This old man clearly held some status in the village, and before long, he had gathered more than a thousand villagers to an open space in the village.
Most of these people were elderly people and young children, with only about two hundred young adults.
Sun Jian and Gao Shun also ordered their men to retrieve enough grain from the ranks to feed the villagers, and they immediately set up cooking pots and started preparing a meal.
The villagers watched Sun Jian and his group's actions with great curiosity, somewhat puzzled.
The old man stepped forward and shouted, "Fellow villagers, don't be afraid, they are preparing food for us!"
Upon hearing this, all the villagers present looked at Sun Jian and the others in disbelief.
Throughout their lives, they had often been asked for food, but this was the first time they had ever received food from someone.
Seeing this, Gao Shun was about to step forward to explain, but Sun Jian stopped him: "Don't rush, let's talk after they've eaten their fill!"
"yes!"
Gao Shun agreed, then took a step back and stood behind Sun Jian.
If Gao Shun obeyed Sun Jian's orders before because of the emperor's mandate, then now he is truly convinced and willing to submit.
With courage, wisdom, and a deep understanding of human nature, Sun Jian's various characteristics all point to the heights he could reach in the future.
However, Gao Shun only made up his mind to fully assist Sun Jian; it did not mean that he would completely side with the other party.
Before long, the food in the pot was all cooked.
The old man also filled a large bowl to the brim and placed it in front of a sallow-faced, emaciated villager.
"Eat up, it's alright!"
Smelling the delicious food, the long-starved villager swallowed hard, then took the bowl and began to wolf down his food.
"Gulp!!"
Seeing the villager wolfing down his food, sounds of swallowing saliva could be heard from those around him.
The old man immediately called out, "Fellow villagers, pick up your bowls and get your rice! It's alright!"
Upon hearing this, the villagers no longer hesitated and gathered around the steaming pots.
Having been starved for so long, only one word remained in their minds: eat.
Whether we live or die, let's eat our fill first!
"Don't rush, don't grab, everyone gets one!!"
The person in charge of serving the food kept shouting loudly to maintain order at the scene.
The villagers who received their food squeezed out of the crowd, squatted on the ground, and began to feast. The sounds of smacking lips and slurping food filled the air.
In less than fifteen minutes, the cooked food was devoured by the villagers, who rubbed their bulging bellies with expressions of enjoyment and satisfaction.
Just then, the old man angrily shouted at the villagers, "You bunch of bastards, you're all full, don't you know how to thank your benefactor?"
"Thank you so much for your generous gift!"
"Thank you, my benefactor!"
"Thank you all..."
The villagers, regaining their senses, bowed and thanked Sun Jian with gratitude, some even kneeling on the ground and kowtowing.
"Get up, all of you! Get up quickly!"
Sun Jian also stepped forward and helped the people who were kneeling on the ground up one by one.
After the scene quieted down, Sun Jian went to a large rock, looked at the villagers, and asked with a smile, "How was it? Did you all eat your fill?"
The guide following behind him loudly translated his words to the villagers.
"I'm full!!"
The villagers answered in unison, their voices filled with joy.
For most of the villagers present, this was the most enjoyable meal they had ever had in their lives.
"Then let me ask you, can the grain growing in your fields provide you with enough to eat every day like you do today?"
Upon hearing this, all the villagers present were stunned for a moment. An elderly man stood up and said, "Even if we only have half of the grain left, it will be enough to keep us from going hungry!"
"What about the grain in the fields?" Sun Jian asked again.
"Sigh~, they were all taken away by the lord!"
"That's all the result of your hard work in cultivating the land. Why should they take it away?"
Upon hearing this, the old man paused for a moment, then said, "These lands belong to the lords, so the crops that grow here should naturally belong to them!"
"Without you, could these lands grow crops?"
"cannot!"
"Then, shouldn't the lord leave you some food to survive?"
"should!"
"Then why didn't he leave any for you?"
"this……"
Upon hearing Sun Jian's last question, the old man was speechless for a moment, unsure how to answer.
Sun Jian then looked at the other villagers: "Does any of you know why?"
The villagers couldn't help but shake their heads; they had never thought about this question before.
"I know!"
The old man who had spoken earlier stepped forward and said loudly, "Because we are too weak, we dare not resist, we dare not demand what belongs to us."
That's why those lords have become increasingly unreasonable and treat us less and less like human beings!
Upon hearing this, the villagers present couldn't help but change their expressions.
"Well said! Sheep that don't know how to resist will only end up being slaughtered!"
Sun Jian gave the old man an approving look, then turned to the villagers and said loudly, "Your strength is the most powerful force in the world."
Lords, noble officials, and even your Augustus—all these people live so well because of your labor.
Without you, they will have no food or clothes, and will be worse than wild animals!
But do you know why they're able to oppress you, suck your blood, and constantly harm you?
Upon hearing Sun Jian's question, all the villagers present shook their heads in bewilderment.
"Because you lack a leader, someone who can lead you to reclaim what is rightfully yours, an enlightener who can make you realize your own importance..."
Sun Jian's words were powerful and persuasive, striking right at the heart.
All the villagers present looked at Sun Jian with shining eyes.
“That person is not me, but our great Emperor. I am merely here to rescue you on the Emperor’s orders.”
Under the fervent gazes of the villagers, Sun Jian directly revealed his identity as acting on behalf of Heaven. Although this was thousands of miles overseas, he still dared not do anything presumptuous.
At the same time, Gao Shun, who was behind him, also loosened his grip on the knife hilt with his right hand.
Feeling the chill behind him dissipate, Sun Jian breathed a sigh of relief and continued shouting, "Now, are you willing to join me, follow the Emperor, and take back everything that belongs to you?"
"Yes, yes!!"
All the villagers present shouted in unison.
For no other reason than that Sun Jian had just given them a full meal.
This is the most effective way to bewitch people!
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