The thunderous measures and unfathomable potential Peach Blossom Spring had displayed completely changed the balance of power at the Flower Country's court. The Pro-Cleansing Faction fell utterly silent, while the Pro-Pacification Faction gained an overwhelming advantage. With the king's tacit approval-or rather, his eager anticipation-the peace talks with Peach Blossom Spring, overseen entirely by the Foreign Affairs Minister, advanced at astonishing speed.
This time, the Flower Country sent no expendable probe like Wang Lang, but a trusted senior official personally selected by the Foreign Affairs Minister. Bearing lavish gifts and adopting a humble attitude, he secretly arrived in Peach Blossom Spring once again. At the negotiating table, the two sides' positions had already been reversed.
As Peach Blossom Spring's plenipotentiary representative, Guo Jia engaged the Flower Country's special envoy in several rounds of arduous, finely calculated maneuvering. Making full use of the lingering impact of Peach Blossom Spring's great victory and the deterrent power of the "Mythical Zoans," he advanced methodically, securing extremely favorable terms for Peach Blossom Spring.
The eventual "Peach Blossom Spring-Flower Country Provisional Peace Treaty" chiefly included the following:
Recognition of autonomy: The Flower Country formally recognized Peach Blossom Spring as a "highly autonomous territory," possessing independent administrative, military, and judicial powers. Its sphere of influence would be based on its existing territory and extend into the surrounding waters.
Territorial boundaries: The Flower Country permanently ceded Longquan Island and its surrounding waters to Peach Blossom Spring as a base. Close to Peach Blossom Spring, the island had previously been under direct royal jurisdiction but was poorly administered and easy to defend, difficult to attack. Longquan Island possessed an excellent deepwater harbor and occupied an important strategic position.
Mutually beneficial trade: Trade routes between the two sides would open, and Peach Blossom Spring would enjoy most-favored treatment. Its specialty products, such as highly effective medicinal herbs and high-quality minerals, could enter the Flower Country freely and be exchanged, tax-free, for urgently needed supplies such as salt, iron, cloth, and shipbuilding timber.
Military trust: Both sides pledged nonaggression. The Flower Country tacitly accepted Peach Blossom Spring's possession of a navy of a certain size and pledged not to initiate military action against it. Peach Blossom Spring, in turn, pledged that it could provide "limited military assistance" if the Flower Country suffered a large-scale foreign invasion, specifically by pirates or other kingdoms outside the World Government's forces.
Nominal allegiance: Peach Blossom Spring would nominally acknowledge the Flower Country as its suzerain, and Chen Yu would accept the honorary title of "General Who Pacifies the Seas," but he would bear no specific obligations or be subject to deployment by the Flower Country's court.
This treaty was practically equivalent to allowing a regional military power to rule independently. Yet faced with Peach Blossom Spring's formidable strength and the deterrent power of its Mythical Zoans, the Flower Country's court had no choice but to swallow this bitter pill to placate its terrifying neighbor and avoid direct conflict. The signing of the treaty marked Peach Blossom Spring's final escape from its status as "bandits," allowing it to formally enter the West Blue's political stage in a powerful, independent stance!
As the news spread, the West Blue was shaken once again. The various powers reacted differently, but all understood that the West Blue now had another player it could not afford to ignore.
Within Peach Blossom Spring, jubilation reigned, but even more prominent were the feverish relocation and construction efforts.
Gaining official recognition and the prized territory of Longquan Island marked a milestone in Peach Blossom Spring's development. Chen Yu and his core leadership swiftly made their decision: their main forces would relocate to Longquan Island and establish a new, more secure base! The original Peach Blossom Spring valley would be retained as an important logistical base and training center.
The relocation was vast and complex, but under Liu Bei's outstanding coordination of domestic affairs, it proceeded in an orderly fashion. People, supplies, weapons, and equipment were transported to Longquan Island in a steady stream aboard captured and newly built ships.
Longquan Island underwent earth-shattering changes.
