Page 1149

"Lord Shiyi has gone to Lyuzhou, and it’s uncertain when he’ll return."

The current presiding official of Southeast County is very young, named Wen Keming. He comes from a scholarly noble family and is reportedly a graduate of Huang Academy, specializing in agricultural techniques. He excelled in his graduating class, holding four or five major patents in his name.

Additionally, due to his proficiency in governance and historical essays, he was recommended by Shen San to serve as the deputy administrator of Nanyang City during his internship there.

Later, when the Southeast region was reclaimed and urgently needed managerial talent, and given that Southeast’s vast plains and farmland made it a critical grain repository, Chen Qing, with his practical experience, despised assigning unqualified individuals to specialized roles.

Thus, he directly appointed Wen Keming as Prefectural Governor of Southeast County.

"That could be troublesome..." Bai Lie, who had come to discuss the refugee crisis, frowned deeply upon hearing this.

"The number of refugees is increasing, and the demons outside are becoming more audacious.

Many have been probing our surrounding areas repeatedly.

According to reports from my subordinates, several children from the Southern Barbarians have already encountered mishaps. .."

Hearing that children were involved, even the typically stern Wen Keming couldn’t hide a trace of compassion on his face.

Most people still carried a natural sympathy for children. Moreover, the teachings at the academy, based on some of Chen Qing’s future-world doctrines, instilled a sense of morality. Though distinctions between races remained, children were rarely dehumanized or treated as mere livestock.

"This..."

"My subordinates have a suggestion..." Noticing Wen Keming’s sympathetic expression, Bai Lie quickly added, "Perhaps we could first allow women and children inside, while the able-bodied youths remain outside. What does Prefect Wen think?"

"General Bai, you flatter me..." Wen Keming, addressing Bai Lie’s respectful use of his title, reciprocated courteously.

He understood his own youth and lack of seniority often led to skepticism from veteran officials under him.

Yet, over the years, Bai Lie had consistently supported him and given him face, a generosity Wen Keming would not overlook.

"Given the current situation in Southeast, even absorbing a hundred billion more people wouldn’t be an issue, let alone a few women and children. However..." Wen Keming hesitated.

The Southeast County was a vast province; its territory was even larger than Jiangnan.

Historically, its population exceeded that of Jiangnan and had been a primary recruitment area for the Imperial Court.

However, its remote southern location, with abundant mountains and forests, had turned it into a haven for mutated demons during the resurgence of Spiritual Energy, leading to a severe population decline.

Although many powerful demons had been recruited as Mountain Gods in recent years, ensuring local safety and facilitating rapid population recovery, it had only been five or six years.

The number of able-bodied young men remained limited.

This resulted in vast stretches of fertile land nurtured by Mountain Gods being left undeveloped due to a lack of Immortal Farmers. Meanwhile, Jiangnan faced overpopulation but remained reluctant to send labor. The occasional migrants from the North were far too few to make a difference.

Honestly, if the Southern Barbarians posed no threat, opening the gates to all refugees would be trivial. Accommodations could easily be arranged, and even more expansion was possible. But the real issue was... who could guarantee their safety?

"Regarding safety, I’ve been observing for the past year," Bai Lie said with a confident smile. "These people have rarely ventured outside of the Gate Deity’s protection. In their current state, without sufficient meat to sustain them, it’s impossible for strong warriors to endure.

Furthermore, since we’re mainly admitting women and children this time, the risk is even lower. .."

"This..." Wen Keming grew increasingly tempted, and finally, under Bai Lie’s expectant gaze, he nodded. "Very well. Let’s proceed this way for now. When Lord Shiyi returns, I’ll report to him immediately. If there’s any accountability required, I’ll take full responsibility."

"Ah, Prefect Wen, there’s no need for that. Since this proposal was my idea, I’ll naturally bear the responsibility," Bai Lie said earnestly.

"As the Prefect, having agreed to this plan, it’s my duty to take responsibility. General Bai, there’s no need to discuss this further. For now, make preparations at the border. I’ll arrange for the women and children from the Southern Barbarians to be housed in Jiayun County. What do you think?"

"Prefect Wen’s approach is prudent—an excellent choice," Bai Lie answered with a nod of approval.

Jiayun County, located in the southern Zhangzhou area, was far from the border, posing no significant threat to border defenses.

Any news relayed from that area would need to pass through four Mountain Gods’ domains, making it unlikely.

Moreover, the route to the county was sparsely populated; in the event of an emergency, it wouldn’t result in significant casualties and allowed for strategic retreat.

Undeniably, despite Wen Keming’s youth, his meticulous nature shone through in his decisions.

"Then it’s settled. General Bai, set off immediately. I’ll begin coordinating reception efforts in Jiayun."

"Good... I leave it in your capable hands, Prefect Wen."

"It’s General Bai who’ll bear the brunt of the work. Especially when activating the formation, extra caution is necessary."

"Please rest assured, Prefect!" Bai Lie patted his chest, exuding confidence.

Years ago, Tian Heng, seeking to compensate for his banishment to the Southeast, allocated a great deal of resources here annually.

Bai Lie’s forces, though not numerous, were well-supplied with Power of Faith, their access to resources abundant.

While his soldiers weren’t all Transcendent like Tian Heng’s elite troops, most were at least eighth or ninth rank warriors—among the strongest in this era.

In truth, if the Southern Barbarians’ situation remained unchanged, his army alone could potentially wipe them out.

For now, dealing with those emaciated, starving individuals outside the gates seemed hardly a major issue...

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"Listen up, Southern Barbarians below!"

Atop the city gates, the Deputy General, having received orders, shouted excitedly, "Thanks to the benevolence of our General and the esteemed officials above, we are temporarily willing to shelter refugee women and children.

But listen carefully—we are only accepting women and children.

Any child taller than a cartwheel will not be admitted. Understood?"

The Deputy General’s thunderous voice echoed, but to the haggard people below, it was like the sweetest melody.

One by one, they fell to their knees, kowtowing and weeping loudly!

These past days had numbed them; hope seemed nonexistent, and the constant fear of being devoured by those fearsome Insect Medicines loomed.

Even worse were the Spider Demons, said to be merciless, trapping people in their spider silk balls, dissolving their insides with liquids, and slowly consuming them—all while the victims remained fully conscious.

Refugees rescued from such fates spoke of unspeakable terror, their recounting still haunting others with nightmarish clarity.

Above all, they dreaded the thought of their children suffering such horrific fates.

Compared to them, the Central Plains People atop the city walls already seemed impossibly benevolent. If this were Southern Barbarian City, forget distributing food—they’d have been enslaved, if not outright killed. Such mercy was unimaginable.

Watching the Southern Barbarians kneel and cry in gratitude, Bai Lie and others felt a complex mix of emotions.

Human nature, they reflected, only cultivated kindness once basic needs were met.

The Southern Barbarians had been labeled barbaric and malevolent, but these traits were largely a product of dire scarcity.

In Jiangnan, where prosperity reigned and violent crime was scarce, the difference lay chiefly in the abundance of resources ensuring everyone lived well.

Lord Chen Qing truly was akin to a savior, crafting a sanctuary in these turbulent times. His influence fostered a sense of humanity and compassion among those living here.

"Activate the formation!"

"Yes..."

Bai Lie turned, directing his soldiers to assist. However, few noticed the eerie anomaly—the gaze of some able-bodied men among the kneeling Southern Barbarians gleamed with an inexplicable, haunting brilliance resembling... the starry sky, vibrant and multicolored.