"Your Highness, since mid-November, more than 90,000 residents from Lincang City have arrived in Shicheng. The number of refugees fleeing from the Zhao State has also increased to about 2,000 per day, one-fifth of whom are soldiers who were scattered and wounded. Since the Xiongnu army invaded the Zhao State, 150,000 refugees have settled in Shicheng. Including the 30,000 local residents, there are now 280,000 people in Shicheng. Aside from the 10,000 or so who are completely incapable of self-care, the remaining 260,000 are essentially all working to excavate the marshland for the new city; most of them are directly participating in the labor."
"Of course, there are some wealthy refugees—about 20,000—who have moved from Shicheng to Lincang City. Since these wealthy individuals are unwilling to participate in the labor in Shicheng, I discussed it with City Lord Li Gang and permitted them to live and conduct business in Lincang City. Because the labor force in Shicheng has increased to 260,000, nearly one-tenth of the small moat is now complete, and one-twentieth of the large moat is nearing completion. As per your instructions, the banks of all the moats have been paved with bluestone slabs from the Tieshi Mountains. However, because it is winter and planting trees is difficult, we have reserved the spots and will transplant and plant them next spring."
"At the same time, the foundation for the new city in the marshland has begun to be excavated. We expect to build the city…
Chapter 99