“It’s not the right time yet.”
Yang Yi shook his head. He had always wanted to visit the Western Continent, but deep down, he knew now wasn’t a good time.
The tribe had grown stable. Every field and trade had begun to take shape, and many capable elites had already been trained. Yang Yi no longer needed to personally oversee every detail, only to guide the general direction.
Even when he didn’t intervene, everyone could still handle things well.
But that didn’t mean the tribe could do without him. He was still an essential part of it. He was a stabilizing force, like the anchor that stabilizes the boat.
Even just standing there and doing nothing, his presence alone gave everyone a deep sense of security.
And now that they were preparing to build a new central city, it truly wasn’t the right moment for him to leave.
“As long as things are properly arranged, there shouldn’t be any major problems. It’s about time we let go a little and see how they manage without us.”
But Yang Yi didn’t quite agree. “You’ve already arranged everything before. Now it’s time to see their true capabilities.”
Yang Yi hesitated for a moment, then finally shook his head.
“Let’s wait a bit longer. Port City has only just begun to take effect, and we’re about to start building the central city. We should observe things for a while first.”
Ever since Hei Lie had mentioned that Yang Yi should take some time to travel and relax, he had been making arrangements to lighten Yang Yi’s workload little by little.
Yang Yi thought it would be like before. That when he grew tired, he could gradually step back.
But this wasn’t a game, nor was it about his own studies or work anymore. When he looked into all those trusting eyes, he found that he simply couldn’t bring himself to let go.
Yang Yi had always thought that the greatest reward for being able to come here was gaining a new life, the chance to live differently, to have another kind of existence.
But now, it seemed that one of his greatest rewards was coming to understand what “responsibility” truly meant, and even more so, learning to actively shoulder it.
Yang Yi had come from a well-off family. Although they had once lived in an urban village, his family owned a factory.
And even back when he was little, that urban village was already quite prosperous. Every year, just from rent and the welfare distributed by the village, the income was already considerable.
Their factory business also did very well. Later, when the area was demolished and redeveloped, there were even news reports saying that many residents of their village became billionaires overnight because of the demolition.
What the reports didn’t know was that even before the demolition, many families were already billionaires, including his own.
Growing up in such a comfortable environment, it was easy for Yang Yi to be content with the way things were.
His family was very harmonious. With older brothers and sisters to support him, as the pampered youngest child, he lived an easy, carefree life.
As long as he didn’t fall into bad habits, his family allowed him to do whatever he wanted, which, in turn, meant he never developed much of a sense of responsibility.
When he came here, survival forced him to blend in with others at first. But later, he gradually began to enjoy the process. Watching many people’s lives improve because of him, that sense of accomplishment was indescribable.
Without realizing it, he started seeing these people as his own responsibility. Though he sometimes felt tired, he felt far more fulfilled.
It turned out that bearing responsibility didn’t necessarily mean suffering. It could also bring joy and help one discover oneself more deeply.
Because of that, Yang Yi found it difficult to let go easily. Back when they returned last year, he had wanted to fulfill the promise he made several years ago. But instead, it was Yang Yi himself who couldn’t make up his mind.
“The tribe will always have endless things to do. If you don’t have the desire to go out, then staying in the tribe isn’t a bad thing. But if you have other thoughts, then go ahead and do it boldly.”
Hei Lie knew very well in his heart that Yang Yi still longed to go out and see the world. As an outsider, he hadn’t truly had the chance to explore this world yet.
Now, as the tribe’s population grew larger and larger, the goal that once seemed distant and unattainable no longer looked so difficult.
Perhaps, Yang Yi really did have a chance to leave.
Yang Yi fell into thought once again. After a long silence, he finally said:
“When the new temple is built, in the tenth year since I came here, let’s go take a look at the Western Continent together. By then, travel between the East and West will be more frequent. I’ll blend in more easily.”
The sea routes had only just opened not long ago. For now, few people from the Eastern Continent had entered the Western Continent.
Because of Yang Yi’s special identity, he hoped to go there as an ordinary person. That way, he could better experience the local customs and culture.
“Alright. No matter when it is, I’ll always be ready to go with you.”
Seeing that Yang Yi’s decision wasn’t made out of reluctance to leave the tribe, Hei Lie no longer voiced any objection.
The establishment of the Port City made travel between the Eastern and Western Continents increasingly frequent, and the city itself grew livelier and livelier.
In fact, besides the merchants and traders from the Western Continent or other tribes who came specifically for business, there were even people who came purely for sightseeing.
Especially the people from the Western Continent. Many of them were filled with a spirit of adventure. The sea route was relatively safe. It attracted quite a number of them who wanted to come and witness the legendary tribe for themselves.
They also wanted to take the opportunity to purchase some goods to bring back. After all, many of the items from the Spark Tribe sold for several times their price once transported to the Western Continent.
For various reasons, the population of Port City was also growing steadily, though most of it was transient.
“Divine Envoy, someone has submitted an application. They want to open a small food shop at the port,” Ying said, handing the document in her hand to Yang Yi.
At present, the Spark Tribe’s overall system mainly follows a planned economy. This made it easier to coordinate and integrate resources, ensuring that there wouldn’t be an oversupply of some goods and a shortage of others.
Although distribution was still based on labor contribution, everything was planned and regulated by the central administration.
Private exchanges of personal belongings weren’t forbidden, but until now, no individual businesses had emerged.
