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

Qin Shaolang was worried about the invasion of the Northern Di, and also worried that in this cold winter, the Northern Di people would come here to plunder in order to survive.

If he has no one to rely on, then there is only one outcome awaiting him.

That is destruction.

The Northern Barbarians' swords don't care where someone is from, what their thoughts are, what their ambitions are, or what their resentments are.

"This bridgehead must be built, and we must take over that tiger's territory. This matter is now settled. Whether you understand it or not, you must do as instructed and complete it as quickly as possible."

This was the first time Qin Shaolang had used his power, and the first time he had issued an order without explaining the reason to them.

Chu Wu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly nodded vigorously and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"I'll listen to Brother Qin."

Chu Wu had already expressed his opinion, and those who had become Qin Shaolang's personal guards quickly nodded in agreement.

But Chu Wu suddenly smiled, looking at the "deserters" he had saved.

"You are now Brother Qin's personal guards, and you should obey Brother Qin's orders. Today, Brother Qin gritted his teeth and said that you were refugees under the county magistrate's interrogation. He was interrogated several times before he barely managed to confirm your identities."

After a brief pause, Chu Wu spoke in a deep voice.

"You should cherish this opportunity. I, Brother Qin, am neither a scoundrel who bullies the good, nor a useless good-for-nothing. It is your honor to follow me, Brother Qin."

The group of soldiers were immediately stunned.

Before today, their leader was Chu Wu. It was Chu Wu who gave them the option of not dying, and it was Chu Wu who secretly transported resources to them, allowing them to survive.

But now, Chu Wu used these words to completely draw a clear line between himself and them.

Qin Shaolang, who was standing to the side, pondered for a moment and understood Chu Wu's thoughts.

He really intended to hand these people over to him.

He even went so far as to fabricate this non-existent rebuke to reinforce his position in the eyes of the people.

Seeing that Chu Wu was about to continue, Qin Shaolang coughed lightly.

"Alright, Chu Wu, come over for a drink. Let me explain the reasons to you in detail first."

……

Until midnight, more than thirty people were still in Qin Shaolang's room, listening attentively to Qin Shaolang's analysis of the situation.

The main issue is that Qin Shaolang and his group's views differ from those circulating among the people of the Great Wei.

Qin Shaolang offered his views from multiple perspectives, including grain, products, and forging standards.

This was a completely new and exciting perspective that the soldiers had never heard of before.

In addition, Qin Shaolang also severely criticized the Northern Di people, who insisted that they "did not kill people but only intercepted grain."

"...These people are either bandits bribed by officials of the Great Wei, or they are their own soldiers in disguise, used as tools to make extra money. They could never be Northern Di people."

After some analysis, Qin Shaolang came to a conclusion about these so-called Northern Di people.

Chu Wu also stroked his chin, raising an eyebrow.

"Brother Qin, were you saying that people are also a very important resource, and that we should either rob them or kill them to make it easier to rob them next time?"

Qin Shaolang nodded.

"Even if they kill everyone here, this is still the territory of the Great Wei. The Great Wei will definitely arrange for refugees to come and settle here, and at most build cities in various important locations."

After the analysis and explanation that lasted all night, everyone finally believed Qin Shaolang's story.

A sense of urgency rose in everyone's hearts.

Chu Wu scratched his head.

"Why don't we have the brothers work through the night to finish building this bridgehead as soon as possible?"

Qin Shaolang waved his hand dismissively.

"No need. Just arrange for people to patrol and guard every night to prevent anyone from sneaking in under the cover of darkness. No matter how urgent the matter is, we have to do it step by step. It's getting late, everyone should get some rest. We'll start construction tomorrow morning and rest in the afternoon. We'll go and capture that white-browed tiger tomorrow."

A group of soldiers quickly agreed and then hurriedly got up and returned to their new earthen kiln to rest.

Qin Shaolang looked at the dilapidated house and hesitated for a moment.

Chu Wu suddenly burst into laughter.

"Did you reserve a private room for Brother Qin in this earthen cave dwelling?"

The guards suddenly realized what was happening.

They could patrol and guard their posts to protect their own safety, but Qin Shaolang had nothing; his only house was dilapidated.

The key issue is that there are two wives here, which doesn't seem safe at all.

"How could we not keep any? We had it all planned out. It's the best house we ever built."

"Let's go, let's help Master Qin move."

"Master Qin, just tell us what you need. We brothers have plenty of strength; we'll deliver it all at once!"

……

Amidst the enthusiastic welcome from the soldiers, Qin Shaolang looked around and pointed to a corner of the room.

"You divided up those weapons after you took them back. There wasn't much else, just some odds and ends."

Under the cover of night, Chu Wu, holding a torch, led the way for the troops, followed by thirty household soldiers who carried, shouldered, or lifted various miscellaneous items.

Walking at the very back of the group were Qin Shaolang, Su Tang, and Su Jin.

After settling into the earthen kiln, Su Jin looked out at the dilapidated house where she had lived for several days and felt a sense of disorientation.

Although she had only lived there for a few days, she missed that dilapidated house very much.

This time, she felt unusually at ease after changing her residence.

Quietly withdrawing her gaze, Su Jin looked at Qin Shaolang.

At this moment, he was busy greeting his soldiers, arranging various items, and inspecting their living conditions, preparing for the next adjustment.

She knew that Qin Shaolang couldn't stand seeing these people who followed him living such poor lives.

But... he's still here, that's good.

Su Jin watched Qin Shaolang's busy figure carefully when suddenly a voice rang out.

"Sister-in-law, please come inside. Brother Qin is busy right now. If he sees you like this, should he continue or come and keep you company?"

Su Jin was amused by these words.

As a wife who was bought by someone, she should be grateful that she can live a normal life.

Where else can one expect these things?

That was a privilege reserved for women who married into the family through normal means.

Just as she was about to speak, Su Jin suddenly thought of something, looked at Chu Wu carefully, and then turned around abruptly to look at Qin Shaolang.

Her embroidered eyebrows were tightly furrowed and remained so for a long time.

Seeing this, Chu Wu knew he was right and stepped in front of Su Jin.

"Sister-in-law, you should go inside and rest. The wind is strong tonight, and you're so thin and weak. If you catch a cold, there won't be anyone to cook for them tomorrow."

Su Jin hesitated for a while before finally entering the narrow entrance of the earthen kiln, filled with confusion.

Turning a corner inside, a faint firelight illuminated the world before her eyes.

Su Tang was squatting by the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed), one hand touching the kang and the other supporting herself on the ground, looking down at the fire under the kang.