Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

The sounds of ramming earth echoed across the construction site of Xinghuo Fortress, and greenery spread across the newly reclaimed fields. But Chen Xing's gaze had already transcended these bustling scenes, turning towards the more distant future. He knew that bricks and stones would weather, and food would run out; only "people" were the foundation for Xinghuo Fortress to truly stand firm in this chaotic world, and even for it to spread like wildfire. And cultivating "people" was not something that could be accomplished overnight; it required early planning and systematic preparation.

The "Nine-Character Policy" is the guiding principle for action, and what supports its long-term implementation is the talent to understand, accept, and skillfully apply it. Xinghuo Fortress currently has no shortage of brave warriors, hardworking farmers, and even some ingenious craftsmen emerging. What it lacks are "seeds"—people who can read and write, understand basic arithmetic, comprehend government orders, and who can serve as grassroots managers, technical backbones, or even mid- to high-ranking military officers in the future. As its territory expands, its population increases, and its affairs become increasingly complex, this shortage is becoming more and more apparent. Li Shu's household registration office is already operating beyond capacity, Wu Xuejiu is handling almost everything personally, and Chen Wei and Murong Mingyue, in addition to military training, also have to devote themselves to many administrative tasks.

It's time to formally put "talent cultivation" on the agenda and institutionalize and regularize it. Chen Xing had already formed this idea when he established the "nine-character policy" and had privately communicated with Wu Xuejiu, Murong Mingyue, and others. Now, the time is ripe.

On this day, Chen Xing convened another meeting of the core leadership, with only one topic: "On the strategy of cultivating talents in Xinghuo Fortress." In addition to the usual few attendees, he specially invited an old scholar who had a good reputation for teaching children to read among the refugees, as well as an elderly man from the Murong tribe who was fluent in both Chinese and non-Chinese languages ​​and had served as a tribal scribe.

The meeting was still held in the council chamber, which was covered with maps and bylaws, but the atmosphere was different from when the discussion on building walls and stockpiling grain was held. There was less urgency and more profound contemplation.

"Gentlemen," Chen Xing said bluntly, "building walls to defend against foreign aggression and stockpiling grain to reassure the people are our most urgent tasks, and we are doing our utmost to achieve them. However, walls need guards, grain needs managers, laws need communicators and enforcers, all industries need researchers and improvements, and the army needs officers who understand commands and can assess the situation. If Xinghuo Fortress wants to maintain its long-term stability and plan for the future, it cannot do without a continuous stream of capable personnel."

He paused, then looked at Wu Xuejiu: "Mr. Wu, in the recent handling of documents, accounting, and craftsmanship records within the fortress, have you noticed a shortage of skilled personnel?"

Wu Xuejiu sighed deeply, expressing his profound feelings: "The lord of the fortress is wise. Li Shu and I, among others, are exhausted from working on paperwork all day long, yet we still feel powerless. The land and population figures reported by many garrisons are riddled with errors, the artisans' improvements to their techniques can only be passed down orally and cannot be formally recorded, and the records of military merits are also occasionally confused. It's not that we are not doing our best, but that there are too few people who can read, understand principles, and know basic arithmetic. If this continues, problems will inevitably arise, and efficiency will be difficult to improve."

Chen Wei nodded in agreement: "It's the same in the army. Many brave soldiers are willing to risk their lives in battle, but they are often clueless about map reading, flag recognition, and formation changes. They rely entirely on their superiors' oral instruction and their own bravery. If they could have a basic understanding of literacy and arithmetic and comprehend the military manuals, their combat effectiveness would improve by a significant margin."

Murong Mingyue added from another perspective: "Our warriors are loyal, brave, and fearless, but they are mostly unfamiliar with Han Chinese writing and laws, relying entirely on translation and oral transmission, which inevitably leads to misunderstandings. If we could enable the intelligent among them to learn Han Chinese and understand the rules of the fortress, it would greatly benefit communication between the Han and non-Han peoples and the management of our tribe in the future."

Chen Xing nodded: "This is precisely what I wish to discuss today. My idea is to formally establish the 'Spark Academy' to systematically cultivate the various talents needed by our fortress. This is not a whim, but a fundamental and long-term strategy."

He got up and walked to a wooden board that had been prepared beforehand, on which a simple framework was outlined with charcoal.

