Yanchen's tone hardened. "But hear me well. This ground is mine. Your strength, your labor, all of it will serve my name now. If you give me your work, I will give you what you need. If you cross me, if you steal, if you betray then you will be cast out. There will be no second chances."
The silence that followed was heavy, pressed down like stone.
Then Themba stepped forward with a grin, slapping his hands together. "You heard him, bru! The boss speaks. New days coming, ja? You put your back into the work, and you'll eat. You'll sleep under a real roof. That's the deal, man."
The crowd shifted. Some nodded, others exchanged doubtful looks, but none turned away.
Yanchen let the silence linger one more beat before he gave a single nod. "Tomorrow, work begins under my rule. Go and rest. You will need your strength."
The men slowly began to disperse, voices rising in low conversation, cautious but carrying the faint spark of something new.
