When Shenxi mentioned that a locust plague would strike within half a month, Zhao Rong was quite surprised.
"The drought is so severe that there is now a possibility of an epidemic spreading. If we add a locust plague to the mix, how many people will survive!"
Shenxi nodded. The epidemic prevention here was timely and did not cause a large-scale spread, but the situation of the refugees outside the mountains was certainly not optimistic.
When a locust plague occurs, the locusts will eat up any remaining plant leaves.
That was when the land was barren and desolate, with hardly any human habitation!
Aside from wealthy families with large grain reserves, how did ordinary people survive the famine?
Shenxi gave instructions one by one, including sending people to expand outwards and extending the existing defensive line to prevent outside migrants from randomly entering and spreading the epidemic, as well as to prevent chaos.
He then instructed Fang Chenyan to quickly collect medicinal herbs, as the plague could not be taken lightly, especially since the locust plague would also consume the herbs, making them difficult to find later.
A separate department was set up specifically for construction – the Construction Department – and Zhao Peng, who was quite motivated, was put in charge of it. Basic construction needed to be carried out there.
Clearing open spaces, building defenses, constructing houses and other infrastructure.
If possible, she will also build a road leading out of the mountains, as this is her base and cannot remain an isolated island forever.
Only with roads can this place connect with the outside world and gradually prosper.
If the drought eases and the world returns to peace, all the better. But if the world remains in chaos, her pristine land will eventually become a chaotic region.
Based on what she knows now, she has a premonition that the era of warlordism and the rise of rebel armies has arrived.
Shenxi thought to herself, since that's the case, she wouldn't mind using this as a base to fight for a piece of sky that belongs to her!
Getting started is always a good idea!
Shenxi instructed Zhao Rong to bring over the people she had selected, as she urgently needed talent.
Since we have decided that we may have to contend for the world in the future, the demand for talent has increased significantly.
If there were someone knowledgeable about current affairs and capable of guiding the nation, that would be even better. She wouldn't mind making three visits to Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage, as long as someone possessed the talent of a hidden dragon.
Zhao Rong brought in five people, who showed great respect to Chen Xi.
"Qi Xiuwen, Qi Xiuwu, Zhang Feng, Zang Huatian, and Song Zhen pay their respects to the leader!"
All five of them performed a deep bow.
Shenxi smiled and told them to dispense with formalities. Looking at the five people, she saw that they were not flustered and their eyes were clear and upright, so she knew that Zhao Rong had chosen good people.
In terms of character, at least there is a guarantee.
"Instructor Zhao said you are all talented people. I wonder what skills you all possess?"
Chenxi doesn't beat around the bush; a capable person needs to be given a chance to demonstrate their abilities.
Qi Xiuwen stepped forward, cupped his hands in a salute, and replied loudly, "Reporting to the commander, my brother Xiuwu and I are one a scholar and the other a warrior. I was originally an advisor under Marquis Xie, and my brother was Marquis Xie's bodyguard."
Chen Xi's eyes lit up. This was exactly what they meant by "searching high and low without finding it, only to have it come to you effortlessly"!
"Oh?" Although Chenxi needs such talent, Xie Hou is dead, and his subordinates would never come here!
Qi Xiuwen noticed Shen Xi's confusion and explained, "Lord Xie was the governor of Nanning County. He was besieged by the traitor Zhao Chuanyang and later betrayed by his adopted son Xie Ning. He fought bravely and died when the city fell. I was sent on official business by Lord Xie before the city fell, which is why I was lucky enough to survive."
Seemingly recalling the situation at the time, Qi Xiuwen sighed: "If it weren't for that, he would definitely have been killed by Zhao Chuanyang. It is said that Nanning County is in chaos. Zhao Chuanyang has killed countless people and committed all kinds of evil."
"My brother Chuanwu led his men in a desperate fight and managed to break through the encirclement. He happened to run into me on the way back to report. My brother and I discussed it and naturally decided that we could not stay in Nanning County any longer, so we took the remaining dozens of men and fled here."
Shenxi naturally believed what he said; he didn't need to lie about these things: "Since you were once by Xie Hou's side, you would have a place to use your talents if you went to other prefectures, so why would you be loyal to me?"
Qi Xiuwen was not nervous, but said very seriously: "We did not come here directly when we fled. Instead, we first tried to enter the county and provincial capitals. However, a large number of refugees gathered outside each county and provincial capital, and the city gates were not open. Even we were unable to enter the city."
Shenxi frowned. She had thought about the situation outside, but the refugees were all gathered outside the city gates. Sooner or later, the places that couldn't hold out would erupt into an even more violent civil unrest!
"Some people have already said that there has been a civil unrest outside, and that many rebel armies have emerged!" Shenxi needed to find out more about the outside world.
"Yes." Qi Xiuwen nodded: "But in the end, this is just a small group of rebels and rioters, and it can't take on any real power for the time being! Unlike Beishang County and Beijiang County, where there are already several large rebel armies!"
Zheng Ankang, standing behind Shen Xi, looked unwell. When he fled over, things were already in chaos, but he hadn't expected that a fully formed rebel army had already emerged!
Once the rebel army and the imperial court officially start fighting, and the rebel army fights among itself, the world will not be at peace for a while. Even if the drought is relieved, there will be turmoil for many years!
Shenxi also thought of this, and became even more determined. She wanted to seize the world. Only by having her own power could she live a wonderful life in such a chaotic world!
Shenxi gestured for Qi Xiuwen to continue.
Qi Xiuwen made no attempt to conceal anything and told everyone he knew: "My brother and I had no choice but to follow some of the refugees into these mountains. We happened to hear about your story and later came into contact with your group. That's when we decided to follow you. After all, we've seen a lot, but there aren't many people like you who truly care about the people!"
Shenxi felt ashamed inwardly. She hadn't initially thought about the people; she was only thinking of others while taking care of herself, hoping for mutual benefit and a longer-term future.
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