Chapter 137: Consolidation |
Soon, Qin Ziwen figured out the purpose of the settlement slots.
They could be used to convert temporary workers like Liu San and Chen Pi into permanent residents, just like the four job positions in the tavern. As long as they were willing to stay forever, they could follow the Home.
There was no need to worry about them deserting at a critical moment.
He planned to reserve these four slots for artisans or technical talents with specialized skills.
After privately inquiring around, he discovered that not everyone was willing to stay forever. Among the salt-making group, only Dazhuang and Liu San had that intention.
Liu San quietly told him, "Sir, the others are unwilling to stay long-term, probably because they still hope for a new emperor to ascend the throne and grant a general amnesty, so they can return to their hometowns. Some of them left home to escape corvée labor and taxes. If they encounter a new emperor's amnesty, they'll have a chance to go back."
"So that's how it is. Then why aren't you and Dazhuang waiting for the amnesty?"
Liu San patted his thin chest, wearing a look of loyalty, "Sir, you have shown me immense kindness. I only wish to follow you!"
"Speak plainly."
Here with you, sir, I have food to eat and drink to quench my thirst. I also don't have to worry about being grabbed by the authorities for corvée labor. If I can stay, it's exactly what I wish for.
As for that silly kid Dazhuang, his family all starved to death. There's no land back in his hometown either, so naturally, he doesn't want to go back either."
Although Liu San was old, Qin Ziwen was still willing to save a slot for him.
Firstly, he was also a skilled worker at a salt well. Secondly, this old man spoke pleasingly, was clever, and could handle some minor tasks appropriately. Among a population of illiterates from ancient times, he was quite handy to use.
Next were the two hunters and the old leatherworker. When Qin Ziwen asked, all three hesitated somewhat.
"No problem, you can think about it for a few more days." Qin Ziwen did not force them.
Seeing this, Liu San sidled over and asked in a low voice, "Sir, do you want them to stay?"
Qin Ziwen grunted in affirmation, "Everyone has their own aspirations; you can't force them."
These people were willing to temporarily settle in the Home, but getting them to put down permanent roots seemed not so easy.
After all, leaving their homeland forever was something many people from ancient times needed to consider carefully.
Liu San's eyes darted around, and he whispered, "This humble one is willing to help you, sir, go and talk some sense into them."
"You go ahead."
After Qin Ziwen left, Liu San sauntered over to Chen Pi.
Chen Pi was sitting on a small stool, holding a scraper and meticulously cleaning the fascia and residual flesh from the inside of a hide. He seemed to be working attentively, but his mind had wandered off thinking about something, and he nearly scraped his hand.
Liu San pulled up a stool and sat down, "Master Chen, watch your hands."
Chen Pi looked at Liu San, was momentarily stunned, then nodded, "Master Liu."
Liu San asked, "Master Chen, where is your hometown?"
"Pingyuan County, Qingzhou."
"Wow, that's quite close. I'm from Beihai County." Liu San switched to his hometown dialect to chat with Chen Pi.
Hearing the familiar local accent, Chen Pi's brows and eyes gradually relaxed.
After some casual chatting to build rapport, Liu San sighed, "Ah, I have no family left, not like you who still have attachments."
Hearing this, Chen Pi's expression darkened, feeling a sense of shared hardship with Liu San, "My situation is similar to yours. The eldest died young. The second was taken for military service. According to people who served with him, he drowned. The third got married and died of illness within a few years. The county town was captured by rebels. I got separated from the refugee group and saw the Porridge Shed on the mountain. Never thought I'd end up here in the end."
Liu San slapped his thigh, "Hey, then you might as well stay with me."
Seeing Chen Pi hesitate, Liu San continued persuading, "What's there to hesitate about? How kind-hearted the master is! You can eat your fill, drink your fill. Later on, new people will come. Find you a wife, have a few kids."
The corner of Chen Pi's mouth twitched, "I'm already forty-eight. Don't talk nonsense. Even if I had the heart, I lack the strength. Besides, even if I had kids, how many more years can I live?"
Liu San egged him on, "What's wrong with forty-eight? If you don't want to have them, you can find a few obedient children to adopt! Let them take your surname, acknowledge you as their father. You raise them when they're young, they'll support you when you're old."
Chen Pi was somewhat tempted but couldn't help asking, "What benefits did the master promise you?"
Liu San laughed heartily, "I just think this place is good and want to find a few more companions. Don't you think this place is like the legendary Peach Blossom Spring? Besides, you're already this old. Who knows when you'll get back if you wait? After you go back and pass away, will anyone tend your grave? Since you have no family left, you might as well stay here."
Chen Pi hesitated, "But I just refused the master. Won't the master be angry?"
"I'll go talk to the master, as long as you give me a definite answer." Liu San patted his chest.
"Then... I'll trouble you."
