Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

The following morning, the open space in the center of the Black Wind Warehouse was packed with people.

To the left stood the solemnly arrayed Wei warriors. Ninety-seven Xuanjia warriors stood in ranks of ten, their long halberds planted firmly on the ground. Although they had endured a bloody battle and their armor was still stained with blood from the lack of thorough cleaning, their disciplined bearing and silent demeanor exuded a chilling aura of battle-hardened warriors. Chen Wei stood at the front of the ranks, his hand on his sword, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping across the entire field.

To the right were more than thirty refugees led by Zhao Tiezhu, and the forty-one prisoners. The refugees, having been settled overnight, looked somewhat calmer, yet also filled with a mixture of bewilderment and anticipation for their new environment. The prisoners were divided into two groups: the able-bodied bandits, their hands bound, hung their heads dejected; the women, children, and the elderly huddled together in fear and unease. All eyes were fixed on the makeshift, low platform made of logs erected in front of the open space.

The morning light shone through a gap in the stockade wall, landing precisely on the low platform. Chen Xing was not wearing armor today, only a dark blue close-fitting outfit with a worn cloak over it, his long hair simply tied up. He stood on the platform, his posture upright, his gaze slowly sweeping over each face below. A mountain breeze blew, causing the hem of his cloak to flutter slightly.

The room was completely silent; even the children seemed to sense the heavy atmosphere and huddled quietly in their mothers' arms.

Chen Xing took a step forward and spoke. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying a composure and strength beyond his years.

"After last night's bloody battle, this stronghold has changed hands."

He paused, his gaze lingering on the ranks of the Wei soldiers for a moment, then sweeping over the faces of Zhao Tiezhu and other refugees.

"The blood of our three fallen brothers, and all the valiant soldiers who bled and were wounded in this battle, has been spilled on this land. From this day forward, this place is no longer the Black Wind Trading Post, nor a bandit's den." He raised his arm, pointing to the surrounding mountains and walls, "This is the foundation upon which we stand, defending ourselves against the wolves! I name it—Starfire Fortress!"

The moment the words "Spark Fortress" were uttered, a slight commotion arose in the audience. The refugees whispered and pondered the name, their eyes gradually brightening. The Wei soldiers remained silent, but their chests unconsciously puffed out.

"My name is Chen Xing," Chen Xing continued, his gaze meeting all eyes frankly. "I am the master of this fortress. Having assumed this position, I am obligated to protect everyone within its walls, ensuring the elderly are cared for, the young are supported, and the strong are able to defend their homes, so that they no longer have to wander like stray dogs, homeless and at the mercy of others!"

These words, though blunt, struck a nerve with most of the refugees and prisoners. Zhao Tiezhu's eyes welled up with tears, and the refugees behind him showed expressions of intense emotion.

"Indeed!" Chen Xing's tone shifted, becoming sharp. "Survival in chaotic times is not solely dependent on passion or the protection of others. To ensure the spark doesn't die out but instead ignites a prairie fire, rules are necessary! Today, I establish two rules that all within my fortress, regardless of their origins (Han or non-Han), whether they were soldiers, civilians, or bandits, must abide by!"

The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly solemn. Everyone pricked up their ears, knowing that what was about to be said would determine their future fate.

"Firstly, there is the 'Order of Merit'," Chen Xing said in a clear voice. "From this day forward, within the fortress, whoever desires grain, land, housing, or even a position, will be granted it solely based on merit, regardless of social status or kinship!"

He explained in detail: "Killing the enemy and defending the country is meritorious; reclaiming wasteland and planting grain is meritorious; crafting and repairing is meritorious; spying on the enemy and assisting in defense is also meritorious! All those who have made meritorious contributions will have their records made by the scribe, Li Shu, and their merit points will be calculated. These points can be exchanged for grain, cloth, salt, iron, and even for future allocation of land and houses, and promotions! Those who work hard will receive more, and those who have made meritorious contributions will be rewarded! Those who are lazy and have made no contributions should not complain!"

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the crowd below the stage, especially the able-bodied young men among the refugees and prisoners, lit up! Disregarding social status, relying solely on merit? In this world that values ​​lineage and birth, this was unheard of! It meant that even if they had been humble refugees or captured bandits, as long as they were willing to work hard, they had a chance to rise above their circumstances!

