Gu Qingcheng persuaded them,
"What do you mean 'starvation is a minor matter, losing chastity is a major one'? Who instilled such ideas in you? In Phoenix Village, men and women are equal, and life is paramount. Nothing is more precious than human life.
The reason you cry now is that you've been poisoned by the victim-blaming mentality.
Are you at fault?
Is it your fault that you were captured by bandits and taken to the mountain?
Is it your fault that they raped you?
The fault lies with the villages that failed to protect you, with the men who couldn't protect you!
You've endured so much hardship and humiliation, yet you still think you are to blame! This is where the real mistake lies!
If you want to stay in Phoenix Village, the first thing you must do is change this idea that you are at fault!
You are upright individuals, just like all of us here. Your spirits are pure and untainted!
This notion of 'losing chastity' and being at fault is not allowed to exist in your minds!"
Gu Qingcheng's impassioned and righteous words were deafening. Not only were these women hearing it for the first time, but even Zhu Liang and the others were stunned.
This was because Gu Qingcheng's words completely contradicted the education they had received before.
Gu Qingcheng had completely overturned their previously held belief that "starvation is a minor matter, losing chastity is a major one."
But when they put themselves in her shoes and saw how tragic and pitiful these women were, forcing them to die on the grounds of "lost chastity" would be even more cold-blooded and detestable.
These women never imagined that their mere "lowly lives" would be valued so highly by Gu Qingcheng.
She cared for them, provided them with the best medicine, alleviating not only their physical pain but also significantly easing the sting in their hearts.
"Young Master Gu, we will not let you down. You saved us. We have no way to repay you. You can give us the hardest and most arduous tasks in Phoenix Village, and we are willing to do them!"
The women wept uncontrollably.
Gu Qingcheng smiled and said,
"As I've said, all people are born equal. You don't need to put yourselves in the lowest position. No matter what you've experienced, as long as you remain self-reliant and determined to live, I will do my utmost to help you!
Phoenix Village will also do its best to assist you. We will assign you tasks based on your abilities.
Now, I'll have Gui Xiang come and register you!"
Gu Qingcheng knew that any amount of comfort was ultimately superficial. The way to help someone regain their confidence was to integrate them into the life here and help them find their own value.
Therefore, she immediately arranged for Gui Xiang to register them.
As they spoke, Gui Xiang entered the courtyard with stationery. Zhu Liang and the pharmacy apprentices had already left.
Gui Xiang, having also endured the hardships of fleeing famine, had a warm smile on her face from the moment she entered. She spoke to everyone with such gentleness and kindness, showing no hint of disdain.
Although Gui Xiang wore simple coarse cotton clothes, the scholarly aura she exuded made these women feel inferior and a little self-conscious.
But seeing Gui Xiang speak to them so cordially, without any mockery, their hearts gradually warmed again.
Seeing Gui Xiang begin her work, Gu Qingcheng quietly withdrew.
She strolled to the communal canteen and saw He Hua busy at work. Gu Qingcheng said,
"Thank you for your hard work, Aunt He Hua. You haven't rested much for the past day and night. Those women have received excellent care."
"Alas, don't mention it. It pains me to think about it. You wouldn't believe how miserable they looked yesterday. Those bandits are inhuman! It's fortunate that Young Master Gu took care of them yourself!"
He Hua sighed, then secretly rejoiced that she had encountered Phoenix Village and a kind person like Gu Qingcheng.
"Bandits are a menace to be eliminated by all. Aunt He Hua, for the next few days, please arrange for them to have extra meals. Make sure they have plenty of meat, eggs, and milk. Try to make the meals varied."
Gu Qingcheng instructed.
After suffering so much physical and mental abuse in the bandit stronghold, they needed proper rest and recuperation.
"Yes, I understand." He Hua nodded repeatedly, again sighing inwardly that Young Master Gu was such a good person.
He was so good to these outsiders who had no relatives, which was why he cared so much for the villagers of Phoenix Village. Young Master Gu was truly benevolent.
"What are we having for lunch today?"
Gu Qingcheng asked.
"Steamed white rice, stir-fried pork with spring bamboo shoots, stir-fried bok choy, and a lean pork and vermicelli soup."
"Good."
Gu Qingcheng found it acceptable. She was only making a slight inquiry; the actual preparations would be handled by the people working there. She only needed to set the general direction.
Leaving the communal canteen, Gu Qingcheng went to the opposite building, the hunting team's office.
Yan Xin was full of vigor. The battle last night seemed not to have tired him but rather ignited his fighting spirit. His energetic demeanor clearly indicated that he was still in a state of excitement.
Upon seeing Gu Qingcheng, Yan Xin exclaimed excitedly,
"Young Master Gu, we had a very fruitful day yesterday. We eliminated a mountain stronghold, ended the bandit threat, and rescued so many women who were victimized by them. It was truly satisfying!"
Gu Qingcheng chuckled and said,
"Indeed. All the brothers who participated in eradicating the bandits last night will receive 500 contribution points each. They can come to you to collect them."
As Gu Qingcheng spoke, she placed a bag of contribution points on the table. The heavy mahjong tiles clattered as they hit the surface.
Gu Qingcheng had retrieved this bag from a storage cabinet as she approached the hunting team.
Yan Xin was surprised by the unexpected reward and quickly declined, saying,
"Young Master Gu, there's no need. These bandits are so detestable, everyone should eliminate them. It is our honor to have dealt with them!"
"Captain Yan, there's no need to refuse. The brothers performed very well yesterday. This is a small token for their hard work, to let them buy something to eat and drink as a reward."
Seeing Gu Qingcheng's firm stance and Yan Xin's satisfaction with his brothers' performance, he accepted.
"Thank you, Young Master Gu. Then I will accept it without further politeness!"
"Good. I will investigate further recently to see if there are any other similar bandit lairs nearby. If there are, we can take turns going out for training."
Gu Qingcheng said.
Yan Xin didn't know why Young Master Gu seemed addicted to fighting bandits, but thinking back to the glorious and passionate moments of yesterday, he felt a desire to act himself. He nodded and said,
"Rest assured, I can mobilize manpower at any time."
Gu Qingcheng was not someone who sought trouble. However, seeing the chaos of the apocalypse beginning, if these people remained complacent, staying in the greenhouse of Phoenix Village and becoming delicate seedlings, they would be unable to cope when the apocalypse arrived.
It was time to temper them!
Only in this way could their fighting spirit be maintained, and incidentally, they could eliminate evil and protect the good. What a splendid outcome!