Half an hour later.

Council Hall.

Lin Feng sat upright in the primary seat, with the others lined up on both sides. Zhang Ping stood in the center of the hall, holding a stack of newly organized papers.

"Lord, the statistics are out." Zhang Ping's voice carried a hint of excitement. "This Refugee summoning totaled one thousand one hundred people."

"Among them—"

"Able-bodied men: six hundred."

"Women: four hundred."

"Elderly and children: one hundred."

A chorus of suppressed gasps echoed through the hall.

Tie Dun slapped his thigh. "One thousand one hundred people! Adding our original five hundred seventy-five, that's one thousand six hundred seventy-five! We're only three hundred and some away from two thousand!"

Zhao Hu's eyes shone. "Just one more time and the population will be enough!"

Lin Feng was equally surprised and delighted in his heart, but his face remained steady. He looked at Zhang Ping. "What about the life-professionals?"

Zhang Ping paused, the excitement on his face receding slightly. "This... Lord, there is only one life-professional."

He led someone out from the crowd.

It was a dark-skinned, stockily built middle-aged man wearing worn-out coarse cloth short garments. His hands were rough, and black stains that wouldn't wash off remained under his fingernails.

He stood in the center of the hall somewhat awkwardly, head bowed, not daring to look at anyone.

"What is your name?" Lin Feng asked.

The man knelt on the ground with a thud. "Rep... Replying to the Lord, this lowly one is Zhao Liu."

"What is your specialty?"

"This lowly one... this lowly one used to work in the mines. I can mine and I can identify ore veins."

Zhao Liu's voice trembled slightly. "Copper, iron, tin—I can identify them all roughly. I also know some simple ore refining..."

A miner.

Lin Feng's heart stirred. He was just looking for copper and tin mines when a miner arrived. Although only a beginner, he was usable.

Lin Feng raised his hand to signal him to rise. "Stand up. Beacon Fire Town needs talent like you. In the future, you will oversee the matters of the mines."

Zhao Liu kowtowed repeatedly before being helped up and retreating to the side.

Lin Feng looked at Zhang Ping. "Arrange for people to settle the Refugees. The six hundred able-bodied men are to be incorporated into the labor teams first to repair houses and reclaim farmland."

Allocate the women, elderly, and children according to need. Try to keep those with families together. Whatever resources are needed, report them directly."

"Yes, Lord." Zhang Ping bowed and withdrew.

...

Fifteen minutes later, the Council Hall became quiet again.

Lin Feng sat in the primary seat. Below him were Zhao Hu, Tie Dun, Wang Wu, Arrow Eye, Su Yu Rou, Shadow Snake, Scarface Liu, A Wang, and the newly joined Zhao Liu.

Zhang Ping had also returned and stood to the side.

Lin Feng's gaze swept over everyone as he spoke slowly, "I called everyone here today for a serious matter."

"Copper and tin mines."

He looked at Zhao «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» Hu. "Old Zhao, you've been in this area the longest. Where are there copper or tin mines nearby?"

Zhao Hu scratched his head. "Lord, this... I really don't know. Heitie Town has a large iron mine; back then, all the ironware in Qingshi County came from there. But copper and tin... I've never heard of them."

Lin Feng frowned slightly. "Heitie Town only has iron mines?"

"Yes." Zhao Hu nodded with certainty. "Heitie Town was named because of its iron mines. I've truly never heard of copper or tin mines."

Lin Feng grumbled inwardly: Heitie Town, Heitie Town—it really only has iron mines.

He was about to ask further when Wang Wu suddenly spoke up.

"Lord, I know of a place."

Lin Feng looked at him.

Wang Wu took a step forward with a solemn expression. "Thirty miles to the west, there is an open-pit mining area. There is both copper and tin there."

Lin Feng's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Absolutely." Wang Wu nodded. "Back when I was in Qingshi County, I went there once with the county's exploration team."

The ore veins are exposed on the surface. The greenish copper rust and the grayish-black cassiterite are mixed together; you can tell at a glance. The quality is also quite good."

Lin Feng was overjoyed and was about to speak when he saw Wang Wu's expression turn somewhat complicated.

"However, Lord..." Wang Wu paused. "That mine has an owner."

