Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1221 - 408: The Elderly Li Tiancheng, a Powerful Foundation, Drunkard’s Hidden Intentions, Merger of Three Towns_5

At the start of this month, the residents of Bashang started their migration. Though Xiang Fuhai felt resistant inside, he had no choice but to bow to reality. Moments ago, he stood up first to pay respects to Xia Hong, calling him Lord right away, which clearly showed his acceptance.

'Excellent, with your commitments, I feel relieved. The Hongmen City event serves more as a correction than just a warning to the Six Towns. It's meant to demonstrate to those troublemakers in the Six Towns and to remind our Great Xia citizens of our nation's power after six years. So, tell me, have I failed any of you?'

Failed?

Disappointment was impossible!

Xia Hong had just overcome Yang Zhun, called forth twelve Beast Kings, and daunted the leaders of the Six Towns. That spectacle remained vividly etched in all their memories.

'Long live the Lord, long live Great Xia!'

Xia Chuan led the way, kneeling first and replying to Xia Hong with those exact eight words.

'Long live the Lord, long live Great Xia!'

Right after, the whole group knelt together, their voices uniting in the chant.

The lively and passionate vibe in the hall reached even the two young ones, Xia Yuyao and Xia Yusheng, cradled by Xia Hong.

'Long live Daddy, long live Great Xia!'

They gazed up at their father with looks brimming with awe and respect. Xia Yuyao balled her small hand into a fist and joined in the call.

Sadly, her timing was off a little.

As the echoes in the hall died down, that's when she let her voice ring out.

Thus, her bright and sharp cry resounded across the vast chamber.

'Hahahahaha......'

'Hahaha...'

'The older one is clever, picking the right moment to chime in.'

'Hahaha...'

......

Laughter burst through the entire hall at once, and Xia Hong laughed along. Even Li Xuanling, always the most disciplined toward the pair, found it hard to keep a straight face.

'Very well, now that Hongmen is settled, the Eight Departments can get back to work. All outposts, garrisons, and Defenders, along with every department, military unit, and Hunting Team, should head to their posts. Operations return to routine. Xia Chuan, you and the Eight Departments Director will oversee these details.'

'As commanded!'

Xia Chuan stepped forward promptly alongside the Eight Departments Director, kneeling to accept the directive.

Xia Hong wouldn't interfere in these particulars any further. After briefing Xia Chuan, he shifted his gaze to Murong Chui and Xiahou Zhang on his left, smiling as he cupped his hands and spoke, 'I extend my deepest thanks to the two lords for supporting Hongmen.'

'Lord Xia Hong, you flatter me. Xiahou Zhang contributed nothing, so how could I claim to have helped Hongmen? I cannot accept such praise.'

'Great Xia possesses such might; an elder like me isn't needed for assistance!'

Both Xiahou Zhang and Murong Chui cupped their hands back right away, their expressions showing clear frustration.

'Your presence itself is the greatest help. Truthfully, without you two, I wouldn't know how to maintain ties with Jiangxia and Muyin.'

At Xia Hong's words laced with deeper meaning, Murong Chui and Xiahou Zhang felt a sudden chill in their hearts, yet a trace of gratitude flickered in their eyes too.

From the earlier day's events, had they not arrived or sided with the other Six Towns, things might have turned dire for them.

'I know you both aim to restore Muyin and Jiangxia, but Muyin sits too near the Northern Three Towns, its resource zones frequently raided; Jiangxia suffered heavy losses from the Dajue Temple clash and still struggles, with scant ability to gather supplies. I offer a solution to ease these troubles for your towns—interested in learning more?'

At that, Xiahou Zhang and Murong Chui showed a flash of caution, but after a brief pause, they nodded and cupped their hands toward Xia Hong, 'We'd like to know!'

'Unite the three towns, share resources— from now on, folks from your two towns can hunt across all Great Xia lands, buy or trade goods at any Camp Supply Department or even the headquarters in Great Xia, and perhaps enlist in our Great Xia Hunting Team.

Naturally, in return, our Camp's Hunting Team gains equal access, and Muyin and Jiangxia's resource zones open to Great Xia members at the same time...'

'That's impossible!'

'Lord Xia Hong...'

'You two, hold steady and let me complete my thought.'

Xiahou Zhang and Murong Chui reacted with alarm before Xia Hong ended. Noting their defiant looks, Xia Hong remained unperturbed.

Given Muyin and Jiangxia's present power, this wasn't mutual sharing but rather one-sided access by Great Xia to their zones, since they could barely manage their own territories, much less venture into Great Xia for hunts.

'I recognize the hardships your towns face, so I won't take advantage. Thus, for shared zones, any Great Xia hunters or gatherers there must hand over ten percent of their yield to your towns. Fair?'

This proposal lit up expressions of interest on Xiahou Zhang and Murong Chui's faces.

'Ten percent seems skimpy, Lord Xia Hong— Muyin's hunting grounds have shrunk so much under Wuchuan's pressure, our plight is severe.'

'Yes, Lord Xia Hong, perhaps raise it a touch? You understand Jiangxia's state: the camp's Cold Resistance barely hits two thousand, and Hunting Teams are nearly gone...'

Their negotiation skills signaled real potential!

'Fine, as you're engaged, Xia Chuan and Qiu Peng will negotiate the terms with you!'

Xia Hong left no room for Xiahou Zhang and Murong Chui to back out, then rose holding the two children. Li Xuanling stood up alongside him without delay.

'Well, I have matters to handle— carry on with the talks.'

The group hadn't anticipated Xia Hong's quick departure, so they all bowed deeply, 'We bid farewell to the Lord, the Lady, and the two Princes!'