Zhao Tiezhu clenched his fists in excitement, and the young men and women of the refugee camp behind him were also breathing heavily. Even among the prisoners, a few men secretly raised their heads, their eyes darting around.

"Secondly, the Military Regulations!" Chen Xing's voice suddenly turned stern, his gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping over the Wei soldiers and the captured young men. "All those who carry weapons to guard fortresses or await orders to go on campaigns must strictly abide by these regulations! I hereby establish three rules; listen carefully!"

He held up one finger and said, slowly and deliberately, "First, do not plunder the inhabitants of the fortress or the innocent civilians passing through! Second, do not rape women! Third, do not torture or kill surrendered prisoners!"

With each rule he stated, his voice rose a notch, carrying an undeniable authority: "These three are ironclad rules! Anyone who violates them, regardless of their merit or rank, will be executed without mercy! The remaining detailed rules will be promulgated by Chen Wei later, and you must all memorize and strictly abide by them!"

"No looting, no adultery, no mistreatment of prisoners..." The crowd below, whether Wei soldiers or refugees, silently recited these nine simple words. For the refugees who had suffered from the chaos of war and banditry, this was the benevolent rule they had been dreaming of! And for the prisoners who had just surrendered and were filled with anxiety, this was undoubtedly a reassurance.

After Chen Xing finished speaking, his gaze swept across the entire room again. He saw that everyone's expressions varied—some were excited, some were expectant, some were awe-inspiring, and some were hesitant. He knew that words alone were not enough.

"Li Shu!" he called out.

The skinny Li Shu was already waiting below the stage, holding a newly made, simple wooden tablet and a charcoal pencil. Upon hearing the call, he hurriedly stepped forward: "Your humble servant is here!"

"From this moment forward, you will temporarily assume the position of scribe, responsible for recording merits and managing the granary accounts. Your primary task is to meticulously record all contributions made in last night's battle and today's labor! The refugees under Zhao Tiezhu's command have contributed to the fighting, the clearing and rescuing, and all deserve credit! The specific calculations will be discussed later with Chen Wei and Tiezhu. You must record everything impartially and without error!"

"I obey! I will not dare to show favoritism!" Li Shu replied loudly, feeling the wooden tablet in his hand as heavy as a thousand pounds.

"Chen Wei!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Chen Wei stepped forward.

"The specific provisions of the Military Regulations shall be drafted by you in consultation with the squad leaders, ensuring they are concise and rigorous. From today onwards, all able-bodied men carrying weapons—including those among the former prisoners of war who wish to surrender and serve—must undergo unified training and strictly adhere to the Military Regulations. Furthermore, twenty elite soldiers shall be selected and placed under your direct command, specifically responsible for patrolling and enforcing the law within the fortress. Anyone who violates the Military Regulations or the Order of Merit shall be dealt with by you according to the law, with the authority to execute first and report later!"

"Yes, sir! I will strictly enforce military discipline and live up to your trust!" Chen Wei replied solemnly. Entrusting him with the power to enforce the law was an immense act of trust.

"Zhao Tiezhu!"

Zhao Tiezhu, who could no longer contain himself, stepped forward upon hearing the sound and shouted, "Tiezhu is here!"

"You will be in charge of resettling refugees, allocating housing, and caring for the elderly and infirm. From this moment forward, you will be the civil affairs manager of Xinghuo Fort. Once the fortress walls are repaired, the first priority will be land reclamation! Those hundred acres of sloping land need to be cleared of weeds and leveled as soon as possible. The new farming tools obtained by Tianzhu will be distributed to each household for their use. You will be in charge of planning how to allocate manpower to improve the efficiency of land reclamation. The required grain will be advanced according to merit and obtained from Li Shu."

"Yes, my lord! Don't worry about the farming!" Zhao Tiezhu patted his chest, his face beaming. Civil Affairs Manager! This title made him feel a heavy weight on his shoulders, yet it also filled him with energy.

Finally, Chen Xing turned his gaze to the group of prisoners, especially the twenty-seven young and strong bandits. His voice softened slightly, but it still carried pressure: "You were bandits before, mostly out of necessity or out of desperation. I can temporarily overlook your past sins."

The prisoners looked up, their eyes filled with hope.

