There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 454 How Do You Want to Die

Gu Ziying nodded

"I will compose a new fable about 'the sparrow fighting the scorpion' and have the children sing it."

Ye Bingli said softly, "I'll go and get it sorted out right away."

Li Shuchen grinned: "Don't worry, we'll handle both infrastructure development and counter-espionage! We'll make sure our Star Camp shines brightly and exposes those scorpions hiding in their caves!"

If someone had told the residents of Camel Camp five days ago that this mudflat had become what it is today, they would have thought that person was insane.

But a miracle is happening.

The largest patch of muddy ground was raised and compacted, and three rows of simple but neat and sturdy "row of shacks" were erected on it.

The walls were built using relatively intact adobe bricks and stones salvaged from the garbage collection, with the gaps filled with mud.

The roof was made of wooden rafters, covered with a thick layer of dry grass and reeds, and the outermost layer was plastered with mud mixed with grass fibers. Surprisingly, it looked quite decent.

At the entrance of each "unit", there was also a simple number drawn with charcoal.

In the center of the camp, the original "medical shed" has been upgraded to a slightly larger "public affairs building," with old wooden partitions dividing it into a medical area, a supplies distribution area, and Granny Wang's "office."

There was even a wooden sign at the entrance, with a crescent moon and new seedlings drawn in charcoal, and the words "Star Camp Affairs Office" crookedly written next to it.

The characters were taught by Li Shuchen and written by the only literate old miner in the camp.

The original small drainage ditch has been widened and extended, connecting to several makeshift sedimentation tanks made from the bottoms of broken earthenware jars. While this doesn't completely solve the sewage problem, it at least prevents the center of the camp from becoming muddy.

The garbage mountain was mostly leveled, and the combustible parts were burned in a centralized location far from residential areas (the ashes were kept as fertilizer), while the non-combustible parts were hauled to a natural depression further away for landfill.

What excited the refugees most was a small experimental field enclosed by a fence on the edge of the camp.

Zoya mixed the damp sand she brought back from Tear Valley with regular sand, and, based on the seeds of plants such as sand onion and camel thorn (whose young shoots are edible) that Gu Ziying provided, which are suitable for growing in arid regions, she led several experienced elders to try planting them.

Despite the slim chances, this small patch of green hope has become a "sacred place" that everyone in the camp visits several times a day.

At this moment, in the open space in front of the administration office, Li Shuchen was standing on a makeshift platform made of wooden crates, holding her charcoal pencil notebook in her hand. Dozens of camp residents, including some teenagers, were sitting around her.

Zoya sat beside her, watching with a smile.

"Ahem, quiet! The first general meeting of all residents and work assignment summary meeting of 'Star Camp' is now beginning!"

Li Shuchen cleared her throat, trying to imitate a certain leader's demeanor, but her tattered clothes and the dust on her face made her look somewhat comical.

"First of all, let's commend the outstanding team members! Hu Laosan from the ditch-digging team exceeded his quota yesterday and even helped repair his neighbor's roof. He's rewarded with a piece of coarse sugar and a small bag of salt! Applause!"

Sparse applause broke out, but Hu Laosan, his face flushed, straightened his back and his hands trembled as he accepted the reward.

"Secondly, announce the new regulations!"

Li Shuchen opened the notebook

"For the long-term sustainable development of our camp and for public health and safety, the following regulations are hereby stipulated:"

First, all household waste must be disposed of in designated composting pits or incineration sites. Anyone who litters will have their work points deducted for the day!

Second, water must be drawn from the newly dug shallow well (actually, it was a pit dug in a place with a high groundwater level that Li Shuchen and his men found). Drinking the ditch water directly is strictly prohibited. Violators will be responsible for any diarrhea they get!

Third, we'll establish the "Star Scouts"! For the older children, in the mornings, the literate old miners will teach you to count and recognize a few words. In the afternoons, you'll be divided into groups responsible for patrolling the area, looking after the younger children, and collecting usable materials! Good performance will also be rewarded!

The children chattered excitedly; they had never been entrusted with such an important task before.

A woman timidly raised her hand

"Miss Li, so... so will we always be like this from now on? Will the king drive us away?"

The crowd quieted down and looked at Zoya and Li Shuchen.

Zoya stood up, walked to Li Shuchen's side, her gaze swept over everyone, her tone calm yet firm.

"This is everyone's home. As long as we unite as one and build this place up well, so that everyone can see that even in the worst places, people can live with dignity and create value, then no one will have any reason to drive us away."

"His Majesty the King has appointed me to govern this land, and I will do my utmost. And the efforts of each and every one of you are telling everyone that the people of Boyu are not lacking in wisdom and diligence, but only in opportunity and justice."

She paused, then raised her voice.

"I have already submitted a memorial to His Majesty, requesting that this area be officially designated as a 'pilot zone,' allowing us to raise some resources ourselves and try out new management methods."

"I believe His Majesty will see the changes in everyone. Even if we don't have official titles, this is still a home we built with our own hands! Anyone who wants to destroy it will have to ask us first!"

"Yes! The princess is right!"

"This is our home!"

"Nobody's going to kick us out!"

The crowd erupted in a fervent response; this time, it was not a numb echo, but a genuine expression of emotion and a determination to protect their homeland.

Li Shuchen looked at Zuoya with admiration in his eyes.

This princess is growing at an astonishing pace, transforming from a mere girl who could only make vows of compassion into a true leader capable of uniting people and facing difficulties.

Evening

A corner of the camp

Yan Shi was "invited" here by two Mulan Army soldiers. He seemed very nervous, his eyes darting around.

Li Shuchen crossed his arms and leaned against the newly built low wall: "Captain Rock, look at our place these past few days, has it changed much?"

The rock gave a muffled "hmm".

"Tell me," Li Shuchen asked slowly, "that 'Scorpion Lord' who gave you benefits and sent you to cause trouble back then, will he be happy or even angrier to see us turn this place into this mess?"

Rock's body stiffened

I bet he's furious.

Li Shuchen continued speaking to himself, "The better Princess Zoya performs here, the more it proves that he misjudged her, and the more it proves that what he and those behind him fear—what the people want—is actually happening."

"What do you think his next move will be? Sending more people like you to cause trouble? Or...do something even more ruthless?"

Sweat beaded on the rock's forehead, and his lips trembled.

"I...I don't know...Miss Li, I'm just a nobody who gets paid to do things, I don't know anything..."

"Small role?"

Li Shuchen took a step closer, his gaze sharp. "How can a nobody receive orders directly from Lord Scorpion? How can a nobody gather a group of people in a place like Camel Camp?"

“Rock, you’re not stupid. You know how ruthless that person is. You’ve failed your mission and been exposed. How do you think he’ll deal with a useless nobody who might even leak information?”