A daily intelligence report; in chaotic times and famine years, grain is plentiful.

"If everyone can just come and get their food, then nobody will have to work anymore; they can just sit and wait to eat!"

Chen Mo's expression turned cold as he stared intently at Zhang Yan.

Looking into Chen Mo's eyes, Zhang Yan couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

"Let me make this clear from the start: we're all working together to clear this land and fish, and there's only one rule: distribution according to work. The more you work, the more you earn. Do you understand what I mean?"

Chen Mo said seriously again.

"You, you..."

Zhang Yan was speechless.

"If you want to gain benefits without contributing, you can leave the team now. From now on, none of you will get a single penny of the village's reclamation achievements."

Chen Mo's tone clearly indicated that he was not joking.

The Zhang brothers were startled by Chen Mo's imposing manner and couldn't help but take a few steps back.

"Brother, maybe we should just forget about it..."

Zhang Shi tugged at Zhang Yan's arm.

"Take those fish, then get back to work properly. Don't try to take shortcuts. Let's call it even for today."

As Chen Mo spoke, he handed over the crucian carp in his hand.

Zhang Yan had completely lost his arrogance. Seeing the disdainful looks from the surrounding villagers, he knew he was completely in the wrong.

If we really turn against Chen Mo now and leave the team, we'll lose one of our chances of survival.

Now that Chen Mo has given them a way out, they can't keep being stubborn.

"Brother Mo, we were wrong. We'll definitely work hard next time and never slack off again."

After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Yan quickly pulled his younger brother down and admitted his mistake.

"It's alright, I'm not a petty person. Just remember what you said today. If there's a next time, I won't be so polite."

Seeing this, Chen Mo's tone softened considerably.

"Okay, it definitely won't..."

Sweat beaded on Zhang Yan's forehead; he could tell Chen Mo wasn't joking.

"Take it."

"Brother Xie Mo."

The Zhang brothers quickly took the fish, thanked them repeatedly, and sheepishly squeezed out of the crowd.

"Brother Mo is absolutely right."

"We're all from the same village, so let's keep the peace and make money..."

The surrounding villagers also applauded.

Chen Mo nodded slightly as he saw the satisfied expressions on everyone's faces.

Only by establishing clear rules can this team be managed effectively.

Otherwise, others will follow suit, and not only will they be unable to meet the targets set by the government troops, but they will also be in trouble if they can survive.

The sun is setting over the western mountains.

The group carried bamboo baskets and wooden buckets filled with fish back to camp, chatting and laughing.

Upon seeing this, the villagers in charge of clearing the land were immediately intrigued.

"They even have fish in the prize money?"

They all put down their tools and excitedly pushed their way forward.

Normally, they farm for those local gentry and at most get leftovers to eat; they haven't had any meat for quite some time.

After sharing the fish today, I'm even more determined to follow Chen Mo's lead.

As Chen Mo said, as long as everyone works together, even in a famine, we can find a way to survive.

……

Shannan Town.

Wang family.

Led by his servants, Zhao Si arrived in front of the Wang family father and son in a flustered manner.

"What message did you receive?"

Old Wang Qi held the teacup and asked calmly.

"Master, it seems that Chen Mo has really succeeded. The villagers who followed him up the mountain said that he really led them to reclaim wasteland and even grew crops."

Zhao Si replied with a look of unease.

"They've grown food already? That fast?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Laoqi's composure vanished instantly.

"Father, that's impossible. Black Wind Ridge is such a desolate place, there are more rocks than soil, it's impossible to grow any crops there. That good-for-nothing Chen Mo is just making a fuss to fool those ignorant people into making a ruckus."

Wang Mang shouted, his face full of resentment.

"Just making a fuss?"

There was no sign of relaxation on Wang Laoqi's face.

"If it were really just a charade, how could those villagers have followed him for so many days, going up the mountain every day? Are they all fools? And what about Chen Mo? Could General Zhao really back him up?"

Speaking of Zhao Canjiang, Wang Laoqi still harbored resentment.

"Perhaps, Lieutenant General Zhao was also deceived by Chen Mo. That kid Chen Mo is very quick-witted now, but he made up some lies to fool Lieutenant General Zhao as well. Don't worry, Father, after the autumn harvest, when they can't deliver the grain, Lieutenant General Zhao will naturally deal with him."

Wang Mang remained quite disdainful.

"Still waiting? If that actually yields a harvest, we're doomed."

Wang Laoqi sounded quite anxious.

Having experienced what has happened these past few days, he dared not underestimate Chen Mo again.

"This kid dared to make a pledge to General Zhao, he must have something to back him up."

Wang Laoqi suddenly stood up, his face full of worry.

A few days ago, he sent people to the village to investigate this matter secretly.

For several days in a row, the people they sent out came up empty-handed.

Black Wind Ridge is too big, and they couldn't find the fields they were talking about at all. Moreover, the villagers were very vigilant. As soon as the Wang family members got close, they were held back by the villagers who were watching them.

"Father, give me two more days, and I'll definitely find out their background."

Wang Mang assured him.

"You think you can rely on that bunch of useless trash under your command?"

Wang Laoqi glared angrily at Zhao Si, who was kneeling on the ground.

That bunch of hooligans are more trouble than they're worth.

Zhao Si felt a sudden pang of panic when Wang Laoqi glared at him like that.

"I think Chen Mo just wants to lead the whole village to oppose our Wang family. No matter how much you investigate, it's useless."

Wang Laoqi already knew Chen Mo's purpose.

After all, in this famine year, being able to eat one's fill is enough; why would anyone be foolish enough to lead others to clear the wasteland?

From this perspective, Chen Mo's goal is quite clear: to win over his own forces.

Upon hearing his father's words, Wang Mang seemed to understand but not quite.

"Those unruly people have really gone too far! They used to wag their tails when given a little something, but now that they're following Chen Mo, they actually dare to oppose our Wang family!"

He continued to roar in frustration, unable to come up with any solution.

Wang Laoqi looked at his incompetent son and sighed slightly.

"You stole someone else's wife back then, but you didn't dare to completely destroy her. Now you've left yourself with this problem, haven't you?"

He rebuked again.

Hearing his father's words, Wang Mang showed no shame whatsoever, retorting, "I don't know either. Chen Mo was supposed to starve to death; who knows how he managed to survive..."

"He's winning people over now. If he really gains a foothold in the village, will our Wang family still have a place?"

Wang Laoqi had not anticipated that Chen Mo possessed such abilities.

"Dad, what should we do now? Why don't we threaten those villagers and make them afraid to come up the mountain? Then the crops in the fields will rot!"

The disdain on Wang Mang's face gradually disappeared, and he began to rack his brains for a solution.

"A threat?" Wang Laoqi glared at him and said, "He has General Zhao behind him. If we continue to act so blatantly, we'll be slapping the government troops in the face. General Zhao is just looking for a reason to deal with us. Are you just offering yourself up?"

Although he was furious, he remained restrained.

Things are different now; the old methods are no longer effective against Chen Mo.

Moreover, Chen Mo is now leading the entire village, so an open approach is no longer viable; he has no choice but to resort to underhanded tactics.