Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1781: Chapter 568: Loss, Ecstasy, and Being Moved

“Are we going to build the city in Guangning instead of River Valley? This…this…how did the decision suddenly change?”

On the outskirts of River Valley Village, Fan Kong, who was directing the villagers to transport coal for the Xia Army, was stunned upon hearing the latest news brought by his son Fan Hong, and immediately asked his son anxiously what had happened.

Fan Hong’s face was full of bitterness as he whispered, “Father, according to the soldiers of the Xia Army, in the first half of the night, a large army launched a surprise attack on Guangning Mountain, driving away the seventy thousand troops of Cai Yunzhou. Now, Guangning Mountain has become the territory of Great Xia…”

By this point, Fan Kong basically understood, and his face was instantly filled with bitterness and reluctance. He didn’t pay attention to the rest of what his son was saying.

Compared to River Valley Village, a strategically defensible location like Guangning Mountain is clearly more suitable for city building. Since Great Xia had seized Guangning Mountain, it was naturally impossible to build a city in River Valley.

The location of city building might not have much impact on Great Xia’s people, but for the over twenty thousand civilians of River Valley Village, it represented a key opportunity that would determine their future fate.

To be honest, Fan Kong didn’t have a deep understanding of Great Xia, but he was an insightful person who understood that camps at the level of Great Xia’s Feudal Town didn’t differ drastically from Cai Qiu’s system, and big cities within their territory were unlikely to easily admit a large population.

The tens of thousands of people in Green Jade Valley were so weak that Great Xia certainly wouldn’t go to great lengths to relocate them, so it would most likely adopt a governance approach that involved stationing troops.

Simply stationing troops would actually benefit Green Jade Valley, as, in any camp, the army is of utmost importance, and soldiers are known for their generosity. Green Jade Valley, having proximity, could lead a decent life by engaging in any business related to the army.

But if city building occurs in addition to troop stationing, then the benefits are even greater.

Firstly, any camp that chooses a location for city building indicates that the leadership attaches importance to that area, much like Evergreen Valley has no other city except Qinghua City at the northern entrance for over a century.

Secondly, forming clusters is a nature of Ice Abyss People, and once a city is built at River Valley, the surrounding population will inevitably gather.

Lastly, the attention from Great Xia’s leadership means the primary task of building a city is to resist enemies, so the number of stationed Xia Army will not be small. Moreover, Great Xia will spare no effort to ensure their daily cultivation and living resources. Even the slightest spillover of these would allow people around Green Jade Valley to live well.

Once the population increases significantly and resources are supplied, the region will usher in prosperity, an unchanging truth since ancient times. When Green Jade Valley’s population strength grows, everything will change.

It is precisely because of these reasons that, upon learning about Great Xia’s city-building plans, Fan Kong felt so excited, especially knowing that the city would be built in River Valley Village, making him overjoyed.

But now, his son suddenly informs him that Great Xia plans to change the city-building location to Guangning Mountain.

Though Guangning Mountain is only fifteen kilometers away from River Valley Village, based on the principle of benefiting the immediate area, he naturally felt that building a city in River Valley would be better.

“Dad, is there a way to make those leaders change their minds…”

Fan Hong, almost fifty years old this year, also understood the situation and instinctively asked his father if there was any way to make Great Xia change its mind.

But before he finished speaking, he stopped himself, and then exchanged a glance with his father, both showing a bitter expression and shaking their heads.

Up to this point, the highest-ranking person they had met from Great Xia was the Dragon Forbidden Guard Vice Commander Yuan Bai, and it was clear that he held only a military position, likely not very high.

With little influence and low status, how could they have any means to change the thoughts of the high-ranking officials?

Moreover, while the decision about where to build the city might mean everything to River Valley Village, it would be insignificant to those high-ranking people in Great Xia.

“Luckily, Guangning Mountain isn’t too far from us. Once the city is built, we should be among the first batch to move in. By then, taking advantage of proximity, we can surely gain some benefits, at least not worse than other villages in Green Jade Valley.”

Upon hearing his son’s words, Fan Kong shook his head and said, “The biggest beneficiary should be Qingtan Village…”

Fan Hong was taken aback and after hearing his father’s explanation, he finally understood.

The four prominent figures responsible for organizing the uprising this time were all people who had come out of Qingtan Village, which explains why Su Lie was so eager for the uprising. He began to actively contact various people, including those from Cai Qiu, as soon as Cai Qiu conscripted laborers.

Thinking of this, Fan Hong seemed to suddenly understand, saying, “I remember now, I heard that Frost Ash Association’s prominent figures also played a big part in attacking Guangning Mountain. There were also rumors that they were motivated to meet the Great Xia Lord, which is why they collaborated with the general named Hou Bing to plan this battle.”

Fan Kong’s face turned even more bitter upon hearing this. Given his good relationship with Su Lie, he naturally knew more than his son. He was aware that the General Leader of the Frost Ash Association, who planned the uprising, not only hailed from Qingtan Village but also had some relationship with the Great Xia Lord, and Su Lie mentioned they seemed to be mentor and disciple.

With such connections, once Guangning builds the city, the most valued among the sixteen villages in Green Jade Valley would inevitably be Qingtan Village.

“Old Fan!”

Seemingly confirming his thoughts, as Fan Hong with the coal transportation team reached the village entrance, Su Lie’s slightly excited greeting came right over.

He looked up toward the village entrance and was instantly stunned.