Xing listened to the reports being sent in from the 6 empires and frowned deeply. Her little demonstration 50 years ago was still working but only in the major cities.
The outlying villagers and even some trading caravans had sharply decreased in that time. The effects were not felt yet but even the new Emperors were expressing concern at the loss of slaves, manpower, and general cultivation resources.
The mines and farms were still mostly worked by commoners. Herb gardens in some areas too used slaves to keep their secrets but the high consumption rate of the elites had begun to show issues when there was not as much quality product to choose from.
Xing was further irritated because now she was blind to that area of the Hinterlands entirely. It grew every year but she could do nothing to stop it!
The stifling walls of the Core Hall were becoming more and more restrictive to her!