It wasn’t that Yang Yi and Hei Lie had deliberately prohibited them. They simply believed that the development of a free market should arise naturally from the people themselves, as that would be more in line with organic growth.
They only provided general guidance. They never dictated who should engage in private trade.
Originally, they had thought that once people started bartering their personal goods, private business would quickly take shape. But unexpectedly, things had remained stagnant for quite a long time.
Now, someone had actually applied to open their own shop. This both surprised and excited Yang Yi.
“Oh? The application was submitted on their own initiative?”
Ying explained, “Yes. They said the Port City cafeteria only opens to the public during mealtimes. If you miss that window, it’s hard to find anything to eat. So they thought that if they opened a small shop themselves, it would be more flexible.”
“Is that the only reason?”
Ying smiled and said, “As expected, nothing escapes your eyes, Divine Envoy. This person speaks fluent Western Continental language. From talking with people from the West, they learned that there are privately owned shops there that do very good business, and that made them tempted.”
“If he truly wants to open it, then proceed with all the necessary procedures. But make sure everything is clearly explained and a contract is signed. Profits and losses are his own responsibility. If he needs to receive aid funds for three consecutive months, then there’s no need for his shop to continue operating.”
The Spark Tribe’s welfare system was still very good. Those who were injured, disabled, elderly, or young all received basic living subsidies.
Medical treatment was also free for all members of the Spark Tribe. They didn’t need to pay a single coin.
As long as one was a member of the tribe and abided by its laws, no one would ever go hungry.
However, if someone wanted to be lazy and refused to work, the tribe’s rules were very strict.
Thus, many regulations were established. The one Yang Yi had just mentioned was one of them.
If someone repeatedly violated the rules, wanting both their share of distribution and yet refusing to work, then after two instances, they would be expelled directly.
Although the Spark Tribe hadn’t yet seen the emergence of private businesses, Yang Yi had long been working with everyone to draft the relevant regulations in preparation for the coming of a freer economy.
It wouldn’t be a completely free economy, of course. Central management would remain strict, and everyone would have to follow the overall coordination.
“Yes,” Ying replied, then hesitated before adding, “The applicant also asked whether they could use the tribe’s tools for their business.”
“They can, but they’ll need to pay rent. It can be settled after one month of operation.”
Since they were starting an independent business, they could no longer freely use communal resources. Charging rent was also a way to set a precedent for the future.
And so, the very first fully private shop officially opened in Port City. This was different from casual private trades in the past. It was a truly milestone event.
It officially announced to everyone that this was the beginning of a free economy.
With the first shop established, soon came the second, and then the third…
“The speed of this development is really something,” Yang Yi sighed as he looked over the report.
Ever since private businesses had been permitted, individual entrepreneurs had sprung up like bamboo shoots after the rain.
Before, everyone had seemed perfectly content with their current way of life. Yet once they learned they could run their own businesses, some quick-minded and enterprising people immediately applied to resign from their original positions, eager to make a living using their own skills.
“The times are different now. People no longer worry about food and clothing, so collective labor doesn’t hold the same appeal it used to. They need a new source of motivation.”
Although Hei Lie had long anticipated this situation and had already prepared for it, he was still surprised to discover, once individual operations began, just how much potential everyone truly had.
When people stay too long within their comfort zone, they inevitably grow complacent.
Yang Yi said, “Since we’ve already started down this path, we must keep a close watch and maintain control. We absolutely can’t allow loopholes to be exploited. Once an imbalance appears, it will give rise to unhealthy trends that will be difficult to eliminate.”
The emergence of a private economy would inevitably bring new problems. If they weren’t handled properly, growth could also bring trouble.
They didn’t want a situation where “a few become rich first and then lead the rest”. For now, maintaining stability and preventing a widening wealth gap was far more important.
They were still striving just to secure a basic livelihood. Agriculture had to remain the foundation. Too many people turning to commerce too soon could not be allowed.
In ancient China, the policy of emphasizing agriculture and restraining commerce had its limitations. But under the conditions of the time, it made sense.
“At tomorrow’s assembly, I’ll propose the establishment of a dedicated Market Administration Office, and we’ll assign people specifically to handle oversight.”
Yang Yi nodded and added, “Today, there were also some Western Continent people who submitted applications. They hope to stay in Port City long-term and do business as well.”
“Of course, they’re welcome as long as they follow our rules and pay the required taxes.”
Staying to open a shop and run a business was different from simply coming for trade. The rules were different, and so were the fees. Naturally, they were higher.
In fact, many of the Spark Tribe’s public resources could also be accessed by people from other tribes or even those from the Western Continent, such as the cafeterias and hospitals. But the costs for outsiders were far greater than for members of the Spark Tribe.
Among these, the hospital fees were the highest. The hospital was not a profit-making organization. All Spark Tribe members received free medical care, which created a tremendous financial burden.
As a result, once people from other tribes or the Western Continent witnessed the medical techniques of the Spark Tribe, some of them came seeking treatment at the Spark hospital as well.
For these outsiders, the Spark Tribe charged without mercy. Both consultation and medicine fees were extremely expensive, helping to partially offset the hospital’s losses.
It wasn’t that the Spark Tribe was being greedy. Medicinal ingredients had never been cheap, and research and development added even more costs.
Since outsiders had not contributed to the tribe, they couldn’t enjoy its welfare benefits and had to bear the full cost of all expenses. Naturally, the prices were high.
What Yang Yi hadn’t expected, however, was that not long after, a problem arose in the medical sector.
