“Young Master Zhao, welcome back,” Steward Luo greeted with a slight bow. “Have you had dinner?”
Zhao Ming shook his head. “Not yet. I’ll have it in my room.”
Steward Luo nodded. “I’ll have it prepared immediately.” Without another word, he signaled to a nearby servant, who quickly hurried off toward the kitchen.
A short while later, a tray of steaming dishes was brought to Zhao Ming’s room. He ate in silence, his mind replaying the discussions from the meeting at the governor’s office. The situation in Beihai was dire, but it also presented opportunities—if handled correctly.
Just as he finished his meal, a soft knock came at the door.
“Come in,” Zhao Ming called out.
The door slid open, and Murong Xue entered, dressed in a light blue robe, her hair elegantly tied back. She glanced at the empty dishes before sitting down across from him.
“How was the meeting?” she asked, her tone casual yet carrying a hint of curiosity.
Zhao Ming leaned back slightly. “Eventful. Governor Kong is struggling with the influx of refugees, and food supplies are a major concern. They’re considering hunting and possibly raising rabbits and fish to supplement their resources. Patrol duties will also be handled with merchant cooperation. It seems they have no choice but to act fast.”
Murong Xue tapped her fingers lightly on the table. “This could be an opportunity for you,” she said thoughtfully. “The governor took notice of you, and if you play your cards right, you could gain influence in Beihai.”
Zhao Ming smiled faintly. “You make it sound easy. Opportunities also come with risks.”
“Of course,” she said, her tone serious. “Be careful. If you involve yourself too much in politics, you’ll be drawn into conflicts you might not be ready for.”
Zhao Ming nodded. He appreciated her concern, though he had no intention of sitting idly.
After a brief pause, she looked at him. “I assume you’re staying in Beihai for now?”
Zhao Ming nodded. “Yes. There’s a lot happening here, and I want to see where it leads.”
Murong Xue smiled knowingly. “I figured as much.”
“When do you plan to return to Zhou County?” he asked.
“The day after tomorrow,” she replied.
Zhao Ming gave a slight nod. He had expected that, but it still felt like things were moving quickly.
Murong Xue studied him for a moment before changing the topic. “Do you have any plans for tomorrow?”
“Not really,” Zhao Ming admitted.
“Good,” she said with a smile. “Come to the market with me in the afternoon.”
Zhao Ming raised an eyebrow. “The market?”
“Yes, I have a few things to buy before I leave. Consider it a way to unwind after today’s meeting.”
Zhao Ming thought for a moment before nodding. “Alright.”
Murong Xue stood up. “Then it’s settled. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
With that, she turned and left the room, leaving Zhao Ming alone with his thoughts once more.
As the door closed behind Murong Xue, Zhao Ming exhaled softly, leaning back in his chair. The day's discussions had given him much to think about. Just as he was about to clear his table, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
Ding!
[Mission Completed: Ensure Murong Xue’s Safety and Deliver Cargo Successfully]
? Status: Success
? Difficulty Increase: Moderate → High (Factors: Hooded Man’s Intervention & Unexpected Mutiny)
? Reward: Fame +150
A new notification followed.
Additional Reward Available! Choose One:
1. Production Skills – Gain knowledge in brewing alcohol and crafting rouge powder, useful for trade and business.
2. Strategic Insight – Gain knowledge related to governance, trade, and military logistics.
3. Charisma Boost – Improve persuasion skills in negotiations and leadership interactions.
Zhao Ming frowned slightly. The system specifically cited the hooded man and the mutiny as reasons for the difficulty spike. The fact that an unknown figure had interfered meant there were hidden forces at play. He had barely navigated the situation, and now things were only going to get harder.
Still, there was no point in worrying too much about the unknown. He focused on the rewards.
"Production Skills." He made his decision.
Ding!
[Production Skills Selected – Brewing & Rouge Powder Crafting Unlocked]
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
? New Knowledge Acquired: Recipes for basic alcohol brewing and cosmetic powder production.
? Potential Commercial Opportunities: These products are highly valuable among merchants and noble households.
Before he could relax, another notification appeared.
Ding!
[System Upgrade in Progress]
? Due to Host’s Increasing Influence, System is Upgrading...
? Estimated Downtime: 12 Hours
? Some Features May Be Unavailable During This Time
Zhao Ming raised an eyebrow. A system upgrade? That was new.
It seemed his recent actions had triggered something bigger. He had no idea what changes the upgrade would bring, but one thing was certain—he needed to prepare for the challenges ahead.
The morning sun cast a warm glow over Beihai as Zhao Ming arrived at the Murong Trading House. The large, well-maintained building stood proudly along the bustling street, its wooden panels polished to a fine sheen. The scent of ink, parchment, and exotic spices lingered in the air, a testament to the variety of goods flowing through its doors.
As he stepped inside, Shopkeeper Wu, a middle-aged man with a neatly combed beard and a sharp gaze, immediately noticed him.
“Ah, Young Master Zhao,” Shopkeeper Wu greeted with a respectful nod. “What brings you here today?”
“I’m here to see Master Murong,” Zhao Ming replied.
Shopkeeper Wu gave a knowing smile. “Master Murong is at the training ground, overseeing the guards’ exercises. Would you like to wait in the courtyard? The gazebos provide a pleasant spot for tea.”
Zhao Ming nodded in appreciation. “That sounds good.”
Zhao Ming settled into the gazebo in the open courtyard, appreciating the refined atmosphere of the Murong Trading House. The place exuded an air of wealth and prestige, evident in the intricate carvings on the wooden beams and the well-maintained stone pathways. Despite its elegant surroundings, the trading house was anything but quiet.
