Chapter Summaries

Luo Chong planned to sell looms and spinning machines to households and let licensed private blacksmith shops make tools from government-supplied iron, while transforming the state-run workshops to focus on large-scale production. He also weighed developing firearms against the danger of putting powerful weapons in the wrong hands, deciding that a dedicated force under his command would be necessary.

• Luo Chong concluded that the Han Tribe’s public workshops could not meet the people’s demand for cloth and lacked enough workers to expand.
• Luo Chong proposed having the Woodware Workshop produce looms and spinning machines for sale to households, and considered promoting looms as essential wedding purchases.
• Luo Chong proposed certifying blacksmiths and licensing private shops that could buy restricted quotas of refined iron from the Government Office.
• Luo Chong planned for the Metallurgy Workshop to focus on mining, smelting, weapons, and wholesale metal supplies instead of making everyday tools.
• Luo Chong considered developing pump-action shotguns to counter giant apes but worried that firearms could threaten the Han Tribe if their users were not controlled.
• Luo Chong decided that the Han Tribe should first grow stronger and eventually train an elite firearms unit under his direct command.

You Fu’s reconnaissance fleet discovered that the Chaoyang River connected the Liuyang and Ru river systems, opening a summer water route with major potential for the Han Tribe’s expansion. After surveying the river, the fleet continued downstream and spotted unfamiliar tribes, leaving You Fu to decide whether to make contact.

• Luo Chong sent You Fu’s fleet to investigate the tributary connecting the Liuyang River and the Ru River.
• You Fu dispatched Reconnaissance Ship No. 1 upstream to survey the route and inspect the Dark Gorge river entrance.
• Reconnaissance Ship No. 1 reached the Dark Gorge, confirming the rivers were connected and that sailing ships could pass through in summer.
• Luo Chong named the tributary the Chaoyang River after You Fu reported its length, width, and navigability.
• You Fu’s fleet resumed its journey downstream and encountered unfamiliar tribes along the banks.
• A crewman reported the tribes to You Fu and asked whether the fleet should go ashore to make contact.

The Deer Tribe encountered a fleet from the Han Tribe after a scout boat appeared on the Great River. You Fu led a small group ashore with gifts to make contact, while the Deer Tribe watched warily and wondered if the visitors needed their help.

• The Deer Tribe fished, gathered cicada nymphs, made pottery, and began keeping live deer after discovering they survived when tied beneath trees.
• A lone scout in a strange boat drifted down the Great River, startling the Deer Tribe and prompting the elder to call for vigilance.
• You Fu ordered the fleet to stop in the river and keep its large boats away from shore while the crew retrieved the scout.
• You Fu prepared gifts and took six companions ashore in a landing craft, carrying linen, porcelain, salt, and seasonings.
• The Deer Tribe observed You Fu's smiling party approach and wondered whether the visitors had come to seek their help.

You Fu and his companions established contact with the Deer Tribe by offering gifts, and White Salt quickly made them welcome guests. As the two sides discussed trade, Elder Lu produced a remarkable stone that turned out to be a superb rough diamond.

• You Fu offered Chieftain Lu hemp cloth, pottery, and seasonings, but Chieftain Lu mistook chili powder for poison and hurt his eyes by rubbing them.
• You Fu rinsed Chieftain Lu’s face and hands with water, calming the Deer Tribe and proving the chili was not poisonous.
• You Fu gave Elder Lu White Salt to taste, and Elder Lu and Chieftain Lu recognized its value and welcomed You Fu’s group into their settlement.
• You Fu and the Deer Tribe discussed trading White Salt, and You Fu asked whether they had unusual stones, animals, or plants to exchange.
• Elder Lu had a semitransparent stone fetched, which was revealed to be a superb rough diamond.

You Fu traded with the Deer Tribe and discovered a strange, lightweight black stone alongside rare diamonds. After Luo Chong received You Fu’s samples, he recognized the black stones as coal, revealing that You Fu had found a coal mine.

• Chieftain Lu reluctantly gave You Fu a large red diamond after Elder Lu reminded him of his oath as chieftain.
• You Fu explained that the Han Tribe would trade White Salt for unusual stones and asked whether the Deer Tribe had stones that reflected light.
• Chieftain Lu broke his stone stool open, revealing a shiny black interior, and said the stones were plentiful but difficult to dig up.
• You Fu sent samples of the black stone and the diamonds to Luo Chong by Flying Eagle Message and paused the Boat Fleet’s trading.
• Luo Chong opened You Fu’s package and recognized the black chunks as coal.

Luo Chong devised a plan to mine, wash, and coke coal using facilities on Lake Heart Island and water transport, then sent You Fu instructions to investigate the deposit. After You Fu requested experts and equipment, Luo Chong dispatched Feather and a sixty-person exploration team, whose ship reached the Deer Tribe in a day and a half.

