Lu Tu dared not leave rashly at the moment, after all, there were at least 5,000 refugees here, and it was obvious that these refugees were only afraid of Lu Tu, not Nie Yun and the others.
If Lü Tu leaves, and something happens afterward, things could become even more serious.
Lu Tu waited for an hour until all the refugees had eaten their fill. He roughly estimated that the meal had cost him more than 500 catties of millet.
On average, each refugee ate an ounce of millet, mixed with plenty of water, which filled their stomachs and calmed their nerves.
After they had eaten their fill, all the refugees lay on the ground, satisfied and exhausted; not a single person stood up.
At this moment, Lu Tu finally spoke up: "You must do as I said earlier. I've told you, I'm not here to give you free food. If you're not going to work and want to slack off, you'd better get back to Huai Shuo as soon as possible!"
Upon hearing that they would be given food as long as they could work, all the refugees knelt down again, nodding repeatedly: "Thank you, Lord Lü, for saving us from our suffering! We are willing to work!"
Lu Tu then explained the rules for working here to them. Of course, he wouldn't pay them their daily wages for the time being, since these refugees didn't have any good jobs to do right now. This was just a way for Lu Tu to keep them in a stable situation for the time being.
"Everyone who works can have their stomach filled, but if even one person doesn't comply, you and your whole family will be kicked out. My place doesn't support idlers!"
"Yes, sir!"
Xiao Zhong walked over at this moment. Seeing the tense situation earlier, it was naturally not the time for him to make his move.
Lu Tu then handed the place over to Xiao Zhong: "While I'm not here, everyone must listen to Mr. Xiao!"
"Understood, sir!"
Xiao Zhong said in a deep voice, "My lord, since Huai Shuo and the others are targeting us so much, why don't we use these refugees to build some defensive fortifications?"
Lu Tu agreed, saying, "Okay, but let them build their shelter first, and then we'll move them to the coal mine. Huai Shuo probably won't send any more refugees over for a while; they're already overwhelmed with their own problems, and it'll be difficult for them to organize so many refugees."
"Yes, sir, I'll arrange it right away."
After doing all this, Lü Tu ordered Liu Hong to lead 300 men to guard the area, while the others went back to the village to keep an eye on the refugees heading towards Wuchuan.
The situation is getting bigger and bigger, and even Lü Tu is finding it difficult to manage. If it weren't for the large dowry that Wang Miaoling brought him, Lü Tu would really be in trouble.
After all, so much fertile land had been cultivated before, and it would take several months to harvest it, during which time the company was almost entirely in the red.
No, I have to get that bastard Yun Tian to give me some money. I've helped him so much, it wouldn't be right for him not to show any appreciation.
He immediately had horses brought over, and with 50 cavalrymen, he left Liu Yang and Nie Yun in the village, preparing to head to Wuchuan with only Tuoba Yue, when someone called out to him.
Looking back, it turned out to be Jia Dazhuang, the former guard of the South Gate. His smallpox had healed, and he looked rosy-cheeked, indicating that he had been doing very well during this time.
He stepped forward and knelt before Lü Tu with his children, saying, "Thank you for saving our lives, sir. I have been unable to find you these past few days and have not been able to thank you in person."
Lu Tu nodded at him: "No need for formalities. By the way, I'm going back to Wuchuan. Are you going back to report?"
Unexpectedly, the usually loyal Jia Dazhuang shook his head like a rattle drum: "Sir, I'm not going back."
Lu Tu looked at him with amusement: "Why don't you go back? You're a squad leader in the border army, an official position that many people envy."
Lu Tu wasn't joking. After all, Tuoba Yue's previous achievements included killing several Wuhuan people on his own before he became a squad leader, while Jia Dazhuang was a regular army officer. Who could just give up his position like that?
At this moment, Jia Dazhuang's son timidly said, "Replying to your question, sir, my father said that the officials in the city don't treat us like human beings. Only you, sir, respect us. So my father wants to stay and help you!"
Jia Dazhuang patted his son's head with satisfaction, his eyes full of undisguised joy: "Little brat, the adults are our saviors, so you should speak to them respectfully."
"What is honorific language, Daddy?"
Seeing this, Lu Tu couldn't help but chuckle. He had met Jia Dazhuang many times and had a very good impression of him.
At this moment, he spoke up: "Jia Dazhuang, is this your idea or your son's idea?"
Jia Dazhuang quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "This humble servant is willing to serve you faithfully, even unto death!"
"Alright!" Lu Tu nodded and said loudly, "Since that's the case, you will continue to be responsible for guarding the city gates from now on. This place is entrusted to you, but you will have to start from the lowest rank of soldier. Are you satisfied?"
"Your subordinate is willing!"
Seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, Lü Tu nodded: "Good! I just heard your son say that he doesn't know what honorifics are? Starting tomorrow, you and your son will go to the village school to study."
Upon hearing that his son could go to school, Jia Dazhuang was shocked and murmured, "Sir... is what you're saying true? Can my children really go to school?"
Liu Yang, who was standing to the side, laughed and said, "This is my brother's request. All the children in our village can go to school, and it doesn't cost any money."
Jia Dazhuang hurriedly pulled his children to kowtow to Lü Tu: "Quickly thank our benefactor, finally someone in our family can read and write."
This scene moved Lü Tu. To be able to read and write was such a simple and unpretentious wish. Jia Dazhuang was a rough man who had been through the ups and downs of military life. The more he had such experiences, the more he understood the importance of reading and writing.
Lu Tu waved his hand, specifically ordering Jia Dazhuang to follow Ban Wei. Ban Wei looked at Jia Dazhuang, who was half a head taller than him, and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Sir, do you really want Jia Dazhuang to be a soldier under me? With his experience, I'm willing to serve him."
Jia Dazhuang waved his hands repeatedly: "Brother Ban, don't say that. I am your soldier now!"
Seeing that Jia Dazhuang's attitude was good, Lu Tu decided to train him for a while before promoting him. However, there was no rush. It was impossible to make anyone an official as soon as they joined, right? How could the other brothers be convinced?
With a wave of his hand, he led all the cavalry away. Before long, they arrived at the south gate of Wuchuan. Along the way, they saw no more refugees, and they didn't even find any refugees at the city gate.
Lu Tu was puzzled by the quiet. Looking at the unfamiliar soldiers guarding the city, he waved his hand and asked, "Has anything happened recently?"
The soldiers guarding the city naturally recognized Lü Tu and stepped forward furtively, saying, "Lord Lü, you really don't know?"
"What?"
"The imperial court sent someone today, saying that they want the princess to go north for a marriage alliance as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this, Lü Tu felt a sense of foreboding. He hadn't finished dealing with his own affairs yet. If Zhao Qingyao left Wuchuan at this time, there would be no one to openly deter him. Yun Tian and Prince Duan might then retaliate against him.
This won't do! Lü Tu quickly rushed towards the Commandant's residence.
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