013 The Population Explosion: Reigning Over the "Dark Age"!

The bodies of six thunder lizards provided approximately 800,000 units of food, giving the tribe a powerful boost. More than two months had passed since the hunt for the thunder lizards, and the tribe’s population had exploded. With abundant food and a comfortable environment, the newborn mouse children were flourishing on the highlands of Horseshoe Mountain. Now, with fifteen days remaining before the end of the protection period, the tribe’s population had reached 2,690, with infants less than a month old making up over 30% of the total.

He opened the system panel: “Technology: Class System (Completed).” The class system was a pivotal technology for advancing the era, a prerequisite for entering the Dark Age from the Stone Age, marking the tribe’s formal transition into civilization.

1. Tribe population exceeds 1,000 (Completed)
2. Complete prerequisite technology: Class System (Completed)
3. Upgrade primary tribal camp to town (Completed)

“Dear player, you have fulfilled all the requirements to enter the Dark Age. Would you like to proceed immediately?” The system prompt sounded.

“Enter the Dark Age now!” Yang Jie chose without hesitation.

As the ground trembled, the tribe underwent an earth-shaking transformation. The mud walls were instantly replaced with brick walls. Even the watchtowers and the walls under construction became brand new. The mouse burrows grew more spacious, and the roads within the tribe were cleaner.

Yang Jie realized the original tribe was gone; it was now a town. Congratulations to the player’s tribe, “Advancing Bamboo Mice,” for successfully entering the Dark Age, ranking 17th on the Noxus Continent.

Yang Jie knew this Noxus Continent was the third district of Huaxia Zone 41.

“Activate [Guild System], players can establish and join other guilds.”
“[Exchange] is now open. The current era’s resource transaction tax rate is 50%.”

Yang Jie was already familiar with these two technologies and didn’t pay them much mind.

With the arrival of the “Dark Age,” a series of system prompts appeared at the bottom of the control panel:

Technology [Textile Craft] unlocked, available for research.
Technology [Arithmetic] unlocked, available for research.
Technology [Market Economy] unlocked, available for research.
Technology [Intermediate Woodcraft] unlocked, available for research.
Technology [Oracle Script] unlocked, available for research.
Technology [Animal Husbandry] unlocked, available for research.
Technology [Slash-and-Burn Agriculture] unlocked, available for research.
Technology [Herbal Medicine] unlocked, available for research.
Technology [Education] unlocked, available for research.
Technology [Astrology] unlocked, available for research.
Technology [ZZ System] unlocked, available for research.
Technology [Law] unlocked, available for research.
...
It could be said the Dark Age was truly the beginning of Tower Defense and Civilization. If the Stone Age was a circle with a radius of one, then the Dark Age was a concentric circle with a radius of five. The earlier one reached the Dark Age, the greater the advantage.

Yang Jie considered his own speed swift, yet he hadn’t expected to rank only seventeenth so far.

To explain the origin of technology points: in Tower Defense and Civilization, players could earn technology points in various ways. For example, collecting 1,000 units of wood in the early stages would grant 10 technology points. Gathering 10,000 units would achieve another milestone and reward 100 technology points.

In short, the methods for acquiring technology points were diverse, but their core purpose was to guide players' development. For instance, if a player focused solely on military and neglected agriculture, even upon reaching the Dark Age, their technology points would be noticeably lacking.

Besides the dozens of unlocked technologies, many new buildings became available.

“Congratulations, player, on reaching the [Dark Age].”
Buildings unlocked:
1. [Mill]
2. [Shipyard]
3. [Market]
4. [School]
5. [Security Department]
6. [Courthouse]
7. [Administrative Center]
8. [Hospital]
9. [Textile Factory]
10. [Water Conservancy Dam]
...

Yang Jie swiped through the system panel, assigning them all according to his plans. The wood and stone he had stored over the past half month quickly ran out.

“Notify all officials to gather in the meeting room in one hour, prepare for a meeting.” After instructing his assistant, Yang Jie left alone.

One hour later

In the hastily completed meeting room, nearly twenty officials sat on either side of Yang Jie. Only Twitch was absent, busy leveling up; clearly, the recent hunting operation had had a deep impact on him.

Among these twenty or so officials were familiar faces like Old Sha and Wendy, as well as new talents like One-Eye, promoted for their distinguished military service. A little over half a month ago, Shuke had been disabled in the hunt and now focused only on logistics and training.

“Now that everyone’s here, let’s begin the meeting! Who wants to speak first?”

Old Sha: All defensive works have been completed as required, reducing the main defensive line on Horseshoe Mountain to fifty meters. Your requirement was that each section’s height difference be no less than five meters, so we mainly used a combination of excavation and construction. We dug two meters deep and five meters wide at the foot of the slope, then built three-meter-high walls of brick and clay atop the slope, ensuring each segment’s height difference was at least five meters.

