Chapter 1202, Infrastructure is What Matters Most

Translator: Silavin

The weather had gradually begun to warm. The vast expanse of primitive forest had turned a rich, lush green.

With the arrival of spring, everything in the forest had come back to life.

The Flame Dragon Tribe had begun attending to agricultural matters, shifting all at once from the leisurely pace of the snow season back into busy industry.

Su Bai sat at his writing desk, holding several sheets of paper, deep in thought. His expression was so serious that no one dared disturb him.

Yu Ying simply stayed quietly at his side, tending to the tea. Occasionally, at the right moment, she would step forward to ease the tension in his shoulders.

Of course, she only dared do this when Su Bai put down his documents, closed his eyes, and rested for a moment.

“Shaman, what have you been so occupied with today? It feels like you’ve been reading things ever since breakfast.” Yu Ying’s soft voice rose.

“I’m looking into agricultural matters for our Tribe. And matters to do with the other Tribes.” Su Bai said.

“Haven’t we already planted many vegetables, wheat and more? What else is there to worry about?” Yu Ying asked curiously.

“Before, we were only one Tribe, so we didn’t need that high of a yield. But it’s different now. We need very large quantities, because we’re involved with many other Tribes.”

Su Bai stretched and picked up a cup of tea. “In the future, our Tribe will have many Tribes beneath us, so I need to prepare for that.”

“But surely it’ll still be a long while away, right? Right now, we only have the Sea Fish Tribe, the Coiled Goat Tribe, and the Horned Goat Tribe under us. We don’t need that much for the time being.”

Yu Ying stepped forward to ease his shoulders and continued, “Looking at our Tribe’s current yields, we can still supply enough. There’s no need for the Shaman to exhaust himself like this just yet.”

“Just wait. After this year there will certainly be more Tribes wanting to join us. So, we need to build up our reserves first.” Su Bai said with conviction.

His expression was that of someone who had already foreseen what was to come. He looked remarkably confident.

“Does the Shaman already have a good strategy in mind? Why would other Tribes willingly join ours?” Yu Ying tilted her head.

“If there were nothing in it for them, of course they wouldn’t want to join. But if you give them enough incentive, do you think they’d be tempted?” Su Bai returned the question.

“If during the rainy season and the snow season they didn’t need to worry about food or clothing, and their Tribe’s own safety could be guaranteed, and on top of that their quality of life improved, they should be moved by that.”

Yu Ying counted on her fingers, her pink fox tail swaying back and forth as she did.

“Exactly. So, what I’m planning now is with the future in mind. The reason we’re planting so much grain is that most of it is meant for the other two Tribes.”

Su Bai set down his teacup.

“Does the Shaman mean the Horned Goat Tribe and the Coiled Goat Tribe? Are we to distribute this grain to them for free?” Yu Ying blinked her pink eyes repeatedly.

At first, she had assumed the grain was being grown as reserves, and also for when future Tribes joined theirs, so that the food could be used in trade. She had not expected the food was being grown to give away. She was a little confused now.

“Those two Tribes are too far behind. They urgently need our Tribe’s help to develop. And they’ve already signed a Contract with us. They will not betray us.” Su Bai took out a sheet of written paper and handed it over. “This lists the things meant to help reform them. Once the other Tribes see these, do you think they won’t be tempted?”

Yu Ying took the paper and began to read. The characters on it were mostly common ones and fairly simple. For her, they were all recognisable.

She murmured to herself as she read, “Laying cement roads, building cement houses, developing agriculture and animal husbandry…”

These were all things the Flame Dragon Tribe already had. Everything visible on that paper belonged to the Flame Dragon Tribe.

“Shaman, are these things really going to be replicated in the other Tribes?” Yu Ying asked, astonished.

She felt that these things represented all of the Shaman’s effort and care. It was precisely because of them that the Flame Dragon Tribe had developed so well.

The other Tribes all envied these things deeply. The idea of suddenly placing them in other Tribes felt a little difficult to accept.

“Yes. But it won’t be entirely the same as our Tribe. There will be some differences. Our Flame Dragon Tribe will still have the best.”

Su Bai smiled faintly and continued to explain, “It is precisely because of having these things that we can attract other Tribes to join the Flame Dragon Tribe. Only then can we grow stronger.”

He had come to a realization. Simply urbanising the Flame Dragon Tribe alone was not particularly meaningful.

What he wanted was to bring together all the Tribes across the entire continent. Ideally to form something like a kingdom.

This ambition had only come to Su Bai recently. And he had the strength to act on it. That, he supposed, was the confidence of someone who had the means to accomplish his goals.

“I understand now. That way these Tribes can trade with one another, but they all belong to our Flame Dragon Tribe. In the end, we come out ahead.” Yu Ying began to grasp it.

She had at first genuinely felt it was a pity to give away such good things. But thinking it through now, what could be returned in exchange was far too vast and substantial.

“So, what we need to do now is get the other two Tribes to develop quickly. Then the rest will follow one after another.” Su Bai said mildly.

“Yes. The Shaman thinks of things none of us would ever have considered. You plan so far ahead.” Yu Ying could not help but marvel.

“Once more and more Tribes have joined ours, we can begin to formally change the name.” Su Bai thought it should not take too long.

“Shaman, doesn’t all of this have to wait until after that matter is resolved?” Yu Ying suddenly grew serious.

“Of course. Word should come back soon enough. It’s time our Tribe gets ready.” The corner of Su Bai’s mouth curved slightly.

He was very confident about this matter. He was now very eager.

Because only once that matter was resolved could Su Bai turn his mind to everything else in peace.

In his view, expanding territory and building infrastructure were what mattered most. He did not want to be too concerned over war and the like.

“This should be the last time.” Yu Ying’s expression was something difficult to name. A kind of gravity.

“Don’t worry. Nothing will go wrong.” Su Bai replied, equally serious.