Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1303: Chapter 427: Purpose of the Hongmen Martial Arts Competition, Advancement of the Sect Festival Day

The ninth year of Great Xia, May 30th

At night, the Hongmen Government Building was brightly lit.

In the top hall, Lin Kai sat at the main seat.

Below sat seven people: Li Longkai from the Camp Supply and Military Equipment, Liu Yuan the Commander of the Military Department, Zhao Bao the Chief of Punishment from the Prison Department, Ying Yi the Civil Affairs Director, Yuan Shan from the Hunting Bureau, Chen Hua from the Logging Department, and Craftsman Kong Xiu from the Artisan Department.

“The martial arts competition will officially begin tomorrow, let’s discuss the final preparations tonight. Director Ying, please update us on the preparations for the competition!”

There was a look of anticipation on Lin Kai’s face. He had been tirelessly preparing for this competition for half a year, visiting various towns three or four times, and now it was finally about to bear fruit. Naturally, he was very excited.

The core purpose of this grand event is to accelerate the three-town consolidation proposed by the lord last year. The speculations from outside about recruiting talents, showcasing the strength of the youth, displaying the splendor of Great Xia, all those are secondary.

What Lin Kai was most concerned about now was how many young people from the Eight Towns were attracted to the competition and the overall population situation in the city, so his first inquiry was directed towards the Civil Affairs Department.

“The registration for the martial arts competition officially stopped at midnight as planned. There are a total of 115,285 contestants, including 45,413 in the teenage group aged 15 to 20, and 69,872 in the youth group aged 20 to 25;

Among these 110,000 people, the highest proportion comes from our own people, nearly 40,000; Jiangxia and Muyin’s two towns are slightly less, adding up to about 35,000 people; the remaining 40,000 plus mostly comes from the other Six Towns, with a very small number from the Outer Realm.”

“Over 110,000, Wow…”

“So many!”

“How many young people are there in the Eight Towns?”

“Wouldn’t that be nearly half?”

……

Upon hearing the total number of contestants from Ying Yi, Liu Yuan and the other six couldn’t help but exclaim. Even Kong Xiu couldn’t help but speculate that nearly half of the young people from the Eight Towns had come.

Hearing Kong Xiu’s words, everyone immediately lowered their heads to ponder but quickly shook their heads, denying his speculation.

The total population of the Nine Towns is at least over 15 million. According to the normal age structure of the camp, the young people aged 15 to 25 should be at least at the million level. 115,000 is likely less than one-tenth.

“If half of the young people from the Nine Towns had come, that would definitely not be possible. But if we change the statement to say that more than half of the young elites from the Nine Towns have come, then there’s no problem!”

Upon hearing Lin Kai’s words, everyone’s eyes immediately brightened.

Indeed!

The Three-Town Martial Arts Competition this year, although apart from age, there were no other restrictions on the participants, it was ultimately a selection test. Those who come to Hongmen from far away to participate must have some confidence in themselves. Saying that these 110,000 plus people are the elites of the Nine Towns certainly has no issue.

Lin Kai’s gaze then shifted back to Ying Yi and continued to ask: “This is just the participants. The overall population growth in the city over the past two months should be even better, right?”

Hearing this question, Ying Yi’s expression slightly relaxed, and he nodded emphatically: “With the consecutive breakthroughs of the cases in March – Decapitation in Series, Snow Night Butchery, and Daytime Breach – the population growth trend in the city has revitalized, surpassing 350,000 by the end of March. After the martial arts competition announcement was made in early April, the population growth trend became even more exaggerated—13,000 people came in April alone, and even more exaggerated in May, with 19,000 people coming. Currently, our Hongmen population has exceeded 670,000.”

670,000!

Wow……

As soon as Ying Yi mentioned this figure, the six people in the hall, including Lin Kai at the top, couldn’t help but shiver, full of excitement on their faces.

This is almost catching up with the population of a town!

“No wonder even North City became crowded these days; how the population silently grew to this extent is really frightening.”

“No wonder Director Mu rushed from Xia City three days ago to start planning the city’s expansion. 670,000 people, tsk tsk, with just the current 25 square kilometers, it’s surely not enough to accommodate so many people!”

“Our Artisan Department has been busy demolishing and rebuilding suitable residential buildings in the east and west districts of South City, trying to free up some living space. I had a sense that the population would soar, but I thought at most 500,000, didn’t expect it to be 670,000, it’s indeed startling!”

………

“Lord Li, how’s the revenue of the Camp Supply Department for the past two months?”

With a different concern from others, Lin Kai immediately turned his attention to Li Longkai upon hearing the 670,000 number, inquiring about the revenue of the Camp Supply Department.

“31,580,000 taels in April, 48,210,000 taels in May!”

Upon hearing Li Longkai’s data, Lin Kai’s face showed no sign of surprise.

The population boom has led to a surge in trade volume, which is inevitable.

Moreover, Hongmen’s means of profit comes not only from trade. The outsiders’ needs for food, clothing, and shelter in the city aren’t free. Although this part of the income is not as much as trade, with a larger population base, it’s equally a remarkably considerable income.

If he remembers correctly, Hongmen’s profit in March was 16,820,000 taels, meaning April saw a doubling, and May a tripling in profit.

“Although this round of population boom is due to the martial arts competition, how many can be retained afterward will depend on our capability.

Lord Kong, the city is indeed overcrowded now, the city expansion work must be accelerated and ideally completed within this month;

Additionally, the Prison Department must maintain good public order in the city. Any deceitful monster causing trouble must be reported immediately and dealt with as quickly as possible. Safety is the foremost principle to retain the population;