Storms can arise from the smallest ripples, and any subtle ideological deviation must be swiftly identified and eliminated before it can fester into a major problem.
Gu Qingcheng stopped, her voice carrying clearly, "Everyone, have you all heard the doubts raised by this villager just now?"
"So what if we heard it? We've traveled all the way from the frigid north to this warm south, only for you to lead us further up the mountain where it's even colder. We're shivering with cold. What's the point of our fleeing famine to the south then?"
The burly man seemed to be a troublemaker. Upon hearing Gu Qingcheng speak, he began to vent his frustrations.
"Indeed, Young Master Gu. Since you have a way to convince the authorities to allocate land for us, why not choose land at the foot of the mountain? Are you planning to break away from the government and rule the mountain as your own kingdom?"
Someone else's words clearly aimed to sway public opinion.
Gu Qingcheng was not flustered. She remained silent, letting them air their fallacies. The atmosphere had been built up to this point; if she didn't let them speak, they wouldn't feel right.
By voicing these suppressed thoughts, Gu Qingcheng could understand their true intentions.
This way...
She could eliminate dissenters!
As expected, seeing Gu Qingcheng seemingly stumped by these two individuals, unable to reply for a moment, a few more villagers stepped forward to voice their doubts.
"Young Master Gu, there hasn't even been a proper road all the way here; we've had to hew our own path. What is there on the mountain that's so valuable to covet? Do you want us to live like savages up there?"
"Yes, what exactly do you intend to do with these over 200 people on the mountain? Are we to be miners, slaves?"
Some people seemed to have suddenly realized something.
"That's right! Didn't Village Chief Dai say he used to be a miner? Could it be that there's a mine on this mountain, and you're tricking us into being free labor?"
As these few people shouted, the initially united villagers' minds began to waver. Especially the mothers, who clutched their children nervously, looking at Gu Qingcheng as if she were a man-eating monster.
Mi Guo was furious. Her sister had intended to help, but it seemed they were too kind-hearted. These people didn't deserve saving.
So, Mi Guo angrily blurted out, "Brother, let's not bother with them. Let them do as they please, think whatever they want. They get three square meals a day and forget their gratitude, starting to think such nonsensical things. Good intentions are like throwing a meat bun at a dog!"
Mi Guo's words were sharp and sarcastic.
Wang Daya and Luo Juan were also very angry. Wang Daya said, "Our Young Master Gu is a good person. Don't listen to others' gossip. Why do we sisters support him? If it weren't for Young Master Gu, we would have lost our lives to robbers on the road."
Luo Juan chimed in, "Yes, I also believe Young Master Gu is a good person. He didn't have to save us. Back then, there were so many bandits, seven or eight of them, yet they managed to rescue us. If he weren't a good person, why would he risk his life for others?"
The defense by Wang Daya and Luo Juan did not quell the doubts.
The first man to speak up sneered, "You're in league with him, of course, you'd speak well of him!"
Seeing everyone looking bewildered, Gu Qingcheng finally spoke, "Those who don't believe me, please stand to the right. Those who completely believe me, please stand to the left."
People were unsure what she was up to, but the villagers exchanged glances, and indeed, over a dozen people moved to the right. The remaining villagers on the left might not have been completely steadfast, but they followed the crowd mentality, moving wherever the majority went.
Human hearts are not impervious to testing. Gu Qingcheng disliked using tests to win hearts. Moreover, they had only just met, and apart from the authority established by providing food and shelter, where was the loyalty?
Gu Qingcheng bore no grudge. She said coolly, "Those on the right, since you don't believe me, we've lost the foundation for cooperation. You may leave, but you must leave half of your provisions behind. The other half will be considered your wages for the work you've done these past two days."
Gu Qingcheng was generous to those around her and could overlook minor issues, but for those who didn't have her in their hearts, she was sure to settle accounts clearly.
Those on the right were surprised that Gu Qingcheng would simply dismiss them. Furthermore, having to return half of the provisions they had received left them stunned. They had spoken critically, but they hadn't intended to leave the group immediately.
They hadn't expected Gu Qingcheng to be so decisive, without any hesitation. However, having already declared their stance, they felt too embarrassed to beg for forgiveness. They reluctantly handed over half their provisions and left with the remainder.
Gu Qingcheng glanced at the returned provisions and, her tone becoming more genial, said, "To the remaining villagers, I, Gu, thank you all for your trust. I won't say much more, just a simple promise: follow me, and you will surely have enough to eat and wear. It's midday, so let's rest here. We will press on and reach our destination before nightfall. All these returned provisions will be cooked into rice for us to eat."
"Good heavens, we're having rice?"
Everyone's eyes widened at the mention of rice. On their journey, they had been subsisting on thin gruel and wild vegetables. Following Gu Qingcheng for the past two days had improved their lives considerably; they were already content with white rice porridge and salt. Later, when the rice was distributed, no one dared to use their precious provisions for a meal of rice, treasuring every grain.
Gu Qingcheng, well aware of this, announced her intention, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Staying meant a meal of rice, which was invaluable at that time.
Just then, the last of the departing villagers, who hadn't gone far, heard Gu Qingcheng's words and felt a pang of regret. "Damn it, I shouldn't have left! If I'd stayed, I could have had a meal of rice! Wuwu! I regret it! Why didn't she say so earlier?"
With the enticing prospect of a hearty meal, everyone became energetic. They eagerly cleared the weeds from the hillside, creating an open space for communal cooking.
Mi Guo personally took charge of the cooking. With contributions of large pots, six cauldrons were put to use simultaneously. Soon, wisps of cooking smoke rose from the mountain, and dry firewood crackled in the hearths.
As the snowmelt in the pots melted and then boiled, Mi Guo added rice, dried shiitake mushrooms, cured meat, dried oysters, peanuts, salt, soy sauce, and oil. A pot of fragrant savory rice began to cook amidst the salivating gazes of the crowd.
In less than half an hour, all six pots of rice were steamed, their aroma filling the air. Qian Wang had everyone line up by their small teams and announced loudly, "Everyone will receive a full bowl. No rushing, no crowding."
"Mother, if we follow Young Master Gu, will we always have rice to eat?" a four-year-old child asked innocently.
"Of course, Young Master Gu is a kind and wealthy person. He provides for so many of us. You must work hard to repay him!" The child nodded vigorously, saying, "Of course, one cannot be ungrateful."
Sigh, a child of a few years understands this principle, but why don't some adults?"