven by survival, have turned to banditry. The imperial power is declining day by day, and it has long lost the momentum of its most prosperous period.

In the year 671 of the Continental Gregorian calendar, the founder of the Glorious Dynasty, an outstanding politician, military strategist, and orator, the first emperor of the Glorious Empire—Li Wufeng—was born into a declining gentry family in the capital of the Tanghe Empire, Zhongzhou, located in the eastern part of the continent

Due to the beautiful environment and the rich cultural and artistic atmosphere of this area, various countries have chosen to establish their embassies in the Tanghe Empire here. Many nobles and aristocrats have also built their residences or villas in this location, and there are numerous renowned private libraries and private schools established here

Aunt Wu pulled him aside and asked about his well-being, and with the help of *Tu* and *Shu*, Wufeng finally managed to summarize his situation over the past two years. "Wufeng, you are only sixteen and have traveled to so many places; that is truly remarkable. It must have been quite tough being alone out there," she said. "I’ve gotten used to it; it doesn’t feel like much anymore," he replied. Although he said this, he recalled how, at just fourteen, he had left home to travel the world alone, reading countless books and traversing thousands of miles. As the saying goes, when heaven is about to bestow a great responsibility upon a person, it must first temper their will, strengthen their bones, and starve their body. His master's words still echoed in his ears. In the blink of an eye, two years had passed. He had followed his master's advice, completed his travels, and transformed from a frail boy into a tall and strong young man. He had broadened his horizons, gained knowledge, and significantly improved his martial skills. The hardships he endured over these two years had truly been beneficial to his growth.

The southern part of the city is the cultural and artistic center of the Empire, where the three highest institutions of the Empire—Imperial University, Imperial Academy of Arts, and Imperial Military Academy—are located. Students from all over the Empire come here to learn various skills and knowledge, and many students from other countries on different continents travel great distances to study here. This area is also home to renowned buildings such as the Imperial Library, Imperial Museum, Imperial Cultural and Artistic Center, Imperial Chess Institute, Imperial National Grand Theatre, Imperial Academy of Calligraphy and Painting, and the Taiyi Bureau.

Father, Mother, the child has returned. Arriving at the two ordinary graves in the suburban cemetery, the young man dismounted and knelt before the graves, unwilling to rise for a long time. The cemetery appeared particularly quiet, with only the occasional sound of birds chirping.

It is me, Aunt Wu, I am Wufeng

Surrounding the square are the headquarters of the Imperial Guard and the Imperial City Guard, each housing the First Division of the Imperial Guard Corps and the First Division of the City Guard Corps. The Imperial Gendarmerie Command and the headquarters of the Imperial Feathered Army are also located around the square

Who is it

Oh, by the way, why haven't I seen Da Niu and Er Niu?

It is me

The entire city is square-shaped, with nine spacious avenues in each direction—east, west, south, and north—dividing the city into a checkerboard pattern. Countless small streets, alleys, and squares are distributed throughout the center. A sturdy city wall, standing fifteen meters tall and ten meters wide, encloses the city, while a broad moat flows around it. There is a main gate in each direction, each ten meters wide, which remains closed under normal circumstances and is only opened in special situations. On either side of the main gate, there are smaller gates, each five meters wide, which open daily from six in the morning to eight in the evening, allowing the general populace to enter and exit the city.

Aunt Wu, am I not back now? Besides, my age is not small anymore; I can take care of myself. Didn't I tell you that when I left?

After paying respects at his parents' grave, the young man remounted his horse and rode towards the city. Entering through the West Gate, he found himself on the renowned Avenue of Triumph, which stretched forward all the way to the Arc de Triomphe and the Plaza of Triumph outside the West Gate of the palace. Once inside the city, the young man dismounted and walked slowly along the avenue, leading his horse while gazing at the familiar surroundings. The scenes from two years ago when he left home seemed as vivid as if they had happened yesterday. Everything around him remained unchanged, with bustling crowds, thriving shops, travelers coming from the south and north, and street vendors calling out their wares, all vividly and intricately unfolding before his eyes. "It seems that the lives of the common people in the imperial capital are quite good, very different from those in several counties in the western part of the empire," the young man thought as he walked.

