Chapter 21: I Am the City Lord

When the war ended, messengers were dispatched on horseback to bring the news to the city early.

Communication in the desolate city was primitive and limited, relying solely on people to deliver messages. The poverty and weakness of the city were the root cause. Improving communication was one of the tasks Yang Tian needed to address.

The victory in this battle was an occasion for celebration. Upon hearing the news, Chen Qinglin arranged for soldiers to spread the word throughout the city. The townsfolk wept with joy, their despair and worries finally laid to rest.

In most households, the able-bodied men had gone to the battlefield, and everyone had feared that this would demand another great sacrifice, and perhaps the city would not be saved. But the good news arrived before their loved ones returned; the war was already over. It was an overwhelming surprise.

The fact that several hundred wild beasts had been slain was secondary. Survival was their foremost concern. Afterwards came life.

Thus, many citizens gathered on the main road leading to the city lord’s mansion, waiting for the lord and the young men to return.

When they saw the young Yang Tian, the crowd could hardly believe their eyes. His handsome face and tall, slender build made him look every inch a young master from a wealthy family—the youngest city lord in the history of the desolate city.

Fortunately, the war had proven Yang Tian was no mere figurehead. He had given the people a measure of confidence.

“Thank you, city lord!” Some were so moved they could not restrain themselves, calling out their gratitude.

Yang Tian waved his hand. To govern the city well, he needed authority. This attack by wild beasts had yielded excellent results: resources were gained, the city’s situation opened up, and he had earned some prestige among the people.

The townsfolk embraced their returning loved ones, their tears of joy deeply moving.

“Go home now, spread the word. Tomorrow at dawn, gather outside the city lord’s mansion. News will be announced. The spoils of this war, every family will have a share,” Yang Tian declared loudly.

Chen Qinglin and the other officials frowned. The city lord was making an announcement directly; even if benefits were to be distributed, a proper plan should be agreed upon first. But it was too late to intervene, so they could only go back and discuss matters.

The people were elated.

The city lord had spoken publicly; it could not be false. So, with brighter spirits, they returned home.

Some of the young men pulled carts loaded with materials from the wild beasts, delivering them to the city lord’s mansion before leaving.

Yang Tian led Chen Qinglin and a dozen officials back to the office to arrange affairs.

“Master Chen, send word to those merchants: five hundred wild beasts of medium and lower rank for grain, first come, first served.”

Wild beasts were prized not only for their materials. Their meat was highly nutritious, infused with special energy, and was much in demand.

Yet, for the desolate city, distributing meat to the people was less valuable than exchanging it for large quantities of grain to solve the hunger of the impoverished masses.

Moreover, Yang Tian intended to use these resources for greater purposes.

Within the borders of Qin, places with large numbers of wild beasts were rare; usually, only a few could be hunted. Few border cities had dealings with wild beasts. Demand far outstripped supply.

A few dozen, or even a hundred beasts, might not be enough to make merchants cross the desert to the desolate city. But five hundred beasts would certainly lure many traders. Once trade routes reopened, things would become much easier afterwards.

“Very well, city lord,” Chen Qinglin replied.

He then asked tactfully, “City lord, the announcement you made to the people about tomorrow—does it concern resource distribution?”

Yang Tian did not answer directly, instead saying a string of words that caught everyone off guard and struck a chord.

“You all wish to leave this city, don’t you?”

“But for now, you have no means to do so. Unless the court remembers you, perhaps you’ll have a chance to leave; otherwise, here is where you’ll spend your lives.”

“With the current situation at court, you are somewhat aware. How likely do you think it is that you’ll get the opportunity?”

“My circumstances are clear to you. I have no retreat; this city is vital to me. No one will stop me from developing it.”

“Think carefully. Our fates are not so different.”

“Remember this: I am the city lord, the city lord of the desolate city!”

His tone was calm yet unwavering, his gaze serene but profound, sending a chill through the crowd.

They understood he wanted them to declare their stance.

The desolate city was a place apart, and its lord a figure unlike any other.

“Don’t overthink it. I simply wish to develop the city and gain the ability to protect myself,” Yang Tian swept his gaze over them, half-smiling.

How they felt, he could not control.

He dared speak so directly because he had no concerns.

He seemed to say much, but in truth, nothing concrete. Simply asserting sovereignty and making his attitude clear.

He would not tolerate obstruction, though suggestions were welcome.

No one spoke, their expressions complicated.

Yang Tian broke the silence, “Enough, let me explain tomorrow’s announcement—let’s agree on a detailed plan.”

“Master Chen, with this batch of wild beasts, the matter I mentioned yesterday can be carried out…”

A single wild beast weighed at least four or five hundred pounds, sometimes up to a thousand or two.

One pound of the lowest grade beast meat could be traded for at least twenty pounds of coarse rice.

The stronger the beast, the denser its bloodline, the more grain it could be exchanged for.

Feeding the two thousand-plus children aged four to ten in the city would be no burden at all.

What Yang Tian meant by every family having a share was not distributing all the traded grain, nor was it unconditional; everyone would need to work for their portion.

He outlined his vision, a general direction, and left the officials to discuss specific implementation.

After several hours, a rough plan was drawn up.

Tomorrow, it would be announced to the people.

The path of development for the desolate city was about to take its first step.

When Chen Qinglin and the others looked at Yang Tian now, their feelings had shifted.

…

“Uncle Fu, is the list ready?”

Back at the mansion’s rear courtyard, after dinner, Yang Tian asked Wang Fu.

“Young master, it’s ready.” Wang Fu drew a sheet from his sleeve, covered in dozens of names and identities.

Yang Tian studied it; some were familiar, some not.

“Uncle Fu, send word to each of them, saying I wish to borrow money. Set a deadline for replies based on how quickly they can respond. It doesn’t need to be complicated—keep it as simple as possible.”

“Young master, I think it will be hard to borrow anything,” Wang Fu said, surprised and doubtful.

When the Marquis Champion’s estate still stood, borrowing money was easy. Now, few would pay any mind.

Reality is harsh, no matter the world.

“It doesn’t matter, send the messages and see,” Yang Tian remained unmoved, clear-eyed about the situation.

“How much should we ask to borrow?”

“Don’t specify the amount. Ask them how much they’re able to lend.”

“Understood, young master.”

Wang Fu left, puzzled, to carry out the task.

He had some guesses, but could not quite grasp the young master’s intentions.

The young master’s ideas were always unusual, hard for him to anticipate.

Before resting,

Yang Tian checked the state of his mind-sea.

The golden national fortune had increased, probably thanks to the defense of the city, which had averted its destruction and contributed to both the city and the state of Qin.

It was nearly enough to open a new page in the Book of China, but Yang Tian was not in a hurry to spend it, preferring to save up.

Opening multiple pages at once would be much more satisfying.