• Luo Chong tested the raw coal, then planned to wash it with salt-lake water and make coke by linking coking towers with quicklime kilns.
• Luo Chong chose the Great Marsh east of Liuyang Commandery for the coal-processing plants and planned to transport coal and coke by river to Xingang Commandery.
• Luo Chong told You Fu to trade with the Deer Tribe, inspect the mine’s terrain and reserves, and collect diamonds for making tools.
• You Fu asked Luo Chong for a Geological Survey team and specialized mining equipment because his fleet lacked personnel and tools.
• Luo Chong sent Feather with sixty people and mining equipment aboard a sailboat borrowed from You Ye.
• The survey ship traveled day and night and reached the Deer Tribe in a day and a half, astonishing its people with the Han Tribe’s large ships.

Jing Yan took charge of the Han Tribe’s new outpost near the Deer Tribe and began establishing a dock and market. Over a meal, he explained the Han Tribe’s trade plans and its need to mine coal itself, leaving Chieftain Lu and Elder Lu stunned by the scale of its demand.

• You Fu handed responsibility for the Deer Tribe, the coal mine, and the market to Feather and Jing Yan before sailing downstream.
• Jing Yan volunteered to lead the new outpost, hoping that success might earn him a senior post in a newly established commandery or county.
• Jing Yan chose a site for a large dock and brought food and goods to Chieftain Lu and Elder Lu to introduce the Han Tribe’s market.
• Chieftain Lu tried the Han Tribe’s rice and brown sugar, while Elder Lu questioned why the Han Tribe was giving them food and what it wanted in return.
• Jing Yan explained that the Han Tribe needed to mine the coal itself because the Deer Tribe could not supply enough, then said the Han Tribe’s sailboats could use ten boatloads in a day.
• Chieftain Lu and Elder Lu were astonished by Jing Yan’s claim that the Han Tribe needed so much coal.

Jing Yan recruited Deer Tribe workers to help the Han Tribe build a riverside camp, paying them with food and necessities. Impressed by the Han Tribe’s tools and work methods, the Deer Tribe agreed to send more people, while Jing Yan prepared to bring in supplies and a Windmill Sawmill.

• Jing Yan offered to provide meals and trade goods in exchange for Deer Tribe members helping the Han Tribe build houses and clear land.
• Jing Yan put twenty Deer Tribe workers to work, with some leveling a riverside camp and others cutting trees using the Han Tribe’s saws and shovels.
• Chieftain Lu and Elder Lu watched the Han Tribe’s tools in action and joined the workers for a meal of rice and meat.
• Elder Lu decided that the Deer Tribe should send more people to work for the Han Tribe so they could learn its skills and discover how it obtained rice.
• Jing Yan sent several people back to Liuyang Commandery for supplies and construction tools, including components for a Windmill Sawmill.

Luo Chong sent Beast Tooth and the Han Tribe’s merchant caravan south with lavish authority and supplies, while You Fu’s fleet explored a broad, sandbar-filled river. The fleet caught and killed a giant crocodile, shocking nearby natives who had secretly watched them.

• Luo Chong bestowed ceremonial insignia, weapons, uniforms, and supplies on Beast Tooth before the Han Tribe emissary group and merchant caravan departed with the Xin Tribe emissaries.
• Niu Wei and the other Xin Tribe emissaries envied the support Beast Tooth received, and some considered leaving the Xin Tribe to join the Han Tribe.
• Luo Chong saw the travelers off, then turned to school enrollment, coal mining, the Coking Plant, and preparations to move Great Marsh residents and build an industrial zone.
• You Fu’s fleet discovered a wide, gentle stretch of river with dozens of clean-sand bars, then encountered enormous armored, four-legged fish-beasts that hunted along the banks.
• You Fu’s crew used pig meat and an iron hook to lure a giant crocodile, hauled it ashore with more than two hundred people, and killed it as hidden natives watched in shock.

You Fu's sailors encountered the Li Tribe while hunting crocodiles, and the two groups began discussing trade. The Li Tribe wanted the Han Tribe's iron weapons, while You Fu became interested in their cats, which the Li regarded as deceased children returned to protect the tribe.

• You Fu's sailors butchered several crocodiles and saved their hides and fat while the Li Tribe watched from nearby woods.
• The Li Tribe's cats rushed onto the riverbank to eat scraps, and their owners ran after them, bringing both groups face-to-face.
• You Fu explained that his people had come by ship and offered White Salt, but the Li Tribe's young Chieftain showed more interest in their Steel Forks and Iron Hooks.
• The Li Tribe's Chieftain asked to trade for weapons, and You Fu wondered what the impoverished tribe could offer in return.
• A trusted aide suggested trading for the cats, and You Fu asked what they were and how they were used.
• The Li Tribe members clutched their cats protectively because they believed the animals were children who had died young and returned to guard the tribe.

