After dealing with the Blacksmith Shop matter, Shen Xiaochuan headed towards the square to check on the situation there.
People were digging a foundation in the square.
He had just reached the steps of the Main Hall when Chen Yan rushed over.
“Lord God, there are more than two hundred new refugees, and there is not enough room for them to live.”
“How was it arranged?”
“Those who arrive first are given priority for accommodation.
The elderly and the sick live in shacks, while young people can only sleep on straw mats outside.”
“Is anyone dissatisfied?”
“A bricklayer got angry, saying that he had worked all day and was paid less than an old man.”
Shen Xiaochuan stopped in his tracks.
“From now on, regardless of age or who arrived first, everyone must register their occupation, physical strength, and skills, and accommodation and work will be allocated according to their abilities.”
“This is fairer and allows people to make the most of their strengths.”
“Then…who will be in charge of the registration?”
“I’ll write down the list.”
He went into the Main Hall, took out a scroll, dipped it in ink, and wrote a few lines:
The first category is craftsmen—blacksmiths, carpenters, and bricklayers, who live in brick houses in the eastern district.
The second category consists of farmers and herdsmen who live in earthen houses in the western area, near water sources.
The third category consists of doctors and recorders, who reside in the quiet rooms of the North District.
The fourth category is soldiers in reserve, who live in the South Camp and train daily.
After finishing writing, he blew on the still-wet ink.
“Post this out.
Let everyone choose where to put it.
If you have any objections, come find me directly.”
Chen Yan took the scroll: “Should we add a clause?
A reward of ten catties of grain will be given for reporting false registrations.”
“Add it.”
Half an hour later, the bulletin board was crowded with people.
Some were carefully checking the list, while others turned around to re-register.
Shen Xiaochuan stood at a distance, observing quietly without making a sound.
He then opened Faith Mall and modified the recruitment notice:
Urgently seeking architects!
Double faith points for the first month!
Priority admission to the Crafts Academy for children!
Farmers, pharmacists, and carpenters all receive subsidies!
Please register at the registration desk in the southeast corner of the square!
Chen Yan and two soldiers brought over tables and chairs, and set out paper and pens.
In less than fifteen minutes, the line stretched to the side of the road.
“What do you do?” Chen Yan asked the first person.
“A bricklayer can build a damp-proof wall.”
“Written down.
Next.”
“I will grow drought-resistant millet.”
“Farmer, register.”
“I can identify three hundred kinds of herbs.”
“Pharmacist!
Register this as a priority!”
Within two hours, the number of applicants broke through one hundred.
After reviewing the list, Shen Xiaochuan selected five people: “These five will begin training apprentices tomorrow.
Each of them will be assigned a warrior to assist them.”
“God, are you really going to give us double the faith points?
We only have a little over ten thousand right now,” Chen Yan asked Dao in a low voice, her voice filled with worry.
“Here you go.
Reputation is more important than points.”
“What if they don’t have enough points later?
Will they leave?”
“No.
As long as we can provide them with food and shelter, they will not leave.”
After saying that, he walked towards the Blacksmith Shop: ” Bring out a few of the new spears Lolia made; I need them.”
“You want to start a war?”
“It’s not about fighting a war, it’s about scouting the way.”
After an incense stick had burned, three thousand Believers gathered in the west of the city.
Shen Xiaochuan stood on a high slope, holding five excellent-grade spears in his hands.
” Chen Yan “.
“From today onwards, you are no longer a captain, but a general.
You will lead this team.”
Chen Yan was taken aback: “You really want me to be a general?”
“Otherwise what?
Do you want to spend your whole life charging into battle?”
“That’s not what I meant…
I’m just afraid I don’t have the ability.”
“What are you afraid of?
You’ve fought three tough battles and haven’t lost a single one.
If I don’t trust you, who else can I trust?”
Chen Yan straightened his back: “Yes!
I guarantee I’ll complete the mission!”
Shen Xiaochuan handed over the spears: “One for each team, to be used in critical moments.
Head west, look for land, minerals, and suitable places for farming and animal husbandry.”
“Understood!
Let’s go!”
The group split into three lines and headed west along the mountain path.
After walking for two hours, the terrain gradually lowered, and streams and soft soil appeared.
Scout ran back and reported: “There is a valley four kilometers ahead with abundant water and lush vegetation, suitable for settling down.”
Are there any wild animals?
“We found wolf droppings, not many.
We also found chicken feathers, which we found in the cracks between the rocks.”
“A chicken?
Alive?”
“I didn’t see a live one, but the feathers were very new.”
Shen Xiaochuan raised his hand: “Everyone stop.
Rest for half an hour, drink water and eat jerky.
When the time is up, continue.”
He crouched down to examine the map and drew a circle on the west side: “Let’s build the first outer camp here.
We won’t name it yet; we’ll decide on a name when we make a discovery.”
When we set off again, it was nearly noon.
The valley gradually widened, the trees on both sides became sparse, and the ground was damp.
