505: Chapter 505 Loulan Kingdom's Mud City

Zhao Fusu had traveled thousands of miles to the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions this time, naturally not just for a simple passing through. His main purpose was to conduct an in-depth inspection, taking this valuable opportunity to understand the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions from all perspectives.

He knew well the principle that "knowing oneself and knowing the enemy is the key to winning a hundred battles." Only by having a thorough understanding of the situation in the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions could he possess a more comprehensive and accurate perception when taking action against them in the future.

After all, relying solely on information on paper was far from enough; there was often a significant gap between theory and reality.

If the actual situation was not understood, the decisions made by decision-makers would likely be "unsuited to the local conditions," leading to serious and unpredictable consequences.

The Kingdom of Loulan, though considered a major power among the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions, was nothing more than a tiny state compared to Great Qin.

Its capital had a population of only over 14,000, and its scale was merely equivalent to an ordinary county.

Qianni City, ruled by the King of Loulan, had city walls made of rammed earth and covered an area of less than one square kilometer—essentially a range of one kilometer in both length and width.

Entering Qianni City required paying a certain entry fee.

Just like the cities in the Central Plains, the city gates would slowly close whenever the sun was about to set.

At night, a curfew was enforced within the city.

If anyone was still wandering the streets late at night and happened to be spotted by patrolling soldiers, they would be treated as a thief or suspected of engaging in other illegal activities, which would inevitably lead to great trouble.

Far from refusing entry to caravans, Qianni City showed a very welcoming attitude toward them.

This was because Qianni City was located on a major transportation route, with an endless stream of caravans passing through.

The entry fees paid by caravans upon entering the city, as well as various expenditures during their stay—the so-called GDP—would greatly promote the development of Qianni City, causing the King of Loulan's wallet to swell day by day.

After paying the entry fee, Zhao Fusu looked around Qianni City with great interest.

The architectural style within the city was completely different from that of the Central Plains, filled with a rich exotic flair everywhere.

Since Qianni City was located in the Western Regions where rainfall was scarce, everything in sight was sand and soil.

Not only were the roads dry, dusty dirt paths, but even the buildings were mostly made of earth as the primary material, including the walls and roofs.

These earthen buildings had unique characteristics.

Their walls were thick, made of layers of rammed earth; though the surfaces appeared slightly rough, they exuded a sense of rustic strength.

Simple patterns or symbols could occasionally be seen on the walls, perhaps unique marks left by the Loulan people, adding a touch of mystery to these earthen structures.

The roofs were flat, unlike the sloped roofs common in the Central Plains.

This was because in the Western Regions, rainfall was so minimal that the rain would stop before it could even dampen the dry earthen roofs.

This flat-roof design not only adapted to the local climate but also provided residents with extra space for activities; they often dried items or rested and enjoyed the cool air on the roofs.

The doors and windows of the earthen buildings were also distinctive.

The doors were usually made of thick wooden planks inlaid with simple metal decorations; though not luxurious, they were sturdy and durable.

The windows were relatively small, some square and some round, with frames also made of adobe and mostly covered with animal skins or fabrics, which allowed light in while keeping out wind and sand.

Upon entering some of the larger earthen buildings, one would find spacious interiors with earth pillars also used as support structures.

These earth pillars were thick and solid, supporting the weight of the entire building.

Brightly colored blankets or animal skins hung on the walls, serving both as decoration and as a way to resist the cold of the night to some extent.

The floors were leveled earth, and some families would lay down a thin layer of carpet to add a bit of comfort.

These unique earthen buildings were the crystallization of wisdom created by the people of the Western Regions through a long process of adapting to their natural environment.

They carried the history and culture of the Kingdom of Loulan and gave Zhao Fusu a more intuitive and profound understanding of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions.