The winter days are always long and repetitive.
After Jiang Xuan returned to the tribe, he led the hunting team out several times, gathered some tourists who were about to starve to death, and reorganized the tribe's defense. A winter passed like this.
One day, after Jiang Xuan got up, he heard a ticking sound from under the eaves. He knew that it was the ice and snow on the roof starting to melt.
He washed briefly, then opened the door, and a blast of cold air hit his face.
When the snow melts, it feels colder than snowing.
The dark clouds in the sky that had been hazy for a long time finally dispersed, and the long-lost sunshine shone on the earth, making the ice and snow melt faster.
"It's the seventh year."
Jiang Xuan walked to the yard, bathed in the sunshine, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
"Crash..."
In the bamboo forest, after the ice and snow on a bamboo melted, it fell to the ground. The bamboo slowly rebounded, but after being pressed for a winter, it could no longer return to its straight state.
Jiang Xuan returned to the house, took out the Hsinchu bamboo slips he had prepared, dipped an animal hair brush in special paint, and wrote the five characters "Seven Years of the Rattan Tribe" on the first piece of the bamboo slips.
Then, he wrote another line on the second bamboo slip: The first day of January, sunny.
"call……"
Jiang Xuan spread the bamboo slips flat on the table, and after the writing on the bamboo slips dried, he could put them away.
In fact, at the beginning, Jiang Xuan used the engraving method.
But there is a problem with the engraving method, that is, the carved words are not conspicuous, and you need to trace them again with paint to see the words clearly.
Later Jiang Xuan discovered that the pigment prepared from red peony root was particularly good for writing on animal skin scrolls, and it could be preserved for a long time even if written directly on it.
Therefore, later he simply stopped carving and wrote directly on the bamboo slips with an animal hair pen, which was convenient and practical.
After recording the date as usual, Jiang Xuan began to inspect the tribe, and when he saw any safety hazards, he asked the soldiers to deal with them in advance.
Two days later, as the river water rose, the thick ice on Feiyu River melted rapidly under the erosion of the river water.
"Kachakacha..."
On the river, cracks appeared in the ice, and then the cracked ice began to collide with each other and slowly drift downstream.
On the river bank, the soldiers of the fishing team watched the ice on the river break bit by bit, and everyone became excited.
When the ice moved faster and faster and the river began to surge, Jing Jie, the leader of the fishing team, shouted: "The river is open!"
"good!"
"We can fish!"
The soldiers of the fishing team burst into cheers like a roaring mountain and a tsunami. They had had enough of the long winter and couldn't wait to go out to fish.
The other members of the Vine tribe also had smiles on their faces when they heard the cheers of the fishing team.
The river opened, which meant that winter was officially over. After all the ice and snow on the ground melted, they could start working in the new year.
It's not that the people of the Vine tribe like to work, but because they can only sit and eat in the winter, which gives people a very unreliable feeling.
They are all people who have experienced hunger and cold. They know very well that if they want not to starve, they must work hard. Only by working hard can they bring more food and make it less likely to starve.
After the river opened, two days later, the ice and snow on the ground had almost melted.
The people of the Vine Tribe began to get busy.
Hunting teams and fishing teams were dispatched one after another, and planting teams also began a new round of reclamation and plowing of existing fields.
The breeding team began to repair the pens damaged by heavy snow, because after the arrival of spring, both livestock and poultry will usher in the breeding season.
The trading area also reopened after replenishing a large number of goods.
The entire Vine tribe showed a prosperous scene.
…
At the end of January, as the weather gradually warmed up, Jiang Xuan handed over a large number of seeds obtained from the Black Tooth Tribe and the fish scale fruits obtained from the Crocodile Tribe last winter to Gan Song, the leader of the planting team.
"These seeds are all brought back from the central part of the Southern Wilderness. Each small animal skin bag is a kind of grain or vegetable seed. You can still find some fertile land and plant them separately as before."
"If we are lucky, we can get some grains and vegetables suitable for planting here from these seeds."
"Of course, some grains and vegetables may not be able to adapt to the climate here. It is normal for them not to survive or grow or bear fruit. You don't have to blame yourself when the time comes."
Gan Song looked at the seeds, his eyes shining.
As the leader of the planting team, Gan Song has become a farming fanatic, especially fond of all kinds of new seeds.
Jiang Xuan took out the fish-scale plants again and said, "Although these fish-scale plants are dried up, the fish-scale fruits inside are still intact."
"There are seeds in the fish-scale fruits. You can plant the fish-scale fruits directly next to the stream or in low-lying areas and see if they can grow."
When Jiang Xuan came back from the central part of the Southern Wilderness, it was the cold winter season, and the ground was covered with ice and snow. These fish scales could not be planted immediately, so they all withered.
"Don't worry, chief, I will plant them well."
Gan Song took over this task with confidence.
Jiang Xuan nodded and said, "I believe you."
After handing these seeds to Gan Song, Jiang Xuan left the planting team and went to the wild boar forest in the north of the tribe.
The Wild Boar Forest is surrounded by a tall vine wall. Outside there are a group of tree people enlightened by Shen Teng, and more than a thousand captives are being held inside.
These prisoners were captured during the extermination of the wild boar tribe last summer and have been held here ever since.
After more than half a year of detention, the die-hard elements among the prisoners were basically eliminated, and the tempers of the remaining ones were almost tempered.
Last winter, Jiang Xuan selected twenty team captains among these prisoners and promised them benefits.
With these squad leaders who are familiar with the situation, these prisoners are under stricter control. They cannot escape and can only work obediently.
"Crunch, crunch..."
The gate of the Wild Boar Forest was opened, and Xanthium, the leader of the second guard team of the Vine Tribe, came out to welcome him.
"Chief, you are finally here."
Jiang Xuandao: "Are you ready with all the things I asked you to prepare?"
Xanthium hurriedly nodded and said: "Everything is ready."
"Then go in."
After Jiang Xuan finished speaking, he walked inside.
After entering the gate, the first thing you see is a wide road.
This road was opened bit by bit by the prisoners, with a lot of gravel on it.
On both sides of the road, there are pieces of newly reclaimed land. Nothing has been planted in the land yet. There are many short green grasses growing on it, which look green and tender, which is pleasing to the eye.
Further away, a large number of prisoners were holding tools and continuing to reclaim the wasteland.
They cut down trees one by one in places suitable for reclamation, and then burned them with fire to burn away the weeds, thorns, shrubs, tree roots, etc. on the ground. They could also burn away a large number of insect eggs.
After burning, they used various digging tools to turn over the soil bit by bit. The stones in the ground and the roots of trees and grass that could not be burned had to be dug out and cleaned.
Opening up wasteland is a very time-consuming and laborious job. Even if all these prisoners are soldiers, they are still so tired that they all complain incessantly.
After a long time, they no longer have the strength to resist. After working every day, they just want to eat enough and then have a good sleep.
Jiang Xuan walked forward along the road. When he reached the center of the wild boar forest, a large number of wooden houses appeared in front of him.
These wooden houses are built in rows and are very neat. The roads, canals, ponds, etc. between the wooden houses are also well-proportioned. It is difficult to believe that all prisoners are held here.
In other tribes, the place where captives lived was just like a pigsty, dirty, messy and smelly.
Jiang Xuan asked: "Where is the new wooden house?"
"In the back, I'll take the leader there."
Xanthium led Jiang Xuan through the rows of wooden houses and came to an open space behind them.
This clearing was originally a wasteland, but now, twenty brand-new wooden houses have been built on the wasteland.
Although these wooden houses are not very tall, each one is independent and the wood is thick and strong.
Jiang Xuan pushed open the door of a wooden house and looked inside.
A fire pit has been dug in this wooden house, and a bed has been laid. There is even some hay and an animal skin on the bed.
As long as the fire pit is lit, this wooden house can be occupied.
"not bad."
Jiang Xuan praised, and then said to Xanthium: "Let the prisoners gather in front."
"yes!"
Xanthium immediately asked his soldiers to gather the prisoners.
Soon, the soldiers of the second guard team started shouting, and the prisoners who were reclaiming the wasteland put down their tools one after another, and then walked back one after another to gather in the open space in front of the residential area.
Soon after, more than a thousand prisoners, under the command of their respective squad leaders, lined up and stood in the open space.
After Jiang Xuan waited for everyone to arrive, he stood on a high wooden platform in front of the open space, looking down at all the prisoners from a high position.
