Chapter 158: The Fountain of Healing |
"As for manpower, if there's a need, I'll come bother you."
"Alright." Luo Gang stood up and shook hands.
He was very serious about this matter and personally escorted them downstairs.
Just as Qin Ziwen had guessed, this Master Wei was recruited through a card.
Master Wei's full name was Wei Yutang. He wasn't very tall, had a big bushy beard, and spoke with a booming voice like a striking bell.
As they were going upstairs, a girl from Unit 202 happened to come out to take out the trash. At a glance, she saw Cao Biansheng and Wei Yutang following behind Qin Ziwen. She was a bit surprised. "Cao Biansheng? Master Wei?"
"Yeah." Cao Biansheng's eyes darted around evasively.
Wei Yutang just nodded. Most of his attention was focused on the layout of the stairwell in the fire escape. "It's a bit narrow, not as spacious as the corridors where we're from."
"This is a fire escape. People usually take the elevator. They only use this place occasionally. Teaching buildings generally don't have elevators, only stairs, so the stairs are built wider and brighter." Qin Ziwen explained.
After entering the room and looking at the surroundings, a look of astonishment finally appeared in Wei Yutang's eyes. Not only Wei Yutang, but Cao Biansheng was also very curious.
"Wait, what's that?" Cao Biansheng pointed into the distance. On the sandy ground, a Mongolian horse was slowly walking over. Standing on the back of the Mongolian horse was a Crowned Eagle.
Seeing this scene, Qin Ziwen was also a bit surprised. How long had it been? Just a while ago, these two were at each other's throats, and now their relationship was this harmonious?
Watching the Mongolian horse walk up to Qin Ziwen and rub its head against him, Cao Biansheng was extremely shocked. "You actually keep a horse too?"
Images flashed in his mind: clad in armor, holding a long spear, riding a warhorse. Wasn't this the great general he fantasized about as a child? He couldn't help but feel envious.
Qin Ziwen led Master Wei to the Blacksmith.
What followed was the exchange between Li Tieshan and Wei Yutang. He had shown the blueprints to Li Tieshan. The subsequent matters didn't require his concern; the two professional craftsmen could communicate well.
"Guild Leader Qin, where do I stay?" Cao Biansheng had been somewhat conflicted about how to address Qin Ziwen. It was either 'Captain' or 'Guild Leader'.
After much thought, he realized he had already joined the guild. Calling Qin Ziwen 'Guild Leader' didn't seem wrong.
"You'll stay upstairs. Later, we're going to have a meeting. You can rest here for now. Oh, right, there's a Celestial Star Arrow Gallery over there. If you have time, you can go practice your archery. Don't waste such good physical fitness." Qin Ziwen patted him on the shoulder.
Filled with curiosity, Cao Biansheng entered the Celestial Star Arrow Gallery. For the entire afternoon, Qin Ziwen didn't see Cao Biansheng's figure again.
"Captain, the venom has been collected." Wang Yun handed over the collected Fat-tailed Scorpion toxin sealed in a plastic bottle, filled with a pale yellow, viscous liquid.
"How long can it be preserved?"
"If stored at low temperature and away from light, it can last for a month. The longer it's stored, the weaker the toxicity becomes. High temperatures and direct sunlight will accelerate spoilage. Once spoiled, the toxicity is basically gone."
"What about that batch of Fat-tailed Scorpions?"
Wang Yun said, "I've kept them in acrylic boxes. I'll bring them over in a moment."
Qin Ziwen waved his hand. "No need. You're more skilled than me at collecting venom. Just keep them with you to avoid the hassle of moving them back and forth later."
In the evening, the other team members finished their respective tasks.
They sat in a circle in the living room of Unit 502.
Many looked curiously at Cao Biansheng. They had all seen Cao Biansheng before, but they never expected this thick-browed, big-eyed fellow to also defect.
Cao Biansheng felt a bit uncomfortable under their gazes and shifted his butt on the seat.
Qin Ziwen spoke up, "Today's meeting agenda might be a bit long. To get back early, I'll keep it brief."
"First point, first of all, welcome Cao Biansheng to join our guild. He is now a member of our guild."
Everyone applauded thunderously.
"Second point, Teacher Luo has a building over there called the Traveling Merchant Teahouse..."
After hearing the purpose of the Traveling Merchant Teahouse, everyone began discussing animatedly.
"Can we use this Traveling Merchant Teahouse to leave?"
Cao Biansheng said, "No, we tried. You can think of this teahouse as a service station on a highway. We are the service station staff. Only those 'vehicles' can travel on the highway; people cannot get on the highway."
Du Yu's eyes flickered slightly. He thought of more things.
