Chapter 461: Better to Teach a Man to Fish Than to Give Him One!

"So I write it?" Zhao Xian said.

"Write then, food is always the base hard currency in chaotic times; don't skimp on small favors. From now on they're our own brothers, be kind to them," Su Yang nodded and said.

Zhao Xian immediately arranged for someone to handle it, and he fetched several stones of comparable weight and placed them aside.

According to Su Yang's instructions, anyone who can lift a gun and has no serious illness may join.

The age bracket is locked at 18 to 45; in fact this requirement is already very low.

The Warlord's conscription standards are far stricter than theirs.

The body may not have scars exceeding two centimeters; just this criterion can filter out fifty percent.

Moreover, their pay is very low, essentially describable as love‑powered.

During the waiting phase, Su Yang and Lin Yang entered the Slum.

A mud‑soaked path wrapped in white snow ran through the vast area, with simple yellow‑mud houses on both sides.

The poorer ones patched the exterior with thatch, while the relatively richer used a few sheets of iron to roof the houses.

People in hemp garments walked back and forth, shoulder‑carrying a yoke with two wooden buckets to fetch water from the outskirts.

Some leave before dawn to farm; they own no land, merely finding uncultivated plots, cutting grass, loosening soil, and then planting crops.

The children are bundled up, their clothes full of patches, wearing worn shoes, happily playing tag.

Children from poor families become responsible early, and the Slum is no exception.

By age four or five they must help their parents farm; if there are many siblings, they also look after younger brothers and sisters in their spare time.

After taking in the homeless, the native residents' lives grew even more strained, their already tight existence worsening.

One more person means one more pair of chopsticks.

In an ordinary household that's trivial, but for these people it adds a burden.

Fortunately many help with work, sometimes doing chores, sometimes climbing the hills to dig wild vegetables.

In this era where everyone feels insecure, the poorest places display the warmest side.

"Look, that half‑grown kid's butt is still exposed," Lin Yang said, pointing at a small brat playing in the snow.

Su Yang followed the voice and saw a Xiao Douding whose butt was frozen blue‑purple, yet still playing in the snow, completely unaware of the danger.

Lin Yang stripped off his coat, cradled Xiao Douding's body, lifted him, and, looking at his flushed innocent face, asked with a smile, "Kid, where are your parents?"

Xiao Douding, frightened by the sudden hug, dared not utter a sound, staring timidly at the two.

"Don't be scared, we're not bad people," Lin Yang wiped his little face.

Yet even so, the child remained silent.

Su Yang, seeing this, pulled a candy from his pocket, tore off the wrapper and held it to the child's mouth, smiling, "Why are you playing here alone? Where's your family?"

The child, upon seeing the candy, did not light up his eyes but cautiously inspected both sides, and after confirming safety, took it and whispered "Thank you."

Su Yang gave a helpless smile and patted his little head.

"Take him inside, don't let him freeze."

The child, hearing that, immediately pointed his hand toward a house.

Lin Yang hurried forward and carried him back.

Yet as soon as the door opened, a familiar village girl appeared.

"Yang Ge?!"

"Feng Yan?!"

The two stood at the doorway, eyes wide, both showing astonishment.

Just as they froze, the child in their arms called out softly, "Sister."

Feng Yan, hearing the voice, snapped back, exclaiming with great joy, "Why did you come? To see me and Liang Shu?"

Lin Yang set the struggling child on the ground, watched him dash into the room, and nodded, "The South City District is fraught with danger lately; I came to check if you're safe."

"Liang Shu and I are doing fine; I was just washing clothes inside, wasn't paying attention, and he slipped out," Feng Yan said, her eyes affectionate yet with a hint of warning.

Lin Yang glanced down and saw Feng Yan's once delicate white hands now mottled blue‑purple, with frostbite sores at the joints.

As if sensing his gaze, Feng Yan instinctively hid her hands behind her, beckoning, "It's cold outside, come in."

Lin Yang turned, waved his hand and called, "Su Yang, Feng Yan is here!"

"Hm?"

Feng Yan was momentarily stunned, then saw a long‑yearned handsome face, and a blush instantly spread across her cheeks.

She fidgeted with her hair and clothes, smiling, "Leader."

Su Yang, seeing her plain appearance, asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

She had imagined countless reunion scenarios, yet never expected Su Yang to ask that.

Recalling the recent hardships, her nose tinged with sorrow, she forced a smile and nodded, "Hmm."

Su Yang looked at her slightly haggard face, now stripped of most naivety, gaining a few shades of maturity.

It's easy to imagine she has endured hardships she never faced before during this period.

At Feng Yan's invitation, Su Yang stepped over the threshold.

He surveyed the modest living room: a few worn red plastic stools, a table steeped in retro vibe, and a waist‑high wooden cabinet.

That's all.

Feng Yan fetched two glass cups, filled them with hot water, and set them on the table.

"Xu Dama's home is rather simple; she and Liang Shu went out to pick vegetables and will be back soon," Feng Yan said.

Su Yang, holding the cup and feeling the warmth in his palm, asked, "After the war, how many outsiders have come to the Slum?"

"Probably several thousand, but I heard Liang Shu say it could reach ten thousand in a few days," Feng Yan replied.

"They all, like you, stay as guests in other people's homes?"

It's not all of them; some brought blankets and tents and found flat ground to set up and sleep, while others, not wanting to trouble anyone, slept inside the cattle sheds and pig pens.

The Warlord withdrew his troops; why aren't they leaving?

Today's newspaper said the Warlord could return at any time, so everyone dares not go out casually.

Today's newspaper?

Su Yang drank a sip of hot water and let out a long, comfortable sigh.

This is the second of the seven news pieces he arranged.

Vision Perception seems Jinshan Daily's Editor-in-Chief is still fairly sensible, not deliberately altering the content.

"I Vision Perception the conditions here are so harsh, most families must be spending more than they earn, right?" Su Yang asked.

"Hmm, many people fleeing disaster didn't bring valuables, and even if they did, they wouldn't dare go out to buy things," Feng Yan nodded.

"If... I could provide them with food, clothing, daily necessities, and diesel, rice and flour, would these people be willing to do me a small favor?" Su Yang Laughingly said.

"What do you want them to do?" Feng Yan asked curiously.

Before Su Yang could speak, a shout suddenly came from outside the door.

The Six Harmonies Society is delivering rice and oil! Everyone gather at the village entrance!

At those words, the village instantly became noisy; people all dropped their work and hurried to run toward the village entrance.

Feng Yan's small Mouth slightly opened, looking at Su Yang in disbelief.

"Shall we go take a look?" Su Yang suggested.

Feng Yan jogged out, and as soon as she stepped out she saw people lined up in a long queue.

She walked to the end and was astonished to find a banner advertising the delivery of rice and oil.

And the person listed as the donor was none other than the Six Harmonies Society's Mighty King Hall Master—Zhao Xian!

"You..." Feng Yan, while puzzled in her heart, also felt a few strokes of being moved.

Su Yang stood beside her, turned his head and Laugh said: "Giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him to fish; rely on one's own hands to earn money and eat."

"Not shameful!"