Chapter 849
Another Area
Zheng Yi looked at the sincere expressions on the three people's faces and his heart stirred slightly.
He originally only wanted to help Guo Tianyou regain his position as head of the family, and then form an alliance to help each other. He never expected that Guo Tianyou would be willing to give him a part of Hongyun City to manage.
This sincerity truly moved him.
"Which piece of land does Young Master Guo want to allocate to me?" he asked.
“The north of the city,” Guo Tianyou said. “The north of the city is the largest area in Hongyun City, but it is not yet fully developed. If you are willing to manage the north of the city, we can plan and build it according to your ideas.”
"The north of the city?" Zheng Yi pondered. "I'm not very familiar with Hongyun City, so I don't know what the situation is like in the north."
“I can accompany you to take a look,” Guo Tianyou said. “Although the north of the city is rather desolate now, it has great potential. It’s close to the direction of the Eastern Wilderness, and if developed well, it could become an important transit point for entering the Eastern Wilderness.”
"A transit station to enter the Eastern Wilderness?" Zheng Yi's eyes lit up.
Qingyun City is the gateway to the Eastern Wilderness, but it is too small to accommodate too many forces. If a transit point could be established in Hongyun City, those forces wishing to explore the Eastern Wilderness could stop there to replenish their supplies before proceeding to Qingyun City.
In this way, Qingyun City and Hongyun City can form a complete industrial chain, cooperate with each other, and benefit from each other.
“Young Master Guo’s suggestion is excellent,” Zheng Yi said. “Then let’s go take a look at the north of the city now.”
“Alright.” Guo Tianyou stood up. “I will accompany you, sir.”
The group left the city lord's mansion and headed north of the city.
Hongyun City was indeed much more prosperous than Qingyun City. Shops lined both sides of the wide streets, their signs numerous. The streets were bustling with people, filled with the sounds of bargaining and vendors' shouts.
As Zheng Yi walked, he observed his surroundings.
"Young Master Guo, how many people live in Hongyun City?" he asked.
“Approximately 300,000,” Guo Tianyou said. “That doesn’t include the transient population. At least several thousand merchants and travelers enter and leave Hongyun City every day.”
“Three hundred thousand,” Zheng Yi nodded, “more than ten times the size of Qingyun City.”
“Yes,” Guo Tianyou said. “Hongyun City is a transportation hub in the eastern part of Tianyuan Domain, and caravans traveling north and south all pass through here. Therefore, the city’s commerce is very developed.”
They walked through the bustling commercial district and came to a relatively wide street.
This main street is the main thoroughfare of Hongyun City, stretching from the south to the north, traversing the entire city. Neat rows of plane trees line both sides of the street, their lush foliage casting patches of shade on the ground.
As I walked, the scenery around me gradually changed.
Shops were becoming fewer and fewer, and pedestrians were thinning out. Dilapidated houses and abandoned vacant lots appeared on both sides of the street. A dusty smell filled the air, a stark contrast to the bustling commercial district just moments before.
"This is the north of the city," Guo Tianyou said. "As you can see, sir, the development here is indeed not as good as that in the city center and the south."
Zheng Yi looked around and carefully observed the situation in the north of the city.
The area north of the city is indeed very large, accounting for at least one-third of the entire Hongyun City. But as Guo Tianyou said, the development level here is very low. Large tracts of land are abandoned, with only a few scattered houses and shops, most of which are quite dilapidated.
"Why is development so slow here?" Zheng Yi asked.
“There are several reasons,” Guo Tianyou said. “First, the north of the city is close to the Eastern Wilderness, and in the past, demonic beasts often came from the Eastern Wilderness to cause trouble. Although the number of times demonic beasts appear has decreased in recent years, the reputation of the north of the city has become quite bad, and few people are willing to live or do business here.”
"Secondly, the infrastructure in the north of the city is very poor. The roads are damaged, the drainage system is inadequate, and the living environment is inferior to that in the city center and south. So even if someone wants to come, these conditions will deter them."
"Finally, while my father was alive, he focused most of his energy on developing the city center and the south, investing very little in the north. Over time, the north became increasingly desolate."
Zheng Yi nodded after listening.
“These problems can all be solved,” he said. “As long as enough resources are invested to build up the infrastructure and attract businesses and residents, the north of the city can develop.”
