The next day.
Early in the morning, after Chen Lun got up and washed, he asked Golov to check out of the hotel room, and then he took the cadres and left Guangming Town.
The group rented a large carriage again and headed towards the royal city of Tourmaline Closter.
The journey was dull and tedious, so Alex volunteered to act as a diversion. He sang ballads diligently and played the accordion, harmonica and flute in turn. Antonio could not control his desire to sing and hummed along with the melody. Alex's veins were exposed and he kept rolling his eyes throughout the whole process, which made everyone laugh.
In the evening.
Maggie saw the majestic walls of the royal city from afar through the car window.
"We're here! We're in the royal city!"
She said excitedly.
The other cadres also showed curiosity and expectation, looking forward through the opened curtains. Everyone present had lived in the Trisur Empire for so many years, and although they knew there was such a heart city, they had never been there.
Now, they finally arrived at the core city of the empire, Tourmaline Closter.
In everyone's sight, the high wall stood on a huge mountain, ivory white, neat and tall, and even glowed with holy golden light in the glow of the setting sun.
Dozens of symmetrical spires were built on the high walls, with a golden flag on top of each tower, fluttering in the wind. On the flag was a huge sun-like face, solemn and majestic, which was the image of the Sun Royal Family.
The layout of the royal city is divided into three layers: the central area, the upper city area and the lower city area. Each area is built according to the height of the mountain. The most core and important central area is located on the top of the mountain.
So the royal city that everyone saw was actually like a mountain full of various buildings.
The carriage drove along the main road and soon arrived at a huge square at the "foot of the mountain". It has a very meaningful name, the Rising Sun Square, which means the place where the sun shines when it rises. It is the first checkpoint before entering the royal city, which is convenient for residents' activities and allows travelers and carriages entering and leaving the royal city to stop for a short time.
Golov drove the carriage past the crowds of people and arrived at the steps deep in the square. The spacious and huge white marble pavement slanted upwards to a huge arch at the end.
On both sides of the bottom of the steps were huge fortress walls, making the steps look like a canyon crack between two mountains. Countless statues of heroes who had made outstanding contributions to the Trisur Empire in the past stood in the center of the steps, lined up in a straight line, and at first glance there were no less than fifty of them.
Teams of imperial guards in bright clothes and shining armor patrolled up and down the steps, holding spears and large shields. Their cloaks were painted with images of sun faces, and on the top of their fully enclosed helmets, there were long golden feathers that swayed in the wind, looking very majestic.
Kaka…
The dense greaves stepped on the stone steps, making a dull sound.
Chen Lun took a quick look at the guards from the car window and nodded secretly. Although they were not extraordinary people, they had taken extraordinary potions or received some kind of mysterious blessing, and their physical fitness was different from that of ordinary people.
Combined with daily training, this group of heavily-armored guards have the strength to defeat ten enemies at once.
Even though they are only holding cold weapons, each guard actually carries two flintlock rifles. If you take it for granted that they are easy to bully, you will only die miserably.
In his previous life, Chen Lun had seen many players who were courting death being shot to pieces.
After being checked by the imperial guards and registration personnel at Chusheng Square, the carriage Chen Lun was riding in successfully passed the inspection, went straight up along the steps, passed the archway, and successfully entered the interior of Tourmaline Closter.
"Is this the lower city area of the royal city?"
Maggie looked at the scenery outside the window curiously and asked.
"It feels so prosperous here... Hey, that carriage is so strange, it can move without a horse pulling it!"
Everyone looked in the direction she said, and saw an open-top vintage steam car driving through the street. The driver was sitting at the front of the car, holding the curved steering wheel, and a middle-class couple was sitting on the back seat of the sofa at the back.
At the rear of the car, there are two trumpet-shaped jet nozzles. As the bottom machine and gears rotate, thick white gas sprays out from behind the car.
"I... I think I've seen it in a magazine. It should be a 'steam car'. It was developed by a company in the Royal City two years ago and was even displayed at the Imperial Exposition. It doesn't require horses, it only needs coal to run... But I heard it's very expensive."
Connie suddenly spoke up.
Others looked at her in surprise, which made her feel quite embarrassed.
Chen Lun smiled as he quietly admired the scenery outside the window… Steam cars, rail trains, vending machines, street plays, and vendors riding bicycles, all kinds of cityscapes that are completely different from other areas are revealed before his eyes.
Memories flashed in his eyes. When he first came to the royal city in his previous life, he was also quite surprised. Not only was the level of technological development here very high, but there were also many high-tech products that did not even exist in real life.
