Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The promulgation of the patent order was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples of innovation among the artisan class.

Meanwhile, on the border of the Cold Abyss, an even more surging tide of people is pouring in day and night.

They were ragged, emaciated, and had families to support, yet their eyes burned with a desire to survive—these were the refugees.

The wars in the Central Plains, the oppressive policies in Jiangnan, and the conflicts on the grasslands were like invisible whips, driving tens of thousands of people away from their homes.

The reputation of Hanyuan as a place where "there is land to cultivate, food to eat, work to do, and laws to follow" had already spread far and wide with the sound of camel bells from caravans.

Like moths drawn to a flame, the refugees, disregarding their own lives, converged on this only hopeful land in the North.

However, the rapid influx of population presents both an opportunity and a huge challenge.

If not properly resettled, the refugees will become a source of bandits, plagues, and unrest, consuming the prosperity of the Cold Abyss.

If properly placed, they will be the most valuable labor force, the most loyal subjects, and the most valiant warriors.

Xiao Chen was well aware of the implications.

Therefore, when the wave of migrants first appeared, he ordered the establishment of a special Naturalization Office under the Civil Affairs Department, which was responsible for all matters related to the reception, screening, registration, resettlement, and training of migrants, so as to transform this surging tide of people into the foundation of the nation in an orderly, efficient, and safe manner.

In the past, migrants entering the country often wandered aimlessly, which could easily cause chaos.

After the establishment of the Naturalization Office, the first thing it did was to set up refugee reception points in border passes and transportation hubs.

Soup porridge sheds were set up, providing hot porridge and pickled vegetables twice a day, morning and evening. The porridge was so thick that chopsticks could stand upright in it, ensuring that the refugees could survive, not just hang themselves.

Medical tents were set up, and medical officers and apprentices dispatched by Huimin Pharmacy conducted preliminary physical examinations on the refugees, isolated patients with infectious diseases, and distributed medicinal soups to prevent epidemics.

A registration office was set up to conduct preliminary screening and registration of the migrants. Their names, places of origin, ages, genders, family members, and skills were all recorded. Each person was issued a temporary wooden identification tag as proof of temporary residence and receipt of porridge.

"Survive first, then register, then settle down."

This is the ironclad rule of the Naturalization Department.

The refugees had expected to be driven away, whipped, or even killed, but to their surprise, they were given hot porridge, medical care, and people who inquired about their well-being. They were all moved to tears, and cries of "Your Highness is merciful!" echoed throughout the reception point.

After registration, the process was not simply a matter of dividing the land among the displaced people; rather, the displaced people were categorized and resettled based on their skills and wishes.

Those with farming experience were given priority to be assigned to the land reclamation teams and sent to military garrisons or newly reclaimed areas. They were allocated land based on their population and were allowed to borrow oxen, farm tools, and seeds.

Those with skills were sent directly to the Ministry of Works or private workshops. After their skills were tested, they were assigned a grade and employed, enjoying the same treatment as craftsmen, and their families were also provided with housing.

Young and able-bodied men with strong physiques and no bad habits can be selected for the reserve army, receive training, and those who pass the training will be added to the regular army and enjoy military pay and benefits.

For those without skills, skills training courses are organized to teach basic skills such as carpentry, masonry, mining, road construction, and textiles. After passing the training, they are assigned to work.

Women can work in textile workshops, garment workshops, or the Salesian Bureau; the elderly can enter nursing homes; and orphans can be raised and educated by the Salesian Bureau.

"Make the best use of people's talents and the best use of land."

Xiao Chen emphasized to the officials of the Naturalization Bureau, "Don't despise the refugees for being useless; everyone has value. What we need to do is discover their value and tap into their potential."

After the refugees were resettled, their biggest fear was that they would band together and become xenophobic or disobedient. To address this, the Naturalization Office forcibly implemented the Baojia system.

Ten households form a "jia" (甲), and ten "jia" form a "bao" (保). The "jia" head and "bao" head are selected from among the refugees based on their virtue, prestige, or ability, or they may be appointed by the government.

Within the Baojia system, collective responsibility was implemented: if one family committed a crime, the entire Baojia would be held accountable; if one Baojia committed a crime, the entire Baojia would be held accountable. This system ensured mutual supervision and restraint.

The Baojia system also served the function of mutual assistance, exchanging jobs during busy farming seasons, helping each other with weddings and funerals, and jointly defending against bandits.

The children of displaced people were forcibly sent to elementary schools to learn literacy, arithmetic, and village rules and regulations, thus accelerating their Sinicization and naturalization.

Through the Baojia system, the originally scattered and disorderly refugees were quickly organized and integrated into the social fabric of Hanyuan, becoming an integral part of it.

The resettlement of displaced people requires a large initial investment.

Xiao Chen did not rely solely on relief efforts, but instead vigorously promoted work-for-relief programs.

They organized displaced people to build major roads for trade and rural roads, paying them by the amount of earthwork they moved and settling their wages daily.

The expansion of Zhenbei City and the construction of military garrison posts required a large amount of labor, with displaced people being the main force.

Digging irrigation canals, building reservoirs, and reinforcing river embankments can both prevent disasters and provide irrigation.

The black iron and coal mines require a large number of miners, and migrants are the best source of them.

"Instead of letting them sit around and squander their wealth, we should let them build their homes with their own hands."

Xiao Chen said, "Every drop of sweat and every bite of food is essential. Only in this way will they cherish this hard-won life and develop a sense of belonging to this land."

What moved the refugees the most was the fact that the Hanyuan government treated them all equally.

Migrants who break the law will be punished the same as indigenous people; if indigenous people oppress migrants, the government will severely punish them.

Displaced people who reclaimed wasteland enjoyed the same tax exemption for three years and tax-half for five years as the original inhabitants.

Children of refugees could enter Hanyuan Academy, and those with outstanding academic performance could enter the Military Academy or the Academy of Natural Sciences.

Among the refugees, those with talent could become officials, generals, or even clerks. Many military officers, artisans, and merchants who came from humble backgrounds distinguished themselves in Hanyuan.

"The prince doesn't treat us like outsiders!"

This is a phrase most often uttered by refugees. This sense of belonging and identity is more powerful in uniting people than any gold or silver.

The Naturalization Department achieved remarkable results in just six months of operation.

More than 50,000 migrants have been received, registered and resettled.

Of these, more than 30,000 were able-bodied laborers, 5,000 of whom were added to the army, 10,000 to workshops, and 15,000 to farmland.

They organized displaced people to reclaim 200,000 mu of wasteland, and harvested 300,000 shi of grain that year. Not only were they self-sufficient, but they also had surplus grain to hand over to the government granary.

With proper resettlement of displaced people, bandits disappeared, social order was well maintained, and the crime rate was extremely low.

"Your Highness," Han Lie said, holding the thick register of assimilation, his face beaming with joy, "these 50,000 refugees are now the most solid foundation of my Cold Abyss. They have food to eat, clothes to wear, houses to live in, and land to cultivate. They are deeply grateful to Your Highness and are willing to serve you to the death!"

"good."

Xiao Chen nodded. "Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. The refugees are the water, and we are the boat. If we treat them well, they will be our greatest help; if we treat them harshly, they will be our greatest threat."

"The matter of assimilation must not be neglected in the slightest. We must ensure that everyone who comes to the Cold Abyss can find their place and see the light of hope."

The assimilation of refugees not only provided Hanyuan with a continuous stream of human resources, but also laid the foundation for Hanyuan's inclusive and tolerant national character.

The Cold Abyss is growing stronger and more vibrant with the constant influx of people.