Build More Ships
As soon as Dali came ashore and said these words, cheers erupted on the dock. Dabang had been waiting there with his men. Dabang was at the front, grabbing Dali's arm. "How was it? How was the speed with the wind? Was paddling against the current strenuous? Was the steering agile? Were there any unusual noises from the hull? The waterline..."
He bombarded Dali with questions, leaving Dali a ringing in his ears. During the trial run, he had been completely focused on feeling the ship's condition; how could he possibly remember so many details? He could only nod repeatedly, "Good! Everything's good! No problem!"
Fortunately, Dabang quickly remembered Jianshi's instructions. He took a deep breath, calmed his excited emotions, and said to the craftsmen, "Everyone, disperse for now! The ship will stay here and we'll inspect it carefully tomorrow. The chief said to let everyone go and eat first!" Then he told Dali that after eating, they would go to the council hall for a meeting.
News of Dali's return spread quickly. When Yan received the message from his father, he was inspecting a batch of newly made training wooden spears at the Youth Team camp. Upon hearing the news of the successful trial voyage of the 10,000-jin boat, the last Shitou in Yan's heart finally lifted.
He quickly ate something and rushed to the council hall. When he arrived, there were already more than a dozen people sitting there—except for Dali and Dabang, almost all the other high-ranking members of the Fire Tribe headquarters were present. Everyone had smiles on their faces, and the atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant. It was clear that the news had spread. The intelligence about the Tiger Tribe that Yan brought back yesterday had been like a Jushi weighing on everyone's hearts. Today, with the successful construction and testing of the massive ship, everyone could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
After waiting a while longer, Dali and Dabang came in together, their undisguised smiles making the atmosphere in the council hall even more lively.
"Alright, everyone's here." Jianshi spoke, and the council hall instantly fell silent.
The Fire Tribe chief looked around, his gaze lingering on each person's face for a moment, before slowly speaking, "I'm sure everyone has heard the news. That's right, the Fire Tribe's first 10,000-jin (5,000 kg) heavy-duty ship has successfully completed its sea trials!"
Although they were mentally prepared, some people still couldn't help but gasp when they heard the leader confirm it himself.
Jianshi's voice rose slightly, carrying an undeniable authority. "From this day forward, our Fire Tribe can build ships with a carrying capacity of ten thousand jin!"
Uncontrollable cheers and discussions erupted in the council chamber. Yan looked at the excited, flushed faces and was filled with emotion. Among these people were elderly people who had followed their father through the most difficult times, and new backbone members who had joined during the expansion period. But at this moment, the expressions on their faces were all the same—a sense of pride and excitement from the bottom of their hearts.
Yesterday, they were worried about the Tiger Tribe's population of over 150,000, its armored warriors of over 30,000, and its dozens of giant ships; today, looking at the large ships built by their own tribe, the confidence of "we can do it too" has returned to everyone.
"Give us a few years, and even if we face the Tiger Tribe alone, our tribe won't have to worry!" Dali couldn't help but shout.
These words expressed the sentiments of many, and a chorus of approval rang out in the council chamber.
After everyone calmed down a bit, Jianshi continued, "Alright, as we're happy, we can't let our guard down. Dabang, tell everyone in detail about our tribe's current shipbuilding situation."
Dabang stood up. The workshop's head was exceptionally energetic today. Although his eyes were a little red from staying up all night, he exuded a strong sense of drive.
"Chief, everyone," Dabang cleared his throat, his voice clear, "Let me first report on the current situation. We have already completed the shipbuilding plan set at the beginning of this year ahead of schedule and even exceeded the target. Currently, the Fire Tribe has the following vessels available: two hundred small Muzhou weighing 500 jin each, two hundred large Muzhou canoes weighing 2,000 jin each, one hundred large ships weighing 5,000 jin each, and in addition, this heavy-duty ship weighing 10,000 jin that successfully completed its trial voyage today."
He paused, looking at the focused expressions on everyone's faces, and continued, "However, the situation has changed. As everyone knows, Yan brought back the news yesterday. The Tiger Tribe's strength far exceeds our expectations, and our grain trade with the Valley Tribe is expected to reach eight million catties this year and twenty million catties next year. From any perspective, our current fleet size is far from sufficient."
The council chamber fell silent, and everyone listened attentively.
"So," Dabang raised his voice, "Although this year's original plan has been completed, I feel we can't stop. On the contrary, we must Dali and build more ships, bigger ships!"
"Well said!" Jianya the first to slam his fist on the table in agreement. "We need more ships!"
