As they passed through the vast expanse of riverbank, Xiang Bei noticed the occasional appearance of wild rabbits in the weeds and bushes. Suddenly struck by an idea, she searched her mind and released a large number of rabbits, sheep, and birds from her space, which were on the verge of overwhelming. The sudden change of environment left these little creatures momentarily stunned before they scattered in all directions.
It was only then that Cheng Mo found his voice again. "Ciao Bei, do you have the bow and arrows I asked you to store?"
"Here you go." Xiang Bei smiled, knowing exactly what he needed. She retrieved Cheng Mo's bow and arrows from her space and handed them over. "Shoot a few more for Biaozi and his team. The military engineers will have a treat from now on."
Carrying a dozen or so rabbits back to the hall, Xiang Bei handed them over to Tong Biao, who had come to meet them. She returned the keys to him. "Biaozi, there are many rabbits and sheep in the weeds. Whenever you have time, practice your archery with your men. Don't let our mountain hunting skills go to waste."
"I will. Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, Miss Bei," Tong Biao replied gratefully.
"Tong Biao, you're Xiao Bei's brother, and you're my younger brother-in-law. You should practice archery diligently. Here, take this bow from me. Remember, don't embarrass me." Cheng Mo handed over his familiar bow and arrows.
Tong Biao hastily and respectfully received them. "Your Highness, I dare not call Miss Bei my sister. Please, Your Highness, don't--"
"Biaozi, you should know what kind of person His Highness is from the time he spent at the mountain villa. Don't stick to those outdated formalities. We're all close relatives of the Tong family, so there's no need for such formality. Being a sincere and upright person is more important than anything else. Strive to improve yourself diligently, and strive for excellence. That's the most sincere form of respect and reverence. You can still call me Xiao Bei, just like Brother Tong Chen does. Miss Bei, Miss Bei, it sounds too distant."
"Alright! Thank you, Your Highness. Rest assured, Biaozi won't embarrass you or our Tong family!"
"Well, you're all talented newcomers personally nurtured by Xiang Bei. Now that she has completed the overall planning and design for the future coastal garrison, the drawings are complex. First, listen to her brief explanation and see if you can roughly understand her ideas. After we return to Zebei, I'll have Cheng Shan make a few copies for you to study carefully. If you pass the subsequent evaluation, I'll entrust you with the construction of the new garrison town." Cheng Mo truly had high hopes for Tong Biao. He hoped that with Tong family members around, Xiang Bei would feel more at ease after marrying into the Cheng family.
"Yes, Tong Biao will not disappoint Your Highness!" Watching the carriage depart from the doorway of their traveler lodge, Tong Biao's gaze was firm and confident. His heart was filled with unprecedented expectations and determination for the future. In the near future, this young commander-in-chief of the Yunmeng Dynasty's military fortresses would lead with such determination, solidifying the cohesion and strength of national defense in the hearts of the people.
On the road to the city of easter shore, Dong Binh, the population gradually increased, with villages and towns becoming more densely spaced. As a result, most of Same City Roadside Traveler Inns became popular soon after they began operating. There were two reasons for this: first, with the popularity of the North and South Neighborhoods Talk newspaper about the new fortresses, people flocked to the area; secondly, the Travler Lodges were equipped with bright biogas lamps at night and provided hot showers around the clock.
There was something unexpected for Xiang Bei along the way. The bathing tickets that the Same City Traveler Inns had originally provided their guests free tickets for hot water shower began to be scalped at high prices. So, the savvy inns manager LeiZi started a business of selling tickets for access to public shower rooms. Due to the large number of people waiting, he also set up rest areas and provided some sweet snacks for sale, resembling the prototype of modern water lounges. Xiang Bei couldn't help but admire again: what talent!
Each Same City Roadside Traveler Inn along the way had its own characteristics, from those specializing in grains, oils, and beans to those located near sugarcane fields. There were also workshops for coal mining and charcoal burning, as well as artisan workshops that undertook projects related to biogas and sanitation facilities. Not only did they attract a large number of buyers from other regions, but they also attracted many visionary individuals to buy land and set up shops. Several professional markets quietly formed in this way, especially the Willow Weave Traveler Inn outside Liuhe Town, where the surrounding willow trees, bamboo groves, and reeds were abundant, and every household had inherited the skill of weaving. Xiang Bei ordered many product packaging designs for them and allowed them to do takeout, leading to even greater demand. Seeing that they were often short-handed, Uncle Shan arranged for some orphaned elderly and children to apprentice in various households, providing a way for the weak and sickly to earn a living.
The Dong Binh Traveler Inn, located at the foot of DongShan Mountain, a hundred miles away from Zebei Town, primarily sells fur and mountain goods obtained by hunters from the mountains. Because the craftsmanship of the mountain people in fur processing varies greatly, Xiang Bei thought of attracting professional craftsmen to concentrate on tanning leather and processing fur, and to set up a nearby factory for making bags and leather goods. This way, even the damaged skin scraps could be put to greater use.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of Dongshan Traveler Inn to rest. Xiang Bei unexpectedly saw Tong Chen and Auntie Lan, who greeted them as they came out.
"Brother Chen, you're back from the capital! Aunt Lan, you're here too."
"Your Highness, you've worked hard all the way. Please come in quickly. Miss Bei, come inside and rest, have some tea, and we can chat later." Tong Chen looked Xiang Bei up and downloading, his eyes full of affection.