From where he sat, he could see the bustling courtyard—merchants in heated discussions, laborers carrying heavy crates, and blacksmiths testing metal quality under the watchful eyes of traders. The rhythmic clanging of metal being shaped into weapons rang from a nearby workshop, blending with the neighing of horses in the stables.
A young female servant, dressed in a neat blue robe, approached with a finely crafted tea set. She moved gracefully, bowing politely before placing the tray on the table.
“Young Master Zhao, please enjoy,” she said, her voice soft yet clear.
Zhao Ming watched as she poured the tea with practiced precision, the fragrant steam rising between them. He took the cup and sipped, letting the warmth seep into his hands.
“You seem quite knowledgeable,” Zhao Ming said after a moment, noticing that she hadn’t left immediately. “Tell me, how does the Murong Trading House manage its affairs?”
The servant hesitated briefly before responding, her tone respectful but proud.
“Our main businesses are horses, metalwork, and weapons. The Murong family has long been one of the primary suppliers of warhorses and military equipment in this region. We also deal in other commodities, but these three form the foundation of our trade. Many of the weapons we sell are crafted right here by skilled blacksmiths.”
Zhao Ming glanced toward the workshops, where several smiths were hammering away at unfinished blades. Nearby, a row of sharp-looking spears leaned against a wooden rack, ready for inspection.
“And the horses?” he asked, turning his gaze toward the stables.
“The Murong family owns several breeding farms. We supply warhorses to militias, nobles, and private buyers. Right now, demand has been rising due to unrest in surrounding regions, but with more refugees coming in, the price of feed has increased as well.”
Zhao Ming nodded thoughtfully. War and instability drove up the demand for weapons and horses, but they also threatened supply lines. If the refugee crisis worsened, it could start affecting Murong De’s trade.
“What about the other businesses?” he inquired.
The servant smiled slightly. “We dabble in textiles, grains, and medicinal herbs when opportunities arise, but they aren’t our focus. The Murong name is built on steel and steeds.”
As she finished speaking, a group of guards-in-training jogged past, their armor clanking lightly as they followed an instructor’s orders. Zhao Ming watched them go, his mind turning over the information. With the region in turmoil, the market for weapons and warhorses would only grow—but that also meant an increase in banditry, political conflicts, and opportunistic rivals.
He took another sip of tea, his gaze lingering on the busy trading house. The sound of negotiations, the hammering of steel, and the constant movement of goods all painted a clear picture—this was the beating heart of Beihai’s economy. If Murong De played his cards right, he could gain even greater influence.
This crisis in Beihai wasn’t just a problem for the refugees—it was an opportunity for those who could navigate it wisely.
Setting his cup down, Zhao Ming exhaled slowly. It was time to speak with Murong De.
Murong De approached, dressed in light training armor. He wiped his forehead with a cloth and took a seat across from Zhao Ming.
“I hope you didn’t have to wait long,” Murong De said, pouring himself a cup of tea.
“Not at all,” Zhao Ming replied. “I see you’ve been busy.”
“A merchant’s wealth is meaningless without the means to protect it,” Murong De said with a chuckle. “But enough about training. What brings you here?”
Zhao Ming leaned forward slightly. “You once told me that connections are vital in this world. I’ve been thinking—I should start visiting other trading houses to establish relationships.”
Murong De grinned. “Good. You’re beginning to understand how things work. Even though we Murongs are well-established, it never hurts to have more allies. I can introduce you to a few key figures if needed.”
Zhao Ming nodded but then shifted the conversation. “That aside, I wanted to talk about Beihai’s situation. Yesterday’s meeting with Governor Kong confirmed my concerns. Things won’t get better anytime soon.”
Murong De’s expression turned serious. “I expected as much.”
“We need to prepare,” Zhao Ming continued. “With this many refugees, food will become an issue. But I’m also wondering—where exactly are all these people coming from? The increase is too sudden.”
Murong De stroked his beard in thought. “You suspect something unusual?”
“It’s possible. If nearby cities like Langya or Donglai are experiencing problems, we need to know why. If it’s bandits, warlords, or even natural disasters, it could affect Beihai next.”
Murong De tapped the table. “You’re suggesting we send someone to investigate.”
Zhao Ming nodded. “Yes. If we understand the cause, we can better prepare. At the very least, we need to know if Beihai will be the next city overrun.”
Murong De took a deep breath. “I’ll see what I can arrange. We have some contacts in those cities. If something is happening, we’ll find out.”
Zhao Ming felt a sense of relief. At least they weren’t sitting idle.
For now, they could only wait for more information.
As Zhao Ming finished his conversation with Murong De, he heard the familiar sound of light footsteps approaching. Turning his head, he saw Murong Xue, dressed in a flowing pale-blue robe, standing at the edge of the courtyard with her arms crossed.
“Have you finished talking?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Zhao Ming nodded and stood up, brushing off his sleeves. “Just about.”
Murong Xue glanced at Murong De, who had just finished wiping sweat from his brow after their discussion.
“It’s time to go,” she said, her tone neutral but expectant.
Murong De smirked, crossing his arms. “Good, good. It’s always nice to see a young couple spending time together.”
Murong Xue frowned, a slight blush touching her cheeks. “Uncle, don’t start.”
Murong De only chuckled, waving them off. “Go on, then. Enjoy your time in the city—Beihai has much to offer if you know where to look.”
Zhao Ming gave a polite nod, while Murong Xue huffed, but didn’t argue.
As they stepped out of Murong Trading House, the lively streets of Beihai stretched before them—a city of opportunity, challenge, and hidden dangers. Today, however, was not a day for schemes or battles.
For now, it was simply a day to explore.
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