Though they had prepared for resistance at every stage and guerrilla warfare, necessary counterattacks against the landing still had to be made. They could not let the enemy land so easily; that would be far too disadvantageous for the later stages of the war.
The morale of both soldiers and civilians would also be greatly diminished.
South City Port was South Country's largest and most prosperous port. The court collected as much as eighty million taels of silver in customs duties from this place alone.
Trade generated far more wealth than agriculture.
Because some regions had extremely high agricultural yields, they could obtain cheap grain in enormous quantities through trade.
South City Port had more than seventy forts, each built tall and sturdy. They were all arranged in circular defenses, ensuring there were no blind spots.
The city's defending forces numbered a total of 450,000, while another 1.2 million reserves were gathering in various locations.
The Governor of South City had already prepared to live and die with the city. Naturally, he had also prepared Fountain of Youth Water, at one million per bottle.
After the Great Cheng Dynasty carried out its modernization reforms, its ability to mobilize was far beyond that of any ancient court.
The core of so-called modernization was the emergence and application of national consciousness.
Great Cheng People possessed their own national consciousness. Five centuries of dynastic rule were enough for that consciousness to rapidly emerge and grow stronger when facing an external threat.
Though the westerners claimed they wanted to spread the secret of the Fountain of Youth, the court was not wrong either. If the secret were taken away, everyone's benefits would vanish.
The Spring Festival relief aid, unemployment protection, and all sorts of job opportunities would disappear.
The Light Division posted the Fountain