Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 321 Xinhua Bay Colonization Team (Part 3)
"...On April 20, in the afternoon, the indigenous tribes near Xuanhamburg crossed the Qingchuan River in two dugout canoes and found the second production team's reclamation area, where they had a fierce dispute with them over the ownership of the land."

"In a moment of tension, an armed militiaman pulled the trigger of his musket. Although the bullets did not harm any of the natives, the sound of the gunshot startled them all away, and they hurriedly boarded a small boat and left."

"The next day at noon, the indigenous tribe gathered about forty young men and women and came to the reclamation area of ​​the Second Production Team again to demand compensation for our forced occupation of the riverbank land."

"The colonization team leader..."

"Get straight to the point, don't ramble on about a bunch of irrelevant details!" Lu Zhenzhong, the head of the Xinhua Bay Colonization Team, waved his hand, interrupting his assistant's report. "As a political assistant, you must remember that when reporting issues to your superiors, you must be concise and to the point, focusing on the outcome and follow-up measures so that your superiors can quickly provide feedback or make the necessary decisions."

"Yes, Captain!" A bead of sweat appeared on Qiao Sanchuan's forehead, his young face filled with tension and anxiety. His fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of his shirt, and his voice trembled slightly as he replied.

"...On April 23, at 3 p.m., Luo Congnan, deputy chief of police and captain of the Xuanhamburg militia, mobilized more than 60 armed militiamen to launch a surprise attack on the local indigenous tribe's camp, killing and wounding 12 people, capturing more than 60 indigenous people, and setting fire to the tribe's camp."

"From April 24 to April 26, our Hamburg militia squadron conducted armed patrols of three surrounding indigenous tribes, proclaiming our New Continent regulations to each tribe and requiring them to comply with the unified management of our colonization team, not to attack each other, and even less to provoke our New Continent."

“Every ten days or month, the tribe shall provide me with corresponding labor and fur tax in tithes, and I shall not disobey.”

"Hmm, what was the natives' reaction?" Lü Zhenzhong nodded slightly.

“The natives… all followed suit,” Qiao Sanchuan replied in a low voice.

“Very good.” Lu Zhenzhong smiled broadly. “Presumably, after this incident, the local people will know who is the boss here and who should be in charge. Although the local people are ignorant and have low productivity, if they are properly trained, they may not be a bad helper.”

"..." Qiao Sanchuan nodded in agreement, "In the future, we can conscript the natives to do many of the rough and tiring jobs in our colony, which will free up more labor for the immigrants under our jurisdiction."

“Besides helping us with some simple and rough work, we also need to let them try to plant some food crops to supplement the future needs of new immigrants in our settlement area,” Lu Zhenzhong said. “We can organize the natives to come and learn how to carry out agricultural planting scientifically and rationally, and we can also help them to renovate the farmland irrigation facilities that have been messed up.”

"For hundreds or even thousands of years, the productivity of the indigenous people has not improved at all. Although they cannot be said to be practicing slash-and-burn agriculture, they are still in an extremely primitive and backward state, wasting such good planting conditions."

"Therefore, they must change their current extensive farming model, planting on a small hillside but only harvesting a few fruits, relying entirely on the weather. We do not expect them to be able to completely support themselves through farming, but at least they should not consume too much of our resources."

"After all, we are not yet self-sufficient in food and still need to import it from Qiming Island headquarters, which consumes a lot of transportation resources. If the natives can plant more, it means that the total food supply of our Xinhua Bay colony can also increase a little, which can alleviate a lot of our pressure."

"The commander-in-chief is right. I will convey your instructions to all the forts and production teams under my jurisdiction later," Qiao Sanchuan said, bowing.

“You must remember…” Lu Zhenzhong turned to look at the group of officials from the colonization team who were accompanying him, his gaze sweeping over each face, and said in a deep voice, “The main task of our Xinhua Bay colonization area for the next three years is farming. In addition, we will focus on water conservancy projects, logging, building houses, and constructing corresponding roads. These infrastructures are the foundation of development. With them, we can gain a foothold and obtain more immigration quotas.”

"As for other secondary tasks, we can put them aside for a while. For example, the administrative building of the colonization team, the dormitory buildings for officials at all levels, and several brick and stone bastions that are currently under construction should be put on hold for now. Now is not the time for us to enjoy ourselves. These frivolous buildings can be built later when the colonization area is more prosperous."

"You must understand, we gave up the excellent working environment and comfortable living conditions at headquarters to come to the Xinhua Bay Colonization Area, precisely to dedicate ourselves to the development and construction of this newly opened territory, not for enjoyment and comfort."

"Gentlemen, the heavy responsibility of developing Xinhua Bay rests on our shoulders, and we must do our utmost!" Lu Zhenzhong concluded, "Of course, with effort comes reward. Xinhua is currently going through a difficult period of development, but it is still in a period of rapid growth, and your future will also be bright and limitless."

