9 Cui Yingyu (1/2)

When Ouyang Shuo had arrived online, the game time was just after 8 AM. From outside the door came a whirring sound, mixed with waves of cheers.

Opening the door, Ouyang Shuo saw that General Shi was displaying his spearmanship while Zhao Dexian and the others were watching from the sides, fascinated by his skill, and from time to time applauding.

Seeing that Ouyang Shuo had come out, they all exclaimed, “Lord sire!”

Ouyang Shuo quickly replied, “No need to stand on ceremony. As the saying goes, the most important time of the day is in the morning! Today we have a lot of things to do. As for specifics, I will plan them after I return from the village to usher in the new villagers. If you are free, you can go with me.”

“Sire please give us orders!”

Everyone came to the village entrance again. Sure enough, another group of people had gathered there. They were the same, thin and dressed in poor rags. The difference was that this was a group of fifteen people, and had a mix of men and women, old and young. They were also carrying more belongings, some with a backpack, more like a family migration than the first batch.

They were led by a man in his fifties named Lao Zheng, he was very sturdily built and tough-looking. Everyone briefly introduced themselves after realizing who Ouyang Shuo was, and did not stay out in the village for too long. Ouyang Shuo personally took the luggage of the old man, and took the lead in bringing the group back.

Zhao Dexian, alarmed to see Ouyang Shuo carrying the luggage, quickly intervened to help with the luggage of the others, and followed the group back. Respect for the elderly was one of the traditional virtues of China, so Ouyang Shuo hoped that through a hands-on example would set a good example to the others.

Back at the Lord’s Manor, a campfire was set quickly. This time, among the fifteen, there was a pair of middle-aged couples. In one, the husband was a junior blacksmith, while the wife was a cook!

After breakfast, Ouyang Shuo started getting a detailed understanding of everyone’s situation. Fifteen people, five special talents, the other ten were ordinary farmers.

The older man in his fifties, surnamed Song, was a senior doctor, and was the first high-level talent in the village. Young child Er Wazi was a shepherd, only eleven years old, very skinny and underfed, and also an orphan.

Li Tiezhu was a blacksmith, burly, with bright and piercing eyes, looking a bit like a simpleton. His wife was named Lee, a junior chef, and a young mother.

The most special was another woman. This woman was 28, and quite beautiful. She was called Cui Yingyu. Originally a businesswoman, she had been trained to grow up and help her father in the family business.

Half a month ago, the family’s caravan encountered robbers. Under the protection of their escort, she was able to escape. She had found herself lost in the wilderness, and after many hardships, had almost starved to death. Doctor Song had saved her, and finally after following their current group of wanderers, they had come to Shanhai Village.

After gaining a general understanding of the situation of the these immigrants, Ouyang Shuo gathered everyone into the courtyard. Nearly thirty people gathered, a decent-sized crowd.

Seeing the growing numbers, Ouyang Shuo said proudly, “Today there are fifteen new brothers and sisters who have joined the big family of Shanhai Village. The village is still being built up from scratch, and it is hard to say that we are doing well...but we are here and trying!

“We have three things to accomplish today. First of all, we have to complete the repairs of the fences. Secondly, we have to build a small residential courtyard to provide shelter for everyone. Finally, I hope that everyone will work hard together and obey their orders, so that we accomplish all this and get your homes built before night falls!”

The excited crowd answered together, “I will follow the lord’s commands!”

“Here, I declare the specific personnel arrangements.”

Zhao Dexian immediately bowed as he answered, “Sir.”

“I formally appoint you as construction team captain, coordinate all the building projects in the village.”

“Thank you, sire, for the promotion.” Finished, Zhao Dexian returned to his original postion.

“System Tip: Zhao Dexian has been promoted by his lord, his loyalty has increased 5 points!”

“Zhao Youfang!”

“Sir.” Zhao Youfang quickly stepped out.

“You are appointed as the acting chief of the basic logging site and are responsible for the securing of wood for our territory.”

“Thank you, sire, for the promotion.” Also finished, he returned to his original place.

“System Tip: Zhao Youfang has been promoted by his lord, his loyalty has increased 5 points!”

In addition to the two men, Ouyang Shuo appointed Song Dafu as the one responsible for collecting herbs, Miss Choi for logistics, Miss Lee was responsible for the food, and Er Wazi was to attend to himself. These four people are not in the distribution of labor, the rest were temporarily included with the construction team.

Song Dafu came forward. “Thank you, sire,” he said.

Ouyang Shuo waved his hand to accept the words, then said, “We are starting work! Doctor, Miss Cui, and Er Wazi, with me.”

Finished, Ouyang Shuo stopped Zhao Dexian and gave him the drawings for the residential courtyards and dining hall, with clear directions on where he wanted these buildings constructed. The residential halls would be in the west area, along the north/south line. The dining hall would be built in the southwest, close to the Lord’s Manor.

After his instructions were done, the rest of the people under Zhao Dexian set out to work. Zhao Youfang and his team waited a minute to speak with him. “Sire, I’m afraid the work that can be done by my team might be limited, we have older folk in my team!”

Ouyang Shuo smiled and patted his shoulder, saying, “Yes, I have already purchased 500 units of wood to help cover the needs for the moment. What you have to do is explore the forest and see what is available for us to use, calculate the total amount of wood that can be harvested. In addition, you need to pay attention and see if there are any precious trees, and mark them for attention. Youfang, your job is important!”

Zhao Youfang suddenly realized what he had to do, and respectfully said, “Thank you for your instruction, sire! We will do this quickly!”

“Well, get to work!” Sending Zhao Youfang and his people away, Ouyang Shuo turned to address Song Dafu and the other two. “Doctor Song, the village has no way at the moment for you to set up a hospital. For the time being, you will stay in the Lord’s Manor. When our territory upgrades to a level two village, we will be able to build you a clinic.” The doctor was considered an important gentleman by Shuo, hence his treatment.

Dr. Song’s expression was light-skinned, with delicate bones, and an indifferent expression. “As sire has arranged, I have nothing to ask except for one thing. Miss Cui is a gentlewoman, and I hope the lord might be able to take care of her.”

Ouyang Shuo quickly replied, “This is only natural.”

“So, I think Miss Cui might act as housekeeper, as I hope the Lord intends?” They turned to look at Miss Cui.

Seeing Miss Cui being agreeable, Song Dafu spoke quickly, “This is excellent. With this kind of treatment, if there are no objections, nobody will complain.” He turned to Miss Cui, “Miss Cui, before any others rush to claim the job, do you have any objections?”

Miss Cui was a businessman’s daughter, but also ladylike. Her appearance was naturally elegant, with a gentle temperament, and somehow managed to be stylish even with her travel-worn appearance. Her sufferings and hardships had not soured her beauty, but in the gentleness was more than a trace of new strength.