The morning sun bathed Eastern Hill in a warm glow, the fresh scent of grass and damp earth filling the air. It had been a few days since Zhao Ming and Xu Liang led the first group here, and the settlement was beginning to take shape. The abandoned farmland had been surveyed, temporary shelters were in place, and small fires flickered as people prepared breakfast.

  Zhao Ming stood on a small ridge, observing the activity below. Xu Liang moved between groups, directing people with a steady hand. Some men worked to patch up an old barn, while others focused on setting up a proper storage area. Near the stream, a group of refugees set fishing traps, pulling in small catches for the day’s meal.

  As Zhao Ming walked down to the center of the camp, Xu Liang approached him, wiping sweat from his brow.

  "You're up early," Xu Liang greeted with a tired grin.

  Zhao Ming smirked. "So are you."

  Xu Liang let out a chuckle. "I have to be. Everyone’s looking for direction. If I don't keep moving, they’ll start asking me what’s next."

  Zhao Ming nodded. "How’s everything?"

  "The shelters are stable for now, but we need better materials if we want something more permanent," Xu Liang reported. "Hunting has been steady, though we haven't seen any large predators in the forest. That's a relief—we won’t have to worry about wolves attacking at night."

  Zhao Ming raised an eyebrow. "No predators?"

  Xu Liang shook his head. "None so far. The forest is strangely calm. Some of the hunters found signs of rabbits, but no sign of larger beasts."

  One of the hunters, a lean man with a weathered face, walked over and saluted. "Leader, we did some deeper scouting today. We found evidence that the local officials have been releasing rabbits into the wild."

  Zhao Ming’s lips curled into a faint smile. "So, Governor Kong actually followed through with my suggestion."

  Xu Liang turned to him in surprise. "You brought this up to the governor?"

  Zhao Ming nodded. "When I met with him, I suggested that if Beihai can’t spare grain for refugees, they could at least ensure a reliable food source. Rabbits breed quickly, and if managed properly, they can provide steady meat without destroying the land. It looks like they’ve started implementing the idea."

  Xu Liang let out a low whistle. "That’s actually brilliant. As long as we don’t overhunt them, this could sustain us for a long time."

  The hunter nodded. "We’ll start setting up proper traps and breed some in captivity. That way, we won’t rely solely on wild game."

  That evening, as the sky turned shades of orange and purple, Zhao Ming gathered the group for a discussion. They sat around a fire, the flickering flames casting long shadows.

  Xu Liang began the report. "Fishing has been consistent, and the forest has enough small game to sustain us for now. The farmland is in rough shape, but if we work on it, we can restore it in time. The biggest challenge is resources—we need tools, proper farming equipment, and eventually livestock."

  A man from the group spoke up. "We’ve been working hard, but when can we bring our families? Some of us left them behind at the refugee camp, waiting for the right time."

  Zhao Ming glanced at Xu Liang before answering. "We need to be sure this place can support them first. Right now, we have food and shelter for a small group, but doubling or tripling our numbers too soon could be a disaster. We need to secure water, food, and tools first."

  Xu Liang added, "If we can get more farming equipment and make progress on the fields, we can bring in more families sooner. But we can’t rush it."

  Another man asked, "So how long do you think?"

  Zhao Ming exhaled. "A few more weeks, at least. Once we confirm a steady food source and get extra supplies, we’ll send for families in small groups."

  The group murmured among themselves, some nodding in understanding.

  Xu Liang looked at them. "I know it's hard, but this is the best way. If we do this right, we can build something stable. If we rush, we might lose everything."

  A woman from the group spoke, her voice steady. "We trust you. Just let us know what needs to be done."

  Zhao Ming gave a firm nod. "Then let's keep pushing forward. This is just the beginning."

  A few days had passed since the first group of refugees settled at Eastern Hill. The once-abandoned land had transformed into a growing community. Though still rough, progress was evident.

  Zhao Ming stood atop a small slope, watching the activity below. The shelters had been reinforced, some with salvaged wood and others with dried mud bricks. Smoke curled into the air from a few makeshift stoves, where women prepared simple meals. Along the forest’s edge, hunters returned with small game—rabbits, birds, and fish from the nearby stream.

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  Food was no longer a major concern. With no predators in the forest, even women and children could safely forage for nuts, berries, and wild fruits. The hunting and fishing efforts had also stabilized their meat supply. The only pressing issue was grain—what little they had from the initial supply was running low, and farming wouldn’t yield results for weeks, if not months.

  Xu Liang walked up beside him, wiping sweat from his brow. "The people are settling in well. No major issues so far, but it’s clear we still have a long way to go."

  Zhao Ming nodded. "How are the food supplies holding up?"

  Xu Liang crossed his arms. "Hunting and fishing are keeping us stable, and foraging has been surprisingly effective. The forest has plenty of wild fruits and nuts, and since there are no predators, even the women and children have started helping. The only real issue is grain. We can’t farm fast enough to replace what we’ve used."

  Zhao Ming exhaled. "That was expected. We’ll have to stretch what’s left while looking for alternatives. What about the land?"

  "The farmland is usable, but it’ll take time before we can plant enough to sustain everyone. Tools are another issue—we need more if we want to expand our efforts. And livestock would help in the long run."

  Zhao Ming rubbed his chin in thought. "I’ll speak with Murong Trading House about getting livestock. As for tools, we might need to trade or forge them ourselves."

  Xu Liang hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "People are asking when their families can join them."

  Zhao Ming glanced around the camp. The foundations were there—shelter, food, and water. If they wanted to move forward, they had to take the next step.