"The Spark Academy can be initially divided into two parts," Chen Xing pointed with a wooden pole. "The first is the 'Elementary Education Department,' or 'Elementary Education Hall.' It will enroll children aged six to twelve from within the fortress, regardless of their background, whether they are Han or non-Han. They will be taught basic literacy, simple arithmetic, and a brief explanation of the essentials of the 'Spark Fortress Regulations' and the 'Merit Order.' The purpose is not to cultivate pedantic scholars, but to ensure that the next generation of our fortress can recognize characters, understand arithmetic, and comprehend the foundation and rules of our Spark Fortress from a young age. This is the very foundation of our foundation."

Upon hearing this, the old scholar's eyes lit up, and he stroked his beard, saying, "The Lord's suggestion is excellent! The foundation of education lies with children. If children can learn to read and reason, and distinguish right from wrong, then the morals within the fortress will surely be pure, and the future will be promising. However… the teachers and the classics…"

"I will find the necessary texts," Chen Xing said. "I will compile or find suitable rhyming verses and arithmetic primers. Initially, the instructors can be those in the fortress who are somewhat literate, such as you, sir, Li Shu, the clerks in the household registration office, or even literate officers in the army. They can take turns teaching. They will be awarded corresponding 'educational merits' according to the 'Merit Order.' After the students have achieved success, the best can be selected to stay on as instructors."

"Secondly, there is the 'Specialized Training Department'." Chen Xingmu pointed to another part of the framework. "This department is for teenagers and adults with a certain foundation. It will initially have three sections: First, the 'Political Affairs Section,' which trains civil affairs personnel such as garrison managers, tax collectors, clerks, and granary managers. Students will learn more in-depth document recording, accounting, legal interpretation, official document writing, and simple management skills. Second, the 'Craftsmanship Section,' which selects those with craftsmanship talent or interest and teaches them under the tutelage of master craftsmen such as Zhou Dashan. They will not only teach craftsmanship but also blueprint reading, material properties, simple measurement and calculation, and even the principles of new tools, cultivating 'master craftsmen' who can improve processes and even design independently. Third, the 'Military Academy,' which selects outstanding and promising junior officers or elite soldiers from the army. They will be taught by Chen Wei, Murong Mingyue, and experienced veteran officers. The content will not only cover martial arts and formations but also the use of maps and sand tables, the transmission of flags and drums, key points of military strategy, battle case analysis, and the deep principles of military regulations and discipline, cultivating true officer seeds."

This plan is far more ambitious than simply providing early childhood education; it encompasses almost every aspect of the future governance of Xinghuo Fortress. Everyone listened with great excitement and a profound sense of responsibility.

The old clerk from the Murong tribe asked in slightly accented Chinese, "Lord, are the children of my tribe eligible to attend this school? Especially the 'Military Training Hall'?"

"Of course!" Chen Xing affirmed. "Not only can they enroll, but I hope more Murong tribe children can enroll. The unity of Han and non-Han peoples begins with education. The elementary school can offer bilingual instruction, initially with assistants who are fluent in both languages. In the specialized courses, Han and non-Han children should be encouraged to study together and encourage each other. Only by learning and growing together from a young age can we truly break down barriers and become one."

Wu Xuejiu pondered for a moment and said, "The fortress lord's plan is far-sighted, and I admire it greatly. However, this move will also be quite costly. School buildings, teaching materials, writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones, teachers' salaries, student subsidies... all these are expenses. Moreover, with so many young and strong men enrolling, there will be a reduction in labor and soldiers in the short term."

"Your concerns are quite valid," Chen Xing nodded. "Therefore, this matter must be handled step by step and cannot be accomplished overnight. In the initial stage, existing vacant buildings can be renovated or simple sheds can be built. Since writing materials are expensive, sand tables, slates, and charcoal pencils can be used as substitutes. Teachers' salaries and student subsidies will be mainly based on 'merit points' and some in-kind benefits. As for manpower, it needs to be properly arranged. The elementary school can operate on a half-day basis, and the specialized departments can adopt a rotation system based on the content they learn. For example, students in the military academy can train during the day and study at night, and students in the political science and crafts departments can also work part-time and study part-time, so that what they learn can be applied to practice immediately."

