Chapter 453: First Full Meeting

In the swirling snow, Grant walked along the field ridges of Jin Hui Farm, inspecting the ripening wheat ears.

More than half a year has passed since the first batch of Northwest Wheat No. 1 was sown.

Stretching as far as the eye could see, the fields—green, yellow, or a blend of both—formed an unbroken expanse, like an ocean without edges.

Compared to ordinary wheat, Northwest Wheat No. 1 had another extraordinary advantage: it required only extreme cold and low temperatures; ice element replaced sunlight as its essential growth factor.

In the Northern Lands, both extreme cold and ice element were ever-present.

This meant Northwest Wheat No. 1 could be planted on any of the 360 days of the year.

It was a Detianduhou advantage.

Thus, the cultivated area of Jin Hui Farm expanded at an astonishing rate.

Grant walked up to a golden field—this was the early-sown wheat nearing harvest.

He crouched down to examine the wheat; the ears were thick and plump, numerous, even larger than any wheat he had ever seen before.

Without needing to harvest or weigh it, Grant knew this field would yield a bountiful harvest.

All of this was due to Minister Florala's efforts.

Under her work, the iterative upgrades of Northwest Wheat No. 1 continued at high speed; current yield per mu had risen to 160–180 kilograms.

Compared to the initial yield, this was nearly tripled.

The total cultivated area of Jin Hui Farm had reached three hundred thousand mu.

Though much of this land had only been cleared and not yet sown, it was merely a matter of time.

Before His Majesty's ascension, Phoenix's only farmland—the volcanic soil—produced less grain than needed to feed the tribe's Ice-blooded mages.

Yet this transformation had occurred in just eight months.

Thinking of it, Grant felt as if it were a dream, too extravagant to be real.

While lost in such thoughts, he suddenly heard a clamor and commotion.

Grant rose in surprise and turned toward the noise.

There he saw a familiar figure, long absent, riding his beast-companion, the Snow Wolf, heading toward the city, accompanied by Elder Gaien.

Grant froze for a moment, then his expression turned to delight.

His Majesty has returned!

Phoenix, City Hall.

Upon his return, Gao De's first act was to convene the first full meeting of the Zhenbing Tribe's senior leadership.

Though called a "full senior meeting," the number of attendees was small.

War Mother Su Nai, two ministers of the Nongye Force, two deputy directors of the Public Security Bureau, three fourth-ring elders of the Zhenbing Tribe, and one Dameng.

Dameng was not a senior leader.

But since the Ministry of Education was one of only three municipal departments in Phoenix, and since Gao De himself served as its minister, someone had to attend and report on the specific teaching conditions at the First Middle School during his two-and-a-half-month absence.

Sunlight from the snowy day streamed through the windows into the conference room.

Gao De and Su Nai sat at the head table; he scanned the room and frowned slightly, his foremost thought being: "We are desperately short of people!"

With so few present, this was far from the competent city hall Gao De had envisioned—even calling it a makeshift setup was generous.

A makeshift setup, at least, is still a setup.

To give the city hall its first shape, the most critical task was education work under the Ministry of Education.

This was why Gao De had prioritized the Ministry of Education from the start.

"Let everyone report on their department's recent status," Gao De said slowly, as all had arrived. "Start with Dameng."

"Yes, Your Highness." Dameng, the guardian, immediately stood and bowed, his expression still stiff and uneasy.

After all, by status and rank, he had no business being here—he was only present because the Ministry of Education had no other personnel.

He unfolded a prepared scroll, brittle from the Northern cold; carefully, he laid it flat and reported earnestly:

"The First Middle School of Phoenix currently has thirty-nine second-tier teachers, offering three basic courses: General Language Reading and Writing, Ais Language Reading and Writing, and Elementary Mathematics, with a total of 3,569 students."

"Two teaching campuses have been completed and are in use, capable of housing over eight thousand students; a new campus is under construction."

