Building Civilizations on Primitive Planets
9. Obstacles in the Plan
In the morning of August 20, 2022 at 09:00, 20 people from Rihlah and Valhalla were already at the estuary around Tanjung Pagar. Udin and Zayn spent more than 3 hours cleaning the estuaries of the crocodiles and driving them away. The existence of crocodiles even though the number is only a dozen tails in the estuary surprised Udin, because last night when he flew a drone and monitored around Tanjung Pagar did not see the heat radiance of the crocodile's body. Most likely animals that are active at night today hunt in the middle of the night in the distance and return when dawn is approaching. Of course, the presence of crocodiles, the potential emergence of tigers and tropical diseases are the main obstacles that they must overcome in the fortress that they will name as Alamut. An hour later they finished combing 100 meters right and left of the estuary, they managed to find several nests and then burned the crocodile nests. In two of the nests they found 112 eggs that seemed new. They kept the eggs for the food supply of the people in Valhalla. Of the 14 crocodiles they had seen in the estuary, 9 managed to kill where their skin would be utilized and the meat would be eaten by the Valhalla people later.
One hour of crocodile nest cleaning is done, at 10:00 they start eating their breakfast with rawon menu. At first the people in Valhalla shuddered and did not taste like Rawon who appeared as a soup with dark and turbid broth like dirty water. But after eating it they were stunned for a moment and ate it greedily. “What food masters do these cooks mediocre parts of beef can taste so special?” ask Johnny.
“Does this island have this kind of tree with fruit that contains small kinds of shells with large amounts in it like this?” zayn said showing pictures of trees and fruit Keluwak/Kepayang. “This is Keluwak fruit (we consider this the planetary pronunciation yes) which is very poisonous and deadly sir, are you not joking, you are not, and what is this tool that can bring up a painting that looks very real?” ask Johnny again. “Keluwak is indeed poisonous and deadly if not processed properly. Our culture can cultivate this into a wonderful cooking spice after a process of several months of fermentation that we will one day explain. The tool that just showed you its name is Smartphone,” said Zayn. “Western communication stones that can contact other people in distant places to talk and look at each other's faces, take pictures as real paintings, and store a variety of knowledge like a complete library, and,” plus Udin cut off the talk.
“Wah you really come from a much more advanced civilized kingdom. It turns out that the world is very vast. I have heard that there are still many continents outside the Jayamas and Jayati continents but I have never left other than them, the most distant two continents, he said,” amazed Johnny to Zayn and Udin who in the previous 2 days introduced themselves from the Country they call America.
“So Johnny are humans here using Mana energy or do bodies use Qi energy to control water, fire, earth, fire and light elements?” ask Johnny Udin. “What is Mana and Qi sir? We have no knowledge of it, and is it not impossible for man to control the motion of water, fire, earth, fire and light?” johnny said in confusion.
“Have your bullshit Din! You are too imaginative and mostly read fantasy novels,” Zayn said. “But John doesn't mean man can't control any element, it's not with science that makes no sense but with technology like this that moves the wind with its power!” zayn showed his portable mini fan and circulated it in turns to others and then greeted Johnny and the others in amazement. “Takbelievable, the wind can blow without any fan being waved really make fresh,” said Rena slave Udin who finally sounded let out a sound after so many days.
“So believe me with what we do and we command you, we will create a kingdom even a new incredible world” said Udin. “Therefore we want you to really support us starting from the rebuilding of Tanjung Pagar, oh yes we named this fort later as Alamut,” explained Udin.
“But seeing this plan as our understanding will not be able to flatten the rock hill with the people who are here and with that build it also takes more than 10 years of course. And again it takes extra energy to face threats that may arise such as tigers, crocodiles, and diseases such as malaria,” Johnny expressed his doubts.
“How much wealth do you have Johnny?” ask Zayn. “I have a stash of 1,000,000 gold pieces in my house in addition to the money I carry everyday, “ replied Johnny. “What if you give it all to me and you give me a slave from the class of former officers, then I release you from the status of slaves and we will be equal partners. Then allow Alamut to master Sumberurip, Tegalwangi and Kalikucing, for other Suleka regions we will help win it to be your part with us as his supporters. Then you helped me find 200 slaves from among the soldiers and 50 people from metal, wood and stone craftsmen to build Alamut. Is it enough with your treasure?”
“Your offer is very tempting Mr. Zayn and I cannot refuse it,” Zayn replied with sparkling eyes. But still looking for 200 slave soldiers was extremely difficult. Each 1 person in this archipelago is only allowed to have 10 slaves, besides bringing in large numbers of slaves will be an easy conversation to spread in various island kingdoms. Indeed, I have 10 slaves and all soldiers including these 7 people, but that does not mean it is easy to have 200 slave soldiers, we must capture the enemy in a rare war, let alone craftsmen, let alone craftsmen, it was impossible for us to find 50 craftsmen, moreover there were almost no craftsmen who were slaves. If anything, they usually become slaves belonging to the palace and certain people if there are any. My father only has 3 special metal craftsmen as slaves that he obtained more than 15 years ago,” Johnny revealed severe obstacles from the development plan Alamut.
“Can't you search for warrior slaves on the Johnny continent, if you can how much you need and can you do it in secret?” ask Udin. “Truly never thought of me, Mr. Udin, the servant apologized profusely of course it was easier to get slaves on the continent and of course it was easy to keep it a secret by making the trade as if it were done by many parties and then doing some secret voyages. But to once travel there once a way with a larger ship requires a considerable travel cost. It costs 25,000 pieces of gold to go one way as a crew fare required. Then the slave of the former soldier who had been trained had an expensive price ordinary soldiers were valued at 2000 gold pieces, for officers even equivalent to the price of former officials for 3500 gold pieces while the price of former nobles market the cheapest price of 4000 gold pieces. If we are looking for 200 ordinary soldiers then we need 425,000 pieces of gold required and there may be an unexpected expense of 25,000 pieces of gold so that it takes 450,000 pieces of gold and there is still left 550,000 pieces of gold for you to have. But nominally it is certainly outside the craftsmen, servants have not found a solution for it. For the gift of a former officer one more slave in the servant's residence will be exchanged for the freedom of this servant lord.” Johnny said. “Zayn what do you think if we imitate the North Korean way? We kidnapped the craftsmen and their families through a covert operation to be forced to work here?” Udin sneered cunningly. “Not bad idea Din, okay I agreed,” Zayn replied with a laugh.
“But master by buying slaves on the continent of course it will be difficult to find slaves with Fantastica language skills whether it is not a problem, the average person on the Continent only uses Jaya language except the traders, who are not, officials and officers who could sometimes master Fantastica. Then was a little heard there was a secret kidnapping plan against the craftsmen, what do you mean we will kidnap the craftsmen from some kingdom around?” Johnny expressed a little doubt.