“Sir, you are right,” Guo Tianyou said. “That’s what I think too. That’s why I want to entrust the management of the north of the city to you. I believe that with your abilities, you will definitely be able to develop the north of the city very well.”
“Let’s keep walking,” Zheng Yi said. “I want to see the whole view of the north side of the city.”
"it is good."
The group continued walking forward.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, they arrived at the northernmost edge of the city.
Here we can already see the north city wall of Hongyun City. The wall is tall and thick, standing majestically and separating the inside from the outside. At intervals along the wall, there is an arrow tower, with guards patrolling inside, vigilantly watching for any movement outside the city.
Beyond the city walls lay a vast wilderness. In the distance, one could see rolling mountains, which marked the direction of the Eastern Wilderness.
Zheng Yi stood at the foot of the city wall, gazing at the distant mountains, lost in thought.
"What are you thinking about, sir?" Guo Tianyou asked.
“I’m thinking about the planning for the north of the city,” Zheng Yi said. “The north of the city is close to the Eastern Wilderness, which is a disadvantage, but it can also be turned into an advantage.”
"How can we turn this into an advantage?"
"Many forces want to explore the Eastern Wilderness, but the journey is long and requires a lot of supplies," Zheng Yi said. "If we build a special area in the north of the city to serve explorers, providing services such as supplies, equipment rental, and intelligence gathering, those who want to enter the Eastern Wilderness will be attracted here."
"Sir, do you mean to develop the north of the city into a gathering place for explorers?" Guo Tianyou's eyes lit up.
“That’s right.” Zheng Yi nodded. “Qingyun City is the gateway to the Eastern Wilderness, but it’s too small to provide comprehensive services. The northern part of Hongyun City can fill this gap. Explorers can replenish their supplies and gather intelligence in the north before heading to Qingyun City to enter the Eastern Wilderness.”
"In this way, the north of the city will no longer be a wasteland that no one wants to come to, but a treasure trove full of business opportunities."
"Sir, your insight is brilliant!" Guo Tianyou exclaimed excitedly. "This idea is excellent! If it can be realized, the development prospects of the northern part of the city will be limitless!"
“Of course, this will require a significant investment,” Zheng Yi said. “First, we need to repair roads and drainage systems to improve infrastructure. Then, we need to build warehouses, inns, restaurants, and other supporting facilities to attract businesses. We also need to establish a dedicated security force to protect the safety of the northern part of the city.”
"How much support can Young Master Guo provide for these investments?"
"I will provide as much as you need, sir," Guo Tianyou said without hesitation. "The development in the north of the city will also benefit the Guo family. As long as you ask, sir, I will give my full support."
"That's good." Zheng Yi nodded. "However, before making any specific plans, I need to take a stroll around the north of the city to get a better understanding of the situation here."
“Please go ahead, sir,” Guo Tianyou said. “I can send someone to accompany you.” “No need,” Zheng Yi replied, “I can go by myself. Young Master Guo has just assumed the position of family head and must have many matters to attend to. There’s no need to waste your time with me.”
"Alright then," Guo Tianyou said somewhat embarrassedly. "Sir, you're right. I do have many things to attend to. I'll head back now and invite you to dinner again tonight."
"it is good."
Guo Tianyou left with the two elders.
Zheng Yi stood alone under the city wall, gazing at the north side of the city, and began to sketch out a blueprint in his mind.
"Tieshan, Tianxing, Wanqing, you three go out and explore," he said. "Get a clear picture of the situation in the north of the city. Gather all the information: roads, buildings, population, shops."
"Yes." The three responded and went their separate ways.
Zheng Yi himself walked slowly forward along the city wall.
Beneath the city wall to the north of the city was a dirt road, full of potholes and very difficult to walk on. The roadside was overgrown with weeds, some as tall as a person, clearly indicating that it hadn't been cleared for a long time.
After walking along the dirt road for a while, he saw a row of dilapidated houses ahead.
Most of these houses were built with mud bricks, the walls were mottled, and the roof tiles were incomplete. The open spaces between the houses were piled with miscellaneous items, exuding a musty smell.
Upon closer inspection, Zheng Yi discovered that people were still living in these houses.