"However, you may be spared the death penalty, but you cannot escape punishment. We must observe your future conduct!" Chen Xing's tone turned stern. "From today onwards, you will be organized into the 'Hard Labor Camp,' under the supervision of Wang Jian. You will be responsible for the most arduous and exhausting tasks: building walls, clearing ruins, reclaiming wasteland, and transporting soil. Your daily labor will be counted as merit, but the reward will be halved. If you can abide by the rules, work diligently, and accumulate a certain amount of merit, you can be released from hard labor and become a resident of the fort, enjoying the same benefits as those under the 'Merit Order'! Anyone who slacks off, rebels, or harbors rebellious intentions..."

He snorted coldly, and without saying another word, Chen Wei behind him placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, his cold gaze sweeping over them, which made the prisoners tremble with fear.

"We are willing! We are willing to work!" "Thank you, Lord Fortress, for sparing our lives!" The more astute among the prisoners had already knelt down and kowtowed, repeatedly agreeing. To be spared and to have the hope of becoming law-abiding citizens was already an immense blessing.

Having made the arrangements, Chen Xing took a deep breath and declared loudly, "Even a small spark can start a prairie fire! This place is where our prairie fire begins! I hope everyone will work together with me, abide by the rules, fulfill their duties, and do their utmost! Let's build this Starfire Fortress into a place where, in this chaotic world, people can live like human beings!"

"We are willing to follow our lord!" The Wei soldiers roared in unison from below the platform, their voices shaking the rooftops. Zhao Tiezhu and the refugees echoed their sentiments excitedly. Even the prisoners echoed their sentiments in disarray.

The crowd gradually dispersed, and everyone began to work according to the new arrangements. Li Shu found some relatively flat wooden planks and began to carve the initial merit record forms; Chen Wei summoned the squad leaders to discuss the details of military regulations and patrol rosters; Zhao Tiezhu rallied the able-bodied refugees, assigning cleaning tasks and eagerly going to the warehouse to check on the new farm tools; Wang Jian, with a stern face, began directing the labor camp to move stones and earth for repairing the stockade walls…

Chen Xing stepped down from the low platform, with Chen Wei following closely behind.

"My lord, today's actions will surely win over the hearts of the people and boost morale," Chen Wei said in a low voice. "However, the rules have just been established, and the people's hearts are not yet settled, especially those prisoners. It will probably take time to get them to cooperate, and we must also be vigilant against any rebellion."

"I know." Chen Xing looked at the busy crowd with a deep gaze. "So you need to hold the knife handle firmly, Tie Zhu needs to make the crops grow in the fields as soon as possible, and Li Shu needs to keep a clear record of the accounts. Merit must be rewarded, mistakes must be punished, and words must be kept. Only in time can we be trusted."

He paused, then continued, "The compensation for fallen soldiers... will be calculated based on their highest merit, recorded under the names of their relatives or comrades, and paid out later. Those seriously wounded will be given the best medicine and must be saved. They are the cornerstones of Starfire Fortress; we must not let their spirits be dampened."

"Understood!" Chen Wei replied solemnly.

As they were talking, Li Shu trotted over, his face beaming with barely suppressed joy, holding a wooden tablet in his hands: "My lord, a preliminary inventory shows that the farming tools Tianzhu obtained include thirty iron hoes, ten plowshares, and ten sickles, all of exceptional quality! One hundred catties of salt bricks, ten bolts of coarse cloth, and dozens of bundles of vegetable seeds! In addition... while inventorying the bandit leader's hidden stash, some loose gold and silver, worth about ten strings of cash, were found in a secret compartment in his bed."

Chen Xing nodded, not surprised by the "extra" discovery of gold and silver; perhaps it was just a little "bonus" from the system. He instructed, "Hand over the farm tools to Tiezhu, put the salt, cloth, gold, and silver into storage, and keep the vegetable seeds safe. Make sure the accounts are clear."

"Yes!" Li Shu accepted the order and left.

The morning light grew brighter, illuminating this newly renamed land, a place in dire need of rebuilding. On the rammed earth walls, Wei soldiers and laborers worked together to repair the breaches; beside the open space, refugees cleared away the rubble; in the distance, on the slopes, Zhao Tiezhu and his men were measuring the land with new farming tools…

Order is quietly being established on the ruins of blood and fire. Authority comes not only from declarations made from high places, but also from the daily practice of rules and the fulfillment of promises.

Chen Xing knew this was only the first step. Whether Starfire Fortress could truly establish itself, whether it could survive and thrive in this chaotic world, the real test had only just begun.

But at least, the spark has been ignited.