Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 902: Chapter 341: Moao’s Nine Towns, the Inspection System and Zhenyu, Li Hu and Hong Yuru

The entire Moao Mountain Range stretches from northwest to southeast. Though it is situated northeast of Beining Mountain, from the perspective of Beining Mountain, the highest point of the mountain range is slightly east of due north.

Compared to the entire Moao Mountain Range, Beining Mountain is too small. Even if one stands at the highest point of Beining Mountain, it is impossible to glimpse the full lateral view of Moao Mountain. One can only judge their position on its southern slope border by observing the mountain’s trajectory.

Rumor has it that the highest point of Moao Mountain exceeds seventy thousand meters, with the average height of the mountain exceeding thirty thousand meters. How deep is it longitudinally within? Where does the northwest start, and where does the southeast end? No one knows, not even the Lord of Nine Towns has ever figured these questions out.

"The so-called Nine Towns of Moao Mountain actually only control the five hundred kilometers along the southern slope of the mountain. The majority of the areas extending northwest and southeast, they haven’t really surveyed much."

Moao Calendar Year 128, August 9th, at dawn.

Snowfield on the southern slope of Moao Mountain, in the top-floor guest room of Hongshan Village, Lu Yang stood by the window, gazing out at the distant Moao Mountain, sighing slightly.

It’s been a full year since arriving in Beining, and as the East Ridge base gradually enters into order, not only has he gained much knowledge about the Moao Mountain Range, but also the circumstances of the Nine Towns below.

Especially with this trip to Beishuo City, he has grasped a lot of valuable information concerning the Nine Towns, a truly significant harvest.

Of course, he is not alone; Zhao Hu, Zhu Shun, and Wang Tao, who also stayed at East Ridge for a year, share similar insights.

Upon hearing his sigh, the three people sitting at the table nodded and spoke:

"The northwest direction is fine; there are reportedly no barriers. Beishuo, Jin Mountain, and Wuchuan towns have been actively expanding northward; the southeast is another story. The Xing River flows down from Moao Mountain, blocking the path. Along the river, Jiangxia and Bashang towns have no room for expansion, which explains why their population barely changes."

"It’s not just along the river; the towns of Dragon Valley, Mu Yin, Yangqu, and Chui Mountain, caught between the northern and southern five towns, face similar situations, with camps having a history of over a hundred years, yet the population remains just over half a million."

"Location dictates the limits; the south is cut off by Xing River. There are many dangerous areas along the Twin Dragon Mountain range on the west side, even Beining Mountain can’t be traversed. The precipice below is our territory on Pingxi Plain, which is even more out of the question. The powerful northern Three Towns block the north. Even if they want to expand, there’s nowhere to go. They can only desperately seize resources from Moao Mountain to continually enhance their strength, lest they be annexed."

"But doing so increases the mortality rate in their camps, and naturally, the population growth rate can’t rise, ultimately leading to a cycle of demise."

"The strength of the northern Three Towns is too overwhelming. Although each town population barely exceeds eight hundred thousand, counting the entire population within their district, it’s at least two million. The Six Towns in the Central South, if wise, should form an alliance to prevent the Three Towns from annexing them."

"I don’t see the need for an alliance. Such large chunks of meat in Six Towns, who from the northern Three Towns wouldn’t covet them? Not to mention annexing all six, even annexing one or two would be sufficient to disrupt the existing power balance among the Three Towns. In such a scenario, the Six Towns in Central South don’t need an alliance, just watch the northern Three Towns fight among themselves."

"Exactly! Makes sense, none of the three northern towns want to see their counterparts grow stronger. Whichever dares act against the Central South Six Towns would surely attract the jealousy of the others. They might even, afraid the Six Towns could lean toward opposing sides, need to spend significantly more effort in placating and recruiting them."

"No wonder, despite the constant small conflicts over the years among these nine towns, there has never been a major war. Turns out there’s such a subtle balance relationship."

"Lord Wang’s insight is sharp, worthy of being from Long Mountain; Zhao Hu is impressed!"

"Lord Zhao praises me too highly."

......

Wang Tao, having originated from Long Mountain, personally witnessed in his early years how the twelve camps of Longyou schemed against each other, enabling him to instantly analyze the current situation of the Nine Towns of Moao Mountain roughly.

Lu Dong listened, continually nodding, then turned to sit beside the table, taking out a somewhat messy Beast Skin sketch from his chest and spreading it out in front of the three.

The sketch was simply outlined with coal pencil; the entire map only marked the names of the Nine Towns with the approximate territorial outline of each, obviously pieced together temporarily by Lu Yang based on the news he gathered.

The Moao Mountain Range occupies the majority of the upper right section of the map. The Nine Towns are arranged downward successively as Beishuo, Wuchuan, Jin Mountain; the mid-section being Dragon Valley, Mu Yin, Yangqu, and Chui Mountain towns; at the bottom, there are two more towns situated on the east bank of Xing River.

Xing River runs east-west, typically not having an east bank, but from Lu Dong’s sketch, it’s discernible that Xing River’s source is located on the southeastern side of Moao Mountain. Although it runs downstream towards the southwest, partway it abruptly changed course to head northwest, then through the Twin Dragon Mountain area, where it regained its original direction due to terrain.

Among the Nine Towns, Jiangxia and Bashang are located right in the area where the course veers northwest, hence the reference to them being on Xing River’s east bank.

Though most regions on the map lack distance marks, Lu Dong’s face still brimmed with delight, having successfully determined the rough scope of the Nine Towns, a truly commendable feat certain to earn thanks from the Lord upon return to Xia City.

However, he didn’t forget Wang Tao’s earlier words, glancing at the Central South Six Towns on the map, and said thoughtfully, slowly: