Chapter 529 - 49: The Bicycle Craze
The reunion of a long-separated father and son was certainly a deeply touching scene.
After the mission ended, listening to Sunday vividly describe the scene of Ruth and his child yelling, embracing tightly, Chen Zhou was moved.
Indigenous people are human too, although they possess little knowledge, in terms of emotions and desires, they are no different from modern people.
Like Ruth, who cares deeply for his family and maintains a sincere and concerned heart, not only in the 17th century, even in modern times, such a person would earn Chen Zhou’s recognition.
After hearing from Sunday about Ruth’s ordeal searching for his son and the entire process, Chen Zhou approved Ruth’s request to "resign," transferring him from the maritime logistics team.
People who go on sea missions are best without much concern, so they can fight or sail without distractions.
Nowadays, the island is staffed adequately, unlike before when Ruth’s participation was indispensable, and since Ruth has been longing for his child for so many years, his dream has finally come true. It’s time to let him reunite with his child and spend some good time together.
Therefore, Chen Zhou specifically approved Ruth to visit his child at school once a week—
The kids who were brought back must undergo strict enclosed education at school, correcting fundamental habits cultivated in the native tribe.
Compared to other children, Ruth’s child could be considered fortunate, as the weekly reunion would help him endure this difficult and lengthy period, supporting him in quickly adapting to the new life on the island.
...
The story of Ruth is nearing its end, and it received a satisfactory conclusion, which greatly pleases Chen Zhou, who appreciates clichéd "happy endings."
However, even the most dramatic family matters among the islanders are minor issues, what concerns Chen Zhou the most is the issue of the Spanish armed merchant ship mentioned by Sunday.
Through Sunday’s description and Saturday’s drawing, he quickly obtained a hand-drawn sketch of the Spanish merchant ship that was ninety percent accurate.
When it comes to important matters, Sunday’s observation and memory skills never disappoint.
Even though the large ship was far from him, through the observation with a monocular telescope, he memorized all sorts of details seen on the large ship.
Including the number of cannons, the number of sailors on one side, the number of masts, and whether there were damages to the hull.
With this information, Chen Zhou inferred the firepower of the armed merchant ship and estimated the total number of sailors onboard.
Knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory; being able to gather intelligence with the eyes before a conflict gives a great advantage.
Recording this intelligence in the notebook and hearing Sunday supplement some details about the actions, after roughly understanding the performance of all combat personnel involved in this mission, Chen Zhou left the office.
...
The indigenous people on the other island had a relatively friendly attitude toward outsiders, did not attack rashly, and even followed Sunday’s request by voluntarily sending back Ruth’s child.
This action made Sunday feel favorable toward them, issuing orders to avoid using guns if possible and avoid killing if possible.
Of course, though that was said, once the battle began, the safety of the security team members’ lives must be prioritized.
If casualties occurred in this overwhelming battle, Sunday wouldn’t be able to account for it to Chen Zhou.
Besides, regardless of how honorable the indigenous people are, they are ultimately strangers; these security team members were personally trained by Sunday, being with him day and night, he clearly knows what’s more important.
After the war broke out, as long as there were signs of the indigenous people drawing bows and arrows or throwing wooden spears to injure, or attempting a sneak attack with wooden sabers, he wouldn’t hesitate to use bullets from the gun chamber.
The gunshots sounded like rain, and once the indigenous warriors fell one by one, this conflict quickly turned into a one-sided "pig-catching competition."
The result was unsurprising.
With a splendid "zero casualties" cost, Sunday perfectly achieved the mission goal.
At this moment, the captured indigenous people were undergoing basic body cleansing and internal and external deworming work arranged by Chen Fu.
After completing deworming, they will be classified into two or three groups based on age and gender differences to receive different education, then led by other islanders to learn labor, gradually rising to the "homeowners," and finding a path of ascension.
This is almost every islander’s inevitable path, a process from a primitive indigenous person to a semi-civilized individual.
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Chen Zhou has always believed that human abilities may differ innately, but most skills can be compensated through practice and effort.
Leadership ability is such a skill that can be cultivated through training.
Initially, when Chen Fu, Chen Lu, and Chen Shou accompanied him, they would ask for his opinion before handling any minor issues.
It started with the most basic questioning and understanding, and slowly they took over important work on the island, gradually reaching this point.
Now, even without Chen Zhou’s meticulous instructions and education, they can handle everything neatly.
Especially for the task of assimilating indigenous people, Chen Zhou can completely delegate to them, and it’s proven that they are doing well—
This isn’t exaggerated; it’s accomplished.
...
As usual, Chen Zhou once again confidently assigned the task of assimilating the indigenous people to Fu, Lu, and Shou, while he devoted himself to developing suitable weapons for his steel giant ship.
However, before this, he also needed to complete a long-overdue project—