"An owner?" Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Sakura Country, Baigui County."

The atmosphere in the hall instantly grew heavy.

Wang Wu explained slowly, "Back then, Qingshi County and Baigui County discovered that mine almost at the same time."

According to the international lord convention, both sides sent representatives to duel, and the winner obtained ownership of the mining area. Qingshi County won, so the mine belonged to us."

"But..." He gave a bitter laugh. "Qingshi County has been destroyed for a year. Whether that mine has been reclaimed by Baigui County, I do not know."

Lin Feng was silent for a moment, then asked, "What is the international lord convention?"

Wang Wu shook his head. "I'm not too clear on the specifics. I only know it's because the greatest threat to Blue Star is the Nightmare World. Territories aren't just a lord's private matter; they are closely related to the general public. So there are some agreements between the lords of various countries."

"For example, the fifteen miles surrounding a county-level territory is its exclusive economic zone, which other territories cannot occupy for any reason. For town-level, it's ten miles."

"For resource points outside this range that both sides want, the ownership is decided through a duel."

"There are many other clauses, like rules for wars between lords... I don't understand those very well."

He looked at Lin Feng and said sincerely, "Lord, you had better return to Blue Star and find someone who knows the trade to ask properly."

These clauses are very complex; if things aren't handled right, it could cause big trouble."

Lin Feng nodded thoughtfully.

He thought of Lin Xiaoyu. The Rongcheng Nightmare Affairs Bureau should have the full text of the international lord convention.

"Understood." He looked at everyone and began to deploy tasks.

"Zhao Hu."

"Present!"

"Pick a few sharp brothers and head to that mining area thirty miles to the west to check the situation. Don't get close; just observe from a distance to see if it's occupied by people from Baigui County, if there's a garrison, and if there are signs of mining."

"Understood!" Zhao Hu took the order.

Lin Feng looked at Zhao Liu.

"Zhao Liu, you've just arrived, and I shouldn't send you on a mission immediately. But the matter of the mine cannot wait."

He paused and pointed to the area around Beacon Fire Town on the map. "Take a few people and scout within ten miles of Beacon Fire Town. See if there are any other sources of copper or tin. I don't ask for much; as long as there is something, it will be a great service."

Zhao Liu bowed quickly. "This lowly one will certainly do my best!"

Lin Feng finally looked at Zhang Ping.

"Zhang Ping."

"Present."

"From today on, you are the Internal Affairs Officer of Beacon Fire Town."

Lin Feng's voice was solemn. "Managing commerce, reclaiming fields, settling livelihoods, allocating resources... you are fully responsible for all internal affairs. If you need manpower, pick them yourself. If you need resources, report to me."

Zhang Ping was slightly stunned, then his eyes reddened as he bowed deeply. "For the Lord's trust, Zhang Ping will surely give his all!"

Lin Feng nodded, stood up, and his gaze swept over the crowd.

"The tasks have been assigned. I am returning to Blue Star to handle some matters. The tasks for the others will be arranged when I return."

He looked at Zhao Hu and Shadow Snake. "While I am away, the security of the territory is in your hands."

Zhao Hu patted his chest. "Rest assured, Lord. As long as Old Zhao is here, the territory is safe!"

Shadow Snake nodded slightly from the corner.

Lin Feng said no more, turning to head up to the second floor.

...

Pushing open the door, he walked to the center of the room and sat cross-legged.

His consciousness communicated with the Lord's Authority, locating Blue Star.

The Wildfire Spear by the bed also quietly vanished along with him.

...

Blue Star, Rongcheng.

Lords Home, Villa No. 7.

Lin Feng opened his eyes, the sunlight outside the window bright enough to be somewhat blinding.

He stood up, stretched his muscles, took out his communicator, found Lin Xiaoyu's number, and dialed it.

It was picked up almost instantly.

"Lord Lin! You've returned to Blue Star?!" Lin Xiaoyu's voice was as crisp as ever, but held a bit more urgency than usual.

"Director Chen asked me to tell you that he has important matters to discuss with you. He wants you to come to the Administration Bureau as soon as possible!"

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow.

Important matters?

It seemed he wasn't the only one wanting to ask about the convention.

"Alright," he said. "I'm coming over now."