The Three Wus

Ming Shu sat on the ground with everyone else, resting casually. He had personally killed several pirates tonight.

It was also the first time he had personally killed someone since his rebirth.

However, he felt no discomfort throughout the entire process, performing much more resolutely than Little Zhao. Little Zhao still needed some time to adapt to this kind of bloody, head-on combat.

Perhaps it was because he had experienced numerous killings in his previous life; his subconscious mind, deep within his soul, was already accustomed to it.

The Butcher and the others didn't rest. Instead, they quickly dealt with the aftermath. Many had fallen in battle, casting a heavy pall over everyone. Many houses had also been burned down.

They had actually been very cautious. The moment they encountered the ambush, they decisively retreated. The Butcher, who had led the charge to break through with the least amount of cost, was not seriously injured. However, the Hunter, responsible for covering the rear, was severely wounded.

The Hunter continued to fight, not tending to his wounds promptly. He fought until the very last moment of his life, hastily giving final instructions to those beside him before perishing in battle.

It wasn't until after the battle that the Butcher learned of his good brother the Hunter's dying words from others.

At this moment, he brought three young boys to Ming Shu, making the three kneel.

"These are the Hunter's sons, Wu Dalang, Wu Ergou, and Wu Sanchai, and their younger sister, Sibao. He didn't have grand ambitions; he only wished for a wife, children, and a warm hearth," the Butcher introduced them one by one.

"It's a pity he was born into a chaotic world and could only live as a slave or a dog. Before he died, he entrusted them to my care and asked them to follow you. Living in these turbulent times, I hope the Village Master will treat them kindly."

"I understand. They will return to the village with me. I will make arrangements for them from now on. What about you all?" Ming Shu knew that after this battle, the valley might still hold strategic value, but the people here no longer dared to defend it.

That spirit had dissipated.

"We also want to live in the town."

"Alright. Starting today, you can pack up and move. I'll have someone prepare things. After we finish dealing with the aftermath here, you can depart. The houses are still being built, so we'll make temporary arrangements. You can squeeze in to get through the winter."

Spring had arrived, but the air was still chilly. At night, it was sometimes more terrifying than winter.

"This place will be rebuilt into a small fortress. We still need to station some personnel here. The patrol range will also be expanded to include this area in the future," Ming Shu said, turning to Zhao Dun and Old Zhao.

After the night's battle, Ming Shu had shown them his decisive and swift side. It was as if he had grown up overnight, no longer asking them about everything.

Ming Shu continued to wipe the dried blood from his short spear.

Xiao Shiyi arrived with people pushing a cart, carrying a steaming batch of mantou. After everyone had eaten their fill, they had the strength to continue dealing with the aftermath.

On the way back, they would have to load Ren Yuan onto the cart and push him back the way they came.

Ren Yuan had fought the bravest and was now exhausted, gasping for breath on the ground. He didn't seem to have many injuries, but he needed a good rest.

Fortunately, he had broken through and improved his strength earlier, allowing him to fight so ferociously in this battle. Otherwise, it might have been a pyrrhic victory. He probably would have been more heavily injured.

After this battle, Baishi Village officially incorporated the Butcher and his men. Together with some farmers who had recently pledged allegiance and were currently in their probationary period, the registered population within Baishi Village finally surpassed five hundred people.

Among them, some elders who knew how to sun-dry and boil sea salt were discovered, as well as some who knew how to raise livestock and poultry.

Ming Shu granted them all monthly stipends, encouraging and guiding them to conduct relevant experiments. Only by holding key technologies in their own hands would they have the right to speak in terms of development.

The poultry and livestock in this world were not just ordinary animals. Perhaps due to bloodline mutations or their ancestors having accidentally consumed some spirit fruit, the temperaments of some livestock were quite different.

Some even possessed a certain degree of intelligence. Pigs were not stupid, and not all cows were docile. But the emotions and wisdom of old cows were real. Not to mention dogs.

Chickens, ducks, and geese were relatively easier to handle. However, they still required experienced elders to manage them. Even hatching eggs required real skill. With their limited resources, every step required cost-saving.

At the same time, support for Zhao Chuan's spy team was also increased.

If they could uncover which families might be colluding with the pirates, it would be easier to guard against them and settle accounts in the future.

This debt would not be easily forgotten. He had to find a way to blind the pirates' eyes on shore first.

The money and resources he had could last for some time. As long as he managed frugally and didn't engage in wasteful actions, he could maintain things in the short term.

Many supplies could be obtained through bartering in the vicinity.

After this battle, Little Zhao brought more good news. The other leader from before, the one with the Snow Moon Frog, Zhu Dapi, had also relented.

He provided a piece of important intelligence first.

Although the area around here was nominally within the plundering range of the Qunwa Island pirates, they were only nominally in charge.

In reality, another group had come ashore. Although they had never cooperated, he guessed it must be the pirates from Evil Dragon Island.

Rumor had it that Evil Dragon Island originally only had about a dozen people stationed there. Those people always came from the north of the mainland periodically. They looked like guards from the various barbarian royal tents.

Their aura and strength were formidable.

Most of the bloody killings on shore were caused by them. Qunwa Island only sought wealth; they wanted supplies, not people. However, Evil Dragon Island captured people and took them back.

About ten years ago, when Qunwa Island first came to plunder here, Zhu Dapi was just a small fry. Donghai Prefecture and the surrounding areas were not as desolate as they were now.

It was only when the people from Evil Dragon Island also came ashore to pillage that people began to fear and flee in large numbers.

Zhu Dapi saw how comfortable Tie Ju and the other were living now, and he was so envious that tears streamed down his face. His mind also became restless.

Tie Ju now had to patrol the fields every day to assist with irrigation.

His water-spraying sorcery ability was still somewhat usable. At the same time, his status had slightly improved. Among the pirates, his influence had increased, and he could now direct them in their work.

Before the irrigation system was perfected, borrowing Tie Ju's ability was extremely convenient. Coupled with Ming Shu's stable weather forecasts, agricultural development was proceeding smoothly.

The biggest fear was that the pirates would come and cause destruction again.

Ming Shu sent Little Zhao to the prefectural city again to check the situation. It would be even better if he could arrange a meeting with Lord Li Jixu. He would arrange a time to visit him in person.

As more pirates wanted to abandon their evil ways and turn to righteousness, Old Zhao and the others began to assign them more assessment tasks.

Since their attitude was so positive, they should be exploited more.

The speed of carrying bricks and building houses had also improved. If they had had this awareness earlier, why would they have become pirates?