Chapter 497 - 34: Chen’s Trusted Followers
The 15 indigenous youths newly introduced to the island injected new energy into this power group.
Each of the domesticated indigene received two little attendants.
Just as when they first arrived on the island, these ignorant folks would start learning how to become a "more civilized person," beginning with clothing, eating, speaking, writing, and agriculture, little by little.
According to Chen Zhou’s arrangement, they let the captives move into their small cabins and distributed clothes and shoes made from wooden boards and rattan.
Every morning, the captives would eat, wash up, and attend to personal needs at the restroom with them, then go out to work together.
The domesticated indigenes mastered two languages, being able to speak both Chinese and the indigenous language, facilitating communication with the captives.
The captives could consult their "seniors" about everyday vocabulary.
As for specialized knowledge and more standard pinyin and Chinese characters, the captives had to attend Saturday’s classes for systematic learning.
Saturday was already very experienced in teaching.
Previously, Chen Zhou had to personally attend classes to correct Saturday’s teaching errors, but now he doesn’t need to go to the classroom anymore; he can completely delegate the education of the indigenous captives to Saturday.
...
Being captives, some spent their days with their "civilized" seniors, while others ascended to become the leader’s reserve confidants.
Three teenagers of similar age excelled in the tests conducted by Chen Zhou, thereby escaping a fate similar to others and moving into the factory.
These three not only showed intelligence and adaptability but also their temperaments suited Chen Zhou’s taste quite well.
Chen Zhou cleared a separate dormitory for them on the first floor of the factory, patiently instructing them just as he did with Saturday and Sunday.
This was Chen Zhou’s first explicit training of his cadre outside Saturday and Sunday, so he invested time and effort to oversee these three and even gave them new names.
"Chen Fu, Chen Lu, Chen Shou."
...
The domestication of new members is undoubtedly a prolonged process.
Although Chen Zhou was eager to rapidly expand the power on the island, he was deeply aware that one cannot become fat in one bite, and before thoroughly transforming these 15 captives, continuing to capture more indigenes could only add risks.
Besides, there are many new projects to undertake, and new rewards need to be utilized as soon as possible.
Moreover, seeing August 1st coming soon, there isn’t much time left before September 30th.
Holding a festival, enhancing the new members’ sense of belonging, and preparing to welcome the four-year anniversary awards, there is still so much to do.
...
After entering August, as per usual practice, Chen Zhou led all island members in holding a grand sacrificial ceremony.
From the initial three people, to ten, and now twenty-five.
Throughout nearly four years, from being a lone leader to forming a trio, and now having over twenty loyal subordinates.
Recalling the initial hesitation about whether to take the risk to rescue the indigenes, painstakingly improving the flintlock gun, repeatedly sprinting uphill to train physical endurance, looking at the neatly lined up indigenes behind him, Chen Zhou couldn’t help but feel like he was dreaming.
...
During the sacrificial ceremony, new members who had never heard the gunshots before were scared out of their wits by the terrifying noise.
If it weren’t for the seniors acting nonchalant, and having already been engulfed in the solemn and dignified atmosphere of the ceremony, they would have fled in panic upon hearing the sound.
However, this panic didn’t last long.
After bowing to God, ending the ceremony, and entering the festive banquet phase, all that was left in their hearts was the joy of enjoying the delicious food.
...
The banquet on August 1st was held on the beach.
As night fell, bonfires were set every five meters along the shore from east to west.
The bright flames formed a unique Great Wall.
Beside the bonfires were simple long tables and a lot of food being cooked.
The indigenous seniors showed off their skills, displaying talents honed over time.
Some were good at grilling fish, some at making soup, some had a unique understanding of "beggar shrimps," and others excelled at stir-frying squids to perfection.
Not only did they learn the art of cooking from Chen Zhou, but they also transformed this "advanced" way of eating into a form of internal competition.
Even in cutting vegetables, doing it more neatly and finely meant being superior;
In stir-frying, those who could flip the pan without spilling the ingredients were always proud;
As for soup, according to the Leader, the top quality soup should be milky white.
But without the Leader’s guidance on the secret, they have never figured out how to make the soup milky white.
What they didn’t know was that Chen Zhou himself didn’t know how to make the soup milky white, as soups are not commonly consumed in the north.
...
Reuniting after being separated for a few days, Chen Zhou’s three confidants and their companions sat across from each other on the long tables, inadvertently clustering together.
Having been captives, within a few days, the gap in their spirit and demeanor became apparent.
Chen Fu, Chen Lu, and Chen Shou all wore neatly fitting blue work uniforms, had crew cuts, wore leather boots, with backs straight.
The other indigenous youths wore 17th-century sailor uniforms, with their wooden-soled shoes appearing quite crude, even exposing toes.
Their Chinese was noticeably less fluent than the three of Fu Lu Shou, and their knowledge was also far less than theirs.
Gathered together, these once familiar partners who grew up together had become somewhat unfamiliar.
When Fu Lu Shou spoke, they would use Chinese whenever possible.