Those barbarians who were not stunned at this moment only wanted to live. Naturally, they would spare no effort to explain the reason to their companions.
After everyone understood the situation, they kept begging for mercy like those companions who were not stunned.
Such a scene did not move Hu Cong at all.
He and Meng Huaining felt the same, not much sympathy for these people.
"Don't make any noise. Those who want to live, listen to me."
As Hu Cong's voice fell, the barbarians instantly calmed down and looked at him timidly.
Hu Cong saw him beckoning not far away, and a worker brought over a large basin of steaming hot steamed buns.
Hu Cong took the basin in person and moved closer to those barbarians.
This was what he had specially ordered after seeking Meng Huaining's consent.
The steamed buns had just been taken out of the steamer, emitting a sweet scent that made people drool.
These barbarians probably hadn't had a full meal for several months, let alone these hot, steaming white flour buns.
As Hu Cong expected, when these barbarians saw the steamed buns, they couldn't help but swallow, and the desire in their eyes was unstoppable.
What's more, Hu Cong deliberately brought the buns closer to them.
If these barbarians' hands and feet were not tied up, they would probably have jumped up to grab them.
Seeing that he had achieved the effect he wanted, Hu Cong took a few steps back.
"Do you want to eat?"
The barbarians swallowed again, stared at the buns, nodded woodenly.
Although Hu Cong asked this, he did not immediately give them the buns to eat.
"If you want to eat your fill and dress warmly, you have to work for it. Trying to get these things through looting will never work. It may even cost you your life."
He nodded at the barbarian corpses, "See that? These people are the best examples."
There were not a few relatives or friends of the dead barbarians among the survivors. Hu Cong carefully observed their expressions.
Anyone who was sad or crying, even if they had the ability, he would not consider keeping them.
There were about thirty or so such people. Hu Cong directly asked the officers to take them aside.
Then, Hu Cong continued, "I can now give you a chance to eat your fill. Who's willing?"
As expected, upon hearing that they could eat their fill, the remaining barbarians expressed their willingness.
Although they didn't know what they would do after being selected, or whether they could survive.
But looking at the large basin of steamed buns, these barbarians felt that they had rushed here to rob in order to eat their fill, right?
Now there was a chance to eat their fill. Even if it meant death, they wanted to die with a full stomach.
So after his words fell, someone answered quickly.
"I can herd sheep. I have herded sheep for the rich since I was young."
"I'm strong. I can do anything."
"I can build houses."
"I can do carpentry."
"I don't have any special skills, but I can work hard."
"..."
Hu Cong just stood there listening quietly as these people volunteered their strengths.
After a while, when the voices died down a bit, he waved at the crowd.
"Alright, don't make any noise. Those who can build and do carpentry, stand up."
These barbarians were tied up and leaning halfway. Although they couldn't walk, standing up was no problem.
Soon, more than sixty people stood up.
This number was a little beyond Hu Cong's expectations.
In his impression, the barbarian lands were barren, people were underfed and poorly clothed, and wealthy people were few, let alone people who built houses and made furniture.
He had planned to select fifty people from these, and thought that even if they didn't have these skills but were willing to work hard, he could teach them slowly.
Now, more than sixty people had volunteered.
It seemed there was still room for selection.
Just as Hu Cong was thinking about how to test these people, some of the sixty-odd barbarians who stood up couldn't help but gingerly ask.
"May I ask, do you want us to stay and work? I can forego wages, I just hope to bring some food back for my family. I'm willing to stay here and be your ox and horse for life."
After he finished speaking, many others echoed that they were willing to do the same as their companion.
This was also Hu Cong's plan for the next step. Since someone had said it for him, it saved him some trouble.
"If you work for me, I guarantee you'll eat your fill, but how can you guarantee your loyalty to me?"
When it came to loyalty, the barbarians looked at each other, then someone shouted, "I guarantee loyalty and good work."
Hu Cong smiled, "Your casual words, how can they guarantee anything?"
"This..." The barbarians were rendered speechless.
"I don't need you to be oxen and horses either, just work hard and I guarantee you'll eat your fill."
Hu Cong paused, then continued, "But the premise is that you must demonstrate loyalty to me.
However, this loyalty is not so simple as just saying it, I have a poison here. After taking it, it will take effect after 100 days, and at that time I will give you the next pill to ensure your life is free of worries, and it won't affect your lifespan.
That is to say, as long as you are loyal to me, I will provide the antidote on time."
Hearing that the other party wanted to use poison to win their loyalty, a large number of people were intimidated.
But among these people, there were also some bold ones.
These people didn't even hesitate and said, "I can take the poison and guarantee my loyalty to you."
"I'm also willing. As long as I can eat my fill, let me do anything."
Seeing someone take the lead, some hesitant people also spoke up successively.
The remaining few timid ones were still hesitating.
Seeing that the number had reached his expectation, Hu Cong said in a loud voice, "Alright, those of you come with me."
The barbarians who were kept behind were overjoyed.
But there were still concerns in their hearts.
"Can we send back some of the food we earn to our families?"
This was also the voice of many people. They had no other concerns now, they just hoped that while they could eat their fill, their families would not starve.
