In the second year of Dading.
Since Emperor Zhuang ascended to Dongzhen, Zhuang Country had greatly changed.
Within the borders, the nation was prosperous, and the people lived in peace. Opening up waterways, they gained full support from the Qing River's Water Race. Major roads were reconstructed, seamlessly connecting every major city. Those evil cultivators wandering around rarely chose Zhuang Country as their stomping ground anymore.
Abroad, ten cities were forcefully taken from Mo Country, almost adding another county's worth of territory to Zhuang Country.
Yet, Emperor Zhuang did not establish a fourth county on this momentum.
It is said that when court officials proposed this matter, Zhuang Gaoxian countered in court, "Do a mere ten cities qualify as a county?"
His ambition was clear for all to see.
Mo Country, in a flurry, sent over large amounts of resources, bribing Qin Country. Only after securing the support of powerful Qin did they manage to pacify the border.
