Things Have Changed

The man looked to be in his early thirties, with delicate features and refined manners. The moment he saw Xu Wuyi descend, he hurried forward and gave a respectful bow.

"Grandmaster Xu, I am Chen Yan, Vice Minister of Rites of Great Liang. By order of the Council Chairman, I have come to receive you. The Chairman has prepared a banquet in the palace to welcome you."

Xu Wuyi nodded and followed him into a carriage. The carriage interior was simply furnished but clean, and the seats were padded, making them fairly comfortable.

The carriage headed toward the capital along the official road, its wheels rumbling over the bluestone pavement.

Xu Wuyi lifted the curtain and glanced outside. Most of the farmland on either side of the road had been abandoned. Now and then, he could see a few farmers working in the fields, but they were listless, as though merely going through the motions.

Chen Yan sat opposite him. Noticing Xu Wuyi's gaze, he showed a somewhat embarrassed expression. In a low voice, he said, "Please forgive the sight, Grandmaster Xu. Since the Goatfolk invasion, large numbers of people from the three border provinces have fled inland. Quite a few refugees have also arrived near the capital."

"The Chairman is trying to resettle them, but we lack both manpower and supplies. There is no way to resolve it quickly."

Xu Wuyi said nothing, merely nodding. He could tell that Great Liang's situation was even worse than Qin Qinghe had described.

The wounds of the civil war had yet to heal, and the threat of foreign enemies was already pressing close. The entire nation was like a ship riddled with holes, liable to sink at any moment.

When the carriage entered the capital, the streets looked even more desolate than