The island was extensive, with defensible terrain, a freshwater lake at its center, and a natural deepwater harbor along its coast. After landing, Chen Yu immediately used Arceus's powers, [All Things Regulation] and [Life Creation], to improve the island's environment on a vast scale: barren soil became fertile, spring water grew sweeter and clearer, trees grew faster, and he even guided some gentle animals to settle there. In the island's central region, he also began using divine power and local stone to build "Longwei City," a seat of rule that combined defensive strength with imposing grandeur.
The generals each put their abilities to work as well:
Guan Yu oversaw the construction of Longwei City's defenses. Using Rayquaza's power to sense air currents, he planned efficient air-defense and early-warning systems.
Zhang Fei led the engineering teams, using Groudon's power to quarry mountains and build piers, docks, and barracks with astonishing efficiency.
Zhao Yun's navy finally had a true home. He busied himself planning the harbor, arranging fortifications, and training sailors. Reshiram's power allowed him to better master the wind and waves, making his training twice as effective with half the effort.
Huang Zhong established lookout towers and sniping positions on the island's high ground. Dialga's power allowed him to calculate fields of fire and warning times with precision.
Liu Bei busied himself settling displaced people, distributing land, and establishing a new administrative system. His benevolence and the welcoming aura of Xerneas's power soon won the affection of the newly arrived residents.
Guo Jia, meanwhile, busied himself building a new intelligence network, making preliminary contact with various powers, and planning how to use their newly acquired rights and resources to expand their influence further.
Amid all this activity, an unexpected visitor arrived on Longquan Island through Gan Ning's secret channels.
The visitor identified himself as an envoy of Qi Ming, Pillar of the "Two Treasures Navy." He brought a handwritten letter from Qi Ming and a lavish gift. In the letter, Qi Ming personally congratulated Peach Blossom Spring on its victory, his words filled with admiration for Chen Yu and the others. He also discreetly expressed dissatisfaction with the Flower Country's current state, hoping to "grow closer" to Peach Blossom Spring and even engage in "limited cooperation" in military training and intelligence sharing.
This was an important signal! A major power within the Happo Navy had begun extending an olive branch to Peach Blossom Spring!
Chen Yu and Guo Jia warmly received the envoy and gave gifts in return, expressing their goodwill and agreeing to hold more in-depth exchanges "when the time was right." With a tacit understanding, both sides established a secret channel of communication.
Meanwhile, the "Talent Recruitment Hall" conceived by Guo Jia officially opened in Longwei City under Liu Bei's supervision. As word spread, it indeed attracted many capable individuals dissatisfied with the Flower Country's corruption, down-and-out warriors, and scholars whose talents had gone unrecognized. Although no talents on the level of famed historical generals had yet been found, they greatly strengthened Peach Blossom Spring's lower- and middle-level administration and technical workforce.
One day, Chen Yu stood atop the walls of Longwei City, which was beginning to take shape, gazing at the bustling harbor and boundless sea before him. Ships came and went frequently, while the sounds of soldiers drilling, craftsmen hammering, and people working intertwined into a vigorous melody.
Guo Jia came silently to his side and said softly, "My lord, our foundations have begun to take shape, and the hidden dragon has entered the sea. Yet an open sea and sky also mean fierce winds and rough waves. According to reports, Marine Headquarters' investigation ship has already entered West Blue waters. Those great pirates in the West Blue with bounties over a hundred million also seem very interested in our new territory. I fear the true challenges have only just begun."
Chen Yu's gaze was deep, and a confident smile curved his lips. "Fengxiao, you're right. A young eagle must eventually leave its nest, and a hidden dragon must take to the sky. This West Blue is our testing ground. Let the storms rage harder! The flag of our Peach Blossom Spring will surely fly high over this sea!"
Longquan Island, this rising fortress, was growing at an unprecedented speed. Peach Blossom Spring, the hidden dragon, had finally left its initial shallows and truly entered the vast deep sea, full of unknowns. The voyage ahead would surely be even more magnificent and tumultuous, and would inevitably bring more bloodshed. But at that moment, standing at this new starting point, the people of Peach Blossom Spring were filled with boundless hopes for the future and soaring fighting spirit. They would write the West Blue's new chapter with their own hands!
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