Afterwards, Liu San went to find the other two hunters. They had worked all night, finding seven or eight branches suitable for making bows in the wild, and three suitable for making spear shafts for long spears.
Using the same method to get close and chat for a good while, in the end, one agreed to stay, and the other said he needed to think more.
"How did you persuade them?" Qin Ziwen was curious.
Liu San bowed and replied, "You, sir, have treated them generously. This humble one only needed to speak of your kindness towards them and analyze the malpractices of the current imperial court. Naturally, they would be moved. Ultimately, being able to persuade them still relied on your virtue and benevolence, sir."
Listening to Liu San's clear and logical remarks, Qin Ziwen gave him a deep look, "Are you really just a salt worker?"
"I was indeed, before." Liu San chuckled, revealing a mouthful of large yellow teeth.
Soon, all four slots for the Residence were filled.
Liu San, Dazhuang, Zhang Meng, Chen Pi.
[Common · Human (Liu San): ☆]
[Common · Human (Dazhuang): ☆☆☆]
[Common · Human (Zhang Meng): ☆☆]
[Common · Human (Chen Pi): ☆]
......
After breakfast, the team members gathered at Qin Ziwen's home.
Qin Ziwen convened an internal meeting.
Everyone sat down in a circle one by one.
Qin Ziwen began, "I plan to release the news that the next map is the Gobi Desert. There are still two days left. Gathering water sources is definitely enough time, but specifically, how should we publicize it? Do you have any ideas?"
Wang Yun pondered, "That depends on whether you, Captain, want fame. If you do, it's best if the news comes directly from us. At the very least, if we do a good deed, people should know it was us who did it. We can't let others take credit."
Deng Guang was somewhat hesitant, "Won't that be too ostentatious? Wouldn't that expose that the Captain's permissions are higher than theirs?"
Zhao Pu took over, attracting everyone's attention, "I think there are pros and cons to us directly releasing the news."
Everyone looked at him.
Zhao Pu said, "There are two benefits. First, it can boost the reputation of the Captain and our team. Everyone who receives the news will owe the Captain a favor."
Qin Ziwen's younger brother muttered, "But not everyone knows how to be grateful. There are plenty of ungrateful people too."
Zhao Pu nodded, "We can't deny the existence of such people, but as long as a portion of them appreciate it, it's worth it. Moreover, even bad people surely wish the people around them were good. Do bad people really like living in a foul, impoverished, and utterly wicked place? Deep down, people still pursue truth, goodness, and beauty.
Second, as long as no second person obtains higher permissions, the Captain's importance remains indispensable. Once they know about the second map crossing, they'll definitely want to know about the environment of the third crossing. Being able to know the next map in advance also allows for more preparation.
Although we are all modern people, without the spread of internet media, our living habits have in some aspects already become closer to those of ancient people. If we want to accomplish great things, a good reputation is still very important."
Yuan Ming asked, "You've talked about the benefits. What about the drawbacks?"
Zhao Pu said, "The drawback is that a tall tree attracts the wind. Because the reputation spreads, the Captain's every move will attract more attention and could also be targeted by people with ill intentions. Moreover, our spreading reputation might threaten the position of the Alliance and could potentially draw the attention of their higher-ups.
Of course, based on my understanding of some members of the Alliance, most of them are actually just ordinary people. They wouldn't say that just because they joined the Alliance, they'd sell their lives for it. The purpose of joining the Alliance is simply to survive better.
If we clash with the Alliance, the most likely result is conflict with some of the vested interests in the Alliance's upper echelons, with others choosing to watch from the sidelines.
In the end, whoever wins, they'll help that side."
Wang Yun clapped in admiration, "Doctor Zhao, your name really wasn't chosen wrongly."
Hearing this, Zhao Pu looked somewhat embarrassed.
Back in university, his roommates hadn't spared him from teasing about his name, asking if he had only read half of the Analects.
Li Yue said, "I don't think conflict is inevitable. They're not brainless villains from short dramas. Those with poor brains were pretty much eliminated over the past month. Those who remain, even if not smart, are at least normal people.
We're all adults. Unless there is a fundamental conflict of interest, they don't need to deliberately target us. As long as we can maintain a certain level of deterrent force, I think cooperation is still possible."
Qin Ziwen nodded.
He could also sense this.
When the residential complex first crossed over, there was a portion of "entitled brats" or people used to throwing their weight around who failed to adjust their mindset in time.
But recently, the atmosphere in the complex had clearly improved a lot. Everyone had their own things to do, all striving to survive.
"If I were to spread the news, which method do you think would be more appropriate?"
Li Yue said excitedly, "I think, how about you, Boss, borrow a loudspeaker, then set up a platform in the center of the complex, and loudly announce that the next map is the Gobi Desert! What do you think?"
Qin Ziwen's face darkened, "I think your suggestion is good."