The prisoners all knew Jiang Xuan and knew that he was the leader of the Teng tribe, so they all lowered their heads and did not dare to look at him.
"I am the leader of the Teng tribe, Xuan. You should be familiar with me by now. Do you know what I am here to do today?"
The prisoners looked at me and I looked at you, but no one answered.
Jiang Xuan didn't care and continued:
"Last winter, I selected twenty team captains among you. I promised at that time that as long as they could take care of everyone here, I would reward each of them with an independent wooden house, and free themselves from prisoner status and join the An opportunity for the Vine Tribe!”
"So, I'm here today to fulfill my promise!"
Jiang Xuan's words made the team captains' eyes light up. Whether it was a wooden house or the opportunity to escape from being a prisoner and join the Vine tribe, they were very eager.
"All squad leaders come to the front!"
Jiang Xuan gave the order, and the team captains rushed to the front of the high platform and lined up, looking up at Jiang Xuan on the high platform.
"Because you have performed well, on behalf of the Vine Tribe, I will give each of you an independent wooden house. You can move in there tonight!"
"Thank you, chief..."
As soon as Jiang Xuan finished speaking, all the team captains became excited and thanked Jiang Xuan one after another.
They have been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Jiang Xuan had a smile on his face and stretched out his hand to press down. The captains immediately shut their mouths and listened to Jiang Xuan continue.
"Except for the wooden house, I allow you to participate in the Vine Tribe's spring sacrificial ceremony outside!"
"If you don't make any mistakes or cause any trouble this year, then during the autumn sacrifice, you will officially become members of the Vine Tribe!"
Jiang Xuan's words made all the team leaders breathe quickly. This was the opportunity they had dreamed of!
If they could escape from being prisoners and join the Vine Tribe, they would no longer have to be trapped here and live such a miserable life.
Compared to joining the Vine Tribe, an independent wooden house is nothing.
One of the team leaders said: "Don't worry, leader, we will manage this place well and will never cause chaos to the tribe!"
Jiang Xuan smiled and said: "I believe you!"
Jiang Xuan looked at the prisoners behind him and said, "It's not just them, it's the same for everyone. As long as you work well for the tribe, the Vine tribe will not treat anyone who works hard for the tribe badly!"
"In the future, you will also have the opportunity to become a squad leader, live in an independent wooden house, and become a true member of the Vine Tribe!"
Jiang Xuan's words ignited hope in the hearts of the prisoners behind them, and there was light in their eyes.
Now that the wild boar tribe is a thing of the past, and since there is no way to escape, who doesn't want to live a better life?
"Okay, everyone, let's go back to work. All team leaders can move their belongings to the new wooden house at night."
"Thank you, chief!"
The team captains thanked Jiang Xuan, and then each found the prisoners they managed and took them to continue to reclaim the wasteland.
This time, many prisoners obviously worked harder. Everyone saw the benefits obtained by the team captains, and they hoped that they could get them in the future.
Jiang Xuan watched the prisoners leave and then came down from the high platform.
Xanthium looked at Jiang Xuan with admiration. In his opinion, Jiang Xuan's methods were too powerful.
Jiang Xuandao: "Everyone who performs well in the future will be given some rewards. As for whether they are rewarded with food or something else, it's up to you."
"We want these captives to know that in the Vine Tribe, as long as they work hard, they will be rewarded."
"As long as a small number of captives start working hard, others will slowly follow, and we will absorb these captives faster. Do you understand?"
"Understood."
Jiang Xuan made it very clear and straightforward. If Xanthium didn't understand, he wouldn't be worthy of being the leader of the second guard team.
After Jiang Xuan finished speaking, he looked around in the wild boar forest again before leaving.
The Vine Tribe is currently short of people. If all these prisoners can be successfully converted, it will undoubtedly be a huge improvement to the strength of the Vine Tribe.
After leaving the wild boar forest, before Jiang Xuan had gone far, another soldier came over to report that something had happened in the trading area, and Dong Kui asked him to come over.
"What happened?"
"Someone made fake knife coins to exchange for our goods."
"Fake knife coins?"
Jiang Xuan was stunned. The current bronze smelting technology and confidentiality measures were very good, so it should be impossible to leak it.
Could it be that other tribes also mastered the smelting technology of bronze or other metals?
