Chapter 111: Development of the Fortified Camp
Chapter 111: Development of the Fortified Camp
September 25, 2017
Many thanks to 'Wind-Traveling-the-Nine-Provinces-free', 'Ten-Year-Book-Reader', 'Alone-Soul', and 'You-Can-Give-Up' for their generous support!
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Lu HaiKong had ordered Dian Wei to dismantle a particular fortified camp, and this guy was so honest that he completely flattened the entire camp.
Lu HaiKong didn't seem to mind, and he instructed Zhang Long to lead his men to clean up the battlefield and then return directly to the camp.
Compared to seven days ago, when Lu HaiKong saw his camp again, he almost couldn't recognize it. The camp had expanded significantly, with a large number of residential areas built near the valley, most of which were vacant. However, some had already been occupied.
The land in the valley that was originally intended for cultivation had also been completely fenced off, indicating that Wang Fat seemed to plan to use this land for construction.
Before Lu HaiKong left, he had taken away almost all of the elite forces. In reality, the defense of Flame Yellow was maintained by a force of three hundred elite bandit archers, which had increased in number since then. As for the commander in charge, there was originally none, as Lu HaiKong hadn't intended to stay long at Blackwind Fort. However, he ended up staying for seven days.
Fortunately, everything seemed to be going well.
When Lu HaiKong arrived, Wang Fat, along with Zhang Wen, Li Feng, and another man who looked familiar to Lu HaiKong, a robust and burly man named Wang Dashan, came out to greet him.
This man's name, Wang Dashan, suggested that he was a former bandit leader from a mountain camp. He was one of the few people captured by Lu HaiKong during his journey to Strong Yin. He had been successfully persuaded to surrender by Zhang Wen during Lu HaiKong's attack on Blackwind Fort and had a strength value of 47, which was fairly average. However, he seemed to possess some leadership skills, as he had been in charge of the elite bandit archers during this period.
While instructing Zhang Long to deliver fifty carts of supplies and money to the warehouse, Lu HaiKong greeted Wang Fat and the others. Wang Fat then began to brief Lu HaiKong on the developments at Flame Yellow during his absence.
While Lu HaiKong was attacking Blackwind Fort, Wang Fat had not been idle. He had begun preparations to receive the people from the border areas of Strong Yin.
In reality, this wasn't a particularly challenging task, especially in a place like Strong Yin, where the people suffered oppression from the aristocratic families and the threat of slaughter by foreign tribes. Their lives had become unbearable.
Every winter, large numbers of people would flee for various reasons, becoming genuine refugees. In such a situation, knowing that there was a place with warm shelter and ample food was like a paradise to them.
Under these circumstances, what difficulty could Wang Fat face in gathering people?
The only limitation was that Wang Fat had few capable people under his command, and due to Lu HaiKong's absence from the camp, he dared not venture too far. Nonetheless, even with these constraints, the Flame Yellow camp had already taken in over a thousand people in just seven days, including NPC refugees and desperate civilians.
"Many of these people have valuable skills. Although most of them are farmers, there are also carpenters, craftsmen, hunters, and even a blacksmith and several seamstresses among them. These are all valuable assets for the camp, especially the blacksmith. Although his skills may not be sufficient to forge weapons, he can still make farming tools and cooking utensils."
"All those with special skills have been selected and put to work. We've established a blacksmith shop and a tailor's shop, both owned by the fort. The commoners work for us and we pay them wages."
"As for those without skills or with skills that aren't currently useful, like farmers, I've gathered them to work on projects like building residences, irrigation canals, and fort walls. Then, we distribute wages for them to spend at the fort's food stores..."
Wang Fatzi meticulously explained his governing ideas and policies to Lu Haikong, not only reporting to him but also subtly imparting his experience in managing the fort. Lu Haikong listened intently.
As they toured the entire fort, Lu Haikong witnessed the transformations firsthand.
It was undeniable that Wang Fatzi was quite capable. In just seven days, the Flame Yellow Mountain Fort had undergone significant changes, and the most noticeable difference to Lu Haikong was the newfound vibrancy and vitality within the fort.
Seven days ago, most of the fort's inhabitants were refugees, lacking any skills and appearing numb. Except for a few exceptional individuals, they could only work based on instructions; without guidance, they would stand idly.
Under such circumstances, the fort lacked any semblance of vitality. But now, things were different. Everywhere, people were working with enthusiasm. Despite their thin clothing and pale, hungry faces, their eyes shone with hope for the future.
When these people saw Lu Haikong and Wang Fatzi, they would stop to pay their respects. Upon learning that Lu Haikong was the chief of the fort, their respect for him grew even more.
The people's enthusiasm was something Lu Haikong, from a humble background, wasn't quite used to. However, he didn't shy away; he smiled and acknowledged them all.
Among these people, Lu Haikong spotted a few familiar figures—women he had saved from the ravages of the Xianbei tribe. The last time he saw them, their faces were filled with despair. Now, they seemed to have emerged from the shadows, not exactly smiling and embracing a new life, but also not giving up.
In this group of women, Lu Haikong noticed a small figure. She was diligently washing rice, her tiny hands red from the cold, but her face remained calm, almost indifferent. She was focused on her task, unaware of her hands' condition.
This little girl was one of those Lu Haikong had rescued, the only one who had escaped physical harm and killed Xu Pugan with a single stroke of her knife.
Seeing her, Lu Haikong's heart tightened, and he instinctively stepped forward to take her cold, red hands into his own.
Surprised by this sudden action, the little girl looked up. Recognizing Lu Haikong, her eyes lit up.
(End of Chapter)
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