Wu Feng turned and left the courtyard, walked to the detached wooden house next door, and knocked twice.

The door opened, and Wu Xingyun, dressed in white, stood in the doorway with her hair tied up and a calm expression. She no longer looked like the childish old woman she once was.

"Let's go to the Hall of Gathering Righteousness."

Wu Xingyun nodded, asked no further questions, and followed him outside.

The five people crossed the open space and headed towards the Hall of Gathering Righteousness.

On the way, they encountered several patrolling bandits. Upon seeing Wu Feng, they immediately bowed and called out, "Boss!" Wu Feng waved his hand and continued walking.

They arrived at the Hall of Gathering Righteousness, and Wu Feng walked in and sat down in the main seat.

Li Qinglu, Mu Wanqing, and Azi sat on the left, while Wu Xingyun sat on the right.

Wu Feng turned to the bandits standing guard at the door: "Go to the kitchen and tell them to prepare a meal for fifteen people and send it to the Hall of Righteousness. Also, call Mu Lingyun and have him gather all the leaders of the stronghold."

The bandit responded and turned to run away.

Before long, Mu Lingyun entered first, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Chief."

Wu Feng nodded: "Sit down."

Mu Lingyun sat down on the right.

Next to enter were Qian Wencai, Sun Mingyuan, Zhou Shuwen, and Chen Wenyuan. They walked in with their backs bent and sat down next to Mu Lingyun.

Then came Xiong Batian, Chang Kun, and Mei Ruolan. As soon as the three of them entered, the hall of gathering righteousness became much more crowded.

Everyone had arrived, and Wu Feng glanced around.

The kitchen staff came in with trays and placed the dishes on the table one by one.

Braised pork belly, stewed chicken, steamed fish, stir-fried greens, cold black fungus salad, a large bowl of hot soup, two dishes of peanuts, and a plate of braised beef. The bowls and chopsticks were set out, and rice was served.

Wu Feng picked up his chopsticks: "Eat first, then we'll talk."

The group started eating. Xiong Batian ate the fastest, finishing a steamed bun in a few bites and emptying a bowl of rice in just a few mouthfuls.

Chang Kun ate quickly, while Mei Ruolan ate quietly.

Qian Wencai and the others ate cautiously, only using their chopsticks to reach the dishes in front of them.

Li Qinglu sat next to Wu Feng, occasionally serving him food.

Mu Wanqing ate very slowly, lifting a corner of her veil.

Ah Zi's mouth was stuffed full, and her eyes were still scanning the table.

After eating for about 15 minutes, we were almost full.

Wu Feng put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a cloth.

The group put down their chopsticks and looked at him.

"I have a few things to say," Wu Feng began.

He first looked at Qian Wencai, Sun Mingyuan, and Zhou Shuwen: "You three, continue doing what you were doing before. Qian Wencai, keep a close eye on the accounts, including the inflow and outflow of supplies and the receipt and disbursement of silver. Sun Mingyuan, oversee construction, including farmland, logging sites, and quarries; upgrade them if possible. Zhou Shuwen, manage the private school; teach what you're supposed to teach."

The three nodded quickly and agreed.

Wu Feng then looked at Chen Wenyuan, who hadn't been assigned a position yesterday and was sitting there without saying a word.

"Chen Wenyuan".

Chen Wenyuan quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Excellency is here."

Wu Feng looked at him and said, "I have a task for you. There's a village called Chenjia Village, about five miles south of Liuhe Town. There's an old scholar there named Chen Shou who has been teaching for over twenty years. There's also a bookseller on the east street of Yingzhou City named Zhou Wenyuan, who used to be a registrar. Go and recruit these two men. If they're willing to come up the mountain, the terms are negotiable. If they're not, don't force them. Remember, you're recruiting them, not kidnapping them. Show them some respect."

After listening, Chen Wenyuan's eyes darted around, and he quickly nodded, "Don't worry, Boss, I will do my best! I will find a way to invite these two people over!"

Wu Feng glanced at him: "Don't try anything funny."

Chen Wenyuan's face turned pale, and he repeatedly said, "I wouldn't dare!"

