Chapter 477: Oil Tung

Even though Xiong knew the content that was about to be discussed, he still maintained a very proper attitude; after all, this was the focus of their Ministry of War.

Baifeng had the Shangshu Department set up a new small blackboard, then began to draw a map on it. Once finished, he tossed the chalk into the box and began to point at the map with a teaching rod to explain.

"This here is the original territory of the Jiangben Tribe. Because the Jiangben Tribe has now integrated into Huaxia and no longer exists as a tribe, we will use Liuhuangdi to refer to it instead.

Sulfur Land is currently occupied by this tribe called the Four-Xia Tribe. Does anyone here know how large the population of the Four-Xia Tribe is, or how many Soldiers they have? Xiong did not tell me about this."

Everyone shook their heads. Bai Yulong, who was handling this matter, said: "The Four-Xia Tribe did not say anything themselves. They are also hiding their strength, and we have not been able to find out."

After hearing this, Baifeng stopped dwelling on the issue, as it was only natural for a tribe to conceal its strength. He continued: "Since we don't know what their strength is, let's estimate them as a large tribe and calculate based on five thousand people. In any case, they cannot have more than that; Liuhuangdi cannot support a large tribe. Any Leader with a brain would not lead a highly competitive tribe to seize a barren piece of land; only small tribes would take such a desperate risk.

They want to form an alliance with the Huaxia Alliance, so we shall ally. Our main goal is not their population or land, but the sulfur. Although the sulfur is just sitting there, as everyone can see on this map, we do not have the ability to control that place; we can only try to control it through economic means."

Subsequently, Baifeng spoke about the results of the discussion he, Changle, and Xiong had on the road, indicating that an alliance was necessary. However, Baifeng also proposed some operational details: "Actually, Yulong's 'tenant' proposal just now gave me some new ideas, which is to cultivate this Four-Xia Tribe into our alternative tenants. In the future, we can provide them with slightly more grain, letting them develop the illusion that they don't need to hunt or gather, and that they can survive just by mining sulfur. In the future, they will be the labor force we hire with grain.

Moreover, mining sulfur is a very dangerous task; there are poisonous gases everywhere. Even the former Jiangben Tribe did not dare to go to the very center where the sulfur is most abundant, and could only pick up scattered bits at the far edges.

If the Four-Xia Tribe wants more grain, they will have no choice but to dig in the center, which will result in their lives not being long. As for our own people, until I have developed sufficiently rigorous protective measures, they should not go there if they don't have to. Like our Cement Mine, it is also very dangerous. Ever since we had Slaves, I immediately replaced them; even Slaves should not work there for long.

In the future, these dangerous jobs in our Huaxia should be left to the Slaves to do; do not let our own people do them. Every one of our Citizens is very precious."

No one felt that what Baifeng said was too ruthless; this was how it should be. At the very least, Huaxia's Slaves could eat their fill, stay warm, and live well. Although they were doing life-risking work, if the Slaves were allowed to choose for themselves, they would still choose to be Slaves in Huaxia.

Baifeng continued to add: "Now that the Great River is frozen, the risk of going to Sulfur Land is high and the uncertainty is high. Wait until next year when the ice melts and the river opens, then send the army to the Four-Xia Tribe. Collect as much sulfur as possible for us before the Suiren Clan reclaims that place. Doesn't the Ministry of Works have two Large Ships that are almost finished? Can they be launched next spring?"

The people from the Ministry of Works were very confident: "King, they can be launched. This time the Large Ships are bigger than the previous generations, and even stronger. Especially that Tung Oil you brought; it has now solved the problem of our ships being prone to leaking and rotting."

Baifeng smiled: "The Tung Oil is not my credit; that belongs to Changle. If he hadn't discovered the Oil Tung, I wouldn't have been able to do anything."

The people from the Ministry of Works said with a grin: "It's the same, it's the same. His Highness Changle's contribution is just as great as yours."

Oil Tung was discovered by Changle among the plants he exchanged for with answers from Xuanyuan. Originally, even Baifeng hadn't noticed it, until Changle said he had found a plant fruit that could be used to extract oil. He didn't know if it was edible, but judging by the smell, he guessed it wasn't, so he went to ask Baifeng.

If he only looked at the fruit, Baifeng really wouldn't have recognized it as Oil Tung, but combined with the leaves and branches, he became a bit certain. After testing its waterproofing by coating paper, Baifeng finally confirmed that it was indeed Oil Tung.

Since then, the Wax Seeds of the Oil Tung have always been one of the items in the trade between Xuanyuan and Huaxia. Xuanyuan knew this thing wasn't edible, so he never collected it, but since Huaxia wanted a large amount, it must be useful. Because of their agreement, he couldn't ask what it was used for, otherwise he would have to pay another price, so he just pondered it himself.

Huaxia couldn't grow Oil Tung, which had to do with the temperature being lower than in Huaxia, and even if it could be grown, it would take too many years, so it was better to trade for it. But the quantity each time was too small, and the output of Tung Oil was also low, so Baifeng prioritized letting the Ministry of Works use it for ships. The ships that had already been put into the river could not enjoy this treatment.

However, he also kept some Tung Oil. Originally, he intended to make some Oil Paper Umbrellas to distribute to these officials, but the Oil Paper Umbrella was now added by Baifeng to his upcoming luxury goods plan. The Oil Paper Umbrella would become a product for him to recover the surplus grain from these wealthy families.

Since the Ministry of Works said that two more Large Ships could be launched, Baifeng's plan would be easier to implement. He said: "After the river opens, take a larger number of troops to intimidate the Four-Xia Tribe, and then bring more grain. The first time, there is no need to bring any Bombs. Tell the Four-Xia Tribe directly that they don't need to carry the sulfur to Huaxia themselves; we will transport it ourselves. They only need to dig for sulfur without stopping. As much sulfur as they have, that is how much grain they will get."

Subsequently, Baifeng pointed to an area that no one had explored yet: "This place is an area I passed through during my trip out this time. I found a large amount of Earth Saltpeter on the rock walls there, but because the ground was covered by Snow, I could not know what the situation on the ground was. After the temperature rises next year, this place will also be a key area for our exploration. Let's see if this is a Saltpeter Mine. We were unlucky with the Sulfur Mine and couldn't secure it, but if this really is a Saltpeter Mine, then in the future, Huaxia will never suffer from a lack of firepower."

After this matter was finished, the people from the Ministry of Revenue finally mentioned whether all the "tenants" who came this time should be relocated to the New City, as Huaxia City could no longer accommodate them.

Baifeng just let each department see for themselves if they lacked labor, and if they wanted to request a portion, they should pay for the grain from their own department budgets to handle it. He would not interfere much; whatever was left after they picked would be sent to the New City.

Subsequently, the meeting drew to a close. After discussing some minor issues, this meeting, which had lasted an entire morning, finally ended.