Liyang Territory's vast territory is dotted with hundreds of settlements. These settlements rely on the rich gifts provided by the nearby nature to make a living, and also build fortifications to resist the invasion of wild monsters.
The defense power of those simple fortifications consisting of wooden gates, earthen walls, sentry towers, etc. is naturally not comparable to that of a city surrounded by thick walls. At most, it can only block the footsteps of small monsters such as grass monsters and mud monsters, and can only block the steps of stone monsters and tree monsters.
At that time, they could only raise their hands and surrender. Therefore, there were riots among the monsters in the summer, and when the situation became serious, the whole family would evacuate to nearby cities for refuge.
However, there are a few colonies that are exceptions.
Some settlements have built strong "mountains" along the mountains, some have built difficult-to-attack "water fortresses" based on the flow of water, and some have occupied wilderness ruins and built them into "cities" where they can stay.
"Zhai". Although not as good as a city, these villages have enough defense to withstand most famines and do not rely much on support from the territorial government.
Of course, the territorial government's dominance is not so strong in these places.
What's more troublesome is that the Kinoji that is asking for help this time is just such a mountain village built on the mountain.
The mountain is not high, but the rock is quite solid. Looking from a distance, the mountain is divided into several layers from top to bottom. Each layer has stone walls built with local materials, and there are rows of hammered stones on the protruding parts of the mountain.
Heavy ordnance such as oil barrels and even bed crossbows can be seen. In terms of defense level, it is almost a paramilitary fortress.
When approaching the mountain stronghold, Zhang Ji asked his soldiers to hold up the flags of Liyang Mansion on both sides of the armored vehicle.
Among the twelve princes, the Wu family is the only one who honors red, so the imperial flag with red background and gold pattern has also become the symbol of Liyang Mansion. Hanging up the imperial flag means that the armored car represents the imperial envoy of Changxia Palace, and any consular government agency must recognize it.
Easy access.
Of course, Kinoji is also a people's livelihood entity under the rule of Liyang Mansion, at least that's what the law stipulates.
The gate of Kinoji is made of several layers of thick solid wood, with obvious signs of repair. The gate is tightly closed when the armored car approaches.
"Who is down there!?"
"Damn! Don't you understand even after seeing the order flag? We are the messenger from Changxia Palace! Open the door immediately!"
Counting from the time when the militiamen on duty at the guard tower saw the armored car flag, a long period of time had passed during which any other city guard would have been held accountable. Even when Zhang Ji's rigid face rarely showed an angry look, the gate of the cottage below
Finally it slowly opened.
Several settlers who were clearly on guard against the armored vehicles walked out from the village gate. Under their guidance, the armored vehicles slowly drove along the mountain road into Kineyeji. The mountain in Kineyeji was not high, and it was deliberately widened to facilitate the entry and exit of caged trucks.
It is a mountain road, so even heavy armored vehicles can drive in.
"Hey, hey, hey..."
"What's wrong? Brother Gu Chen."
"It's nothing, just hold on tight."
Although it can be driven in, driving on mountain roads is a job for experienced drivers.
Of course Gu Chen was not an experienced driver, but at this moment, he was not allowed to choose. So Gu Chen pressed the gear all the way to the lowest, held the steering wheel with extra caution, and even used the trick of wind-touch positioning.
Driving across the horizontal bridge made of logs without any danger, we entered the square equivalent to the center of the settlement.
When the car came to a stop in the square, I didn't know whether it came from the rear car or the front car, but I heard a heavy exhalation. Even Gu Chen himself was lying on the steering wheel as if he was exhausted when he pulled the handbrake.
"Finally we're here, it's more tiring than I thought..."
It was okay when riding in the wilderness, but driving on mountain roads was the most nerve-wracking part.
Not counting the wait in front of the village gate, it took about four hours to get from Liyang City to Kinoji. During this period, we also broke through a group of desert monsters. The process was enough to prove the off-road performance and maneuverability of the armored vehicles. Although the humanoid armored soldiers were
I don’t know how it will work in part, but in terms of vehicles, it should be able to achieve good or better results.
"Now that we have arrived at Kinoji, the mission of Gokufang has come to an end."
Gu Chen looked at the rear compartment with a sigh of relief, and met Zhang Ji's eyes with the messenger.
This time Liyang Mansion rented an armored car from Gewufang as a vehicle, so he was not a young supervisor but only a driver of the armored car. Now that he has arrived at Kinoji, the remaining affairs are the work of the messenger. In theory
It said he just needed to help carry it on the return trip.
Of course Zhang Ji knew this, nodded slightly as if thanking him, and then got off the back of the armored car with the help of the soldiers. After the passengers left, only the driver Gu Chen and the co-driver Xiao Yi Gu were left in the front compartment of the armored car.
Chen rubbed his nose, which was stiffened by the wind, and looked up at the surrounding settlements.
"Hoo ho?"
Gu Chen couldn't help but admire him.
The settlement in front of us is obviously radiating from the center of the square to the surroundings. You can see rows of wooden houses around the square. Because the hillside of the settlement has ups and downs, half of the houses are built on platforms cleverly supported by wooden pillars on the mountain wall.
It looks particularly three-dimensional. In addition, there are many wooden structures or semi-finished products of cage cars piled beside the square. There are also large warehouse-like buildings nearby. It looks more like a collective workshop than a cluster.
.
I first learned from Wu Yan that Kinoji is a prosperous settlement named for its exquisite woodwork. When I looked at it from the bottom of the mountain, I had a vague feeling that the cottage architecture was extraordinary. Now when I look inside, I feel that it is well-deserved.
"Well, it seems like they don't welcome us very much..." Xiao B, who was in the passenger seat, muttered in a low voice.
"What?" Gu Chen turned his head and looked.
The square is the center of the settlement. The armored car driving into the square naturally attracted the attention of the settlers. Many settlers pointed at the armored car in the distance. Although they could not hear their conversation, it was hard to tell from the way they were whispering to each other.
I feel the respect for the envoy of the consulate.
This situation made Zhang Ji a little surprised over there. He looked around as if he was looking for someone to talk to. At this time, there was a commotion from far away in the square, and a fat man with a round body was running towards this side.
While taking the official hat from the attendant next to him, he hurriedly put it on his head.
The craftsmen of Kinoji, both men and women, have well-proportioned bodies with strong muscles, but in comparison, the panting and chubby man gave people the impression that he had walked into the wrong set. The surrounding settlers did not hide their contempt and ridiculed him.
My eyes watched as he ran all the way to the consulate in front of the envoy.
"Ji Zheng Wen Hui, meet, meet, sir!"
Gu Chen saw the fat man greeting Zhang Ji with a worried face, and saw Zhang Ji say a few words to him with a straight face. The fat man nodded repeatedly and pointed to a house on the south side of the square, seemingly planning to greet him.
He went there to talk in detail.
Gu Chen watched this scene with interest from the front room. Since he serves as the Young Supervisor of Liyang Mansion, he will probably have to deal with local officials in the future. For Gu Chen, a newcomer in the workplace, Zhang Ji's approach is just right.
Consider it a reference.
At this time, I wonder if I felt the gaze of my colleagues, thinking that Zhang Ji suddenly turned his head and looked towards the armored car.