Plans for the Near Future
Dabang, Binmao, Jijiao, and the others spoke up one after another, their voices impassioned, as if to sweep away the oppressive feeling they had just experienced due to the news from the Tiger Tribe. The sense of crisis did not make them back down; instead, it was like a whetstone, sharpening their fighting spirit even more.
Just as the discussions were rising and everyone's emotions were running high, Jianshi, who was sitting in the main seat, slowly raised his right hand. This simple action seemed to have a magical power, and the noisy council hall instantly quieted down, with everyone's eyes focused on him.
Jianshi's gaze slowly swept over each eager and resolute face, a slight smile playing on his lips, revealing a Chenwen and proud expression. "Everyone's determination and suggestions are excellent. Pressure should be transformed into our driving force. In the more than forty days that Yan and Dali led the fleet to the Valley Tribe to transport 1.5 million catties of grain back for us, the tribespeople have not been idle either."
He paused, then said clearly and forcefully, "I have some good news to share with you all."
Everyone's ears perked up, and they even held their breath.
"First, regarding shipbuilding," Jianshi's voice carried an inspiring force, "In just over forty days, our shipbuilding workshop has worked day and night, and has newly built thirty large Muzhou with a carrying capacity of two thousand catties each, and twenty large ships with a carrying capacity of five thousand catties each!"
"Good!" Dali couldn't help but shout in a low voice, clenching his fists.
Jianshi continued, "This means that our construction plan of 'two hundred 2,000-jin boats and one hundred 5,000-jin boats' set at the beginning of the year has been completed ahead of schedule and exceeded! Now, our Fire Tribe has two hundred usable 500- Muzhou, two hundred 2,000-jin Muzhou (note: the extra twenty have been delivered to the Fish Tribe as advance payment), and a full one hundred 5,000-jin large boats!"
When this number was announced, a suppressed cheer erupted in the council hall. One hundred large ships weighing five thousand catties each! This was already a Dashui force capable of dominating the upper reaches of the Fish River! Even in the middle and lower reaches, it would be a force to be reckoned with!
"Furthermore," Jianshi's voice suddenly rose, filled with unprecedented excitement, "Thanks to the tireless efforts of our shipbuilding craftsmen, the first... 10,000-jin (5,000 kg) heavy-duty ship has been completed! Tomorrow, it can be officially launched for sea trials!"
"A ship worth ten thousand pounds?!"
"Going into the water tomorrow?!"
"We... we're going to have our own heavy-duty ships with a carrying capacity of 10,000 kilograms?!"
The news struck like Startling Thunder, exploding in everyone's hearts! Even the usually calm Yan felt his heart pounding and his blood boiling. Dali was so excited that he jumped up from his seat, rubbing his hands together, his eyes shining, and his voice trembling with excitement. "Great! Fantastic! If the trial run is successful tomorrow, I'm going to be the first one on board and personally take the helm! I'm going to steer our Fire Tribe's own massive 10,000-jin ship around the Fish River!"
Dabang, as the head of the workshop, was beaming with pride and replied generously, "Dali worry, Dali! As long as the trial run goes smoothly tomorrow, the honor of being the first to set sail will definitely be reserved for you!"
Jianya excitedly chimed in, "With so many new ships, I'll be much more confident transporting grain to the Valley Tribe this time! If that massive ship weighing ten thousand jin succeeds in its trial run, I'll take it with me! Let the Valley Tribe see that our Fire Tribe not only has a large population and abundant pottery, but our shipbuilding skills are also quite impressive! We can really showcase our strength!"
The council chamber was filled with excited discussions and imaginative ideas, the atmosphere so lively it almost seemed to lift the roof off. It wasn't until Jianshi raised his hand again to signal that everyone suppressed their excitement and sat down again, but the gleam in their eyes was impossible to hide.
Once the noise subsided slightly, Jianshi, with a relieved smile, continued to announce the good news, "Secondly, regarding our own fields, while Yan and Dali were away, our 15,000 mu of high-quality paddy fields have yielded their first harvest!"
