Yan Prefecture

In planning, a small town is to be built around Baishi Village, with the village at the center of a "well" pattern. Roads extending from the four outer walls of the village will form four main avenues.

These four streets will divide the area into eight new zones. All newcomers to Baishi Town will need to reside in the northwestern zone initially, followed by a probationary period of three to six months.

This period will assess not only their backgrounds and intentions but also their skills.

It also serves to help them adapt to the rules of Baishi Town.

In chaotic times, strict laws are necessary, so Ming Shu has instructed everyone to handle affairs with severity. Although complex rules have not yet been established, punishments for mistakes are to be significantly increased.

The rewards have also been amplified. Those who make contributions will be commended and publicized.

The three zones south of the town are for official members' residences. The western zone is the market, where visiting merchants can set up temporary stalls, and everyone can come here to trade items.

The eastern zone is designated as the guard's camp, while the northern and northeastern zones are reserved and still in the planning stages.

These are merely the outlines cleared from the ruins of the old town. A high wall will be built around the perimeter for defense against external enemies.

There are no natural defenses or terrain advantages in this location, so they can only continue to build rammed earth walls.

The Butcher and others don't need to wait, but there aren't enough built houses yet, so they'll have to be dispersed and squeezed in elsewhere for now.

Although the Hunter is dead, there are still many hunters among his group. Ming Shu has instructed Zhao Dun and Zhao Chuan to select a few elites to supplement their teams, and the rest will form a hunting party.

They will go to the nearby mountains and forests to hunt. Hunting isn't limited to fierce beasts; pheasants and rabbits are also acceptable. Spirit fruits and Spirit Medicine found in the wild can also be collected. Hunting and gathering are intertwined.

This has also been included by Ming Shu in the boys' education program—hunting and gathering.

He doesn't even have time for proper cultivation. When Little Zhao returned with Li Jixu's reply, Ming Shu began preparing to visit the prefecture.

The administrative seat of Donghai Prefecture is in Tancheng City. The round trip will take two to three days, and this is only because Little Zhao was resourceful and lucky, avoiding significant delays.

Therefore, Ming Shu estimates he will be away for several days this time.

Although the outside world hasn't truly descended into chaos yet, preparations are still necessary.

Li Jixu's letter informed Ming Shu to first go to Huai Ren County and meet with the County Magistrate before heading to the prefectural city together.

Ming Shu entrusted household affairs to his wife, Zhao Siqi, and the head steward, Old Zhao. He set off with Little Zhao and Chong Li. Ren Yuan is still recovering from his injuries, and as a key combatant, he needs to stay and guard their base.

Traveling south, they crossed Wen Zhuang, skirted Shi Qiao Town, and then headed east back to Huai Ren County. He couldn't name these places when he first arrived. After a few months here, he has familiarized himself with them.

Carrying the Prefect's letter, he visited the County Magistrate's residence, and this time he finally met him. This County Magistrate is named Fan Jin.

He is also a scholar from Qi Lu Academy, with a cultivation of Scholar Fourth Tier [Mid-stage Jinshi Realm]. This crucial detail was obtained by Ming Shu from his Fate Book.

It's possible that this Mr. Fan Jin likes to show off and voluntarily revealed his strength, which was passively sensed.

"Young Master Zhang, since Lord Li has just taken office and personally summoned us, we should depart quickly!"

What Ming Shu didn't expect was that this County Magistrate didn't arrange for a carriage but, like everyone else, rode a horse alone. The entourage was also small; the County Assistant stayed behind to handle affairs, but the Secretary had to accompany them.

Including the six-person guard squad, it was an extremely streamlined group.

Judging by his demeanor, Ming Shu would believe it if he were told he was a military official.

It seems that the last time he visited, he genuinely had something going on, not just trying to brush him off.

Although he is already middle-aged and has a noticeable belly, Mr. Fan Jin stepped into the stirrup and leaped onto the horse with ease, agile enough not to need assistance from his guards.

He cracked his whip and set off, decisive and without any hesitation.

Ming Shu and Little Zhao could only follow behind.

The group traveled eastward and, after a day and a night, arrived at the Mu River, waiting in line for the ferry.

Crossing the river would bring them into Tancheng territory.

A black carriage pulled by two galloping horses suddenly cut in from the side, pushing Mr. Fan Jin aside.

The Secretary was about to protest when Fan Jin immediately stopped him, signaling him not to make a fuss.

Instead, he stood straight and bowed respectfully.

After the carriage and horses boarded the ferry and departed, Fan Jin explained, "That is the Yan Prefecture Princess's carriage, do not offend her. You don't need to worry about my reputation."

In the past two days, Ming Shu had also learned that Fan Jin's background was not high. He only entered officialdom in middle age and climbed his way up to become a County Magistrate, which was considered a stroke of luck.

It's just that no one wanted to come to Donghai, and since he was from Qi Lu Academy, he was placed here as a County Magistrate.

His performance reviews have been negative year after year, likely making this his last post.

If he doesn't cooperate with the Pirates, he'll just be a poor County Magistrate with no benefits. And as long as he doesn't fall into the Pirates' trap and resist them, the Pirates won't bother with him.

Judging by the situation, it's likely that Mr. Fan didn't bring any gifts for Prefect Li either.

He certainly couldn't flaunt anything. He had no such intention either; as long as it wasn't brought out for direct comparison, it should be fine.

They would wait for the next ferry.

Ming Shu quietly asked Chong Li beside him, "Isn't Yan Kingdom to the north? Why did they come here?"

Although Ming Shu had no concept of Yan Kingdom's location, he knew that to go north from here would require crossing the Yellow Dragon Great River and then traveling a considerable distance further north.

Yan Kingdom was established in the north to concentrate all military and political power to resist the incursions of the northern Barbarians. This has resulted in Yan Kingdom being like a state within a state of Great Jin, with very strong independence.

Its strength is also among the strongest of the various feudal lords within Great Jin. Perhaps only Marquis Qin, who defends against external enemies in the west, could be compared.

The recent [Starfall] transmission contained news of Marquis Qin being enfeoffed as Duke of Liang.

This was a direct jump from a fourth-rank Marquis to a second-rank Duke. This news also made Ming Shu realize for the first time that those with strong armies and powerful forces were the ones with true backing.

If they don't give it, they can take it by force.

After the loss of the Han Clan, the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty's power weakened, while King Chu in the south grew stronger, forcing the Sacred Reign Emperor to make such a move.

When he lacked the confidence to face both the Barbarians from the north descending south and King Chu's rebellion simultaneously, he resorted to such nonsense.

The Sky-Toppling Observatory's intelligence also stated that the Wei Clan would head west, taking over Marquis Qin's duties to continue resisting foreign enemies in the northwest, while Marquis Qin would move south to occupy Bashu and resist King Chu's invasion momentum up the Azure Dragon Great River.

Although no major armies had truly clashed yet, the undercurrents surging in various regions were gradually surfacing.

It's estimated that King Yan couldn't resist descending south either. Nominally, he's just the Duke of Yan, but since his strength is sufficient, everyone calls him King Yan. This has become the default.

Moreover, the actual situation is that the Young King Yan is in charge, while the Old King Yan is merely clinging to life. He simply refuses to let his noble title be demoted any further.

If the Young King Yan were to inherit according to custom, he would only be left with a third-rank Commandery Duke.

At that point, the Yan Kingdom might even be divided into several pieces.

The good news is that the late Emperor, who had contended with the Old King Yan his entire life, departed first, leaving behind a mess. The current Sacred Reign Emperor is still negotiating with the Yan Kingdom; if they are re-granted the title of King, they will likely acknowledge him.