In the guest hall, Cheng Shan and Hai Yi had already arrived. After the people from Chen Village left, they showed themselves to Cheng Mo to pay their respects. The scouts from Wind Feng department, who came secretly from Coastal Defense Haifang City, had already exchanged information with them. Cheng Mo unfolded a map drawn to scale with detailed mountains and rivers. Not only were the others amazed by the accuracy of the depiction, but they also recognized the potential of the land from the intersection all the way to sunrise bay Xiawan. Cheng Shan had countless beautiful ideas in mind, while Hai Yi grinned foolishly beside him.
"The choice of base location is undoubtedly correct, but I don't just want to establish a new camp for my Cheng family hidden guards; I also want to train a maritime defense force here! Within the 5-kilometer area from the highway entrance, I plan to build a commercial new city centered around a Same City Roadside Lodge and north-south supermarkets. Residential areas will start from ordinary civilian homes, gradually transitioning to military family living quarters, and then to agricultural and animal husbandry zones, to conceal the military base deep inside the bay." Cheng Mo's plan made Cheng Shan realize that this was no longer just a beautiful dream like his own; this young prince, who had already grown up, might have begun implementing his plan long ago.
"Your Highness, just give the order. All the engineers from my naval department are ready to obey at any time. We will spare no effort to swiftly construct a new coastal defense, ensuring those sea bandits never set foot on our eastern shores." Hai Yi was a practical person, eager to roll up his sleeves and get to work on the construction site right away.
After chatting for a while, Xiang Bei emerged from her baths feeling refreshed, holding the plan for sunrise bay Xiawan City, which, of course, she had drawn while hiding in the Jade space during her bath.
"Good day, madam," Cheng Shan greeted Xiang Bei with a bow.
"Greetings, Lady Consort."
"Greetings, Your Highness," Hai Yi and the scouts continued to address her as they pleased.
Xiang Bei didn't know how to respond and could only awkwardly raise the plan in his hand, "Um, the plans for the new city are ready. Would you like to take a look?"
"Yes, it's exactly what I had in mind! Xiaobei, you'll have to work hard and make two more copies of these plans tonight," Cheng Mo looked at Xiao Bei apologetically.
"Sure, no problem. It's my habit to make two copies of each drawing. Later, I'll make another one and with the help of carbon paper, it'll be easy to make a few more," Xiao Bei replied readily, without hesitation.
"Thank you, Xiaobei," Cheng Mo turned to hand the plans to Hai Yi. "Hai Yi, tomorrow morning, immediately return and mobilize manpower to start work as soon as possible. Take these plans back for duplication. Each of the seven leaders of the Cheng family guards must have one. You'll be responsible for explaining it to them, ensuring that each person can submit a report on the role and function of their respective units in the development of the new city." Cheng Mo handed the plans to Hai Yi for careful study.
"Hai Yi just arrived and rested with Uncle Shan for a while. He's still energetic. There are a few places on this map I'd like to consult with the Lady Consort about. After asking, I'll rush back to Zebei Town," Hai Yi bowed to Xiang Bei.
"Very well, that will do. Thank you, Xiaobei, for your hard work," Cheng Mo said as he watched them move aside to talk, then turned to Cheng Shan and explained in detail, "Uncle Shan, you'll join us in meeting with Chief Chen tomorrow. Have him arrange for the people from Chen Village to start constructing the Xiawan Tea Post. Erect a concealed isolation zone about 3 kilometers wide stretching 5 kilometers from the highway to the coast, with cassava groves and grazing areas as cover. After that, set up barriers for the restricted area, considering densely planted fast-growing sugarcane forests with bamboo, wood, and thorn walls. The military base will extend 12 kilometers inland from the coast. Cheng Shan, you'll organize people to come from the sea, building seawalls while quickly constructing residential areas for resettlement."
"Your Highness, where will the residents of this new city come from? Are you planning to immigrate from the eastern coast?" Cheng Shan, who had been managing the affairs of the Eastern Coast Prefecture for many years, knew that population development had always been a headache. Seeing the size of the residential area in the new city plan, he worried that there wouldn't be enough population to support it.
"This is precisely the issue I want to discuss with you in detail. According to the intelligence analysis we gathered from Haifang City, around the New Year, Wa people pirates often bring their plundered ships into the inner harbor along with the tides. This time, their actions are much larger than in previous years. The number of people enjoying allocated supplies has been steadily increasing, and there is strict control over communication between the city and the outside world. Combined with the news from Prince Rong, I conclude that the enemy is no longer satisfied with just occupying a coastal city; they undoubtedly intend to expand onto the land!"
"In my Eastern Coast territory, they won't have their way! Your Highness, as long as you give the command, the Cheng family guards are ready to fight at any time!" Cheng Shan's emotions surged as he stood up, clenched his fist against his heart, and solemnly bowed, volunteering for battle. Hai Yi and the scouts from the Fengbu also stood up, bowed solemnly, and spoke with seriousness: "We await Your Highness's command and pledge to fight to the death!"
"Good! We have you to fight this battle. However, this time, it won't be just us, the Cheng family guards. Prince Rong will return to the capital and request a battle from the Emperor. We must prepare in advance and fight the enemy together. This time, we will surely drive them back to their homeland. It's time to completely eradicate the cancer of the overseas city," Cheng Mo said, thinking about the risks Prince Rong faced returning to the capital and the dark network that had already infiltrated the court, feeling anxious for a moment.