In fact, Shangguan Jin and Doctor Fan often come to Linghe City, but Ouyang Zhen doesn't know that when Song Xia occasionally comes out of seclusion, he will go to Shangguan Jin to discuss the city's construction and development, and also give Doctor Fan some guidance on how to extract medicinal herbs.
She had collected a lot of medical information from around the world. Since Doctor Fan was so passionate about it, she simply selected some professors suitable for this world to teach him. It was a kind of salvation for this world. Doctor Fan was overjoyed and wished he could stay in Linghe City forever.
If it weren't for the fact that there are many herbs that Linghe City doesn't have, and that Song Xia often goes into seclusion, he would have actually settled here.
With the help of Wuhua Tower, Linghe City developed very rapidly. The most obvious feature was the increase in the number of merchants coming and going, and many refugees also migrated here after hearing about the prosperity of Linghe City.
To settle these refugees, Song Ling and Song Lang ordered the construction of several more towns outside the city. Of course, the houses were not provided for them to live in for free, nor was the land provided for them to cultivate for free. Everything they needed to eat, drink, live, and travel for had to be earned through labor.
Even though their daily labor only earned them simple meals and coarse clothes, it was a pleasant surprise for the numb refugees. They treasured it like a precious gem. Even the children worked hard, wielding hoes, carrying loads, and cutting down trees, not allowing themselves to stop, for fear of being driven out of Linghe City.
Ouyang Feng, Ouyang Feng and Yin Shihuai would inspect the city when they were not practicing martial arts. When they saw such a scene, they all fell silent.
Song Ling accompanied them and explained: "Don't look at how hard they work. This job is something that migrants outside would beg for. At least Linghe City guarantees their safety, provides them with food, and houses to keep them warm."
"Master Uncle, are there people outside who are living even more difficult lives than them?" Ouyang Wan couldn't even imagine that the world outside was really this chaotic.
"Of course, it's even more chaotic than you can imagine. Don't listen to those storytellers who talk about the chivalrous life of the martial arts world. That's the life of the rich and powerful. Ordinary people don't have it that easy."
"Don't the righteous people care?"
"How do you manage it? Take Linghe City, for example. It's only after my junior sister took over the city's affairs that it has developed so well and been able to protect so many people. Most sects only have their disciples living well. Even so, the sects still have to collect protection fees from nearby towns."
As she spoke, Song Ling scoffed, "Martial arts practitioners often fight. If a fight between disciples within the same sect damages houses or property, the sect will provide compensation. However, if disciples from other sects fight, the common people usually have to accept their bad luck and bear the losses themselves."
Ouyang Feng and the others fell silent. If this were the case, could they still be called a prestigious and righteous sect?
"However, you shouldn't be too pessimistic. The people around forces like Wuhualou and Zizaimen are living quite well. As long as they don't provoke martial artists, they can live peacefully."
"Then why are there still so many refugees?"
"Have you forgotten the imperial court? Forgot the cult? In recent years, treacherous officials have been in power, and exorbitant taxes have increased dramatically. People can't afford to pay taxes, so they have to sell their fields, their land, their children. When they have nothing left to sell, they naturally become vagrants. The cult has also brainwashed people severely. Only when they lose everything do they realize it was all a scam."
"So no one resisted?"
"How can we resist? What can we use to resist?"
Why can't we all unite as one?
"Unity?" Song Ling sighed heavily. "Ordinary people have neither the ability nor the will to resist. If martial artists unite, it can be effective, but martial artists all like freedom and laxity. Who can lead them? Only Linghe City treats ordinary people like this."
After listening, Ouyang Feng, Ouyang Wan, and Yin Shihuai remained silent for a long time, without uttering a single word.
"Alright." Song Ling patted their heads. "I'm not saying all this to discourage you, but to make you face reality. The world of martial arts isn't as good as you imagine."
Ouyang Wan looked bewildered: "If practicing martial arts can't change anything, then what's the point of us working so hard every day?"
"It's just that others can't change it. Maybe you are the generation that will break this opportunity? Never give up hope. Look, they are already struggling so much, but they are still trying to live. Only by living can we wait for the light. Someone will break the current situation. Someone will be able to make sure that everyone in the world has enough to eat and wear."
Ouyang Wan's eyes lit up: "Then he must be a true hero."
"There are no distinctions between great and small heroes. As long as one does their best, that is chivalry. Don't you think your master's wife is a great heroine?"
"Of course not," the three retorted in unison.
"My teacher's wife is the best. She gives everyone a goal to strive for."
Song Ling sighed, "Yes, Junior Sister has managed to make Linghe City a peaceful and prosperous place. You all need to grow up quickly to help your Master's wife. Once Linghe City's reputation spreads, even more people will come to seek refuge there. That will be the most difficult time."
Is it because there are too many people and not enough land and houses?
“There is plenty of wasteland outside Linghe City that can be cultivated, and plenty of trees that can be used to build houses. There are people who can’t stand to see Linghe City continue to develop like this.”
Ouyang Wan snorted, "Is it a cult trying to cause trouble? How could they be so evil!"
Song Ling remained silent. This is more than just a cult!
Ouyang Feng and Yin Shihuai sensed something and tightened their grip on their swords.
Every time they returned from inspecting the city, the three of them would work even harder, which Song Xia found quite amusing.
Besides the three of them, she recently selected some orphans from the newly arrived refugees to teach martial arts. Those with names and surnames used their original names and surnames, while those without changed their surnames to Song, following her lead.
The discovery of these people's names caused a controversy within the valley, because in Ouyang Feng's generation, almost everyone followed Ouyang Zhen's surname, Ouyang, but now they all have the surname Song. Is this an indication that Linghe Valley is being restored to the rule of the Song family?
In order to seize the position of martial arts leader at the martial arts conference a year later, Ouyang Zhen secluded himself almost every day and stopped caring about the affairs of the valley. As a result, even his most loyal disciples could not report the changes in Linghe Valley to him.
Perhaps he wouldn't care even if he knew. After all, in his view, once he wins the position of leader of the martial arts alliance, what is there that he can't control? What would Song Xia's actions matter then?
Song Xia scoffed at this. She liked opponents who underestimated her, because that way, her opponent would never know how long she had been preparing or how many trump cards she had accumulated.
She despised Ouyang Zhen, an arrogant ruler who had forgotten his original intentions after sitting in a high position for too long. She would make Ouyang Zhen remember this lesson.
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