Chapter 533: The Fat Fish Takes the Bait (Part 6) [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

What is a lord?

She said—

“Um… I know that screening nearly 100,000 people is a bit difficult, but I have faith in your abilities. You are all outstanding individuals, what kind of challenges haven’t you faced? I believe that any difficulty is just a paper tiger in front of you, easily defeated! 100,000 people, it should be… over in ten days to half a month?” Shen Tang blinked her innocent almond-shaped eyes, painting a rosy picture for her subordinates.

What is a subordinate?

They said—

"Ten days or half a month?" Even though Qi Shan had been with Shen Tang for two years, she was still shocked by her shamelessness.

"Has the lord considered the expenditure of the treasury?" Chu Yao didn't want to remind Shen Tang of the cruel reality that she was on the verge of bankruptcy again and again! If she spends all her savings now, she'll have to tighten her belt and live beyond her means in the future.

"Even if the treasury is full of money, there are not enough people to investigate the population of the entire Longwu County in just ten days or half a month."

Jiang Sheng didn't want to bring up the issue of money too much, since the real big spenders were sitting right next to him. He could only talk about manpower.

Kang Shi silently looked at Gu Chi.

Gu Chi remained expressionless.

He also agreed with Kang Shi's sentiments—the lord could easily open his mouth, and they, his subordinates, would have to run themselves ragged following him.

"Ahem—Half-step, what do you all think?" Shen Tang couldn't withstand the condemning gazes of several literary scholars, but feeling that his idea was brilliant, he couldn't bear to abandon it, so he turned his attention to the martial arts masters led by Gong Shuwu. They were easy to fool.

Gong Shuwu, who was suddenly called out, was speechless.

Ask him what he thinks?

He watched it sitting, standing, and lying down.

These tasks were clearly outside his job description.

He pretended to ponder for a long while before saying solemnly, "Wu thinks this method is ingenious and indeed feasible, but the concerns of Chu Gongcao and the others are not without merit. How about a compromise, with each side taking a step back? Or perhaps we can discuss it further and find another solution..."

Shen Tang: "..."

It's like she said something, but it's like she said nothing at all. Isn't this just trying to smooth things over? She doesn't want to offend either side! If anyone says that the Martial Gallant Warrior is easy to fool, she'll just throw Gong Shuwu's nonsense in their face and see how cunning the Martial Gallant Warrior really is.

Other martial arts masters?

They avoided Shen Tang's gaze.

For a moment, the morning meeting was very quiet.

Finally, Shen Tang turned her gaze to Gu Chi: [I don't care! This has to be done! You have to support me!]

His tone and expression were quite willful.

Gu Chi immediately understood what it meant to have a bitter pill to swallow; for the first time, he realized that his own scholarly ways could backfire so badly. He noticed Shen Tang's lips were slightly downturned, seemingly displeased, but her almond-shaped eyes conveyed a hidden resentment and grievance…

Isn't my lord making things difficult for us?

Gu Chi, steeling himself, spoke under the murderous gazes of Qi Shan and the others: "In my opinion, although there are some difficulties, there are solutions. We've already confiscated much from the Ten Crows' treasury, haven't we? At most, it'll be a bit tough for the next year or two... If we can have a good harvest this year, the pressure shouldn't be too great. As for the shortage of manpower... the scholars who have taken the lead are worth ten thousand men... right?"

Gu Wangchao possessed a quick wit.

Having thoroughly mastered the ways of the literati, Jiang Sheng knew himself and his enemy. How could he not study the ways of the literati among his colleagues?

Jiang Xiandeng's scholarly way is based on "observing aura"!

“Ordinary people who have the opportunity to begin cultivation naturally have better luck and a more favorable complexion than ordinary people. Let Xian Deng go and take a look. The accuracy rate should be at least 70% or 80%, if not 100%. Then we can further screen these people.”

That's not it—

This will save manpower.

As for having the old physician Dong of the clinic lead his disciples to conduct physical examinations on the common people of Longwu County? Consider it as providing them with more practice material.

