Throughout history's wise and virtuous emperors, when it comes to enabling their subjects to generate wealth, if Emperor Hongshi were willing to take the second place, no other ruler would dare claim the first.
What was truly remarkable was that Emperor Hongshi did not enrich his subjects at the expense of the state or the people's interests. Even years later, regardless of the roles played in this grand human comedy—even those who indirectly or directly suffered—would speak of these events with great interest.
— From "Emperors Through the Ages: Emperor Hongshi"
After resolving both internal and external conflicts, the Count began implementing an operational plan for His Majesty the King. Simultaneously, the small mercenary group officially relocated its headquarters to the imperial capital, Scambre City, and established a special auction event at the Treehouse Tavern, commencing every Monday afternoon.
Years later, wealthy merchants of Scambre City fondly recalled the bustling scenes: dignitaries and merchants from across the nation crowded below, while a solemn auctioneer repeatedly struck the gavel, selling special items related to the vital affairs of one's descendants.
During that era in the imperial capital, greetings among the wealthy had evolved into:
"Did you bid today?""What flavor was today's dragon whisker porridge?""To maintain kidney health, one must have the Red Stone xx."
Of course, secrets eventually leak. Though Count Chi tightly controlled the military power of the capital, he couldn't ensure absolute confidentiality. Until one day, six months later, a marquis in the palace discussed grand plans for the empire with Emperor Hongshi. As he left, the marquis carefully picked up several strands of hair from the floor, winding them around his middle finger—an act that did not escape Emperor Hongshi's notice.
Upon discovering the cause of the situation, Emperor Hongshi was filled with deep self-reproach: Why had he trusted the Count's smiles? Why hadn't he further analyzed the recent peace and quiet in the realm? Even as an emperor, one cannot guarantee freedom from mistakes. He immediately summoned the Count to report.
In fact, Count Chi, who had just returned from the Treehouse Tavern auction to the duke's residence, was already prepared with a set of plausible explanations.
According to a few palace insiders who subtly hinted at the event afterwards, the confrontation was initiated by Count Chi. The Emperor, who had intended to hold him accountable, found himself overwhelmed and ultimately had to concede.
To save face for the Emperor, the attendants only vaguely recounted the key points. Count Chi began by discussing his defense of the frontier and the many comrades who died in battle. He then mentioned his involvement with the small mercenary group. Just as Emperor Hongshi was about to inquire about the dragon whisker porridge, Count Chi shifted the topic to the difficult lives of war widows and orphans beyond the Ice Fortress.
If Emperor Hongshi were not a sage king, he might not have been moved by Count Chi's compassionate words. Yet, Emperor Hongshi was not only wise but also possessed a benevolent heart, willing to take responsibility for not fulfilling his imperial duties. Anyone who made these cumulative mistakes before Count Chi could not blame him for taking advantage.
Count Chi spoke righteously about the small mercenary group taking in 374 families of fallen soldiers at the Ice Fortress, including 102 elderly and 458 women under 36, totaling 946 people. With a basic living expense of 4 gold coins per person per month, they needed 4,000 gold coins monthly and 40,000 annually.
Truthfully, Emperor Hongshi, secluded in the palace, had no understanding of civilian prices. Whether it truly required 4 gold coins per person monthly to support 1,000 people wholesale at the Ice Fortress, he would never have known that a single strand of his hair was worth enough to support 20 people.
In such a situation, where the power dynamics were so uneven, there was no room for negotiation. The final outcome was that, according to imperial management of mercenary groups, any group with over 200 official mercenaries could manage a small village; groups over 1,000 could manage certain towns. Fifty percent of the tax revenue from managed towns would go directly to the small mercenary group, which would also have rights to local business and trade. Emperor Hongshi agreed to trade the management of a town in exchange for the freedom to lose his hair and change his undergarments freely. Count Chi chose Xilin Island.
In subsequent discussions with Amy, Chi Hanfeng revealed three reasons for choosing Xilin Island: 1) Amy's grandfather had suggested that a fierce condor along the empire's coast could serve as a mount for swordsmen, and Chi Hanfeng was concerned about Amy not having a mount; 2) While Xilin Island appeared small, its rich fishing grounds could turn it into a coastal gem with great appreciation potential if trade routes were established; 3) The island's secluded nature meant few would disturb it, allowing one to reign as a local ruler.
Although Amy regretted not being able to gain greater profits through auctions, she understood the importance of sustainability. Moreover, managing Xilin would allow them to relocate the orphans and widows from the Ice Fortress, as Xilin's humid air was far better than the harsh climate of the frozen lands. Thus, she happily agreed.
Coincidentally, at this time, Barbas led a group of 20 newly 16-year-old youths from the small mercenary group to the duke's residence.
In the past year, the small mercenary group at the Ice Fortress took in youths aged 456 and around that age. Initially, Barbas managed alone, but later Long also left military service to assist, using Amy's substantial funds to hire two elders from the Holy Court and a wandering mage to educate these orphans.