Wu Feng waved for him to sit down, then looked at Sun Mingyuan: "Don't be stingy with resources. Use timber, stone, and food as needed. Prioritize upgrading farmland, and then upgrade quarries and logging camps. Only upgrade housing after the population cap is reached. Don't end up with not enough food and nowhere for people to live."

Sun Mingyuan quickly stood up, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Don't worry, Chief, I will keep a close eye on things. Prioritize investing resources in farmland and resource-gathering buildings; upgrade housing only when the population is full."

Wu Feng nodded and asked him to sit down.

He looked at Xiong Batian.

Xiong Batian sat up straight and said in a gruff voice, "Boss, what are your orders?"

"Take three hundred brothers and go check out the small mountain strongholds around here," Wu Feng said. "If you can fight them, then fight them. Take back all the grain, timber, stone, and silver. If you find any usable craftsmen or talented scholars, try to recruit them."

He paused, then added, "Focus on looting, don't destroy the stronghold. Come back after you've looted, don't linger in battle."

Xiong Batian grinned and patted his chest: "Don't worry, Chief, I'm an expert at this! I guarantee I'll wipe those villages clean!"

Chang Kun nodded beside him and said in a low voice, "Understood."

Mei Ruolan nodded in agreement, "Understood, Chief."

Wu Feng looked at Mu Lingyun: "You continue training the troops."

Mu Lingyun clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Yes, Chief."

Wu Feng glanced around and found that everything that needed to be arranged had been arranged.

He turned to look at Wu Xingyun, who was sitting to his right.

"Let me introduce you." Wu Feng pointed to Wu Xingyun. "This is Wu Xingyun. From today onwards, she is the second-in-command of Qingfeng Village. When I'm not around, she's in charge of things in the village."

Everyone looked at Wu Xingyun.

Wu Xingyun sat in a chair, dressed in white, with a calm expression. He glanced at everyone's faces, nodded, and said nothing.

Mu Lingyun was the first to stand up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Greetings, Second Master."

Xiong Batian also stood up and said in a gruff voice, "Greetings, Second Boss."

Qian Wencai and the others quickly stood up, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Second Boss."

Chang Kun and Mei Ruolan also stood up and bowed.

Wu Xingyun waved his hand, his tone indifferent: "Alright, sit down."

The group sat down again.

Wu Feng leaned back in his chair and looked around at everyone: "Alright, that's enough. Eat and drink as you please, and then go about your business."

The group picked up their chopsticks again and swept the remaining dishes off the table.

After finishing the last piece of meat, Xiong Batian wiped his mouth and stood up: "Boss, I'm going to select the men. Three hundred brothers, once you've chosen, we'll set off."

Wu Feng nodded: "Go ahead."

Xiong Batian turned and walked out, with Chang Kun and Mei Ruolan following behind. The three of them strode out of the Hall of Righteousness.

Qian Wencai and the others also stood up, bowed to Wu Feng, and turned to leave.

Chen Wenyuan walked the fastest, his steps hurried, probably to prepare for recruiting those two scholars.

Sun Mingyuan walked slowly, muttering something to himself as he went.

Mu Lingyun finally stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Boss, I'm going to the training ground."

Wu Feng nodded, and Mu Lingyun turned and left the Hall of Gathering Righteousness.

The hall fell silent, leaving only Wu Feng, Wu Xingyun, Li Qinglu, Mu Wanqing, and Azi.

Wu Feng stood up: "Alright, you guys go back. I'm going out to gather resources and see if there's anything else I can scavenge around here."

Li Qinglu stood up and looked at him: "Wu Lang, be careful."

Mu Wanqing also stood up and said softly, "Young Master, please return soon."

Azi jumped up from her chair and said with a grin, "Young master, what should I do then?"

Wu Feng glanced at her and said, "You should rest for now. We can talk about the purchasing in a couple of days."

Ah Zi said "Oh" and obediently stood to the side.

Wu Xingyun stood up, glanced at Wu Feng, and turned to walk out.

Li Qinglu and Mu Wanqing followed behind, while Azi jogged after them. The group left the Hall of Gathering Righteousness and headed towards the backyard.

Wu Feng stood at the entrance of the Hall of Gathering Righteousness, watching them walk away before turning his gaze away.

With a light step, he rose into the air, landing gracefully on the village wall, then swept away and disappeared into the morning light.

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