Chapter 1152, Logistics

Translator: Silavin

 

[Check in and claim the Assistance Package.]

 

The first thing Su Bai did upon opening his eyes was check in with the System. It had become a reflex he barely thought about.

 

Or perhaps it had been etched so deeply into him that it was simply instinct now. It was, after all, the thing he looked forward to most each day.

 

<Ding! Congratulations Host, check in successful!>

<Ding! Congratulations, Host has received Low Grade Assistance: one crate of goggles.>

 

Su Bai had barely finished changing when a crate of goggles appeared on the table. “Even if it’s something that’s come up before, having it is better than nothing at all,” he said mildly.

 

He was thinking that there would be more and more flying Ferocious Beasts to deal with as time went on. If the Tribe ever developed an air force or aerial transportation vehicle, goggles would matter a ton.

 

The flying speed of Ferocious Beasts, or the flight speed of wild beasts generally, was quite high. Riding one without goggles would make it very difficult to see anything clearly.

 

*Step step step…*

 

He went out as usual to eat breakfast and do his morning exercise, then turned to the various matters of the Tribe.

 

Sha Lan had just returned from training herself, changed her clothes, and came before Su Bai with her blue hair swaying behind her. She turned her neck lightly and said in a soft voice. “Shaman, I’ve just checked on the Six Eyed Red Bird team and found that all of them are fully equipped and ready.”

 

Ever since the Yan Hua had brought those Six Eyed Red Birds back from the forest, the workshop had been crafting carrying frames suited to their backs.

 

The Six Eyed Red Birds were to be the Tribe’s primary means of transporting goods going forward, after all. Without frames to hold cargo, each bird could only carry so much per journey.

 

“Have the Six Eyed Red Birds adjusted well? Are they resistant to having the frames placed on their backs?” Su Bai asked.

 

“They were a little unaccustomed to it at first, but not resistant. They shook themselves a couple of times and then settled in very quickly.” Sha Lan stepped to the window and pointed outside, saying: “Shaman, look, I’ve had the Six Eyed Red Birds wait down below so you don’t have to go all the way out to see them.”

 

“How thoughtful.” Su Bai smiled and rose to stand before the floor-length window.

 

Looking out, he saw eight Six Eyed Red Birds standing in a row, every bit like soldiers arrayed and ready to depart.

 

Each bird had a concave-shaped frame fitted to its back, secured like an inverted bracket across their hindquarters.

 

On either side of the wings were large storage compartments, each measuring over a metre in length, width, and height. Together the two sides amounted to roughly three square metres of carrying space.

 

The flat surface of the frame along the spine could also bear cargo, since the concave frame sat level, allowing goods to be strapped across the back as well.

 

“All seems well. But weren’t they said to be capable of carrying more than their own body weight? The scale of these compartments doesn’t seem especially large to me.” Su Bai said, not entirely satisfied.

 

This was largely because the Six Eyed Red Birds stood very tall. Standing upright, they reached three metres in height.

 

Yet the compartments on either side were only a metre tall. If a single Tribe purchased a ton at once, the entire team would need to be deployed for it.

 

“Shaman, the workshops originally prepared compartments close to the birds’ own height. But when running, their speed would be greatly reduced, which would have defeated the purpose of their advantage in speed.”

 

Sha Lan brushed a lock of blue hair aside and continued. “Beyond that, compartments of near equal height to the birds would restrict their ability to freely leap and spring. The safety of the cargo would be much harder to guarantee.”

 

She Lan had raised the same concern herself initially, but the workshops had demonstrated the issue practically for her to see.

 

The Six Eyed Red Bird’s running speed through the forest dropped noticeably. And when encountering fallen trees that needed jumping, the effort was considerable. Though they had cleared every obstacle safely during the test, it was not something that could be counted on every time goods were being delivered.

 

“So, these specifications were arrived at through testing. Well done.” Su Bai gave a nod of genuine approval.

 

What pleased him was that the workshops had adjusted based on the birds’ characteristics rather than assumptions, and that they had taken the trouble to test their conclusions.

 

Su Bai always wanted data. Data told a more reliable story than any number of words.

 

How much weight a Six Eyed Red Bird could bear, or what size and weight of compartment suited them best, were things Su Bai himself did not know. The workshops had to work those things out for themselves through careful adjustment.

 

“Yes, Shaman. The cargo capacity is somewhat reduced, but the Six Eyed Red Birds’ running speed and overall safety can be reliably maintained.” Sha Lan said.

 

“On average, how much cargo can a single Six Eyed Red Bird carry? Give me a rough figure.” Su Bai asked.

 

“If the cargo is wine, then one Six Eyed Red Bird can carry roughly ten barrels, with the back left empty.” Sha Lan’s delicate blue eyes blinked as she continued. “If the cargo is perfume, a single bird can carry several hundred bottles. Or perhaps a few hundred tubes’ worth of salt…”

 

Her memory was exceptional. She recited the workshops’ test results in full without missing a thing. Given that the Six Eyed Red Birds’ main purpose going forward would be the delivery of goods, their carrying capacity was a matter of great importance.

 

“That seems about right. If a Tribe buys a substantial amount, a full team should be able to manage the load.” Su Bai nodded thoughtfully.

 

Then his brow furrowed slightly. It was not dissatisfaction with the Six Eyed Red Bird team. He had simply been turning over something else.

 

“Shaman, is there something else that needs improving? You look as though you’re not quite satisfied.” Sha Lan asked immediately.

 

There was still enough time at this point to make adjustments if needed.

 

“No, I’m pleased with the Six Eyed Red Bird team. I’m thinking about something else.” Su Bai shook his head with a small smile.

 

“Is there anything I can help with?” Sha Lan asked at once.

 

“I’m thinking about how to expand the team, and whether there might be new transportation vehicles we could make use of.” Su Bai said directly.

 

The truth was that he was still a little dissatisfied with the carrying capacity as it stood. He had been imagining how perfect it would be if one or two Ferocious Beasts could handle the full volume of a Tribe’s large purchase in a single run.

 

Because as time went on, more and more Tribes would be coming to the Flame Dragon Tribe to buy things, the logistics of it all would need to keep pace.

 

The current few Six Eyed Red Birds were far from sufficient for the volume of deliveries ahead. The moment a single Tribe bought an especially large amount, the entire team would effectively be committed to that Tribe’s delivery alone.

 

What would the other Tribes needing delivery services do then? Or what about the situation where several Tribes had purchased large quantities at once?

 

“Let me think.” Sha Lan’s mind began working quickly.