In the middle of August, the exploration fleet established the first port of the northern Golden Bay on the wide eastern shore of the lagoon, Lake Bay Port. Its location corresponds to what would later be known as Humboldt Bay, the largest seaport in northern California. The German na cos from the fact that it was rediscovered in the early 19th century by German explorer Friedrich von Humboldt. As for the indigenous na of this bay, it has been lost to history.
The exploration fleet conducted simple scouting over two days. This wide lagoon bay stretches sixty li north to south, and around ten li east to west, with a water depth of at least ten ters, making conditions quite favorable. With the protection of the lagoon coast, ships need not worry about storms; it is an excellent natural harbor!
"Chief Divine bears witness! The Kingdom’s harbor established at the wide lagoon bay shall be nad Lake Bay Port!" Exploration Captain Zuwaro declared passionately, standing on the eastern shore of the lagoon, an expanse of reeds and tall grass plains along the river. He then looked towards First-level Preaching Priest Xifeng, gazing at his young, handso face, and solemnly instructed him.
"Priest Xifeng! I entrust the Kingdom’s Lake Bay Port to you! I will leave fifty n and a longship, to serve as the backbone for the developnt of Lake Bay Port..."
"The Wiyot’s Lake Garden settlent is just thirty li north, making travel quite convenient! It’s already August, so farming is too late, but we can start tilling the land in preparation for sowing next late spring. Of course, your most important task is to build enough windproof shelters, collect large amounts of hay and firewood, and prepare early for the coming winter!"
"Chief Divine bless! Praise the Chief Divine! Captain Zuwaro, I will lead the people with effort for the Kingdom’s northward expansion and devote myself to spreading the glory of the Chief Divine!"
Under the bay’s sunlight, First-level Preaching Priest Xifeng blushed, clutching the emblem of the Chief Divine as he solemnly pledged. He was just shy of twenty years old, having recently graduated from Divine Power University, and joined the northward exploration fleet. His wrinkled ritual robe had the insignia of the unassuming Crow Family, symbolizing his noble lineage.
In reality, young Priest Xifeng is the grandson of Chieftain Xiteli of the Crow Family, old nobility from the south of the Kingdom. During Xiulote’s Southern Expedition, Old Crow Xiteli, seeing the situation deteriorating, was quick to capitulate to the King, sacrificing most of his fief and accepting reassignnt to the barren north bank of the Lerma River. But he retained a fallback, by securing admission for several grandsons into Divine Power University, hoping for a rise in fortune for his descendants.
Four years swiftly passed, and with the rapid expansion of the Kingdom, the demand for culturally proficient priests also increased, with a widespread shortage. This effort by Your Majesty to promote the developnt on the Western Sea Coast provided these marginalized descendants of old nobles a valuable opportunity to return to the Kingdom’s political stage!
Therefore, even though the northward exploration and developnt were fraught with danger, mystery, and the unknown, many old noble offspring joined in, inspired by family interests and faith in the Chief Divine. Among them, devout Priest Xifeng, was a typical example. His na was even changed by his grandfather to symbolize the Chief Divine—Hummingbird.
"Haha! Chief Divine bless! The Wiyot people are mostly peaceful, rarely engaging in disputes and lacking a solid divine faith... Xifeng, you must complete not only the camp at Lake Bay Port but also learn the Wiyot language, bringing these thousands upon thousands of Wiyot tribes into the embrace of the Chief Divine!..."
Exploration Captain Zuwaro smiled, gently patting Priest Xifeng on the shoulder. He then glanced again at Scholar Mikki, observing eels in the lake, and lowered his voice aningfully.
"Xifeng, you must prioritize the Wiyot evangelization! Such a pri location for missionary work, with tens of thousands of simple tribespeople, there are untold numbers of Kingdom Priests who wish to stay here... And I have chosen you; this is your chance, also your family’s opportunity!... Reflect on how the Songbird Priest rose to beco a Third-level Main Priest and might ascend even further!"
"Ah! Thank you! Captain Zuwaro! I... I will certainly strive to preach, devoting myself to the Chief Divine!"
Upon hearing such grand promises, the young Priest Xifeng was full of excitent, his spirit uplifted. As he surveyed the lake shore, this reed-filled tribal hunting ground seed to transform instantly into a thriving and affluent Main Priest district. Montarily inspired, Priest Xifeng respectfully sought advice.
"Respected Captain... do you have any good suggestions for preaching to the Wiyots for the Kingdom? For example, where to start..."
"Hmm... suggestions... naturally, I have so!"
Hearing this, Exploration Captain Zuwaro raised his eyebrows, his eyes glimring as he waited long enough. Glancing again at Scholar Mikki, ensuring he could not hear, he smiled and "guided" Xifeng.
