Just as Yang Ming was considering how to develop further, Chen Jian suddenly approached.
“Lord, as you requested, the newly aided refugees have been properly settled.
However,
they are gaunt and emaciated, extremely hungry, and... the warriors have not eaten in a long time either.”
These words awakened Yang Ming to the situation. People need food to survive, and the most important thing right now was to solve the problem of food and warmth first.
If they could not even eat their fill, how could they develop a sense of belonging?
“How much food is left in the granary?” Yang Ming asked.
Chen Jian thought carefully for a moment before answering:
“Rice, dried meat, fruits, vegetables, and other food add up to a total of four thousand jin.”
“Hmm? Only four thousand jin?” Yang Ming furrowed his brows.
Four thousand jin of food would probably only barely satisfy the needs of the entire population for one day.
“Pass down the order. Open the granary and take out all the food for cooking. Make sure everyone can eat their fill.”
Chen Jian froze and instinctively said:
“But if we finish all the food, what will we do afterward?”
Chen Jian had originally only wanted to secure a meal for every warrior so they would not starve to death, but he had not expected Yang Ming to be so generous.
Yang Ming patted him on the shoulder and said indifferently:
“It is fine. Do as I say. We won a battle today, so it is only right to reward the warriors. As for the food problem, I will find a way to solve it tomorrow.”
“Yes, lord!” Chen Jian looked at Yang Ming with eyes full of respect.
Population was the most precious resource for territory development, so Yang Ming had to preserve as many lives as possible.
There was no need to mention natives with special professions, such as blacksmiths and doctors. Without them, even weapons could not be forged.
Furthermore, the 8,550 warriors still alive had generally increased their combat power after undergoing the baptism of their first war.
Soon, night fell.
A rich aroma of meat and the fresh fragrance of cooked rice drifted over the territory.
The refugees and warriors formed several lines, waiting for the food to be distributed.
“It smells so good. I can smell the fragrance of rice, which I have not smelled in so long.”
“Good heavens, what is that? I actually see eggs, and even fatty pork?”
“Is such wonderful food really for us? Lord, you are truly too benevolent!”
“To encounter such a wonderful lord, our ancestors must be smiling from beyond the grave.”
This group of people, who had been hungry for several days, drooled uncontrollably at the sight and smell of the food.
Soon, the food was cooked and distributed in order.
When they finally tasted a mouthful of fragrant rice, they were so moved that tears streamed down their faces.
At the same time, in the Lord's Manor, Yang Ming suddenly received a system notification:
【Ding~】
【Respected Lord Yang Ming, under your excellent management, the residents' sense of belonging has greatly increased. With the people's hearts directed toward you, you have received a reward: 10 national fortune points.】
“National fortune points?” Yang Ming pondered.
National fortune points were an indispensable factor in future territory promotions, so they were quite important.
If Yang Ming remembered correctly, to upgrade the territory from intermediate grade to advanced grade, the following conditions had to be met:
【Timber】: 7,500.
【Stone blocks】: 5,500.
【Population】: 200 （natives）.
【National fortune points】: 200 points.
【Buildings】: At least three level-two buildings.
Yang Ming rubbed his chin and muttered to himself:
“I have eight thousand warriors under my command. Timber and stone blocks are not a problem. The main issue is that national fortune points are difficult to obtain...”
To obtain national fortune points, Yang Ming decided to go out and explore tomorrow.
But it was already late at night. Yang Ming stretched, climbed into bed, and fell asleep immediately.
..
The next day.
It was now the fifth day since arriving at the Myriad Races Battlefield.
When the first ray of sunlight broke through the darkness, Yang Ming habitually opened his eyes.
After getting up, Yang Ming left the Lord's Manor and summoned Chen Jian.
“Lord, do you have any orders?” Chen Jian asked with his fists clasped.
Yang Ming had already made plans the night before and now issued his orders:
“Pass down the orders. Send two thousand people to cut timber, and another two thousand to collect stones and grind them into stone blocks.
Chen Jian, you will lead one thousand people to stay behind and protect the territory.
I will take the rest with me to explore outside and hunt beasts.”
“Yes.” Chen Jian accepted the orders and then went to assemble the army.
Half an hour later, Yang Ming led three thousand warriors out of the territory.
After undergoing the baptism of a war, the warriors' combat power had generally risen to above 20.
“Hoo!”
As soon as they left the territory, a cold wind blew into Yang Ming's face, carrying the bloody stench of beasts with it.
The sun had already risen. Under its light, Yang Ming could clearly see the surrounding environment.
Yang Ming's territory had been established in the wilderness.
Sparse grassland stretched before his eyes, with all kinds of strange plants growing from the ground. In the distance, a dense forest could be faintly seen.
“Move out!”
Yang Ming raised his foot and headed east. While subduing Meichuan Kuzi yesterday, he had accidentally discovered a resource field, a level-two mining area. Today was the perfect time to seize it.
An army of more than three thousand people marched through the wilderness. Even wolf packs had to avoid its edge.
As they advanced, Yang Ming proceeded very cautiously.
On the Myriad Races Battlefield, danger was often hidden in the shadows.
Several minutes later.
The scout at the very front of the formation suddenly stopped and turned around to make a hand signal toward Yang Ming.
“Have we arrived?”
Yang Ming was startled. He did not remember it being so quick. Could they have discovered a new resource field?
Seeing this, Yang Ming quickened his pace and immediately hurried over with the others.
A herd of wild bulls with bodies entirely covered in azure fur suddenly appeared ahead.
【Name】: Sky-Horned Azure Bull
【Grade】: fine grade.
【Combat power】: 96–128.
【Description】: An extremely irritable type of beast. It enjoys migrating and attacks every living creature encountered along the way.
Yang Ming carefully counted them. There were fifty-two Sky-Horned Azure Bulls in total, including several calves still drinking beast milk.
His eyes immediately lit up.
If they could hunt this herd of Sky-Horned Azure Bulls, they would not have to worry about food for the next few days.
“Everyone, be on guard. Surround this herd of Sky-Horned Azure Bulls.”
This was a rare opportunity. Yang Ming made a prompt decision and ordered the army to advance.
As they drew closer, Yang Ming discovered that these Sky-Horned Azure Bulls were extraordinarily huge. An adult Sky-Horned Azure Bull weighed at least 1,500 kilograms.
Yang Ming became even more excited.
“Attack!”
When they reached a position one hundred meters from the herd of Sky-Horned Azure Bulls, Yang Ming suddenly sprang into action and shouted.
Yang Ming led from the front, charging at the head of the formation.
“Clang!”
The Tang Hengdao left its scabbard with a piercing ring. Yang Ming's gaze was sharp as he slashed at the Sky-Horned Azure Bull closest to him.
With the Tang Hengdao's enhancement, Yang Ming was incredibly valiant. With just one slash, he cleaved a Sky-Horned Azure Bull in two.
This sudden ambush threw the herd of Sky-Horned Azure Bulls into chaos.
“Moo.”
The smell of blood aroused the Sky-Horned Azure Bulls' wild nature. Their ferocity surged, their pairs of bull eyes turning bloodshot as they glared fixedly at the humans.
The Sky-Horned Azure Bulls' resistance was extremely fierce.
“Moo! Moo! Moo!”
With a thrust of their horns, they directly pierced through the chests of five warriors.
Their enormous hooves trampled and charged wildly, crushing more than a dozen people into bloody pulp.
A great battle unfolded.
✦✦✦