Gu Qingcheng was not stingy either. She said that she was willing to bear the expenses for this screening activity and personally donated 5,000 taels of silver.
Five thousand taels of silver was certainly enough for this matter. Whether it was daily lost wages subsidies or food and drink expenses, it was completely sufficient and there would be a surplus.
Du Laoda, a shrewd businessman, immediately said, "This amount is more than enough for this matter."
Seeing that Du Laoda said so, Gu Qingcheng smiled and said, "With the surplus silver, I suggest establishing a regular patrol team, funded by this. If it runs out, I am willing to continue to bear the subsequent expenses."
Du Laoda immediately expressed his full agreement, saying:
"In the past, Chaliao Island was a paradise, with no zombies visiting. Because of this sense of security, people gathered at Chaliao Island.
But this also made everyone lack awareness of prevention. If it weren't for God's blessing, Chaliao Island would be in danger this time. I agree with Young Master Gu's idea."
"We are also willing to contribute money and manpower," the crowd chimed in.
Seeing everyone's support, Gu Qingcheng roughly described how to establish a remote communication system across the island after the patrol team was formed.
For example, they could release Kongming lanterns, light beacon fires to indicate their location, and beat gongs and drums – a three-pronged approach to ensure that information about arriving zombies was not missed.
Everyone present nodded in agreement.
Gu Qingcheng continued, "Since you all agree, this system will be established. There is a second matter, which is that we should heavily reward the fishermen who came to warn us. We will hold a grand ceremony to let everyone know that we have heavily rewarded him."
"Why?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was confused and showed curiosity.
They would reward him, so why was it necessary to hold a grand ceremony for an ordinary person? Such a thing had never happened before.
"This is to encourage the common people to report similar information promptly in the future by heavily rewarding this matter.
After all, even if we establish a patrol team, they cannot see as much as ordinary people's eyes."
"That makes sense," Shopkeeper Su nodded. "Young Master Gu is so young, yet he has such ideas and insights. He is truly extraordinary."
Gu Qingcheng smiled and said, "History records that an ancient high official, in order to implement new laws and let all the people and officials in the world know the rigor with which he enforced new laws, erected a piece of wood at the city gate. He said that whoever could move this piece of wood from this city gate to a hundred meters away would be rewarded with 100 taels of gold.
The common people all thought he was joking. Such a short distance, carrying such a light piece of wood, who would believe he would be rewarded with 100 taels of gold?
Initially, a group of people just stood there watching, no one believing it.
At this time, a meddler, with a 'might as well try' mentality, stepped forward and carried the piece of wood to the designated spot a hundred meters away.
The outcome was unexpected. He was indeed rewarded with 100 taels of gold.
Once this matter became known, the high official's new laws were resolutely implemented. Because everyone knew that this lord kept his word."
Gu Qingcheng spoke eloquently, and everyone, being astute, immediately understood.
Du Laoda nodded and said,
"Young Master Gu's strategy is also to let the islanders know that if they pay more attention with their own eyes, they will have the opportunity to receive a great reward."
Seeing that everyone had grasped the idea, Gu Qingcheng did not elaborate further.
The emotions of everyone had been sufficiently vented, and they dispersed.
Gu Qingcheng then calmed down and felt that she was disheveled and dirty, needing to go back and clean up.
Gu Qingcheng called Mi Guo to return to the inn with her.
Before leaving, Gu Qingcheng went to check on the injured.
Everyone's condition was still good. The wounds from being scratched and bitten by zombies, after being treated with the antidote, did not worsen. The previously gray and rotten wounds were actually beginning to regain their moist and rosy appearance.
Gu Qingcheng and Mi Guo then returned to the inn to wash up with peace of mind.
While bathing, she sat in the tub, closed her eyes, and could not help but think of Du Lanyue.
This Sister Du was quite brave. Although she appeared to be a noble young lady at first glance, delicate and weak, she dared to go all out for a friend, risking everything to inform her of the zombie siege.
Gu Qingcheng could not help but feel the beauty of friendship.
She thought: True friendship is revealed in adversity! At this terrifying moment of crisis, Du Lanyue still remembered to notify her. She would definitely repay Du Lanyue's kindness in the future.
Gu Qingcheng did not know that Du Lanyue harbored different feelings for her.
After bathing, with a fragrant scent, all the foul odor of the zombies was eliminated. Gu Qingcheng finally felt clean.
Gu Qingcheng was overjoyed and quickly wrote a letter, detailing all that had happened here, and then placed it in the storage cabinet.
She said that she had bought a house here and planned to develop the land and establish a sales base, and also to build a freight terminal here. She might not be able to return to Phoenix Village for a while, so her parents should not worry.
She would write every day.
Truly, a daughter grows up and is no longer bound by her parents.
Her parents would probably sigh with such emotion upon receiving this letter.
The main reason was that Phoenix Village was now on the right track. Village Chief Dai Fa was diligent and responsible. Although her father focused on medicine production in the village, Director Hu always played the role of supervisor, ensuring that every link ran smoothly. With her parents there, Gu Qingcheng was not worried that anything major would happen in Phoenix Village.
With the rear stable, she could brave the dangers in the front.
After Gu Qingcheng finished writing the letter, Mi Guo happened to come in to call her for dinner.
Time flew by, and it was already getting dark.
Gu Qingcheng stood up from her desk and suddenly felt a bit unsteady, swaying. She quickly grabbed the doorframe for support.
Seeing this, Mi Guo hurried forward to support her and said,
"Sister, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I'm just very sleepy and tired. I don't want to eat. I'll go to sleep first."
To fight against the zombies, Gu Qingcheng had consumed too much mentally and physically. Even though her body had been modified by the Great Strength Pill, she still felt exhausted at this moment.
Mi Guo said with concern, "Then you should rest quickly. You'll feel better after a good sleep."
Gu Qingcheng touched her forehead. She did not have a fever and knew it was temporary exhaustion that only surfaced when she finally relaxed.
Gu Qingcheng slept soundly until the next morning.
Fortunately, she had the enhancement of the Great Strength Pill, otherwise, it would probably have taken longer to recover.
After waking up from this sleep, she felt her strength had fully returned, and she was full of energy, more than 100 times better than the momentary weakness she had felt yesterday.
After washing up, Gu Qingcheng felt her stomach rumbling with hunger. She did not need the waiter to deliver food and directly took a bowl of seafood noodles, a steak, and a tub of ice cream from her storage cabinet, eating them in such a strange combination.
The advantage of being alone was that no matter what strange food she ate, such as this "dark cuisine" combination, no one would criticize her.
If she were at home, Doctor Gu and Director Hu would definitely tell her that this was not good for her stomach if they saw her eating like this.
Indulging herself occasionally brought mental pleasure as well.