"Good. In that case, find everyone on this list and bring them here. I’ll check them one by one."

Cheng Zongyang immediately handed the paper to the four of them and had Zhao the Seventh assist.

And so, a quarter of an hour later, a total of two hundred people were lined up neatly before Cheng Zongyang.

Every one of them was thinly clothed, huddled together and shivering.

He had the four scholars verify each person according to the registered families, artisans, and single women of suitable age.

The whole process took over an hour.

Once he confirmed there were no issues, Cheng Zongyang was quite pleased.

Among these artisans were carpenters, blacksmiths, bookkeepers, potters, weavers, tailors, cooks, and so on. There was even a feng shui master.

Cheng Zongyang didn’t mind any of that; he kept them all.

After making his decision, Cheng Zongyang said to them:

"This winter is hard. It’s hard for the County Town, and it will be even harder for you. You all know the current situation. Starving to death is only a matter of time.

Right now, I need manpower. In return, I will provide you with food, drink, and shelter. You don’t need to worry about what I’ll do to you. Just look at yourselves—there’s nothing about you worth me going to such trouble.

So, I am now giving you a choice. A chance to have a place to live, food to eat, clothes to wear, and medical care. Those willing to come with me should wait at the entrance to the main road Outside the West City Gate before Noon tomorrow. If you’re not willing, I won’t force you."

With that, Cheng Zongyang turned, took out the ten-tael silver note he had left over, and gave it to Zhao the Seventh. He clapped him on the shoulder and smiled. "You did a good job."

"Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord!" Seeing the ten-tael silver note, Zhao the Seventh was so excited he repeatedly cupped his hands in gratitude.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d even seen a silver note.

Ten taels. Although there weren’t many places to spend it these days, at least he could now afford to buy some jerky to eat every three days as he pleased.

Cheng Zongyang patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Since everyone here is a refugee and life is hard for all, don’t make things too difficult for them. I might come back looking for more people after spring. When the time comes, see if you can keep some people here based on how things went this time. It doesn’t matter if you can’t. Just do your best. And there will be a reward in it for you."

"Yes, yes, yes, this humble one understands! Rest assured, my lord. I will be sure to screen the best for you," Zhao the Seventh replied, also extremely excited.

It wasn’t the reward that excited him, but the chance to build a connection with a Martial Artist!

This was something he’d never even dared to dream of! 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

’What is a connection? It’s built through repeated interactions, isn’t it?’

’Maybe in the future, I could even become the lord’s subordinate?’

Cheng Zongyang understood the mindset of people from the bottom rungs of society perfectly. Once they seize an opportunity to climb, they will spare no effort.

Rats have their own paths. In the County Town, he needed people like this to handle such matters for him. At the very least, they were in a much better position to gather all sorts of rumors and back-alley news.

With this in mind, he gestured to Zhao the Seventh, beckoning him to step further away, indicating he had something private to say.

Zhao the Seventh nodded like a chicken pecking at grain, his back bending even lower as he hurried to follow.

"My lord, please give me your orders," Zhao the Seventh said, suppressing his excitement and speaking with even greater reverence.

"It’s nothing major. As the head person here, it should be convenient for you to gather information. From now on, you can try to learn things from the vagrants and newcomers passing through.

If you hear anything important, you can go find Chief Constable Li Lu. Just tell him I sent you—my surname is Cheng. Remember, it must be something truly important."

Hearing the words "Chief Constable," Zhao the Seventh’s body trembled.

He never imagined that this young man before him was not only a Martial Artist but was also connected to the Chief Constable from the Official Family!

This solidified Zhao the Seventh’s resolve.

However, after a moment’s thought, he asked meekly, "My lord, what kind of information are you looking for? This humble one wouldn’t want to make his own blind judgments and end up delaying your important affairs."

Cheng Zongyang replied, "Information about the source of the great fire, and news of wars in other County Mansions. For now, you don’t need to pay attention to anything else. I will coordinate the other details with Chief Li."

"Yes, thank you, my lord! This humble one will not forget!" Zhao the Seventh promised fervently.