Which good doctor didn't grow by treating countless strange and unusual patients? It also provides an opportunity to train more doctors...

After some quick calculation, I believe this plan is feasible!

After saying that, Gu Chi put on a confident smile, but inwardly he was being stabbed through the backs of his colleagues.

Especially Jiang Sheng, who suffered an undeserved misfortune.

He looked at Gu Wangchao in disbelief.

I took on the arduous task of measuring the fields for him, enduring hardship day and night, and this is how Gu Wangchao repays me? I don't expect him to repay my kindness, but surely he wouldn't be so ungrateful? His scholarly ways don't require literary refinement?

Jiang Sheng's gaze grew even more intense.

Gu Chi's smile grew increasingly stiff.

With Gu Chi's support, Shen Tang straightened her back instantly and made the decision decisively. Seeing that her goal had been achieved, she got up, dusted herself off, and ran away, heartlessly abandoning Gu Chi.

Everyone was helpless against Shen Tang, but why should they be polite to Gu Chi?

Gu Chi: "..."

One hundred thousand people is no small number.

The household registration system reform is not yet complete and must be carried out simultaneously.

With these two tasks combined, one can imagine the immense pressure on Shen Tang's small, makeshift team.

The first step was to relay the prefectural order to the various counties and townships, whereby local officials would then pass it on to the village heads, who would then inform each household about the free medical checkups and medicine delivery. They encountered a problem at this stage: a shortage of manpower…

The lower-level officials were either absent or temporary workers.

Ultimately, it all comes down to those damned local bullies of Longwu County who concealed and hid tenant farmers! Because of them, nearly 90% of the villages in the entire region not only had to have their household registrations and land records re-divided and re-registered, but also had to be replaced with new, capable local officials…

We can't just choose and use things randomly, lest we leave hidden dangers.

Helpless, they could only allocate soldiers who were supposed to be clearing land to help deliver messages—and these had to be brave and skilled warriors, with more energy and stamina than ordinary people, who wouldn't break even if they worked non-stop. The message radiated outwards from the administrative center, reaching every household.

At the same time, we also need to communicate with the clinic.

In response, Dr. Dong patted his chest and agreed: "Although I am old, I can still do my best for Mr. Shen."

Being able to help people and save lives is all that matters, no matter how tired one is.

It wasn't a free clinic funded out of their own pockets; rather, it was a charitable act by the prefectural government, which provided the money and medicine. The clinic could also gain a good reputation in return—why not? As for why the prefectural government didn't focus on rebuilding Longwu Prefecture but instead conducted some kind of universal health checkup…

Dr. Dong is just a doctor; he doesn't understand the cunning of these politicians. Just do good deeds and don't worry about the future.

This unique event, after five days of chaotic preparation and numerous setbacks, finally kicked off on the sixth day. Upon hearing that there would be free medical consultations and medicine, most ordinary people, even those without illness or injury, wanted to join in the fun.

Freebies always seem the best.

The only one who was unhappy was probably Jiang Sheng.

Who made him do the heaviest work?

Just as the nationwide health check-up campaign was in full swing, a seemingly low-profile but actually heavily guarded convoy quietly entered Longwu County. Judging from their route, they were clearly headed for the county seat.

Inside the convoy, a young man in plain clothes lifted the carriage curtain and looked out: "This Longwu County is truly desolate and bleak..."

He lowered the curtain and added, "He can't compare to He Yin."

Ning Yan turned a page of her book.

"The battle has just ended, how can we recover our strength so quickly?"

The boy asked, "Will it take two years?"

Ning Yan guessed, "Perhaps we won't need it. Look, after we entered Longwu County, did we encounter any highway robbers?"

The collapse of order easily breeds crime and chaos.

How many bandits targeted their convoy along their journey?

After entering Longwu County, the security situation improved noticeably, which is probably thanks to that Lord Shen.

ヽ(゜▽゜)－

As expected, the book review section was in chaos that day.

I'll make some changes to the mushroom first, and then you guys can refresh and check it again.

Once the male-oriented content site recommends it, I'll delete those posts; out of sight, out of mind.

(End of this chapter)