Raily's sigh had laid bare the essence of rule.
Chen Cheng had not acted this way because he was smarter than everyone else. He simply knew that his interests were now bound to those of ordinary people.
With their interests aligned, Chen Cheng had no reason to rule through oppression.
As the saying went, the strongest bond between people—between intelligent beings—was shared interest.
They traveled without further conversation and reached the provincial capital in less than half a day.
Outside the city, banners stood in rows while tens of thousands of soldiers drilled under their commanders' orders.
Boom! Boom! Artillery fire thundered without end, and rising smoke nearly blanketed the entire training ground.
"Boss, are those the firearms you told me about? They're powerful!"
Raily watched the shells explode below and spoke in awe.
Before Chen Cheng and the others could fly over, someone flew toward them.
"Who goes there? This is a restricted military zone. Please leave at once."
Chen Cheng heard Dean's voice from far away.
"It's me, Dean."
Once Dean drew closer and saw Chen Cheng, he immediately saluted.
"Your Majesty."
"I've told you not to stand on ceremony. And why are you conducting military exercises right beside the city? Won't this disrupt people's daily lives and work?"
The cannon fire was loud. Amid such a din, people could easily lose focus or grow irritable.
Dean replied, "Your Majesty, please land first. We're nearly within the camp's air-defense range. It wouldn't do for the Anti-Aircraft Guns to give you a scare."
At the mention of Anti-Aircraft Guns, Chen Cheng gave a surprised laugh. "Yuri Jin actually made them?"
Dean nodded.
After the group landed, Dean explained why the exercises were being held beside the city.
The first reason was simple: to deter their enemies, especially Grand Duke