In Taicang, Taihe Hall.
Ji Xia sat upright on the throne, and a group of ministers stood orderly in the hall, bowing their heads, listening to the words of the ruler of Taicang.
"I have been in seclusion for nearly a month and have finally made some progress. In the near future, I should be able to enter the realm of Divine Power and live up to the reputation of the Ji family," the ruler said.
Ji Xia's expression remained calm as he sat, his hair tied in a crown, dressed in a silver robe embroidered with intricate patterns. He slowly spoke.
"We, the ministers, congratulate the ruler and Taicang!"
The ministers all knelt, their voices thunderous, echoing throughout the Taihe Hall. Their expressions revealed genuine joy.
The value of a powerful practitioner of Divine Power was unimaginable, and if this practitioner were their ruler, it could not be any better.
"Ministers, you should have already seen the summons regarding the migration of the Jian Gu Mountain human race to Taicang. What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to share them."
The Duke of Tai City, Rong Lou, stepped forward, bowed to Ji Xia, and said respectfully, "Taicang has now resolved the food issue. If we can have tens of thousands of humans migrate here, this is certainly a good thing."
Lu Yu, the chief minister, added, "Indeed, it is a great thing. However, tens of thousands of humans is no small number. They are expected to arrive in two days. The key issue we should discuss today is how to accommodate them."
Rong Lou thought for a moment and said, "It would be difficult to build many houses in the short term. Perhaps we can disperse them, with half residing in Tai City and the other half in Cang City?"
Ji Xia, sitting at the top, shook his head. "No, this Jian Gu Mountain human race is skilled in forging spiritual machines. I plan to settle them in Tai City and establish a Spiritual Machine Bureau so that they can fully utilize their abilities. Taicang will greatly benefit from this."
The head of the Ministry of Crafts, Lu An, showed great excitement and stepped forward, saying, "I have read many records about spiritual machines in ancient texts but never had the chance to see them. If the Jian Gu people can bring this ancient craft to Taicang, it will surely be of immense benefit."
Ji Xia glanced at Lu An and smiled. "Once the Spiritual Machine Bureau is established, aren't you afraid your Ministry of Crafts will no longer have a place?"
Lu An, hearing Ji Xia's words, bowed and said, "Craftsmanship and spiritual machine techniques are not in conflict. Once we conquer Zhou Qing, the northern mountain ranges of Zhou Qing will produce many ores, and perhaps even some spiritual gold."
"I have already made plans. When that time comes, our Ministry of Crafts will fully transform. We will no longer focus solely on architecture but will develop civil machinery. If the ruler agrees, the Ministry of Crafts will establish a Weaponry Institute to research weapons and enhance the strength of our military."
Currently, Taicang's development was somewhat lopsided due to the availability of Pulse Crystal Stones and the Wuliang Treasure Vase. The people were likely able to be fed, and the military strength had greatly improved.
However, the Taicang military still lacked decent armor. Even the standard weapons of the soldiers were of poor quality. When the soldiers were weak, the weapons were still usable. Now that most of them had reached the fifth or near sixth layer of power, these weapons were inadequate.
During training, it was common for long spears to snap or swords to lose their sharpness.
Ji Xia returned yesterday and had summoned many high-ranking officials that night to learn of the existing issues in Taicang.
"Lu An's suggestion is very good," Ji Xia nodded in approval, speaking in a calm tone. "I have already ordered General Ji to return and sweep away the remaining forces of Zhou Qing. In about seven days, Zhou Qing will be in our grasp, and then we can organize the people of Taicang to begin mining ores."
The officials were in an uproar.
This matter had not been discussed with them yet, and now Ji Xia casually brought it up in the court, leaving them surprised. After all, Zhou Qing had been an enemy of Taicang for two hundred years.
Shouldn't the destruction of such a kingdom be a matter for discussion in court, with ministers offering their opinions, followed by formal orders, troop deployment, and the proper rituals?
How could such a huge matter be treated as simply sending the army out for a routine mission?
"What's all the noise about?"
Ji Xia glared at the chaotic court and scolded, "It's just a dying monkey. Does Taicang really need to expend so much effort on it?"
"After Zhou Qing suffered the Heavenly Punishment, the country was thrown into chaos. Its strength is so weak that even the three neighboring insect races could destroy it!"
A government official hesitated. "But Zhou Qing still has a Divine Power practitioner. If we completely ignore them, perhaps..."
"Perhaps what?" General Meng Yan stepped forward, speaking sharply. "You don't understand the situation. Do you know how strong the Silver Guards of Taicang are now?"
"Let me tell you this—whether it's one or three Divine Power practitioners, they won't stand a chance against the Silver Guards!"
The civil official retreated, feeling humiliated.
"Let's get back to the topic," Ji Xia said. "Ministers, do you have any good suggestions for settling the Jian Gu people?"
The Duke of Tai City, Rong Lou, thought for a moment and said, "I believe these Jian Gu people have just experienced great terror from foreign races and lost their ancestral homes. They must have many fears and anxieties. Therefore, I think it would be best for them to live together, which would help them feel secure."
Meng Yan seemed to have thought of something and stepped forward. "I still have many old military tents in the Cang Guard's warehouse. Originally, the new tents were for the Cang Guards, but after the Starfall, they were given to the Cang Guard troops. As a result, we have many leftover old tents."
"However, it would be difficult to accommodate ten thousand people. We can only fit six thousand at most."
Ji Xia thought for a moment and spoke. "Then let's have the Silver Guards and the Cang Guard soldiers who have reached the sixth level temporarily give up some tents. Their strength is formidable, and although it's cold this season, they can endure it."
"The Silver Guards and Cang Guards who donate their tents will each receive ten days' worth of food, and they will also be allowed to take home a jug of Tai Lai spiritual water for their personal use. Additionally, they will be given a day's leave."
Meng Yan, hearing the generous compensation, smiled even more broadly. He thought to himself, "This isn't compensation—it's clearly a reward. It's so generous that those Cang Guard soldiers who haven't reached the sixth level will surely be envious."
Ji Xia continued, "When the Jian Gu people arrive, let them set up camp by the Hai Xiu River. Starting today, a decree will be issued to encourage the people of Taicang to help build houses for them in the empty areas of the city. The Tai City and Ministry of Crafts will oversee the arrangements."
"Those who participate in the labor will receive an extra day's ration of food."
"All departments of Taicang must work quickly to accelerate the progress of the house construction."
"The Ministry of Crafts will be responsible for the core techniques, while the people will handle the simpler tasks. The Cang Guard will be in charge of gathering materials, chopping wood, and transporting. We don't need to worry about using too much wood; once Zhou Qing is destroyed, we can gather wood from the scattered forests in Zhou Qing's territory."
Ji Xia issued a series of orders, and the ministers bowed in response.
Ji Xia then muttered to himself, "Now that Taicang has sufficient food, the palace's rationing system must be gradually reformed. Otherwise, it will lead to great disasters."
"Also, although we have countless spirit crystals and the Wuliang Treasure Vase, we cannot neglect the grain fields outside the city. We must exchange for spirit rice seeds and continue planting."
"After all, the rice produced by the Wuliang Treasure Vase is just ordinary food. It can provide energy to fill the stomachs of the people, but it cannot quickly enhance the strength of Taicang!"