ALL NOVEL Chapter 168 – Founding a Nation
Within the Dragon God Palace in Peng City, the capital of the Great Chu, four identical Fan Lis were meditating and cultivating. Suddenly, one of them opened his eyes. He was unique.
Among the four Fan Lis, Tuan Tuan, the White Tiger divine beast, always nestled in his arms, fast asleep.
"Wu Gang," Fan Li said softly after ending his meditation, "bring me a map."
The Dragon God Palace had become a second Fan Manor. Several rooms had been converted into studies for Fan Li, specifically for storing documents and materials.
"Master." Wu Gang, dressed in an elegant black palace attire, approached Fan Li with a map in hand. Her delicate fingers, as white as spring onions, gently unfurled the map.
Fan Li's gaze swept across it. The human world consisted of five nations: Chu, Ming, Wei, Han, and Wu.
There were also numerous other forces, such as the Brahma Sound Pure Land, Lu City, and Mount Yunmeng. Starting from Mount Yunmeng and extending southwards was a vast expanse of mountains, home to many cultivation sects.
In the past, when the former Qin Dynasty unified the land, these mountains and rivers were naturally part of their territory. However, after the fall of Qin, Chu, Han, and Ming fought for dominance.
The three kingdoms focused their battles on the central plains, neglecting the vast southern mountain ranges. Gradually, this area became a no man's land.
Over the past millennium, cultivators established sects and schools here. Some sects even migrated to this region to escape the wars in the central plains.
"Wu Gang," Fan Li pointed to the vast mountains on the map and asked with a smile, "What do you think about me founding a nation here?"
Wu Gang frowned. She had followed the Overlord of Chu in his conquest of the land and, despite her lack of knowledge in military and political affairs, knew that the southern mountains were not the main battlefield for vying for control of the world.
"If Master wants to become emperor, why not simply rise up in Peng City? Xiang Chong isn't even worthy of competing with Master for the throne!" Wu Gang's expression was one of absolute certainty.
However, Fan Li shook his head firmly. "No. The Great Chu is allied with the Pure Land, Wei, Han, and Wu. Its existence must be maintained. Besides, my requirements for founding a nation are not high."
Through communication with the system, Fan Li had clarified a few things.
Firstly, the system was still the "Number One Traitor System," and this hadn't changed.
In the future, the system would still require him to maintain his identity as a traitor when issuing missions.
Secondly, the reward for this mission, "Founding a Nation," was essentially providing Fan Li with a powerful means of self-preservation:
The Heavenly Son ability, "Pangu's Giant Body"!
With this ability, the emperor was practically invincible within his own territory.
Once Fan Li founded his nation, he would eventually have the opportunity to comprehend "Pangu's Giant Body." Of course, he still needed to reach the Great Vehicle Realm in cultivation.
"Although it's a distant goal, at least it's something to aim for," Fan Li thought to himself.
The rewards for this Mount Yunmeng mission weren't very practical. In the short term, "Founding a Nation" offered almost no benefits.
"A true long-term investment. No immediate benefits, and it requires significant investment." Despite his complaints, Fan Li decided to accept the reward.
"System."
"Designate all the land south of Mount Yunmeng as my territory for founding a nation!"
"The nation shall be called: Great Jin!"
As soon as this thought arose in Fan Li's mind, the system responded.
"Ding!"
"Host's request confirmed."
"Territory size: approximately 170,000 square kilometers."
"Nation name: Great Jin."
"Congratulations, Host, on successfully founding a nation."
"The Heavenly Dao of the world now recognizes you as the founding emperor of the Great Jin."
"Founding reward: For the next hundred years, the Great Jin will enjoy favorable weather, abundant resources, and rich spiritual energy."
"The current population of the Great Jin is detected to be zero. Please increase the population as soon as possible."
"The territory of the Great Jin is detected to be small. It is recommended that you actively expand your territory."
"Increasing population and land will significantly enhance national fortune."
Oh?
Fan Li was intrigued by the system's prompts. Population and land equaled national fortune. No wonder emperors throughout history were so interested in expanding their territories.
But he wasn't in a hurry. Even though he had founded a nation, he had merely gained the additional identity of emperor. The Great Jin still lacked the resources to conquer the world.
"Warning!"
"1322 illegal residents detected within the Great Jin."
"610 from the Azure Cloud Sect and 712 from the Dark Heaven Sect."
"Host can choose to grant them legal citizenship or expel them by force."
Fan Li was momentarily surprised.
Oh?
There were actually two cultivation sects within the territory he had designated, similar to the Blazing Fire Sect he had destroyed?
"Do not take any action for now."
The Great Jin had just been founded and needed to expand its population. Although 1322 people weren't many, they were all cultivators. If they could be recruited into the Great Jin, it would be ideal.
"Wu Gang. Bring my elder brother, third brother, and younger sister here."
Founding a nation was simple, just a matter of the system's word. But building a nation was difficult, requiring brick by brick construction.
The Great Jin currently existed only in the system's recognition and didn't even have a single thatched hut. Fortunately, Fan Li had the Fan Clan Trading Company.
***
On the summit of Mount Yunmeng, Fan Li briefly explained the matter of founding a nation to the third-generation Guiguzi.
"Lao Wang, you don't need to return to the Great Chu. Your task is to build a city." As Fan Li spoke, he felt a little embarrassed.
Traveling south from Mount Yunmeng, once you descended the mountain, you entered the territory of the Great Jin.
However, there wasn't even a single village or town here. He had just recruited Wang Ban and was already assigning him such a massive project.
Building a nation?
"Oh, alright." Wang Ban showed no resistance. His previously dejected demeanor even revealed a hint of excitement after receiving Fan Li's construction task.
Fan Li almost forgot that Wang Ban was essentially a tech enthusiast, and this was his passion!
"Duke of Jin, ah, no, Your Majesty," Wang Ban said with a smile, "Then I am considered a citizen of the Great Jin? Are there any specific requirements for building the city?"
Fan Li shook his head. "Let me correct you. I... ahem, I have appointed you as the Chancellor of the Great Jin, and you will temporarily manage all state affairs, including the construction of the city."
"Alright, that's great!" Wang Ban was about to kneel and kowtow to Fan Li.
Fan Li couldn't bear to let him kneel and quickly helped him up. "Chancellor Wang, please make a list of the materials needed for building the city. The Fan Clan Trading Company of the Great Chu will procure them as soon as possible."
Although he said this, Fan Li still felt a headache coming on. Even though they were only building one city for now, the amount of materials required was enormous and diverse.
Moreover, transporting them from various parts of the Great Chu would undoubtedly cause a lot of trouble along the way.
Wang Ban, however, said, "Your Majesty, there's no need to supply materials for the city. I can extract them directly from the mountain."
Fan Li was stunned. "Then... what about manpower? Quarrying, logging, and building roads – do I need to send an army? Would ten thousand people be enough?"
"No need." Wang Ban still wore that same simple expression.
He pointed to the distance, where mechanical puppets were emerging from the small courtyards on the summit.
"I'll first send the 'maidservants' down the mountain to gather materials for the mechanisms, then refine a few thousand more 'maidservants,' and then we can begin construction."
Fan Li listened, dumbfounded for a long time.
"Is it... that simple?"
Wang Ban looked at him blankly. "Of course. The purpose of mechanics is to replace human labor."
Fan Li suddenly realized that not only was the first Guiguzi worthy of being sought after by emperors, but even Wang Ban, who considered himself a disgrace to his ancestors, was qualified to be fought over by the rulers of the world.
He alone could build a nation.
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