The Weight of the Nation

Compared to the capitals of other nations, Xin'an City is not particularly grand.

It cannot compare to the capital of the Yong Kingdom, nor does it even measure up to Dingwu City, the capital of the Mo State.

When the Grand Ancestor of the Zhuang Kingdom, Zhuang Chenggan, first established the capital in Hualin Prefecture, the nation was destitute and impoverished.

After several generations of management, they slowly saved up some resources and carried out intermittent repairs and expansions. Yet, this capital could never quite shed that sense of small-mindedness.

There were ministers who proposed tearing the city down and rebuilding it, but they were stopped by Du Ruhui.

Du Ruhui remonstrated, "The strength of the mountains and rivers, the weight of the state, lies in the people, not the land; it lies in the ruler, not the city."

Zhuang Gaoxian gladly accepted this advice and declared that as long as the nation was not strong, not a single brick would be added to the capital.

When Lin Zhengren arrived before this city, filled with caution, what he saw was a sharp and unbridled figure sitting on the city gate tower with a spear held horizontally. Like a guardian deity, he stood watch over Xin'an.

The torrential rain of last night had passed, and the morning sun was just beginning to rise.

The sunlight broke free from the long night, illuminating Zhu Weiwu with such brilliance.

He sat here alone with his spear, signaling that he was holding the city, putting the people of the nation at ease.

No matter the opponent, no matter the enemy, they would not be able to take a single step into Xin'an City before his Firewood Exhausted Spear was broken.

Lin Zhengren narrowed his eyes.

Too dazzling, he thought.

But he had to admit