Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1282: Chapter 421:

……

Ministry Building Top Floor.

Lin Kai had already taken the main seat, and as Zhao and Li conveyed his orders, Civil Affairs Director Ying Yi, Hunting Bureau Mountain Yu Yuan Shan, Logging Department Medicine Lord Chen Hua, Artisan Department Craftsman Kong Xiu, and Cloud Dragon Army Commander and Hongmen Military Department Commander Liu Yuan quickly arrived.

The seven chief officers, along with Guardian Lin Kai of the Garrison Department, formed the core management team of Hongmen City.

“Everyone, please sit!”

Having served as Hongmen Guardian for more than half a year, and with his strength growing stronger, Lin Kai had developed some aura of authority. Seeing the seven people gathered, he wasted no words and gestured for them to be seated before directly asking: “Director Ying, what is the population situation in the city?”

Ying Yi’s expression was somewhat heavy as he said: “Reporting to the lord, it’s not very optimistic. At the beginning of the year, the total population in the city was already close to 300,000. Today is February 19th, and the current total population is just over 320,000.”

Nearly two months, yet only an increase of 20,000?

Not only Lin Kai, but the other people also frowned heavily upon hearing this.

An increase of 20,000 sounds good.

But what is Hongmen City?

It’s arguably the busiest place in the Moao Southern Slope right now, except for the Eight Towns.

Before Hongmen opened in July last year, only people from Great Xia were in the city, including the stationed troops, the total population was just over 30,000; but with the construction of Treasure Tower and Great Xia’s official opening announcement, Hongmen’s population skyrocketed almost every month.

Before the Hongmen Battle on September 18th last year, the city’s total population was already close to 150,000;

The Hongmen Battle, Xia Hong defeated the number one of Nine Towns Yang Zhun, pressuring Six Towns, and thoroughly established Great Xia’s dominance over Moao Southern Slope… As these news spread across Eight Towns, the popularity of Hongmen soared to new heights.

In the following three months, people came to Hongmen endlessly. In just three months, by the beginning of the year, the city’s total population was close to 300,000.

That is to say, it increased by 50,000 each month.

But nearly two months have passed since the beginning of the year, and yet only an increase of 20,000, even considering the total population of Eight Towns, the population growth rate shouldn’t slow down abruptly like this.

“The reason?”

“This…”

Upon hearing Lin Kai’s question, Ying Yi instinctively glanced at Zhao Bao.

“Speak frankly, the development of Hongmen affects the lord’s plans. If there’s a problem, even if the lord doesn’t address it, the Minister will certainly inquire. What are you worried about, even fearing the Minister’s blame?”

Hearing this, Ying Yi immediately regained his composure and saluted, saying: “The main issue is the decrease in mobile population. In these past two months, deceitful monsters are rampant in the city with consecutive murders, and the news has gradually spread. People are saying Hongmen is not safe, and many are unwilling to stay here.”

Among these, some willing to join Great Xia obtained a road permit and immediately headed to Xia City; others finished their dealings and left, unwilling to linger; a very few have even sold their properties and fled after settling in the city.”

At this moment, the six people present all focused their gaze on Zhao Bao.

Feeling their gaze, Zhao Bao was extremely uneasy, intending to open his mouth to express regret, but before he could, Lin Kai spoke first.

“How is the income from the Hongmen Supply Department recently?”

Li Longkai had just returned from Muyin, but before coming to the main hall, he had visited the Supply Department once, so upon hearing the question, he immediately saluted and replied: “In the last two months of last year, the Supply Department’s monthly income was 12.59 million taels and 16.42 million taels respectively; in January this year, the income was 17.21 million taels, and this month is not over yet, but the estimated income is about 17.92 million taels.”

No surprise!

After hearing this, Lin Kai shook his head, showing no sign of surprise.

In July last year, Great Xia opened targeting all individuals from Eight Towns while mass transactions with the eight townships were still adhering to previous rules, concentrated in September and October each year.

This couldn’t be helped. The unequal transactions with Eight Towns were essentially plunder. Great Xia would like to plunder all silver from Eight Towns, but the production capacity is far from sufficient for this.

Especially with the recent population surge, resources are gradually becoming tight, so it’s impossible to endlessly supply outward. Such large transactions lasting two months each year is quite good, wanting it to last throughout the year is impossible.

Therefore, excluding the mass trade in September and October, the normal income of Hongmen Supply Department relies on daily trade, which all depends on people to complete. Slower population growth naturally leads to slower income growth.

“How about the Logging Department and Hunting Bureau?”

“Recently, the outskirts aren’t peaceful either. After the new year, the Logging Department has had a total of 17 people murdered outside the city. The Prison Department has investigated, three are missing with suspended cases; five confirmed killed by humans, three killers caught and executed, two are under investigation; the remaining nine victims were all linked to deceitful monsters.”

“My Hunting Bureau faced even more casualties, a total of 21 people murdered since the new year. Classic Prison Department investigations show six missing with suspended cases; nine confirmed killed by humans, seven killers caught, two are under investigation; the remaining six victims are linked to deceitful monsters.”

After hearing responses from Yuan Shan and Chen Hua, Lin Kai’s originally tense face slightly relaxed.

From the case-solving perspective, the Prison Department has actually done considerable work, only dealing with these deceitful monsters, they are indeed helpless.