Li Daoxuan sat by the box, watching the newly arrived little figures scurrying about in Refugee Valley. Arriving in a new place meant countless tasks awaited them. Though they now had houses, they lacked everything else.

Their first priority was solving the problem of food. They had to search for stones, dig up earth to build earthen stoves, gather firewood, and prepare pots, pans, bowls, and utensils.

The list of necessities was long, but these commoners had nothing. Acquiring these household items was far from easy.

Job positions had to be provided to them quickly—ideally, daily-paid work—so they could earn income as soon as possible. With cash in hand, they could buy daily necessities and get their lives back on track.

Li Daoxuan shifted his view back to Gaojia Village, where Thirty-Two, Bai Yuan, Gao Yiye, Tan Liwen, and others chatted on the balcony of the lookout tower’s third floor.

Bai Yuan said, “With matters here settled, I must return to Bai Family Fortress.”

Thirty-Two cupped his hands in a gesture of respect. “Thank you for your efforts, Mr. Bai.”

Bai Yuan smiled. “It’s an honor to serve the Deity; there’s no hardship involved.”

After bidding farewell to everyone with a bow, he left Gaojia Village and headed toward Bai Family Fortress.

The remaining group continued their conversation.

Tan Liwen spoke up, “Dong Weng, this latest group from Qingjian County—over three thousand people—is truly large. We must find them job positions swiftly to avoid trouble. But honestly, I’m uncertain what we can have them do on such short notice.”

Thirty-Two frowned. “They are outsiders, I’m somewhat—”

Li Daoxuan’s voice interrupted, “Don’t treat them as outsiders. Or have you forgotten? To Gaojia Village, you too were once an outsider.”

Gao Yiye heard him and suddenly perked up, relaying his words.

Thirty-Two’s face flushed slightly at this. Of course! How could I start viewing newcomers as outsiders? Truthfully, apart from the village’s original forty-two settlers, everyone here could be considered an outsider.

I was indeed being… that.

He quickly bowed toward the sky. “Deity, that wasn’t my intention. I merely worried their numbers are overwhelming. With them being new and largely unknown, I hesitate to lower my guard hastily. Accepting outsiders carelessly might lead to… well…”

He didn’t complete the thought, but Li Daoxuan understood—worried they might commit crimes. That concern wasn’t surprising.

Not just in the late Ming era like now. Even in later times, with greater openness and stronger legal systems, people viewed “outsiders” with caution and prejudice, fearing they’d disrupt local harmony. Major examples included developed nations rejecting immigrants from poorer regions, prosperous cities discriminating against migrant workers from smaller towns, even housing communities ostracizing tenants.

This mentality existed universally, yet no one could fully erase it.

Because the reality that outsiders could increase crime rates must be acknowledged—a few bad elements could taint a whole group’s reputation.

Li Daoxuan could only guide as much as possible, using his “golden hand” from above to ease the “locals’” fears and suspicions toward newcomers.

“Don’t worry,” Li Daoxuan said with a smile. “It’s understandable for a thousand people to feel anxious facing three thousand newcomers. But remember—I watch from above constantly. Whether newcomers number in the thousands or thirty million, what is there to fear?”

Thirty-Two’s spirits lifted instantly. “True! We have the Deity’s protection! No matter how many come, there’s no need for unease.”

Tan Liwen also rushed with pride. Yes! With a deity literally looking down from three feet above, why fear three thousand newcomers? We really worried for nothing.

Li Daoxuan continued, “Tomorrow, recruit workers from Refugee Valley for every trade. We need more blacksmiths now that the firearms bureau produces gunpowder—we must begin manufacturing firearms. More firearms mean more gunpowder, so the bureau also requires more apprentices. With population growth, demand rises for pots and utensils; thus, kiln workers and carpenters must increase too…”

The revelation hit Thirty-Two. “All trades must recruit from Refugee Valley! Mix their people with ours through shared living and work. Soon enough, they’ll become part of Gaojia Village.”

Exactly! Absorption and assimilation. Li Daoxuan silently applauded. My greatest pride in Chinese civilization? Our immense capacity to absorb! No matter how formidable outside forces are, once they enter our land and engage with us, they eventually integrate into the fabric of our civilization—becoming one of our fifty-six ethnicities.

Mongolia invaded and became Mongols; the Manchus conquered and became Manchus.

Even once-foes transform into friends and kin, jointly building new homes.

Gaojia Village should cultivate this very same power!

Assimilating wild figures into loyal ones—problem solved.

The key to assimilation? Culture. Gaojia Village must radiate its own unique charm. Let newcomers sense its distinctive atmosphere and happiness—they’ll voluntarily become one of us.

And truthfully, Gaojia Village was indeed happier and more prosperous than the outside world. Everyone who arrived found its lifestyle irresistibly appealing, yearning to belong.

That was Gaojia Village’s greatest strength.

“Fear nothing. Boldly scatter them among you.”

With that final instruction, Li Daoxuan stopped speaking. He even closed the lid—Gao Yiye could no longer see him or the box.

Thirty-Two watched the low cloud in the sky gradually disperse. Knowing the Deity had departed, he made a long, deep bow toward the fading wisps. Solemnly, he said, “I will not fail this duty.”

Gao Yiye blinked her eyes playfully and chuckled. “The Deity’s gone—probably visiting other immortals now.”

Li Daoxuan smiled beneath the lid: I haven’t left! I’m just watching you through the glass. He could hear her perfectly—the lid wasn’t soundproof.

“Hehehe.” Gao Yiye giggled again. “Steward Thirty-Two, there’s something I wish to have your printing house publish… to sell to villagers.”

Thirty-Two studied her expression. “Not commissioned by the Deity?”

“Nope!” Gao Yiye grinned impishly. “I painted it myself—just finished it! It’s an amazing comic book story. I sketched it secretly, hiding from the Deity! So much effort went into this!”

At ”hiding from the Deity,” Thirty-Two’s expression grew solemn. “Saint Lady Gao Yiye,” he said gravely, “please, don’t cause any trouble.”