Our neighborhood has been transported again.

Chapter 139 Gathering (Part 2)

Qin Ziwen quickly figured out the purpose of the settlement quota.

Temporary workers like Liu San and Chen Pi can be made permanent employees, just like the four positions in the tavern. As long as they are willing to stay forever, they can follow their home.

There's no need to worry about deserting at the crucial moment.

He intends to reserve these four spots for skilled craftsmen or technical talents.

After asking around privately, it was discovered that not everyone was willing to stay forever; among the salt makers, only Dazhuang and Liu San had this wish.

Liu San quietly told him, "Sir, the others are unwilling to stay long, probably hoping for the new emperor to ascend the throne and grant a general amnesty so they can return to their hometowns. Some of them left home to avoid corvée labor and taxes, and if they encounter a general amnesty from the new emperor, they will have a chance to go back."

"I see. So you and Dazhuang aren't waiting for a general amnesty?"

Liu San patted his thin chest, his face full of loyalty: "My lord's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain, and I only wish to follow you!"

"speak English."

Liu San chuckled, "This old man is getting old. Who knows when I'll get a general amnesty. Even if I do, the journey back will be filled with wind and rain, and I might even run into bandits. I'm afraid I won't make it home before my old bones give out on the way."

I have plenty to eat and drink here, and I don't have to worry about being conscripted by the government for forced labor. I would be more than happy to stay.

"That silly boy Dazhuang, his family all starved to death, and he has no land left in his hometown, so naturally he doesn't want to go back."

Although Liu San was old, Qin Ziwen was still willing to reserve a place for him.

Firstly, he was a skilled worker at the salt wells; secondly, the old man was pleasant to talk to and quick-witted, and could handle small matters well. In ancient times when most people were illiterate, he was quite useful.

Next came two hunters and an old cobbler. When Qin Ziwen asked them a question, all three hesitated.

"It's alright, you can consider it for a while longer." Qin Ziwen did not insist.

Liu San, who had been watching this, leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "Does the master want them to stay?"

Qin Ziwen hummed in agreement, “Everyone has their own ambitions; we can’t force them.”

These people are willing to settle temporarily in their homes, but it seems that it will not be easy for them to truly settle down.

After all, leaving one's homeland forever was a matter that many people in ancient times needed to consider carefully.

Liu San's eyes darted around, and he said in a low voice, "I am willing to speak on your behalf, sir."

"Go ahead."

After Qin Ziwen left, Liu San wandered over to Chen Pi's side.

Chen Pi was sitting on a small stool, carefully cleaning the fascia and remaining flesh inside the peel with a scraper. He seemed to be working diligently, but then he got lost in thought and almost cut his hand.

Liu San pulled up a stool and sat down: "Master Chen, be careful with your hands."

Chen Pi looked at Liu San, paused for a moment, and nodded, saying, "Master Liu."

Liu San asked, "Where is Master Chen from?"

“Qingzhou Pingyuan County”.

“Wow, that’s pretty close. I’m from Beihai County.” Liu Sangai chatted with Chen Pi in his hometown dialect.

Upon hearing the familiar local accent, Chen Pi's eyebrows and eyes gradually relaxed.

After chatting for a while and getting to know each other better, Liu San sighed and said, "Alas, I have no one left in my family, unlike you, who still has family to care about."

Upon hearing this, Chen Pi's expression darkened, and he felt a sense of shared misfortune towards Liu Sansheng. "My situation is similar to yours. My eldest son died young, my second son was conscripted into the army and I heard from his companions that he drowned, and my third son died of illness a few years after getting married. The county town was captured by rebels, and I got separated from the fleeing group. I saw a soup kitchen on the mountain and never expected to end up here."

Liu San slapped his thigh and said, "Hey, why don't you just stay with me?"

Seeing Chen Pi hesitate, Liu San continued to persuade him: "What are you still hesitating about? You are a kind-hearted man! You can eat and drink your fill, and there will be new people coming to find you a wife and have a few children."

Chen Pi's lips twitched. "I'm already forty-eight. Don't talk nonsense. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to. Besides, even if I did give birth, how many more years could I live?"

Liu San encouraged, "So what if you're forty-eight? If you don't want to have children, you can adopt a few obedient kids! Let them take your surname, recognize you as their father, you raise them when they're young, and they'll take care of you when you're old."

Chen Pi was somewhat tempted, but couldn't help asking, "What benefits has the master promised you?"

Liu San laughed and said, "I just think this place is nice and I want to find a few more companions. Don't you think this place is like the legendary Peach Blossom Spring? Besides, you're already so old. When will you be able to go back? And after you go back, will anyone visit your grave? Since there's no one at home, you might as well stay here."

Chen Pi hesitated, "But I just refused you, sir. Won't you be angry?"

"I'll go talk to the adults, as long as you give me a definite answer," Liu San said, patting his chest.

"Well done then."

Afterwards, Liu San went to find two other hunters. They worked all night and found seven or eight tree branches suitable for making bows, as well as three spear shafts suitable for making spears.

Using the same method to get closer to them, they chatted for a while, and finally one person agreed to stay, while the other said he needed to think about it some more.

"How did you persuade him?" Qin Ziwen asked curiously.

Liu San bowed and replied, "You have treated them well, sir. I only need to express your kindness to them and analyze the current malpractices of the court. They will naturally be moved. In the end, it is your benevolence that can persuade them."

Listening to Liu Sanzhe's well-organized arguments, Qin Ziwen gave him a deep look and asked, "Are you really just a salt worker?"

"That was true before." Liu San chuckled, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

Soon, all four spots for the residential community were filled.

Liu San, Da Zhuang, Zhang Meng, Chen Pi.

[Ordinary Human (Liu San): ☆]

[Ordinary Human (Dazhuang): ☆☆☆]

[Ordinary Human (Zhang Meng): ☆☆]

[Ordinary Human (Chen Pi): ☆]

After breakfast, the team members gathered at Qin Ziwen's home.

Qin Ziwen convened an internal meeting.

The group sat down in a circle.

Qin Ziwen began, "I plan to release the news that the next map is the Gobi Desert. There are still two days left, which should be enough time to collect water, but what are your ideas on how to publicize this?"

Wang Jun pondered, "That depends on whether you, Captain, want a good reputation. If you do, it's best to let the news out from us. At least when you do a good deed, people should know that it was us who did it, and we can't let others claim the credit."

Deng Guang hesitated for a moment: "Wouldn't this be too conspicuous? Wouldn't that reveal that the captain has higher authority than them?"

Zhao Pu took over, drawing everyone's attention: "I think there are both advantages and disadvantages to us releasing the information directly."

Everyone looked at him.

Zhao Pu said, "There are two advantages. First, it can enhance the reputation of the captain and our team, and those who receive the news will feel indebted to the captain."

Qin Ziwu muttered, "But not everyone knows how to be grateful; there are quite a few ungrateful people too."

Zhao Pu nodded: "We can't deny the existence of such people, but as long as some people appreciate it, it's worth it. Even bad people certainly hope that they are surrounded by good people. Do bad people like to live in a smog-filled, impoverished, and evil place? Deep down, people still pursue truth, goodness, and beauty."

Secondly, unless someone else gains higher authority, the team leader's importance remains paramount. Knowing the map from the second crossing, they'll undoubtedly want to know the environment for the third crossing as well. Knowing the next map in advance allows for better preparation. Although we are modern people, without the dissemination of online media, our lifestyles have become similar to those of the ancients in some ways. If we want to accomplish great things, a good reputation is still very important.

Yuan Ming asked, "You've finished talking about the benefits, so what about the drawbacks?"

Zhao Pu said, "The downside is that the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow against it. Because once our reputation spreads, the captain's every move will attract more attention, and he will be more likely to be targeted by people with ill intentions. Moreover, if our reputation spreads, it may threaten the status of the Alliance and may attract the attention of their higher-ups."

Of course, based on what I know about some members of the Tongmenghui, most of them are just ordinary people. They wouldn't say that joining the Tongmenghui means they would risk their lives for it. Their purpose in joining the Tongmenghui is simply to survive better.

If we fight with the Tongmenghui, the most likely outcome will be a conflict with some of the vested interests at the top of the Tongmenghui, while others will choose to stand by and watch.

Ultimately, they'll help whoever wins.

Wang Jun clapped his hands and praised, "Dr. Zhao, you really didn't choose the wrong name."

Zhao Pu felt somewhat embarrassed upon hearing this.

Back in college, my roommates often teased me about his name, asking if I had only read half of the Analects.

Li Yue said, "I don't think there will necessarily be a conflict. They are not the brainless villains in the short drama. Almost all the mentally challenged people have been eliminated in the past month. Those who are left are normal people, even if they are not smart."

We're all adults; unless there's a fundamental conflict of interest, they have no reason to deliberately target us. As long as we can maintain a certain level of deterrence, I think cooperation is still possible.

Qin Ziwen nodded.

He could sense that too.

When the community first started its cross-border movement, some "giant babies" or people who were used to being arrogant failed to correct their mindset in time.

But recently, I've noticed a significant improvement in the atmosphere in the neighborhood. Everyone is busy with their own things and striving to survive.

"If I were to send out a message, which method do you think would be most appropriate?"

Li Yue excitedly said, "I think you could borrow a megaphone, set up a platform in the center of the neighborhood, and loudly announce that the next map will be the Gobi Desert!"

