Inside the walls of the Imperial City, daily life was going on much as it always did—peacefully. The huge city, nearly thirty square miles of streets laid out in perfect grids, was a bastion of civilization. In stark contrast to the dusty, loud, and somewhat chaotic nature of the trading garrison, the city looked every bit the cosmopolitan center it had come to be. The citizens who made the Imperial City their home took pride in the markets that bustled with international traders. Temples could be found in nearly every section of the city, their presence a calming reminder of the ancestors who watched over the people and put their trust and power in the Emperor. Boulevards were lined with elegant estates, and city planners had made sure that green parks were prominent, adding to the sense of serenity. Boat-filled canals and harbors broke up the otherwise lush landscape. 本章未完，请点击下一页继续阅读！ 第1页/共10页