Chapter 457 – Expansion is a must, but it should not done blindly

What kind of tribe is this?

The Donkey Tribe leader was still shaken by the realization that another tribe’s leader had brought their entire tribe to join this new tribe. He had thought he knew enough about this wealthy and powerful tribe, but now it all seemed unfamiliar.

After some reflection, his worries eased a bit. The wealthy and powerful tribe was still friendly and hadn’t turned evil despite its strength. As long as a tribe wasn’t evil, it wasn’t something to be particularly afraid of.

“￥?”

After walking for a while, the Donkey Tribe leader suddenly stopped and asked his people behind him whether they would join this wealthy and powerful tribe.

Some Green Tribe members immediately said they didn’t want to join, while others hesitated before saying they didn’t want to. However, some hesitated for a while before agreeing.

These members remembered the enviable things they had seen in the other tribe and were swayed by the enticing descriptions they had heard from the original Green Tribe members about life in the Green Sparrow Tribe. They thought their leader perhaps wanted to follow the Green Tribe’s example and lead them to join this wealthy tribe, so they eagerly agreed.

The Donkey Tribe leader’s already dark face grew even darker. He had thought that his well-provided tribe would not be drawn to the wealthy tribe, but he hadn’t expected this response.

He put the salt jars down from his shoulders and went over to those who had hesitated or agreed, kicking them in the rear. After everyone had expressed that they didn’t want to join, he picked up the salt jars again and stormed off.

His tribe’s life was improving, though not as well as the wealthy tribe’s, but it was better than average. He couldn’t possibly abandon his tribe to join that powerful tribe like the Green Tribe leader had done.

Thinking this, the Donkey Tribe leader shook his head and smiled.

Holding a basket, Han Cheng had already gathered a lot of tender mustard greens. He crouched down, used a small white trowel to dig into the soil, pulled up the mustard greens with his left hand, and placed them into the basket.

The most delicious mustard greens don’t flower in the spring. When cleaned, chopped, and mixed with golden-fried eggs and seasonings, they make an excellent filling for dumplings.

Unlike other dumpling fillings that can release water during cooking, mustard greens keep their firmness and provide a satisfying chewiness.

Unfortunately, while the Green Sparrow Tribe had mustard greens and eggs, they didn’t have flour. Millet could be ground into flour, but it wasn’t sticky enough, and mixing it with water wouldn’t form a dough. This left Han Cheng quite frustrated.

In this era, even a bowl of dumplings had become a luxury. Han Cheng had hoped for years to taste dumplings, but he still hadn’t had the chance.

These mustard greens must be briefly boiled and mixed with salt and vinegar for a cold salad.

With a sense of regret, Han Cheng stood up and looked in the direction where the Donkey Tribe had left.

With the addition of the Green Tribe, the labor shortage in the Green Sparrow Tribe has significantly been alleviated.

At present, there is no need to consider targeting the Donkey Tribe.

Even if the Donkey Tribe members were to request to join the Green Sparrow Tribe voluntarily, Han Cheng would disagree.

Firstly, the Green Sparrow Tribe has just absorbed the Green Tribe and has not yet fully integrated them.

Secondly, the Donkey Tribe differs from ordinary tribes; it now functions as a trade outpost for the Green Sparrow Tribe.

Through it, the Green Sparrow Tribe maintains indirect contact with other surrounding tribes.

Thirdly, and most importantly, is the issue of food.

Expanding a tribe is not as simple as recruiting more people; it involves many considerations, the most important of which is whether the tribe can produce enough food to sustain the newly absorbed population.

After absorbing the Green Tribe last winter, the Green Sparrow Tribe’s capacity to support its population is now nearly at saturation.

They would need to intensify land reclamation and increase food production to expand further.

Only with surplus food can they continue to absorb other tribes to strengthen their tribe.

Forced assimilation is possible, but it would severely lower the Green Sparrow Tribe’s current standard of living.

A significant drop in living standards could easily lead to problems.

The saying “Poor people are calculative, rich people are kind-hearted” may be somewhat absolute, but it holds some truth.

When people are so impoverished that even basic survival is difficult, they are forced to endure things they usually detest.

If Han Cheng were ruthless enough, he could view the new arrivals merely as laborers, provide them with minimal resources, and make them perform heavy labor.

He could let them die from exhaustion or starvation and continue expanding without concern for their well-being.

But the problem is that he is not a purely primitive person. As someone from a more recent era, he cannot bring himself to treat people’s lives so callously.

If he did so, his current sense of tranquility would vanish, and he would likely be utterly miserable.

Life was complicated enough in his previous era, full of humiliation and unspeakable hardship. He cannot allow himself to live in such a manner now that he is in this new world.

Expanding the tribe while maintaining a comfortable and dignified life is what Han Cheng has been striving to achieve.

Otherwise, as the tribe grows, if he becomes disheartened and exhausted, it would genuinely be distressing.

The cold and crisp marinated mustard greens with scallions and vinegar were refreshing, and Han Cheng enjoyed his meal.

Most others in the Green Sparrow Tribe still prefer meat.

Gu devoured his meal, finishing several bowls of rice in no time.

After placing his bowl into a pot of clean water and wiping his mouth, he continued to dig.

Han Cheng’s insistence on letting him rest before continuing was noted with a nod.

Seeing Gu’s determination back, Han Cheng silently acknowledged his capability as the former leader of the Green Tribe.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay