The matter of sailing out to sea was only tentatively decided; preparations would be needed before departure.
In the following days, Du Yiyang had not been idle. He and Li Chunfeng had taken a helicopter tour around Zheng County, defining the scope of the new capital.
The new city would span two rivers, the Jinshui and the Jialu.
After contemplating the draft sketch he handed over, Li Shimin drew a circle on the map.
How could the imperial city be without a lake?
Did not Master Li say that a lake would appear here a thousand years later? Then it was perfect timing to have this Dragon Lake appear ahead of schedule!
Thus, the imperial city would be named Dragon City!
The inner city would be called Jinshui City, and the outer city would also be named after the Jialu.
"Wonderful, wonderful!" Wei Zheng, abandoning his usual stubborn demeanor, exclaimed approvingly from the side. "Jinshui, Golden Water, implies it is as strong as a golden cauldron, impregnable! His Majesty is wise!"
"Jia, means commerce, with trade flowing north and south, signifying abundant wealth for the new capital."
"Lu, was an ancient state, with twenty-five generations of rulers and a dynasty of eight hundred years."
"His Majesty harbors such grand ambitions; he is truly a sage ruler for all ages!"
Fang Er: ???
What the heck! Is this argumentative fellow buttering him up?
And he's doing it so eloquently that no one can find fault!
After a long pause, he gave Wei Zheng a thumbs-up: "Duke Wei, I don't support any walls, only you!"
Li Shimin was also taken aback by this sycophantic praise. Suddenly, it was too sudden!
Has the usually cantankerous Old Wei eaten the wrong medicine?
Li Ji, Du Yiyang, and other officials also looked at him with surprise. Fang Xuanling even reached out to feel Wei Zheng's forehead.
Wei Zheng pushed Fang Xuanling away and then complained to Li Shimin with a wronged expression: "Your Majesty, look at how they are looking at your humble servant. Am I the kind of person who argues just for the sake of arguing?"
But just then, someone in the crowd suddenly said.
"You are~"
Well, that was like a slap in the face to Old Wei.
His cheeks flushed red, he pointed at everyone: "You, you, you are bullying me~!"
With that, he turned and ran towards the door, his demeanor suggesting he intended to ram into a tree to prove his innocence!
"Why are you all standing there? Quickly, quickly stop him~!"
Seeing this, Li Shimin quickly called out to Liu Dacheng, who was closest to the door.
"After arguing with me for so many years, this is the first time he's said something so pleasing to my ears, I can't let him really hit it!"
When Wei Zheng heard Li Shimin ordering someone to stop him, he felt a little comforted, but soon heard the subsequent words. He stumbled and fell to the ground, rolling down the steps like a tumbleweed.
Well, now there was no need to stop him~
Seeing Fang Xuanling and the others' shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter, Li Shimin feigned anger: "You've gone too far!
Then, he personally walked out and helped Wei Zheng up.
"Look at you, all grown up, yet you're like a child with no roots, falling just like that. Look, your face is almost ruined!"
"Come, let me blow on it for you~~"
Fang Er covered his eyes, unable to bear watching. Old Li's posture was too captivating.
"Wuwuwu~~ Your Majesty, your servant is wronged. They can treat me as an outsider, but they cannot insult my integrity!"
Wei Zheng quickly retreated two steps, dodging the breeze blowing from Li Shimin's mouth. He squatted on the ground, his voice choked with tears as he pleaded, like a wronged little bride.
Li Shimin acted as if he was reprimanding Fang Xuanling and the others: "Duke Wei has always been outspoken and says what he thinks. Are you not even allowing him to say a few pleasant words?
Who was it that said that just now? I will give you some face. Bring good wine and food tonight and apologize to Duke Wei yourselves!
Everyone looked at each other and unanimously agreed.
Fang Er, however, noticed that Old Man Fang Xuanling was the one who uttered those three words. He clearly spoke through gritted teeth, and this old fellow standing at the back of the crowd was the most suspicious.
He didn't expect this fellow to do something so childish, an old child?
"Hahaha, Duke Wei should be satisfied now, don't take it to heart with them. You are my mirror, how can I not know your character?"
Li Shimin patted Wei Zheng's shoulder to comfort him, then beckoned to Liu Dacheng. "Dachengzi, quickly, help Duke Wei back to rest and find a physician to examine him!"
Liu Dacheng: .........
Dachengzi? Has His Majesty taken me as a confidant?
Hehehe, good! Good! Excellent!
Fang Er almost couldn't help but ask if he had sea cucumber fried with noodles.
This Old Li, after his trip to Daming, has only improved his skill at giving nicknames!
After Liu Dacheng helped Wei Zheng leave, Li Shimin suddenly burst into laughter.
Hahahaha~~~
And Fang Xuanling and the others, who had been holding back, could finally release their pent-up amusement, each covering their bellies and laughing heartily.
After a while, Li Shimin glared at them fiercely: "No more teasing Duke Wei like this in the future!"
With that, he picked up Du Yiyang's blueprint and began to re-examine it.
Seeing this, Du Yiyang quickly began his explanation, using square kilometers, a unit learned from Fang Er, for easier comprehension.
Chang'an City occupied an area of 87 square kilometers, while the new city would cover 200 square kilometers, more than twice the size of Chang'an City.
As the imperial city, Dragon City would have 108 palaces built within it, occupying one-fiftieth of the new city's area, signifying the Dao of fifty, the seventy-nine variations of celestial derivation, and the hidden one.
Li Shimin nodded with great satisfaction and said: "Only then can it be worthy of being the capital of the Great Tang Empire!"
"I want you to complete it within three years. Do you have the confidence?"
Du Yiyang was stunned upon hearing this. A city of this magnitude, how could it possibly be completed in three years!
"Your Majesty, let alone three years, even ten years might not be enough!"
200 square kilometers is equivalent to 300,000 mu!
Li Shimin pointed at the map and said: "I know you have difficulties, but the grand court assembly of the tenth year of Zhenguan must be held within Dragon City!"
More than half of the fifth year of Zhenguan had passed. Subtracting the time for decoration and relocation after the new city was built, the time left for Du Yiyang was indeed only about three years!
"Your Majesty, to complete it within such a short period, at least five hundred thousand able-bodied young men would be needed."
"Furthermore, with the intricate carvings and paintings of the palaces, it would be almost impossible to complete without a hundred thousand craftsmen. The expenditure would also be immeasurable!" Du Yiyang explained with a wry face.
Li Shimin waved his hand: "Then change it! I think the materials used for the Yellow River Bridge are excellent. Reinforced concrete is both sturdy and resistant to moisture and fire. Let's use this to build the palaces!"
"Prioritize the construction of Dragon City first, from the inside out!"
"Once Dragon City and Jinshui City are built, the capital can be moved. You can take your time with the outer city."
"In any case, the grand court assembly of the tenth year of Zhenguan will be held here!"
"On the day the new capital is completed, invite all nations to witness the ceremony. Military parades and sports events are a must!"
"I want them to know that the lives of the people of the Tang Dynasty are better than those of their kings and nobles!"
"Their proud warriors are nothing compared to our guards!"