Refugees arrive; the resettlement site is being constructed.

Li Zhi’s planned resettlement site lay right by the Fengshui River. The abundant water resources here could provide powerful energy for some of the workshop’s machinery. At the same time, it would resolve the water needs of both the workshops and the disaster victims. Time was limited, so Li Zhi delegated the task of supervising construction to Li Zhe, while he himself hurried to draw up mechanical designs and sought people to begin manufacturing at once. He could not entrust these matters to the Ministry of Works, for all of this would become his own industry in the future. If anyone were to report him, he’d be accused of using government property for private gain.

Li Zhi transferred Yang Siqi to take charge of recruiting workers and producing equipment. Liu An was dispatched to purchase coal mines. By the time the resettlement site was finished, winter would be near. He had to resolve the issue of heating for the disaster victims before then. At present, people’s understanding of coal was limited to its use for making coke in iron-smelting; they had no idea that Li Zhi would soon bring coal into thousands upon thousands of households.

At Li Zhi’s request, Pei Mingli moved the cement workshop into the industrial district. The kilns he acquired began expanding their operations. Li Zhi planned to use bricks, tiles, and cement to build the resettlement site, laying a solid foundation for his future plans. Most of the output from the iron workshop was now devoted to Li Zhi’s projects. He ordered large quantities of pig iron and wrought iron from Baken, specifically requesting that some of the wrought iron be made into thin sheets. He was preparing to manufacture honeycomb stoves—some for heating the disaster victims, but mostly for sale to the public. Coal and honeycomb stoves would be a source of funds for the ongoing construction.

The first wave of disaster victims arrived two days earlier than expected, numbering only a few hundred, but this meant the work of receiving refugees had officially begun. Li Zhi summoned Li Zhe and instructed, “First arrange food for the refugees so they can eat their fill, then organize the men to begin building houses.” Li Zhe promptly set about the task, while Li Zhi instructed Pei Mingli to prepare cement, bricks, and tiles. Since some foundations had already been dug, construction went smoothly at the start. Over two thousand people toiled together, and soon the main structures of dozens of single-story houses stood complete.

Each house Li Zhi designed consisted of three rooms, enough to meet the needs of a family. As soon as the first group of houses was finished, Li Zhe hurried to Li Zhi, expressing concern: “Your Highness, aren’t these houses a bit too luxurious? At this rate, the expenses may be unbearable!” He was not wrong; these houses were far superior to most in Chang’an. To house over thirty thousand people to this standard would be exorbitant.

Li Zhi reassured him, “No need to worry, Master Li. These houses will not be demolished once they’re built—I have ways to recoup the costs in the future.” Li Zhi’s confident manner once again left Li Zhe at a loss. He found Li Zhi more and more inscrutable, but it was not his place to object, since the one spending the money was Li Zhi himself. As more disaster victims arrived, construction progressed even faster. Li Zhi selected experienced craftsmen from among them, assigning them to lead teams in finishing the interiors of the houses.

It was late summer, the beginning of autumn—once the interiors were done, little airing was needed, and people could move in quickly. Within a few days, Li Zhi arranged for the elderly and children to be the first to settle in. When the refugees saw with their own eyes that the homes they built were now sheltering the old and the young, everyone was filled with new energy. None had imagined these houses were meant for them; they’d simply thought this was the price the court paid to support them. In their minds, two full meals a day was already a tremendous blessing—they dared not hope for more.

This was by Li Zhi’s design. He did not begin with grand speeches or stirring exhortations. These refugees had come here simply to survive; Li Zhi’s aim was to let them glimpse hope as swiftly as possible. No words could reassure them as effectively as the sight of new houses rising and the promise of two hearty meals a day.

The men built houses, while the women were not idle—Li Zhi had them handle cooking and laundry. He also assigned some of the elderly to keep the settlement clean, ensuring sanitation at all times. As the numbers grew, Li Zhi began dividing the refugees into zones, allowing people from the same places to live together when possible. Rows of houses, streets, and neighborhoods gradually took shape in less than a month. All the disaster victims were dizzy with happiness.

Never had they imagined that people in their situation could enjoy such treatment. Many worked with smiles on their faces; some who moved in early wept openly. Even those who suffered injuries at work refused to leave the construction site, feeling it would be ungrateful to forgo what they now enjoyed.

A few days later, nearly all the refugees had settled. Only then did Li Zhi begin to visit the neighborhoods at dusk, both to ease the people’s minds and to share his future plans. Through Li Zhe’s explanations, the refugees learned that the one responsible for all this was, astonishingly, still just a child.

In every neighborhood, the refugees expressed their gratitude to Li Zhi with deep bows, many moved to tears. Li Zhi, however, attributed all the credit to Li Shimin. He told the people, “Good folk, the court has only just been established, and it cannot yet guarantee that you will want for nothing. But His Majesty is striving with all his might; I believe that day will come before long.” At these words, everyone knelt and bowed deeply toward Chang’an, continuously chanting, “Long live the Emperor!”

After they quieted, Li Zhi continued, “Everything you now enjoy is thanks to His Majesty’s blessing. I hope you will all conduct yourselves well and not disappoint him.” Hearing this, the refugees immediately began voicing their loyalty, one after another. Li Zhe, watching from the side, was full of admiration. Li Zhi had not made lengthy speeches—just a few simple words had stirred deep gratitude in the people’s hearts. Li Zhe was certain these refugees would now give their all in their work, enduring even the hardest labor.

Events unfolded just as he predicted. Li Zhi soon brought in many machines, and after they were assembled, he began guiding some of the refugees in the making of honeycomb coal and stoves. Those selected learned diligently, fearing that any failure would cost them the chance to repay the court’s kindness.