The Fire Tribe's Blueprint for Next Year

Life in the Fire Tribe Valley never ceased. In this seemingly tranquil winter, the handover of power between the old and new generations of the tribe, and grand plans for the future, were quietly brewing. It was another training afternoon, and the snow had been cleared from the training grounds of the Youth Team. The white breath of the boys condensed in the air, but they were all full of energy. A group of boys around fourteen years old, including Shibang, Kuaitui, Shimao Changteng, Jiandun, Sharp Lichi, Heizhua, Shangou, and Niaodan, were undergoing their final winter intensive training. They knew that after spring, a large portion of them would leave the Youth Team and officially join the Hunting Team (whose role had now shifted more towards defense and combat), becoming true warriors of the tribe.

Shibang, wielding a wooden training spear, fiercely clashed with an opponent. He was nearly an adult, his movements swift and powerful, his eyes sharp, bearing a striking resemblance to his father, Dabang. A beautiful Thrust followed by a sweeping motion "knocked" his opponent to the ground. He sheathed his spear and stood up, but his gaze involuntarily drifted towards Yingmu, who was instructing a group of new recruits not far away.

Yingmu was a year older than Shibang and was now a highly valued captain of fifty men in the Hunting Team (Defense Team), responsible for recruit training and some defense duties. His demeanor had gained a newfound Chenwen and authority. He seemed to sense the gaze and looked over as well. Their eyes met briefly, a mixture of past rivalry, mutual recognition of each other's growth, and a new sense of competition. Everyone in the tribe knew that Shibang would at least become a captain of ten men; these two would likely become the new "spear and shield" of the Hunting Team.

After the training, Wang Yan called together the key members, including Shibang and Kuaitui Tui, who were about to "graduate."

"You'll be joining the Hunting Team this spring," Wang Yan said, looking at the boys he'd watched grow up. "It's different there than the Youth Team; the responsibilities are heavier, and you might face real blood and fire. Remember what you've learned: protect yourselves, and protect your comrades too."

He paused, his gaze landing on Shibang: "Shibang, your father is a top warrior in the tribe, and you won't be any less. Do your best once you're in there, don't embarrass Uncle Dabang, and don't embarrass our Youth Team!"

Shibang straightened his chest and nodded vigorously. "Don't worry, Captain Yan! I definitely won't!"

"As for the Youth Team," Wang Yan changed the subject, "You're leaving, so someone has to take over. Gubang!"

A boy with similar features to Shibang, and equally Dazhuang, stepped forward. He was Shibang's younger brother, Gubang, who was thirteen years old this year. In terms of martial arts and strength, he was already not much inferior to his brother, and his temperament was calmer than Shibang's.

"From today onwards, Gubang will serve as the vice captain of the Youth Team. When I'm not around, he will be in charge of the Youth Team's daily training and management." Wang Yan announced this to everyone, then looked at the two sharp-eyed and much more robust boys beside him, "Shouchai —now I should call you Zhuangchai, and Daya, you two will assist Gubang. Especially with the new members' discipline and basic training, you two need to pay close attention."

Zhuangchai (formerly Shouchai) and Daya are now among the most literate and quick-witted members of the Youth Team. Upon hearing this, they immediately responded loudly. Gubang also clasped his hands in a heavy fist salute, his eyes shining with the light of being trusted and a sense of responsibility.

Wang Yan's other younger brother, Shizhua, has also reached the required age and is currently training in the Youth Team. Although he is still young, his indomitable spirit is already evident. Looking at these rapidly growing brothers and teenagers, Wang Yan deeply feels that the future of the tribe is in the hands of these young and powerful individuals.

As evening fell, the fire blazed brightly in the chief's main house. Jianshi summoned Wang Yan, Jianya, Dali, Dazhuang, and the core leaders of various groups, including manufacturing, shipbuilding, and logistics, to discuss the grand plan for the coming year.

The first thing to be agreed upon was a major food plan that concerned the very foundation of the tribe.

Jianshi pointed to the Farming Group and said, "Once the ground thaws in the spring, we must immediately organize all our manpower and prioritize planting all the existing nearly 3,000 mu of paddy fields! This is the key to survival!"

One person said, "With bronze tools, we can cultivate another 3,000 mu for one season, and after that, cultivate another 3,000 mu. Adding the 3,000 mu planted in the spring and harvested in the summer, and continuing to plant, we will have a grain harvest of 12,000 mu next year."

This ambitious goal both pressured and energized everyone. Jianshi made the final decision. "Great! Let's prepare according to this goal! Farm tools, seeds, fertilizer, manpower—start planning now! The vegetable garden area must also double! With so many of us, we can't just eat rice!"

The leaders of the Farming Group were eager to get started and immediately began to calculate in hushed tones how many new farm tools and how many laborers were needed to carry manure.

Next came the shipbuilding and exploration plans concerning expansion and trade. The craftsman from the original Fish Tribe, now the core shipbuilding expert of the Fire Tribe, reported, "Chief, Captain Yan, based on the technology we learned from the Fish Tribe's large ships and our own improvements, after spring, we'll gather the best craftsmen and timber to build two large ships with a carrying capacity of over 5,000 jin as prototypes. That should be fine. With prototypes, subsequent construction will be much faster."

Wang Yan nodded. "Boats are key. Next year, we will explore the upper reaches of the Fish River! The initial goal is to explore the waterway upstream for ten to twenty sunsets. Therefore, in addition to the two large ships, we need to make fifty more Muzhou canoes with a carrying capacity of two thousand catties each, and one hundred more with a carrying capacity of five hundred catties each! We need to form a fleet of sufficient size to ensure the safety of the exploration and the transportation of supplies."

Jianya stroking his beard asked, "What's the purpose of this exploration? What if we discover a tribe?"

Wang Yan already had a plan in mind. "If we discover any tribes, those that are small and willing to submit can be absorbed, but they should be dispersed and resettled, and managed strictly. For those that are larger or whose attitudes are unclear, we should focus on trade, using our pottery, cured fish, dried meat, and linen to exchange for the resources we need, such as cowhide, fur, medicinal herbs, information, or special talents. The key is to understand the situation upstream, find suitable places to establish a base and cultivate new fields, and at the same time spread the reputation and goods of our Fire Tribe."

This strategy, which combines expansion and stability, was unanimously approved. Exploring upstream would allow them to avoid the sensitive areas of the downstream Fish Tribe while opening up new spaces and resource channels for the tribes, making it the most suitable direction at present.

Finally, Jianshi emphasized the core tasks for the coming year. "Next year, our top priorities are twofold: increase grain production and train our troops well! Grain is the foundation, and troops are the guarantee. The wolf cubs might come back at any time, so we cannot afford to be complacent! The training of the Hunting Team... no, the Defense Team must be expedited, and the newly manufactured bows and arrows must be put into combat readiness as soon as possible. Internal management must also keep up; with more people and more complex matters, we cannot afford any chaos!"

Everyone obeyed respectfully. The meeting continued until late at night, with specific tasks being broken down and assigned. The blueprint for how the massive tribal machine would operate efficiently after next spring gradually became clear.

As night deepened, Wang Yan stepped out of the main house, a biting wind hitting his face. He saw that by the training ground, Gubang, along with Zhuangchai and Daya, were working on something on a sand table by the dim light of the snow and the stars and moon, seemingly discussing the training subjects for the Youth Team the next day. Further away, the faint sound of chiseling could be heard from the craftsmen's shed, where the Manufacturing Group was preparing timber for shipbuilding after spring.