Chapter 495 - 33: Native Prisoners
Fuelled by coffee for nearly 24 hours, Chen Zhou’s head was throbbing from the lack of rest.
Saturday, who stayed up with him, was younger, and although he was slightly listless, he didn’t look too fatigued.
The meal prepared for the three-person team had been ready for a long time, reheated twice after cooling down.
While waiting, Chen Zhou personally went to the beach twice, but there was no sign of the three returning.
According to the plan, the three should have been back long ago, but it had been delayed.
Chen Zhou felt a little sleepy at first, but he couldn’t fall asleep worrying about the three-person team, especially Sunday.
After waiting for almost half an hour on the second floor, just as Chen Zhou was about to head back to the beach to check, he finally saw a native striding forward, running from the direction of the sea.
This man was assigned by Saturday, specifically left at the beach to observe the situation. No news from him was bad news; if he came back to report, it was likely the three-person team had returned.
...
At this point, Chen Zhou no longer expected the three-person team to complete the mission smoothly by capturing some natives, just hoping that Sunday returned unharmed and in one piece.
Upon confirming from the native that a ship was rowing towards the island, Chen Zhou immediately called Saturday, and together with Lai Fu, hurried to the beach.
...
When Chen Zhou arrived at the beach, the sailboat had just docked in the channel connecting to the sea, dropping its anchor.
In front of the sail furiously flapping in the wind, Sunday, clad in full camouflage, stood straight at the bow, his face under the steel helmet radiating pride.
Just from seeing that brat’s expression from afar, Chen Zhou knew this mission had surely been accomplished and the outcomes likely exceeded his expectations.
When Sunday and the others stabilized the boat, and unloaded the natives one by one, Chen Zhou’s speculation was confirmed.
A total of 15 native captives, all of whom were able-bodied young male natives.
In Chen Zhou’s eyes, natives of this age group were the most suitable population resource. They could replenish the island’s labor shortage and, due to their young age, they hadn’t formed solidified thoughts, possessing strong learning and adaptability skills, making it easier for reformation.
...
"How about it?"
Looking at the neatly lined-up native captives, Sunday proudly tilted his head back and smugly asked Chen Zhou.
"Not bad, but don’t get cocky, keep up the good work!"
Chen Zhou was very satisfied with Sunday’s performance, but as deeply ingrained in the Chinese, he remained humble, even if his own child was outstanding, outright praise was avoided.
Despite lacking excitement in his words, the admiration and approval in Chen Zhou’s eyes were genuine.
The long wait that brought this rewarding result was already very worthwhile for him.
Unable to hide his fatigue, Chen Zhou asked if Saturday could still hold on.
Receiving a positive answer, he waved his hand, indicating that all subsequent matters be entrusted to Saturday, then left with Sunday for the factory.
"Tell me the intelligence gathered and the details of the action after I’ve had a rest.
You all haven’t slept either, have some food at the celebration banquet and get some rest early.
After the meal, gather Kosu and Kulu’s gear and clothing, then drag the sailboat ashore, to a place away from seawater.
How to handle these natives has been discussed with Saturday, he hasn’t closed his eyes since your departure yesterday; help him more after you’ve rested."
...
With Sunday and the other two returning safely, the taut string in Chen Zhou’s heart finally relaxed.
After returning to the second-floor bedroom of the factory, he collapsed into bed, falling into a deep sleep before he even undressed, completely oblivious to the world.
...
At the same time, Saturday summoned several natives, ordering them to transfer these natives to a few vacant wooden cabins and keep them strictly guarded.
When the factory was under construction, natives had built some rather simple double wooden huts, which were now perfect for use.
The fifteen natives were divided into four groups, with the first three groups having four people each and the last group with three, locked in the huts.
Saturday specifically instructed not to feed these natives until the leader gave clear orders, unless they fainted from hunger; they were only allowed water.
Each group of natives was supervised by one person, and during the supervision period, the natives were not allowed to leave the hut; all waste was to be disposed of inside the hut.
Communicating with these natives was forbidden. If caught communicating privately, light punishment involved whipping, and severe cases could entail death.
In short, how to specifically tame the natives, educate them, and integrate them into this big family, all awaited the leader’s personal decision.
...
Chen Zhou’s plan to capture natives was known only to him, Saturday, and the three-person team, while everyone else was kept in the dark.
Though curious about how natives from the same tribe were captured onto the island, the intimidation from the leader and Sunday deterred them from asking, leaving them to obediently follow orders.
Moreover, truth be told, after being exposed to civilization on the island for a full year, they no longer had any identification with the primitive native tribes.
Being in a higher position was preferable to living like primitive beasts.
They now communicated daily in Chinese, lived in windproof and rainproof cabins, slept on comfortable beds, and ate meals with various seasonings, having long since scorned their past lives.
Seeing these naked, still unrefined natives, they even developed a sense of superiority, as if a distinction had occurred among those with the same skin color, completely forgetting that they once had been in this state themselves.