Chapter 463: Barefoot and Unafraid of Shoes! A Life Is Lived for Dignity!

"What do you think? Can we do it?"

"The Six Harmonies Association is feeble; how can its scale compare with a Warlord's?"

"That's true; the Warlord side has professional systematic training, plus Tanks and artillery, so we half‑newcomers going onto the battlefield would be nothing but cannon fodder?"

"Bah! No matter how great they are, their hearts are still flesh, aren't they? A single Bullet—watch if they die."

"Anyway, I've got nothing now; the ancestral house was bombed, my wife is suffering here with me, so why not find a livelihood?"

"Five thousand a month, a full five thousand! I used to earn only three thousand a month doing odd jobs in a shop."

"And it even includes food and lodging, so my family won't go hungry; where can I find such a good deal?"

"But what if we actually go to the battlefield, what then?"

"Scared? Hell no! I've long found the Warlord detestable; they've occupied Jinshan City for years, even if they rebuild, what's the difference between being alive and dead?"

"Damn, those barefoot aren't afraid of shoes, damn it!"

One call, a hundred responses!

Those who had been hesitating felt their hearts ignite at the words, even in the bitter cold winter they felt their whole bodies heat up.

Indeed, the Six Harmonies Association is only sparrow‑sized in comparison.

But they don't mind; rather than being passively enslaved, they'd rather hold the power of life and death in their own hands.

Especially those who have endured war; they know all too well the helplessness under artillery bombardment.

They can only watch helplessly as living people are blown to pieces, flesh and blood scattering.

Before, they never dared to think of resisting, because no one dared to propose it.

Now Su Yang provides weapons and money, they have needs; why wouldn't they gladly take the work that meets each other's needs?

Having lived all their lives in Slum, or actively fighting for rights, even at the cost of blood, they'd rather choose the latter.

"I'll join!"

"Me too, I'll join!"

"Count me in, damn it!"

"……"

The crowd's roar grew louder, and the white snow on the eaves trembled down in flurries.

Su Yang watched their fervent expressions, and a Smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of his Mouth.

Feng Yan turned her head to look at his sharply angular profile, gazing at his spirited face, her eyes unintentionally became dazed.

She had never seen the power of language so strong.

In just a few words, she sparked the people's enthusiasm.

If the former Su Yang was a lurking feral wolf, now his ambition's fangs are fully exposed.

Beside him, Zhou Kouzi, after listening, felt his blood boil likewise, and without hesitation said, "I'll join!"

"Let go of him." Su Yang waved his hand to indicate.

Zhou Kouzi, with a serious expression, said, "I trust you; I hope you won't disappoint us."

"Of course, I've wagered my life on this; how could I casually give it up?" Su Yang smiled faintly.

After speaking, Zhou Kouzi hoisted a sack of rice onto his Shoulder, carried peanut oil in his left hand, and walked toward his home, saying, "I'll tell my mother first; I'll be back after it's done."

"Alright, I'll wait for you."

Su Yang watched his arduous silhouette; the frail body was slightly hunched under the weight of the rice, yet his spine was sturdier than ever.

In front of the registration desk, people streamed in endlessly, and the scene briefly spiraled out of control.

Some came for benefits and salary; they've never seen such good compensation in their lives.

Others joined to defend dignity, having had enough of the Warlord's enslaving rule; they don't want to taste it a second time in this life.

"Don't rush, come one by one, line up the squads for me!" Zhao Xian shouted loudly.

But his voice sounded especially thin before the crowd, and was drowned by spittle as soon as he spoke.

He didn't expect that after Su Yang's motivational words, they'd become enthusiastic to an almost Crazy degree.

He even thought of raising his gun now to kill two soldiers.

Lin Yang, watching this scene, couldn't help but remark, "Is this the power of language?"

"No, I merely awakened their dignity. A person lives a lifetime; without dignity, what's the point of living?" Su Yang said calmly.

"There are too many people; with our current funds we can't even distribute the benefits," Lin Yang said with a wry smile.

Su Yang glanced at the sky and said, "Calculate the time; the Floating World Commerce Association's funds should be arriving soon."

Within a morning, piles of paperwork recording information filled Zhao Xian's desk.

The review part was almost zero; basically anyone willing to sign up and meeting the criteria could enlist.

Moving stones was even less of an issue; though they seemed heavy, for their own purposes they still lifted them with all their might.

By noon, the number of registrants had reached a full two thousand.

Even Su Yang was startled by this figure.

He hadn't expected the people here to be so enthusiastic.

Among the two thousand, thirty percent were native Slum residents, and seventy percent were temporary lodgers.

Ninety percent were male, ten percent female.

To get them into condition quickly, Su Yang gave them two days to reunite with their families.

During these two days, he also had to prepare well.

In the afternoon, three cars drove into Slum.

"They're here!" Su Yang stood at the village entrance, a Smile appearing at the corner of his Mouth.

Yin Yun arrived as promised, carrying two Metal Boxes toward Su Yang.

"The thing you wanted, I have brought it."

Saying so, she straightened and opened the box, revealing neatly stacked, full‑size hundred‑yuan banknotes.

"Each box is three million, Huang Hua plans to add two hundred million, hoping you can get the matter settled quickly," Yin Yun said.

Lin Yang's eyes lit up at a glance, Laugh loudly, "Yin the great beauty, I truly love you to death."

Her arrival solved the Six Harmony Society's urgent crisis.

Seeing him spread his arms to embrace, Yin Yun slipped away unnoticed and said, "The grinder arrives at the port tonight; I have already sent someone to meet the ship."

"The Floating Life Chamber of Commerce's tasks are basically done, how is your side's progress?"

Su Yang tweaked his Mouth, "This morning we recruited two thousand, expecting to reach ten thousand in three days."

Yin Yun took out a table, looked at it, Brow furrowed, "Monthly salary five thousand? Plus food and lodging for family members, what are you thinking?"

According to this document, monthly salary expenses alone reach fifty million!

Food, clothing, and travel, including caring for family, with so many people, at least several tens of millions.

This doesn't even include weapons, equipment, and medicines.

Without exaggeration, Su Yang must reserve at least two hundred million cash each month.

Of course, this is only for this one project.

In the early stage, this is not a small amount.

Even the Floating Life Chamber of Commerce cannot bear such consumption.

Su Yang Laugh, said, "What are we afraid of? Once the miners arrive, we will have a continuous flow of wealth."

"When will they arrive?" Yin Yun asked.

As the words fell, a car suddenly rushed toward the village entrance, then abruptly halted.

Lei Cheng stepped out of the car, Fire urgent Fire blazing, said, "The miners' matter is settled; tonight there is a train from North City District to South City District, expected to arrive at six tomorrow morning."

Su Yang Brow lifted, Laugh, said, "Look."

"Speak of Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrives."