Considering the transportation and communication efficiency of this era, it may take some time before the Warring States period shakes.

And this period is exactly what Gu Mo intends to utilize to completely grasp control of Nongzhou.

......

...

On this day, the weather was extremely clear, with not a cloud in the sky.

Gu Mo once again returned to the Rice Leaf Mountain city, but this time with a different identity, officially entering the power center of Nongzhou.

The castle built against the mountain had three layers inside and out, and from several miles away, one could see its iconic structure, an entirely white three-layered, five-stage Heaven-Defending Tower. This also signified the flourishing strength of the now bustling metropolis of Rice Leaf Mountain city, at least for this period.

"Come to think of it, Nongzhou is really a good place..."

From the top of the city, gazing at the plains filled with rice fields near and far, Gu Mo couldn't help but lament.

"Agriculture and commerce are developed, the national power is strong, and the geographical location is quite good. No wonder the old man chose to debut here, but it's a pity he had too many opponents, and this era was too chaotic. It's very difficult to pacify all of this relying on himself alone and establish a world of peace for coexistence between humans and demons."

"Indeed it is. Father took a lot of effort to take Mino, and after that, due to him... In short, there were constant rebellions, and the state was unstable, which made him spend many years governing. Although he achieved such accomplishments in the end, it's already been more than a decade since he first took Mino."

The second miss beside sighed lightly with an inexplicable tone.

Just like Hidechika beside her, her beautiful eyes reflected the distant scenery of Mino Plain, her black satin-like long hair fluttering wildly in the wind.

No one understood the old man's wishes better than she did. Ah Xiu, who was taken away by her mother shortly after birth, couldn't, nor could another half-sister who was married off to Owari years ago.

Some matters are beyond human reach, or cannot be achieved in just one generation. Although Saito Dosan successfully acquired full control of Mino progressively, it was much easier to seize Mino than to maintain and develop it. After all, destruction is always easier than creation.

"It's true. He wasn't very young when he took Mino, and thereafter spent twenty years here, yet the old man never took the second step..."

Gu Mo nodded in deep agreement. Even though the second miss did not mention it, he also knew the reason. Saito Dosan's acquisition of power was not just. Mino was forcibly seized by him, which many saw as being without justice, hence naturally lacking a solid foundation of governance.

Furthermore, the old man, an ex-demon exterminator years ago, directly transitioned to a politician out of pure enthusiasm. Although he did achieve a significant feat, some issues were irreparable, and it couldn't be denied that he was ultimately an outsider in governance. Therefore, at that time, he had no knowledge of managing a country.

The result was that, to suppress the turbulent people's hearts, he adopted extremely harsh governance, which caused continuous turmoil in Nongzhou, leaving him somewhat at his wit's end.

By the time Mino was completely dominated, and Rice Leaf Mountain city turned into a bustling metropolis filled with merchants, his youth had unknowingly slipped away. Entering old age, he only took one step on the road of ideals and never managed to take the second.

"Let's not talk about that. Anyway, the person in charge of Nongzhou now is you... How does it feel to enter the city?" the second miss smiled and nonchalantly shifted the topic.

"Feeling?"

Gu Mo pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "Not much feeling at all."

It's just like that. What feeling could there be?

For people in this era, this already seemed like a rare major city in these chaotic times, with developed commerce and endless potential. However, in his view, it represented backward productivity and dirtiness, nothing worth being joyful over in controlling this city and the Nongzhou it represented.

It might sound grand to claim a province, but in his eyes, it couldn't compare to the real-world Penglai Island, let alone the entire Moon at his disposal.

Overall, it didn't even compare to the feeling of temporarily overseeing Lushan city for the first time. At least, back then, it was a new encounter, giving it a novelty bonus.

"...Do you really think Nongzhou is so bad?"

The second miss choked for a moment, feeling a strong sense of incredulity.

She could tell that this man wasn't being deliberately modest or deliberately composed, but was genuinely indifferent. Yet, exactly because of this, she found it incredible. Coming from this world and this era, she wouldn't understand to what extent Gu Mo's vision had already transcended.

"Not exactly bad. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the south opens to the Nongwei Plain, adjacent to Owari." Gu Mo casually said while gazing into the distance, "But Kisogawa River forms a natural barrier with Owari. From the Kisogawa River's estuary, one can control water traffic to Ise and Sanhe, and through the Unbreakable Pass to Omi, it's very convenient to reach Kyoto by Lake Biwa..."

In addition to the fertile land and years of careful construction by Saito Dosan, agriculture and commerce are both very advanced.

It can be considered quite excellent. Even if not perfect, the remaining shortcomings seem insignificant in light of these advantages. No wonder Oda Nobunaga, using Mino as a base, truly began his quest for national unification, gradually eliminating surrounding powers and successfully advancing to the capital.