"We are willing to dedicate ourselves to Xinhua and die for you!" The crowd responded in unison.
-
"What a pity." Tong Yongxiang walked through the ruins of the indigenous camp, a look of regret on his face. "These roughnecks burned down the entire camp just to establish their authority. It's truly heartbreaking to see!"

Upon hearing this, the two intelligence agents from the Native Affairs Department following behind him exchanged glances and quickly made eye contact.

Is our superior expressing sympathy for the natives?
“Look, although the natives are stupid, they are quite good at choosing places.” Tong Yongxiang pointed to the Qingchuan River not far away and said with a smile, “This place is backed by mountains and faces the water, surrounded by dense forests. It is indeed an excellent location for a campsite.”

"Now, this tribe has been wiped out by our Xinhua, and all of them have been detained in Xuanhamburg, becoming the first batch of dependent people in the colony. So this camp should not be wasted. We can build a fortress to guard the left bank of the Qingchuan River, forming a pincer movement with Xuanhamburg, and it can also serve as an extension of our influence."

“The sir is right,” the two subordinates echoed.

Whether or not to build a fortress is a matter for the adults in the colonization team to worry about. As spies for the intelligence agency, we shouldn't be concerned with this issue, right?
"Hmm, after a slap, it's time to give a sweet treat." Tong Yongxiang clapped his hands and strode out of the camp.

"..." The two subordinates were clearly not keeping up with their superior's abrupt thoughts. They were stunned for a moment, and then saw Tong Yongxiang turn and walk outside. They hurriedly followed.

"Sir, where are we going now?" After walking for a while, the three of them had entered the mountains and forests, and Liang Genshuan couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

He tightened his grip on the scabbard and cautiously surveyed his surroundings.

"To the indigenous tribe camp," Tong Yongxiang replied without turning his head, his tone relaxed yet firm.

"Ah, just the three of us..." Liang Genshuan was taken aback.

A few days ago, we just wiped out a native tribe and then used our powerful military force to threaten the surrounding natives into submitting to our New Continent. How come we're suddenly heading to the native tribe alone, or rather, in groups of three? Aren't we afraid of being captured?
"Although the indigenous people are somewhat foolish, they know fear and are afraid. They also know who dares to bully them and who they cannot mess with," Tong Yongxiang said with a smile. "A few days ago, our Xuanhamburg easily wiped out the largest indigenous tribe in the region, demonstrating our strength. Do you think the other indigenous tribes wouldn't feel fear?"

"Hehe... Therefore, when we go there, we should take steps to appease and win them over, so that they may be put to use by our New Continent."

"Will the natives submit to us?" Cai Aqing asked cautiously. "After all, our arrival has already posed a serious threat to them."

"How did the indigenous tribes on Qiming Island come to submit to us?" Tong Yongxiang asked rhetorically.

"Sir, we have been managing Qiming Island in Xinzhou for over ten years. Any tribes that do not follow us have been dismantled and broken up. In addition, with our continuous education and strict control, we have managed to bring all the more than 10,000 natives on the island under our control."

“You have only seen the great situation that our New Continent has achieved after taking many measures, but you have not explained from the perspective of the natives why they are willing to submit to our New Continent.”

"Please instruct us, sir." Cai Aqing and Liang Genshuan bowed to him.

“After being attacked by the military, the indigenous people, in addition to having the mentality of revenge and retaliation, often choose to appease our New Continent when they feel extremely threatened, in order to avoid greater harm and increase their chances of survival.”

"When we occasionally show a little kindness or appeasement, such as providing food, salt, tools, or even alcohol, or even promising to protect their safety to some extent, the indigenous people will feel grateful."

"Even more so, when the indigenous people receive our help and support, they reduce their psychological pain and grievances by identifying with us, believing that the blows and persecution they have suffered are things that our New South Wales government was forced to do or had extenuating circumstances to do, and that everything is based on their own reasons."

"Huh?..." "Huh?..."

Upon hearing his superior's words, the two subordinates immediately showed expressions of disbelief.

How can this be?

How could a victim, after being persecuted and attacked, be so "understanding," even standing in the position of the abuser, putting themselves in the other party's shoes, and choosing to silently endure it?

Being vindictive, holding grudges, and harboring resentment... these are the kinds of mentality that should be normal, right?

"Don't you understand?" Tong Yongxiang looked at his two subordinates with a smile.

“Sir, I think…” Liang Genshuan’s face was full of conflict.

Isn't this nonsense?

A gentleman does not leave a grudge unavenged. Even if one admits defeat and submits on the surface, it is only due to the relative strength of both sides. One can only swallow one's anger, hide one's intentions, and slowly seek revenge later.

"You all think I'm wrong?"

"..." Liang Genshuan.

