Chapter 881: Western Development Group

All the savages have now grown quite sturdy; although they cannot compare to the locals of Huaxia, compared to the savages of the strange tribes, they are already strong enough.

After an entire winter of various ideological teachings and baptisms, they have thoroughly identified themselves as Huaxia people, and their sense of identity with Huaxia is extremely strong. Coupled with the fact that they are occasionally taken to Huaxia City to take a look and witness just how powerful and good Huaxia is, this allows them to want to integrate into Huaxia even more profoundly.

Plus, everyone's attitude toward these newcomers is very good, with no exclusion or belittling, making everyone love the place of Huaxia even more.

As for their loyalty, Huaxia is not worried in the slightest; after all, being able to have enough to eat and being provided with protection is a good place that many tribes cannot even beg for, so how could they possibly have any dissatisfied thoughts?

Currently, only their unity remains to be verified, as they are, after all, several tribes united together, but they have gradually cultivated some friendship among themselves; barriers still exist, but they have clearly become much smaller.

Another thing is the fear that they might not obey management later on; several Tribal Chiefs have been removed from their positions, trading their status for wealth, though their tribesmen might still listen to these Tribal Chiefs.

It is mainly to ensure that a certain amount of influence can be won over that Ma and another Tribal Chief were allowed to retain some power. They have studied in school for so long that they already have a very clear understanding of Huaxia's hierarchy and official ranks; they understand that they currently occupy an advantage in status, otherwise, with their own abilities, it would be impossible for them to be officials.

But Huaxia also intentionally tells them that the top leaders of Huaxia today were just like them at the beginning—knowing nothing and understanding nothing—and only learned slowly. They are told, both openly and covertly, that they too can be like those people and ascend into the ranks of Huaxia's Advanced leadership.

It is painting a big picture, but this big picture is truly achievable. If Ma and the others can successfully build the city in the west, how could they possibly be treated unfairly? Even if they are eventually replaced due to insufficient ability, they can still be granted a Nobility title and become a Noble.

Ma and the others, who already understand the general situation, have decided to actively cooperate with Huaxia's requirements and fulfill their responsibilities. Moreover, they are very clear about the identity of one of those five young men—he is an existence they absolutely cannot afford to offend. Even if he is younger than them and has no foundation in this new Tribal Alliance, they dare not offend him in the slightest.

Finally, this team of less than two thousand people was named the Western Development Group by Baifeng, with Ce as the Regimental Commander, responsible for coordinating the overall situation and arranging work, while Ma and another Tribal Chief, Zhi, serve as Deputy Regiment Commanders. The other four young men are responsible for the professional matters in their respective fields to guide this entire Regiment in construction.

In order for this great undertaking to proceed smoothly, Baifeng unprecedentedly arranged for them to have Iron tools, and everyone was equipped with Iron Weapons; of course, these were phased out by previous troops and were not active-duty standard weapons, but this was already enough.

Bows and Crossbows were also equipped in large numbers; this is a huge reliance for improving their ability to resist enemies and hunt. The several young men were also equipped with a few Bombs to use at critical moments.

As for Wuzhong, Baifeng had a separate talk with him, which could be considered some concern for the descendant of a friend. He is not afraid of people gossiping and saying he is biased toward Wuzhong; so what if he is biased? Chi died for Huaxia, and his son should be taken care of.

In any case, when Wuzhong left, he had a long bag strapped to his back, exactly the same as the one Xiong carried at the time; this bag would not be opened except at a critical moment.

As for other things that needed to be prepared, Baifeng did not neglect them because of these people's status; not a single thing was missing. It is mainly because Baifeng wants to use them and needs them to open up territory for Huaxia. He understands the principle of wanting the horse to run while also wanting the horse not to eat Grass.

Even if those supplies were truly seized by other tribes, it would not pose too great a threat to Huaxia, as the quantity is relatively small.

One hundred oxen were distributed to them to be used for plowing fields and doing heavy work, but they cannot be used as War Oxen. Untrained oxen cannot be used for fighting; they are very likely to go mad and accidentally injure their own people.

Many other types of livestock were also distributed; only in this way can their long-term development be guaranteed. Even if a disaster strikes and there is not enough food, these livestock can sustain them until Huaxia sends them supplies.

Spring plowing is still continuing, but they can no longer wait. After Xuanyuan traveled south by Boat, the Western Development Group also set off in a grand manner.

In order to send them enough food and supplies at once, the Ministry of War also dispatched more than three hundred people to escort the supplies, and the Ministry of Revenue mobilized a large number of oxen and a large number of tenant farmers to carry the supplies, bringing the entire team to over four thousand people.

This can be considered the operation with the largest number of people Huaxia has ever dispatched at one time; in the past, it was just relocation or construction, and even for the construction of Xiao Town, not many Huaxia people were dispatched.

Food enough for them to eat for more than half a year, plus all the necessary tools and livestock, were all brought along on this journey, while the people participating in the operation only carried enough food for their own round trip and would not touch the food sent to this team.

About to leave Huaxia City, these people are reluctant to part. They know their mission very well: before the city is built, most people will likely have no chance to return to Huaxia for several years, but the leadership still has to return once a year to report on their work.

Many pigeons were also brought along. Only after Ma learned the use of those pigeons did he understand why the Zhangshan Tribe was punished like that. Although it was ruthless enough, after he understood Huaxia's penal code, he knew that for Huaxia, such a punishment was already heavy enough.

The Zhangshan Tribe has completely disappeared, and their tribesmen were cleared out and distributed to various tribes, but now they have been gathered together again. Before setting off, Baifeng personally went to see everyone and clearly told the people of these tribes: "Now, you do not belong to any one tribe; all of you are Huaxia people. Your collective is the Western Development Group. There are no Tribal Chiefs here, no tribes; all wealth belongs to you collectively."