The Leadership Council

With the busy season of summer harvest and planting over, the Fire Tribe Valley enjoyed a brief respite. The air was still filled with the fresh scent of freshly turned soil and seedlings, but the tense pace of labor that had gripped everyone had finally eased. Taking advantage of this break, Chief Jianshi summoned all the tribe's high-ranking members to the largest council house for an important meeting that would determine the tribe's future.

The fire crackled in the center of the wooden house, illuminating the solemn yet expectant faces of the people sitting around it. Besides the leader Jianshi, his spouse and head of the Gathering Team Qingye, the Hunting Team and Jianshi's younger brother Jianya, and the leaders of various teams such as Dali, Dazhuang, Dabang (the Personal Guard), Taobo, the person in charge of shipbuilding, and the person in charge of farming, Wang Yan was also prominently present, and he sat in a position next to his father.

Now, no one would look down on Wang Yan because of his age. His achievements over the past six months—from solving the food crisis to inventing various tools, to promoting trade and planning agriculture and animal husbandry—have already earned him the respect and trust of all the tribespeople. Among the tribe's upper echelons, his position is secure, second only to his father Jianshi, mother Qingye, and uncle Jianya. Everyone must listen carefully to and consider his opinions.

Jianshi Shi looked around and spoke in a loud voice, filled with undisguised pride. "In the past six months, our Fire Tribe, under the protection of our ancestors and with the efforts of all its members, has overcome the most difficult period and made steady and rapid progress!"

"First and foremost, it's about people! Our tribe has gained about a hundred healthy babies. Adding to the smaller tribes we absorbed and merged with, the total population of our Fire Tribe has now exceeded eight hundred!" This number made everyone present straighten their backs. Population is the foundation of a tribe's strength.

"Secondly, there's food!" Jianshi continued, "Our twenty mu of rice yielded four thousand jin of good seeds, which were all planted in five hundred mu of paddy fields! By autumn, that will be over one hundred thousand jin of new grain! Our chicken, duck, and rabbit numbers have also increased several times over! Now, I can proudly say that our Fire Tribe has no shortage of food!"

He specifically mentioned the trade with neighboring tribes. "In the past two months, we traded the large fish we caught in the river and the Bison we hunted for more than thirty calves with the Bison Tribe! We traded surplus meat and pottery for more than eighty piglets with the Pig Tribe, for forty lambs with the Sheep Tribe, and even twenty deer with the Deer Tribe! We have more than a thousand chickens and ducks, and nearly eight hundred rabbits! At this rate, next year, our meat, eggs, and milk will only be more abundant!"

This series of solid data brought smiles to the faces of everyone present, and the atmosphere in the meeting room became lively. This was the abundance they had created with their own hands!

Once everyone had calmed down a bit, Jianshi changed the subject, his expression becoming serious. "However, we can't just look at the present. Last time Yan and I went to the Fish Tribe, everyone saw it; they have over a thousand people, their living quarters are much larger, and their boats are bigger and more numerous. Our Fire Tribe can't forever rely on just these eight hundred people!"

He glanced at everyone and said in a deep voice, "Yan, everyone, and I have discussed this. Our next goal is to increase the population of our Fire Tribe to over a thousand before the next heavy snowfall closes the mountains!"

"More than a thousand people!" Although they were somewhat prepared, this number still sent a chill down many people's spines. This means the population would more than double from its current level!

"That's right!" Wang Yan chimed in at the opportune moment, his voice clear and Chenwen. "Only with a larger population can we cultivate more land, build larger ships, manufacture more tools, possess greater strength, avoid being looked down upon by large tribes like the Fish Tribe, and even have the ability to protect everything we currently have!"

He paused, then began to analyze in a clear and logical manner the challenges and preparations needed to achieve this goal:

"To increase the population by so much, the first priority is food. The autumn harvest from the 500 mu of paddy fields is crucial; we must ensure Fengshou. At the same time, aquaculture must continue to expand, and fishing and hunting cannot be neglected."

"Secondly, there's clothing and shelter. Fur clothing is already scarce for 800 people; how much will over 1,000 need? We need more animal hides, and we also need to find better ways to utilize linen. And then there's housing; the existing shacks are far from enough. We need to plan new residential areas and build more, sturdier, and warmer wooden houses."

"Then there's the need for more pottery for storing water, cooking, and grain; more Shifu, hoes, and plows for work; and more boats for fishing, transportation, and trade."

"Finally, and most importantly, how do we increase the population?" Wang Yan looked at his father.

Jianshi chimed in, "Yan is right! Relying solely on our own population growth is too slow! This autumn, nearby tribes will hold a small market, which will be a great opportunity for us to recruit people! We can use our surplus grain, dried meat, pottery, and even the pigs and sheep we raise to attract those struggling small tribes to join us!"

This idea was a revelation to everyone. In the past, tribal mergers were mostly carried out by force, but now, the Fire Tribe could use a prosperous lifestyle to "attract" people, which was undoubtedly more ingenious and would reduce casualties.

With the general direction set, the next step is to assign specific tasks.

Jianshi began issuing orders:

"Qingye, you are in charge of leading all the women to speed up the tanning of animal hides, weaving of hemp cloth and baskets, and making winter clothes and quilts! You also need to organize manpower to cultivate more vegetable gardens and collect more wild vegetables and fruits to dry and store!"

"Jianya, Dali, the Hunting Team must not only ensure a supply of meat, but also obtain as many intact animal hides as possible! At the same time, we must strengthen our training to protect the tribe and future generations!"

"Dabang, you lead the Personal Guard and work with the Shipbuilding Group to cut down as many timbers as possible. On one hand, build new log cabins; on the other hand, build more large boats! At least twenty more! We need greater transport and fishing capabilities!"

"Taobo, the kiln must not stop firing! We need to fire not only everyday items, but also large vats for storing grain and more pottery for trade!"

"Farming Group, the 500 mu of paddy fields are the lifeblood of the tribe. You must take good care of them and ensure a successful autumn harvest! Also, keep an eye on the livestock farms, make sure the pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, and rabbits all grow well and have plenty of offspring!"

"Witch, you are responsible for recording supplies, coordinating their distribution, and overseeing the upcoming population recruitment."

Finally, he looked at Wang Yan: "Yan, you're quick-witted and resourceful. You'll be in charge of overall coordination. Go wherever you're needed, especially with the creation and improvement of new tools—it can't stop! Also, the planning of the new residential area is entrusted to you!"

"Yes!" the crowd answered in unison, their voices filled with enthusiasm and determination.

After the meeting ended, everyone filed out and immediately threw themselves into their respective tasks.