"Chief Divine bless! Ahem! Xifeng, you previously spoke of devoting yourself to the Chief Divine, which is quite comndable! ... In truth, this is actually the best thod for missionary work!"
"Ah? Devote... oneself?"
"Indeed! You fifty n, arriving fresh, not speaking the language. Slow communication with the Wiyot people, building mutual trust, who knows how long it would take to make a breakthrough. But as of now, since Wiyot doesn’t mind intermarrying with outside tribes, then you fifty strong fellows are fifty marriageable sacrifices..."
Exploration Captain Zuwaro’s lips curled up, teaching the young priest successor with sowhat exuberant enthusiasm.
"Fifty n marrying fifty Wiyot won would instantly double the population! Marrying more older won, especially those with half-grown children, could even multiply beyond that! The Wiyot people trace bloodlines through mothers, and behind these tribal won are large extended families... As long as you lead them all into the embrace of the Chief Divine, wouldn’t hundreds of Chief Divine followers erge right away!"
"Ah! Ah, this?!"
Hearing Zuwaro’s proposition, the young Priest Xifeng was shocked, his eyes wide open. Speechless for a mont, he eventually praised with enthusiasm.
"Good! Really good! Captain Zuwaro, this is a great idea, I never thought of it!"
"Haha! Of course! I’ve been pondering for a long ti how to quickly open up the situation. Actually, you can think of even more!..."
Exploration Captain Zuwaro stroked his chin, revealing a look of pride on his face. He glanced at Miki in the distance and, leaning close to the young Priest Xiufeng, guided him earnestly.
"Xiufeng, you are the Kingdom’s Preaching Priest, guiding the believers in marriage arrangents is your responsibility! The winter here is long, sotis lasting even half a year. As I said earlier, you must communicate back and forth, and during this winter, quickly arrange for everyone to get married!..."
"The power of the Kingdom in this Northern Land is always too weak. No matter what ans are used, the more local tribal families are united and the more believers are converted, the more strength gained!..."
"In this barren and vast Northern Land, as long as it’s for true faith, do whatever you can to be flexible! Xiufeng, you’re young, you don’t know how many years you’ll stay here, and you can’t remain single forever... And as a Priest, you should lead by example and dedicate yourself for the Chief Divine, not be constrained by old rules!..."
"Huh? ? Dedicate myself and not be constrained by old rules?"
Upon hearing this, young Priest Xiufeng was stunned, vaguely guessing sothing, with an ominous premonition surfacing in his heart. He stamred, trembling a bit, even his handso young face was shaking slightly.
"Captain Zuwaro, you an? But, but as a low-level priest, I’m not allowed to..."
"Yes! That’s exactly what I an! I said, don’t be constrained by old rules! Don’t worry! In front of His Majesty, I’ll vouch for you, as long as you succeed! Right now, there’s a perfect opportunity, and that’s why I particularly value you..."
Exploration Captain Zuwaro smiled broadly, gripping Priest Xiufeng’s shoulder tightly, whispered in his ear.
"The day before yesterday, when the fleet exchanged food with the Wiyot Chieftains... A Wiyot female chieftain really liked your appearance and kept gesturing, asking about you!..."
"Her husband was a minor chieftain who was swallowed by a storm while fishing at sea. She’s not yet thirty, only ten years older than you. Even more amazing, she cos with three sons close to ten years old! Just raise them for a few years, they can beco people of the Kingdom and continue to marry as your sons, expanding your family!..."
"Of course, most importantly, she has over a hundred tribespeople under her, along with several sisters who are heads of clans, all holding high positions in the clan village! Xiufeng, once you marry her, the Kingdom’s mission here will suddenly beco much clearer!..."
"Ah! This... this! A tribal female chieftain... ten years older than ? And three sons close to ten years old?!..."
The young Priest Xiufeng felt dizzy, his eyes filled with shock and loss, unable even to speak. But at this point, Zuwaro was not about to let him go.
"By the Chief Divine’s witness! Xiufeng, answer ! You’ve co from afar, for what purpose?"
"For... to spread the Chief Divine’s faith, for the revival of the Crow Family!..."
"Good! Then for the Chief Divine’s faith and family revival, are you willing to offer yourself, fearlessly sacrificing? Huh? Answer ! Imdiately! Right now!"
"I... I... I’m willing..."
"I can’t hear you, louder!"
"I... am willing!"
"Good! Very good! Excellent!"
Exploration Captain Zuwaro showed a pleased expression, forcefully patting Xiufeng’s shoulder. He took one last look at Scholar Mikki who was approaching after hearing the voices and spoke with a grin.
"By the Chief Divine’s witness! I’m heading over right now! Representing the fleet, proposing for you! Haha! Before the fleet departs, I will certainly arrange this grand marriage affecting two tribes for you! Divine protection be upon us!"
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