He Qiang
He Qiang is a prominent agricultural settlement located in the southern plains of Xin Ruiku. Known for its vast rice terraces and vibrant strawberry fields, He Qiang is deeply connected to the natural landscape and sustained by ancient irrigation systems fed by rivers from the Spirits' Crown Mountains. The settlement is protected by bamboo palisades and watchtowers, and its people, primarily the Freron tribe, are renowned for their expertise in farming, crafting, and producing magical teas and strawberry wine. He Qiang is strategically connected to the Malnarr Imperial Railways, facilitating trade across the continent. The town's architecture, made from bamboo and straw, reflects its agricultural roots, while its spiritual heart, the Earth Spirit Temple, honors the spirits of the land. The mild climate and misty mornings give He Qiang an ethereal quality, making it a serene yet vital hub for both trade and spiritual practices in the Kingdom of Xin Ruiku.
Defences
Palisades and Earthworks: Although He Qiang is primarily an agricultural hub, it is protected by palisades made from strong bamboo and wood. These fortifications circle the outer edges of the town, reinforced by earthworks built with the local terrain in mind. Freron warriors patrol the walls, watching for threats from marauders or natural dangers, and their tools—such as scythes and sickles—serve as both agricultural implements and defensive weapons.
Watchtowers: Scattered across the hills and overlooking the terraces are wooden watchtowers, from which guards can monitor the plains and the Imperial Railway. These towers also serve as beacons during the Green Moon Festival, lighting the night with soft lanterns.
Industry & Trade
Rice and Strawberries: He Qiang’s primary industries are agriculture, particularly the cultivation of rice and the unique Freron Red Berries. Both crops are prized across the Kingdom of Xin Ruiku and beyond, with rice being a staple food source and strawberries used in various luxury products such as the famous Freron Spirit (strawberry wine).
Tea Production: The Dono Tea Farms are an essential part of He Qiang's economy, producing various teas, especially the rare and valuable Mist Tea. These teas are not only consumed locally but also exported via the Imperial Railway to distant markets. Tea Masters in He Qiang blend their magic into the teas, making them highly sought after for both their flavor and their subtle magical properties.
Rice Wine and Straw-Weaving: The production of rice wine and straw-weaving crafts are significant secondary industries. Freron wine and woven products like hats, baskets, and mats are shipped out from He Qiang to markets throughout the continent.
Infrastructure
Imperial Railway Connection: He Qiang is a key settlement in the southern plains of Xin Ruiku, strategically connected to the Malnarr Imperial Railways. The railway serves as a vital lifeline for the town’s trade, allowing the export of rice, strawberries, and tea to distant regions of Xin Ruiku and beyond. The He Qiang Station is modest but efficient, with bamboo canopies and stone platforms that blend with the natural landscape. The rhythmic sound of trains passing through the plains has become a familiar backdrop to daily life in the settlement.
Terrace Irrigation Systems: The ancient irrigation systems, perfected by the Freron tribe, are another marvel of infrastructure. Water from the Spirits' Crown Mountains flows down through intricate channels carved into the terraces, ensuring a steady supply to the rice paddies and strawberry fields below.
Points of interest
Green Moon Festival Grounds: A large clearing at the base of the terraces where the annual Green Moon Festival is held. This is a major point of interest during the spring planting season, with dances, rituals, and offerings to the earth and water spirits taking place under the light of the green moon.
Freron Tea Gardens: The meticulously maintained Tea Gardens are a serene and beautiful point of interest, attracting visitors from across the kingdom. Here, Dono Tea Masters work their magic, blending tradition and spirituality into every brew. The sight of the neatly arranged terraces covered in mist at dawn is breathtaking.
Architecture
Bamboo and Straw Architecture: The buildings in He Qiang are simple yet beautiful, reflecting the town’s agricultural focus. Most structures are made from bamboo and straw, incorporating woven walls and thatched roofs. The buildings are elevated slightly off the ground to protect them from floods during the rainy season, and they are designed to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Earth Spirit Temple: The Earth Spirit Temple is the most sacred building in the town, constructed from smooth river stones and bamboo. It serves as both a religious and communal space where the Freron people honor the spirits of their ancestors and the land. The temple is adorned with statues of earth spirits, which are said to watch over the rice terraces.
Geography
Southern Plains: He Qiang is located in the vast, fertile plains of southern Xin Ruiku, bordered by the Spirits' Crown Mountains to the north. These mountains provide the water that flows through the intricate irrigation systems feeding the rice terraces.
Rolling Hills and Terraces: The landscape around He Qiang is shaped by generations of Freron farmers, who have built the terraces that descend gently from the hills. These terraces are green in the spring and golden by harvest time, stretching as far as the eye can see.
Rivers and Streams: Small rivers from the mountains snake through the plains, filling reservoirs and natural pools. These waters feed the rice terraces and are crucial to the life of the settlement.
Climate
Temperate Climate: The climate in He Qiang is mild, with warm summers and cool, misty winters. The region experiences frequent rainfall, especially in the spring, which is vital for the rice crops and keeps the terraces lush and green. Mist often rolls in from the mountains, creating an ethereal atmosphere over the fields and gardens.
Foggy Mornings: Particularly in the spring and autumn, He Qiang is known for its foggy mornings, with mist blanketing the fields and lending an otherworldly feel to the town. This fog is believed to carry the blessings of the mountain spirits, and many rituals are performed during these early hours.
Natural Resources
Rice and Strawberries: The fertile plains and intricate irrigation systems of He Qiang produce an abundance of rice and strawberries. The strawberries grown in the region are known for their magical properties and are highly valued across the continent.
Water from the Mountains: The rivers that flow from the Spirits' Crown Mountains provide not only irrigation but also drinking water for the town. The pure, clean water is considered a gift from the mountain spirits.
Magical Herbs: In addition to the crops, the region is rich in medicinal herbs, some of which are used in the brewing of healing teas by the Dono Tea Masters. These herbs are also exported to nearby settlements in exchange for tools and luxury goods.
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