"I still remember last year when we were training at the Ministry of the Interior, the Minister mentioned a word to us, and now that I think about it, I feel it's very apt!" Tong Yongxiang said leisurely, "Do you know what word it is?"

"..." Both subordinates shook their heads.

“Prisoner’s worship of the master (i.e., Stockholm syndrome),” Tong Yongxiang said with a smile. “This reflects a morbid admiration of the controlled for the controller.”

“Prisoners yearn for the Lord!” Cai Aqing and Liang Genshuan exchanged a glance, their faces still showing confusion.

"Damn it, I can't explain this to you!" Looking at the stupid looks in his two subordinates' eyes, Tong Yongxiang laughed and cursed angrily, "Kids, you'll figure it out on your own later."

“Hmm, think about how your fathers and grandfathers were willing to be exploited and humiliated by local gentry and powerful families when you were in the Ming Dynasty, and you’ll understand the principle behind this prisoner’s yearning for his master!” After taking a few steps, Tong Yongxiang suddenly thought of something and turned around to say, “Damn it, those Ming Dynasty officials and soldiers who were forced to surrender to the Jurchens must have the same reason!”
-
The shore of the Great Lake (now Lake Washington).

The old chief of the Tuarthu tribe (meaning between the cedar and the sea), Telilihu, sat blankly against a huge rock, staring at the shimmering lake surface, remaining silent for a long time.

The people of Xinzhou by the sea sent word that the tribe should select fifteen clever and quick-witted members to come to their fortress to learn how to build houses and farm for a period of one month.

They also kindly offered to send people to help the tribe reclaim wasteland and plant new crops to replace the previously slow-growing and low-yielding native crops such as Camas (a tuber crop known as the Northwest Breadfruit) and blueberries (artificially pruned shrubs to increase yield).

But the old chieftain, Trilihu (meaning "Soul of the Cedar"), hesitated and did not respond for a long time.

The Hatchuabush tribe (meaning canoe carvers) is the largest tribal power in the region, with a population of over eighty people. They can easily mobilize thirty to forty warriors, and they are also known for building giant cedar warships.

Before the arrival of the New South Wales people, the Hatchuabush tribe was implicitly the organizer and leader of the region's order. Whether it was the fishing of migrating salmon or the division of hunting grounds, everything had to be done according to their arrangements.

Until two years ago, when people from New South Wales set foot on this land, everything changed.

They brought many novelties: spices, salt, cloth, ironware, as well as potatoes, corn and wheat flour that they had never tasted before, and a magical drink that could make people "spiritually connected".

When they first arrived, there were nearly a hundred of them, more than any other tribe, but they showed an extremely friendly attitude.

First, they traded grain and iron tools for a piece of land to settle down, and then they used some spices and salt to obtain permission to fish for salmon in the river.

Then they felled tree after tree and used the wood to build a large camp and many wooden houses.

As people gradually became familiar with each other, the Xinzhou people would trade various trinkets with neighboring tribes in exchange for the tribes' accumulated furs and captured prey. The prices were considered "fair," and both sides were extremely satisfied. Hearty laughter often echoed in the trading area.

However, with another batch of people from New South Wales arriving this year, the whole situation has changed dramatically.

In their interactions with neighboring tribes, the Xinzhou people have become increasingly assertive, even somewhat domineering.

They continued to occupy more land, encroach on more hunting grounds, and impose increasingly stringent conditions on trade.

Two weeks ago, they had a fierce armed conflict with the Hatchuabush tribe over the ownership of the valley land.

What terrified all the tribes was that the Xinzhou people completely annihilated the entire Hachuabush tribe in just one encounter. The camp was burned down, more than ten tribal warriors were killed or wounded, and the remaining tribesmen were all captured by the Xinzhou people.

Immediately following their victory, the New Islanders demanded that all tribes immediately comply with their order and arrangements, not only paying tribute to show their submission but also providing necessary labor.

Under these circumstances, all the tribes chose "obedience," indicating their willingness to submit to the ruling order of the New Continent people.

The people of Xinzhou are not only numerous and powerful, but also possess many formidable weapons. There is no need for us to risk the destruction of our entire community by provoking their might.

Therefore, a temporary compromise and concession would be the wisest course of action.

Moreover, the Xinzhou people brought many useful goods to the tribe, which greatly improved the tribe's living standards.

However, the New Zhou people's demand that the tribe send young members to their fortresses to serve and learn, and to guide and change the tribe's planting habits, is somewhat suspected of interfering with their ancient and traditional tribal culture.

So how should we deal with this?
"Submission is the last resort, while long-term struggle and contest are the clear instructions given to us by the gods."

The high priest murmured, the tortoise-shell bell in his hand shaking continuously, producing a series of crisp sounds, as if conveying the tribe's confusion and prayers to the gods. The sound seemed to echo over the tribe for a long time, lingering in the hearts of every tribesman, as if sounding the prelude to resistance.
-
(End of this chapter)