Integrating the New, Strengthening the Foundation

With 200,000 jin of grain stored up and over 1,400 people settled, the Fire Tribe ushered in an unprecedented period of prosperity, but also faced unprecedented management challenges. How to quickly integrate these more than 600 new tribesmen from different tribes with different customs and become true "Fire Tribe people" was the most pressing issue facing Chief Jianshi and Wang Yan.

Inside the council cabin, the core members gathered once again. Wang Yan was the first to put forward his suggestion, his attitude resolute:

"Father, uncles, we absolutely cannot let these more than six hundred people we've recruited live in their original tribal communities. We must, just like last time, break them up into family units and distribute them to our existing residential areas."

He looked around at everyone and explained, "Let them live next to our elders, work together, live together, intermarry, and learn our customs and skills. Only in this way can we quickly eliminate the barriers between 'you' and 'us,' and make them truly identify as members of the Fire Tribe. If we let them gather together, they will easily form cliques, which is not conducive to the overall unity of the tribe."

This proposal received Dali support from Jianshi and Jianya. Jianshi immediately ordered, "Do as Yan said! Qingye, you are in charge of overall coordination. Distribute all the new families among our various residential areas, ensuring that every old clan member's residential area has new members joining. Prioritize families with vacant rooms or those willing to accept new neighbors."

"Understood." Qingye replied Chenwen; this was a tedious but crucial task.

Wang Yan pointed to a simple personnel distribution map drawn with charcoal on the wall. "Among the newly joined tribespeople, there are about 150 healthy men between the ages of 15 and 40 who meet the requirements. I suggest that they all be incorporated into the Hunting Team."

Upon hearing Dali, the Hunting Team, Dali, brightened up. The Hunting Team originally had two hundred people; with the addition of one hundred and fifty, the team would reach three hundred and fifty! What a powerful force that would be!

Jianshi looked at Dali: "Dali, these people are yours. You need to integrate them with the veteran members and train them rigorously. You must not only teach them hunting skills, but also make sure they remember the discipline and teamwork of our Fire Tribe! I need a team that can fight tough battles and obey orders, not a bunch of scatterbrains!"

With Dali thrust of his chest, he boomed, "Rest assured, leader! I will train them into the bravest warriors!"

Wang Yan added, "The Youth Team also needs to expand. With the newly arrived eligible boys, plus our own, the total will reach 150. (Shibang)"

"Here!" Shibang, who had grown into a capable young man, immediately stood up straight.

"The training of the Youth Team cannot be relaxed. They are the future of the tribe. They must not only hone their physical abilities and combat skills, but also their counting and tribal rules."

"Yes, Captain Yan!" Shibang responded loudly, his eyes full of enthusiasm.

Thus, the Fire Tribe's standing armed force (Hunting Team + Youth Team) reached 500 people, accounting for more than one-third of the total population. This proportion was unprecedented among the surrounding tribes, laying the foundation for the Fire Tribe's strong military strength.

Wang Yan reiterated the plan. "With sufficient manpower, we cannot remain idle this winter. I suggest that, before the land is completely frozen, we organize the entire village's resources to continue reclaiming wasteland, aiming to cultivate another 500 mu of paddy fields before winter arrives!"

Adding that to the original 500 mu, that makes a thousand mu!

"Yes, one thousand mu!" Wang Yan said firmly. "As long as we make good use of this winter to plan the irrigation ditches and level the land, we can plant these one thousand mu of paddy fields immediately next spring! With our current planting techniques and fertilizer use, even if the yield is only 150 jin per mu, one thousand mu will yield 150,000 jin of rice! Only then will we truly have the confidence to have food that is not dependent on others!"

This prospect excited everyone. A thousand acres of fertile land, a harvest of over 150,000 jin! What a magnificent sight that would be!

Without hesitation, Jianshi made the decision. "Alright! Let's go all out to clear the land! Jianya, you'll be in charge of overall manpower coordination; the Farming Group, you'll be responsible for technical guidance and planning the fields and irrigation ditches; Dali, the Hunting Team, when not training or hunting, will also be fully engaged in clearing the land! We must take these five hundred acres before the snow falls!"

Wang Yan clearly outlined the plan. "Winter is coming soon, we must stockpile enough supplies."

"Food: In addition to grains, Hunting Team should intensify their hunting efforts and preserve and dry more meat. Gathering Team should seize the last opportunity to collect all edible wild vegetables and roots, and dry and store them. Fishing Team should continue fishing and making dried fish."

"Clothing: Qingye must organize all the women to speed up the tanning of animal hides, weaving of linen, and rush to make winter clothing, shoes, hats, and bedding, to ensure that everyone, especially the newcomers, can stay warm through the winter."

"Herbal: Granny Cao, please lead those who know herbs to collect and prepare more herbs to treat colds, frostbite, and common ailments."

Seeds: Pay attention to collecting and preserving seeds of various wild vegetables and fruits to prepare for expanded planting next year.

Each task was clearly assigned to a specific person in charge.

The new tribespeople were properly dispersed and resettled, and with the help and guidance of the elders, they began to adapt to the rhythm and rules of the Fire Tribe's life. The powerful Hunting Team honed their teamwork through the integration of the old and new. On the vast wasteland, people toiled, cultivating the hope for the coming year. The logistics team, like industrious worker ants, stored up winter supplies for the entire tribe.