When Gu Qingcheng inquired about the staffing arrangements and any potential taboos, Official Zeng, with an open mind, replied:
"The more refugees you can attract to reclaim land, the better. If you need to maintain order, just send word, and the government will offer support."
Having secured official backing, they didn't linger. They immediately hurried back to the settlement outside the village.
Upon seeing Gu Qingcheng, Qian Wang stepped forward to report:
"Young Master Gu, I've spoken to them. About 105 people are willing to go with us to reclaim land."
"Only 105 people?"
Gu Qingcheng frowned slightly. The number was far less than she had expected.
She had anticipated that after their arduous journey, the refugees would be drawn to her generous offer of food, shelter, and wages, seeing it as a haven and a source of income. She expected a flood of applicants.
Yet, there were only 105?
It seemed recruiting staff was not as simple as she had imagined.
Sensing Gu Qingcheng's displeasure, Qian Wang, being observant, quickly explained:
"Young Master Gu, even though everyone is exhausted, they are highly wary.
Think about it. They've endured a long and difficult journey, facing countless hardships and dangers. Naturally, their guard is up.
When they heard about food, drink, and the chance to earn money, they became suspicious.
Some said you were a kidnapper, intending to sell them.
Others claimed you were opening a brothel and would abduct women to become prostitutes."
Gu Qingcheng realized she had been too eager and had inadvertently created suspicion.
Listening to Qian Wang's explanation, she didn't blame the refugees. If she were in their shoes, encountering such sudden, fervent offers of help amidst their plight, she too would be cautious.
When a person has nothing left but their own value, they are hesitant to trust unsolicited assistance.
Putting herself in their position, Gu Qingcheng no longer felt rushed. She said:
"Have those hundred or so people come over, I want to see them. Oh, and are they all from the same village?"
"No, they're a motley crew, gathered from various places," Qian Wang replied.
"Alright, have them come!"
Gu Qingcheng said.
She didn't prefer to recruit entire villages. Scattered individuals were ideal.
Village groups tended to stick together, making them harder to manage.
Now, as she was building a new base, she didn't want a situation where an entire village collectively opposed her decisions.
Qian Wang summoned the 105 recruited individuals.
It took him a while to gather them, and they eventually assembled in small groups before Gu Qingcheng.
This lack of efficiency was indeed a sign of a disorganized group.
However, Gu Qingcheng wasn't impatient. This inefficiency meant there wasn't yet a strong leader among them, allowing her to gradually establish her authority.
The people before her were clad in rags, and worse, they emitted a strong, foul odor, as if they hadn't bathed in a long time.
Standing alone outdoors, with the wind and open space, the smell might have been bearable. But with 105 people clustered together, a gust of wind carried a pungent aroma that made Gu Qingcheng's scalp tingle.
Without further delay, she decided to get straight to the point.
These refugees had been through much, and they trusted no one but themselves. They respected only the stronger parties.
Seeing that Gu Qingcheng was still a youth, they all wore expressions of disbelief.
"Everyone, Qian Wang has already explained the terms to you, correct?"
"Yes," they murmured, sparsely.
"Since you are following me, I can guarantee one thing: you will have enough to eat and warm clothes to wear.
However, I have not invited you here to enjoy yourselves. You will have to endure hardships, as we are starting from scratch to build a new home. From today onwards, you are welcome to join Phoenix Village. You are now villagers of Phoenix Village."
Phoenix Village was Gu Qingcheng's choice. She felt that a group of disparate individuals, broken and then reassembled, needed a unifying force, a new home, and a name.
Phoenix was fitting, symbolizing rebirth from ashes.
Gu Qingcheng didn't just offer empty promises or paint an unrealistic picture. To do so would be to underestimate their intelligence. Who would believe such a tale?
Indeed, when they heard she spoke of hardships as well as promises, their expressions seemed to relax slightly.
How many traps had they seen through on their journey?
How much life-threatening hardship had they endured to reach this place?
Their bodies and minds were utterly exhausted, yearning for a place to settle.
Yet, the government had met them with cold gates and gleaming weapons, turning them away. The disappointment they felt was immense.
Unexpectedly, Gu Qingcheng had appeared, offering them a chance to build a warm home. Their hearts were stirred by "him."
Gu Qingcheng continued:
"Words alone are not enough. I know you are all very hungry. Next, I will fulfill my first promise and ensure you have enough to eat.
Here, this is a token. With this, you can collect your food."
Gu Qingcheng held up a mahjong tile.
Time was pressing. She didn't recognize all 105 people and didn't have time to carve bamboo tokens as proof. So, she had pulled out mahjong tiles to use as vouchers.
She couldn't worry about it. Regardless, no one could replicate the craftsmanship of these tiles, so there was no fear of forgery.
Gu Qingcheng had Qian Wang distribute the mahjong tiles to everyone.
The villagers were immensely curious about the tiles. They touched and even bit them, as the exquisite craftsmanship and material seemed like jade.
Who was this wealthy and powerful benefactor, using such valuable items as vouchers for them?
In this world, strength reigned supreme.
In an instant, the villagers' gazes towards Gu Qingcheng became fervent.
"Young Master Gu, where do we go to get food?"
A bold individual asked.
Gu Qingcheng gestured towards a makeshift shelter in the distance, in front of Dai Fa's hut.
Mi Guo and Luo Juan had rebuilt three large stoves and were cooking porridge in three enormous pots.
Mi Guo was remarkable. She had borrowed three large pots from somewhere. Water was already in the pots, and the washed white rice had been added. Along with salted ham, dried oysters, and other seasonings, a fragrant aroma filled the air. Not to mention the soy sauce and salt, their savory scent wafting over, making these people's stomachs rumble.
People die for wealth, and birds die for food. For these famished souls, being able to eat a full meal was enough for them to follow Gu Qingcheng.
"Everyone, disperse and prepare your bowls and chopsticks. We will eat shortly!"
The crowd cheered and scattered. As Gu Qingcheng instructed, they rummaged for their bowls and chopsticks, then gathered near the three steaming pots, found a spot to sit, and gazed longingly at the smoky vessels, their mouths watering.