The Deer Tribe's Refining Workshop Was Completed

For the first two days after Yan arrived at the Deer Tribe, he and Shibang spent almost all their time wandering around the Deer Tribe camp, from morning till night, carefully examining every place.

"Look," Yan said, standing in the center of the Deer Tribe camp, pointing to the surrounding terrain, "This place could originally house two or three hundred people, but many of the wooden houses haven't been repaired in a long time and need to be reinforced and repaired. The wooden fence also needs to be repaired, and the moat outside needs to be deepened and widened, at least to the point that people can't jump over it."

Shibang followed beside Yan, diligently recording every point he made. When he did things, he was no longer the boisterous boy he used to be; now, his eyes were focused, and he looked every bit the responsible person.

"How many watchtowers do we need to build?" Shibang asked.

"One at each of the four corners of the camp," Yan said. "In addition, a beacon tower should be built on the high ground to the north outside the camp—on that hill over there. In case of any situation, smoke can be released during the day and fire can be lit at night, so that the message can be transmitted quickly."

The two left the camp and came to a clear stream outside the Deer Tribe's camp. The stream was not wide, but the current was steady.

"This stream," Yan crouched down, scooped up a handful of water, "Though the flow isn't large, it flows year-round. It originates from the Deer Tribe, passes through the former sites of the Green Sheep Tribe, White Pig Tribe, and Bison Tribe, and finally merges into the river in the Little Gathering Valley, before flowing into the Fish River."

He stood up and walked a few steps along the stream bank. "Not far along both banks of this stream, at least two thousand acres of high-quality paddy fields can be cultivated. If you include dry land and vegetable gardens, twenty thousand acres won't be a problem."

Shibang's eyes lit up. "Boss, you mean... we're going to farm here?"

"It's not just about farming." Yan's gaze was far-reaching. "We'll build a settlement here in the Deer Tribe area, on the high ground by the stream. We'll settle the farmers here, and they can be self-sufficient in food and vegetables, without having to transport them from the Fire Tribe headquarters anymore."

He pointed to the grassland in the distance. "Sheep, cattle, and horses can graze there, and chickens, ducks, rabbits, and even pigs and deer can be raised in the residential area. This way, food can be basically obtained locally, greatly saving transportation costs."

Shibang was deeply moved, but a question quickly crossed his mind, "Then... how many people can be accommodated?"

"At least two thousand people," Yan said confidently. "Separating the living quarters from the workshops makes management easier and more confidential. The ore refining workshops operate in a closed environment within the camp, while the living quarters provide food and supplies on the periphery. This way, even if outsiders come, they will only see an ordinary farming tribe and won't immediately suspect that there are important workshops inside."

This layout is quite ingenious. Shibang couldn't help but clap his hands. "Boss, how is your brain structured? How come I didn't think of this!"

Yan smiled and said, "Observe more, think more, and ask more questions. You've been here for several months and are more familiar with the terrain than I am. You should be able to think of more details."

Over the next two days, the two further refined the plan. Yan was mainly responsible for the site selection and construction planning of the purification workshop, while Shibang was responsible for the subsequent construction of the living area.

On the morning of the third day, the three hundred warriors dispatched by the Fire Tribe arrived at the Deer Tribe camp. Leading the team was Yandun, one of the first Xiaotou of the Fire Tribe, who was in his early thirties. He was burly, with Chenwen gaze, and looked like a reliable person.

"Leader Yan!" Yandun saluted Yan, "All three hundred warriors are in position, awaiting orders!"

Yan returned the greeting and then led them on a tour of the camp. "You've all had a long journey. The tasks ahead are clear: First, repair the wooden huts in the camp so everyone has a place to stay; second, repair the wooden fence; third, build watchtowers at the four corners; fourth, build beacon towers on high ground outside the camp; and fifth, widen and deepen the trenches."

He paused, then added, "These are all foundational tasks. After that, we'll build an ore refining workshop and a living quarters outside the camp. The schedule is tight and the task is heavy, so everyone needs to work together."

Yandun straightened his back. "Don't worry, Leader Flame! We guarantee we'll complete the mission!"

The three hundred soldiers immediately sprang into action, dividing themselves into several groups: one group repaired the wooden huts, another processed the timber, a third dug trenches, and yet another began constructing the foundation for the watchtower.

The Deer Tribe camp quickly became lively, and Yan was not idle either. He led several warriors who knew about construction to plan the specific location of the ore refining workshop in the camp.

"The workshop should be built in the center of the camp, close to the water source, but away from the main roads," Yan said as they walked. "There are three mountain springs here, with good water quality and a stable flow. The workshop will be built next to the Dashui downstream of the springs, making it convenient to draw water and avoiding pollution."

He drew the outline of the workshop on the ground. "Sixty paces long, fifty paces wide, enclosed by walls on all four sides, divided into several areas: a reserve ore storage area, a crushing area, a smelting area, a casting area, and a finished product storage area, with ventilation at the top..."

The soldier in charge of recording quickly sketched on the animal hide.

"Ventilation is very important," Yan emphasized. "Smelting ore produces a lot of fumes. If they can't be vented out, people can't stay inside for long. Skylights need to be installed in the ceiling, and exhaust ducts need to be designed."

