Chapter 78

"Lianhuan Shan? Do you mean the Lianhuan Shan that lies in the direction away from the city?" the village head asked, his tone inevitably tinged with curiosity.

Jiang Jinshi raised his thumb: "Village Head, you're so knowledgeable; if a neighboring village mentioned it, the whole crowd would definitely not recognize it."

The village head poured a bowl of water from a small kettle for Jiang Jinshi: "I've heard of it before, but I've never been there."

Jiang Jinshi took the bowl with both hands, lifted it, and took a big gulp.

"What does feeding the whole village have to do with Lianhuan Shan?" the village head asked, puzzled, pressing Jiang Jinshi.

Jiang Jinshi leaned close to the village head and lowered his voice: "Lianhuan Shan has become a notorious bandit hideout, but Village Head, do you know where these bandits come from?"

"You know?" the village head instinctively also lowered his voice, following Jiang Jinshi.

Jiang Jinshi nodded forcefully, "These bandits are raised by the County Magistrate!"

"Huh? This… this… that can't be true!" the village head blurted out instinctively, then quickly recovered and looked around left and right.

"Tsk! Village Head, I'm not lying to you; it's truly so." Jiang Jinshi's expression was solemn, showing no hint of joking.

"It's not that you don't believe me, Village Head; Xiao Shi, where did you learn of this?" the village head still refused to believe Jiang Jinshi's words.

"As for that bandit hideout I mentioned…"

"Huh! What's up?"

"I'm the one in charge!"

The village head laughed awkwardly twice: "Xiao Shi, you're afraid I'm bored at home, so you tell me jokes to make me laugh!"

"Who would risk beheading just to tell jokes?" Jiang Jinshi laughed along, but the smile held a rather dangerous meaning in the village head's eyes.

The village head, old and experienced, realized Jiang Jinshi was being serious, and immediately put on a sour expression.

"Xiao Shi, considering that the Village Head has contributed quite a bit to everyone over the years, could you give me a break?"

He grew a bit nervous at this point; seeing Jiang Jinshi silent, he quickly added: "Don't worry, you didn't come to me today, I know nothing either; I understand the rules!"

Jiang Jinshi shook his head: "Rest assured, Village Head, I can tell you with certainty that if you report this to the authorities, you'll be the one caught, not me!"

At that moment the village head realized that what Jiang Jinshi had just said—that these bandits are raised by the County Magistrate—might actually be true.

But why did Jiang Jinshi come to see me?

It can't be just to brag that he's the bandit leader, can it?

So the village head hesitated a moment, then gritted his teeth and asked: "Then Xiao Shi, what's your purpose in coming to see me?"

Jiang Jinshi smiled lightly: "I've already told you, Village Head, I want to make sure every villager gets a full meal."

"You're not joking?" the village head asked tentatively.

"It depends on what the people decide! If the people are unwilling, then you can take my words today as a joke, Village Head!

But if the people are willing to join me, Jiang Jinshi, in taking to the hills as outlaws, then a full meal is merely the minimum treatment." As he said this, Jiang Jinshi lifted the corner of his mouth, exuding confidence from head to toe.

The village head, hearing this, was about to speak, but Jiang Jinshi cut him off.

"Village Head, let me first tell you about the current situation! You should know that the number of refugees at the Jiangcheng gate is increasing."

The village head didn't understand Jiang Jinshi's purpose in asking, but he still nodded.

"The situation now is far more serious than you imagine! On the way back today, we encountered refugees robbing and eating human flesh." Even now, recalling the incident, a trace of murderous intent flashed in Jiang Jinshi's eyes.

"This! This… how could that be possible?" Clearly the village head could not picture the scene.

"If you don't believe, Village Head, you can ask Huasheng; he came back with me today. Huasheng has been part of the mountain stronghold for some time, and this time he returned to bring his family up the mountain."

The village head's heart sank deeper; with Jiang Jinshi daring to say this, and Huasheng involved, the matter could only be true.

"I can tell you with certainty, Village Head, that the authorities will not provide disaster relief; when the remaining grain in every household is exhausted, the people of Da Jiang Cun will become refugees, rushing to the city gate to scavenge for food."

"If it weren't for the fact that we all belong to the same village, this misfortune wouldn't fall upon the people of Da Jiang Cun."

"That's all I have to say; please consider, Village Head! Even if not for yourself, think of your sons and grandsons!"

After saying this, Jiang Jinshi sat calmly, waiting for the village head's response.

The village head's expression shifted repeatedly, and after a long silence he could only let out a sigh, his countless thoughts condensed into that single sound.

"Hey! Xiao Shi, tell me your concrete plan, otherwise I have no confidence."