Qin Ziwen's face darkened. "I think your suggestion is good."

Li Yue laughed heartily, "Boss is brilliant!"

Qin Ziwen said, "So I'm entrusting you with the task of borrowing the loudspeaker and making the announcement on the stage. Remember to call my name when you're making the announcement."

Li Yue's smile froze. Just thinking about that scene made him, a socially awkward person, feel a little embarrassed. He coughed twice and said, "Boss, I think we should hand out flyers."

"You're going to write it? Besides, it's such a waste of paper."

Clean white paper is also a rare resource, and it's estimated that it will be a long time before such clean and neat white paper can be made.

After discussing it with everyone, they realized that publicity wasn't their forte.

I came up with a lot of ideas, but they were all rather uninteresting.

Qin Ziwen suddenly thought of someone: Guo Xiaochun.

The man who planned to expand his real estate agency business throughout the neighborhood.

"It's getting late, you guys go up the mountain first. I'll send the harpy eagle with you to get the cards from the altar halfway up the mountain. Remember to watch out for the short-faced bear."

Qin Ziwen sent Du Yu and Zhang Meng out, along with Yang Cunshen, Wang Jun, Li Yue, Zhao Pu, Deng Guang, and Yuan Ming, to form an eight-person team.

Also bring powerful animal traps, compound bows, spears, Molotov cocktails, and other items.

With the addition of harpy eagles providing aerial surveillance to prevent attacks from short-faced bears, the safety of the team's ascent up the mountain was greatly improved.

After everyone left, Qin Ziwen led his younger brother to Unit 2, Room 201, Building 6.

A vertical plaque hangs at the entrance.

Xiao Guo Information Agency

Wow, it actually looks pretty convincing.

The door was ajar; it opened with a gentle push.

Inside the room, Guo Xiaochun was wearing glasses and sitting at the table, writing something intently.

Hearing the door open, he instinctively called out, "Come in."

It seemed a bit quiet. Guo Xiaochun looked up, and when he saw that it was Qin Ziwen, his eyes lit up. He quickly stood up and said, "Brother, please sit down, please sit down."

He quickly got up, brought Qin Ziwen a chair, and poured him a cup of dandelion tea.

"You've even prepared tea; it looks pretty good."

Guo Xiaochun smiled wryly, "Brother, stop teasing me. I just run a small business."

At this point, Guo Xiaochun tentatively asked, "Are you here to buy information? What kind of information are you looking for, Zhang Bo's or Zou Jianghe's?"

Qin Ziwen glanced at him again, "Your information network is quite good, but I don't want any of their information. I'm here to sell you information for free."

"Sell me the information, for free." Guo Xiaochun muttered to himself. Everyone says that what's free is the most expensive, and he felt pressured when he heard the word "free".

Qin Ziwen then explained his purpose.

After listening, Guo Xiaochun realized that he had misunderstood Boss Qin. His eyes lit up and he trembled with excitement.

Holy crap! This is such explosive news! If this kind of bombshell news came out from him, his studio would definitely become an instant sensation!

Guo Xiaochun looked at Qin Ziwen with admiration and gave him a thumbs up. "Brother, when it comes to benevolence, we have to look to you! If it were someone else, they would probably either keep this kind of information to themselves or sell it at a high price. You provided it for free; just this information alone could save at least a hundred lives!"

"How long will it take you to spread the message throughout the entire neighborhood?"

Guo Xiaochun promised: "One day! Before tonight, I guarantee that every household in the entire community, from top to bottom, young and old, will know this news!"

Qin Ziwen nodded, "Yes, but I also have a request. It is said that one should do good deeds anonymously, but I think we should be flexible in different situations."

"What else is there to say? Of course! If you do a good deed, you have to let others know who did it!" Guo Xiaochun said and returned to his bedroom. "Brother, wait a moment."

A moment later, he came out with a box. "Brother, this is an old ginseng I bought. You can keep it."

Qin Ziwen refused, saying, "Just get things done, that's enough."

Guo Xiaochun turned and handed it to Qin Ziwu, "I have another one, you can take it. This ginseng is at least fifty years old, it's definitely a good thing, it can keep you alive."

Qin Ziwu looked at his elder brother.

Qin Ziwen shook his head slightly.

Qin Ziwu put Guo Xiaochun back. Guo Xiaochun wanted to back down, but he was no match for Qin Ziwu's strength and was pushed back into his seat like a little chick.

After they left, Guo Xiaochun sighed and put the old ginseng back in the cabinet.

From these few encounters, he discovered that Qin Ziwen was a person who valued substance.

I don't like talking about abstract things.

If you want to build a good relationship with the other party, you'd better do this well, and do it beautifully!

So he thought hard about how to get the message out as quickly as possible, and soon he had an idea!
(End of this chapter)