Xiang Bei didn't linger in the space, but gained a rough understanding of the natural environment of the tea trees here before exiting the space. The carriage had not traveled far when Cheng Mo calmly watched her appear and sit across from him to start drinking tea, only then did he lift the curtain to signal her to look outside.
"We're almost there. Ah Mo, I carefully observed in the space. The road leading off from the main road follows the Qing Xi River from here towards the east coast. To the left, there's a vast expanse of wild cassava fields extending for twenty kilometers, flat and open, with the freshwater river flowing directly into the sea. On the right side of the road, the north-south mountain range gradually rises and stretches into the sea, echoing the islands opposite the coast, forming a natural deep-water harbor. This lush mountain range divides the beach here and the coastline of Coastal Defense HaiFang City into two separate bays. In my eyes, this is simply the best location for a new city."
"Oh my, Boss Tong's ambitions have grown, huh? Planning to build a city because the Traveler Inn is too small?" In fact, Chang Mo had the same idea when looking at the map, but when Xiang Bei said it at this moment, he couldn't help but tease her.
"What? It's just my professional instinct. I just casually mentioned it when I saw the terrain. Anyway, let's go, we're going camping on the beach." Xiang Bei really just said it casually.
Chang Mo deliberately left the main road to accompany Xiang Bei to this beach for the night. Originally, it was to reminisce about the days they spent by the sea last time, wanting to relive the beauty of embracing each other and watching the sunrise. But at this moment, no matter where his gaze fell, he would see Xiang Bei's city-building idea. Even subconsciously, he began to compartmentalize functional areas, and the more he walked, the more he felt that what she said made sense.
"If Coastal Defense HaiFang City is inevitably going to face another war, can't we do something in advance to give the people some protection?"
"Xiao Bei, let's build a city here, and quickly."
"Yeah, along this side of the mountain, we'll start by building a pier. We'll establish a commercial and civilian pier that we can fully manage ourselves, promoting and managing trade with Southern Sea, and vigorously developing maritime fishing and aquaculture. From the pier all the way to the official road, we'll plan the future commercial streets in segmented zones, with wholesale as the main focus. We'll clear the cassava fields on the opposite side of the Qing Xi River to build residential houses. Since speed is of the essence, I suggest considering a mix of brick and wood construction."
"You know more about this aspect. I'll leave the planning of this new city to you. When you get back, let Cheng Shan find you. But let's not talk about this now. Tell me, do you want to take a stroll by the sea?"
"I think let's skip it for today. Let's behave and rest a bit. Will you wake up with me to watch the sunrise tomorrow morning?"
Xiang Bei took out the cowhide tents, mattresses, and bedding specially made by Tong Chen and his team according to her design from the space and handed them to shadow guards to set up.
"Yeah, of course. After watching the sunrise, we'll catch up on our journey. We should arrive at the Coastal Defense City around noon. I reckon Big Qiao is riding on horseback to travel much faster than the carriage. He should have arrived by now. We'll have to find him after entering the city." Cheng Mo said as he walked slowly with Xiang Bei to the beach.
After a good night's sleep, when the two of them opened the tent and stepped out, the sky was filled with the glow of dawn, painting the clouds on the horizon red, like a magnificent painting unfolding in the sky. The red clouds illuminated the entire beach, and in this brilliant light, Xiang Bei and Cheng Mo stood embraced on the shore, silently gazing at the eastern horizon. Their figures intertwined, as if they had become part of this beautiful scenery. In the warm morning breeze, they quietly awaited the slow rise of the sun, witnessing the start of a new day. In this moment, their souls seemed to ascend with the sunrise, filled with hope and anticipation.
They made a pact that they would definitely build a long scenic breakwater here in the future, so that people who love the sunrise could also embrace each other and watch the sunrise like they did. They also agreed that this place would be called "Xiawan," means a bay with beautiful sunrise. forever recording this sunrise that belonged to the two of them.
After the sun rose, they returned to the main road from the beach. They didn't stop along the way and arrived at the gate of Coastal Defense HaiFang City in the afternoon. Everyone was exhausted from the journey of more than four hours. The city gate guards weren't strict; they simply collected an entrance fee from people and vehicles entering the city and let them pass. Shadow guard Yin One saw the scout from the Wind Division coming to meet them, exchanged a glance, and silently followed him, all the way to the Cloud Guest House Inn. The hotel doorman welcomed them into the lobby, and a dedicated person took the carriage to be arranged. Then, someone from the Wind Division approached them.
"Greetings to the young master and young madam. Master, this is the largest inn in the outer city area of Coastal Defense City. The business leader, Mr. Du YunHe, is usually entertaining guests and conducting business on the third floor. He is the only person who can issue entrance permits to enter and exit the inner city. This Cloud Guest House is selected by him, representing the joint investment of the other nine major business houses in Coastal Defense City. You could say that this is the headquarters of the Coastal Defense City Chamber of Commerce."
"All right, understood. Let's settle in and have some food first." Cheng Mo gestured for Xiang Bei to follow the servant leading the way to the second floor.
"Brother Ziqiu, you're here!" Just as Xiang Bei was about to step upstairs, she caught sight of Qiao Ziqiu and a middle-aged man emerging from the kitchen.