The residents here come from all over, but most of them live a rich life. Even ordinary people in the downtown area live a good life. The most important point is that the public security here is perfect, and the crime rate is shockingly low.
But this is actually normal. Not only is the Sun Royal Family here, the headquarters of the shelter and the branches of the seven orthodox churches are all concentrated in one place. Except for some "ignorant" ordinary criminals, any normal-minded extraordinary person would not dare to act rashly here.
"Mr. Jack, where are we going now?"
Golov's voice came from outside the carriage curtain.
Chen Lun looked at everyone with curiosity and expectation, thought for a moment and said:
"Let's go to the central area at the top. We'll first settle down at the base of the Kangkai Council... The upper and lower urban areas are very large, and we won't be leaving the royal city in the short term. You'll have plenty of time to go shopping in the future."
"Yes, Captain."
Golov responded respectfully, then shouted to the horse and cracked his whip.
There is one thing that makes Wangcheng different from other cities, and that is that the road signs and guides are very well made. Not only are there huge notices of directions and locations, but there are even people hired by local officials who are on duty at the information booth 24 hours a day.
Golov knew the way without having to stop to ask for directions.
Wheels, wheels...
The carriage drove through the streets and turned several corners before arriving at a huge circular square. This is the second square of Tourmaline Kloster, the Rising Sun Square. In addition to supporting large-scale events in the lower town, it has another function.
That's the super-large elevator!
The height difference from the lower city to the upper city is nearly 100 meters. If you take the main road, you need to climb around the mountain seven times, which is quite a long journey.
Therefore, this "big elevator" in Rising Sun Plaza provides sufficient convenience.
It runs back and forth every half hour, and travelers, merchants and residents in need can ride it for free.
This was also what Chen Lun told Golov in advance, otherwise he would never have known that there was such a huge man-made project in the royal city, which could be called a wonder and a miracle.
When Chen Lun and his party arrived at the large elevator, there were only a few minutes left before the next round of start-up. Soon, the circular support plate in the center of the Rising Sun Plaza was lifted up, revealing a thick cylindrical bearing shaft underneath, and countless large and small gears were rotating. With huge clanging sounds, steam came out of dozens of jets on the edge of the support plate.
There were also more than a dozen carriages and hundreds of pedestrians traveling along the way.
The speed of the support plate rising is not slow, which is equivalent to the elevator that Chen Lun lived in in his previous life.
After arriving in the upper town, the carriage was inspected again, this time more strictly. Not only did the identity documents check, but there were also special questions.
Fortunately, after Chen Lun showed the documents of the Kangkai Council and his own badge of consul, he was not harassed too much... Even three civil servants stood up from their chairs in shock and saluted repeatedly to express their apologies.
Even in the royal city where the powerful and wealthy are rampant, people like Chen Lun are top figures and are extremely rare.
The top leaders of the seven orthodox churches!
Lord Jackspeight, one of the ten consuls of the Senate of the Kangkai Parliament!
Chen Lun did not waste time with them. He simply expressed his appreciation for their serious attitude towards work, and then was escorted away for a distance by several fully armored imperial guards.
The carriage did not stop, and continued to set out from the upper city and move towards higher places along the main road.
The residents of the Upper Town are generally middle class and wealthy businessmen. The most famous industries and companies in the empire are located here, and their headquarters are basically located here.
The streets are even more prosperous than the downtown area, with tall buildings and large, high-end billboards everywhere.
Connecting the central area are eight straight steps from all directions.
After another round of strict inspection, the carriage finally entered the core area of Tourmaline Closter, the central area.
The first thing that catches your eye is the "Fire Pattern Square" covered with withered flower patterns.
This is where the Sun Royal Family issues decrees and handles some important matters, and the annual Imperial Celebration Day will also be held here.
Now, with only more than twenty days left until the celebration day, officials have already begun preparations. Basic wooden platforms have been built in many areas, and there are guards patrolling back and forth.
There is a church area in each direction of the Fire Pattern Square, corresponding to the seven major orthodox churches. The castle of the Sun Royal Family is located in the north, at the highest point of the mountain. The huge golden palace can be seen from a very long distance.
The building of the Imperial Shelter Headquarters is not far below the palace, like a dedicated bodyguard.
"Mr. Jack, the Kangkai Council branch is in the east... It seems to have originally belonged to the church area of the Red Apple Church. Now after the handover, it seems to be under renovation."
Golov said to the carriage while driving it.
