The morning sun cast a golden hue over Beihai as Zhao Ming made his way toward the refugee camp. A heavy atmosphere lingered in the air, and even from a distance, he could sense something was wrong.

  As he neared the camp, the disorder became more apparent. Refugees were shouting, some arguing with the guards, while others simply sat in despair. A group of soldiers were restraining a few men, forcing them onto their knees as the tension in the camp continued to rise.

  Zhao Ming’s eyes quickly scanned the area. Among the chaos, he spotted Xu Liang standing firm with a handful of men from his camp. Unlike the others, they were maintaining order, helping to calm their own people and preventing unnecessary trouble.

  Not wasting time, Zhao Ming strode towards the camp officer’s station. The officer, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, glanced up from a scroll when he saw Zhao Ming approaching. Recognizing him, he gave a small nod.

  “You’re here earlier than expected, Young Master Zhao.” The officer leaned forward. “Governor Kong already informed us of your request. You’re here to gather refugees, correct? Which camp are you taking?”

  Zhao Ming gestured toward Xu Liang’s group. “That one.”

  The officer followed his gaze, observing the well-organized camp before nodding in approval. “Wise choice. They seem disciplined. But listen carefully—these refugees will receive temporary identity tags. This means they have been granted permission to leave the camp under your authority.”

  He then gave Zhao Ming a sharp look. “However, if they are caught using this privilege for anything illegal, they will be treated as criminals, and you will also bear responsibility.”

  Zhao Ming took the stack of identity tags and handed them over to Xu Liang. The latter received them with a solemn expression, understanding the weight of this responsibility.

  “Understood,” Zhao Ming said. “I’ll make sure they follow the rules.”

  The officer nodded. “Then take them and go before this camp falls into further disarray.”

  As they walked toward the eastern hill, Zhao Ming observed the group Xu Liang had selected. There were around thirty men and their families—roughly a hundred people in total, including children and the elderly. Some looked hopeful, while others remained wary, uncertain about what awaited them.

  Xu Liang walked alongside Zhao Ming, his expression serious. "I chose those I trust—hunters, craftsmen, builders, and a few farmers. They are capable people, but…" He hesitated. "Many are still unsure of what to expect. You need to talk to them."

  Zhao Ming nodded. "Gather them."

  Xu Liang gestured to the group, and soon, everyone formed a rough semicircle around Zhao Ming. He stepped forward, letting his gaze sweep over them.

  "I know many of you are uncertain. You’ve been living in this camp, waiting for a change, and now you’re being asked to leave without knowing what lies ahead. But let me be clear—this is an opportunity, not a handout."

  Murmurs spread through the group, and one man stepped forward. "Young Master Zhao, we are grateful for this chance, but… what exactly do you expect from us?"

  "Survival," Zhao Ming answered firmly. "We are going to build something sustainable—a place where you can live, work, and provide for your families. But it won’t be easy. To succeed, we need three things: shelter, food, and water."

  Xu Liang crossed his arms. "The land we’re going to has been abandoned for some time. The first priority will be securing shelter. We need to assess which buildings are still usable and which need repair. Those with carpentry skills will be crucial."

  A few men in the crowd nodded in understanding.

  Zhao Ming continued, "Next, food. Some of you are hunters. You’ll scout the hills and find game. Farmers will check if the land is still viable for planting. We need to establish a steady food supply as soon as possible."

  Xu Liang added, "And water. There's a stream nearby, but we need to confirm if it's clean and accessible. Without water, nothing else matters."

  A woman from the group hesitated before speaking. "And what about safety? The refugee camp was dangerous at times. Will this place be any better?"

  Zhao Ming met her gaze. "It will be as safe as we make it. That’s why I only chose trusted people. We will set rules, and anyone who threatens the group’s safety will be dealt with immediately." His tone left no room for argument.

  Silence settled over the group. Then, one by one, the refugees nodded.

  Xu Liang turned to Zhao Ming. "They understand."

  Zhao Ming exhaled. "Good. Then let's move."

  With that, they continued their journey to the eastern hill, carrying with them the weight of hope—and the burden of responsibility.

  News of Zhao Ming’s actions spread quickly among Beihai’s merchants and nobles. The relocation of refugees was no small matter, and many were curious—or wary—of his motives.Master Wang sat in his study, sipping tea as his aide reported the latest development.

  "Zhao Ming, that young scholar from Murong Trading House, has been granted permission to relocate refugees to the eastern hills," the aide said.

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  Master Wang stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Interesting… Murong Trading House has always been focused on business, not charity. I wonder if this is truly his own idea or if someone influential is backing him."

  He leaned back, tapping his fingers against the wooden armrest. "That boy… he moves with purpose. This isn't just about goodwill. There’s a plan behind his actions. A merchant does not invest in something without expecting returns."

  His aide hesitated before speaking. "Should we take action, Master?"

  Master Wang smiled faintly. "Not yet. But keep an eye on him. If he succeeds, he might become a force worth watching. And if he fails… well, there are always opportunities in the failures of others."

  Master Liu, another prominent merchant, reacted differently. Unlike Wang, who was intrigued, Liu was more cautious.

  "So, that boy Zhao Ming is gathering refugees under the Murong banner?" he muttered, reading a report from one of his men. His fingers tapped against the lacquered desk, his mind racing.

  "This could cause problems. Refugees are unpredictable. If they get the wrong idea, if they think they have power… things could spiral out of control. He might be forming a group of desperate men who have nothing to lose. That’s dangerous."

  He turned to his aide. "Watch how Governor Kong reacts. If things start to shift in Zhao Ming’s favor, we may need to reconsider our position."

