When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds

Chen Tianshui finished reading the long list and finally said, "Yue Shu and his people have made outstanding contributions to the clan. The clan, in turn, cannot let our people down."

"One-third of the grain will be distributed to them as their current provisions. They may take thirty percent of the gold and silver. The remaining seventy percent will go into the clan’s public accounts to fund its operations."

"Does anyone have any objections?"

Someone wanted to speak, but they fell silent the moment they saw Tan You sitting off to the side. Since the Clan Leader had announced it in front of everyone today, the matter was already set in stone.

Even if they were green with envy over the silver, it wasn’t as if any of it would end up in their pockets. So, the clansmen shook their heads one after another. "No objections."

"It’s what they’ve earned."

"We have no objections."

Tan You’s lips curved into a slight smile. ’Good. This is how it should be.’

Chen Tianshui was also very satisfied. "Since no one has any objections, then this matter is not to be mentioned again. If I hear any talk outside the clan about these... strongholds, I won’t let you off easy."

"We won’t, we won’t! We definitely won’t say a word!"

"Don’t worry, Clan Leader. We don’t know anything."

Chen Tianshui nodded. "With the inventory list settled, let’s move on to the clan’s benefits and welfare."

His expression turned serious. "The clan now has a new policy. We encourage all newlywed couples to live on their own, and the clan will assign them a house."

As he spoke, he pointed to the rows of neat, uniform houses in the village. "The size and layout are standardized. Of course, if you wish to live together as one big family, the clan won’t object."

"However, the clan will only assign a house once. If you want another one in the future, you’ll have to buy it with your own silver. So, think carefully."

"The clan provides various benefits during festivals. Now that you’ve all settled in the village, you are all part of our clan. Regardless of your surname, you will enjoy the same treatment as everyone else."

"We currently have a soap workshop and a mosquito-repellent incense workshop, both of which are short-staffed..."

"The clan will establish a clinic for Doctor Zhu Rong. Doctor Zhu, you are free to take on apprentices..."

Listening to Chen Tianshui list the arrangements one by one, Yue Shu and his people gradually began to relax. ’This is already a very good situation.’

After Chen Tianshui finished, Tan You spoke up. "Allow me to say a few words."

The moment she began to speak, the clansmen immediately clamored, "Let the Matron say a few words!"

Tan You waved her hand to quiet them. "Our clan is growing more prosperous, which means we must establish proper security measures. I propose we form a guard corps by selecting sixty people from the clan. They will be split into two groups of thirty to patrol in shifts."

"On a typical day, besides training, the guards’ duty will be to patrol inside and outside the clan’s territory. Our businesses are doing well, which could easily attract the covetous eyes of outsiders. It’s always best to be prepared."

The clan elders nodded in agreement. "That’s an excellent idea."

"Excellent. The Matron is very thorough."

Tan You glanced at the assembled clan members. "As for the instructor of the guard corps, Master Yang, if you don’t mind, I must trouble you to lead their training. It is imperative that we forge them into a capable force."

Yang Youchang nodded. "I can do that."

Tan You then addressed the crowd again. "Anyone who wants to join the guard corps can register with An Wen. The clan will hold an assessment later and select the top sixty candidates."

"Can young women sign up too?" Taohua suddenly called out. When she saw everyone staring at her, she stuck her chin out defiantly. "The Matron never said only men could register."

Tan You pondered for a moment. "Let’s recruit only men for the first wave. As the clan grows stronger, there will eventually be a need for a women’s guard unit."

Taohua looked a little dejected. Tan You smiled and added, "If you girls are interested, you can come and try training alongside them when Master Yang is leading the sessions."

Taohua glanced at Chen Xi. "Is Ming Guang going?"

Chen Xi, dressed in practical, close-fitting attire, replied, "Of course. I’ve already been training with Master Yang for over a month. My mother said it’s good to learn more, so I can protect myself if I ever run into bad people."

Taohua nodded at once. "Then I’ll go too!"

Tan You smiled at Taohua. "The married women of the clan are also welcome to watch the guard training if they’re interested. It would be good to learn a few moves. We women, especially, must know how to protect ourselves."

In the past six months, Tan You had established immense prestige within the clan. Even if most people weren’t particularly interested in learning martial arts, the fact that she had spoken was enough for them to take the matter seriously.

After the meeting ended, Chen Tianshui organized the housing distribution. As the newcomers received the keys to their new homes from Chen Tianshui, they were overcome with a mix of complex emotions.

They simply had never expected that after such a long and arduous journey, they would arrive to find new homes, new clothes, and even so much silver and grain waiting for them.

True, ten thousand catties of grain divided among two hundred people didn’t amount to much per person. But they had silver! With silver, what grain couldn’t be bought? Besides, they would be reclaiming wasteland. As long as they could get through the next few months, they wouldn’t have to worry about food and drink.

Yang Youchang, naturally, moved into the courtyard next to Tan You’s home. As for the new clan members, they all chose houses as close to Tan You as possible. After all, in their hearts, she was the only one they truly recognized as their leader.

While everyone was busy settling in, Chen Tianshui made a trip to the county office to register Yue Shu and the others as residents of Miao Gou Village.

The county magistrate was naturally pleased that Miao Gou Village was taking in refugees. A larger population under his jurisdiction meant more tax revenue. Furthermore, the fact that a clan was willing to shelter them reflected well on the populace he governed, painting them as kind and benevolent.

And by extension, did that not reflect his own benevolence as their "parent-official"? Consequently, in less than two days, the household registrations for Yue Shu and all the newcomers were officially transferred to Miao Gou Village.

Only when they held the official registration papers in their hands could Yue Shu and his people finally feel at ease. With these documents, they had truly and officially settled down in Miao Gou Village.

「That evening.」

An Wen returned with several sheets of paper, which were covered in a dense list of names.

Tan You understood with a single glance. "Everyone wants to join the guard corps?"

"Mm, two taels of silver a month. Who wouldn’t want in?" An Wen said, his young face serious. "I think this selection process is going to be quite lively."

Tan You said softly, "The clan’s guard corps will only grow in the future. As long as they are determined, everyone will have a chance."

Yang Youchang was now An Wen’s martial arts instructor. Hearing Tan You’s words, his chopsticks paused mid-air. He suddenly chuckled. "Matron... your ambitions are quite grand."

Tan You met his gaze without flinching. "My ambitions aren’t grand. I just want to survive here. This world... it’s about to descend into chaos."

Yang Youchang paused. "Matron... what makes you say that?"

Tan You glanced in the direction of the new clansmen’s homes. "If people weren’t being pushed to the brink of survival, why would there be so many refugees? The moment refugees start appearing in large numbers, it means the world as we know it is starting to collapse."