Dabang Stick nodded and pulled out a wooden board marked with charcoal—an estimate he had made after an emergency discussion with the craftsmen at noon. "I've calculated it carefully. Now that our Fire Tribe's population has increased significantly, we can mobilize many more people than at the beginning of the year. If the shipbuilding workshop goes all out, we can produce another 100 ships weighing 5,000 jin each and 50 ships weighing 10,000 jin each in the remaining time this year!"
"Fifty ships with a carrying capacity of 10,000 jin each?" Someone gasped.
"Yes, fifty ships," Dabang said confidently. "The first ship, weighing ten thousand catties, was slow to build because we needed to figure out the process and solve various problems. Now that we have a prototype and the process is mature, the next step is mass production. The hull can be manufactured in sections, processed separately, and then assembled, which will greatly improve efficiency."
He became more and more excited as he spoke, "Moreover, we've already started researching ships with a carrying capacity of 20,000 jin! I've assigned several of our most experienced craftsmen to work with their young apprentices, and we're aiming to build a 20,000-jin ship next year!"
A lively discussion erupted in the council chamber. The plan was astonishing—if it could be realized, the Fire Tribe's strength on the water would undergo a dramatic transformation!
Jianya stood up excitedly. "If we can produce just as many ships, our Fire Tribe can increase its carrying capacity by over a million catties! That would make transporting grain from the Valley Tribe much faster this year!"
Dali couldn't help but interject, "If we really build a 20,000-jin boat next year, I'll be the first to test it! Don't try to take it from me this time!"
This made everyone laugh, and the tense atmosphere eased considerably.
After everyone finished laughing, Jianshi raised his hand to signal for quiet. He looked at Dabang with a serious expression. "Dabang, what kind of support do you need for what you're talking about?"
Dabang had already prepared. "First, we need to replenish a large number of bronze tools. Shipbuilding requires a lot of cutting, planing, and drilling. If you can supply us with more bronze axes, bronze chisels, and bronze saws, the efficiency will be greatly improved."
"Sure," Jianshi replied without hesitation.
"Secondly, we need manpower," Dabang continued. "Shipbuilding is a technical job, but there's also a lot of basic work that can be handed over to novices. I need several hundred young and strong apprentices to assist the veteran craftsmen and learn the trade."
"That's no problem either." Jianshi nodded. "The Youth Team happens to have a group of kids who are old enough; we can arrange for them to go there."
"Thirdly, there's the issue of supplies," Dabang concluded. "Hemp rope, tung oil, lime, and other consumables are all essential. Now that production is high, consumption will increase exponentially, so we must ensure a continuous supply."
"Rest assured," Jian Shi Jianshi promised, "Shipbuilding is the Fire Tribe's top priority right now, and all resources will be given priority to it."
Dabang took a deep breath and stood up straight. "Alright! I promise to complete the mission!"
Jianshi nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Jianya: "How are your preparations going for transporting grain to the Valley Tribe?"
Jianya immediately reported, "I've made the arrangements. This time, I plan to take one hundred small Muzhou 500 jin each, two hundred large Muzhou weighing 2,000 jin each, one hundred large boats weighing 5,000 jin each, plus this newly launched boat weighing 10,000 jin each. In addition, the Fish Tribe has agreed to provide ten boats weighing 5,000 jin each and thirty boats weighing 2,000 jin each to assist with the transportation. All told, our fleet's total transport capacity this time will reach over one million jin."
He paused, then added, "With the assistance of the Valley Tribe's fleet, transporting 1.5 million catties of grain back in one go is no problem at all."
Jianshi listened attentively, nodding occasionally. After Jianya finished speaking, he asked, "If you take so many ships with you, will the tribe have enough left?"
"That's enough." Jianya had already considered this. "The tribe's daily work only requires relaying messages, fishing, and patrolling. One hundred small Muzhou weighing five hundred pounds each are sufficient. Moreover, the shipbuilding workshop is still producing. By the time I return, another batch of new boats will be launched."
"Alright, let's do it that way." Jianshi made the decision. "You set off on time the day after tomorrow and make sure the grain is brought back safely."
He then looked at Yan and Dali: "While you two are resting in the tribe, you should also send people by small boat to observe the situation upstream of the Fish River. In addition, there may be scattered small tribes upstream; be careful to make contact with them, and absorb those that can be absorbed."
"Yes!" Yan and Dali responded in unison.
The meeting continued for a while longer. Jianshi inquired in detail about the reclamation progress, training situation, and material reserves of each branch, and made arrangements for each one. By the time all matters were discussed, it was completely dark.
"Alright, that's all for today." Jianshi concluded, "Everyone, remember, shipbuilding is the grand plan, food is fundamental, and training is the guarantee. Our Fire Tribe is currently at a critical juncture; we cannot afford to make a mistake at any step. Meeting adjourned."
As everyone rose to leave, many still wore excited smiles and chatted amongst themselves about what they had just discussed.