Chapter 59: New Policies: Foundations Initially Established

The joy of Jiao Tu Zhen's survival, like a fleeting blossom, was quickly drowned by the massive wounds of war and the myriad tedious affairs that followed.

In the days that followed, the town was filled with grief, exhaustion, and a kind of dazed silence.

Collecting the fallen, treating the wounded, repairing damaged walls and houses, tallying seized supplies, consoling families who lost loved ones……

Each matter was heavy and urgent.

Chen Wen barely slept; his sixteenfold energy let him work nonstop, yet the mental pressure did not lessen in the slightest.

He clearly felt that, after this battle, although Jiao Tu Zhen nominally survived, its internal structure had undergone a fundamental change.

It was no longer merely a refugee huddle banding together for survival.

but a micro-force that had endured the trial of blood and fire, possessed shared memory and sacrifice, and displayed astonishing potential.

The old, loosely managed pattern relying on his personal prestige and the spontaneous efforts of Wang Aunt, Zhang Cheng, and others could no longer adapt to the new situation.

Reform is imperative.

That day, as the sky just began to lighten, Chen Wen gathered all core personnel

——including Zhang Cheng, whose injury had somewhat stabilized, Wang Aunt in charge of logistics, blacksmith Shi Dun, and itinerant merchant Qian Gui.

and former Xiaohe Village head Zhao Lao Nian, etc., were all summoned to the largest earth-brick house in town, which now also serves as a meeting hall.

Inside, the atmosphere was solemn; the glow of the oil lamp revealed each person's fatigue and worry that could not be hidden.

"Everyone!"

Chen Wen got straight to the point; his voice, hoarse from lack of sleep, was unusually firm.

"We held on, but we almost died."

"Although Liu Du Tou has retreated, he will certainly not let this rest."

"The big and small powers around us are probably eyeing us, this fresh piece of bloody meat."

He swept his gaze over everyone:

"The old ways won't work anymore."

"If we want to survive, to live better, we must change!"

"We must establish rules and focus our strength."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression tightened, and they all sat up straight.

They all felt the determination in Chen Wen's words.

"First, establish rules and clarify offices."

Chen Wen said in a deep voice, "From today onward, Jiao Tu Zhen will no longer be a loose sand."

"I propose setting up various bureaus, each handling its own duties."

Having thought it through long ago, he now spoke clearly and in order:

"One, the Civil Militia Bureau."

"Led by Zhang Cheng, responsible for daily training, patrols, and defense."

"All eligible young adults must undergo training, be graded by performance, and receive different treatment accordingly."

"The families of fallen comrades shall be registered by the Civil Militia Bureau and receive unified compensation."

Zhang Cheng clutched his chest and nodded heavily!

A new fighting spirit ignited in his eyes.

He understood the necessity of militarized management better than anyone.

"Two, the Internal Affairs Bureau."

"Led by Wang Aunt, responsible for grain and fodder storage, material distribution, household registration, clinic operations, settling the elderly and weak, and all other internal affairs."

Wang Aunt took a deep breath, feeling the weighty responsibility on her shoulders, yet her eyes shone brighter than before.

"Three, the Construction Bureau."

"Led by Shi Dun, responsible for forging and repairing weapons and farm tools, constructing waterworks, and building houses."

"All artisans and able-bodied women and children may be included in this bureau, paid according to skill and effort."

Shi Dun rubbed his rough big hands, nodded firmly; he had long felt that the blacksmith's shop needed more manpower and standards.

"Four, the Land Reclamation Bureau."

"Temporarily led by Zhao Lao Nian, responsible for coordinating farmland cultivation, livestock raising, and seed allocation."

"We must ensure smooth spring plowing next year, for grain is the basis of survival."

Zhao Lao Nian never expected to be entrusted with such a heavy task; excited, his old face flushed red as he repeatedly promised.

"Five, the Inspection Bureau."

Chen Wen's gaze fell upon the somewhat nervous Qian Gui,

"Qian Gui will be in charge. You have traveled south and north, seen much, and have an active mind."

"This bureau handles internal discipline patrols, to prevent spies!"