Back when he was with the lord at the Tavern, the money obtained from those customers... could that be used to trade with these traveling merchants?
However, Du Yu did not voice these thoughts.
"So, we can discuss what we will use to trade with those traveling merchants for the next batch at the Traveling Merchant Teahouse."
"Let me think... Oh, right, Captain, can we use the Mononykus pelts? Although Mononykus pelts are thin, the patterns are beautiful. And they definitely don't have Mononykus over there, right? So ours would be a 99% rarity!" Li Yue said excitedly.
"And to make them believe in the value of the Mononykus, I think we could even leave one Mononykus unskinned, so they know these pelts are from this creature. That way, with a Mononykus corpse as proof, it would better highlight the value of these pelts!"
"Not just Mononykus pelts. Things like the Giant Hyaenodon King's fur must also be extremely rare."
For a moment, everyone discussed fervently.
Qin Ziwen nodded.
Zhao Pu suddenly spoke, "Oh, right, Guild Leader. Earlier, you mentioned that in Great Yong, weapons are strictly controlled."
"They are strictly controlled." Du Yu spoke up. "Apart from the military, only hunters and military households can keep one or two bows at home, plus one or two swords or knives."
Qin Ziwen nodded. What others said might be false, but what Du Yu said was absolutely true because Du Yu was from Great Yong.
"Then among the common people, is iron also controlled?"
Du Yu nodded, "Yes. In Great Yong, the mining and smelting of all iron ore are exclusively managed by the government. Private workshops are strictly prohibited. To buy ironware, one can only go to the government-run 'Iron Shops', and purchasing ironware also requires registration."
"Then we can sell ironware! The more something is prohibited, the greater the demand. There's absolutely huge profit in this!" Zhao Pu said.
Du Yu thought for a moment, neither confirming nor denying. "It might be a bit difficult. Ordinary people probably wouldn't dare to buy it. But... huge profits are possible."
"Alright, ironware can also be included in the trade list." Qin Ziwen said thoughtfully.
However, at this stage, they themselves had a great demand for ironware.
They were far from being able to afford to take out large quantities for trade. But in the future, when production increases, trading ironware with them would be a very good option.
Tapping the table, Qin Ziwen continued, "Third point. The students discovered an Altar to the east. Many Gobi Sand Monitors live around the Altar. They are also the target in our Level 1 mission."
Hearing this, everyone wasn't afraid but instead asked excitedly.
"Guild Leader, how big are these Gobi Sand Monitors?"
Cao Biansheng answered, "Over four meters long. Their body length is about twice that of a Komodo dragon."
Hearing this data, everyone's expressions were calm.
This size sounded less impressive than the crocodile in the river before.
"Don't be careless. These Gobi Sand Monitors are social animals. Provoking one is likely to draw the hatred of a whole group."
"Everyone, don't underestimate them." Wang Yun nodded in agreement. "One and a group are two different concepts."
"Can we use poison? Didn't we purchase a batch of scorpions?" Li Yue asked.
Wang Yun said, "The effect might not be very obvious. Scorpions are generally part of a monitor lizard's diet. Plus, they are both native creatures. Their resistance to scorpion venom definitely won't be low."
Deng Guang tentatively suggested, "How about using the gasoline tactic? Anyway, lizard meat seems generally quite dirty and inedible."
Qin Ziwen nodded, "It can be considered. But we don't have much gasoline left. Probably can't use it many more times."
This time, we can use gasoline against the giant lizards. Next time, maybe there won't be any gasoline to use.
At that moment, the door of the Blacksmith behind them was pushed open. Li Tieshan came out excitedly. "My lord, Master Wei and I have discussed it. With enough manpower, we can make a Vehicle-mounted Crossbow in about two days!"
"Approximately how many people are needed?"
Li Tieshan calculated for a moment, then gave a number. "We need ten more people. Counting me and Master Wei, twelve people in total."
"Twelve people, two days, one Vehicle-mounted Crossbow... If I give you thirty-six people, can you make three in two days?" Qin Ziwen asked.
Li Tieshan smiled wryly. "My lord, it doesn't work like that. Some key components on the Vehicle-mounted Crossbow need to be forged by me and Master Wei personally. Others cannot replace us in this part."
"Then you two only need to do the irreplaceable parts of the process! Leave the other processes for others to handle!" Qin Ziwen said decisively.
"Yes, my lord." Li Tieshan nodded.
Qin Ziwen said, "Alright, you start working on it. Later, you can coordinate directly with Zhao Pu."
Qin Ziwen then looked at Zhao Pu. "Doctor Zhao, have you compiled the list?"
Zhao Pu nodded. "Yes. Currently, twelve families want to join the Qin Alliance."
Qin Ziwen pondered. "Alright. Later, go ask Guo Xiaochun. If there are no major issues, accept them. If you still need more manpower, you can directly contact Teacher Luo."
Zhao Pu nodded. "Okay."
Qin Ziwen then continued, "Then, the fourth point. To improve efficiency, we will now start dividing into departments. We will separate frontline combat personnel from logistics departments, each performing their own duties.
If someone is not good at combat, or perhaps doesn't like combat, choosing a department they are more passionate about is also a good option. I hope everyone can respect their true inner choices."
After Qin Ziwen's speech, the room fell into brief silence.
Although Captain Qin said that, withdrawing now felt a bit like desertion.
Finally, Li Yue took the initiative to speak. "Ahem, Brother Qin, maybe I should go work on these tools with Master Li. It happens to match my university major. While you're on the frontlines, I'll be on the rear battlefield, helping you create more powerful weapons."
Qin Ziwen said with a smile, "No need to be embarrassed. Just stick to the choice in your heart."
Zhao Pu pondered for a moment, then took the initiative to say, "Captain, our scale is getting larger and larger now. I usually have a lot of miscellaneous tasks, and my time isn't very abundant. Maybe I should also withdraw from the Hunting Team."
"Alright." Qin Ziwen said readily. "That works perfectly. Doctor Zhao, you can be responsible for internal and external coordination. Among those Ordinary Members, compile a list of those willing to become technical workers. We'll arrange things accordingly later."
Yuan Dajun felt fortunate that he had caught this last train with his son.
But he felt that having both father and son join the Hunting Team at the same time was a bit too risky.
So he quietly nudged Yuan Ming.
Yuan Ming was listening intently and turned his head in surprise, looking at his old man.
"Maybe you should quit the Hunting Team." Yuan Dajun whispered.
Yuan Ming widened his eyes. "You crafty old man, you're so bad! Why don't you quit!"
Seeing others look over, Yuan Dajun's face darkened and he stopped paying attention to his silly son.
It seemed no one else present had such thoughts. Only Deng Guang hesitated for a moment, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself. In the end, he just picked up the water cup on the table and took a sip.
Qin Ziwen said, "Don't worry. The division of functions is only for the current stage, not permanent. And I estimate the core Hunting Team's full membership will be around fifteen people. We'll supplement it later."
Qin Ziwen continued, "Then, fifth, regarding contributions."
After he finished speaking, Zhao Pu took the initiative to speak. "A team that eats from the same big pot definitely won't go far. I'm not saying the big pot system is necessarily bad; you have to look at the situation at the time. You have to learn to use dialectical thinking.
But regardless, clear rewards and punishments are the core of what allows an organization to go far.
Take the Crowned Eagle, for example. Whether in hunting or reconnaissance, the role the Crowned Eagle plays is extremely important. Can we negate its contributions just because it's a bird?"
Subsequently, everyone engaged in a heated discussion about rewards, punishments, contributions, and other aspects, finally reaching a result that satisfied all parties.
"Alright, that's about it for today's content." Qin Ziwen prepared to end the meeting.
Wang Yun suddenly spoke up, "Guild Leader, I remember there's a Healing Spring card in the warehouse, right?"
"Yes."
Wang Yun said, "Captain, none of us have enough contribution points. Who knows when we'll gather enough to exchange for the Healing Spring. Why don't you just use it?"
"Yeah." Others chimed in agreement.
"With General Eagle's contributions, exchanging for a Healing Spring is more than enough."
"Exactly. I think General Eagle definitely wouldn't refuse either." Li Yue chuckled.
In the distance, the Crowned Eagle standing on a wooden post turned its head. Did someone call it?
Yuan Ming rubbed his waist and sighed deeply. "Captain, after you use it, can I get a little benefit? Otherwise, my waist keeps hurting. Can you bear to watch?"
Seeing everyone had this attitude, Qin Ziwen understood what they meant.
He stopped declining.
He took out the Healing Spring card.
The Healing Spring only required a 2*2 area, breaking Qin Ziwen's stereotype that Advanced Buildings needed a huge area.
As the card was used.
Light enveloped the sandy ground ahead.
When the light faded, an exquisite, Eastern-style fountain structure appeared before everyone's eyes.
"Compared to this fountain, my Tailor Shop at home looks like it was built by cavemen." Zhao Pu sighed with emotion.
"Advanced Resource Cards are really different. It looks so beautiful."
Everyone gathered around. This exquisite fountain was covered with exquisite tiles on the outside.
Inside the basin was light blue, clear, transparent pool water.
In the very center was a small fountain, water splashing and leaping, the pool water crisp and cool.
......
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