"The main issue at the First Middle School is a severe shortage of teachers. Roughly, Phoenix has over fifty thousand school-age children, but with only thirty-nine teachers, current enrollment has nearly reached capacity; further increases would compromise teaching quality."

"Moreover, I am the sole teacher teaching General Language Reading and Writing—I cannot even meet the needs of current students."

"However, I have organized other second-tier teachers to study General Language with me at night; since all have mastered 【Understand Language】, progress has been rapid, and within one to two months, they will be qualified to teach," Dameng added.

Due to limited teaching resources and the teachers' own qualifications, the First Middle School's curriculum currently focuses on general education.

General Language Reading and Writing and Ais Language Reading and Writing, of course, are the most fundamental literacy courses—the foundation of education.

Elementary Mathematics, meanwhile, was compiled personally by Gao De, covering basic units of measurement, Arabic numerals, reading, and simple calculations.

The content is simple, because if it were difficult, the teachers couldn't teach it.

Gao De pondered for a moment, his fingers lightly tapping the table, producing crisp sounds; he spoke slowly:

"Continue construction of the new campus, aiming for a capacity of one hundred thousand students—ensure that as soon as teachers are available, school-age children can enroll immediately."

"As for the teacher shortage, I will find a solution. Also, Dameng's initiative in organizing other teachers to self-study General Language is excellent and deserves recognition." He nodded slightly, generous with his praise.

In truth, the current student-to-teacher ratio at the First Middle School was severely unbalanced.

Thirty-nine teachers serving 3,569 students meant a ratio nearing 1:100; yet with the limited curriculum and simple content, it was still barely manageable.

But this was only temporary; mage education and skill training must soon be added to the agenda.

Before that, the teacher shortage must be resolved urgently.

Short of people. Short of people.

Gao De sighed again.

In the early stages of development, there were simply not enough usable people anywhere.

After reporting on the First Middle School, Dameng quietly withdrew.

Now came the real senior meeting.

"How is the Nongye Force faring?" Gao De glanced at the tiny figure hovering midair, legs crossed in meditation, and smiled faintly.

"Your Majesty, I will report on the Nongye Force's status."

Grant looked at Florala, then stood up voluntarily—he knew Florala, though the backbone of the Nongye Force, could not recall complex figures.

"Jin Hui Farm has now cleared 310,000 mu of land; under Minister Florala's efforts, yield per mu has risen to 160–180 kilograms."

Hearing her name mentioned, Florala's face remained impassive, her delicate features unchanged; yet her small, delicate wings, behind her back, twitched slightly open, as if beyond her control.

Not just Gao De—everyone in the room noticed Florala's delight, but all Moqi ly pretended not to see, sitting upright and serious.

"With such high yield, the current farmland area fully meets the tribe's food needs; however, nearly 150,000 mu of the 310,000 mu remain unplanted."

"Though the number of farmers at Jin Hui Farm has reached twenty thousand, it is still insufficient to cover such a vast planting area."

"But with War Mother's support, we are steadily expanding our workforce and expect to reach forty thousand within two months."

"Currently, the Zhenbing Tribe consumes about 250,000 kilograms of wheat daily; Jin Hui Farm's average daily output is roughly 210,000 kilograms, and surplus grain should arrive soon."

Grant spoke slowly, each word clear and firm.

"Additionally, as you requested, we are expanding Jin Hui Farm's area to prepare for future grain trade and growth."

"Your Majesty, should we implement a fallow plan?"

"Excellent. Yield has doubled since the beginning. Well done, Minister Florala." Gao De first lavished praise on Florala, then turned to the matter at hand:

"Northwest Wheat No. 1 can be planted year-round; the priority now is to keep expanding planting area. No fallow plan is needed yet—the snowland soil has never been farmed; its fertility is sufficient for the next few years."

"Also, the Nongye Force has two more tasks ahead."

Gao De paused, then continued: "First, build grain storage warehouses; second, construct mills. Northwest Wheat No. 1 has a coarse texture—it must be ground into flour. The Northern Lands' constant fierce winds make wind-powered mills ideal."

