Chapter 120: The Unification of Huaxia

Chen Mu had said before that Great Xia was willing to cede a piece of territory and treat the Hua Kingdom as an honored guest.

The King of Hua had once worried that Great Xia might fear Hua’s technology. But now that Chen Mu had completed the core technology for the generator, there was nothing left to worry about.

Moreover, Great Xia’s national strength now far surpassed Hua’s. Being able to settle peacefully in one corner of the world would be quite satisfactory for Hua.

The snowy mountains were no longer safe either. The Western Kingdom might return at any moment with its army to seek revenge, and Hua now needed to rely on Great Xia’s defenses.

Besides, as Long Xueyao had said, in the isolated environment of the snowy mountains, Hua’s population was dwindling, and the people’s health was becoming increasingly worrying. If they could return to the outside world, that would be a good thing as well.

After considering everything carefully, the King of Hua said with a smile, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I have heard that Great Xia has many vassal states. Hua is willing to become one of them.”

Chen Mu nodded. “That’s wonderful! Great Xia also possesses many interesting technologies that can greatly improve daily life, and we can share them with Hua.”

“Moreover, Great Xia and Hua share the same ancestral roots. In the future, our people can intermarry and improve the genes of our descendants.”

At those words, Long Xueyao, who was standing nearby, blushed.

She had heard Chen Mu say before that Hua’s population was already very small. In time, marriages between close relatives might become unavoidable, making it easy for children with intellectual disabilities to be born. A population that was too small would also affect biological diversity.

Long Xueyao understood Chen Mu’s words only vaguely, but if the two countries were to intermarry, then the ideal match for the Princess of Hua would naturally be the Crown Prince of Great Xia.

The thought was simply too embarrassing…

The major affairs between Great Xia and Hua were settled over the banquet. Chen Mu instructed the King of Hua to prepare for the migration, while he himself went ahead to search for suitable land.

After a reluctant farewell, Chen Mu led the army away from the snowy mountains and returned to Tongtian County.

As soon as he entered the county seat, a soldier came to report and presented him with a letter from General Li Feng.

Chen Mu opened it and immediately furrowed his brows.

Earlier, he had conveyed the news to Chen Xingtian, who had sent men carrying the available firearms and artillery to reinforce Midway Fortress and Black Earth Fortress.

However, the Western Kingdom had not engaged them. It had fled directly from the central region, and at that time, Midway Fortress had only a small garrison. The army sent from the capital had not yet arrived.

After that, all trace of the Western Kingdom was lost.

Then, ten days earlier, the Western Kingdom had suddenly attacked Black Earth Fortress with several thousand soldiers and artillery. Since Great Xia’s guns had a shorter range than those of the enemy, the fortress was captured after a fierce resistance.

Black Earth Fortress was Great Xia’s bridgehead beyond the desert. Once it was lost, reclaiming it would be extremely difficult. The vast desert consumed enormous quantities of fuel and food. Every time supplies were transported from Great Xia to Black Earth Fortress, more than half of what was loaded onto the vehicles was consumed along the way, leaving only a small portion by the time they arrived.

In the past, supplies could be moved over little by little, but that was no longer possible.

Helpless, Chen Xingtian could only order another fortress to be established within Xiongnu territory, in order to prevent the Westerners from launching an attack.

Since the same problem troubled the Westerners as well, they were unable to advance any farther.

The two sides were now locked in a stalemate.

After reading the letter, Chen Mu understood everything.

The Westerners must have used generators to advance their metal-smelting and forging technology. They had no petroleum resources, but they could modify steam engines into generators and use them to power their furnaces.

Furthermore, they had incited the Slavs to fight and die for them. Otherwise, they could never have assembled such a large army.

Great Xia could now only launch an offensive from the direction of Midway Fortress.

Unfortunately, there was only a narrow road from Midway Fortress to the Black Earth Plains. Great mountains stretched across the west, making it difficult for a large army to pass through.

There was little hope, but they could at least give it a try.

Chen Mu wrote a letter and had it sent back to the capital for Chen Xingtian. In it, he explained that Great Xia had gained another vassal state and that he had already promised it a piece of land.

He then took out a map of the Western Mountains and began searching for a suitable location.

Hua now had only a little over four thousand citizens, so it would not require much land. In the end, Chen Mu selected a region north of Tongtian County in the Western Mountains. It was an uninhabited area, but it had mountains, water, and farmland, making it suitable for human settlement.

As for the generator patent fees and the sharing of technology between Great Xia and Hua, those matters could be negotiated gradually.

Chen Mu also wrote an order and had a guard carry it back to the capital and deliver it to the Institute of Engineering. He instructed them to begin researching and manufacturing the housings and components for generators and engines.

That way, once Chen Mu returned, electric tracked vehicles could be assembled quickly.

He then ordered the army to return to the capital and rest, while he took his guards to welcome the people of Hua.

Several days later, the King of Hua emerged from the snowy mountains with more than four thousand citizens and entered Great Xia’s territory.

Almost everyone was seeing this vast world for the first time, and they were filled with curiosity about everything around them.

Although Hua’s technology was highly advanced, its people’s daily lives were far less convenient than those of Great Xia. In many respects, life was actually rather difficult.

Chen Mu led them to their new home and pointed toward the verdant mountains and clear waters.

“Friends from Hua, this will be your home from now on.”

The people of Hua cried out in amazement.

“Wow, the mountains here are green!”

“What a huge stretch of grassland!”

“It’s so warm here!”

“What a wide stream!”

Chen Mu smiled. It was only an ordinary river. If they saw a great river or a mighty waterway, who knew what expressions they would make?

“Your Majesty, it seems the people of Hua are very fond of this place.”

The King of Hua said excitedly, “Chen Mu, thank you so much. You have given Hua such a wonderful place.”

Chen Mu smiled. “There’s no need to thank me. From now on, Great Xia and Hua are one family.”

At his words, Long Xueyao blushed again. She deliberately turned her face aside and pretended to admire the scenery, while secretly listening to every word Chen Mu said.

After Chen Mu finished explaining the circumstances of the area, Long Xueyao summoned her courage and said, “Brother Chen, could you take me around Great Xia and show me the sights?”

The last time Long Xueyao had come to Tongtian County, she had been taken straight to the military camp and had never had the chance to see anything.

Moreover, the situation had been so urgent then that she had not been in the mood to enjoy herself. Things were different now. Hua was safe, and she could finally venture out without worry.

Chen Mu replied with a smile, “Of course.”

“That’s wonderful!”

Long Xueyao smiled happily, then turned to look at her father.

The King understood at once. “Xueyao, go and enjoy yourself. I’ll lead everyone in building our new home.”

“Mm.”

Long Xueyao nodded and followed Chen Mu away.

The two of them rode together in the same carriage. Chen Mu pointed out the surrounding mountains, rivers, and trees as he explained them to Long Xueyao, and they soon arrived at Tongtian County.

One was the Crown Prince of Great Xia, and the other was the Princess of Hua. Naturally, their entourage could not be small.

Chen Mu was accompanied by forty guards and twenty maids, while Long Xueyao had nine guards of her own. Together, they proceeded down the street in a grand procession.

The residents of the area all knew Chen Mu, but none of them knew who the beautiful woman beside him was.