He surveyed the crowd: "This move may seem costly, but it is in fact an investment. Training a qualified steward for the settlement may increase the yield per mu of land and clarify taxation; training a craftsman may improve a process and enhance the overall production efficiency of the fortress; training a qualified officer may reduce unnecessary casualties and improve overall combat effectiveness. Its long-term benefits far outweigh the immediate costs. This is the principle of 'sharpening the axe before chopping wood.'"

Chen Wei said in a deep voice, "This subordinate agrees! The army especially needs reasonable officers. This subordinate is willing to fully support this matter and select capable veterans to participate in the teaching and management of the military academy."

Zhao Tiezhu patted his chest and declared, "Leave the school building site to me! I guarantee I'll find a place and people and get it up and running as quickly as possible!"

Zhou Dashan rubbed his hands together: "The crafts department is excellent! It should have been done a long time ago! Relying solely on masters to teach apprentices is too slow! Some of the youngsters are bright, but they lack systematic guidance!"

Seeing that everyone had basically reached a consensus and were highly enthusiastic, Chen Xing felt reassured. "In that case, Mr. Wu will take charge of the establishment of the 'Spark Academy,' with Li Shu assisting in the formulation of detailed regulations, including admission standards, curriculum outlines, teacher selection, merit evaluation, and management methods. Chen Wei, Mingyue, and Dashan, you will be responsible for the specific teaching plans for the Martial Arts Hall and the Crafts Department, respectively. As for the Elementary School, please have the old gentleman take the lead in preparations. The list of required materials should be submitted to Zhou Dashan for overall coordination as soon as possible."

He concluded by emphasizing, "The purpose of Spark Academy is not to cultivate bookworms, but to nurture capable individuals who are loyal to Spark Fortress, agree with our ideals, possess genuine skills and knowledge, and can solve practical problems. Teaching must be pragmatic, assessments must be rigorous, and the atmosphere must be upright. This is the cornerstone of our fortress's future; I urge you all to take it seriously!"

"We will obey the Lord's command!" The crowd responded in unison, their eyes burning with the desire to start a new business.

Once the plan was launched, its efficiency was astonishing. Within days, several unused warehouses and spacious courtyards within the fortress were cleared out, slightly repaired, and wooden signs reading "Spark Academy Primary School" and "Spark Academy Military Academy" were hung up. Sand tables, slates, and charcoal pencils began to be mass-produced. Enrollment notices were posted, detailing the admission requirements, benefits, and future prospects, immediately causing a sensation within the fortress. Many parents, especially those who had experienced displacement and knew the hardships of illiteracy, were extremely excited and rushed to the registration point with their children to inquire.

The Murong tribe's camp also became lively, with several elders personally encouraging eligible children and bright youngsters to sign up. For them, this was not only an opportunity to learn, but also a path to truly integrate into the core of Starfire Fortress and fight for the future of their tribe.

The selection process was underway. The first batch of students for the Elementary School was planned to be 120, aged six to ten, with an equal number of Han and non-Han children. The selection would primarily assess their quick wit and memory. The first batch of places for each department in the Special Education Department was limited: 30 for Political Affairs, 20 for Crafts, and 50 for the Military Academy. All students were required to pass a simple literacy and arithmetic test or demonstrate their skills, and would be selected and recommended by the relevant personnel.

When the first group of neatly dressed children, filled with curiosity and trepidation, entered the temporary school, reciting the introductory rhyme, "A spark of light illuminates my path; the fortress's rules are strict, guarded by soldiers and civilians alike," with the old scholar swaying his head; when the first group of selected young craftsmen surrounded Zhou Dashan, listening to him explain the blueprints and force principles of a new plowshare; when the first group of junior officers and elite soldiers began learning to identify contour lines and directions on a simple map in front of Chen Wei and Murong Mingyue—

A new, future-oriented aura began to quietly emerge within Starfire Fortress. This aura may still be faint, but it represents hope, and that this emerging force is not content with merely struggling to survive, but is consciously sowing, watering, and cultivating its own "forest" for a more distant future.

The seeds of talent cultivation have been sown. They will grow silently and tenaciously amidst the chaos of war, together with the rammed earth used to build walls and the green seedlings used to store grain.