The education method was simple, following the model Chi Hanfeng used for Amy and the Great Green Mountain. Mornings began with running—wearing minimal clothing—followed by chopping wood. Afternoons were divided into training for swordsmen, mages, priests, and more.
After a year, the small mercenary group, aside from its rogue leaders and commanders outside, finally had its first official mercenary team at the Ice Fortress branch, comprising 170 youths over 16. With such a large scale, nearby villages began seeking protection, willing to pay a small fee for the group's presence to guard against wild beast attacks.
Faced with the dilemma of dwindling resources, Barbas eagerly accepted the business opportunity despite the large discrepancy between the offered price and the A-level mercenary group rate. He entrusted the matter to Long and personally led 20 proud disciples to showcase their results to the group leader.
At this point, the task of receiving Xilin fell to Amy. Initially intending to go with the Great Green Mountain, Chi Aotian, and Horns, she was stopped by Count Chi, who believed only Amy was needed for this trip, while others should use the time for diligent practice. Thus, Amy took a few orphans of her father's war comrades to Xilin.
The challenges of the Xilin journey were apparent from the start. Not allowing Chi Aotian and the Great Green Mountain to accompany her was already telling. Bringing a dragon would immediately attract attention, and if Chi Aotian revealed his surname, everything would be exposed. Typically, a member from the imperial department would accompany, but not this time. The seal used was not Count Chi's official seal, but a personal one.
Of course, Amy didn't notice these details. As a young mercenary king, she was exceptionally adaptable, able to achieve her goals in any environment. Even as two individuals watched her depart, murmuring about plots and schemes.
"This will be another challenge for him. Won't the general at Lion's River capture him?" one person stroked his beard, speaking with sly intentions like a weasel wishing a chicken a happy new year.
"No worries, do you believe he'll suffer a loss?" another young man said. "Being young is great; you can try and fail countless times without ever worrying about losing your goal."
"Indeed, indeed, they're like chicks just about to hatch from their eggshells. We mustn't help them break the shell, or they'll surely die."
"Exactly, like winter wheat sprouting in autumn, you mustn't let it grow unchecked. You must even press it down with a roller to kill the premature green sprouts, allowing the roots below to grow stronger."
The two exchanged a glance, each seeing the fox-like grin on the other's face.
Amy had little concept of money, and with her finances recently flush, she bought gifts for her brothers whenever she saw something nice. By the time they reached Xilin, she had spent over 120 of the 200 gold coins she brought. These young mercenaries, who had endured hardship after losing their fathers, had their needs wholly compensated by this elder brother. Before reaching Xilin, they already had new clothes and even replaced their swords with brand-new great swords. If not for Amy's continued focus on early morning training and basic swordsmanship exercises, she would have been the perfect elder brother.
Viscount Fan's refusal was met with calmness from Amy, who, like her brothers, returned to Scambre with a tourist's mindset. Upon meeting Count Chi, she casually remarked, "It was quite a trip. The general said we should discuss it further. Uncle Chi, let's continue the auctions and perhaps promote it as the last one to get a good price." She then took her brothers to spar with Chi Aotian and the others.
What followed was predictable. After three consecutive "final edition Red Stone auctions," orchestrated by Count Chi to build momentum, Emperor Hongshi had no choice but to intervene. Learning that a minor general over a small Xilin forced some of his secrets into public scrutiny, his wounded feelings were understandable. Of course, with Emperor Hongshi's wisdom, he wouldn't dismiss a general over personal matters but would use entirely normal methods to prompt the military to issue a severe order.
One night, when a marquis serving as deputy minister of military affairs, driven by royal command, arrived at the General's mansion in Lion's River after five consecutive days of travel, it became clear he was not pleased. While unable to explain the full circumstances to Viscount Fan, the marquis's grim expression signaled an impending storm. He simply stated, "By order of His Majesty and the military, you are to immediately request the small mercenary group to manage Xilin. From now on, measure your efficiency in minutes." With that, the marquis retreated to rest at lodgings prepared for high-ranking officials.
When Viscount Fan personally led a team to the capital, only then did he receive firsthand information about the small mercenary group. Whether it was the Holy Dragon Knight, the Undead Dragon Knight, or the Red Stone Underpants incident, it chilled him to the core. Discovering that the prestigious Chi family was a major shareholder in the group and that they were behind the incident, he realized the gravity of his mistake. Recalling the scholarly young man with a slight smile, he now understood its formidable power.
Later, the methods Viscount Fan used to invite Amy's group back to Xilin remained unknown, as both sides concealed the process. When nobles visited Viscount Fan's home and witnessed a family of dozens subsisting on porridge, with salted vegetables rationed per person, they were astonished. While rumors circulated about Amy using the Chi family's influence to assert dominance, stories from the Kingdom of Hamy grew. Learning that counts and marquises, even noble Dragon Knights, were reduced to porridge by Amy, they reassessed his prowess.
In the second month of the winter of Magic Year 3, after much polite refusal and countless visits by Viscount Fan, the small mercenary group finally relocated to Xilin Town. From this day, Xilin gradually became the most renowned city in the history of Magic Year.