Chapter 15

Chapter 15 <The Determination to Found a Nation>

“Ah, you’re also in this batch, huh?”

“Can’t you tell by looking? Why would I come to this place they call a school if I don’t even take classes?”

“Ha ha. This guy. What’s bothering you so much that you have such a sour face?”

“Sigh. I barely have any time to rest, and they want me to learn these letters. You’re so lucky.”

Hot Fire grumbled incessantly as he sat on his chair. He had to come to the school right after finishing his work for the day.

“It’s only one day out of five, you know? And I heard they don’t teach for too long either.”

“That’s not the point. The other guys are probably having a blast with booze right now.”

“Ha ha. So it’s the alcohol that’s the problem!”

“Don’t act like you don’t drink. Having a drink after work is the joy of my life!”

“Well, that’s true for me too. But I wanted to learn these letters, so I don’t have much to complain about. Look at this.”

Clear Lake opened a book that was on his desk. There were Hangul letters printed with metal type filling the pages.

“I can’t even read what it says.”

“That’s why we’re here. They say these books will become more common in the future. How can we young people not know how to read them? Besides, people like us who work in construction have to learn them no matter what.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Don’t you know? There’s this new thing called a job board where they post paper with these letters on them to hire construction workers.”

“Ugh? Ugh… So we have to learn them anyway?”

“Of course. Unless you want to ask other workers to translate for you every time. More importantly, these letters are easy to learn, so don’t worry too much. It’s the work of our great Grand Chief Spirit, how can we not follow him?”

“Oh boy, there it is. Fine, let’s just listen to the class.”

The noisy classroom quickly quieted down as a female teacher entered.

It had been about six months since they decided to build schools. 

Now, basic elementary schools were established and running smoothly in the Great Start and the nearby villages. 

And they were spreading quickly to the faraway villages as well.

The elementary schools operated in five time slots per day.

Morning class, noon class, two afternoon classes, and night class.

Usually, young children and women took classes in the morning and noon time slots. 

And in the afternoon 1st class, there were older people, and in the afternoon 2nd class and night class, there were young men who had finished their work for the day.

That wasn’t all. They all took classes one day out of five.

That is, 25 groups of students took classes in one batch. That’s why the textbooks that were placed on each seat were quickly worn out.

It couldn’t be helped considering the lack of elementary schools and textbooks. But thanks to the tearful efforts of the education department staff, the elementary schools were operating normally.

‘Not bad.’

Kim Kiwoo nodded his head repeatedly as he read the report written by Smart Head, the head of education.

The first elementary schools that were built as a pilot project already had their 4th batch of new students enrolled. 

The duration of elementary school was only two months.

That was enough to learn Hangul and read and write letters clumsily, as well as do basic arithmetic operations. 

Of course, they would make countless spelling mistakes.

But Kim Kiwoo wasn’t satisfied with this level. 

What was the purpose of building schools in the first place? Wasn’t it to produce more talented people?

Sure enough, at the end of the report written by Smart Head, there was what Kim Kiwoo wanted. Kim Kiwoo signed it right away.

It was about establishing middle schools.

‘There are enough graduates from elementary school now. We need to nurture the outstanding talents among them.’

More than anything, the early elementary schools were on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who applied first could enter the school sooner.

In other words, these people had some enthusiasm for studying.

Even if they lacked intelligence, if they had a strong desire to learn, they could become excellent talents.

However, middle schools wouldn’t be open to anyone for a while. 

There weren’t enough middle school teachers to teach at the middle schools yet. 

No matter how intensively they taught the middle school textbooks for six months, they were still students who were learning for the first time.

Moreover, from middle school onwards, it was a full-day system. It was less of a blow for women, but if a young man entered middle school, it meant that the Creek Tribe lost manpower.

Therefore, one had to take an exam to become a middle school student. Not an absolute evaluation, but a relative one.

On the other hand, if one became a middle school student, the tuition was free of course, and there was even scholarship support. It would be less pay than doing other work, but enough to live on.

‘I hope good talents will emerge.’

He hoped that the efforts he had put in so far would pay off. He had no choice but to think so. Kim Kiwoo had been writing many textbooks whenever he had time to spare.

Mathematics that went beyond arithmetic operations, such as multiplication, division, multiplication tables, etc.

Stories for reading material.

Moral books that contained contents such as good and evil, not committing sins, and maintaining order.

And other textbooks on technology, basic science, philosophy and ideology that he deemed necessary at this point in time.

And that wasn’t even the end of it. 

He hadn’t even started writing textbooks for the university that would be built in the future. 

He had to write books related to that at least before he built the university.

But Kim Kiwoo consoled himself with one thought.

‘The knowledge I write now will make my future easier. Surely!’

The future talents that would be created by education would make the Creek Tribe grow faster.

*

It had been about three years since the Creek Tribe expanded to the surrounding tribes and incorporated many tribes under the name of the Creek Tribe.