You Fu invited the Li Tribe to a meal and tried to persuade its young Tanuki Chieftain to join the Han Tribe by describing its food supply and displaying steel weapons. The Tanuki Chieftain and most of his people agreed to go with You Fu, though the negotiations over their tanuki had stalled.

• You Fu hosted the Li Tribe at its settlement, where his people served rice, crocodile meat, and sweet melons, and collected the melon seeds to take home.
• You Fu and the Tanuki Chieftain argued over trading weapons for the Li Tribe’s tanuki, which the Tanuki Chieftain regarded as the spirits of dead children.
• You Fu described how the Han Tribe farmed and raised animals, claiming its people ate well year-round and inviting the Li Tribe to join it.
• The Tanuki Chieftain doubted You Fu’s claims, but became interested after You Fu showed him a sharp steel knife and offered it as a reward for joining.
• You Fu’s men displayed their steel weapons and tools, and most of the Li Tribe’s members agreed to go with the Han Tribe.

You Fu’s fleet recruited the Li Tribe, found copper ore and cinnabar, and continued downstream while its newcomers learned shipboard skills. Meanwhile, Luo Chong inspected Horse Binding Pass, where Ying Rui reported that winter preparations were on track and captive antelope had begun reproducing more frequently.

• You Fu arranged for the Li Tribe to join the Han Tribe, and two days of hunting, surveying, and gathering strengthened the newcomers’ resolve to go with him.
• The Gathering Team discovered copper ore and cinnabar, and You Fu marked the cinnabar site and collected samples before the fleet continued downstream.
• You Fu had the Li Tribe’s women learn to make clothes and the men learn to row and handle sails while he recorded the route in his Sailing Log.
• Luo Chong inspected Horse Binding Pass, and Ying Rui reported that its houses, grain stores, and winter preparations were progressing well.
• Ying Rui showed Luo Chong rabbits and antelope being raised inside the Walled Enclosure and explained that healthy captive antelope could produce two litters a year.

Luo Chong rewarded a breeder for discovering that penned saiga antelopes might reproduce more often and described the Ministry of Agriculture he planned to establish. He inspected Matian County, promised winter clothing and demanded better housing next year, while You Fu’s fleet faced an unfriendly tribe on its exploration journey.

• Luo Chong ordered Ying Rui to reward the antelope breeder and have him study captive animal husbandry, offering him a future role in the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Luo Chong explained that the planned Ministry of Agriculture would research livestock, crops, and farming methods.
• Luo Chong inspected Matian County and found that its residents had adequate food but cramped adobe homes and insufficient winter clothing.
• Luo Chong promised Stone animal hides or woolen cloth and ordered him to ensure every commoner lived in a brick house by the following year.
• Luo Chong decided to remind You Fu to search for cotton as he traveled toward Danshan Commandery.
• You Fu’s fleet encountered an unfriendly tribe that claimed fertile land as hunting grounds and drove away newcomers.

Luo Chong inspected Danshan County’s construction and arranged grain support while its residents waited for the Artificial River to bring water to their fields. He returned home to his pregnant wives, then traveled to Ruyang Commandery to inspect its defenses and bustling city, where Big Mouse had overseen substantial development.

• Luo Chong toured Danshan County, where Hu Mancang and Chai Duoduo reported that the first-stage water channel would be finished before winter and requested a grain subsidy.
• Luo Chong returned home and checked on Xiao Die and Zhan Ying, who were both pregnant and being cared for by hired women and Mother-in-law Shang.
• Luo Chong spent a day with his wives before setting out for Ruyang Commandery to inspect the city and Big Mouse’s business.
• Luo Chong surveyed Ruyang Commandery’s defenses, including its distant moat, dense sisal barrier, and tall city walls.
• Luo Chong saw that Big Mouse had helped make Ruyang City a busy center with a crowded dock, varied shops, and the Great Han Empire Bank.

Luo Chong inspected Ruyang Commandery’s silk industry and considered how coal could enable affordable calcium carbide gas lamps. He then traveled to Sitong County, where construction and irrigation works were progressing.

• Big Mouse showed Luo Chong how Ruyang Commandery had grown into a populous commercial center.
• Sang Qiu explained that the silkworm farm trained residents to raise silkworms at home and sell their cocoons to the workshops.
• Luo Chong concluded that the Han Tribe needed to train more craftsmen before households could make silk themselves.
• Luo Chong planned a coking plant and coal washing plant so the Han Tribe could produce more steel, glass, and calcium carbide for gas lamps.
• Luo Chong traveled to Sitong County and inspected its expanding rammed-earth city and irrigation tunnel beneath the main road.

