Chapter Sixty-Six: The Kingdom’s Development Figures

Time flew like an arrow, the days and months passing swiftly. In the blink of an eye, the first month of the harsh winter year had slipped away.

During this long yet fleeting period, Mo Fangyuan, unable to withstand the solitude, had led Zhang Lingyun on several expeditions westward. Danger did arise on these journeys, but they always managed to get through unscathed. Their efforts yielded thirty-seven excellent new workers.

Unfortunately, the relentless cold had taken its toll. Many of the blockfolk villages Mo Fangyuan had once visited had vanished into the annals of history. Entire swathes of settlements disappeared, and as a result, the influx of outsiders from the western plains into the Block Kingdom dwindled to a trickle. By now, it was almost impossible to find any surviving blockfolk.

“The value of the western plains has been squeezed dry. We’d best avoid heading west in the future, lest we run into the Skeleton Forces on an unlucky day,” Mo Fangyuan remarked with a sigh as he led the last group of new arrivals from the west.

They had searched the region for a long time, traversing several villages, and had managed to gather only ten surviving blockfolk. Besides new residents, Mo Fangyuan also picked up many animals along the way. Altogether, there were about a hundred, and once sent to the breeding grounds for training, they would increase the kingdom’s livestock and improve breeding techniques.

Among these was the animal Mo Fangyuan most anticipated—horses. At last, he could joyfully proclaim, “I have horses now! The Block Kingdom has horses!”

Leading the reluctant creatures forward, Mo Fangyuan earnestly addressed the group of blockfolk who had survived the cruel winter. “Fellow countrymen, you’re home!” He pointed to the not-so-tall walls of the Block Kingdom and said with a smile, “This is your home now! Here, you’ll no longer be harassed by monsters, and you can truly survive!”

“And now, before you begin your new lives, please line up in an orderly fashion and proceed to the central castle to register for your identification cards!”

With Zhang Lingyun guiding the immigrants, they hurried to the Administration Department, overseen by Old Fu.

Mo Fangyuan quickly realized he had seriously underestimated the blockfolk’s enthusiasm for the residential buildings. The original plan had been to complete the concentration of all blockfolk into centralized housing and universal ID registration within two years. Yet, as soon as the qualifications for residence were officially announced, countless workers threw themselves into their tasks with the fervor of men possessed, striving for the right to live in these new buildings.

The cold winter only fueled their passion. In just the first month, every worker in the Block Kingdom had obtained accommodation in a residential building. At the same time, the issuance of ID cards, tied to these residences, was completed, and every resident was registered.

Since every block citizen had an ID card, Mo Fangyuan decreed that every newborn in the kingdom must be registered at the Human Resources Department in the central castle, and that everyone would renew their ID every five years, without exception.

Thanks to Mo Fangyuan’s immense prestige, there was no resistance. Instead, everyone actively complied, eager to demonstrate their loyalty to the kingdom and trust in their great king. Thus, the ID system was implemented smoothly.

Mo Fangyuan had not expected this. He thought he would encounter opposition, giving him the chance to turn the tide and slap his critics in the face, basking in the glory of victory. But real life offered fewer dramatic twists than novels.

Now that the ID system was fully in place, the efficiency of all administrative tasks, from paperwork to data collection, would be five or six times higher—no exaggeration. The importance of ID cards was just that great. As the population grew, their significance would only increase.

Thanks to the data provided by the ID cards, Mo Fangyuan now had perfect command of all information within the Block Kingdom.

Total population: 632
Adults: 571
Minors: 61

These were the most basic figures, and in this era where labor was the most valuable resource, they represented the kingdom's strength. If one were to further break down the professions among the blockfolk, it would be a daunting task, but thanks to the revolutionary ID cards, the Block Kingdom had unparalleled understanding of its human resources.

Distinguishing professions was a simple matter:

Combat specialists: 37 (Melee: 24; Ranged: 13)
Carpenters: 64
Tanners: 34
Masons: 72
Blacksmiths: 47
Tailors: 21
...

Every occupation in the Block Kingdom was clearly recorded in the “Block Kingdom Population and Skills Data.”

“Oh-ho-ho! Keep up the good work—one day, the Block Kingdom shall be invincible!” After offering some encouragement to the staff, Mo Fangyuan went off to see Old Fu.

Talented people were scarce in the Block Kingdom. Few could do arithmetic, and most of those were still students. So, under Mo Fangyuan’s “persuasion,” Old Fu, in addition to serving as head of the Administration Department and Human Resources, had taken on yet another title: Head of Supplies Management. After all, Old Fu was young and energetic—handling three roles was still within his capabilities!

“Your Majesty, this is just too much for me… Your Majesty! Actually, I feel great and can handle another position!” Old Fu had learned his lesson: after once complaining he was “struggling,” he’d been given even more work. So now, he dared not admit to any fatigue—complaining was a dead end.

“Good, I like your attitude! If there’s ever more work to be done, I’ll assign it to you right away!”

Old Fu: “…”

“All right, enough banter. Tell me about the kingdom’s current resource reserves!” Though labor was the kingdom’s most vital resource, other supplies were no less important. In some sense, labor was the superstructure, but the resources that armed and sustained the blockfolk were the foundation.

“Your Majesty, you are the most brilliant genius among the blockfolk, a child of the sun, the greatest king in our history—your wisdom and strength bring hope to all…”

“Enough, enough. I want the resource data, not flattery!”

“Er, Your Majesty, you are the most wise and benevolent sovereign, and under your leadership, the kingdom’s resource stockpiles are the most bountiful in history—in fact, they keep setting new records!”

Even with Mo Fangyuan’s reminders, Old Fu couldn’t help but slip in a few words of praise.

“The kingdom has seven large chests of wood!”

“Stone, on the other hand, is in short supply due to the large amount needed for defensive structures…”

“As for iron ingots, there’s a small chest in storage!”

“There are other resources too…”

It had been mentioned before: not only did the blockfolk possess inventory space, but their storage chests and barrels did as well—another peculiar racial trait.

A large chest had 54 slots, which might seem small, but each could hold up to 3,456 items! A small chest had 27 slots, holding up to 1,728 items. Quite a staggering capacity!

Old Fu, his throat growing parched from speaking, simply handed the resource ledger to Mo Fangyuan.

The blockfolk were a strange race. Even in this “primitive era,” they could mass-produce paper and books. To craft paper, one simply lined up three sugar canes in the inventory to make three sheets. Each sheet could record a great deal, and stored in a chest, would never spoil, no matter how many years passed.

Books were even more remarkable. Three sheets of paper and one leather made a book; each book could hold 64 pages, and unless deliberately destroyed, would last forever…