Chapter 613: Stalling for Time, Arrival of New Settlers

Worried that the Drow might attack at any moment, the Silver Leaf Family began packing their belongings even before receiving a response from the Savile Territory, and once they received the news from Lady Patti, they accelerated their pace even further.

However, such a vast family estate could not be dealt with and packed up immediately; even three days after the Midsummer Festival, there were still many family assets in Xifu City that had not been processed.

Nevertheless, Patriarch Aoruipusi was unwilling to delay any longer and began having his clansmen head to Konnifila City in batches, the last of which was led by his father, the family Elder Aobolaien.

If it were anyone else, Aoruipusi would not be willing to waste time at such a critical moment, but since it was his own father, he still squeezed out a little time to find him before his departure and exhorted:

"Human Mages often appear around Konnifila City; Father, you must not have any conflicts with them. The matters here in Xifu City will likely take another three or four days to conclude, and I will rendezvous with you all then."

"I understand. You must also be careful and never let word leak out," Aobolaien reminded him.

Aoruipusi nodded and watched his father depart. In truth, it was not so easy to prevent word from leaking out—had he not learned the news from the Moonscar Family himself?

Other families in Xifu City should also have received some wind of it to varying degrees. All he could do now was find a way to quickly dispose of the family assets, whether by mortgaging or selling them, and convert them into hard currency that was easy to carry.

Aoruipusi decided to stay for at most three more days. Three days later, regardless of whether everything was processed, he had to leave; this was the minimum time for family members to reach the Nether Border.

In fact, if the Moonscar Family had not already left, and both families were transferring assets at the same time, perhaps Xifu City would not be as calm as it was now.

But even so, Aoruipusi could still keenly perceive the undercurrents surging beneath the calm. Today, when he was selling family assets to the city's chamber of commerce, he was questioned both openly and covertly about what exactly had happened.

Aoruipusi used the excuse of having offended a big shot in Kemansuoer to muddle through, but as long as he remained in Xifu City for one more day, the probing would not stop, and he had to remain vigilant at all times.

From the moment he made the decision to flee Xifu City, regardless of whether the Drow eventually attacked here, Xifu City was destined to no longer be his Homeland. Thinking of this, Aoruipusi's heart was filled with sorrow.

Suddenly, Aoruipusi's expression changed. He quickly adjusted his mood, and once he had returned to his usual calm appearance and felt there was nothing abnormal, he slowly walked toward the Xifu City Council.

Just now, the new Speaker who had taken office after the Moonscar Family left had demanded he go to the Council to be questioned. Aoruipusi knew he had to go and try his best to stall for time for the clansmen's transfer.

If things went smoothly, perhaps he could even dispose of all the remaining unprocessed assets in one go.

……

Daxia Territory, Linshui Village.

On the evening of the third day after the Midsummer Festival, the Linshui Village river patrol discovered a fleet sailing south along the Wolfburg River during a routine inspection, and it would reach the Linshui Village pier in almost a moment.

After carefully identifying the flag hanging from the mast, a patrol member immediately ran toward the Altar Square, shouting loudly as he ran:

"Lord Laidun, the fleet from Xibodeng Territory has arrived!"

Inside the temporary office on the east side of the Altar Square, Laidun was organizing documents and scrolls related to the three newly established departments with two Clerks. Hearing the voice outside, he immediately put down the work he was doing and issued orders to the Clerks:

"Go notify Supervisor Jiake of the 【Settlement Department】 and have him send people to the pier to prepare to receive the new settlers! Also, notify Supervisor Kaide of the 【Logistics Department】 and have him hurry to prepare food and fresh water."

After speaking, Laidun immediately stood up, went outside, and stopped the patrol member who was about to rush in, asking: "Are you sure it is the fleet from Xibodeng Territory?"

The member subconsciously swallowed, and replied with slight nervousness: "My Lord, I am sure. Besides me, everyone else also saw the anchor-staff emblem flag hanging on that fleet."

"Understood, you may return to the pier!"

After speaking, Laidun left the member behind and walked toward the Lord's Villa to the east.

……

After being announced by the guard Nuoman, Laidun met the Lord, who was writing and sketching on paper, in the Study. After bowing, he reported: "My Lord, the fleet from Xibodeng Territory has arrived."

"Oh? Beilaila's people have finally arrived!"

Xia Duo's hand paused, then he finished the final stroke. Afterward, he stood up, gathered the scattered design drafts of the Magic Printing Press on the desk, and looked at Laidun:

"Let's go, come with me to the pier to take a look!"

Laidun naturally would not refuse and immediately agreed: "Yes, my Lord!"

……

When Xia Duo and Laidun arrived at the pier together, the fleet was already close enough to see the faces of the crew on the deck. However, as they neared the pier, the fleet was slowing down, and at the same time, a crew member was shouting loudly, signaling for docking.

Xia Duo certainly did not come just to watch the fleet, but to check how the work of the newly established 【Settlement Department】 was going. The territory had already received and settled new settlers several times in the past, so they could be considered to have mature experience.

However, that had been Laidun's responsibility back then. Now that there was a new person in charge, he did not know if any trouble would arise. As the Lord, standing here, he could also cover for Jiake at a critical moment.

Fortunately, the worst-case scenario did not occur. As the fleet docked, the reception team arranged by Jiake carried out the reception work for the new settlers in a very orderly manner. Although it was a bit chaotic at the beginning, it became increasingly proficient afterward.

Until all the new settlers were registered, no trouble occurred.

Xia Duo observed Jiake's actions throughout the process and was very satisfied with this, so he could not help but say to Laidun: "This Jiake is truly a talent!"

"It is all thanks to the opportunity you gave him to shine, my Lord!"

"Haha!"

Xia Duo knew that Laidun was not good at flattering, or rather, that every word Laidun said was flattery. However, he was still very happy because what Laidun said was a fact; if not for Xia Duo, Jiake would probably still be carrying heavy loads at the Savile Port pier right now!

After laughing, Xia Duo asked again: "Is there enough food at the Canteen?"

"There is enough, my Lord. Now the Canteen steams nearly a thousand baskets of buns every day. The settlers cannot finish them all, so there is quite a bit left over, which will be no problem for the new settlers to get through tonight."

"Mm!"

Xia Duo nodded slightly. He looked at the new settlers not far away who had received food from the Canteen and were heading to their new homes, preparing to put down roots. A sense of heat suddenly ignited in his heart—these were his people!