"Your Majesty—"

Deputy Minister Grant hesitated, his face showing slight difficulty, then voiced his concern: "No one in the tribe possesses the craftsmanship to build wind-powered mills, and the Northern Lands currently lack the necessary timber."

"I know," Gao De nodded slowly. "First, select a site. I will secure the craftsmen and timber needed for the mills. As for the warehouses, construction may begin immediately."

"Understood." Since Gao De had spoken, Grant had no further objections.

Next came Kaitlin's report.

She rose, posture straight, eyes sharp with determination and competence.

"Your Highness, since Northwest Wheat No. 1 became known, rats have multiplied in Phoenix and around Jin Hui Farm."

"As you instructed, we mobilized the people to help us inspect and eliminate them; we did catch many, but due to limited manpower and too many areas to cover, some inevitably escaped."

"Also, in the past half-month, six small tribes have joined the Zhenbing Tribe; their members have clashed several times with our original tribespeople."

"Though we arrived promptly to prevent escalation and punished both sides, this remains a superficial fix."

Gao De narrowed his eyes slightly.

This was expected.

First, different tribes naturally have divergent customs and traditions—just as dorm mates from all over a university campus clash over habits, how much more so between tribes?

Second, identity issues: original Zhenbing tribespeople instinctively feel superior to these newly joined small tribes, resenting them for "freeloading" on tribal resources.

Meanwhile, the newcomers lack belonging, creating rifts.

But the problem is not hard to solve. Gao De thought for a moment, then decided: "Nongye Force, when expanding the farm, prioritize recruiting able-bodied youth from these newly joined small tribes to join labor."

Once they grow food, they will naturally develop belonging; our tribespeople will no longer see them as mere takers."

As for cultural differences, once the teacher shortage is resolved, this will naturally dissolve.

When children from different tribes attend school together, relationships will naturally blend.

"Any other reports?" Gao De noticed Kaitlin had not sat down.

"The Public Security Bureau currently has only fifty personnel—far too few," Kaitlin hesitated, then spoke: "If possible, I request expanding the bureau's strength to two hundred."

"Approved." Gao De nodded without hesitation.

He even felt a bit pleased—at least someone was now offering ideas based on real work conditions to improve the municipal system, rather than waiting passively for his orders: "Submit your application first; we'll discuss the specific plan with Mother War later."

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Catherine said happily, then bowed again. "My report is complete."

"Well done. You've worked hard," Gao De said, clapping twice to show his approval.

The former Snow Plain Guardian's holy maiden seemed to have fully adapted to her new role and was now devoting herself entirely to Phoenix's construction.

This was an excellent example.

"My King," Su Nai thought for a moment, then spoke, since all three current departments of the city hall had finished their reports: "Since I signaled half a month ago that we welcome other tribes to join, we've absorbed six small tribes. Currently, three small tribes and one medium tribe have sent envoys to Phoenix expressing their desire to merge with our Zhenbing Tribe."

This was clearly good news, though Su Nai looked somewhat troubled. "My King, are you truly planning to absorb every Es person who wishes to join Zhenbing Tribe?"

"Why not? The food pressure will be resolved soon," Gao De smiled.

"The food pressure can indeed be resolved, but there are simply too many tribes—large and small—across the Northern Frontier. If this continues, by year's end, Phoenix's population will swell by two or three hundred thousand. That already far exceeds Phoenix's current carrying capacity."

"I'm not afraid of too many people—I'm afraid they won't come," Gao De said without worry. "Besides, my next step is to completely re-plan and rebuild Phoenix."

"Spread the word: before this year ends, any tribe seeking stable food and shelter may report to Zhenbing Tribe and apply to join. Emphasize especially this year's deadline."

The reason for setting this deadline isn't to impose a real restriction, but to make the whole matter seem more credible and create urgency.

It's like a pie falling from the sky—few would dare eat it, fearing a trap. But if people must wake early and queue to claim their pie, the line will stretch endlessly.

(End of Chapter)