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Chapter 140: Unforeseen Circumstances at the Fortified Camp
Chapter 140: Unforeseen Circumstances at the Fortified Camp
September 25, 2017
The Hu Yin tribe's affairs had come to a close, and Lu HaiKong, along with his companions, embarked on their journey back to the fortified camp.
On the surface, it appeared as though Lu HaiKong had single-handedly, with Dian Wei by his side, crushed the entire Hu Yin tribe. He had seemingly overwhelmed them, returning triumphantly with horses, equipment, and artifacts, appearing to have gained a massive advantage. However, Lu HaiKong was well aware that his performance in this incident was not exceptional, and the outcome could hardly be considered ideal.
The reason Hu YinWen opened the treasure vault to Lu HaiKong was to create a facade. He wanted to demonstrate to his subordinates and tribespeople that he had acquired the resources of Dark Wind Fort, worth hundreds of thousands, in exchange for just a thousand horses. This was a calculated move by Hu YinWen to win over the hearts of his tribe.
While Lu HaiKong seemed to have gained a significant advantage, in reality, he had effectively disrupted the Hu Yin tribe's commercial route. It was unlikely that there would be any business dealings between them in the short term.
Losing a channel that had been established over several years was not an ideal outcome.
Given more time, Lu HaiKong might have found a better solution or approach to handle this incident. However, time was not on his side, forcing him to resort to a direct and domineering method. Although this approach might have long-term drawbacks, Lu HaiKong would likely make the same choice if given the opportunity to redo it.
Nevertheless, Lu HaiKong did not return empty-handed. With some time to process and utilize his gains, he could significantly enhance the strength of his territory.
...
As Lu HaiKong made his way back to the fortified camp, it was facing some challenges.
Lu HaiKong had been away from the camp for eight days, during which indigenous NPCs had been arriving almost daily, with numbers ranging from a few hundred to even thousands.
In just seven days, the population of the camp had surpassed ten thousand, significantly accelerating the construction, particularly the progress of the wall. The influx also brought a wealth of skilled individuals, much to Wang Jun's delight.
However, the sudden population growth presented management challenges for Wang Jun. While he excelled in establishing systems for territory development and resource allocation, the issue lay not in these areas but with the influx of refugees and villagers.
Among the newcomers, many were simple farmers forced to join the camp due to their dire circumstances. But there were also those who had no desire to join, some coerced by refugees, while others with stable lives were compelled to relocate their entire families when villagers from their hometowns joined the camp. There were even rowdy ruffians among them.
Wang Jun had implemented a well-intentioned system where NPCs would receive rewards for encouraging others to join the camp. However, in practice, this system could lead to various problems. For instance, some opportunistic individuals, driven by personal gain, would accompany the bandits, claiming that everyone agreed to join, even if they hadn't. These bandits, some of whom were data NPCs, lacked understanding of human nature and followed orders without question, potentially bringing back unwilling villagers.
The discontent among the citizens, if handled properly, could be easily resolved given the favorable conditions within the fortified camp. The high walls, ample food supply, and sturdy, comfortable new houses were all commendable aspects. However, Wang Jun, being a Data NPC, had a weakness in this area. With the camp's population now exceeding ten thousand, various matters required his attention, and he had no reliable subordinates to delegate tasks. As a result, he had to handle everything personally, and the stress had visibly taken a toll on his appearance.
By the time Wang Jun noticed the issue, the situation had already escalated. The scattered discontent among the citizens wasn't inherently alarming, and it might have dissipated over time if left unattended. However, if someone intentionally exploited it, the problem could become severe.
On this particular day, Wang Jun noticed that the construction of the basin's wall, which had previously employed over ten thousand workers, was now missing a quarter of its workforce—a significant absence of two thousand people. Even with his busy schedule, Wang Jun couldn't overlook such a large number of absentees.
Upon discovering this, Wang Jun became furious. Lu HaiKong had repeatedly emphasized the importance of completing the wall within the shortest time possible, as it would establish an unassailable position for the camp. Even if the government sent troops to suppress them, the camp would have nothing to fear.
Given the critical nature of this construction project, Wang Jun couldn't help but be enraged by the absence of two thousand workers. He immediately set aside his current tasks, summoned Wang Ti, and led a hundred bandits, temporarily acting as the camp's security team, to address the issue.
Wang Jun's approach revealed his inexperience in handling such matters. He brought a large force with him, all brandishing steel knives and exuding a menacing aura, a show of force that was not necessarily foolish but lacked subtlety.
When Wang Jun and Wang Ti located the group of absent citizens, they found them prepared and waiting in the residential area, two thousand strong. Many of them wore expressions of indignation.
(End of Chapter)
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