  "We’ll start bringing them in," he finally said. "In small groups. We need to be careful not to overwhelm our resources, but waiting any longer will only cause unrest."

  Xu Liang sighed in relief. "I’ll make the arrangements."

  Just as their conversation ended, the distant sound of carriages rolling along the dirt path caught their attention.

  The convoy of carriages slowed as they entered the camp. Refugees stopped their work, murmuring in curiosity. From the leading carriage, a well-dressed woman stepped forward, her movements graceful yet deliberate.

  Zhao Ming and Xu Liang approached. The woman bowed politely. "We bring grain and simple clothing, sent by a benefactor who wishes to aid your efforts here."

  Zhao Ming’s brows lifted slightly. "A benefactor? That’s quite generous."

  The woman smiled, but it was a practiced expression. "Indeed."

  Xu Liang frowned. "And who might this benefactor be?"

  "I'm afraid I cannot say," she replied smoothly.

  Zhao Ming chuckled, then walked to the carriages, inspecting the goods. The sacks of grain were of good quality, not extravagant but enough to last a while. The clothes were simple yet durable, useful for the refugees who had little to their name.

  As he moved through the bundles, his fingers brushed against a piece of fabric different from the rest. He pulled it out—a single cloth embroidered with the word "Elegance" in jade green thread.

  His lips curled into a smirk.

  He turned back to the woman. "This benefactor—should I assume I’m expected to visit them soon?"

  The woman stiffened, caught off guard. "I—"

  Zhao Ming chuckled. "No need to pretend. Send word that I will visit Lady Yu at my earliest convenience."

  The woman, clearly flustered, bowed. "Understood, sir."

  The goods were unloaded, and as the woman returned to her carriage, Zhao Ming called out, "Tell her I appreciate the gesture."

  She hesitated, nodded quickly, then left in a hurry.

  Yu Ying rushed into Lady Yu’s chamber, her face slightly flushed. "Mistress, he knew."

  Lady Yu, seated by a window with a cup of tea in hand, glanced up with a knowing smile. "Of course, he did."

  Yu Ying hesitated before continuing, "He said he would visit soon."

  Lady Yu chuckled. "Then we should prepare for an interesting conversation."

  Yu Ying fidgeted. "Mistress, I thought I was subtle…"

  Lady Yu raised an amused brow. "You slipped in one piece of cloth with the 'Elegance' branding in jade green thread. Did you think he wouldn’t notice?"

  Yu Ying lowered her head. "I… may have miscalculated."

  Lady Yu shook her head, laughing softly. "Zhao Ming is not someone easily fooled. If anything, I suspect he enjoyed uncovering the truth."

  Yu Ying sighed. "Do you think he will take this help the wrong way?"

  Lady Yu smiled. "He is not the type to be insulted by kindness. If anything, he will see it for what it is—an acknowledgment of his efforts."

  Yu Ying glanced at her mistress. "You admire him, don’t you?"

  Lady Yu sipped her tea, her expression unreadable. "Admire? Perhaps. But more than that, I find him… intriguing. There aren’t many men who act on their own will without waiting for permission."

  Yu Ying hesitated, then asked, "Should we offer more aid?"

  Lady Yu tapped her fingers on the table. "No, not yet. If we give too much, it might make him indebted, and I doubt Zhao Ming likes that feeling. Let him come to us first. That will be more interesting."

  Yu Ying sighed. "You enjoy these games too much, Mistress."

  Lady Yu smirked. "Life is dull without them."

  With the supplies from Lady Yu’s donation, the plan to bring families to Eastern Hill could be accelerated. The settlement had proven stable—food was no longer a dire issue, and there were enough shelters to house more people. The next step was to secure official permission.

  "I’ll go to Governor Kong tomorrow and request approval," Zhao Ming said, standing with Xu Liang near the center of the camp.

  Xu Liang nodded. "I’ll inform the group. Once we get the governor’s agreement, we’ll head back to the refugee camp and bring our families here."

  Zhao Ming’s gaze swept across the settlement. The people had worked hard to make this place livable. Families reuniting would strengthen their morale even further.

  "I’ll return to Murong Estate to make preparations for tomorrow’s meeting," Zhao Ming continued. "In the meantime, keep the people ready. If things go well, we’ll start moving families by the end of the week."

  Xu Liang patted his chest. "Understood. I’ll make sure everything is in order."

  As the camp settled down for the evening, a shadow moved quietly between the tents. A man slipped away from the settlement, his steps hurried as he made his way back toward Beihai. His destination? The noble district.

  At Zhao Feng’s grand estate, a steward knocked urgently on the door to his master’s study.

  "Come in," Zhao Feng’s sharp voice rang out.

  The steward entered and bowed. "Master, we’ve received information about the refugee settlement."

  Zhao Feng, who had been sipping wine, narrowed his eyes. "Speak."

  "A man from the camp came forward. He claims Zhao Ming is preparing to move the peasants' families to Eastern Hill with the governor’s approval."

  The wine cup in Zhao Feng’s hand trembled slightly before he set it down with a sharp clink.

  "That lowly peasant dares to act on his own?" Zhao Feng scoffed. "Refugees should be grateful they’re even allowed to stay in Beihai. Moving them to the hills? Hah! They should be sent to Langya to reclaim their lands, not settle here like they belong."

  The steward hesitated. "Master… should we do something?"

  Zhao Feng’s expression darkened. "Of course. Send some guards. Demand the goods they’ve procured. If they think they can live independently, they should be reminded of their place."

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