YM778.TV Chapter 54: Building the Tribal Market
The group was seated in the grand bamboo hall specially constructed for this purpose, each holding charcoal pencils and large rolls of bamboo sheets strung together with ropes.
Monta spoke first, "Ms. Amy, the agricultural sector has been fully cultivated. Following Lord Enzo\'s plan, we have planted crops such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, pumpkins, and tomatoes in the agricultural area. We have also dug three water pools to ensure water supply for the fields. Should we now expand cultivation to the lands outside the encampment?"
Amy retrieved a bamboo sheet and put a checkmark on the corresponding plan option.
She responded, "Expanding the agricultural land outward is acceptable. However, there is one condition: it had to be done under safe circumstances."
Monta nods in understanding.
The internal farmlands within the encampment are collectively owned by the tribal people. The crops planted there are often used for seed breeding or emergency provisions.
On the other hand, the lands outside the encampment were privately owned by the tribal individuals.
In theory, as long as the tribe members had sufficient resources, they could cultivate the entire jungle into farmlands and plant crops. These crops would be the private property of the landowners, who only need to contribute one-fifth of the yield to the tribe\'s food reserves, while the rest could be used at the landowner\'s discretion.
This was the most crucial aspect of Enzo\'s plan.
Competition was also present within the tribe.
After Monta finishes speaking, Brian also chimed in, "Ms. Amy, Industrial Zone One has been cleared, and a large quantity of bricks has been fired, enough to construct ten brick houses. However... our suggestion is to prioritize the construction of a warehouse!"
The original tribe encampment has now been completely transformed into a pottery firing site.
For the convenience of dividing the industrial zone of the new camp, it was designated as Industrial Zone One by Enzo.
Industrial Zone Two, on the other hand, was carved out from the industrial zone of the new tribal camp.
Brian\'s proposal to prioritize the construction of warehouses stemmed from the previous prolonged rainy season, during which the bamboo-made warehouses failed to effectively repel moisture. This led to a large number of potatoes sprouting roots and sprouts. Despite being planted, the lack of sunlight caused those buried potatoes to rot, hindering their growth.
Such losses pained Brian deeply.
Compared to bamboo huts, brick houses boasted excellent waterproofing properties.
After pondering for a moment, Amy responded, "Certainly."
She then inquired, "Brian, how are the colored pottery pieces coming along?"
Brian replied, "We have already fired over a hundred pieces, and during the firing process, we accidentally produced a one-of-a-kind treasure—an exquisite transparent pottery piece!"
As he spoke of this, Brian was filled with immense excitement.
Unfortunately, he found it immensely challenging to replicate the production of another transparent pottery piece. Upon later questioning the craftsmen involved at each stage, he received a headache-inducing response—no one knew.
Amy nodded and checked off the item on the plan.
She then turned to Ward, who reported, "The boar offspring we are rearing are growing rapidly, nearing adult size in about two to three months. At this rate, they will soon enter adulthood."
Upon hearing this, Amy suggested, "Once the boars reach adulthood, let them mate naturally."
Ward chuckled and said, "That\'s exactly what we had in mind."
Subsequently, Ward provided updates on other matters, such as the construction of the observation tower on the hilltop in the training area, the planning of personal residences for tribal members in the living area, and the erection of a perimeter wall on the jungle side.
Apart from Amy, Ward has the most responsibilities.
After the reports, the meeting moved on to the most crucial topics.
Amy asked, "Regarding Lord Enzo\'s proposal for constructing a tribal market, what are your thoughts?"
Ward frowned slightly and spoke first, "There are still plenty of areas in the tribal camp suitable for market construction, and we can prioritize the necessary materials. However, there are currently three issues. First, we\'re short on manpower. Every region is understaffed, and diverting personnel to build the market would delay other projects. Second, there\'s a shortage of goods. While the market is for trading, tribe members don\'t have surplus goods. Third, currency—we should adopt a currency unique to the Crimson Star Tribe, akin to what the Gold Oak Tribe does, to facilitate transactions with outsiders."
Ward\'s points were at the crux of the matter.
The group pondered but had no immediate solutions. Monta, addressing the goods issue, suggested, "Regarding market goods, we could invite neighboring tribes to trade. Within this jungle area, the Crimson Star Tribe already commands considerable respect. For instance, just the Venom Tribe alone could provide numerous unique goods."
Amy praised, "That\'s a good suggestion."
Others voiced no objections. With over a hundred tribe\'s warriors present and the formidable strength of Enzo, there was ample confidence among them.
However, with only two questions remaining, the crowd had no solution.
They just left these two issues to await Enzo\'s return.
