Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 672 - 0625: Competitive Management System (2)

These people wanted to stay purely for the sake of Ling Yuezi.

But scattering two hundred people for nothing would be a waste; if they can be utilized, they should be put to use.

"I’ve arranged for them to train for two days, work for one day; they can farm, hunt, or engage in small business. The income belongs to them, and additionally, they get food, shelter, and a monthly allowance of five hundred coins. For now, with food, shelter, and money, things are relatively calm," said Li Xingsheng. This was his temporary solution, and he would adopt a better one if there was, "Yuanxiu, do you have a better management method?"

Mu Yuanxiu said, "There was a General named Feng in the former dynasty at Su Zhou City, at the border area, who managed his troops with great loyalty. His troops, called the Feng Family Army, and his method of military governance, Second Brother can use it."

Upon the mention of the Feng Family Army from Su Zhou in the previous dynasty, Li Xingsheng suddenly realized.

He smiled and said, "Yuanxiu, you’ve reminded me. Indeed, the methods of the Feng Family Army can be used."

The General Feng that Mu Yuanxiu spoke of was a capable military officer.

Unfortunately, he was framed by treacherous people and died young.

The previous dynasty lost a good general, causing a chain reaction where the majority of military officers in the court were implicated, and the Beiyang people took advantage of the chaos, throwing the Central Plains into turmoil.

The Ancestor Emperor of the current dynasty profited from the conflict between the two sides, seizing the land and ruling the empire as he marched south from the Northern Land.

General Feng’s military governance method was a reward and punishment system.

Regardless of rank, anyone with merits was rewarded fairly, either by promotion or with monetary rewards.

However, any wrongdoing, regardless of rank, was punished fairly as well.

He implemented strict and equitable management, ensuring discipline throughout the entire army.

Back then, the Feng Family Army was very renowned; due to their high prestige, even the emperor of the previous dynasty felt threatened.

Coupled with betrayal by colleagues, General Feng was falsely accused of treason and executed, leading to the disbandment of the Feng Family Army.

However, his methods of military governance were emulated by many in later generations.

Only, many could not achieve the fairness and rigor of his governance and thus could not develop such an excellent army.

With Mu Yuanxiu’s reminder, Li Xingsheng immediately got an idea; he personally wrote a reward and punishment system and posted it on the gate of the village.

His reward and punishment system not only included future military achievements in battles with enemies but also incorporated regular training and farming activities.

After all, it wasn’t wartime now; there were no conflicts. Only indicating rewards and punishments based on military achievements was merely a beautiful yet distant dream for the villagers.

It had an air of empty promises.

But regular training and farming during leisure time were activities done every day.

Those who could read recited Li Xingsheng’s notice, "A monthly combat contest will give eight hundred coins and a pair of shoes to the first place, five hundred coins and a hat to the second, and three hundred coins and a pair of socks to the third. Monthly income will also be rewarded, with the top three incomes gaining five hundred coins, and from fourth to tenth place, three hundred coins."

There is a reward for training, and daily farming and hunting already have income, and there’s further competition for additional rewards, making this reward system highly beneficial.

Where there’s a reward, there are brave men, even if it’s just hundreds of coins.

This is not just about money, but about face as well.

These two hundred people had been living together for years, openly and secretly competing; if the competition could establish ranks, it would also earn them face.

The notice received an overwhelming response from the majority.

Many even went to ask Li Xingsheng about the details of the rewards.

Li Xingsheng said, "Fighting will be divided by gender, but earning income will not; as long as you get a place, there’s a reward." With a smile, he added, "There are quite a few girls in our village, and you guys shouldn’t be outdone by them, or that would be embarrassing."

At his reminder, all the men perked up, shouting in unison, "We will not lose to the women."

Every man had his pride; losing to men was taken with a laugh, accepted with genuine admiration.

But losing to women was absolutely unacceptable.

Li Xingsheng laughed heartily, "Don’t boast too soon; I’ve heard that the girls in our village can all sew and earn ten coins per shoe pad and eighty coins per pair of shoes. Some girls can even hunt, and a fat rabbit can sell for one or two silver; they can also gather herbs, and if they find a ginseng, it might sell for at least ten or eight silver."

The more he said, the more restless the men became, stopping their banter with Li Xingsheng and all seeking ways to make money in their free time.

Chopping wood, catching fish, hunting, gathering herbs, anything that brought quick money was utilized by all the men.

The older ones, knowing they couldn’t compete with the young, took on more stable tasks, like clearing land for farming.

Farming may not be quick cash, but come autumn, it could bring in a large sum.

Besides, after planting, they wouldn’t miss out on wood chopping and fishing.