A few days later, life in Changshan County temporarily calmed down.

With the efforts of many officials, everything in Changshan County was running normally.

With the help of Chen Xingtai and Yang Shaohu, Fang Dashan recruited a large number of outstanding soldiers from the refugees, civilians, and farmers of Changshan County, expanding the county's army to over 50,000.

Qin Luoshuang also contacted a large number of ambitious individuals in the empire, some of whom were members of the Sky Song, while others were young people who recognized the darkness of the empire and wanted to change it.

In layman's terms, they were radicals.

Lin Wen had very little contact with the empire's society and was surprised to find so many young people dissatisfied with the current state of society and eager to change it.

He always thought of the empire as a more distant and backward era of chaos.

But in reality, the empire had its order and modern civilized society.

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However, it was clear that only a portion of the people enjoyed the benefits of technological and cultural development.

Meeting them was very interesting for Lin Wen. He understood the so-called "cynical youth" very well, and without much effort, he could pick up some dirt on the empire and criticize the injustice of reality, which made them very happy to chat with him.

For these radicals, being able to criticize the empire with an imperial official was an unprecedented experience.

In their discussions, they found that this young sheriff was so approachable, without any of the arrogance, indifference, disdain, and ignorance of any imperial bureaucrat they had seen. His criticism and sarcasm were so incisive, and his theories and thoughts were so radical and sharp that they were excited and trembling all over.

Different from some whiners, the empire's dirt could only be described in tons. There was no fairness in reality, and the empire had no international moral constraints. Criticizing the empire within the empire would be met with direct violence.

So, these "radicals" were just half a step away from being revolutionary youth. They were very interested in Lin Wen's ideas and theories about the Changshan County army and were willing to join the army.

Their arrival was very important for the establishment of the army's melting pot.

Before the iron discipline was strictly implemented, Lin Wen would not allow any troublemakers in the army.

The first rule of the army's iron law set by Lin Wen was: unconditional obedience to the Changshan County command.

The second rule was: democracy within the army, establishing a soldier committee with the branch of the command on the front line.

The third rule was to establish a disciplinary ideological supervisor, who would be the head of the same level military officer in the unit, referred to as the disciplinary supervisor.

These were all systems that Lin Wen copied.

The construction of the army was actually the construction of the system.

At Lin Wen's suggestion, Qin Luoshuang reluctantly took over some of the refugee work, allowing Yang Shaohu to participate. After all, he was also the political director of the command.

The next day, Lin Wen met with He Shangsheng and agreed to the participation of the Agricultural Revitalization Association in the army, but they had to strictly adhere to the army's discipline.

Although He Shangsheng regretted not being able to be at the forefront, he was very happy to be able to join such an army.

"Sheriff Lin."

Since he came to Changshan County, he had already lost count of how many times he had been moved to tears.

"I really regret not meeting you ten years ago. At that time, I could wield a big knife, go in and out of the Qishan Mountains seven times, and scare the bullies of the Qijia Village, Qi Lin, and the corrupt official Ai Qingsese. It was so majestic, until I was shot in the knee..."

Lin Wen patted him on the shoulder and put his hand on it without changing his expression.

"Alas, look at my old legs, I used to run so fast, now they're stiff... oh"

"My legs are so flexible now, I can run! I'm flying!"

"Haha, my legs are better... oh, my waist doesn't hurt anymore, I twisted it, and it doesn't hurt, really, it doesn't hurt anymore!"

"Oh, my hands can move, my shoulders aren't sore, my wrists weren't injured, why are they so flexible?"

"Wow, strength, strength is surging up!"

"Haha, I'm back, Hei Dao He Shangsheng is back!"

"Where's my black knife..."

...

"Mango Pomelo Sago" was simply the nemesis of all kinds of difficult diseases. Although its instant recovery effect for serious injuries was not as good as "Healing Water Technique," its effect on treating poisoning was not as good as "Rejuvenation Technique," and its effect on treating major diseases was not as good as "Pharmacist's Disease-Dispelling Technique," it perfectly restrained all chronic and geriatric diseases, allowing the body's functions to return to youth and keeping laborers away from injuries and illnesses.

