Chapter 1018: Chapter 1018: Refugees Chapter 1018: Chapter 1018: Refugees After seizing the West Sea Prefecture, Wang Chen did not pursue further territorial expansion, seemingly content with the holdings of two prefectures.

He began to invest effort and resources in managing the West Sea Prefecture.

The West Sea Prefecture, as the largest of Great Liang, boasted vast territories, abundant resources, and a population several times that of Hanhai Prefecture, with a much better natural environment, lush with fertile lands.

However, limited by the population size and the vision of decision-makers, the true potential of this prefecture had never been fully tapped.

Now, Wang Chen considered the West Sea Prefecture as the foundation of his empire!

Due to Great Yan’s major setback at Hanhai Pass, there was no longer a possibility of their invading this formidable pass, so Wang Chen transferred 30,000 troops of the Hanhai Army into the West Sea.

Princess Qingyun’s carriage also returned to the prefectural city of the West Sea Prefecture.

As for the newly-formed Firearm guards, Wang Chen left only 3,000 troops in Hanhai City to aid the Hanhai Army in guarding the pass.

Also left behind were fifty City Defense Cannons.

As for Shangguan Wuji, Wang Chen had him temporarily stay at Hanhai Pass to prevent any sudden emergencies.

Meanwhile, Wang Chen himself prepared to fully exert his influence in the West Sea Prefecture.

Unexpectedly, an old acquaintance suddenly visited, disrupting his plans.

“Minister Wang, it’s been a long time.”

This visitor was the True Disciple of the Rain Flower Sword Sect, the roving swordsman–Qin Qingxuan!

Inside the Prefectural Government, this stunning beauty smiled warmly, just as she did when they first met.

Yet in less than a year, the world had changed dramatically.

In his heart, Wang Chen sighed, “Miss Qin, have you been well?”

In this world, he had made very few friends, and Qin Qingxuan was one of them.

“Eh?”

Wang Chen suddenly sensed something was amiss, and his gaze shifted to the woman following behind Qin Qingxuan.

The woman had an unfamiliar face, dressed as a maid; initially, he did not pay attention, thinking she was a companion of Qin Qingxuan.

But this maid looked at Wang Chen with eyes full of intense emotion.

It was a gaze he knew all too well!

“Xi Yun!”

Wang Chen was a remarkable man, and with a quick thought, he instantly recognized her identity.

“My lord!”

Xi Yun, clearly having altered her appearance, was now in tears, immediately throwing herself into Wang Chen’s embrace, her delicate body trembling.

Holding this beautiful woman, Wang Chen’s heart swelled with joy.

Previously, after taking over Hanhai City, Wang Chen had selected a group of elite troops from the Feathered Forest Guard and sent them to Daye to find Xi Yun.

But there had been no news until now.

Unexpectedly, today she was brought to the West Sea Prefectural City by Qin Qingxuan!

Wang Chen felt deeply moved and sincerely said to Qin Qingxuan, “Miss Qin, thank you!”

Qin Qingxuan smiled lightly, “It was just a small effort, Minister Wang, no need to be so courteous.”

She spoke modestly, but in reality, Xi Yun’s rescue was also due to a great deal of luck.

When King Jing rebelled, the Imperial Capital was in chaos, and Wang Chen’s residence was threatened, though fortunately, it was without peril.

However, after King Jing ascended the throne, the situation did not improve but became even more dangerous.

Because people had set their sights on Wang Residence.

At that time, only a few ordinary servants were in Wang Chen’s household, with very weak defensive capabilities; previously the protection of the Blood Cloak Guard meant there was nothing to worry about, but now, preoccupied with their own affairs, how could the Blood Cloak Guard possibly take care of Xi Yun?

Fortunately, before the worst situation arose, Qin Qingxuan appeared at Wang Chen’s home.

She discussed with Xi Yun, then dismissed all the household’s servants and maids, and brought Xi Yun to the border prefectures to look for Wang Chen.

Over this journey of thousands of miles, numerous dangers were encountered.

Fortunately, Qin Qingxuan was strong enough to protect Xi Yun.

After listening to Xi Yun’s story, Wang Chen immediately said to Qin Qingxuan, “Miss Qin, I owe you a favor for this. If you need any help in the future, just ask!”

Qin Qingxuan smiled modestly, “Minister Wang, you are too kind.”

After pausing, she continued, “I came to West Sea not only to escort sister Xi Yun, but also to seek your help with a matter of great importance.”

Wang Chen nodded, “Please speak.”

Since he had acknowledged the favor, he definitely meant what he said.

However, the matter Qin Qingxuan mentioned was far beyond Wang Chen’s expectation.

It turned out that after Emperor Yuanjing signed the alliance treaty with Great Qi, he ceded three northern prefectures. Not only did he abandon a vast territory, he also abandoned the people who had lived there generation after generation.

The Noble Clans and Rich Families had received the news early, and had prepared in advance. Some chose to ally with Great Qi, others moved their whole families southward. Though their losses were great, they were still able to preserve their vitality.

But the ordinary civilians suffered greatly.

Countless people from the three prefectures, unwilling to be ruled by Great Qi, abandoned their homes and lands and fled south.

With a total population of over ten million in the northern prefectures, even if only one-third chose to flee, it would still create a huge impact on Great Liang.

Currently, millions of refugees were heading south, and the situation was extremely dire.

Initially, Emperor Yuanjing had ordered the passageway to be closed to block these refugees outside the fortresses, leaving them to fend for themselves.

But the general guarding the pass, unable to bear it emotionally, opened the city gates and allowed the refugees in, which resulted in the neighboring prefectures, unable to bear the burden, having to send soldiers to force the refugees to keep moving south.

After hearing Qin Qingxuan’s explanation, Wang Chen pondered for a moment and asked, “What do you hope I can do?”

“The suffering of the people is the declination of a nation.”

Qin Qingxuan sighed softly and said, “I hope you can convince Princess Qingyun to give refuge to some of the refugees in West Sea to settle down.”

Give refuge to the refugees?

Something stirred in Wang Chen’s mind.

For the current West Sea Prefecture, a large influx of refugees was like a double-edged sword.

On the positive side, the influx of refugees would greatly increase the population size of West Sea Prefecture, providing more soldiers for the New Hanhai Army.

West Sea Prefecture had vast lands, abundant with fields for farming and grazing, capable of accommodating millions of refugees.

The issue was that attracting these refugees required a massive amount of resources.

Food, fabric, salt, housing…

The thought alone was daunting; where could West Sea Prefecture find such abundant resources to spare at the moment!

Most critically, given the current domestic situation in Great Liang, it was very difficult to make purchases from abroad.

“I know this is not easy…”
Qin Qingxuan apologetically said, “It’s also a huge trouble, but I am willing to mobilize all connections and resources of the Rain Flower Sword Sect to help settle these refugees in West Sea Prefecture.”

“Expending all of the Rain Flower Sword Sect’s resources, willingly!”

Her sincere words greatly moved Wang Chen.

Wang Chen thought for a moment and said, “This matter is of great importance. I need to discuss it with Her Highness and General Shangguan before making a decision. I ask for your understanding, Miss Qin.”

“Of course.”

Qin Qingxuan gladly said, “I would very much like to meet Her Highness. Would you be able to introduce me, Minister Wang?”

“No problem.”

Wang Chen decisively replied, “I will take you to see Her Highness now.”

Originally, Xi Yun’s safe return should have been joyously celebrated, but faced with the weight of national affairs, matters of personal emotion had to be set aside for now.

——-
Second update delivered.