Chapter 14: Inspection and Planning

The second day.

Yang Tian, accompanied by two household generals and a squad of soldiers, surveyed the entirety of the Desolate City.

Radiating outward from the City Lord’s Manor, more than ten thousand households were scattered about. Yet, the area actually in use was less than a tenth of the city’s planned expanse; the rest lay abandoned and empty.

The land beneath Desolate City had been transformed from a region half-green, half-desert, with poor soil yielding meager harvests of sorghum and wheat. The crops suffered frequent pest infestations, further lowering yields.

Across the Nine Continents, agricultural tools were primitive and development lagged; manual labor was the norm, making population size especially critical.

Yang Tian did not know the specifics of crafting efficient farming implements. For now, he could only plan to gather clever and skilled craftsmen in the future, giving them rough descriptions so they might experiment and innovate.

“Why are most of the doors here shut tight? Why are there so few children playing outside, all staying indoors?” Yang Tian noticed a pressing issue and questioned the soldiers.

Upon reaching the outskirts where the residents lived, he saw every household’s doors closed. Elderly, women, and children peered out from windows. It was a stark contrast to his previous observations, where at least the streets bustled with movement and children played in groups, their laughter echoing.

Here, the atmosphere was cold and gloomy.

A soldier sighed as he explained, “Lord City Master, after years of savage beast attacks, some managed to slip inside undetected and breed generation after generation. Though the beasts weaken over time, the abandoned areas are still infested, especially on the outskirts. With our limited manpower, we can’t clear them all or guard the city day and night. The people must fend for themselves. When adults go out to work, they lock their children indoors to prevent them from being devoured.”

They frequently received reports of wild beasts harming people and livestock. But with only two hundred soldiers stationed in the city, there was no way to properly defend such a vast abandoned area; beasts hid too easily.

Yang Tian could not blame anyone. No one was at fault. The unique circumstances of Desolate City left everyone powerless.

Life was already hard enough, and now they could not even move about freely.

Yang Tian’s heart ached.

These people were his subjects now.

More importantly, the children—those who should have been innocent and carefree—were locked indoors all day, their spirits suppressed, their eyes devoid of light. It was unbearably bleak.

In any world, children are the hope of the future.

In Desolate City, this was even more true.

With such a sparse population, the chance of nurturing talent was exceedingly rare.

If the children’s vitality was stifled, they would grow up to be nothing more than ordinary laborers, mere cannon fodder.

With this thought, Yang Tian made a decision.

Desolate City was in shambles; it would have to be rebuilt step by step.

He had not known where to begin, but now he did.

“Let’s return,” Yang Tian said.

There was no need to continue the inspection; he had seen enough.

Back at the City Lord’s Manor, he immediately summoned the city guard commander, Chen Qinglin.

He asked directly, “Lord Chen, how many minors are there in the city?”

On the Nine Continents, sixteen was the age of majority.

Yang Tian himself had just come of age.

Chen Qinglin was perplexed, unsure what Yang Tian intended, but after a moment’s thought replied, “City Master, there are over seven thousand.”

Yang Tian pondered for a few seconds, then ordered, “Sort out how many children are between four and ten years old. Quickly.”

He did not require an immediate answer; there had been no prior count. If Chen Qinglin could answer instantly, it would be uncanny.

“Yes, City Master. I’ll tally it at once,” Chen Qinglin replied, asking no further questions. Yang Tian would surely explain his intentions in time.

Orders from the City Master were never taken lightly.

Fortunately, with a small population and meticulous records, the work was not arduous. A dozen officials quickly completed the tally.

Chen Qinglin entered the room, where he found another present: Wang Fu, the City Lord’s steward. He nodded to him and reported the numbers, though they were not entirely exact.

“City Master, there are roughly two thousand three hundred children who meet your criteria.”

Yang Tian nodded.

Though the number seemed considerable, it was paltry for a city of this size.

“Uncle Fu, how long will the rations we brought last if we feed these two thousand children?”

Yang Tian had just explained the situation to Wang Fu.

Wang Fu, of course, supported him unconditionally, even though this was not a lasting solution.

“Master, at basic consumption, it should last about half a year,” Wang Fu estimated.

Yang Tian was dissatisfied. “Only half a year? That’s not much.”

Chen Qinglin was stunned.

So this was the City Master’s plan for the children.

Rations for over two thousand for half a year—where had he found such resources?

The Marquis’s estate had been confiscated; even so, the Yang family should not have such wealth.

More importantly, the City Master was astonishingly generous.

Chen Qinglin admired him, but doubted the lasting impact.

“City Master, do you mean to support all these children yourself? It’s not necessary; though conditions are harsh, most can still get a meal. Only orphans or the poorest families need assistance,” he suggested.

“Children are the future,” Yang Tian replied, offering little explanation.

He spoke sincerely.

It was not simply charity or idle generosity.

His intention was to use the children as the starting point for a gradual transformation of Desolate City.

Without investment, there could be no harvest.

Chen Qinglin asked no further, and withdrew.

He understood that the City Master and his steward had matters to discuss.

“Uncle Fu, help me organize a list of those previously connected with the Yang family. I’ll need it.”

Half a year’s rations was not enough; he would have to find another way.

He had already gained much on the journey here.

But Desolate City was a bottomless pit. It would require constant investment, especially in the beginning.

Bandit suppression and wealth confiscation would not work here.

Business channels were nonexistent for now.

That left borrowing money as the only option.

Given the Yang family’s current situation, it was uncertain who would be willing to lend.

Yang Tian wanted to try.

He would not only borrow, but also see people’s true colors.

As the saying goes, if you want to know whether someone is a true friend, ask to borrow money.

He might end up with no friends at all.

Yang Tian did not mind testing their hearts.

If they were not true friends, why keep them? Better to sever ties.

“Yes, Master,” Wang Fu answered.

He was growing more decisive, carrying out orders without unnecessary questions.

He was genuinely curious about the workings of the young master’s mind; his ideas were always unique and hard to predict.

Wang Fu left, and Yang Tian was alone in the room.

With no entertainment, he could only sit and ponder quietly.

There were so many areas that demanded effort; he had to rack his brains.

He had never managed anything before, let alone a city.

Even if Desolate City was desolate, with only forty thousand people, its situation was dire—beset by internal and external troubles.

Yang Tian regarded Desolate City as his domain; he could not manage it carelessly.

He did not know how much time passed before a soldier knocked urgently at the door.

“City Master, smoke signals have risen from the outer city—savage beasts are attacking!”

“Saddle the horses.”