Chapter 565 - 65: Sunday’s Proposal (Part 2)
The warehouse there had long since cleared space for supplies.
...
The sun was about to set, and in the office on the second floor of the factory, several important figures on the island were gathered together.
As Chen Zhou listened to Sunday’s report, he arranged for the matters that needed priority attention next, including when the Great Tribe Leader Lisoben would be executed, how to arrange the Spaniards, statistics of treasure and supplies, and planning the distribution of food and other key tasks.
Saturday, along with Chen Fu, Chen Lu, and Chen Shou, stood in front of the desk, all nervously recording the tasks allocated to them with paper and pen in hand.
After all the tasks were assigned, Chen Zhou specifically mentioned that Saturday, along with Fu, Lu, and Shou, should cooperate with Sunday to take extra care of those young children, providing some conveniences where permitted.
Having said this, Chen Zhou glanced out the window.
The convoy transporting supplies just arrived beside the factory, and this was probably the umpteenth trip in a few hours. Seeing only a couple of wooden boxes left on the cart, Chen Zhou estimated that the supplies had been completely transported.
Just as he was about to go downstairs to admire the Inca Empire’s treasures, to see what those dazzling golden glows looked like, Sunday suddenly raised his hand, like a cautious student asking a question, and put forward his proposal—
"I was thinking, could we implement military management for this group of children, rigorously train them, and have them undergo different courses from other children, training them to become soldiers.
Didn’t you say, the most important thing for a soldier is loyalty.
In the future, we’ll have more warships like the ’Steel Bone’. If we start training sailors now, when the ships are built and launched, we’ll have ready sailors.
Moreover, if they start training from just over ten years old, by the time they have their own ships, they’ll not only have rich experience in navigating but more time to learn and grow. When recruiting more sailors in the future, they’d make excellent leaders.
Most importantly, by nurturing and training them now, their loyalty will be unquestionable..."
Hearing Sunday’s words, Chen Zhou, who had been facing the window with his back to everyone, turned around and looked at Sunday with a bit of surprise, as if recognizing a whole new side of him.
Any suspicious leader, hearing such a proposal, might think their subordinate is trying to form their own group, preparing to overthrow the rule at some point in the future.
But Chen Zhou had no such worries.
His relationship with Sunday was not simply that of a superior and subordinate.
Without exaggeration, he had a life-giving grace to Sunday; though not related by blood, their relationship was as close as father and son.
Moreover, Sunday’s intentions were not so complex. If he truly had ulterior motives, he could very well keep the idea to himself and implement it privately. His honesty was precisely proof of his loyalty.
Chen Zhou was surprised because Sunday’s proposal was so forward-thinking and mature—
Previously, Sunday could only see immediate problems and never considered the long term. When managing the natives, his temper had often led to beatings and scoldings, making many islanders fear him, and possibly harbor resentment.
Over the years, Saturday learned every day, and when he spoke with Chen Zhou, Chen Zhou could clearly sense his changes.
But Sunday always seemed like a child who never grew up, though smart, he lacked maturity and couldn’t handle responsibilities independently.
It was not until this moment, upon hearing Sunday’s proposal, that Chen Zhou suddenly felt a fatherly comfort, as if seeing a once-naive child finally grew up.
"Your proposal is excellent!"
Walking around the desk, Chen Zhou gave Sunday a firm pat on the shoulder, offering high praise.
Seeing Sunday shyly bowing his head due to the compliment, he added.
"However, initiating military training from childhood is not so simple.
I must remind you, excessive physical training during developmental stages can affect growth; you’ll need to handle the ’level’ of this training carefully.
Moreover, learning to use weapons too early, cultivating understanding of combat and killing, separating them from normal life, poses a challenge for children’s mindset.
I support your proposal, but on how specifically to implement it, how to handle the details involved, I need a detailed proposal.
First, you have to make sure I can’t find any flaws and that I’m satisfied before I can rest assuredly entrust those children to you."
Hearing the earlier words, Sunday was elated, like a teenager gaining a father’s approval.
As he slowly heard the latter part, realizing he still needed to provide a detailed proposal, Sunday’s joyful smile instantly dropped.
For a moment, the amusement shifted to the faces of others in the room.
It’s well-known that Sunday dislikes nothing more than doing homework, second only to attending classes. Asking him for a proposal is akin to a death sentence.
However, they barely laughed for a few seconds before seeing Sunday’s gaze turn towards them, their faces also fell—
If Sunday can’t produce a proposal but still wants to execute his plan, what will he do?
Undoubtedly, he’ll share this daunting task with his "good brothers", and neither Saturday nor Fu, Lu, and Shou could escape his grasp.
Moreover, this time was different from previous times when they helped with homework or copied assignments.
This time, Sunday had gotten Chen Zhou’s approval, wielding the "Treasure Sword of Convenience". Even if they didn’t want to help, they had no choice.
Exchanging glances, Saturday and the others all saw helplessness in each other’s eyes.