15: Catching Red-feathered Chickens

After dealing with the matters at the Blacksmith Shop, Shen Xiaochuan walked toward the plaza to see how things were progressing there.

Foundations were being dug in the plaza. Just as he reached the steps of the Main Hall, Chen Yan came running over in a hurry.

"Lord God, there are over two hundred new refugees, and there isn't enough housing."

"How have they been arranged?"

"Priority was given to those who arrived first. The elderly and the sick are staying in sheds, while the young people have to sleep on straw mats outside."

"Is anyone dissatisfied?"

"A bricklayer lost his temper, saying he worked all day and yet his treatment is worse than an old man's."

Shen Xiaochuan stopped in his tracks. "From now on, regardless of age or arrival time, everyone must register their profession, physical strength, and skills. Housing and work will be assigned based on ability."

"This is fairer and will allow everyone to use their strengths."

"Then... who will be responsible for the registration?"

"I will write the list."

He entered the Main Hall, took out a scroll, and dipped his brush in ink to write several lines:

Category One: Artisans—Blacksmiths, Carpenters, Bricklayers; to reside in the East District brick houses;

Category Two: Farmers, Herders; to reside in the West District mud huts, near the water source;

Category Three: Physicians, Recorders; to reside in the North District quiet rooms;

Category Four: Warrior Reserves; to reside in the South Camp, with daily training.

After finishing, he blew on the wet ink. "Post this. Let everyone choose their own positions. Anyone with objections can come directly to me."

Chen Yan took the scroll. "Should we add a rule? Anyone who reports a false registration will be rewarded with ten jin of grain."

"Add it."

Half an hour later, the bulletin board was crowded with people. Some examined the list carefully, while others turned back to re-register. Shen Xiaochuan stood at a distance, observing quietly without making a sound.

He opened the Faith Mall again and modified the Recruitment Order:

Urgent: Architects needed! Double faith points for the first month! Children get priority entry into the Artisan Academy!

Subsidies available for farmers, pharmacists, and carpenters!

Please register at the registration desk in the southeast corner of the plaza!

Chen Yan and two warriors brought over tables and chairs, setting out paper and brushes. In less than fifteen minutes, the line stretched to the roadside.

"What do you do?" Chen Yan asked the first person.

"I'm a bricklayer, I can build moisture-proof walls."

"Noted. Next."

"I can grow drought-resistant millet."

"Farmer, registered."

"I can identify three hundred types of herbs."

"Pharmacist! Mark this as a priority registration!"

Within two hours, the number of applicants surpassed a hundred. After reviewing the list, Shen Xiaochuan picked five people. "These five will start taking apprentices tomorrow. Each will be assigned a warrior to assist them."

"Lord God, are we really giving double faith points? We only have a bit over ten thousand right now," Chen Yan asked in a low, worried tone.

"Give it. Credibility is more important than points."

"If we run out of points later, will they leave?"

"No. As long as we can provide food and housing, they won't leave."

After speaking, he walked toward the Blacksmith Shop. "Bring out a few of the new battle spears Lolia made. I have a use for them."

"Are you going to war?"

"Not war, but scouting."

A short while later, three thousand Believers gathered west of the city. Shen Xiaochuan stood on a high slope, holding five excellent grade battle spears in his hand.

"Chen Yan."

"Present!"

"From today on, you are no longer a Captain, but a General. You will command this force."

Chen Yan was stunned. "You're really making me a General?"

"Why not? Do you want to spend your whole life charging on the front lines?"

"That's not what I meant... I'm just afraid I don't have the ability."

"What is there to fear? You've fought three tough battles and haven't lost once. If I don't trust you, who can I trust?"

Chen Yan straightened his back. "Yes! I guarantee the mission will be completed!"

Shen Xiaochuan handed over the battle spears. "One for each squad, to be used at critical moments. Head west; look for land, minerals, and places suitable for farming and ranching."

"Understood! Move out!"

The troop split into three columns and marched west along the mountain path. After two hours, the terrain gradually lowered, and streams and soft soil appeared.

A Scout ran back to report: "There is a valley four thousand meters ahead with plenty of water and lush vegetation, suitable for settlement."

"Are there any wild beasts?"

"We found wolf dung, but not much. We also found chicken feathers in the crevices of some rocks."

"Chickens? Live ones?"

"We didn't see any, but the feathers are very fresh."

Shen Xiaochuan raised his hand. "Whole team, stop. Rest for half an hour, drink water, and eat some jerky. Continue advancing when the time is up."

He crouched down to check the map and drew a circle on the west side. "We'll build the first Outer Camp here. We won't name it yet; we'll decide once we've made more discoveries."

When they set off again, it was nearly noon. The valley gradually widened, the trees on both sides became sparse, and the ground was moist.

