Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

The conversation gradually unfolded. Wu Xuejiu stroked his beard and spoke of spring planting plans, mentioning that the "extraordinary grain from the Western Regions" had already sprouted and was growing vigorously. If it could truly yield several bushels per mu, the autumn famine might be greatly alleviated. Zhou Dashan complained that although the young and strong Hu people among the captives were strong, they did not understand Chinese and were quite difficult to manage. Wang Jian quietly asked the women accompanying the Murong tribe if they had any herbal remedies for treating wounds and stopping bleeding unique to the grasslands.

Murong Mingyue listened at times and responded briefly at others, but her mind was constantly observing and evaluating.

She saw Li Shu leave his seat for a moment, then quickly return with several scrolls of bamboo slips, whispering something to Chen Xing. Chen Xing listened and nodded slightly, then gave a few instructions. Soon after, the gray-clad youth ran to the soldiers' quarters on the east side, carrying several small cloth bags. He found a few soldiers, handed them the bags, and said a few words loudly. The soldiers immediately showed excitement, and their comrades around them cast envious and congratulatory glances.

"Why is that?" Murong Mingyue asked Helan Sou beside her, who also looked puzzled.

Just then, Li Shu returned to the vicinity of the main table, and Chen Xing said, "Li Shu, explain it to General Murong."

Li Shu bowed respectfully and said, "General, we were just distributing the first batch of merit points for yesterday's battle. According to the 'Merit Order,' killing enemies, being wounded, capturing spoils, and rescuing comrades on the battlefield all earn corresponding points. Those few just now either killed the chieftain's personal guards on the battlefield or risked their lives to rescue their seriously wounded comrades. Their merits were outstanding, so they are being awarded a portion of points as a reward. With these points, they can exchange them for extra rations, cloth, and even land and houses in the future."

"Merit points..." Murong Mingyue murmured repeatedly, looking at Chen Xing, "Is this what the Fortress Lord said during the day, different from the Hu and Han, based solely on merit?"

"Exactly," Chen Xing said. "What we're distributing today is just the first batch. Li Shu is verifying and recording the merits of all the participants, and they will be distributed gradually in the future, so everyone will get a share. Even the warriors under Miss Murong's command, all those who participated yesterday, have already been recorded. Once your unit is familiar with the rules of our fortress, they can be distributed in the same manner."

Upon hearing this, the members of the Murong tribe exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with astonishment. Since their escape south, they had fought only to survive, and any loot they managed was a bonus. They had never heard of such a system that meticulously calculated battle merits and distributed rewards based on merit and performance. Moreover, it included even them, the "guest troops"?

He Lansou couldn't help but ask, "Lord Chen, can these merit points really be exchanged for real items? And how can fairness be guaranteed?"

Before Chen Xing could answer, Zhao Tiezhu patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, sir! I, Old Zhao, am keeping an eye on things! That kid Li Shu keeps accurate records, every single one, no one can fool him! The items exchanged come from the granary and warehouse, everything is accounted for! As for fairness? Heh, even our fortress lord doesn't take a single extra penny. Last time when the fortress wall was repaired, the fortress lord personally carried the timber, and the merit points were still recorded! Anyone who disagrees, ask the knife in my hand first!"

His loud voice attracted the attention of several tables nearby. Upon hearing this, many of the elderly residents of Xinghuobao smiled knowingly, clearly used to it.

Seeing Zhao Tiezhu's excited expression, then looking at Chen Xing's calm eyes, and the matter-of-fact expressions of the surrounding soldiers and civilians, Murong Mingyue was even more shocked. This trust could not have been built overnight. She suddenly understood why Starfire Fortress could gather such strength in such a short time.

Midway through the banquet, Chen Xing stood up, and the room gradually quieted down.

He picked up a bowl of water (he himself almost never drank alcohol) and said loudly, "Gentlemen! Today's banquet is for two reasons: first, to commemorate the heroes who sacrificed their lives yesterday, whose souls bless our fortress; and second, to reward all the soldiers who fought bravely and shed blood. You have worked hard!" He bowed slightly to the soldiers' seats on the east side.

