Chapter 34: Glorious Return and Hidden Worries

The sky was just about to brighten, still dark before dawn.

Chen Wen's squad finally saw the wooden fence of Jiao Tu Zhen, appearing especially familiar in the morning light.

A night of tense travel and a brief clash with the ambushers.

It left everyone exhausted, but seeing the outline of 'home' lifted their spirits.

"It's Chief Chen! Chief Chen and his group are back!"

The watchful militiamen on the wall, sharp-eyed, immediately broke into cheers.

The heavy village gate was slowly pulled open, and Aunt Wang, having received the news, had already gathered a group of people waiting inside.

When they saw the cargo on the cart—hidden under firewood but obviously heavy—

The crowd erupted in a restrained, excited murmur.

"Wen Ge! You've finally made it back!"

Zhang Cheng rushed forward first, helping to steady the cart.

His face showed concern and lingering fear.

"Was the journey smooth all the way?"

"We ran into a bit of trouble, but we settled it."

Chen Wen patted his shoulder, not elaborating further.

But the solemnity in his eyes made Zhang Cheng understand this night was no easy feat.

Aunt Wang stepped forward quickly, first glancing over Chen Wen and his companions to confirm they were unharmed, then she let out a sigh of relief.

She then commanded:

"Quick! Unload the stuff and move it straight into the newly built storehouse! Be careful, these are treasures!"

Everyone scrambled, carefully moving the salt bundles and iron materials into the storehouse reinforced with logs and hidden in location.

When the white salt grains and heavy iron materials were displayed before their eyes,

All the onlookers couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment.

In this chaotic era, these two things are the hope for survival and the foundation of development!

【Successfully transported key strategic supplies, greatly boosting the outpost's survival and development potential, leadership and planning skills recognized!】

Diligence Points (WP) +150!

【Current WP: 4251】

Chen Wen didn't linger in the joy for long, he gestured for Aunt Wang and Zhang Cheng to follow him to the small cabin for discussions.

He closed the door, his expression solemn as he recounted the experience of the trip to Li Family Village.

He briefly explained the existence of a traitor within the village and the ambush by Liu Du Tou's subordinates on the way.

Aunt Wang sucked in a breath of cold air:

"The interior of Li Family Village is so complex? Could the traitor have already leaked our news…"

"Quite possible."

Chen Wen said in a low voice.

"So, we at Jiao Tu Zhen cannot let our guard down."

"Now the population of the settlement is growing, sources are mixed, and we can't guarantee that no ill-intentioned people have slipped in."

Zhang Cheng clenched his fists:

"Wen Ge, what do you suggest? Should we investigate everyone who's newly arrived?"

"Conducting an open investigation would easily cause panic, actually letting the real culprits hide deeper."

Chen Wen shook his head; his eightfold insight let him think more deeply.

"What we need is to establish a set of 'eyes' and 'ears' that work silently yet can perceive the finest details."

He looked at Aunt Wang and Zhang Cheng, these two being his most trusted right and left hands at present.

"Aunt Wang, you are thoughtful; you usually handle logistics and personnel placement, so pay more attention to the settlers' words and deeds."

"Especially those who constantly probe for information or behave oddly—note them down without leaving a trace."

"Understood."

Aunt Wang nodded solemnly.

"I'll chat more with those women; from everyday chatter I can also pick up clues."

"Zhang Cheng!"

Chen Wen then looked at the young militia leader.

"Select a few absolutely loyal, clever, and tight-lipped brothers from the militia—no need for many, three to five will do."

"On the surface they remain ordinary militiamen, secretly responsible for rotating watch duty."

"Pay special attention to movements around the settlement's outskirts and several key locations."

"Record any suspicious strangers approaching or abnormal signals. This matter is known only to the three of us."

"Leave it to me, Wen Ge!"

Zhang Cheng felt the weight of responsibility and firmly patted his chest.

【Preliminarily established internal security mechanism, insight and management abilities enhanced (8x bonus)!】

Diligence Points (WP) +80!

【Current WP: 4331】

After arranging this weighty matter, Chen Wen finally relaxed a little and asked about the settlement's situation during his absence these past few days.

Aunt Wang's face immediately broke into a smile:

"Good! Very good! Before you left, you led everyone to reclaim the new fields, and the rice seedlings have all been transplanted."

The growth is promising, faster than in previous years!

Everyone is also doing those fertilizing methods you left behind.

She pointed outside again:

At the blacksmith shop, following your sketch, we forged a few new hoes and sickles from the newly transported iron, and they turned out light and sharp!

The carpenters are also working on the water-wheel model you mentioned, but a few joints still aren't moving smoothly.

Chen Wen nodded; his eightfold learning and comprehension let him draw from limited memory and observation.

Refining agricultural and handicraft techniques far beyond the era's average level.

Although it's only a prototype, initial results are already visible.

Right...

Aunt Wang added.

Yesterday afternoon, another dozen or so refugee families arrived, saying they had fled from the north, having heard that we could survive here, and they wanted to seek refuge.

They looked sallow and thin, not like bandits, so I settled them in the temporary sheds outside town, gave them some thin porridge, and will wait for you to return to decide.

Is the food still enough?

Chen Wen is most concerned about this.

If we're frugal, the salt we obtained this time can be traded with more distant villages for grain, enough to last a month or two.

Moreover, the spring famine is almost over; if the summer grain truly grows as well as it does now, we'll have nothing to worry about!

Aunt Wang's tone was full of hope.

Chen Wen felt somewhat relieved.

Development is a solid truth; only if Jiao Tu Zhen itself is strong and prosperous can it withstand external storms.

It also denies internal latent threats the soil to grow.

He stood up:

Come, let's go see the newly arrived refugees and also check our fields and workshops.

Leaving the wooden hut, the morning sun had completely dispelled the darkness, and Jiao Tu Zhen bathed in golden sunlight.

In the fields, the lush green seedlings are full of vitality;

In the workshop area, the clamor of hammering and sawing never ceases;

On the open ground, children are chasing and playing;

On the walls, the militias patrol energetically.

A scene of vibrant life forms a stark contrast with the chaotic outside world.

Chen Wen walked among them, feeling this hard-won peace and development, his conviction grew firmer.

He wants to protect this place so that more people can live and work happily here.

However, the traitor from Li Family Village and Liu Du Tou's threat loom like distant dark clouds on the horizon.

It reminds him that in chaotic times, there is no true peace.

He must make himself and Jiao Tu Zhen stronger, faster.

The first batch of salt and iron has been brought back, but this is only the beginning.