The two villages grew strong not through steady development, nor with the extraordinary abilities of Gu Qingcheng.
Their strength came from plunder. They gathered all resources into their settlements, growing into villages, and then used these stolen resources to feed their villagers. These villagers were then sent out to continue the act of plundering, growing stronger by devouring others.
Villages like these would inevitably set their sights on Phoenix Village sooner or later.
Seeing Dai Fa's concern, Gu Qingcheng smiled and said, "Our strength is also considerable. After a period of recovery and regular martial training, more than half of our hunting team are sharpshooters. So, we don't need to worry about them attacking Phoenix Village right now.
However, as the saying goes, 'One cannot sleep soundly with a sword pointed at one's chest.' After gathering this intelligence, we must remain vigilant and prepare our defenses against any potential threats."
"Young Master Gu's foresight is remarkable. With you here, Phoenix Village is secure."
Dai Fa said sincerely.
He had previously been an ordinary merchant, albeit a slightly wealthier one. After enduring the trials of the great disaster, he had fortunately become the village chief of Phoenix Village. However, when it came to leading the village smoothly through these chaotic times, he knew he had to rely on Gu Qingcheng.
Seeing Dai Fa's support, and with the sense of crisis she had sorted out while discussing matters with him, Gu Qingcheng felt that the village's current structure and corresponding authority were no longer suitable for the current situation and needed to be adjusted.
Therefore, she secluded herself in her study for three days, finally devising an adjustment plan that she believed was feasible.
Upon emerging from the study, Gu Qingcheng instructed Mi Guo to inform all village officials to attend a meeting at her residence.
The village now had as many as 25 officials, responsible for every aspect of Phoenix Village's production and daily life.
These officials were like the bearings in a large machine; their smooth operation ensured the efficient functioning of the village's vast administrative apparatus.
Gu Qingcheng waited until everyone had arrived before emerging from the inner courtyard. The previous clamor of the crowd instantly subsided, and everyone looked at her with admiring eyes.
Gu Qingcheng smiled slightly and said to Qin Yue, the head of logistics who was attending the meeting:
"Qin Yue, please distribute 10 catties of rice to everyone attending this meeting tonight. We apologize for disturbing your rest."
The village officials felt a surge of satisfaction. Young Master Gu was very skilled at winning people over, with a simple and direct approach: offering tangible benefits.
Those who followed Young Master Gu would never lack for rewards, and these rewards were their capital for survival and stability in this chaotic world. Who wouldn't be convinced? Who wouldn't desire them?
"The reason I've convened you all here today is to discuss a very important matter.
I will now elaborate.
As you all know, when Phoenix Village was first established, we had nothing. We were poor and rose from overgrown wilderness.
Phoenix Village has become an orderly and prosperous village in just a year and a half. Everyone has contributed their efforts. Without you, there would be no Phoenix Village today. I have seen and remembered all of this.
However, as the village has developed, some of our original management structures are no longer adequate for our current growth. I intend to make some changes, and I have prepared a detailed plan, seeking your opinions."
Gu Qingcheng paused here, carefully observing everyone's expressions. She noticed that most of them seemed quite concerned.
This was understandable. Change implied personnel adjustments, and for a moment, everyone worried about being marginalized or losing their current positions.
Seeing their anxious faces, Gu Qingcheng smiled and said:
"There's no need to worry. Although there will be adjustments to positions, all of you present have made significant contributions to the development of Phoenix Village. I will not arbitrarily dismiss any of you."
Upon hearing Gu Qingcheng's words, everyone felt a slight sense of relief.
At this point, Gu Qingcheng continued:
"I will now read out the specific organizational structure plan. Please listen carefully, and you can raise any objections immediately."
The hall fell into silence.
Gu Qingcheng had now upgraded the village's important departments to ministries: the Ministry of Armament, the Ministry of Grain, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Living, the Ministry of Audit, the Ministry of Medicine, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Ministry of Logistics, seven major ministries in total. Each major ministry would have one minister and two deputy ministers. If suitable personnel could not be found immediately, the positions would remain vacant and be temporarily filled by Gu Qingcheng and Dai Fa.
Below the seven major ministries, there would still be smaller teams. For instance, under the Ministry of Armament, there would be teams like the Village Guard and the Hunting Team. Each small team would be dispatched by the minister. They would perform their respective duties during normal times, but in the event of an enemy attack, all three small teams would follow the minister's arrangements to jointly resist the invaders.
Gu Qingcheng also announced the appointments: Yan Xin as Minister of Armament, Liu Ding as Minister of Grain, Hu Ping as Minister of Construction, Hu Lanfang as Minister of Living and concurrently Minister of Audit, Gu Zhaobei as Minister of Medicine, Wang Dapeng as Minister of Transportation, and Qin Yue as Minister of Logistics.
As for herself and Dai Fa, one would remain the village chief and the other the village elder. The seven ministers would be subordinate to them in their work.
The seven departments would correspond to the previous small teams, absorbing the functionally related small teams into the ministries. If a team leader was promoted, a suitable successor would be sought from within the original team.
It could be said that apart from the promoted team leaders, there were no major changes for the rest of the personnel, who retained their original positions. Everyone was pleased.
Gu Qingcheng also set the future remuneration for these ministers.
Each minister would receive 2,000 catties of rice, 500 catties of meat, 100 catties of oil, and 20 catties of salt annually, along with a salary of 500 taels of silver. These would all be distributed monthly.
The leaders of the smaller teams under each department would receive half of this remuneration, also on a monthly basis.
"He who wishes to wear the crown must bear its weight," Gu Qingcheng said to everyone. "Each of you has the opportunity to climb higher. As long as you put in the effort, I will see it."
Gu Qingcheng spoke earnestly, and everyone was moved.
Young Master Gu's generosity was evident, demonstrating the ample provisions in Phoenix Village's granaries.
Everyone was in agreement with Gu Qingcheng's arrangements.
Each of the seven departments would face reforms, but these matters could not be rushed and had to be approached gradually.
After the meeting concluded, Gu Qingcheng asked the ministers of the Ministry of Armament and the Ministry of Transportation to stay.
Gu Qingcheng asked Yan Xin if the current armed forces had the confidence to protect Phoenix Village.
Yan Xin knew that this was not the time to boast, but to highlight difficulties. He quickly said, "Currently, aside from ample arrows, the Ministry of Armament does not have significant advantages. There is a large shortage of blades and armor. We hope these aspects can be equipped."
"The shortage of blades and armor is mainly due to insufficient iron. This issue will be handed over to the Ministry of Transportation. Dapeng, besides going down the mountain to recruit personnel and conduct business, you will now have an additional task: to search for iron ore and inquire with people downstream about its locations.
To resolve the urgent need, you will also be responsible for exchanging ironware for grain, bringing the ironware back to the village first, so that the blacksmiths can forge blades and armor."
"Understood."
Wang Dapeng quickly replied.