Several weeks passed peacefully in Shen City.
Too peacefully.
Commander Han was the first to notice the problem.
Reports began arriving one after another.
Merchant caravans delayed.
Trade goods missing.
Iron shipments reduced.
Prices slowly rising.
At first, it seemed like coincidence.
But coincidences rarely repeated.
Inside the city hall, merchants knelt anxiously before Qin Wang Shan.
"Your Highness," one trader said nervously, "new inspections have appeared on trade roads."
"Officials from neighboring territories are stopping caravans."
"Taxes increased suddenly."
"Some merchants are turning back."
Murmurs spread among the gathered traders.
Business was slowing.
And without trade, Shen City would suffer.
Commander Han frowned.
"This isn't bandits," he said quietly. "This is organized."
Qin Wang Shan already knew.
The capital had begun applying pressure.
No war.
No open threats.
Just slow strangulation.
"Your Highness," an official asked worriedly, "what should we do?"
For a moment, silence filled the hall.
Then Qin Wang Shan spoke calmly.
"We adapt."
The merchants looked confused.
He continued.
"If supplies cannot easily enter…"
"Then we produce more ourselves."
Orders were issued that very day.
Unused land outside the city was cleared for farming.
Farmers received incentives to increase crop production.
Blacksmith workshops received support to produce local tools and weapons.
Local craftsmen were encouraged to expand production.
Instead of depending on outside goods—
Shen City would build its own supply.
Weeks later, shortages still existed.
But panic never came.
Food remained available.
Workshops remained active.
The city continued moving.
Slower.
But alive.
Far away in Wushen, reports reached the Third Prince.
"Trade restrictions are slowing them," a minister reported.
"But… they are adjusting."
The prince's eyes narrowed slightly.
Adjusting?
Most cities collapsed under pressure.
Yet Shen City endured.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Back in Shen City, Qin Wang Shan stood watching farmers working newly cleared fields.
Commander Han spoke quietly.
"The capital is squeezing us."
Qin Wang Shan nodded.
"Yes."
Han asked, "Will they stop?"
The prince looked toward the horizon.
"Not until we either break…"
"Or become too strong to ignore."
The wind moved across the fields.
And Shen City continued its silent resistance.