As the large wooden doors swung open, Murong De and the others stepped into the grand office of Governor Kong. The room was spacious, its high ceiling supported by dark wooden beams, while large windows let in the morning light. The scent of parchment and ink filled the air, accompanied by the faint aroma of tea.

  At the center of the room stood a massive wooden table, its surface covered with maps of Beihai and its surrounding areas. Small figurines and markers were placed strategically, indicating various points of interest.

  Seated at the head of the table was Governor Kong, a man in his late forties, with neatly combed hair and a dignified yet somewhat weary expression. Despite his composed demeanor, there was a weight in his eyes—a burden of responsibility that only those in power truly understood.

  To the side, standing with arms crossed, was a local militia captain. He was a broad-shouldered man in armor, his gaze sharp and disciplined. It was clear he was here to provide insight on the security situation.

  Murong De stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting. “Governor Kong, it is an honor to be summoned for this discussion.”

  The other merchants followed suit, each offering their respectful greetings before taking their seats at the table. Master Wang, Master Liu, and Lady Yu each found their respective places, while their assistants, including Zhao Ming, stood silently behind them.

  Zhao Ming positioned himself behind Murong De, his gaze naturally falling upon the large map spread across the table. His sharp eyes quickly noted key locations—Beihai’s walls, the docks, the surrounding villages, and most notably, an area marked as the refugee camp outside the city.

  Governor Kong let out a slow breath before speaking. “Gentlemen, Lady Yu, I will not waste time with pleasantries. The reason I have called you all here today is due to a pressing matter that affects all of Beihai.”

  He gestured toward the map, his expression turning grave.

  “As you may already know, we have been receiving an influx of refugees from surrounding regions—some displaced by war, others fleeing famine or banditry. However, what you may not realize is the sheer scale of this migration.”

  He tapped a particular section of the map with a finger. “As of last month, we estimated around 6,000 refugees settling outside the city walls. But in just the past few weeks, that number has risen to nearly 10,000.”

  A heavy silence fell over the room.

  Master Wang’s eyes widened. “Ten thousand?! That’s nearly half the population of Beihai itself!”

  Master Liu frowned, tapping his fingers on the table. “At that rate, they may outnumber the city’s citizens within months.”

  Lady Yu exhaled softly, covering her mouth as she suppressed a small cough. “This is no longer just an issue of charity, Governor Kong. That many people without proper housing or employment will lead to problems.”

  The militia captain nodded grimly. “Indeed. At present, most of these refugees are gathered outside the city walls, forming makeshift camps. While some are honest folk simply looking for safety, others… are more desperate.”

  Governor Kong continued, his tone even. “Currently, the officials have been distributing rations to keep them fed, but this is not a sustainable solution. We are already straining our food supplies, and if we continue at this rate, the city will face shortages within months.”

  Murong De rubbed his chin in thought. “And that’s assuming nothing disrupts the supply chains. A single poor harvest or blockade could turn this into a disaster.”

  The governor gave a solemn nod. “Exactly. That is why I have summoned you all here. We need solutions—both for the city and for these refugees. If left unchecked, this crisis will spiral into unrest, crime, and disease.”

  The weight of his words settled heavily upon the room. The merchants exchanged looks, each of them already calculating the risks and opportunities in their minds.

  Zhao Ming remained quiet, his gaze still fixed on the map. This problem wasn’t just about trade—it was about survival. And if he was going to navigate this situation, he needed to think ahead.

  Governor Kong steepled his fingers and leaned forward, his eyes scanning the gathered merchants. “The refugee situation is worsening by the day. We cannot rely solely on government provisions, or we risk depleting our food stores before the next harvest. If anyone has a suggestion, especially regarding food production, now is the time to speak.”

  Master Wang stroked his thick beard. “Food production is not something that can be solved overnight. Even if we cultivate fast-growing crops, it will take weeks before we see any results.”

  Master Liu nodded in agreement. “We could assign the refugees to agricultural work, but that won’t solve the immediate food shortage.”

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  Lady Yu tapped her fan against her palm. “If we can’t produce food fast enough, then we must look elsewhere. Have we considered negotiating with nearby towns or merchants outside Beihai to secure additional food supplies?”

  Governor Kong exhaled through his nose. “I have sent out requests for aid, but as you all know, nearby regions are dealing with their own problems. Supplies are tight everywhere.” He shook his head. “We cannot rely on external support.”

  Master Wang folded his arms. “Then we should look at alternative solutions. If we can’t grow food quickly, we must ensure the people can work for their own sustenance.”

  Kong Rong nodded. “That brings us to the next point. The city has ongoing projects—wall repairs, dock repairs, roadwork. These require manpower. Employing refugees in these efforts would give them a purpose while reducing potential unrest.”

  Master Liu frowned. “True, but these projects have their own problems. Skilled workers are needed for proper repairs, and simply throwing untrained refugees at them may cause more harm than good.”

  The militia captain, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. “We also need to consider public order. Desperation breeds crime. We have already seen an increase in petty theft and illegal trading near the refugee camps. More guards are needed to maintain peace, especially during the day.”

