Ever since making peace with the Heavenly Kingdom, Huo Shan had become so stable that it hardly seemed to be in an age of chaos.
Even the refugees who had fled here had begun expanding outward from Huo Shan, reclaiming every patch of cultivable land in the surrounding area. They planned to replant some wheat and hopefully harvest at least something.
In truth, Huo Shan did not have enough food. Even though the grain piled up in the mountains was said to be enough for a year, that did not mean everyone could eat their fill. It only meant that the soldiers under his command could maintain their combat strength, while the common people would not starve to death or cause trouble.
Now that another ten thousand or so refugees had arrived, food, salt, and other basic necessities were all in demand.
Of course, no place had common folk who could eat their fill these days. By comparison, the people of Huo Shan were the ones truly living in a heavenly kingdom...
Fortunately, Wang Yan's escort agency had now become the undisputed best in the land. No one dared make trouble for the Shunfeng Escort Agency. Whether it was Heavenly Kingdom territory, Manchu Qing territory, or the turf of other rebel forces, bandits, and local tyrants, anyone who dared rob Shunfeng Escort Agency goods would face a devastating blow.
These groups that made their fortunes through highway robbery could not withstand the assault of a thousand-man force that had received professional military training, had organized leadership, and was armed with advanced firearms.
If any force could withstand such a blow, it would not need to stoop to highway robbery. There were plenty of faster ways to make money. And such forces generally ought to cooperate with the Shunfeng Escort Agency,