“Is that so? Go, call the shopkeeper here.” Ryan Thompson said.

The waiter answered and immediately went to fetch the shopkeeper. Soon, a short and stout middle-aged man came out, wearing a fawning smile.

“My apologies, my apologies. I was inside kneading dough and didn’t know the young master had arrived. Please forgive me, young master.” The shopkeeper’s hands were covered in flour, and he spoke somewhat nervously.

Ryan Thompson asked, “I heard from your staff that quite a few refugees have come to Guobei County these past few days?”

“Yes, that’s right. Just these past few days, several groups have arrived. Today is actually not as many.” The shopkeeper replied quickly.

“Have you given any charity?”

“Yes, yes, we have. Our shop has given away more than a dozen baskets of buns and steamed bread these days. But as you know, young master, our shop is only so big—we can’t afford to give charity for long.” The shopkeeper looked distressed.

Ryan Thompson pondered, “It seems some disaster must have struck somewhere, otherwise there wouldn’t be so many refugees.”

He then asked, “Who owns the property you rent for this shop?”

“It belongs to the young master’s family.” The shopkeeper was startled, stammering a bit, thinking the young master was about to reclaim the shop.

Ryan Thompson pointed at him and said, “I’ll waive your rent for three years, but you must continue to give out buns and steamed bread to the needy in Guobei County for a month. Anyone who’s fallen on hard times, you must help. Can you do that?”

“I can, I can! Thank you, young master!” The shopkeeper was instantly moved.

A month of charity is nothing compared to three years’ rent—anyone would agree to that.

“Go on, get back to work.” Ryan Thompson waved his hand.

After dismissing the shopkeeper, he looked again at the refugee family.

“Man, where did you flee from? What happened to your family?”

The thin man gulped down a bowl of soy milk, wiped his mouth, and quickly stood up to reply, “Benefactor, I came from the north. My village was raided by barbarians, so I fled here to survive.”

“I see.” Ryan Thompson mused thoughtfully.

After a moment, he said, “It’s not easy to travel far from home to make a living. Why not settle down here in Guobei County? Go stay at the relief house for a month—someone will arrange work for you after that. It may be hard, but you’ll have no trouble making a living.”

The relief house was run by his The Thompson Family, dedicated to helping the poor, orphans, and those who had fallen on hard times—a truly charitable act.

However, except for widowed elders and young children, other able-bodied poor people were only given aid for a month. After that, they would be arranged to work in the The Thompson Family workshops. If they refused, they were free to leave.

The purpose of this was to avoid raising a group of idlers and wastrels, wasting the family’s money.

“Thank you, benefactor. I will remember this.” The thin man said gratefully.

Ryan Thompson nodded, then got up and left.

But hearing that this refugee’s village had been raided by barbarians—could it be that war was about to break out in the north again?

At this thought, his heart grew heavy.

Passing through bustling streets, Ryan Thompson soon arrived in front of a grand mansion.

He saw that the mansion was imposing, with courtyard walls over ten feet high. Two giant stone lions stood guard at the entrance, and family retainers patrolled nearby. On the vermilion wooden gates hung a plaque made of golden-threaded nanmu wood, inscribed with two large gilded characters in relief: “李府.” Compared to more than a decade ago, the The Thompson Estate estate had become even more prosperous.

It now had the air of a true noble house.

Over a decade ago, the The Thompson Estate was already the wealthiest family in Guobei County, but it lacked grandeur and seemed a bit provincial. Now, not only was the The Thompson Estate the richest, it was also the most powerful in Guobei County, its influence covering the entire county and all the surrounding villages.

“The young master has returned!”

As Ryan Thompson strode forward, the The Thompson Family guards all greeted him respectfully.

Ryan Thompson nodded and entered the mansion.

“Greetings, young master.”

“Wishing the young master well.”

“……”

All along the way, the maids and servants stopped to bow in respect.

Perhaps having heard of Ryan Thompson’s return, a broad and portly middle-aged man in fine silk robes came out of the main hall, beaming with joy.

“Haha, the qilin son of my The Thompson Family has finally returned! It’s been twenty-one days—I’ve missed you dearly, my son.” David Thompson’s face was all smiles, his eyes full of doting affection for Ryan Thompson.

Hearing this, Ryan Thompson couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth, then cupped his hands and said, “Your son greets you, father. I arrived a day late yesterday and made you worry.”

“My son, you’ve grown even more impressive since I last saw you. You even walk with an air of authority now—very good, very good.” David Thompson looked him over, nodding in satisfaction.

Then, as if remembering something, he said, “Oh right, last time I went out, I brought back something good for you. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

“What is it?” Ryan Thompson asked curiously.

David Thompson smiled and waved his hand to signal someone.