An old woman was sitting on the stone steps by the door, fanning herself with a worn-out palm-leaf fan. Her face was covered with wrinkles, her eyes were cloudy, and she looked very old.
“Grandpa,” Zheng Yi stepped forward and asked kindly, “Have you lived here for a long time?”
The old woman looked up, glanced at Zheng Yi, and then nodded.
“I’ve lived here most of my life,” she said, her voice hoarse and tinged with a hint of weariness. “I’ve lived here ever since I married into this family.”
"How is life here?" Zheng Yi asked.
"What can we do?" the old woman sighed. "This place in the north of the city is neglected; nobody cares. No one repairs the roads, and the water is bad. All the young people have gone to the city, leaving only us old bones to guard these dilapidated houses and wait to die."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Yi's heart sank slightly.
He crouched down to be at eye level with the old woman.
"Grandpa, if someone were willing to come and develop the north of the city, to repair the roads and build the houses, would you be willing?"
The old woman paused for a moment, then shook her head.
"Who would want to build this godforsaken place?" she said with a bitter smile. "No one has cared about the north of the city for so many years, and no one will care in the future."
"What if someone is willing?" Zheng Yi pressed.
The old woman looked at Zheng Yi, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
"Young man, why do you speak so strangely?" she said. "Who are you? What are you doing in the north of the city?"
"I've come to check on the situation in the north of the city," Zheng Yi said. "Perhaps I can do something to help."
Upon hearing this, the old woman gave a bitter smile.
“Young man, it’s good that you have the heart,” she said, “but the north of the city isn’t something one or two people can change. You shouldn’t waste your energy.”
Zheng Yi didn't say much, he just stood up, nodded to the old woman, and continued walking forward.
The old woman's words strengthened his resolve to develop the north of the city.
The people here have been neglected for far too long; they have no hope for the future and are just drifting through life. If he could develop the north of the city and improve the lives of the people here, it would be a very meaningful thing.
He continued walking along the dirt road and came to an open space.
The open space was quite large, at least several dozen acres. The ground was overgrown with weeds, and in the middle was a dried-up pond, with some old stone benches and tables scattered around the pond.
“This used to be a small square,” Zheng Yi thought to himself.
He stood in the center of the open space, looked around, and began to plan the use of this area in his mind.
“A market can be built here,” he thought. “The roads can be repaired, and rows of shops can be built around it to attract merchants. Explorers can buy supplies and sell the spoils they’ve acquired in the Eastern Wasteland.”
"Several inns and restaurants can be built next to the market for explorers to rest and dine. An intelligence center should also be built to collect and sell information about the Eastern Wilderness."
"We could also build a weapons shop and an alchemy shop, selling various weapons, equipment, and elixirs. Explorers can replenish their equipment and elixirs here before venturing into the Eastern Wilderness."
The more he thought about it, the more excited he became, and the blueprint in his mind became clearer and clearer.
After leaving the open space, he came to another area.
The area contains some low-rise buildings that look like abandoned warehouses. The doors and windows of the warehouses are broken, and they are filled with dust and debris.
Zheng Yi walked into one of the warehouses and carefully examined the situation inside.
The warehouse is quite large, covering several hundred square feet. Although it is currently dilapidated, it can be reused after some repairs.
“These warehouses can be used to store supplies,” he thought. “Explorers need a lot of supplies, such as dry food, drinking water, tents, ropes, and so on. If a large supply warehouse were built here, providing storage and rental services, it would definitely be very popular.”
He came out of the warehouse and continued walking.
After walking for a while, he saw a dilapidated building ahead, which looked like an abandoned temple.
The temple gate had collapsed, and one of the stone lions at the entrance was missing. The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, and half of the roof of the main hall had collapsed, exposing the rotten beams and pillars inside.
Zheng Yi entered the temple and walked around the courtyard.
Although the temple is dilapidated, judging from the remaining structures, it must have been quite grand in the past. In the courtyard stands an ancient ginkgo tree, its trunk thick and its canopy providing ample shade. Beneath the tree is a stone well, still containing water.
“This place can be renovated into a resting place,” Zheng Yi thought. “Explorers need a quiet place to rest after a long day of running around. Although this temple is dilapidated, its location is good. After renovation, it can be transformed into a teahouse or a leisure center.” (End of Chapter)