In Tran Mac's courtyard.
Truong Ha and the others were unloading goods.
Over one hundred and eighty catties of fine salt had brought in one hundred and forty-four strings of cash.
According to Tran Mac's request, the original plan was to buy horses. But horses were currently strategic resources and not easy to buy. They could only buy two mules, two donkeys, then five hundred catties of crude salt, and the rest was used to purchase grain.
Truong Ha came before Tran Mac and said: "Brother Mac, as for the plow oxen you wanted, Tuyen Duong County doesn't have any at the moment. Chu Vinh Chi has promised to help us look. Also, Brother Mac, Chu Vinh Chi inquired about our origins."
"What did you say?"
Regarding this, Tran Mac didn't think much of it. If the previous transaction was just a small deal, this time it was a big one. Any normal salt smuggler would ask.
"Not yet. Since Brother Mac didn't instruct anything, I didn't dare to speak carelessly. I just made something up. However, next time, it probably won't be so easy to deceive him," Truong Ha said.
"Then next time you go, tell him our identity," Tran Mac said after some deliberation.
Telling the other party their status was also good, to prevent them from having ill intentions and thinking of "black eating black" when the business grew larger later on.
This way, if Chu Vinh Chi were to have ill intentions, he would have to consider whether he could afford to offend them.
As for them not daring to do business with them after knowing Tran Mac's identity, Tran Mac was not worried.
After all, smuggling salt was already a business where one risked one's head. If it was a capital offense, doing business with anyone was still doing business.
"Alright." Truong Ha nodded.
Tran Mac's gaze shifted to Ho Thuong Sinh, asking: "Uncle Ho, in Tuyen Duong County, do you know anyone who deals in perfume and cosmetics?"
Ho Thuong Sinh thought for a moment, then suddenly said: "Yes, reporting to Immortal Master Tran, the shopkeeper who bought our furs last time also deals in women's business."
Hearing this, Tran Mac slightly raised an eyebrow. It seemed that once the perfume was made, there would also be a sales channel.
Like refined salt, perfume was not something ordinary commoners could afford; it could only be sold to the rich and powerful.
The difference was, refined salt would surely sell, whereas the rich and powerful might not buy perfume.
However, this was, after all, a way to make money, and Tran Mac couldn't give it up.
Tran Mac looked at the grain being unloaded from the mule carts. He knew that the preparations in his heart could begin.
The evening sun slanted west.
Golden afterglows灑下, draping Dai Trach Mountain in a layer of golden outerwear.
The villagers from the fishing team carried the day's catch and entered the village.
An iron gong was struck in the village. The patrol team, fishing team, and construction team members immediately gathered. Those villagers who could eat together also came.
Soon, before the three large iron pots, more than a thousand people had gathered.
Just as they were lining up, Tran Mac walked over and shouted: "Everyone, please be quiet. I have a few things to say."
Tran Mac's current prestige in the village was unmatched by anyone.
Hearing him, the crowd immediately quieted down.
Tran Mac didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point: "From today onwards, the patrol team will be renamed the Than Dung Guard. And from this moment on, conscription will begin."
Conscription?
Hearing these two words, the originally cheerful villagers' expressions changed. One must know, in the Dai Tong dynasty, the status of soldiers was not high.
Furthermore, the reason they had fallen into such a state was also due to conscription.
Therefore, hearing the word "conscription," they immediately recalled unpleasant matters.
Tran Mac didn't think much of their reaction. He cleared his throat and continued: "All adult males under the age of forty can join the Than Dung Guard. After becoming a member of the Than Dung Guard, three meals a day will be provided, including meat. Their family members can also have one meal managed per day. In addition, I will also teach you saber techniques.
Oh right, the meals I'm talking about are not thin porridge, but real dry rice."
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd stirred.
One must know, currently in the entire village, not many people could truly eat their fill.
For them, who were hungry, three meals a day was practically an extravagant hope.
Now, by joining the Than Dung Guard, they could eat three meals of dry rice every day. Who wouldn't be tempted by this?
Especially since after joining the Than Dung Guard, Immortal Master Tran would also teach them saber techniques.
Seeing them eager to move, Tran Mac spoke again: "Of course, I'll give the warning beforehand. Anyone who joins the Than Dung Guard must undergo strict training every day. If you can't endure hardship, I will kick you out immediately, and the treatment you enjoy will also be stripped away."
After speaking, Tran Mac paid no mind to their thoughts and moved on to other matters, saying: "Secondly, the fishing team will be reformed. From today onwards, the village will no longer provide meals for the fishing team members. You will hand over thirty percent of your daily catch to the village, and the rest, you can take home yourselves. Those who cannot endure hardship can join the fishing team.
Thirdly, after the mountain stronghold is built, the construction team will be disbanded. Members of the construction team can, based on their own needs, join the Than Dung Guard or the fishing team."
"Fourthly, the lime kiln is recruiting workers, but anpower is limited, only thirty people are needed, first come, first served. Similarly, three meals of dry rice will be provided daily, but family members are not covered."
"Alright, I've said all I need to say. Those joining the fishing team can register with Han Vu. Those joining the Than Dung Guard can register with Truong Ha. Vuong Binh, you will be responsible for registration and record-keeping."
"Yes."
As for why they weren't paid in money but with meals, it was because even if they were given money, they couldn't spend it at the moment.
Vuong Binh and the others had previously returned the money, choosing to receive meals as remuneration.
Of course, in the later stages, when they developed further and left this small mountain village, money would have to be used as salary.
After Tran Mac finished speaking, he went home.
But none of the villagers present left. Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.
. . .
The next day.
Early in the morning, Truong Ha, Vuong Binh, Han Vu, and others came again. They presented the completed registration books to Tran Mac for review.
Currently, there were 995 able-bodied young men in the village.
Among them, 725 people had joined the Than Dung Guard.
30 people joined the Stone Kiln workers.
70 people joined the fishing team.
The remaining people were in the mountain construction team or were men over forty years of age.
The mountain stronghold was not yet completed, so registration was temporarily not allowed for that.
As for the training method for the Than Dung Guard, Tran Mac had formulated it last night.
It was based on the methods of modern military compulsory service training.
Of course, Tran Mac definitely lowered the standards a bit, afraid they wouldn't be able to endure it.
For the next two days, Tran Mac personally trained them, taught them saber techniques, and he himself did not neglect his cultivation. It could be said to be killing two birds with one stone.
In the afternoon.
"Quick, hurry up for me! Run ten laps around the village! Anyone who doesn't finish ten laps is not allowed to rest!"
Tran Mac ran at the back. Whoever slacked off or ran slowly received a kick from him.
In the village, the womenfolk gathered to watch the excitement.
"That's your man, isn't it? Tsk tsk, always getting kicked by Immortal Master Tran. Look at my man, running at the very front."
"I don't understand why Immortal Master Tran makes them run in circles. Isn't this just blindly wasting energy?"
"..."
Just as the womenfolk were watching the excitement, Ho Cuong hurriedly ran down from the mountain, came to Tran Mac's side, his expression extremely agitated: "Immortal Master Tran, I... We found gold!"