Governor Kong Rong's expression hardened as he turned to Aide Chen. “Secure the perimeter. Make sure no one—not even our own men—is within earshot.”

  Aide Chen bowed. “Yes, Governor.” He swiftly left the chamber to carry out the order, leaving only Kong Rong, Zhao Ming, and Lu Qianyi inside.

  Once he was sure they were alone, Kong Rong took a deep breath and spoke in a low, grave tone. “This is the test word from Lu Zhi—the situation in Luoyang is worse than expected.”

  Kong Rong continued, his voice weighted with concern. “He Jin, the half-brother of the Empress, has been appointed as General-in-Chief. But rather than strengthening the empire, this has only escated tensions in the court.”

  Zhao Ming narrowed his eyes. “Let me guess… the eunuchs?”

  Kong Rong nodded grimly. “Yes. Ten influential eunuchs—the so-called Ten Attendants—are now controlling state affairs. They manipute the court, suppress opposition, and ensure that any minister who dares challenge them meets an untimely end.”

  Lu Qianyi frowned. “But what about Emperor Ling? Doesn’t he care about the empire falling into chaos?”

  Kong Rong let out a dry, bitter ugh. “Care? The Emperor only cares about women, wine, and extravagance. He leaves the real governance to the eunuchs, as long as they keep his paces filled with entertainment and his treasury flowing with gold.”

  Zhao Ming and Lu Qianyi exchanged surprised gnces.

  “The Emperor…” Zhao Ming hesitated before speaking. “He allows the eunuchs to handle all state affairs?”

  Kong Rong’s face darkened. “Not just allows—he encourages it. He knows they are corrupt, that they bleed the people dry and silence honest officials, but as long as his life of excess is untouched, he does nothing.”

  Lu Qianyi gritted her teeth. “How could the Son of Heaven be so… irresponsible?”

  Kong Rong sighed. “This is the reality of the Han court. A ruler too indulgent to lead, and a group of eunuchs too greedy to govern wisely. Meanwhile, He Jin and the imperial retives grow increasingly restless, seeking to counter the eunuchs’ power.”

  Zhao Ming crossed his arms. “A power struggle in the heart of the empire… that won’t end well.”

  Kong Rong nodded gravely. “It will end in bloodshed.”

  Zhao Ming’s brows furrowed. “Who is He Jin? How did he rise to such a position?”

  Kong Rong leaned back in his seat, his fingers tapping lightly against the table. “He Jin is the elder half-brother of Empress He, the Emperor’s favored consort. He came from a humble background—originally just a butcher before fortune smiled upon him. When his sister entered the pace and became the Empress, he quickly climbed the ranks. The Emperor elevated him to high office, and now, he holds the title of General-in-Chief.”

  Lu Qianyi tilted her head. “A butcher rising to lead the military? That’s quite the leap.”

  Kong Rong sighed. “Yes. It’s a cssic case of someone gaining power not through ability, but through connections. Make no mistake, He Jin is a capable warrior. His command over troops is respectable, and he genuinely wants to restore order to the empire. However, he is neither a strategist nor a statesman. He cks cunning, and worse, he is naive when it comes to court politics.”

  Zhao Ming frowned. “So he’s walking into a den of wolves.”

  Kong Rong nodded. “Exactly. His appointment as General-in-Chief is not a sign of stability but of growing division. The imperial court is now split into two factions—Empress He’s family and supporters on one side, and the eunuchs on the other. It’s an open secret that He Jin despises the eunuchs and wants to purge them. But the eunuchs… they will not sit idly by and let themselves be removed. They hold too much power, too many secrets. The moment He Jin makes his move, they will retaliate.”

  Lu Qianyi pursed her lips. “And what of the Emperor? Does he favor one side over the other?”

  Kong Rong let out a dry chuckle. “The Emperor? He favors himself. As long as he has his concubines, feasts, and gold, he will not act. He leaves the eunuchs to do the dirty work, ensuring that they remove anyone who disrupts his pleasure. If He Jin pushes too hard, the eunuchs may convince the Emperor to eliminate him.”

  Zhao Ming’s eyes darkened. “Then Lu Zhi is walking into a battlefield without swords. If the situation in Luoyang is truly this unstable, it’s too dangerous for him to remain there.”

  Kong Rong’s expression hardened. “I agree. I will send a letter to Lu Zhi immediately, urging him to leave Luoyang as soon as possible. He is a respected schor, but he has no pce in this power struggle. If He Jin’s faction falls, anyone associated with him will be in grave danger.”

  Zhao Ming nodded. “That would be wise. The longer he stays, the harder it will be to escape unscathed.”

  Kong Rong sighed. “This empire is teetering on the edge, and war is no longer a question of ‘if’ but ‘when.’”

  Lu Qianyi’s face darkened with worry. “If things are truly as dire as you say, then my father… he is in danger.”

  Kong Rong’s expression softened slightly. “Lu Zhi is no fool, Qianyi. He understands the court better than most. If anyone can navigate this storm, it is him.”

  She bit her lip, her fingers tightening into fists. “Even so, I fear the eunuchs will not let him leave so easily. If he is seen as siding with He Jin—”

  “He will know what to do,” Kong Rong interrupted gently. “Lu Zhi has always been careful. If he sees that the situation in Luoyang is beyond saving, he will find a way to leave before he is caught in the crossfire.”

  Lu Qianyi exhaled, trying to steady herself, though worry still lingered in her eyes.

  Kong Rong straightened in his seat, his tone shifting back to business. “For now, our priority is Beihai. We cannot waste time worrying about Luoyang when the storm may reach our doorstep sooner than we think.”

