Minister Huo's removal stabilized the council—for now.
But Liang Chen knew better than to mistake silence for loyalty.
Fear could suppress opposition, yes… but it couldn't build a kingdom.
Only structure could do that.
And structure began with resources.
The system interface flickered into existence as he reviewed the county's economic data early the next morning.
Food Production: 63% Capacity
Infrastructure Integrity: 48%
Tax Collection Efficiency: 39%
Trade Route Security: 52%
Liang frowned.
Shattered County wasn't poor because it lacked resources.
It was poor because it lacked organization.
[New Mission Available: Establish Sustainable Economic Framework.]
Objectives:
Repair primary roads
Standardize grain storage
Implement tiered taxation system
Secure trade routes
Reward:
Resource Management Level 2
Population Productivity +10%
Accepted.
By midday, Liang had summoned the remaining council members, along with village heads and quartermasters from all seven settlements within the county.
A large map was unrolled across the war table.
"This," Liang began, pointing toward the winding dirt roads connecting the villages, "is our greatest weakness."
Village Head Ren frowned. "Our militia numbers are low, Your Grace. Surely that is—"
"Militia are useless if they can't reach where they're needed."
Silence followed.
"If raiders strike the southern farms," Liang continued, "it takes nearly five hours for reinforcements from the central barracks to arrive. By then, the damage is done."
Captain Wei nodded slowly.
"So we build faster roads?" one council member asked.
"No," Liang said. "We build stronger ones."
The system projected an infrastructure overlay across the map.
Stone-paved supply routes.
Reinforced bridges across irrigation channels.
Watchtowers at key intersections.
Estimated Construction Time: 18 days
Projected Militia Response Improvement: +37%
Cost: Significant.
But necessary.
"Second," Liang continued, "grain storage."
Reports showed that nearly 22% of all harvested grain was lost annually due to spoilage or vermin.
Farmers stored surplus individually—meaning raids, fires, or simple decay could devastate entire villages.
"We will construct centralized storage facilities in each settlement," Liang said. "Guarded. Ventilated. Recorded."
A murmur spread through the room.
"You would take the farmers' grain?" someone asked.
"I would protect it."
[Policy Decision: Centralized Grain Reserve.]
Predicted Outcomes:
Food Security +18%
Population Trust +9%
Risk of Initial Resistance: Moderate
Liang approved it anyway.
Short-term resistance was better than long-term starvation.
Finally—
Taxes.
This was where rulers were made or destroyed.
Shattered County currently used a flat collection system—each village provided equal portions regardless of productivity.
Which meant struggling villages suffered…
And prosperous ones hid surplus.
"We will implement a tiered taxation system based on yield," Liang said.
The room erupted.
"That's unfair!"
"You'll encourage dishonesty!"
"The villages will revolt!"
Liang raised a hand.
"If a farmer produces more, they contribute more—but they also receive greater militia protection and trade priority."
Silence returned.
Incentive.
Not punishment.
[Policy Decision: Tiered Taxation System.]
Economic Output Projection: +21%
Risk of Corruption: Slightly Increased
Unlock Condition Met.
The system chimed.
[Skill Unlocked: Resource Management Level 2.]
Effects:
Construction Efficiency +15%
Supply Chain Stability +10%
Liang allowed himself a small smile.
Progress.
Over the next week, construction began across the county.
Road crews worked from dawn until dusk.
Stone was hauled from nearby quarries.
Militia rotated guard shifts along trade routes.
Central storage facilities rose slowly in each village—simple but effective.
And then—
The caravans arrived.
Merchants from neighboring territories, long wary of Shattered County's instability, began testing the newly secured trade roads.
Livestock.
Iron tools.
Salt.
Every successful trade increased morale.
Every safe journey built trust.
By the tenth day, the system updated again.
Food Production: 78%
Infrastructure Integrity: 61%
Tax Collection Efficiency: 57%
Trade Route Security: 73%
Population Morale: +12%
But peace never lasted long.
That evening—
Captain Wei entered the war room, helmet tucked under his arm.
"Your Grace," he said quietly, "a diplomatic envoy has arrived at the eastern gate."
Liang looked up.
"From where?"
Wei hesitated.
"The Blackthorn Territory."
The system immediately responded.
[External Political Entity Detected.]
Threat Assessment: Unknown
Possible Intent:
Diplomatic Negotiation
Trade Agreement
Territorial Claim
Probability of Hidden Agenda: 64%
Liang's expression hardened.
Raiders were predictable.
Politics was not.
"Prepare the council chamber," he said.
"If our neighbors wish to talk… we will listen."
Outside, beyond the reinforced gates of Shattered County—
New players had entered the game.
And they weren't here to raid.