“It’s true, of course. If you don’t believe me, ask the people who follow me. There are more than six hundred of them now.”

Chenxi spoke with force and conviction.

"Wow, there are even more people than Lin Yanqing! He must be telling the truth."

Another person snorted: "Lin Yanqing said the same thing back then, but in the end, we still went hungry!"

"Hao Zheng!"

"Here." Hao Zheng limped out of the group.

"You are the one who survived the wolf's jaws. You will lead the more than one hundred brothers and sisters who came after you to set an example for them!"

"As instructed by the commander!"

Hao Zheng was deeply grateful to Shen Xi, who not only treated him but also helped him recover from his injuries, and never skimped on his food and drink. This was the first time he had felt warmth since fleeing the famine.

With Hao Zheng as their propagandist, leading over a hundred people scattered among the refugees to spread the word with sincerity and personal experience.

Immediately, 70-80% of the displaced people agreed to join the Chenxi team.

The number of people in the team increased several times over.

The remaining 20-30% of the migrants still have concerns and plan to wait and see for a few days.

Chenxi ignored it, thinking that once the two or three tenths saw the "happy life" of the refugees who had joined, they would naturally beg to join as well.

Logistics Minister Shen Rongxuan's smile vanished instantly. He frowned and whispered, "Sir, although we have over two thousand catties of grain, we also have more than three thousand people. The daily consumption is quite high!"

“I know. Since you dare to accept it, I naturally have a way to deal with it.”

Shen Rongxuan was relieved; the leader said there was a way, and there was.

"Tatsuhiko."

Fang Chenyan stepped forward: "Here."

"Please lead the medical team to check all the new arrivals. We cannot ignore infectious diseases. Thank you for your hard work!"

"It's not hard work."

Fang Chenyan wore a protective medicine kit - tied around his mouth and nose - which can prevent most oral and nasal infectious diseases.

Groups of refugees began to undergo inspections.

"Zhao Rong".

"Your subordinate is here!" Zhao Rong's admiration for Chen Xi was so great that he was completely convinced and willing to be his subordinate.

"After Chen Yan checks and finds no problems, you will break up the new recruits and assign them to small teams. If there is any resistance, you can deal with them directly."

"Yes, sir!"

Zhao Rong was extremely intimidating among this group of refugees.

Later, when some people actually rebelled, Zhao Rong dealt with the two ringleaders, and they all calmed down.

"Uncle Eight!"

Shen Rongxuan said very seriously, "Commander, my name is Shen Rongxuan."

Shenxi understood immediately.

"Shen Rongxuan, can you distribute all the weapons to reliable people?"

Shen Rongxuan stood up straight: "I will definitely do it!"

"Also, you need to provide me with enough food for ten days. Our guards and vanguard can't go without food and water. Can you manage?"

"Your subordinate will do his best!" Whether we can hold on or not, we must hold on.

Ten days is enough to give us a buffer!

"Zhao Rong, Chen Yan is still checking these people. You go and deal with the prisoners first. Remember to interrogate them one by one. If there are no major problems, those who are willing to stay can stay. If there are problems, you can handle them as you see fit."

"As you command."

The more tasks he was assigned, the happier Zhao Rong became; it meant his superior valued him!

"Li Qin".

Li Qin had been waiting for the leader to call her name, and hearing his voice now felt as sweet as drinking honey.

"Your subordinate is here!" This meant that Chen Xi was now truly being recognized as their leader.

"If everyone is full, or even half full, our food supplies won't last more than three or four days. I think we can last ten days without the guards and vanguard going hungry. Do you have any good ideas?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Li Qin replied, "Commander, I have a good plan!"

"Oh? Tell me about it!"

"Sir, Qin needs an order from you: no one is allowed to peel off the bark or dig up the roots of the grass without permission."

"Huh?" What kind of order is this?

Qin thought, “They peeled tree bark and dug up grass roots, basically eating them directly. This way of eating could not solve the famine, and it also led to the indiscriminate consumption of many herbs, which had adverse effects on people’s health. There were many cases of people dying from bloating due to intestinal blockage caused by eating tree bark directly.”

Chenxi nodded upon hearing this: "Does Qin have a solution?"

Li Qin nodded: "Qin's ancestors also experienced famine, so they naturally have a method to soften tender tree bark and some grass roots and turn them into powder that is easy to absorb."

"If the leader doesn't let them ruin it, Qin will make sure they have enough to eat!"

"Good!" Shenxi felt relieved. In this way, let alone ten days, even if there is no locust plague, they might be able to hold out for another ten days.

"Zhao Peng, pass this order down. Anyone who disobeys will be killed!"

In chaotic times, harsh measures are necessary. Without deterrence, it's impossible to save the majority of lives. These people are her guarantee for survival in this chaotic world!

"Yes, Your subordinate obeys."

Zhao Peng was envious of his elder brother, who was always valued by his superiors.

I've finally been assigned a task by the leader, so of course I have to complete it well.

Shen Xi let out a soft breath and turned to look at Zhou Ren. This guy was really quite skilled, making wooden bows and arrows. He was a master craftsman among wood-type families. If he had iron tools, he could also make a fairly good bow and arrow.

This is a talent, a truly exceptional talent!

"Zhou Ren!"

Zhou Ren was a steady and reliable person, and his voice was neither hurried nor slow: "Your subordinate is here!"

"From these thousands of people, select some skillful and honest individuals to work with you in making bows and arrows. Well, for now, let's make wooden ones!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Also, make more wooden weapons. Although they are not as good as iron weapons, they can be used for training or emergency situations."

"yes!"

The vanguard team still needs to expand its manpower, and more weapons will be needed for training.

After all the tasks were assigned, Chenxi relaxed. She hadn't rested all night and was now hungry.

Shenxi asked Di Yingxue to have dinner with her, since Di Yingxue had been taking care of her younger siblings these past few days, which had been quite tiring for her.

While eating, he asked Di Yingxue, "Yingxue, is it alright for me to call you that?"

Di Yingxue was naturally delighted; this was a sign of the leader's kindness and recognition of her!

"Yingxue, from now on you will be my assistant. Drafting rules and regulations, writing documents—that will all be your responsibility!"

Di Yingxue's eyes lit up: "Commander, can I do this well?"

Shen Xi nodded emphatically: "You are perfectly capable of serving as the leader's assistant!"

"Yes, thank you for your trust, Commander!" Di Yingxue secretly wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes. She finally had her own destiny!

Shen Qing could no longer hold back: "Commander, have you given any instructions to Qing'er?"

"Qing'er, you've done very well these past few days!" Shen Xi almost burst out laughing. Ever since Shen Qing sat with her, she had been looking at her with longing, her desire for praise was obvious.

"This time, your task is heavier. There are many more people, and you'll have to select some to teach literacy!"

"Yes, eldest sister!"

Shen Xi didn't blame Shen Qing for calling her "elder sister." Children have their own kind of liveliness, and that's the best kind of childhood!

"Also, Qing'er, I heard you've taken Zhao Rong as your master?"

Shen Qing nodded excitedly: "My master said I have immense strength. If I practice diligently, I can bend a bow and arrow, and wield a sword on horseback. I have the potential to become a great general!"