The cheers lasted for quite a while before gradually subsiding. Only then did Maximus continue shouting, "Do you still remember? When we had just started this endeavor, and I had just become the Supply Team Captain, I promised you that one day you would own your own homes and your own land. Has that promise been fulfilled now?!"
"Thank you, Leader!!!"
"Leader, your promises are always kept!!!"
The tribesmen shouted eagerly, vying to express their gratitude.
"Of course, you must also thank yourselves! It is thanks to your unwavering determination and selfless sacrifices over these past two years that we have earned everything we have today!"
Maximus’ words made the tribesmen stand taller with pride.
"And we must especially thank those who also contributed but tragically fell along the way and couldn’t live to enjoy today’s accomplishments. Let us silently pray that their brave and kind souls may reach the Elysian Paradise safely!"
At that moment, the gathering of tens of thousands suddenly grew silent. Everyone raised their hands toward the heavens, bowed their heads solemnly in blessing, and some even had glimmers of tears in their eyes...
After a good while, Maximus broke the silence with his voice, "We also need to express our gratitude to the Finance Department subordinates led by Agricultural Officer Volenus and the engineering team led by Gaius, as well as the delightful young men trained by our Cultivation Department. It is their tireless efforts that, in less than a month, have measured and marked the boundaries of our entire tribal territory, allocating everyone’s rightful share of land... Everyone, this was no easy task! So let’s give them a thunderous round of applause for everything they’ve done for us!"
A deafening round of applause erupted.
"Did you hear that? The leader is praising us! That applause is for us!" Manas said excitedly.
Many of the young men straightened their backs in proud poses.
But Akegu was slightly dismissive. "The applause is mainly for the Agricultural Department and the engineering team. We just helped out with little tasks. The day when we take on major responsibilities—that’s the moment we should truly celebrate."
"Akegu, we still have several years before we come of age. The leader once said our main task now is to focus on learning, followed by helping the tribe with minor tasks to accumulate some experience... It’s impossible to take on tribal responsibilities or act independently in the short term," Manas reminded him.
"Who knows," Akegu replied, casting an expectant gaze toward Maximus on the wooden platform.
"...Furthermore, the lands allocated by the Agricultural Department have all been verified by the Political Affairs Hall. If anyone feels that their allocated acreage is incorrect, they may apply for a review with the Agricultural Department. If the claim is verified, the missing acreage will be supplemented by the tribe. However, if the claim is unfounded, the tribe will impose a small fine for wasting the Agricultural Department’s valuable working time. So, I urge everyone to take this matter seriously!"
Maximus earnestly reminded, "The lands allocated this time are all fertile. Although some plots may be closer to the river and others farther away, I hope that there will be no comparisons or complaints. Soon, the Public Works Department will install water wheels and organize the construction of canals, ensuring the river water automatically flows to irrigate the fields, so you won’t have to fetch water from the river yourselves anymore...
Once you receive your land, whether you know how to farm or not, I suggest you first go to the Agricultural Department for training. They will conduct farming demonstrations for you and teach some new techniques that can help increase yields.
Take care of your land as you would raise your own children, with diligence and care. Only then will the fields reward you with bountiful harvests and joyful prosperity! And don’t forget to pay your taxes on time!"
At this point, Maximus took a deep breath and loudly declared, "I hereby announce the start of land distribution for the Nix Tribe!"
Once again, cheers erupted among the tribesmen...
"Our tribe’s sole First-class Tribesman, Pequot, please step up to the platform!"
Having been notified in advance and seated not far from the wooden platform, Pequot heard Maximus’ call and stood up calmly.
As Pequot walked toward the platform, the soldiers he had once commanded, along with the Skodisqi Reserve Tribes who had escaped with him from the Brochi Territory, began cheering enthusiastically.
Maximus gave him a hearty embrace and then, speaking loudly through the simple microphone, addressed the crowd, "Pequot has been allocated Plot #1 in the tribe—a total of 80 acres—located at the eastern gate of Snowdonia, adjacent to the road."
As soon as Maximus finished speaking, a stir spread through the crowd. Everyone knew of that plot since they saw it every day—it was excellent land, conveniently located just outside the fort, saving so much time. Many expressed envy.
Maximus smiled and handed Pequot a palm-sized wooden plaque engraved with details of the land: its number, acreage, location, and the owner’s name.