Suddenly, the bushes ahead rustled slightly.
“Something’s happening!” the sentry whispered a warning.
Shen Xiaochuan waved, and the team immediately dispersed and took cover.
He climbed onto a rock and looked ahead.
A dozen or so red-feathered chickens were pecking at moss by the stream.
Their feathers were bright red and shiny, their legs were long and their tails were short.
Startled, they raised their heads but did not fly away.
“They are gregarious birds.”
Chen Yan lay down beside him, saying, “You can run fast, but you can’t fly high.”
How many?
“About twenty or so, there might be more around.”
“Don’t alert them.
Send two men to ambush them downwind, the rest of you prepare nets and wait for my orders.”
“Should we use sleeping potion?”
“No need.
Too expensive.
Save it for dealing with large beasts.
This time, speed is key.”
He observed the chickens and noticed they were most relaxed when they lowered their heads to eat.
“I made my move when they all lowered their heads.”
Five minutes later, the chickens bent down to forage again.
“Go!” Shen Xiaochuan stood up.
Thirty lightly armed soldiers surrounded the area from three sides, throwing out nets.
The red-feathered chickens squawked and took flight, only to be caught after flying two or three meters.
“Hold on tight!
Don’t let them break free!”
Dozens more rushed out of the forest, trying to escape, but the second batch of nets had already been thrown out.
The number of animals was counted after seven rounds of encirclement and capture.
“One hundred and fifty-nine birds, all of them survived.
Seventy-six were roosters and eighty-three were hens.”
Make the cage cart immediately.”
Shen Xiaochuan ordered trees to be cut down and branches trimmed, then woven into square frames, with dry grass laid at the bottom, and thirty animals packed into each cage.
“One hundred people will take turns transporting the goods, and they must walk slowly.
They will be given water every hour, and no rushing is allowed.”
“So what about us?
Should we keep going?”
“Yes.
Leave fifty men to escort them, find a farmer to lead the team, and demarcate the breeding area.”
Where to mark it?
“That gentle slope in the northern suburbs, near the water and sheltered from the wind, is called ‘Yuming Slope.’ Put up a sign there.”
What if I die on the way?
“If one dies, we’ll investigate who’s responsible.
But I’m more concerned about how to raise them.
I’ll go back and have the newly hired farmers research the feed to see what kind of food makes them grow fast.”
Chen Yan nodded earnestly, writing down every single word.
Shen Xiaochuan looked westward: “Let’s keep going.
There’s still a road ahead.”
The team set off as a unit, leaving a small squad to guard the transport line, while the main force continued westward.
Scout turned back after traveling less than 500 meters.
“General!
There’s a reflection at the mountain pass ahead!
It looks like metal!”
Shen Xiaochuan immediately stood up: “Lead the way.”
They climbed the steep slope and looked down.
Grayish-black rocks peeked out from the cracks in the rock strata, gleaming faintly in the sunlight.
“It’s iron ore.”
“The texture looks good,” Chen Yan said.
“Send people down to take samples and investigate whether there is groundwater.
Places with minerals usually also have water.”
“Should we build an outpost?”
“Build it.
Use local materials, build the wall with stones.
Leave fifty men to guard it tonight, and build the watchtower tomorrow morning.”
“What about the divine kingdom over there…”
“Send a message back to have the newly recruited architect come and survey the area, and draw up the blueprints for the outer camp within three days.
Also, notify Lolia to speed up the production of war spears; we need more equipment.”
“What if someone else comes and takes over our territory?”
“Then let’s fight.
But for now, we need to play it safe and not be reckless.”
Shen Xiaochuan looked around at everyone, his voice firm: “Listen carefully, this trip is not just about scouting.
We are laying the foundation for the divine kingdom.
Only with a solid foundation can a building be built tall.”
Chen Yan glanced at the sky: “Can we camp here tonight?”
“Yes.
Choose a sheltered spot and dig a firebreak.
Take turns sleeping and keeping watch to maintain vigilance.”
“yes!”
The group set off again.
Shen Xiaochuan walked at the very front, his hand resting on his spear.
As the sun began to set, they stopped on a plateau.
The view was expansive, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only a narrow path leading to it.
“Right here.”
Shen Xiaochuan said, “Let’s set up camp.”
The soldiers immediately got to work, setting up tents, building stone walls, and starting fires to cook.
Shen Xiaochuan sat on a rock, took out his notepad, and wrote:
On the fourth day of the westward journey, the distance traveled was 4,300 meters.
A suitable place has been found, but it has not yet been named.
One hundred and fifty-nine red-feathered chickens were captured and returned to the area, where a breeding area called “Yumingpo” has been established.
Iron ore has been discovered; samples are pending testing.
Establish a temporary camp and leave fifty men to guard it.
Construction of the watchtower will begin tomorrow morning.
The architects will arrive within three days to begin construction on the outer camp.
He closed the notebook and looked up towards the west.
The mountain shadows stretched long, and the last ray of sunlight flashed across the distant rocks.