Li Yue laughed heartily, "Boss is wise!"
Qin Ziwen said, "So the task of borrowing the loudspeaker and doing the publicity on the platform is handed over to you. Remember to shout my name during the publicity."
Li Yue's smile froze. Just thinking about that scene made this introvert feel awkward. He cleared his throat twice, "Boss, I think maybe we should hand out flyers."
"Will you write them? And it's too wasteful of paper."
Clean white paper was also a scarce resource. It would probably be a long time before they could make such clean, neat white paper again.
After discussing with everyone, publicity wasn't their strong suit.
They proposed quite a few ideas, but they were all rather dull and unoriginal.
Qin Ziwen suddenly thought of someone: Guo Xiaochun.
That man who planned to spread his intermediary business throughout the complex.
"Time's getting late. You all head up the mountain first. I'll send the Crowned Eagle with you to retrieve the cards from the altar on the mountainside. Remember to be careful of the Short-faced Bear."
Qin Ziwen dispatched Du Yu and Zhang Meng, plus Yang Cunshen, Wang Yun, Li Yue, Zhao Pu, Deng Guang, and Yuan Ming, forming an eight-person team.
They also brought along Powerful Animal Traps, the Compound Bow, Long Spears, Molotov cocktails, and other items.
With the Crowned Eagle providing aerial reconnaissance to prevent surprise attacks from the Short-faced Bear, the team's safety while going up the mountain was greatly increased.
After everyone left, Qin Ziwen took his younger brother to Unit 201, Building 6, Unit 2.
A vertical plaque hung by the door.
"Xiao Guo Information Agency"
Oh, looked quite professional.
The door was slightly ajar; a gentle push opened it.
Inside the room, Guo Xiaochun was wearing glasses, sitting at a table, writing something seriously.
Hearing the door push open, he instinctively called out without looking up, "Please come in."
It seemed a bit quiet. Guo Xiaochun looked up, and upon seeing it was Qin Ziwen, his eyes lit up. He quickly stood up, "Brother, please sit, please sit."
He hurriedly got up, brought a chair for Qin Ziwen, and even poured a cup of dandelion tea.
"You've even got tea set up here. Looks like you're doing pretty well."
Guo Xiaochun smiled wryly, "Brother, don't tease me. I'm just running a small business."
At this point, Guo Xiaochun tentatively inquired, "Are you here to buy information? What kind of information are you looking for? Zhang Bo's, or Zou Jianghe's?"
Qin Ziwen gave him another look, "Your information network is quite extensive. But I don't want information on either of them. I'm here to sell you information for free."
"Sell information to me, for free..." Guo Xiaochun murmured to himself. They say the free things are the most expensive. Hearing the word "free," he felt pressure.
Then Qin Ziwen explained his purpose.
After listening, Guo Xiaochun realized he had misunderstood Boss Qin. His eyes shone brightly, and he trembled with excitement.
Holy shit! It's actually such explosive news! If this kind of blockbuster news spread from him, his studio would definitely become an overnight sensation!
Guo Xiaochun looked at Qin Ziwen with admiration, giving him a thumbs up, "Brother, when it comes to benevolence and virtue, it's gotta be you! If it were anyone else, they'd probably either hide this news or sell it at a high price. You're providing it for free. Just with this news, you can save at least a hundred lives!"
"How long will it take you to spread the news throughout the entire complex?"
Guo Xiaochun guaranteed, "One day! Before tonight, I guarantee that the entire complex, from top to bottom, young and old, every household, will know this news!"
Qin Ziwen nodded, "Hmm, but I also have a requirement. They say do good deeds without leaving your name, but I think we should adapt to the times."
"What is there to say? That's a must! If you do a good deed, you gotta let others know who did it!" After saying this, Guo Xiaochun went back to the bedroom, "Brother, wait a moment."
A short while later, he came out with a box, "Brother, this is an old wild ginseng I collected. Please take it."
Qin Ziwen didn't accept it, "You handle the matter well. That's enough."
Guo Xiaochun turned and stuffed it into Qin Ziwu's hands, "I have another one. You just take this. This old wild ginseng is at least fifty years old, absolutely a good thing. It can sustain life."
Qin Ziwu looked at his elder brother.
Qin Ziwen slightly shook his head.
Qin Ziwu then put it back for Guo Xiaochun. Guo Xiaochun wanted to refuse, but his strength was no match for Qin Ziwu. He was pressed back into his seat like a little chick.
After they left, Guo Xiaochun sighed and put the old wild ginseng back in the cabinet.
From these few interactions, he realized that Qin Ziwen was someone who valued substance.
He didn't like empty talk.
If he wanted to build a closer relationship with the other party, the best way was to handle this matter well, and handle it beautifully!
So he pondered seriously on how to spread the news as quickly as possible. Soon, he had an idea!
......