Chapter 25: Some Trouble

  Chen Chu wasn't worried about the six thousand people in front of him, although it was a bit of a burden, he could still handle it. What Chen Chu was worried about was that after the refugees heard the news, they would come here one after another, and if several thousand more came, it would be difficult to cope with.

  Chen Chu asked with concern: "Deng Gong, are there still refugees coming to our Longhu Village one after another?"

  Deng nodded and said, "Yes, and the trend is getting worse." As he spoke, Deng's expression was also worried, obviously he had also thought of the food problem.

  "Right, have all the grains I asked Wei Zhuanggui to buy been transported?" Chen Chu is now particularly concerned about food.

  "They all arrived a few days ago, a total of 700,000 catties, and are now all stored in the warehouse. Does Master want to take a look?"

  Chen Chu shook his head, "No need, I trust Deng Gong's handling of things."

  Deng Gong was deeply moved and hastily knocked his head on the ground in thanks, saying: "Thank you, sir."

  Chen Chu bowed his head and pondered the village's affairs, while Deng Gong and others knelt beside him, focusing their attention on Chen Chu. After a moment, Chen Chu asked again: "Currently, among the 6,000 people in the village, how many are able-bodied? How many of them are able-bodied men?"

  Deng Gong immediately took out a bamboo slip from his sleeve and said, "Reporting to the lord, currently among the 6,000 people in the village, there are 4,956 men, including 3,256 able-bodied men."

  Chen Chu was somewhat surprised, he thought that Deng Gong and others had not paid attention to this problem at all, but unexpectedly Deng Gong had already made preparations. Chen Chu couldn't help but nod secretly: Unexpectedly, Deng Gong's internal affairs ability is still very strong! It seems that Deng Gong's internal affairs ability may not be inferior to those famous internal affairs talents of the Three Kingdoms.

  "Great, Uncle Deng, you've done a great job!", Chen Chu couldn't help but praise, which again made the old man excited.

  "Deng Gong, you immediately select the 1,000 strongest men from among these more than 3,000 robust young men. In a few days I will come to inspect." Chen Chu gave Deng Gong another task.

  "My lord, please be at ease. I will definitely take care of this matter." Perhaps due to Chen Chu's praise, Deng Gong spoke with even more confidence and poise.

  Chen Chu nodded and then fell into thought again, he remembered that there was still one thing, but for the time being, he couldn't think of it.

  What's going on? Oh, right!

  "Deng Gong, I also want you to select from among these refugees those who are skilled in ironwork. They will be useful later."

  Blacksmith! This is very important! In the future, our own army's weapons and armor will all be forged by them.

  Deng Gong listened attentively and then respectfully replied: "Yes, I have taken note of it."

  Chen Chu thought for a moment and felt that everything that needed to be instructed had been instructed, so he said: "For now, that's all. If everyone doesn't have anything else, you can go down."

  Deng Gong and others heard this, immediately stood up and bowed to Chen Chu: "Master, please rest well, we will withdraw."

  When he was about to leave, Deng Gong suddenly remembered something and asked: "Master, regarding the refugees who have fled to our village, please make a decision."

  Chen Chu thought for a moment, and this matter really couldn't be solved at present. Although stopping the influx of refugees was the best and most direct solution, these refugees were already people on the edge of despair. If they were stirred up by someone with ulterior motives in a hopeless situation, it was very likely to become a destructive force. At present, Chen Chu simply didn't have the strength to cope with this situation.

  Alas! It seems we must hasten to establish our armed forces!

  "Deng Gong, I've thought this over and for now we'll still accept the refugees' surrender. However, there's one thing to keep in mind: those who join our Longhu Village must be young and strong or have a special skill. Also, select some clever and capable people and send them to various places in Pingzhou to spread rumors that our village's food supplies are already exhausted due to rescuing the disaster victims."

  Deng Gong was a clever man and understood Chen Chu's intention after some consideration. "Yes, I understand. Please rest well, my lord. I'll take my leave."

  After Deng Gong and others left the villa, Zhang Rui, who had been silent all along, suddenly jumped in front of Chen Chu. However, at this time, Zhang Rui's delicate face showed a somewhat angry expression.

  Chen Chu couldn't help but feel a little surprised, so he smiled and asked: "What's wrong, Rui'er, who made you angry?"

  "You." The answer was brief and forceful, but Chen Chu felt depressed: when did he offend this baby?

  "Ruier, what do you mean by this?"

  Zhang Rui's eyes widened in anger, her red lips pouting as she said: "Big brother, why did you say that only young and strong people can come to our village? What about the elderly?", At this point, Zhang Rui's eyes were already red.

  Chen Chu was taken aback, he couldn't believe that the girl in front of him was so kind! In front of her, Chen Chu couldn't help but feel a little ashamed.

  But Chen Chu would not change this decision. In this chaotic era, the first thing to do is to think of all ways to expand one's own strength, and only then can other things be discussed. Otherwise, it would be a woman's benevolence, which would not only fail to save people but also drag oneself in, ultimately harming more people.

  "Ruirui, do you believe in your brother?" Unconsciously, Chen Chu pressed Zhang Rui's shoulders and asked with a sincere gaze at her eyes.

  Zhang Rui's heart skipped a beat, and then her anger quickly retreated from her face, replaced by a faint blush. Zhang Rui nodded slightly, lowering her head without daring to look at Chen Chu.

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