I am a Primitive Man
Chapter 879 – Cause of the Past, Result of Today
After the effectiveness of the donkey saddles and stirrups had been confirmed, the carpentry room led by Lame accelerated its production.
Thanks to the prior successful experience, there was no need for trial and error—just following the previous specifications and designs was enough. Consequently, the production speed for both items increased dramatically.
Another reason was the availability of meteorite axes and chisels. With these powerful tools, Lame and the carpenters worked with great motivation.
The morale boost was tremendous.
Under these conditions, within just a day and a half, the carpentry room produced four more sets of donkey saddles and stirrups.
The only regret Han Cheng felt was that the tribe still had not unlocked the technology for steel smelting.
Otherwise, he could have had horseshoes made as well, just as they had done with the saddles and stirrups, converting them into donkey horseshoes.
With this three-piece set, everything would have been perfect.
The meteorite in the tribe met the quality standard, but there wasn’t enough of it. Even updating the tribe’s most essential tools was impossible, let alone making horseshoes for the donkeys.
Still, the donkeys in the tribe rarely needed to run long distances unless a situation like the Copper Mountain residential area arose. For everyday walking, horseshoes weren’t necessary.
With five saddled donkeys, Eldest Senior Brother and his team’s northward journey became more secure.
Five saddled donkeys weren’t enough for everyone to ride, but they were useful in emergencies.
Anyone unable to continue could ride for a while, taking a rest.
Such short rests should not be underestimated—they could have remarkable effects in critical moments.
While the carpenters worked on these items, the rest of the tribe was busy preparing for the journey: backpacks, leg bindings, food, weapons, medicine, clothing, tents, and all other necessities were readied.
In the Green Sparrow Tribe, before dawn, while light barely touched the sky and thin mist lingered around the tribe, the main settlement was already bustling.
This was the second day after the five saddles had been completed.
Thanks to the usefulness of meteorite weapons and Han Cheng’s plan to lead people south to continue building Jinguan City, everyone was eager to begin this northward journey.
Thus, on the morning after the saddles and stirrups were finished, everyone was ready to depart.
“Be careful on the road. Don’t rush. Jinguan City is warm, and work can continue even in winter. Don’t worry about the crops; we’ll take care of them while you’re gone,” Han Cheng said with a smile, addressing Eldest Senior Brother and the others who were strapped with leg bindings and backpacks.
Last time, he had been the traveler. This time, his role had changed—he was now the one sending them off.
The Eldest Senior Brother and the others nodded thoughtfully, showing that they had firmly remembered Han Cheng’s instructions.
“Let’s go! The sooner we leave, the sooner we return!”
After giving his guidance, Han Cheng smiled and waved.
Eldest Senior Brother bowed to Han Cheng, then turned, and the others followed his example, bowing respectfully to the Divine Child of the Green Sparrow Tribe before setting off under his leadership.
As they exited the courtyard, the smaller Green Sparrow flag they carried was raised high, fluttering in the morning breeze.
The group left the tribe, heading west under the banner.
Soon, they reached the Bronze Highway.
Just as the Black Stone Tribe had first reached the Copper Mountain residential area before arriving at the main settlement, this northward journey also required them to first travel along the Bronze Highway to Copper Mountain, then proceed north via Baziling.
The Eldest Senior Brother’s team was much larger than Han Cheng’s previous southbound group.
In addition to fifty Green Sparrow Tribe citizens, there were seventeen newly acquired slaves, along with older slaves assigned to each of the new ones.
The larger group was necessary because their purpose differed from Han Cheng’s last trip.
Han Cheng’s southern journey was primarily exploratory, uncertain, and required fewer people.
This time, Eldest Senior Brother’s mission was to retrieve people from the north.
Judging by the number of new slaves and the number of those who had been killed, the remaining population in the tribe was significant—well over one hundred, possibly even two or three hundred.
Such numbers demanded a larger team to maintain order and prevent trouble.
Though the new slaves seemed compliant in the tribe, human nature is unpredictable.
Like piranhas, a single one is timid, but in a group, they can become ferocious.
Han Cheng feared the new slaves might act similarly when encountering former tribe members in the north.
Sending more people north would deter potential misbehavior and allow for rapid suppression if necessary.
While Han Cheng knew the likelihood was low, caution was prudent.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, the flag-bearing team gradually disappeared along the Bronze Highway.
Back at the tribe, those remaining resumed their work calmly.