"At the same time, it gathers external intelligence, interacts with itinerant merchants, and brings us outside information."

Qian Gui was first stunned, then overjoyed.

This amounted to acknowledging his status as "one of us"!

And it gave him an extremely important duty; he hurriedly rose and bowed in acceptance.

The simple five-bureau structure initially clarified the core functions of military, administration, production, and intelligence, assigning responsibility to individuals.

After listening, although they felt overwhelmed by myriad details, they seemed to have found a backbone, knowing which direction to exert effort.

"Furthermore..." Chen Wen continued.

"The old Contribution Register was too crude."

"We will establish Contribution Register 2.0!"

He explained in detail:

"From now on, all townspeople, regardless of gender or age, as long as they contribute to the town

" — whether it's joining the army, farming, blacksmithing, or healing!

" — even providing a useful piece of information

" — all will be recorded as 'Contribution Points' according to difficulty and effect.

"Contribution Points can be exchanged for grain, cloth, better weapons, and even priority for future land allocation and housing!"

"Contribution Points will be our internal 'hard currency', the measure of everyone's worth!"

"The more you work, the more you gain; the less you work, the less you gain; those who do not work shall not eat!"

This idea made everyone present feel novel and exhilarated.

It maximally guaranteed fairness and stimulated enthusiasm.

Even the wounded lying on the temporary beds nearby, upon hearing it, had their eyes light up.

They felt that even if disabled, they could still support themselves in the future by doing what they could.

"Chief, this method is good!"

"It's much better than before when we relied solely on personal ties!"

Zhang Cheng was the first to express support.

"Just, this recording and calculation..."

Aunt Wang raised the practical difficulty.

"The town's population is growing, affairs are becoming complex, and relying only on a few literate people will surely be too much."

Chen Wen nodded; this was exactly what he intended to do next. He looked at Aunt Wang and the two other youths who were somewhat literate, his thoughts stirring.

Broadly bestowed — target, Aunt Wang and the clerks; effect, about double!

A gentle force quietly flowed into Aunt Wang and the others' bodies.

They did not feel a surge of power, but suddenly felt their minds exceptionally clear and their thoughts agile!

Previously felt chaotic and complex accounts and registers now seemed to become orderly in their minds.

Memory and calculation abilities showed significant improvement.

"It's fine..." Chen Wen said.

"We will draw up detailed regulations and forms; it will be hard at first, but we'll get used to it."

"I will help you get things sorted out quickly."

Aunt Wang was astonished to find that she instantly grasped Chen Wen's idea.

She could even extrapolate and think of some simplifications for the records, and she quickly nodded:

"Good, good, we will definitely get it done as soon as possible!"

The meeting lasted nearly an hour, preliminarily establishing the framework for each department and the basic principles of the 'Contribution Register' 2.0.

Although the road ahead remains difficult, everyone seemed to see a clear path, and the confusion in their hearts faded considerably.

After the meeting dispersed, Chen Wen walked alone to the broken wall, gazing at the town beginning to bustle.

He saw Zhang Cheng organizing the lightly wounded to begin simple restorative training.

Aunt Wang led people in checking supplies and registering them.

Shi Dun was already directing people to repair the damaged fortifications.

Zhao Lao Nian, meanwhile, squatted with several old farmers at the field's edge, sketching out plans for next year's spring plowing.

A new order was quietly sprouting atop the ruins.

In his mind, that golden Fortune Momentum vortex seemed to have condensed by an imperceptible amount compared to a few days ago.

Was it because people's hearts were at ease?

Or because the new system brought hope?

【Growth Progress Bar: 10%】

The progress increased again.

Chen Wen understood that building an effective organizational structure and uniting people's hearts were likewise indispensable parts of 'growth'.

Individual strength can break through a stalemate, but to truly establish oneself in this chaotic world—and even achieve greater ambitions!

a solid and efficient foundation is what truly serves as a reliance.

Jiao Tu Zhen's new policies are like the first seed sown on barren scorched earth—though small, they contain infinite vitality.

And what Chen Wen must do is use his own ability to nurture it to grow strong, until it provides shade in all directions.