When the village head uttered that, Jiang Jinshi knew the matter could succeed today and immediately laid out the plan he had prepared in advance.

The two of them talked for a full hour before finally finalizing the matter.

Then the village head pulled a roster of all the villagers from a box, clearly listing every resident of Da Jiang Cun.

Jiang Jinshi then began discussing with the village head which people should be excluded.

"This one, no; this one, he scolded me last time!"

"Alright! Do you want any of your own family?"

"Of course not, it makes me sick just to see them."

"Uh… you really are a good kid! Let the hardships and the risk of beheading fall on yourself, and let them live peacefully as ordinary folk enjoying prosperity."

"Exactly, that's how it is."

…

It went on until nightfall, and Jiang Jinshi and the village head didn't even have time to eat; in the end the number they settled on was under 150. Da Jiang Cun obviously has more people than that, but many were excluded.

Among those over a hundred, about a hundred were between fifteen and fifty years old and could provide decent combat power, though they would need some time to be trained.

Just as the two had finished confirming, a shout from Uncle Jiang Cai came from outside the village head's house.

"Xiao Shi, Village Head, are you there?"

Xiao Hu, who had been guarding the door, let no one in, not even the village head's spouse or his children and grandchildren.

Of course, through the door the village head had already told his family that he was handling matters, so the few of them politely went to another room.

"Uncle Jiang Cai, come in!" Jiang Jinshi stepped out of the door, greeted Xiao Hu, and then noticed a number of people following Uncle Jiang Cai.

On his way, Jiang Cai ran into villagers; when they asked, the uninformed Jiang Cai said that Jiang Jinshi had asked him to come to the village head's house.

The villagers didn't know what it was about, but recalling the daytime scene at Huasheng's doorstep and what Huasheng had said, they tacitly followed Uncle Jiang Cai.

Only when they truly saw Jiang Jinshi himself did the villagers again hem and haw, unwilling to speak.

Seeing that most of the villagers on the list were present, Jiang Jinshi exchanged a glance with the village chief.

The village chief cleared his throat and stepped forward: "It just so happens everyone's here; just now Xiao Shi came to see me, having the idea of leading the whole village to work together."

The matter on everyone's mind was finally laid out on the table, and immediately the crowd began to discuss it heatedly.

"Village chief, what kind of work is it?"

"Xiao Shi, do you think Auntie can work? Auntie is nimble and absolutely won't slack off!"

"Just one meal a day would be fine; we really have no grain left to cook."

"Exactly, we can all work."

At the same time, some people secretly sighed, thinking Xiao Shi wouldn't need that many—just a dozen or so strong laborers at most.

Quite a few people realized this problem, and most of them worried they wouldn't be selected.

But even if they work, one person can't support the whole family!

Most of the people here still have several mouths to feed at home!

"Everyone, quiet down!" Jiang Jinshi raised his hand to signal, and only after the crowd quieted did he continue speaking.

"I don't need every single person; I've already discussed this with the village chief and selected the people I want."

Sure enough, most people's hearts sank; their suspicion was correct—Xiao Shi wanting more than ten people would already be good.

This isn't just looking for odd jobs; it's about finding a 'lifeline'! To put it bluntly, Jiang Jinshi's recruitment list is no different from Da Jiang Cun's life-and-death register.

If they aren't selected, all that awaits them is a slow death.

The most desperate are the women in the crowd; whoever is hiring will always prioritize strong men over them.

Thus, many people's eyes slowly filled with despair, while others tried to fight for a chance.

"Xiao Shi, Auntie's work is no worse than those men's—can you count me in? I'm begging you, Auntie!"

Jiang Jinshi looked at the speaker—it was Liu Guiflower, who lives next door to the village chief; her husband fell and broke his leg on the mountain two years ago, the family couldn't afford treatment, so he became a cripple unable to work.

Her household also includes an elderly father and a young daughter, and the whole family's burden rests on her shoulders.

Jiang Jinshi replied with a smile: "Don't worry, Auntie, you're on the list."

Those words undoubtedly rekindled hope in everyone's eyes, and Liu Guiflower burst into tears of joy.

Seeing that the crowd was about to beg him all at once, Jiang Jinshi quickly said: "Let me first explain the situation—I don't pay monthly wages; working for me brings no money."

But! My list includes whole families together—for example, I'll take Auntie Guiflower and her whole family; everyone does what they can, it doesn't matter if the children can't work, and I will provide food for your entire family, enough to fill you up.

At first, hearing that there was no pay for work, they thought Jiang Jinshi was foolish; but after hearing the end, they realized it was they who were foolish.