Three days later, the tribe continued to progress steadily. Planted vegetation sprouted green shoots, new bamboo houses were constructed, and fresh bamboo shoots were harvested.
Watchtowers in the training area were erected, providing a vantage point over the entire tribe.
It could reduce the need for patrol members.
Additionally, a large quantity of fish from the lakes was caught and processed into dried fish, serving as reserves for the tribe.
At this time, Enzo and his party returned to the tribe.
The faces of Vanguard squad members like Heru beamed with smiles.
Others like Yara were visibly thrilled.
Everything before their eyes was unbelievable—the towering bamboo walls, the expansive lake, and those beautifully constructed bamboo houses... All of this far exceeded Yara\'s group\'s imagination. Even after witnessing the strength of Enzo\'s group on their way back, they speculated about Enzo originating from a powerful tribe.
However, seeing it with their own eyes was still beyond their imagination.
"Lord Enzo, you\'re finally back!"
Amy couldn\'t contain her excitement as she ran down the slope by the lake shore to embrace Enzo.
Enzo gently rubbed the ears of the fox-like girl and said, "Alright, Amy, that\'s enough."
Then he instructed, "Amy, go inform Brian to wait for me in industrial zone number two. I have an important task for him."
Amy released Enzo and hurried off to notify Brian.
Enzo then turned his gaze towards Yara and her companions.
During the journey back, Yara\'s group had consumed plenty of meat, and their formerly emaciated bodies had recovered significantly, no longer looking like mere skin and bones.
Sensing Enzo\'s scrutiny, Yara and her companions felt extremely nervous.
After all, although they were willing to become Enzo\'s slaves, these days Enzo hadn\'t given them any orders, which made Yara and her companions extremely uneasy, yet they dared not ask.
After some thought, Enzo spoke up, "Yara, I\'m giving you all only one choice now!"
Yara\'s group immediately looked up.
Enzo continued, "The Crimson Star Tribe does not keep idle people. You are now slaves, but you will also be required to participate in work, whether it\'s farming, hunting, or scouting the camp surroundings on your own. Moreover, as long as you provide sufficient value in terms of food or information, you can free yourselves from slave status and become official members of the tribe!"
Upon hearing this, Yara and her companions were stunned.
The immense surprise overwhelmed them, leaving them at a loss for words.
Yara couldn\'t help but ask, "Master, are you saying this is all true?"
Instantly, Yara realized her offense and kept apologizing with her head bowed.
Enzo paid no attention, instead instructing Heru, "Heru, take Yara and the others to register with Ward. Also, inform Ward that from now on, anyone joining the Crimson Star Tribe must abide by these terms. As for the value required, I will provide detailed instructions later."
Heru acknowledged and led Yara\'s group to Ward\'s residence.
Meanwhile, Enzo headed to Industrial Zone Two with the giant bear Betta and other Vanguard squad members.
...
In Industrial Zone Two, Brian, Amy, and others had been waiting for quite some time.
When Enzo finally appeared, Brian greeted him enthusiastically, "Lord Enzo, you\'re finally back!"
Enzo smiled and patted Brian\'s shoulder, saying, "Brian, next I\'ll teach you how to make ironware."
"Ironware!" Upon hearing these words, Brian was utterly shocked.
The last time the traveling merchant Douglas visited the tribe, he brought several iron knives. While these knives couldn\'t compare to Enzo\'s exquisite and sharp dagger, they were much sharper than stone knives, easily cutting through animal hides and meat, saving a tremendous amount of effort. Now, the tribe members were clamoring to use them.
Enzo nodded, affirming, "Yes, ironware!"
Brian went from shock to numbness, mouth agape, struggling to find words.
However, before smelting the iron ore, Enzo instructed that several baskets of coarse salt be collected. Using charcoal to absorb impurities, along with some filtering and dissolving techniques, they produced refined salt.
The task entrusted to Amy.
She had experience from the salt brought by Douglas last time.
Then, Enzo instructed Brian to turn the fired charcoal into carbon powder, mix it with the yellow iron ore brought back, add water, and knead it into clay balls.These balls were then placed into a blast furnace and heated to high temperatures.
Once the burning was complete, they were cooled in water.
The red-hot clay balls sizzled as they hit the water, emitting steam, with the clay dissolving and settling at the bottom of ceramic pots.
Enzo poured out the water.
At this moment, it\'s clear to see that there are many small iron particles in those sediments.
Enzo said, "These are the iron grains. Brian, your task is to collect these iron grains, place them back into the ceramic pots for another round of firing, melting them into molten iron, and then pouring them into molds to make the respective ironware. Now, your mission is to forge some iron weapons to prepare for the upcoming battles!"