Luo Chong inspected Sitong County and then visited Weishan Commandery, where Yun Zhi explained how he was attracting outside tribes and developing local production. Yun Zhi reported that 8,600 people from twenty-one tribes had moved to Weishan, while three tribes would relocate after harvesting their crops.

• Luo Chong inspected Sitong County’s residents and warehouses before traveling to Weishan Commandery.
• Yun Zhi showed Luo Chong the brick, tile, and ceramic kilns and explained how he used pottery and local goods to attract newcomers and support trade.
• Luo Chong recognized that Yun Zhi had brought over tribes from the Lake Heart Islands and improved local livelihoods by delegating work and organizing production.
• Weishan residents recognized Luo Chong as the Chieftain and crowded around him to greet him.
• Yun Zhi reported that Weishan had more than 8,600 residents from twenty-one tribes, with three tribes still waiting to harvest their crops before moving.

Luo Chong assembled You Ye’s detailed maps of the Great Marsh and used them to identify five islands suited for industrial development. He assigned plans for the first three islands and began considering a military factory for one of the remaining two.

• Yun Zhi told Luo Chong that nearly all the Lake Heart Island tribes had moved away and brought him You Ye’s maps and annotations.
• Luo Chong pieced together the maps, studied the terrain and waterways, and marked deep-water routes for coal ships.
• Luo Chong identified five islands near deep-water routes with suitable land and marshes for industrial sites and waste disposal.
• Luo Chong planned to build a coal-processing and coking plant on the largest island and metallurgy workshops and the Empire Mint on the second island.
• Luo Chong planned a high-tech industrial park focused on glass, machinery, and Eucommia rubber on the third island.
• Luo Chong considered using one of the remaining islands for a military factory.

Feather’s coal expedition found a promising anthracite site while he recounted the Han Tribe’s early hardships. Far downstream, You Fu’s attempt to make contact with a large Barbarian Tribe ended in a bloody clash, leaving both sides with casualties and the Barbarian Chieftain contemplating the stolen goods and the prospect of revenge.

• Feather’s team camped at a promising coal deposit and praised the anthracite before Feather told them how the Han Tribe had grown from fewer than a hundred people.
• You Fu’s men tried to give gifts to the Barbarian Tribe, but the tribesmen attacked them and tried to strip them of their clothing and possessions.
• A Jing clansman cut off a Barbarian’s arm to rescue his brother, and the Han Tribe guards fought toward the riverbank as the Barbarian Tribe pursued them.
• You Fu’s lead ship fired its ballista to cover the guards’ retreat, and all six men reached the boats despite one dead man and several grievously wounded.
• The Barbarian Chieftain examined the seized steel sabers, cloth, salt, sugar, and vessels, realizing his people had attacked potential trading partners and fearing the two sides would seek revenge.

Ju decided the Barbarian Tribe could not safely cross the river to attack You Fu’s Han Tribe, while You Fu chose to withdraw and seek a larger, coordinated campaign to capture the survivors as slaves. You Fu’s party continued downstream, unaware that other Han Tribe groups were also planning to exploit the Barbarian Tribe for coal mining.

• Ju distributed seized goods to the families of his dead and wounded men, then judged that the Barbarian Tribe could not overcome the Han Tribe’s weapons and riverboats.
• Ju urged his people to prepare defenses and provoke the Han Tribe into landing, while privately hoping they would leave without another battle.
• You Fu refused to attack immediately, explaining that his mission was to survey the waterways and that the Han Tribe should return with reinforcements to surround and capture the enemy.
• You Fu’s party cremated their three dead comrades, placed their bones in jars, and continued downstream on the morning of the third day.
• The Barbarian Tribe watched the Han Tribe depart, and Ju was relieved that no further fighting had occurred.
• Luo Chong, the Feather prospecting team, and You Fu’s group were separately making plans that would target the Barbarian Tribe for coal mining or capture.

Luo Chong returned to Hanyang City and inspected the Han Tribe’s preparations for the coming school year, including its printing workshops and teacher training. The chapter left the schools nearing enrollment while Niu Wei awaited word on whether the Xin Tribe would host a Han emissary group.

• Luo Chong returned from surveying islands in the Great Marsh and began preparing the Han Tribe’s affairs for the second half of the year.
• Luo Chong inspected the Printing Workshop, where Bai Qi reported that ten thousand copies each of Han Rites and Selected Poems and Lyrics had been printed and that work continued on Elementary Mathematics and Natural Science.
• Luo Chong ordered the workshop to replace woodblocks with Metal Printing Plates for future printing and told Bai Qi to train more skilled workers.
• Hong Fu showed Niu Wei the printing technology and explained that the Han Tribe would teach the Xin Tribe if its chieftain allowed a Han emissary group to remain stationed there.
• Luo Chong visited the teachers studying in Teaching Building Two and reviewed the schools planned for Hanyang City and Liuyang Commandery.