  Lady Yu reclined on a cushioned seat in her private courtyard, gazing at the serene pond before her. The cherry blossoms swayed gently in the morning breeze, their petals occasionally falling into the water, creating ripples that spread outward—just like the news she had just received.

  She tapped the rim of her teacup, a small smile gracing her lips. "That young scholar, Zhao Ming, has taken it upon himself to move the refugees to the eastern hills?"

  Her handmaiden, Ying’er, bowed slightly. "Yes, my lady. He has received the governor’s approval."

  Lady Yu let out a soft chuckle. "How rare… a man of action in Beihai. Most merchants and nobles would rather hoard wealth than concern themselves with displaced commoners. Even the governor hesitates to take bold steps, yet here is this scholar, acting independently."

  She took a small sip of her tea before setting it down gracefully. Her gaze softened as she looked at the rippling water. "Beihai… my home."

  Ying’er, sensing a shift in her lady’s mood, remained silent, allowing Lady Yu to continue.

  "I was not born into wealth, Ying’er," Lady Yu said after a pause. "My earliest memories are of the market streets—of running errands for copper coins, of counting stock for merchants too busy to do it themselves. I was no one… until she found me."

  Ying’er knew exactly whom her mistress was speaking of. "The previous Lady Merchant Head," she said softly.

  Lady Yu nodded. "She took me in, gave me a name, a purpose. She was fierce, wise, and always said that a city’s wealth is not measured by its gold but by the prosperity of its people. She built Beihai’s trade, not just for nobles, but for everyone. And now… I see our city struggling, our people scattered like fallen leaves. It pains me."

  She turned to Ying’er with a thoughtful expression. "Prepare some supplies. Unused clothing, extra sacks of rice, dried goods… things that could help but won’t draw too much attention."

  Ying’er hesitated. "Shall I send them under your name, my lady?"

  Lady Yu shook her head. "No. Let him wonder who sent it. A true benefactor does not always need to be seen."

  She glanced back at the pond, watching the ripples spread. "If Beihai is to thrive again, it will not be through waiting—it will be through action. Perhaps this scholar understands that better than most."

  With that, she rose gracefully from her seat, her gaze lingering on the horizon. "Let’s see how far this ripple reaches."

  However, not everyone was amused. Zhao Feng, a noble who had previously visited Governor Kong, was furious.

  "This is an outrage!" he slammed his fist against the table in his residence. "Some peasant with connections to the Murongs gets permission to move refugees? Who does he think he is?"

  His steward stood nearby, cautious in his words. "My lord, it is said that the governor gave his approval personally."

  "Of course, that weak-willed scholar Kong Rong would allow such foolishness!" Zhao Feng snapped. "Those refugees should be sent back to Langya to restore what was lost! The nobles of Langya suffered greatly when the rebels took over, and those peasants—those useless peasants—are the reason why!"

  His voice dripped with disdain as he paced the room. "They abandoned their homes instead of fighting for them. And now, instead of making them work to restore what was lost, this Zhao Ming is letting them settle in Beihai? This is unacceptable!"

  The steward bowed his head. "What would you like to do, my lord?"

  Zhao Feng’s eyes narrowed. "We’ll see how long this farce lasts. If I cannot stop him openly, then perhaps there are… other ways to make him fail."

  The room fell into silence, but a storm was brewing in Zhao Feng’s mind.

  As Zhao Ming led the group toward the eastern hill, he remained unaware of the various forces in Beihai reacting to his actions. Whether they were merchants, nobles, or officials, all had their own thoughts about his sudden movement. But for now, none of that mattered.

  What mattered was what lay ahead.

  When they finally arrived, the refugees took in their new surroundings—unkempt land, abandoned structures, and the wild, untamed nature surrounding them. It was far from ideal, but it was a start.

  Zhao Ming stepped forward and addressed the group. "Before anything else, we need to assess the land. We’re not just looking for a place to sleep—we need to make sure we can live here. Split into small groups and check everything. We need to confirm if the shelters are usable, if the farmland can be restored, and if the hunting grounds still have game. Also, make sure the water stream is clean, and see if there are fish we can rely on for food."

  Xu Liang nodded and quickly began organizing people. Some headed toward the old shelters, testing the wood and structure. Others made their way to the overgrown fields, kicking at the dirt, checking its quality. A few went toward the stream, inspecting the flow of water and looking for any sign of fish or freshwater plants.

  After a while, the groups returned one by one to report.

  "The houses need repairs, but they’re still sturdy."

  "The land is dry but not barren. If we work on it, we can grow something."

  "The stream is clean. Plenty of fish too."

  "The hunting ground is still active—deer tracks, wild hares."

  Zhao Ming listened carefully to each report. He nodded. "Good. This will work. Once everything is in place, I’ll bring your families here. But we need to prove that we can sustain ourselves first."

  A man from the group hesitated before stepping forward. "Young master Zhao, I have a question."

  Zhao Ming turned to him. "Speak."

  The man hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "Are we… staying here for good? Some of us still wish to return to Langya."

  Zhao Ming exhaled, crossing his arms as he looked at the group. "That choice is yours to make. I’m not forcing anyone to stay. But right now, Langya is in ruins. If you go back, there may be nothing waiting for you except more hardship. Here, at least, you have a chance to rebuild."

  Silence followed as the refugees exchanged uncertain looks. Some had clearly hoped for a definitive answer, but Zhao Ming had no intention of forcing their hands.

  Xu Liang stepped beside him. "For now, let’s focus on what’s in front of us. We survived this long. If we can make this place work, then at least we have a future."

  Zhao Ming nodded. "That’s all we can do—for now."

  He glanced at the sky, the last light of the sun fading into the horizon.

  "If I can change something… then maybe this is a start."

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