"Well, the buildings left by the Red Apple Church naturally need to be replaced, but it's been two months, why hasn't it been completed yet?"
Chen Lun frowned slightly.
He accepted the transfer order from the Kangkai Parliament and came to the Royal City to serve as the branch head under the instructions of Speaker Azgiero. The relevant information had already been known.
According to estimates, the renovation of the Kangkai Parliament’s headquarters should have been completed by the middle of last month. Why is it still under construction
Chen Lun listened to the tinkling sounds beside his ears with a deep look in his eyes.
*
*
*
The royal city seat of the Kangkai Parliament.
The original Gothic church style has been greatly changed to a square and solemn lobby. In addition to the main building, which has basically been renovated, the rest of the buildings are still under construction.
Dozens or even hundreds of workers were busy at work, and many "believers" gathered in the lobby.
These residents come from all walks of life, including the rich and powerful in the central area and ordinary people in the lower city, but the majority are merchants in the upper city... Because the Kangkai Council, as the new Orthodox Church, publicizes that His Majesty Conrad, the "Contract Witness", will guarantee the absolute fairness of the contract and severely punish those who violate the contract.
This is undoubtedly a huge attraction for the business community.
"… I see your devotion to the 'God of Contract'. She will protect everyone who abides by the contract and severely punish those who break the contract by any means necessary to gain benefits!"
At the lobby bulletin board, a middle-aged man wearing glasses and a black windbreaker was holding the Kangkai Council's Bible, "The Document of Justice," and speaking to the believers in the audience.
There were two young men dressed in black, standing guard in the audience. There was a donation box in front of them, and believers kept coming forward to put coins in... There were even wealthy businessmen who directly threw in bank receipts, with the amount ranging from hundreds of gold pounds to thousands.
"Two days ago, a resident of the Upper Town came to the Concae Church and explained to me in the confessional that he had cheated others in a business when he was young... He was worried that his sins would be punished by the 'God of Contracts'."
The man in black with glasses said in a deep voice.
There was a commotion from the audience.
The believers were horrified, because many of them had violated the contract before. But no one dared to talk about their dark history here, and they even chose to forget about it.
Double standards are a fundamental human trait. People don't want others to violate a contract, but they are also unwilling to admit their own mistakes.
Seeing the appearance of this group of believers, the man in black clothes and glasses raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and then ordered someone to drag over a large golden wine glass filled with transparent liquid.
"But don't worry, everyone. This is the 'holy water of atonement' of the Kangkai Council. Just drink a cup and your past sins will be wiped out... After all, you have never listened to the gospel of our Lord before. Now this is the opportunity given to you."
When a believer asked whether the holy water of atonement had to be purchased with money, the man in black clothes and glasses shook his head.
"It is the generosity of our Lord to give you the opportunity to atone your sins. Naturally, no fees will be charged. That would be blasphemy against our Lord... However, if you are convinced that your sins are serious, you can also make a donation as a reward to our Lord."
"Thank you for your answer, Father Brendan."
An obese wealthy businessman wiped the sweat from his forehead and respectfully performed a Kang Kai Council prayer, which was to spread his hands flat and raise them to his chest, and then gently patted his left chest, first the left and then the right.
"I... I would like to drink a glass of 'holy water of atonement', Father."
Brendan, the man in black clothes and glasses, smiled and raised his hand to signal.
"Of course, please."
The fat rich businessman walked forward with a big belly, took the "holy water of atonement" poured by a man in black and drank it. Although it was colorless and tasteless like ordinary drinking water, he seemed to feel that his body and soul were cleansed.
He let out a long sigh, seemed relieved, and laughed happily.
Immediately, the fat businessman took out an Imperial Bank receipt without hesitation and threw it into the donation box.
"One thousand two hundred gold pounds, thank you Lord for your forgiveness and salvation."
He said reverently.
Father Brendan looked pleased and nodded appreciatively.
Seeing this, many other believers came forward to ask for the "holy water of atonement", and then, like the fat rich businessman, they looked relieved and finally made donations.
The people in front did this, and the people behind felt embarrassed to leave like that.
However, at this moment, a man in black hurriedly walked to Father Brendan's side, leaned over and whispered:
"Congressman Brendan, the Archon Jack from the Senate is here."
“?!”
Brendan Tong Kong miniature.
He immediately calmed his rapid breathing, and a look of thought flashed in his eyes.
"How could it be so fast... But never mind, we are only managing this church temporarily anyway, since he is here, we will hand it over to him... It's a pity that we can't earn more gold pounds."