Two days later, the repairs to the wooden huts were basically completed, and the three hundred soldiers had decent living quarters, which boosted their morale even more. Next was the repair of the wooden fence. The camp already had a wooden fence, but it had fallen into disrepair over the years, and many parts had rotted. The soldiers cut down new timber from the nearby forest, sharpened each piece, and drove it back into the ground.

The digging of the trench was the most laborious task. Three hundred soldiers took turns digging, and it took them a full ten days to complete the project.

The construction of watchtowers and beacon towers was relatively simple. Watchtowers were built at the four corners of the camp, about ten meters high, with platforms and fences on top. Beacon towers were built on a Little Mountain outside the camp, constructed of stones, and could be used to store firewood.

Throughout the process, Yan worked alongside the soldiers almost every day. He wore ordinary linen clothes, and calluses quickly formed on his hands, but he never complained. The soldiers saw this and their respect for this young leader grew day by day.

Shibang wasn't idle either. He led some of his warriors to prepare more charcoal. The Deer Tribe was densely wooded and rich in timber resources. The dozen or so charcoal kilns they built were burning charcoal day and night. By the time the purification workshop started operating, the warehouse was filled with a large amount of high-quality charcoal.

The screening of ore is also being carried out simultaneously. The raw ore selected from the mine must first be crushed and screened to remove impurities before it can enter the purification process. Yan specially designed several simple screening tools to improve screening efficiency.

Half a month later, the basic work was basically completed, and the Deer Tribe camp was completely transformed: the wooden houses were neat and sturdy, the fences were tall and tight, the moats were deepened and widened, the watchtowers and beacon towers stood majestically, the foundation of the purification workshop had been laid, and the main structure was being built.

That evening, Yan convened a meeting with all the soldiers.

"Thank you all for your hard work." Yan stood in the center of the camp, his voice clear and strong. "In the past two weeks, you have accomplished what seemed like an impossible task. The Deer Tribe camp is now taking shape, and the purification workshop is nearing completion."

He surveyed the soldiers, their faces covered in dust but their eyes resolute. "Next, the workshop will begin trial operation. We need one hundred people to learn the purification techniques and become the first batch of craftsmen. The other two hundred will begin constructing the living quarters outside the camp."

Yandun stood up. "Leader Flame, please make the arrangements!"

Yan nodded. "Those willing to learn the technology, stand on the left; those willing to participate in the construction of the living area, stand on the right. Let me make one thing clear—learning the technology is not an easy task. You must be able to endure loneliness and hardship, but once you learn it, you will become an important talent for the Fire Tribe."

These warriors were all reliable warriors selected by the Fire Tribe. After a brief hesitation, they began to split up, with about 120 people standing on the left and 180 people standing on the right.

Yan said to the warriors on the left, "Of the 120 of you, I will select 100 to enter the workshop for training. Those who are not selected are not because you are not good enough, but because the purification workshop only needs this many people for now. But don't be discouraged, there will be other opportunities in the future."

He then said to the soldiers on his right, "The construction of the living quarters is equally important. It provides logistical support for the workshops and will be the future home for two thousand people. Shibang will be in charge of this project, and everyone must cooperate fully."

After making the arrangements, Yan told the soldiers to rest, but he himself stayed in the center of the camp, using the light of the campfire to refine the construction plans for the workshop.

Shibang walked over and handed him a piece of roasted meat. "Boss, take a break. You haven't had a good night's sleep in almost half a month."

Yan took the meat, took a bite, and said, "The sooner the workshop is built, the sooner the Fire Tribe can use more bronze tools. Time waits for no one."

"I know," Shibang said, sitting down by the fire, "But you have to take care of yourself. If you collapse from exhaustion, who will do these chores?"

Yan smiled but didn't reply. He looked up at the night sky, where countless stars twinkled and the Milky Way stretched across the heavens.

The next day, the purification workshop officially began construction, and one hundred selected soldiers began their training and learning.

Yan led his men to teach them step by step, starting from the very basics. Although these soldiers were all novices, they were all diligent and hardworking, and they made rapid progress.

At the same time, the construction of the living area also began. Shibang led 180 soldiers to clear the site, plan roads, and build temporary shelters along the stream.

Yan stayed in the Deer Tribe for another ten days or so until the first batch of copper ingots in the workshop was successfully produced, and only then did he feel relieved.

On the night before he left, he summoned the Shibang and the Yandun together.

"The workshop and mining area are now in your hands," Yan said solemnly. "Yandun, you are in charge of security and confidentiality. No one is allowed to enter or leave the workshop area without permission. Shibang, you are in charge of the construction of the living quarters, logistical support, and security of the mining area. You must also ensure the supply of materials to the workshop."

The two agreed in unison.

Yan then gave detailed instructions: how to deal with emergencies, how to contact the Fire Tribe headquarters, how to manage the new tribespeople... He gave instructions on everything, big and small.

The next morning, Yan rode Chasing Wind and embarked on his journey back to the Fire Tribe headquarters.

Shibang and Yandun escorted them all the way to the edge of the camp. Watching Yan's departing figure, Shibang suddenly shouted, "Boss! Don't worry! I'll definitely get this place built as soon as possible!"

Yan turned around, waved, and then rode off into the morning mist.