Consider that Liu Guiflower's husband is a cripple, her child is a young girl, and she has an elderly father-in-law; Jiang Jinshi will provide food for her whole family, and the most important thing is that they can eat their fill.

If Liu Guiflower went out to look for work herself, never mind whether anyone would hire her; even if someone did, would the wages be enough to feed her whole family?

Never mind other things; many households have two able-bodied workers who go out to carry heavy loads together, yet still might not be able to feed the whole family.

Liu Guiflower's eyes were red, her whole body trembling as she asked Jiang Jinshi: "Xiao Shi, is what you're saying really true?"

Seeing her pleading gaze, Jiang Jinshi nodded firmly: "I can't guarantee anything else, but if you work for me, you will eat your fill."

Liu Guiflower plopped down onto her knees: "Thank you, Xiao Shi! Our family is saved! Saved!"

Seeing Liu Guiflower's state, everyone felt a heavy weight in their chests; none of them here lives an easy life, tightening their belts each day, yet still they go hungry and underdressed.

But now is not the time to pity Liu Guiflower; she's already been taken care of, while we're still hanging in the balance!

Thus the crowd hurriedly asked Jiang Jinshi whether their own names were on the list!

With so many people, Jiang Jinshi certainly couldn't answer each one individually, so he had the village chief read out the list they had previously agreed on.

As the village chief stepped out holding the roster, the atmosphere on site became extremely tense.

With each name read, the crowd would cast envious glances at that person, who would feel deeply grateful and very happy.

Although Jiang Jinshi was hungry, he patiently waited for the matter to be satisfactorily concluded.

Finally, after the village chief finished announcing the list, some were happy and some were sad; naturally, the sad ones were those who weren't selected.

One person, indignant, questioned Jiang Jinshi why he had chosen so many families but not his own.

Jiang Jinshiyi dismissed him with a single sentence—"Because I'm paying, I can choose whoever I want."

This made his face turn livid with anger, and he finally stalked off.

In the end, all those who weren't selected left, feeling that staying would be embarrassing.

"Good! Everyone here now wants to work with me, but I haven't yet told you exactly what work it is—so let the village chief explain it!" Jiang Jinshi knew his influence in the village wasn't as great as the village chief's, so it would be better for the chief to speak.

The village chief closed the gate of the small courtyard, and a crowd of people stood there packed tightly.

After taking a deep breath, the village chief steeled himself and said: "I'll tell you frankly—we're going to become bandits!"

"Huh?"

Before the crowd's exclamations could even fade, the village chief hurriedly said: "Please settle down, listen to me finish, then you can decide!"

Many in the crowd wore hesitant expressions; if they were to become bandits, they'd really have to think it over.

"I know you're having a hard time; if you weren't, I wouldn't urge you to take to the hills as bandits. But have you considered how much grain you still have at home, and how long it could last?"

The crowd fell silent; this was an unavoidable question—if they didn't follow Jiang Jinshi to work, how long could their families survive?

"I know some of you are hoping the authorities will provide relief, but I can tell you for certain—there will be none!"

The village chief continued, "If the officials won't save us, are we just supposed to wait for death? We must save ourselves! Huasheng joined the stronghold, and now his family eats well and stays warm, his children no longer go hungry."

I and Xiao Shi aren't forcing anyone, but please think: if the authorities give no relief, can you rely solely on your household's remaining grain to get through this winter?

As soon as the village chief finished speaking, Liu Guiflower said: "Chief, don't say more—I'll do any work, even if I eat my fill today and get beheaded tomorrow; at least I'll die with a full belly."

Immediately someone echoed: "Even if beheaded, they'd still give you a bowl of full rice—starving to death isn't worth it; count me in!"

"Going hungry myself is fine, but I can't bear to see my children starve; as long as the kids can eat their fill, I'll listen to the chief and Xiao Shi."

Jiang Cai Shu was deeply moved by those words; thinking of his wife and children, Jiang Cai said: "Xiao Shi, count me in as well—don't worry about my being laughed at; we had no grain yesterday at all, and if you hadn't brought some food today, the children would still be hungry."

Parents and children are the soft spot of many people; once someone voluntarily echoes, the balance in the hearts of the remaining people gradually tilts, until everyone agrees, with no one withdrawing.

Seeing how smoothly things were developing, Jiang Jinshi also breathed a sigh of relief.

The village head was also very pleased, but still reminded: "This matter must absolutely not be publicized; usually the village's loudspeakers and big mouths should be careful, as it concerns lives, please keep your mouths shut."

Old Lady Li mingled in the crowd; seeing everyone looking at her, she quickly shook her head and waved her hands: "I… I won't say a word!"