The city is divided into two parts: the inner city and the outer city. The inner city is the imperial palace, which serves as the residence for the emperor, his consorts, and their underage children, as well as the emperor's office. The inner city is located at the center of the entire city, and immediately adjacent to it are the offices of various government departments. Following that are the residences of high-ranking officials and nobles, and beyond that are the residential and commercial areas.

The commercial district and entertainment venues are primarily concentrated in the eastern part of the city, which is considered a favorable location for business. Commercial shops are densely packed, and the streets and alleys are bustling with people and vehicles, with merchants and travelers from various regions of the mainland easily spotted. Most of the well-known silver shops, money exchanges, restaurants, inns, brothels, casinos, pawn shops, and auction centers are located in this area. This is also the region with the most complex social security situation in the capital, housing the Imperial Police Headquarters and the Capital Police Station. Most of the well-known silver shops, money exchanges, restaurants, inns, brothels, casinos, pawn shops, and auction centers are located in this area. This is also the region with the most complex social security situation in the capital, housing the Imperial Police Headquarters and the Capital Police Station.

Wufeng, is that really you? Where have you been these past two years? You left for two years without sending a word back, making everyone worry sick. What if something happened to you? How could I face your mother, who entrusted you to me on her deathbed

The industrial and trade zones are primarily concentrated in the northern part of the city, where various workshops, warehouses, distribution markets, and guilds from different industries are located. Many headquarters or branches of large commercial firms are also situated here. The Imperial Treasury and its subordinate Tax Bureau are also established in this area

As one approaches home, feelings of trepidation grow stronger; the closer one gets to home, the more anxious one becomes. "Perhaps I have simply grown up," he reflects. Recalling the sense of adventure and the desire to travel the world he felt two years ago when he left his hometown, he finds his current emotions to be entirely different. "I wonder how deep the grass has grown on my parents' graves; it is time to pay a visit," a weary young man murmurs to himself as he stands by the roadside near the city gate, watching the bustling scene of people coming and going. Not in a hurry to return home, he shakes off the dust from his clothes, takes the reins in one hand, mounts his horse, and rides off toward the outskirts.

The genuine care of his neighbors deeply moved Li Wufeng. Lying in a home he had not lived in for two years, his mind wandered endlessly. He had returned home, but where should he go from here? Perhaps it was time to make a decision. At this thought, Li Wufeng suddenly recalled Uncle Wu mentioning during dinner that the Triumph Square in the city was recruiting. Perhaps this was an opportunity. Why not start here, seeking opportunities to realize the dream he had held since childhood

Leading the horse, turn right into another main street, walk forward for a while, then turn left into a small alley, and after a few quick steps, you will see your home. This is a small alley, and it is evident that the people living here are ordinary citizens. It is hard to imagine that decades later, this place will attract waves of tourists to visit the former residence of the imperial emperor.

The Tanghe Empire is located in the central and eastern parts of the Eastern Continent. It boasts vast lands and a large population. The capital, Zhongzhou, is situated on the Shanjian Plain in the central region of the empire. This area is characterized by fertile soil, developed water conservancy, convenient transportation, abundant resources, and a dense population. It is one of the important grain and cotton production areas and economically developed regions of the empire, as well as the center of political, economic, commercial, cultural, and artistic activities.

After paying respects at his parents' grave, the young man stood up and gazed at the sky, letting out a long sigh. "What should I do now? I won't think too much about it for now; I might as well go home and take a look."

Every day, at the Shanjing Wharf outside the North Gate, various goods from different regions of the Empire and even from across the continent are continuously transported in by land and water. The various products of the capital are also dispatched from here to all parts of the country. Renowned trading houses from across the continent have established transfer stations and simple warehouses at the wharf.

The capital, Zhongzhou, has a population of approximately 5 million, making it the largest city on the Eastern Continent and one of the largest cities on the entire Raya Continent. Due to the fact that it has not experienced warfare for several centuries, it has become the most prosperous city on the Eastern Continent. The city was initially established in the year 286 of the Continental Common Era during the early Tang River Empire, and it took over twenty years to reach its preliminary completion. Subsequent generations gradually improved it, and it was finally completed in the early years of this century

Ah, hometown, I have finally returned. Looking at the towering city gate, I took a deep breath. Although there are no relatives left in my hometown, it has nurtured me for over ten years and is the place where I grew up. That deep sense of attachment to my hometown, no matter where I go, I can never forget.