He held up three fingers and declared firmly, "We harvested over three million jin of rice!"
"Three million catties!" Everyone was once again thrilled by this number. Although it was far less than the amount they had ordered from the Valley Tribe this year, this was real grain grown on their own land! This meant that the Fire Tribe was gradually getting rid of the passive situation of completely relying on external grain purchases and was beginning to have its own grain production capacity! This sense of security could not be completely replaced by any externally purchased grain.
"Moreover," Jianshi added, "After the harvest, we immediately began replanting, and now all the rice seedlings have been replanted. The paddy fields at the Small Gathering Valley Outpost and the two thousand mu of paddy fields in the Deer Tribe's living area have also been planted. The reclamation and camp construction at the former sites of the Bison, Green Sheep, and White Pig branches are also progressing steadily. Our own grain production will only increase!"
One piece of good news after another arrived, like sweet rain falling on parched land, greatly easing the anxiety in everyone's hearts caused by the shadow of the Tiger Tribe, and replacing it with increasing confidence and assurance.
Jianshi's expression turned serious and profound again. He concluded, "Gentlemen, the Tiger Tribe is indeed powerful. However, you must also be aware that even if they weren't preoccupied with internal strife and external wars, they wouldn't be able to exert all their strength and travel thousands of miles to attack a tribe like ours located upstream. They might try to intimidate us or exert indirect pressure, but the cost and risk of a direct, large-scale invasion would be equally enormous for them."
His gaze sharpened, and his voice carried an undeniable force. "This gives us time! We must make the most of this precious time! What our Fire Tribe must do is seize this relatively peaceful period, utilize the food and resources obtained from trading with the Valley Tribe, and frantically increase our strength! Expand our population, cultivate more land, train more warriors, and build more and bigger ships!"
He paused, his tone softening slightly. "As for the alliance with the Valley Tribe, although Chief Daiyue has many concerns at the moment, he is at least personally interested and extremely positive about strengthening grain trade. As long as this trade ties remain intact, the relationship between our two tribes will become increasingly close. Who can say what the future holds? But the prerequisite is that we must have the strength to make them feel that an alliance is 'worthwhile'!"
Having clarified the direction, Jianshi began to make specific arrangements, his voice Chenwen and powerful:
"Jianya, get ready. In two days, lead our newest fleet to the Valley Tribe again! Grain is the lifeblood of our development; we must bring it back as quickly and continuously as possible! At the same time, let's show our Fire Tribe's new look and strength to our partners!"
"Yes, brother!" Jianya stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute to accept the order, his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit.
"Dali, you've been working hard lately. You should rest in the tribe for a while. During this time, you'll be responsible for overseeing the reclamation of the remaining planned vegetable plots in the tribe, ensuring that all land is put to use as soon as possible."
"No problem! I'm an expert at land acquisition!" Dali patted his chest and agreed.
"Yan," Jianshi's gaze fell on his son, filled with trust and expectation, "You've just returned, you need to familiarize yourself with the latest situation in the tribe as soon as possible. As for the Youth Team, they've recently recruited over a thousand people; integration and training are of paramount importance, so keep a close eye on them whenever you have time. Also, visit the various workshops frequently and see if there's anything that needs coordination or resolution."
"Yes, Father," Yan replied solemnly. He knew that his father was making him fully familiar with and involved in the core affairs of the tribe, preparing him for greater responsibilities in the future.
"Everyone else," Jianshi's gaze swept over the leaders, including Binmao, Jijiao, Wenshi, and Lu Ming, "Each of you must perform your duties diligently and not slack off in the slightest! As for Dazhuang, I will send someone to convey the details of today's agreement to him."
"Yes, leader!" the crowd responded in unison, their voices booming.
The meeting concluded in a complex atmosphere, filled with both heavy pressure and high morale. Everyone departed hastily, carrying clear tasks and inspiring news, to begin working on the next steps for the Fire Tribe's development.