In Lin Wen's eyes, He Shangsheng's aura was pure and strong, but it was entwined with a strong gray aura, filled with emotions of sorrow, anger, and regret, making him look decadent and declining.Lin Wen quickly realized that this man had the potential to become a general of Changshan County. He was fearless in the face of death, harbored intense hatred for the reactionary factions of the empire, and possessed a noble character with a fiery temperament. He spoke frankly without fear, greatly inspiring the officers and soldiers.

Moreover, he was capable of resisting and correcting any negative influences that might arise within the army.

Therefore, Lin Wen immediately healed him.

Once his injuries were treated, the man's gloominess diminished significantly.

Lin Wen appointed him as a brigade commander, thus adding a new member to the headquarters. If he performed exceptionally well in the future, he could be promoted to the second-in-command.

He Shangsheng gladly accepted the command and immediately went to join the military training.

He had no doubts, attributing his sudden recovery to having arrived in a blessed land (Changshan County) and met a lucky star (Sheriff Lin). With his spirits lifted and a new direction in life, his health naturally improved.

Thus, following Sheriff Lin's orders, participating in military training, adhering to military discipline, and leading troops in battle became his necessary duties.

Lin Wen had originally planned to spend a few days building up the army, searching for new generals, copying books in his spare time, tutoring Yun Qingshui at night, and restoring his primordial spirit. However, a piece of bad news arrived.

All of Changshan County's food smuggling channels had been cut off.

"It's Rock State's doing."

Qin Luoshuang informed him.

"Currently, Rock State is the only one qualified to export food. They've threatened all the smugglers, warning that if anyone sells food to Changshan County, their food supply will be cut off."

"The smugglers dare not defy Rock State's words, so they've severed our food channels."

Qin Luoshuang's expression was grave.

"Now, apart from a few minor channels, I can hardly purchase any bulk food commodities. Perhaps at ten or twenty times the price, but that would only be a small amount."

"Besides fishing, we now have no other income."

Xiao Xiao, who was in charge of managing all the markets and commodity trading in Changshan County, said, "I can ban the sale of all fresh fish and fish products. The previous price adjustments were also very effective; at least the civilians in Huai Town won't suffer too much from food shortages."

The nervous town chief of the new town, Ji Fuxiao, said, "I, I can have them speed up fishing. They, they say that the fish in Tianjiang Fishing Grounds are increasing. If we fish at full capacity, we can catch over three thousand tons a day."

Lei Tiantong shook his head slightly, "It's not enough. We already have a significant shortfall in food. Fish products, when dried, only yield 32% of their weight. Even if we catch three thousand tons, the actual amount that can be counted as food is only one thousand tons. Our stockpile is less than twenty thousand tons, which can last at most five days."

He paused briefly before uttering the dreaded words.

"We are about to run out of food."

Everyone in the meeting room had a solemn expression and remained silent.

This was the result of a combined attack on Changshan County. Following the council's recommendation, the empire had banned Changshan County's public purchasing channels.

It was the council again, thwarting Qin Luoshuang's efforts to purchase food from international channels, resulting in the military seizing the hard-earned twelve thousand tons of food, leaving only an IOU.

Rock State delivered the final blow, completely cutting off all of Changshan County's food smuggling channels.

Currently, not counting other needs, just the over eight million refugees consumed about four thousand tons of food per day.

Shangxi Town had mobilized more than four hundred thousand farmers, who were working hard to clear new land and sow seeds. The last harvest had ended, and the next would not be for another two months.

What to do?

This was the question echoing in everyone's mind, and they unconsciously turned their gaze towards Lin Wen, who was sitting to the side.

Lin Wen sighed deeply but showed no sign of worry.

"Ah, I was hoping to train the troops for a few more days."

He stood up, and everyone looked at him.

"Attack Rock State."

He said succinctly, adding one more line.

"With the army."