Suddenly, there was a slight movement in the bushes ahead.

"Something's moving!" an outpost warned in a low voice.

Shen Xiaochuan signaled with his hand, and the team immediately dispersed and hid. He climbed onto a rock and looked ahead.

A dozen or so Red Feather Chickens were pecking at moss by the stream. Their feathers were bright red and glossy, with long legs and short tails; though they looked up when startled, they did not fly away.

"They are social birds."

Chen Yan lay prone beside him. "They run fast but can't fly very high."

"How many are there?"

"About twenty or so, but there might be more nearby."

"Don't startle them. Send two men to ambush them from downwind, while the others prepare net bags. Act on my command."

"Should we use knockout incense?"

"No need. It's too expensive; save it for large beasts. We'll rely on speed this time."

He watched the flock, noticing they were most relaxed when their heads were down to feed. "Move when they all have their heads down."

Five minutes later, the flock lowered their heads to forage again.

"Go!" Shen Xiaochuan stood up.

Thirty light-armored warriors closed in from three sides and threw their net bags. The Red Feather Chickens shrieked as they took to the air, but they were caught after flying only two or three meters.

"Hold on tight! Don't let them break free!"

Dozens more rushed out from the forest, attempting to flee, but a second batch of nets was already thrown.

The count was taken after seven rounds of capturing.

"One hundred and fifty-nine birds, all alive. Seventy-six roosters and eighty-three hens."

"Good. Build cage carts immediately."

Shen Xiaochuan ordered them to cut trees and shave branches to weave square frames. The bottoms were lined with hay, and thirty birds were placed in each cage.

"One hundred men will take turns transporting them. Go slowly. Provide water once every hour, and do not rush."

"And what about us? Do we continue forward?"

"Yes. Leave fifty men as an escort and have a farmer lead the way to designate a breeding area."

"Designate it where?"

"That gentle slope in the northern suburbs, near water and sheltered from the wind. Call it 'Yuming Slope' and put up a sign."

"What if they die on the way?"

"If even one dies, investigate the person responsible. But I am more concerned with how to raise them. When you get back, have the newly recruited farmers research feed to see what makes them grow fastest."

Chen Yan nodded seriously, noting down every word.

Shen Xiaochuan looked toward the west. "We continue forward. There is still more road ahead."

The troop lined up and set off, leaving a small squad to guard the transport line while the main force continued west.

Before they had gone five hundred meters, a Scout returned again.

"General! There's a reflection at the mountain pass ahead! It looks like metal!"

Shen Xiaochuan immediately stood up. "Lead the way."

They climbed a steep slope and looked down. Gray-black rocks were exposed in the rock fissures, shimmering slightly in the sunlight.

"It's iron ore."

Chen Yan said, "The quality looks decent."

"Send men down to take samples and check for groundwater while they're at it. Where there's ore, there's usually water."

"Should we build an outpost?"

"Build it. Use local materials to pile up stone walls. Leave fifty men to stand guard tonight, and we'll build a watchtower tomorrow morning."

"And as for the Kingdom of God..."

"Send word back for the newly recruited Architects to come and survey the area. I want blueprints for the Outer Camp within three days. Also, notify Lolia to speed up the production of battle spears; we need more equipment."

"What if others come to seize the land?"

"Then we fight. But for now, we must be steady and not act rashly."

Shen Xiaochuan looked around at everyone, his voice firm. "Listen well, this trip isn't just about scouting. We are laying the foundation for the Kingdom of God. Only with a solid foundation can a tall building be constructed."

Chen Yan looked at the sky. "Can we camp here tonight?"

"We can. Choose a spot sheltered from the wind and dig firebreaks. Take shifts sleeping and maintain a high alert."

"Yes!"

The troop set off once more. Shen Xiaochuan walked at the very front, his hand resting on his battle spear.

As the sun dipped low in the west, they stopped at a plateau. The view here was open, surrounded by mountains on three sides with only one narrow path leading in.

"This is the place."

Shen Xiaochuan said, "Set up camp."

The warriors immediately got to work, pitching tents, piling stone walls, and starting fires to cook.

Shen Xiaochuan sat on a rock, took out his notebook, and wrote:

Fourth day of the westward journey, distance traveled: 4,300 meters.

Discovered a suitable location, currently unnamed.

Captured 159 Red Feather Chickens; sent back to establish the 'Yuming Slope' breeding area.

Discovered iron ore; samples pending inspection.

Established a temporary camp with fifty men stationed; construction of a watchtower to begin tomorrow morning.

Architects to arrive within three days to begin construction of the Outer Camp.

He closed the book and looked toward the west.

The mountain shadows lengthened, and the last ray of sunlight flickered across the distant rocks before suddenly vanishing.