  Kong Rong sighed. “That is another challenge. I have sent petitions for reinforcements, but knowing the current state of the empire, it is unlikely we will receive additional troops anytime soon.” His gaze hardened. “This is why I must ask each trading house to contribute to daytime patrols in the city. If merchants provide their own security to oversee key districts, it will ease the burden on our militia.”

  Master Wang let out a low grunt. “Hiring extra guards to patrol the market? That will cost us. And who will compensate us for that expense?”

  Master Liu smirked. “Compensation aside, if we merchants have to shoulder security, doesn’t that mean the militia isn’t doing its job? The city collects taxes for defense, yet now we’re being asked to provide our own?”

  Lady Yu chuckled softly, covering her mouth as she coughed. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Master Liu. Having our own men patrol during the day isn’t necessarily a bad thing. More control over security means fewer disruptions to business.” She tapped her fan against the table. “But I do agree—this is a favor to the Governor. And favors should be repaid.”

  Kong Rong’s expression remained impassive. “I understand your concerns. The city’s finances are strained, and I cannot promise compensation at this moment. However, merchants who contribute to public order will naturally gain more influence in city affairs.”

  Master Wang’s eyes gleamed. “Ah, now that’s interesting.”

  Master Liu crossed his arms. “Influence is valuable, but it won’t feed our workers or pay for new guards.” He glanced at Murong De. “What do you think, Master Murong? Will your family contribute?”

  Murong De, who had been calmly listening, finally spoke. “Security benefits us all. If disorder spreads, trade will suffer, and profits will dry up. Hiring extra patrols is an investment, not just a burden.” He glanced at Zhao Ming before continuing. “However, since we are being asked to take on this responsibility, I agree with Lady Yu. There must be some form of recognition for those who help maintain order.”

  Kong Rong nodded slightly. “That can be arranged. Those who support city security will be given priority in certain trade matters and government contracts.”

  That response seemed to satisfy the merchants—at least for now.

  Governor Kong then spoke again, his voice firm. “If there are no other suggestions, we must decide how to act. Does anyone have another proposal?”

  Zhao Ming took a step forward. “Hunting. There must be forests or mountains nearby that are free from banditry. We could recruit skilled hunters from the refugee camp and have them provide a steady supply of game.”

  Master Wang stroked his beard. “A good idea in theory, but is there enough game to sustain such an effort?”

  The militia captain responded with a slight shake of his head. “The safest hunting ground would be the eastern side of the Beihai Hills. People go there to gather herbs and firewood, but the wildlife is minimal. There are no large or aggressive animals in the area—only small creatures here and there.”

  The merchants exchanged glances. A food source that was too scarce wouldn’t solve the problem.

  Zhao Ming considered this for a moment before speaking again. “If there isn’t enough wildlife, why not introduce some?”

  Everyone turned to him in curiosity.

  “Rabbits,” Zhao Ming explained. “They breed quickly and require little maintenance. If we release them into the mountain range, they will multiply on their own and provide a sustainable source of food in the long run.” He paused briefly, then continued, “Additionally, if there are ponds or streams in the area, we could farm carp. Fish farming is relatively simple, requires fewer resources than traditional agriculture, and can supplement the food supply.”

  The room went silent for a moment as everyone processed the idea.

  Master Liu tapped his fingers against the table. “Hmph. Rabbits are easy to breed, and unlike crops, they don’t require much labor. It’s a possible solution.”

  Master Wang chuckled. “And if we ever get desperate, we could sell their fur, too.”

  Lady Yu, fanning herself, let out a soft cough. “Fish farming, though—does Beihai even have enough expertise to set that up quickly?”

  Murong De nodded. “It’s not unheard of. We already have skilled fishermen in the region. With proper guidance, they could construct fish ponds near the hills.”

  Governor Kong Rong smiled, clearly pleased. “An interesting proposal. It may not be a perfect solution, but it is certainly worth trying.” He looked toward Murong De. “And this young man—who is he?”

  Murong De smiled knowingly. “This is Zhao Ming. He only just arrived in Beihai.”

  Governor Kong’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Zhao Ming…?” He leaned back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “That name sounds familiar.” He turned to an aide standing nearby. “Bring me the latest reports from the academy.”

  A moment later, a scroll was placed before him. As he scanned the contents, his expression shifted. He looked back up at Zhao Ming with newfound interest. “Ah. I see now. The academy recently sent a report about you. It mentioned something about transporting weapons and cargo from Penglai.” His eyes flickered between Zhao Ming and Murong De. “There was also a mention of Murong Xue.”

  Zhao Ming remained composed. “Yes, my lord. I was involved in the matter.”

  Governor Kong tapped the scroll lightly. “Interesting. That was a critical transport, and I recall reading that there were complications along the way.” His gaze sharpened. “It seems you are no ordinary scholar.”

  Murong De chuckled. “I told you, Governor. He has talent beyond books.”

  Governor Kong nodded, clearly intrigued. “It seems Beihai has gained an unexpected guest.” He set the scroll aside and smiled. “Let us continue. Your proposal is promising, and I will arrange for the necessary steps to be taken.”

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