In the steaming iron pot, white rice tumbled and rolled, rising and falling like lively little jade fish in a hot spring.
Bubbles gurgled up one after another, only to be split by the wind, releasing a rich, mouthwatering aroma that drifted away.
The sound of swallowing echoed everywhere.
Many were so hungry their heads spun, but they still lined up obediently in four rows.
No one caused trouble.
Everything was in perfect order.
According to the instructions in the letter, Jonathan assigned the able-bodied youths who had gone with the Hero last night into the Security Office as ‘security soldiers’, responsible for maintaining order.
His second son, Rocky, was clever and had a group of Fellow Rogues, skilled in many trades.
So Jonathan simply had him lead a few people into the Commercial Affairs Office, sending them out for procurement and external liaison.
His third son, Royer, was cautious and timid.
Jonathan placed him in the Finance Office, pairing him with a few well-known elders from the village to guard the Warehouse and manage Provisions.
The village chiefs already had prestige and could command the people.
As required by the letter, they formed a simple Judicial Office to resolve disputes in the lines.
There were also the Audit Ledger Office for reviewing ledgers and warehouses, the Engineering Office that led idle men to repair barracks, the Civil Affairs Office that cooked porridge and moved rice, and even the Secretariat that connected him and all these people together…
Though small as a sparrow, every organ was present.
The duties of each office were clearly arranged.
Almost any issue could find someone to handle it, and someone was responsible.
At first, no one had any experience and had to fumble their way through, making chaos inevitable.
But the letter’s detailed arrangements for each department, combined with the small but vital task of ‘porridge distribution’ for team-building, meant that over time, cooperation became smoother, and everyone gradually adapted to their roles.
Jonathan hadn’t felt this atmosphere in a long time—the vigor of life, everything thriving, even the pain of loss eased a little in this long-lost bustle.
“Since the Shelter over there collapsed, do it like this… and then like this…”
Lost in thought, Jonathan made another decision about a minor issue reported to him.
After arranging it, the young man from the Secretariat responsible for liaison didn’t leave.
He looked at Jonathan expectantly.
“Grandpa, can we really receive grain as these Officials?”
“It’s not about being an Official.”
Jonathan remembered the letter’s warning and quickly emphasized.
“It’s about working for everyone, taking on small tasks.”
He then deliberately tried to scare him.
“If you think you’re an Official, shout it out loud. When the real Old Master arrives to govern us, see if he hangs you for it.”
The Young Man paled and waved his hands hurriedly.
“I understand. I won’t say it anymore. As long as I get grain, it’s fine.”
Having scared off this young man full of dreams of being an ‘Official Old Master’, Jonathan shook his head and sighed.
Originally, he thought everyone was helping out together in hardship, so there was no need for Salary Payment.
Giving out wages might even seem unfair.
But the letter emphasized: Salary Payment is a key tool for maintaining team cohesion and prestige.
Finances are the foundation of organizational structure.
So—even if it increased grain consumption, they had to maintain the management system through Salary Payment.
Otherwise, if the system collapsed and order broke down, the loss of grain would be the least of their problems.
Jonathan didn’t fully understand some of the points, but in his heart, he deeply admired the writer of the letter.
The arrangements were interconnected, the thinking meticulous, and experience abundant.
As this ‘imposter Mastermind’, he sometimes really wanted to meet the mysterious ‘real Mastermind’.
Just past noon.
The lively atmosphere continued as everyone prepared for the evening’s Festival Banquet.
It was both to mourn those lost in the Disaster and to celebrate their survival.
For the Dust People, it was a rare chance to eat their fill, washing away yesterday’s shame and preparing for the hardships ahead.
At that moment, Jon returned.
“Brother Jon! Good afternoon!”
A patrolling security soldier greeted Jon, his face beaming with sincere, vigorous energy that made Jon relax as well.
Jon raised his eyebrows thoughtfully, then remembered and smiled in response.
“Oh, it’s you. Have you eaten?”
“I had a bite, but I’m waiting for tonight.”
The security soldier suddenly tossed a plump, pink, round thing at him.
Jon caught it, looked down, and saw it was a Dumpling.
He felt a bit confused.
Only then did he hear the security soldier scratching his head.
“Brother Jon, I just found this and caught it for you. I heard you like these…”
Jon nodded and smiled at him, accepting it gladly without denying it, thinking he’d save it for Lily to play with.
“Thanks.”
Beside the security soldier stood two women, one old and one young—probably his family.
At first, they hid behind the man, scared but curious, secretly peeking at Jon.
But after seeing Jon’s friendly nature, they came out to greet him on their own.
After saying goodbye to the three, Jon went to find Teacher Jonathan.
Along the way, disaster survivors who knew him always stopped for a warm chat.
Jon felt a heartfelt sense of returning home.
Pushing open the half-closed camp door, he saw Jonathan scolding his second son, Rocky.
On one side, eyebrows were raised in anger; on the other, Rocky grinned shamelessly like a scoundrel.
Between them lay two well-fed Pigs.
The whole scene was quite comical.
“Nonsense! I gave you money to buy salt and pickled vegetables! How did you bring back two pigs? Did you steal them?”
Jonathan was so angry he blew his beard and glared.
Rocky chuckled and defended himself.
“Dad, what are you thinking? They were gifts.”
“Why would someone give you such valuable things for nothing?”
“At first, I thought buying salt and pickles retail was too expensive. Those businesses all belong to the black boss Hogg. So I visited him using the name of working for the Hero. After a meal, the deal was done. See? Everything you wanted is here, and they even gave us two pigs.”
“Where did you get your clothes?”
“Well, since I was visiting on behalf of the Hero, I couldn’t look too shabby, right? Consider it necessary expenses.”
“You really are…”
Jonathan clutched his chest, not knowing how to comment on his own son.
Jon, entering the room, felt awkward.
The conflict between teacher and son was not something he knew how to intervene in.
He wanted to mediate, but lacked the eloquence.
Instead, Lia couldn’t help poking her little head out to look at Rocky, memorizing his appearance.
Now this is someone who can get things done…
As for having personal motives—who in this world doesn’t? Besides, the most important thing in getting things done is managing and balancing people’s self-interest.
With her experience ruling the Demon Realm, if an Imperial Envoy could get four or five parts’ work done with ten parts of funds, that was already an extremely capable demon.
To get seven parts’ worth was a rare talent—one she’d never seen before.
In the Demon Realm, there were plenty who would spend ten parts of funds and only get one or two parts’ work done.
She still had to use those.
If you don’t use them, what else can you do? Picking pearls out of dung—no matter how you pick, it’s all crap.
Unless she personally oversaw every detail, issuing every order herself from the front lines.
But that was clearly impossible.
Wait…
Lia suddenly thought of something.
She turned to stare at the other Dumpling Jon had tucked into his chest.
The Dumpling stared back blankly, bounced twice, and met her gaze.
[Skill: Link]
[Skill: Transform]
—My goodness, a super Tyranid with zero administrative loss by nature!