Our next goal is to finish construction around the main defensive zone, specifically the fifty-meter-long city gate exit, within three days.

Currently, our construction team is splitting tasks: some experienced workers are training newcomers for new buildings, while others are seasoned craftsmen temporarily assigned as sappers to set traps in the defensive positions.

Yang Jie nodded in satisfaction, knowing Old Sha’s personal conduct was questionable, but his work was flawless—finding faults was nearly impossible.

After Old Sha finished, Wendy coughed lightly, signaling she was ready.

Wendy: The most demanding administrative task right now is household registration. Our population is growing too quickly, our office materials are too basic, and there are major personnel shortages. Including myself, twenty-seven mice are handling public affairs.

Resistance remains high in public affairs. Household registration is one issue; others include urban planning and homestead allocation. Our twenty-seven civil servants are not only responsible for daily tasks but also for dispute mediation, market transactions, environmental sanitation, and security management. Frankly, we’re stretched too thin.

Additionally, there are many unauthorized and illegal constructions in town. I propose that land must be returned to public ownership.

This time, I hope the organization will strongly support us.

“I understand your concerns, but we have a population gap at the moment. I’ll address this shortly.” As Yang Jie finished, his new secretary, Charles, took detailed notes.

Victor: Agricultural output is excellent, but for long-term planning, I personally advise against converting the fertile lands of Horseshoe Mountain into farmland. The mountain is too high, making irrigation difficult. Instead, we could center our efforts on Horseshoe Mountain and cultivate land and crops along the banks of the Tam River.

“You’re absolutely right—it matches my thoughts.”

“Here’s what we’ll do: Victor, Old Sha, and Wendy, after the meeting, coordinate on building irrigation channels and land development. Prepare a comprehensive, feasible plan for me.”

“Do you all agree?” Yang Jie asked Old Sha and Wendy.

“No problem.”
“I’m just short-handed. We can draft the plan first, but construction will likely be delayed.”

“Very well, let’s settle it for now!” Yang Jie decided, moving the council forward.

Little Billy: Now that the food issue has been solved, our hunter group’s tasks are much easier. We’ve been helping Wendy with registration, planning, and security. I suggest our hunter group be fully reassigned to the Security Department, and some members transferred to the Administration Department. After working together recently, we’ve found Wendy’s team truly needs more staff.

“Approved!” Yang Bing replied without hesitation—Little Billy’s suggestion perfectly matched his own intentions.

“This is decided today. You and Wendy coordinate and agree on numbers, then submit the list.”

Wendy: No problem, Billy and I already reached an agreement before the meeting.

Yang Jie glanced at Wendy, his opinion of her rising again—clearly, she had done her homework before the meeting.

“Old Jill, your turn.”

Yang Jie had been watching everyone since the meeting began, and Old Jill seemed troubled today. Yang Jie couldn’t guess his thoughts. He knew Old Jill had three sons and a little daughter, but in the last hunt, his eldest and second son were both killed—an immense blow.

Old Jill: After adding five mice to our statistics department last time, everything is running smoothly. Current numbers:

Food reserves: 500,000 units
Wood reserves: 60,000 units
Stone reserves: 40,000 units

“My old friend, you’ve always done an excellent job!” Yang Jie praised Old Jill without reservation, knowing such a loyal family held great prestige among the tribe.

Old Jill: But, Chief, I have a request I’d like to make at this meeting.

Yang Jie was surprised—a difficult request? With your seniority and reputation, unless it’s something unreasonable, how could I refuse?

“Speak, my friend. We’re all here; this is the place for open discussion.”

Seeing no objections from Yang Jie or the other officials, Old Jill felt reassured.

Old Jill: You all know my eldest and second sons were lost in the last tribal action. Now I have only my youngest son, Karl. He’s just come of age and is nearly ready for military service. I wish for him to serve as usual, but after his term, I hope he can work by my side. Out of selfishness, I don’t want him going to the battlefield again—he’s my only son, and I’d prefer to keep him safe.

Yang Jie: That’s not a problem at all. You can arrange it yourself. Honestly, with your contributions and reputation, there’s absolutely no issue.

Old Jill: I understand, Chief, but my boy Karl is headstrong and unruly. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He told me he’s determined to become a soldier, and no matter how I try to persuade him, he won’t listen. Alas! Perhaps I’ve failed as a father.

Now Yang Jie finally understood—Old Jill’s difficult request was precisely this. He didn’t want his last beloved son to return to the battlefield, but couldn’t change his nature, so he sought help.

The officials couldn’t help but smile wryly...