"At present, our tribe is facing a shortage of papyrus, so I couldn’t provide you with a detailed paper deed. This wooden plaque is a temporary land certificate, and within a year, we’ll issue you a proper land deed!"
The confidence in Maximus’ statement stemmed from Capito’s ongoing arrangements to build a workshop for papermaking. He was certain that if the artisans followed his suggested paper-making methods, they’d produce quality paper within a year.
When Pequot received the lightweight wooden plaque, his initially calm heart was suddenly stirred.
Maximus opened a thick paper booklet bound with fine strings and said, "You need to sign your name here. Would you like to inspect the land first and then return to sign, or just sign now?"
Pequot glanced down and replied awkwardly, "I don’t know how to write."
Maximus was unfazed and read the contents of the registry aloud—it was the same as the engraved text on the plaque, with the addition of Maximus’ signature—and then said, "Illiteracy doesn’t matter; you can just leave your thumbprint."
Without hesitation, Pequot dipped his right thumb in the nearby ink and pressed it upon the register.
A subordinate from the Agricultural Department, standing at the corner of the wooden platform, approached and said, "Pequot, please accompany me to inspect your land."
"Alright," Pequot replied, taking a few steps before suddenly turning back and saying, "Leader, thank you!"
Maximus smiled warmly and responded, "This is what you deserve."
Pequot’s allocated plot wasn’t far from the gathering site. Upon arrival, the Agricultural Department subordinate pointed to a wooden stake marked with the number "1" at the land’s boundary and said, "This is Plot #1. All the areas encircled by wooden stakes belong to you. Your land is currently planted with fava beans, which will be harvested in another three to five days. After that, you may begin tending to your land as you please..."
Pequot gazed at the surrounding land marked by wooden stakes, with its left and right sides stretching over a hundred meters, and its front stakes extending so far that they blurred within his view...
What a vast piece of land! And now it belonged to me!... The more Pequot looked, the more excited he became. Although he had spent his youth living in the mountains and later struggling at sea, having never farmed before, the desire for land was innate to man.
He stepped past the wooden marker onto the soft soil, feeling deeply rooted and at peace.
Just then, two craftsmen arrived carrying a moderately-sized stone, one side of which had been polished smooth and engraved with the number "1" and Pequot’s name—a preparation made in advance.
The craftsmen replaced the wooden stake with the engraved stone, driving its lower half into the ground and leaving the inscribed surface visible.
"Congratulations, Pequot! This plot of land is now officially yours," the Agricultural Department subordinate said. "Once the tribal land allocation is completed, you may replace the surrounding wooden stakes with a wooden fence. Alternatively, you may plant badger wood or trees as a more aesthetic option.
However, I recommend waiting until the tribe’s canals are completed before undertaking such tasks—it will be more convenient then. Additionally—"
The subordinate’s expression grew stern. "Those wooden stakes mark the boundaries of your land. Under no circumstances should you extend those boundaries outward. If discovered, the tribe will impose severe penalties, including the confiscation of part of your land."
"How could I commit such a disgraceful act!" Pequot replied, displeased.
"Apologies, but this is a directive from Chief Officer Volenus, requiring us to inform every tribesman who receives land. It’s not specifically targeted at you," the subordinate explained quickly.
"I see," Pequot said, letting go of the issue and instead asking, "This is such a large plot—my wife and I may find it difficult to cultivate all of it ourselves. (As the tribe’s sole First-class Tribesman, Pequot’s heroic deeds were widely known, and during the matchmaking event, he was greatly admired by the women, ultimately choosing a Skodisqi woman he was satisfied with as his wife.) I’ve heard that Reserve Tribe Members can help cultivate land in exchange for a share of the harvest..."
"Indeed, the Agricultural Department proposed this suggestion, and it was approved during the Political Affairs Hall meetings. If you apply to the Agricultural Department, they will arrange for Reserve Tribe Members to assist with your cultivation. During the autumn harvest, you will only need to hand over 20-30% of the yield to the Finance Department. This portion does not include the land tax you owe to the tribe."
The Agricultural Department subordinate patiently explained, "Additionally, there’s another option: The leader has reached agreements with certain Alde tribes, allowing you to hire their tribesmen to cultivate your land. You have the freedom to negotiate wages, though their wages might be slightly higher than those of Reserve Tribe Members. The difference is that they will follow your instructions completely, whereas Reserve Tribe Members must be uniformly managed by our Agricultural Department..."