Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Though the Blood Sea is connected to the underworld, Li Mingzhu had no desire to venture there. Upon leaving the Blood Sea, she headed straight for North Sea City.

By her calculations, Li Jing and his entourage should already have arrived in North Sea City.

Before leaving North Sea City earlier, Li Mingzhu had entrusted Fu Yao with managing the city. Despite his seemingly foolish manner, he had proven himself capable.

After all, he was the son of the Demon Master, possessing Taiyi Golden Immortal peak cultivation, only a step away from Daluo.

As Kunpeng himself had said, all he lacked was experience. Once enlightened, he would undoubtedly become a remarkable, charismatic hero of his generation.

His innate talent was more than sufficient to eventually reach Quasi-Saint cultivation, though whether he would have the fortune to do so remained uncertain. Even Li Mingzhu herself was unsure when she might reach Quasi-Saint level.

While her current combat strength was not weak, her cultivation and Daoist practices still fell short. Nonetheless, there was no need for excessive concern; with her talent, reaching Quasi-Saint was only a matter of time.

The North Sea was not far from the Blood Sea, and Li Mingzhu's speed was incredibly fast. With nothing noteworthy occurring along the way, she traveled hastily, arriving at the North Sea within a single day.

Following the calamity that had ravaged it last time, North Sea City was now in disarray, struggling to rebuild. Li Mingzhu arrived discreetly at the Marquis's mansion, choosing not to reveal her presence.

Having learned from previous experiences, she dared not swagger openly into the city. It was best to remain low-key.

"Marquis, while most of the city's residents have settled down, there remains a large number of disaster victims outside the city!"

Li Jing listened to the reports from his subordinates about the state of North Sea City, his brows furrowing tightly. He had known the city was in a terrible state but had not anticipated it being this severe.

"And that's just the beginning. Furthermore, the calamity has destroyed everything, leaving both the former rich and the poor on an equal footing again. Naturally, some resentment lingers!"

"Indeed. Moreover, it is now spring planting season, yet all the seeds people had stored were destroyed. Resolving this is an urgent matter."

"Exactly! If only the Third Young Master were here!"

Li Jing relied on his own men for assistance, and in their eyes, Li Mingzhu was nothing short of a miracle worker.

"No need to panic. Let us first organize our thoughts. Problems must be solved one by one; haste will not help."

Li Jing chuckled softly. He was well-aware of his son's capabilities, but if every issue required troubling Li Mingzhu, what need was there for him, the father?

Besides, as a father, maintaining dignity was essential—especially for a man as proud and traditional as Li Jing.

"Marquis, please instruct us!"

The men Li Jing had brought were former family retainers from the General's Mansion. Not only were they skilled in combat, but their administrative abilities were equally commendable.

As long as Li Jing provided direction, he was confident they could carry out his orders.

"The top priority is spring farming. Other issues, no matter how important, pale in comparison. After all, the people depend on food. If their stomachs aren't full, any effort we make will be in vain!"

Li Jing concisely pinpointed the crux of the matter, proving his sharp insight. This issue was indeed paramount, and his foresight was staggering.

Though a military general, Li Jing was truly a man of both martial and literary talent—capable of securing borders with force and governing the realm with wisdom.

Li Mingzhu, observing from the sidelines, nodded repeatedly. She did not reveal herself, opting instead to see how Li Jing would handle the situation.

In truth, she already had a plan in mind but was curious to see Li Jing's approach to the matter.

"We brought considerable supplies from Chentang Pass. Though not abundant, careful distribution should suffice for now. Additionally, notify the accounting office to exchange all valuable items in the mansion with nearby cities for farming seeds. Furthermore, command all armored soldiers to abandon their weapons and join in the spring planting effort.

Thanks to the Innate Vital Soil and Three Light Divine Water my son procured, this North Sea City is blessed with unique Earth Treasures of the highest grade, and must not be wasted."

Li Jing's instructions were methodical and practical; his solutions came swiftly and decisively. To Li Mingzhu, this was not surprising but still impressive. She had not expected Li Jing to exhibit such boldness—not only sacrificing family wealth but also enlisting soldiers to farm.

Was this not akin to the agrarian soldiers of later eras—fighting enemies in wartime and farming in peacetime?

Li Mingzhu was genuinely surprised by how forward-thinking Li Jing's ideas were. She had clearly underestimated him.

"Marquis, this may not be appropriate. After all, those soldiers are critical to maintaining law and order!"

A scholar present immediately highlighted a concern: all systems of governance rely on concentrated power. Without sufficient authority, chaos would inevitably ensue.

"Do you believe there is anyone in the North Sea capable of overthrowing the Li Family's rule?"

Li Jing allowed a sliver of his commanding aura to show, staring down the scholar as he spoke.

Recalling Li Mingzhu's influence in the North Sea, the scholar wisely held his tongue.

He remembered the fervor of the North Sea's residents when they learned that Li Jing was Li Mingzhu's father. Their fanatic welcome was unmatched—perhaps no other Yin Shang vassal, not even the famously benevolent Western Marquis Ji Chang, could compare.

"As for the equalization of wealth following the calamity, the solution is simple: announce that those who contribute the most to rebuilding North Sea City will have their statuses elevated at the Marquis's discretion, even to official positions. Let them understand that former privileges hold no sway, and any disturbance will be dealt with according to the law!"

Li Jing's expression turned icy, exuding an unmistakable killing intent. In times of chaos, strict measures were a necessity.

Though the people's morale in the North Sea was strong, there would always be troublemakers. Harsh punishment was needed to set a precedent!

The rules now established were impartial; any who defied them could blame no one but themselves. Li Jing would show no mercy to those who disrupted order.

He was no mere scholar but a battlefield-hardened general unhesitant to take lives!

"Understood!"

The subordinates scrambled to take notes, cowed by Li Jing's imposing aura, not daring to defy him!

"As for recovery efforts beyond the city, the Marquis's mansion will lead by example, offering daily meals as wages to enlist disaster victims in reconstruction efforts!"

After a moment of contemplation, Li Jing issued this final command. Exhaustion apparent, he waved his subordinates off to carry out their tasks.

Hearing this last order, Li Mingzhu's eyes shone with admiration. This had been her own plan.

If she didn't know Li Jing to be a native of the Shang Dynasty, she might have suspected he, too, was a transmigrator.

This final directive was effectively a work-for-relief program, and it struck at the root of North Sea's recovery with impressive efficiency.

After all, the disaster victims were rebuilding their own homes, ensuring high enthusiasm and dedication. Combined with the supplies Li Jing had brought from Chentang Pass, the food should be sufficient.

Implementing these measures promptly would undoubtedly restore North Sea City to its former glory in no time.