At first, due to food shortages, and then due to construction and numerous tasks, the Creek Tribe went through another period of upheaval. 

As a result, they couldn’t project their power outside while dealing with internal affairs.

Then, the tribes that had fled far away slowly crept back around the Creek Tribe.

Just when their internal turmoil was settled.

“It’s time to embark on the second conquest war. Our Creek Tribe is different from before. We have plenty of food left even after feeding the subjugated people. At least we won’t be held back by food.”

“That’s true.”

“I agree.”

All of the senior executives who attended the administrative meeting agreed with Kim Kiwoo’s words. 

Now, the Creek Tribe was a large force with enough power.

Recently, the census conducted by the administration department was completed. 

Of course, it was premature to have accurate data with almost no errors, but they had more than enough to estimate the approximate size.

The current population of the Creek Tribe was about 820 thousand.

They had expected it to be just over 600 thousand in the past, but before they knew it, that number had increased to 820 thousand.

As food became abundant and they didn’t starve themselves, and as they improved their hygiene somewhat, there was a natural increase of about 100 thousand in population. 

But another 100 thousand or so were from other tribes who had joined them voluntarily.

They were drawn by the rumor that the Creek Tribe was wealthy and powerful and accepted them without discrimination, making it very livable.

“Now that we have enough food reserves for this day, we will go on expeditions for conquest every year on a regular basis. This matter will be overseen by the military department.”

“Yes. We will do so.”

Strong Bow, the head of military department bowed his head with a solemn face.

Thanks to the tactical textbooks written by Kim Kiwoo over time, his command skills and those of other commanders had improved.

Also, unlike before, many steel armors were produced. 

The weapons were also different from before.

He had no intention of messing with the Aztec Empire yet, but wouldn’t he be able to win against them with this power even if he fought them now?

‘The priority is to strengthen the foundation of North America. There’s no reason to fight with that crazy military nation that rips out people’s hearts right away.’

There would be very few things to hold him back in North America. After all, it was a war for population increase, not conquest, like last time.

Various issues were discussed in the conference room.

‘Good. Very good.’

Kim Kiwoo felt a sense of accomplishment as he presided over the meeting.

Before he created the departments, the meetings were conducted without order. It was because he didn’t delegate any areas completely.

But now, they only reported their own department’s affairs. 

And then they discussed the issues that came out with the related departments in the conference room, and finally Kim Kiwoo made the decision.

It was very systematic.

Thanks to that, Kim Kiwoo and the executives had an easier time handling their work.

‘Now I can really call it a nation.’

Of course, he didn’t say it out loud. But it wasn’t just his thought.

Just when Kim Kiwoo was thinking that.

Smart Head exchanged some eye contact with the surrounding executives, and opened his mouth with a serious expression.

“Now our Creek Tribe has grown much larger than before. This was all thanks to Grand Chief Spirit excellent leadership. Isn’t that right?”

“…No. It’s because you all followed me well.”

At that moment, a sense of uneasiness crept up his spine. And with Smart Head’s next words, Kim Kiwoo realized that his hunch was right.

“Then let’s say it was Grand Chief Spirit and all of our efforts. But I’ve never heard of a tribe as big as ours anywhere. The Creek Tribe is too big to be called a tribe. So shouldn’t we start calling it a nation soon? Haven’t we been putting it off because we had too much work to do?”

“…Is that okay? It hasn’t been long since many tribes joined us, and it’s still chaotic. And we still have a shortage of manpower. We’re going on a new expedition to solve this, but it will take a lot of effort to assimilate the tribesmen we accept. Founding a nation in this situation? We’re already busy enough, can we handle the increasing work?”

Kim Kiwoo’s subtle dissuasion didn’t change the faces of the executives. 

They looked like they wouldn’t change their minds no matter what he said.

“We can handle it.”

“We swear by the Earth Spirit that we will endure no matter how hard it is.”

“I agree with you, Grand Chief Spirit.”

“Hmm.”

Kim Kiwoo tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair and sank into his thoughts.

‘I have to do it anyway. That’s the only way to unite all the tribes as one.’

Not joining one tribe, but belonging to a huge nation. It looked the same, but the feeling that the subjugated tribesmen had was very different.

And it could be used as an opportunity to clearly define the identity that the nation should pursue.

‘But I can’t do it without any preparation.’

It was a once-in-a-lifetime proclamation of founding a nation. 

He had to make a constitution, revise various laws, and complete the hierarchy.

The same went for establishing the national identity.

Kim Kiwoo organized his thoughts and opened his mouth.

“It’s too early now. But I agree with you on founding a nation. So let’s start preparing for it from now on. In about a year or so, our tribe will be reborn as a nation.”

“Understood!”

“Yes!”

On the day when the new conquest war was resolved.

The founding of the Creek Tribe was finally decided. 

The first empire of North America was being born.

<The Determination to Found a Nation> The End