  Zhao Ming nodded. “Then why haven’t you called for a meeting with all the major merchant houses? If war is on the horizon, trade will be the lifeline that keeps Beihai from falling into chaos.”

  Kong Rong’s face darkened. “Because not all merchants can be trusted.”

  Zhao Ming raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  “I only trust Murong and Yu Trading House,” Kong Rong admitted. “Wang Trading House is too deeply tied to certain noble families. If war breaks out, they will prioritize their own connections over Beihai’s well-being. As for Liu Trading House…” His voice lowered, filled with disdain. “They are involved in illegal trade. Smuggling, bribery, even dealings with bandits. If the city were ever to fall into disorder, they would only add to the chaos, not help prevent it.”

  Zhao Ming frowned. “So, Wang Trading House is too entangled with the nobles, and Liu Trading House engages in illegal dealings… but aren’t they still powerful? If Beihai is to withstand the coming storm, can we afford to ignore them completely?”

  Kong Rong sighed, rubbing his temples. “Powerful, yes. Reliable? No.” He looked up at Zhao Ming. “The Wang family thrives on their connections with the aristocracy. Their loyalty is to wealth and influence, not to Beihai. If war breaks out, do you think they’ll stay and help defend the city?”

  Zhao Ming considered it for a moment. “…They’d flee, wouldn’t they?”

  Lu Qianyi nodded. “They have enough assets to pack up and move to another city if things turn dire. They won’t risk their own wealth and safety unless they are guaranteed a profit.”

  Kong Rong gestured at her in agreement. “Exactly. And if the capital falls into chaos, they will align with whichever noble faction gives them the greatest advantage. That makes them too unpredictable for my liking.”

  Zhao Ming leaned forward. “And Liu Trading House?”

  A flicker of disgust crossed Kong Rong’s face. “Liu Trading House profits from the shadows. They smuggle goods, bribe officials, and have dealings with bandits, pirates, and anyone willing to pay. There’s even talk of them secretly trading with Yellow Turban rebels. If we involve them, we risk strengthening the very enemies that threaten us.”

  Lu Qianyi’s expression hardened. “If they’re dealing with bandits and rebels, shouldn’t we root them out?”

  Kong Rong gave a bitter chuckle. “I wish it were that simple. They cover their tracks well, and their influence runs deeper than I’d like to admit. Exposing them without solid evidence would only create more problems. If I act without proof, they’ll just cim I’m making baseless accusations to seize their assets.”

  Zhao Ming exhaled sharply. “So we’re left with Murong and Yu Trading House.”

  Kong Rong nodded. “Murong Trading House has always been dependable. Their network stretches far, and despite their internal family disputes, they remain loyal to Beihai’s prosperity. As for Yu Trading House, they deal mostly in textiles and daily necessities, but they’re honest and stable—something I can’t say about the others.”

  Zhao Ming tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully. “Then the next step should be strengthening our ties with both.”

  Kong Rong agreed. “We’ll need their full cooperation. More grain stockpiled for emergencies, more arms and armor secured for our forces, and supply lines that can withstand disruptions. If Langya’s fall has proven anything, it’s that a city without proper preparations is doomed.”

  Lu Qianyi narrowed her eyes. “If Liu Trading House truly is involved in smuggling and backdoor dealings, they may try to sabotage us or manipute shortages to drive up prices.”

  Kong Rong’s expression darkened. “Which is why we must act before they do.”

  Zhao Ming crossed his arms. “Then we should meet with Murong and Yu Trading House soon. If war is coming, we need to be ready.”

  Kong Rong nodded firmly. “Agreed. We’ll set up a meeting at once.”

  Kong Rong, still deep in thought over Beihai’s preparations, turned his attention back to Zhao Ming. “You should personally inform Murong and Yu Trading House about our pns. I trust they’ll respond positively, but it’s best to secure their cooperation before the situation worsens.”

  Zhao Ming nodded. “I’ll see to it immediately.”

  Just as he was about to take his leave, Kong Rong suddenly recalled something. “By the way, didn’t you want to discuss the settlement on the Eastern Hill?”

  Zhao Ming straightened. “Yes, Governor. I wanted to update you on the situation there. The refugees have become self-sufficient—they’re growing their own food and managing daily affairs without external aid.”

  Kong Rong raised an eyebrow. “That was quick. I thought it would take at least another season for them to stabilize.”

  Zhao Ming allowed himself a small smile. “It wasn’t easy, but they adapted fast. However, now that they have a surplus, some of them want permission to trade in Beihai. They wish to purchase tools, clothes, and other necessities, and a few even hope to settle here permanently.”

  Kong Rong studied Zhao Ming for a moment before exhaling in approval. “To turn refugees into contributing members of society in such a short time… That’s no small feat. You really did make this arrangement quickly.”

  Zhao Ming shook his head. “It was mostly luck. The right people, the right conditions. And the fact that they had no other choice but to work hard.”

  Lu Qianyi, who had finally calmed down from the discussion about her father, folded her arms and smirked. “Luck, huh? I don’t buy it. You’re just being humble.”

  She leaned back slightly and added, “But it’s good to hear some hopeful news for once. While the capital drowns in its own corruption, at least Beihai is moving forward.”

  Kong Rong’s lips curled into a rare smile. “Indeed. If only the rest of the empire were as efficient as you, Zhao Ming, we might not be in this mess.”

  The weight of the rger crisis still loomed over them, but for now, there was progress—small victories amidst the brewing storm.

  As Zhao Ming took his leave, the lingering thoughts of war, politics, and rebellion remained. Beihai’s future was uncertain, but at least one thing was clear—preparations had begun, and they would not be caught unprepared.