In times of chaos and famine, I traded one pound of rice for two royal flushes.

Starting from the village, to cross the mountain, one must pass through the only narrow pass; there is no other way to enter.

After crossing the mountain, a stream runs through the valley, solving the water problem.

According to Li Hu, the mountains on both sides are extremely steep and difficult to climb. Together with the mountain stream, they "clamp" together to create another, larger entrance.

Beyond that lay an endless expanse of undeveloped plains.

As long as a wall is built at the outlet of the stream, and people are sent to build the entrance path into a fortress, it will be a natural "big bowl".

Moreover, the gate is located right in front of an undeveloped dense forest, and the road is wide, making hunting extremely convenient.

Farming along a stream is easy, since it's just a stream and it's impossible for it to become a devastating flash flood at its source!

As long as the guards are stationed at the narrow gate, which is so small that it is impossible for even a large number of Wei soldiers to take it, it means that no matter how many soldiers come, they will not be able to take this place.

Even in times of war and chaos, there is always a place to settle down.

The high mountains on both sides can also reduce the power of the strong winds to some extent.

"How about we wait until later and just acquire this land directly?"

Qin Shaolang's thoughts immediately drifted far away.

If he can truly establish himself here, that will be his means of survival. Improving crop varieties, developing water conservancy projects, or even setting up a private school to teach and educate people are all viable options.

A stable environment also ensures that once things are settled here, no major changes will occur, and his ideas can continue to be implemented until a better idea comes up.

"Chu Wu, I'd like to buy this piece of land. Approximately how much silver would it cost?"

Chu Wu looked at it carefully for a while before shaking his head.

"If Brother Qin were to ask to buy it himself, he would have to pay at least one hundred taels of silver. But if the magistrate delivers it, then he wouldn't even need to pay a few coins."

Qin Shaolang naturally understood Chu Wu's meaning. The reward would have to wait until they captured the white-browed tiger. Once the county magistrate was in a good mood, he would arrange it for him.

After all, it's a hundred taels of silver, so we should save where we can.

Seeing that Qin Shaolang was interested, Chu Wu couldn't help but say something.

"Brother Qin, are we still going to repair this earthen kiln?"

Qin Shaolang nodded directly.

"Keep repairing! This earthen kiln is the bridgehead, and the mountain valley there is the main camp. They are mutually supportive. Unless there is an absolute advantage in military strength, no matter who comes, it won't work."

After pondering for a while, Qin Shaolang suddenly asked Li Hu a question.

"What else is on the other side of the hill?"

Li Hu immediately shook his head.

"It's too far, and I haven't looked closely, but according to Er Mazi, there's a cliff at the end, and below the cliff is the border of the Qiang and Hu tribes. I don't remember exactly how high it is, but it should be forty or fifty meters."

A whole cliff, this is a natural defensive stronghold.

If they can be connected into one, all that is needed is to build walls along the edges, and that would be a natural fortress that takes advantage of the terrain.

Ordinary siege tactics are basically no longer needed.

Even if we're being conservative and assume there's a 30-meter-high cliff, that's almost the height of a 15-story building. Attacking from below would render ranged attacks like arrows ineffective.

For those above, dealing with those below is much easier.

"It's a good place, but I don't know exactly how big it is."

Seeing that Qin Shaolang was truly interested, Li Hu felt his opportunity had come and took the initiative to speak.

"If Brother Qin needs it, I'll find an opportunity to tidy up and go find out the specific information."

Qin Shaolang waved his hand.

"No rush. For now, the white-browed tiger's habitat is enough. Our village has few people, so there's no need for such a large area."

Just as food should be eaten one bite at a time, so too should campsites.

It's impossible to worry about how millions of people will live when there are only a few dozen people.

Just as Qin Shaolang was about to consult the map and make some more calculations to decide on the future and how to kill the White-browed Tiger, Su Jin suddenly brought a bowl of rice and some dishes to Qin Shaolang's side, then poured him some wine before leaving.

Chu Wu stroked his chin with envy.

"Sigh, when will I be able to marry a girl as obedient and sensible as my sister-in-law, like Brother Qin?"

Qin Shaolang chuckled.

"Just be patient and wait it out. When the opportunity comes, it will naturally arrive."

While Qin Shaolang was eating, the eldest of the family soldiers who had changed their identities came over.

Although he was called an elder, he was actually only approaching forty years old, not much older than Qin Shaolang.

"Master Qin, the earthen kiln is almost finished. Shall we move in first?"

Qin Shaolang thought for a moment before nodding.

"Alright, once the earthen kiln has been dug to a certain size, you should find some suitable stones to reinforce it. Once everything is in place, follow the established plan to open a path to the top and build a stone wall on top. Remember to keep it well hidden and not too obvious."

The soldier immediately nodded.

"I understand, Mr. Qin. Don't worry, we will definitely complete it."

Seeing Qin Shaolang's careful instructions, Chu Wu looked at the map again and this time slapped his forehead.

"This is a great place! How come I didn't notice it before!"

As he spoke, Chu Wu rotated the map halfway around, placing the direction of the county town in the upper right corner. Instantly, everything became clear, corresponding one by one with the map in his memory.

"Brother Qin, I have a vague recollection of this area. It seems there's a road leading to the Qiang and Hu territory on the west side of the village."

Qin Shaolang frowned upon hearing this.

"Did they loot this place a few years ago?"

Chu Wu was clearly unaware and completely confused, but Li Hu spoke up instead.

"Brother Qin, the Qiang and Hu tribes come to raid every spring and autumn. I guess it's because it got cold early this year, so they haven't come yet."

After thinking it over for a while, Qin Shaolang gave instructions to his family soldiers.

"The construction of the earthen kilns has been accelerated."

The Northern Di people live at a higher latitude than the villages, which means they have to endure far more snow and wind than the villages. Even the villagers are struggling to feed themselves, let alone the Northern Di people.

It's not that they haven't looted this year, it's just that the time hasn't come yet!

Once they start looting, it will be no less than a full-scale invasion!

If we don't have enough means to protect ourselves, won't we become victims of the Qiang and Hu tribes?

Li Hu smiled憨厚ly.

"Don't worry, Brother Qin. These Qiang and Hu people only come to the village to rob grain and rarely hurt people. If all the people die, they won't be able to plunder grain next year, so they are being quite restrained."

Qin Shaolang immediately shook his head, denying Li Hu's statement.

"Wait until they have absolutely no food left and are on the verge of starvation, then see if they'll still play those newbie promises with you."

Seeing that everyone remained silent, Qin Shaolang explained.

"When people are starving, who cares about morality and ethics? When people are starving, who cares about rules? The Qiang and Hu people, who rely on plundering to survive the winter, will most likely not show any mercy this year. This fortress must be repaired."