Border Soldiers: My granaries are full of grain and meat, and I guard this region.

Qi Feng looked Qi Daniu up and down.

Qi Daniu just stood there, smiling sheepishly.

Qi Changlai walked over and couldn't help but laugh:

"Da Niu's father passed away early. He was a top-notch fighter in the village. I guess he inherited his father's skills and can be your bodyguard."

Qi Feng nodded: "The rest of you continue the trials."

In the end, Qi Feng selected 20 people, but he also had plans for the remaining ones:

"Although you are not part of my team, you are more than capable of working as guards for me in the city. You will be provided with food and lodging, and your monthly salary will be 150 coins."

"Once you've trained and learned some basic fist and staff techniques, we'll gradually increase your wages, how about that?"

As Qi Feng's wine business continued to expand, he knew that he would need more people to guard the place, and these people who had not passed the test were a good choice.

The others' eyes lit up upon hearing this, and even Qi Xiaoliu became somewhat anxious:

"Brother Feng, what did you say? 150 coins? Can I go too?"

Qi Feng turned around and slapped Qi Xiaoliu on the back of the head:

"What are you thinking? Do you really think soldiers get bad pay? If you follow me, I'll give you at least 200 coins a month, plus meat and wine! And if you make meritorious contributions, you can get promoted. Can't you be a little more ambitious?"

Qi Xiaoliu scratched the back of his head and gave an awkward laugh:

"Brother Feng, I've never seen so much money before. We farm all year round, and after paying taxes, we're lucky if we get four or five hundred coins. You get 150 coins a month. Who wouldn't be envious?"

Qi Feng shook his head and said nothing more.

After making arrangements with the others, Qi Feng told them to go home and tell their families about it.

In the end, a total of 20 people from Qijia Village were incorporated into the team formed by Qi Feng, and another 10 people were prepared to work as guards.

There are also 30 people recruited by Qi Feng. They can do odd jobs at Ye Family Restaurant or participate in brewing. In short, everyone has their own work to do, and Qi Feng will not let them down.

Qijiu's monthly net profit is now stable at around 80 taels of silver, even though production capacity has not yet increased.

The Zhong family in Linzhao City is also waiting for Qi Fengqi Wine production to increase. Once the wine in the cellar in the north of the city is stored enough, they can open for business immediately, and then they will have another large sum of money to be made.

After arranging the manpower, Qi Feng instructed everyone to continue reinforcing Qi Family Village.

Today he plans to go back and discuss with Zhong Shao the idea of ​​setting up Qijia Village as an outpost, and ask Zhong Shao to send more people over.

Qijia Village is not far from Fuxing County; it only takes half an hour to get there by horse.

By lighting a signal fire in Qijia Village, Fuxing County could receive the message immediately, making it an excellent outpost.

In the future, when the Great Rong really comes, they will be able to make preparations in advance.

Upon returning to Fuxing County, Qi Feng first went to the drill ground.

Liu Dutou led the group to continue training. After spending time together, Qi Feng also learned that Liu Dutou's real name was Liu Si, because he was the fourth child in his family.

Upon seeing Qi Feng approach, Liu Si stopped what he was doing and hurriedly ran over: "Master Qi, you've arrived."

Qi Feng nodded and glanced at the group of people who were training.

"Well done. Keep training. Don't get cocky just because you wiped out some of the Rong cavalry yesterday. There were only twelve of them, and they didn't know much about us."

"If a real war breaks out, a single organized cavalry squad of the Great Rong has a hundred men. They could easily wipe you out, so you must not be careless and continue your training. I will add another twenty men to your squad after a while, so you must not let your guard down."

Hearing Qi Feng's words, Liu Si patted his chest:

"How could that be! Don't worry, Master Qi, I'll definitely train these people properly."

Upon hearing this, Qi Feng looked at Liu Si again: "So how's your training going? As a captain, you can't be worse than your subordinates."

Liu Si was taken aback, then gave a somewhat awkward smile:

"I...I'll practice extra too, Master Qi."

"Yes, I'm waiting for you to show me the results."

Watching Qi Feng's departing figure, Liu Si returned to the training ground and began training again, but this time he also joined in the training.

Upon arriving at the county government office, Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan were discussing something with furrowed brows.

Qi Feng asked:

"Young Master Zhong, Magistrate Zhao, what could possibly be troubling you?"

Upon hearing Qi Feng's words, Zhong Shao raised his head, his eyes immediately lighting up:

"Brother Qi, you've come at the right time. Magistrate Zhao and I were just thinking about where to set up an outpost. Originally, Duma Village was the best location, but the garrison there is really worrying."

Qi Feng smiled slightly.

"I came here today for this very reason. I want to use Qijia Village as an outpost and build a beacon tower there. If the Rong cavalry really come, we can receive the news here once Qijia Village lights the beacon tower."

"Furthermore, Qijia Village is located on the official road, and if the Rong cavalry wants to launch a surprise attack on Fuxing County, Qijia Village is the only way to pass through."

However, Zhong Shao shook his head: "How can that be? That's your home."

Zhao Tongchuan nodded in agreement: "We don't know how long this battle will last. Once Qijia Village is requisitioned as an outpost, how will we accommodate so many people?"

Qi Feng smiled faintly:

"I've already made arrangements for the people of Qijia Village. Both Yejia Restaurant and Qijiu Restaurant need a lot of manpower. In addition, I've recruited twenty local militiamen from Qijia Village to be incorporated into the county army for training. I've made arrangements for the people of Qijia Village."

"I've also communicated with the people there, and they'll be packing their belongings and moving to Fuxing County in the coming days. I reinforced Qijia Village once before, so it'll be even better to use it as an outpost this time. I'm here to ask Young Master Zhong and Magistrate Zhao for the people."

Hearing Qi Feng's words, Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan exchanged a glance and stood up at the same time: "Sigh, Brother Qi, you've really been put in a difficult position."

However, Qi Feng shook his head:

"With a formidable enemy at hand, what's the big deal? Our current objective is to guard against the Great Rong. I reckon if these twelve scouts don't return for an extended period, the Great Rong will become suspicious and send even more men. We need to prepare as soon as possible."

Zhong Shao nodded:

"I will immediately order the group from Duma Village to go to Qijia Village and have them build fortifications there, turning Qijia Village into an outpost."

Qi Feng nodded in agreement, and Zhong Shao then asked about another matter:

"By the way, Brother Qi, I wonder when the supply of Qi Wine will catch up? The people in Linzhao City are getting impatient."

"My father just wrote to me today. One thing he did was to acknowledge your contributions. He has already submitted a memorial to the emperor, and I estimate that the court will receive the news in a couple of days and will soon be able to appoint you to an official position."

"The other thing is the Qi wine, which has now spread throughout Longxi Prefecture."

"Longxi Prefecture?" Qi Feng looked at Zhong Shao with some surprise.

Zhong Shao nodded: "That's right, it's not just spread throughout Shuofeng County, but throughout Longxi Prefecture, the entire Longxi Prefecture!"