The soldiers stood up in unison, clasped their fists and shouted, "We are willing to die for our lord!" Their voices shook the night sky.

Chen Xing raised his hand to signal everyone to sit down, and continued, "Thirdly, to welcome Miss Murong and the heroes of the Murong tribe, from today onwards, they are allies of my Starfire Fortress, and will join us in resisting foreign aggression and building our homeland!" He turned to Murong Mingyue and the others, raising his bowl in a gesture of respect.

Murong Mingyue and her followers also rose, raising their bowls in response: "Thank you, Lord! We will fight together against foreign aggression and share life and death!"

Cheers and applause erupted throughout the venue, bringing the atmosphere to a climax.

After sitting down again, Murong Mingyue noticed that the gazes around her were much more welcoming. Several squad leaders and platoon leaders from Xinghuo Fort even came over to toast the soldiers of Murong's unit, gesturing about the battle of the previous day. Although their language was not very fluent, the camaraderie forged on the battlefield was genuine.

The banquet lasted until the moon was high in the sky. Most people, having eaten and drunk their fill, gradually dispersed, their faces bearing satisfaction and a faint anticipation for the future. The campfire grew weaker, and the boys began to clean up the mess. The patrolling soldiers remained spirited.

At the main table, only a handful of people remained, including Chen Xing, Murong Mingyue, Chen Wei, and Wu Xuejiu.

"Miss Murong, what do you think of my fortress's 'Order of Merit' and 'Military Regulations'?" Chen Xing asked with a smile, his tone casual but his eyes clear.

Murong Mingyue pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "At first glance, it seems unbelievable, but upon closer examination, I realize its profound meaning. Determining rewards and punishments based on merit breaks down prejudices based on birth, which can inspire people to be courageous; using strict rules to govern the army protects the livelihoods of the people and can win their hearts. This method... is excellent. However," she looked up at Chen Xing, "its implementation will inevitably face numerous obstacles, especially if it becomes larger in scale and people's hearts become more mixed in the future."

"What you say is absolutely right, young lady." Chen Xing nodded. "Therefore, once the rules are established, they cannot be broken. The superiors set an example for the subordinates, and the key is to stick to them. Today, it may only be a small area with hundreds or thousands of people following them. But if in the future there are tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands... then these rules will be the cornerstone that unites millions of people. The road may be difficult, but someone must walk it."

His tone was calm, yet it sounded as if he were stating a matter of course. The ambition and certainty hidden beneath that calmness sent a jolt through Murong Mingyue. She suddenly realized that this seemingly frail young man possessed a depth of thought and wisdom far exceeding her own imagination.

"The Lord of the Fortress has lofty aspirations, which Mingyue admires," she said sincerely.

"I wouldn't call it lofty ambition, but simply seeking a way to survive in this chaotic world, a way to allow more people to live well." Chen Xing looked at the torchlight of the sentry patrolling the distant fortress wall and said softly, "This requires strength, rules, and... like-minded partners."

He turned back to look at Murong Mingyue, the firelight dancing in his eyes: "Miss Murong, Xinghuo Fortress is willing to treat you with sincerity and walk the road ahead with your tribe. I hope you can also trust me."

Their eyes met, and Murong Mingyue saw in his eyes openness, sincerity, and a hint of barely perceptible expectation. She recalled the solemnity of the daytime memorial service, the orderliness of the banquet just now, the trust in the soldiers' eyes, Zhao Tiezhu's chest-thumping guarantee, and Chen Wei's silent yet resolute figure…

After a long while, she smiled, like the first thaw of an ice river, a faint yet genuine smile.

"Mingyue, I believe you."

A cool night breeze dissipated the last warmth of the banquet. The bonfire, half-extinguished, illuminated the young leaders who had met in this chaotic world, and also the fortress that stubbornly burned with tiny sparks in the darkness.

The night is not over yet, and the road ahead is still long. But at least tonight, two hearts that were once strangers have taken a step closer because of their shared beliefs and circumstances.

This half-step may be the beginning of a prairie fire.