Unlike Han Cheng’s previous departure, when uncertainty had left the tribe anxious, this time, people were reassured.
This confidence stemmed from Han Cheng’s irreplaceable role in the tribe and the clearly defined purpose of this trip.
On the Bronze Highway, as the Green Sparrow flag advanced, the Grass Tribe leader and the others frequently glanced back.
Watching the towering tribe shrink and eventually vanish, the Grass Tribe leader felt relief rather than sorrow.
It was as if she had escaped an enormous cage, or a weight had been lifted from her chest.
She even felt an urge to sing a “Sister Sits at the Bow” song learned from the Green Sparrow Tribe to express her excitement, though she suppressed it.
She, like the others, outwardly showed reluctance to part.
If others discovered her true thoughts, she might face punishment—or at least strict scrutiny—which would ruin her efforts.
“Move faster!”
The Eldest Senior Brother turned to urge the group.
Although Han Cheng had instructed them not to rush, Eldest Senior Brother preferred a faster pace.
The sooner they returned to the tribe, the sooner they could prepare for autumn harvests.
Thus, after a while, he quickened the pace, and the others followed.
By late afternoon, the group reached Tongfu Inn.
They rested briefly, ate, and drank water before resuming their journey.
Time passed, and the sun sank toward the horizon.
The Eldest Senior Brother did not stop to camp.
“Rest at Longmen Inn—it has rooms, kangs, and a courtyard,” he called.
He intended to cover more distance tonight; with the group’s numbers and equipment, wild beasts were no concern.
Thanks to the Bronze Highway, navigation was easy, allowing for safe night travel.
Motivated by the early northward journey, everyone quickened their pace.
As darkness fell, the previously quiet Longmen Inn welcomed new travelers.
Nearby waterfowl, startled by the commotion, flew off, their cries piercing the evening.
“Boil water and soak your feet before bed. This is what the Divine Child taught us—very effective,” Mao called inside the inn.
Hearing that this method came from Han Cheng, everyone diligently followed Mao’s instructions.
Soaking their feet in hot water brought immediate relief and revitalized their spirits.
Much of this effect was psychological.
While hot water is widely recommended in later times for colds, sore throats, stomachaches, and other ailments, its actual effects are less miraculous than perceived.
After dinner and foot soaks, with guards assigned, everyone slept.
Exhausted from a full day’s walk, sleep came quickly, and the inn returned to silence.
The next morning, after breakfast, they resumed their journey along the Qinggu Highway.
By late afternoon, they reached the Copper Mountain residential area.
Locals were overjoyed to see Eldest Senior Brother and the main tribe group arrive.
“Prepare food quickly—simple and fast—so we can continue north,” Eldest Senior Brother instructed upon meeting the stationed guard, Shang.
Shang complied immediately, arranging meals without delay.
“Chief, what’s the purpose of this trip?” Shang asked after assigning the cooking.
“North, to retrieve our remaining people and bring them to our tribe…” Eldest Senior Brother said excitedly, showing pride in caring for his “family.”
Understanding the mission, Shang became excited too, though he regretted being unable to accompany them due to his duty here.
The saddled and stirrup-equipped donkeys drew attention.
Mao explained their use to curious locals, emphasizing the comfort of riding.
Hulutou, a young rider, eagerly asked to try, and Mao allowed it after demonstrating mounting from the right side.
From then on, the habit of mounting from the right side began in the Copper Mountain residential area.
Hulutou, thrilled by the ride, didn’t want to dismount, mirroring the excitement seen in Maque.
Mao told everyone that more saddles and stirrups would be made in a few days, eliciting further anticipation.
The attraction of these items rivaled that of meteorite axes and chisels.
Once lunch was served and eaten, the group resumed their northward journey.
Along the way, fields of millet in Copper Mountain grew strong.
Amid the crops, scattered bones hinted at past attacks by the Black Stone allied forces.
Those who had attempted to attack had perished, paying for their destruction of Green Sparrow’s farmland, and the healthy millet now testified to their defeat.
Following the field paths, the group arrived at Baziling.
Compared to earlier, when thorny undergrowth was sparse, the ridge was now nearly impassable—dense foliage blocked all gaps.
Previous traps had been roughly destroyed and filled in, but remnants were still visible.
Seeing the dense thorns and remaining trap traces, the Grass Tribe leader recalled her defeat here and the ferocity of the Green Sparrow warriors, shivering at the memory.
Her resolve wavered, making her uncertain about her following actions.
After leaving Baziling, progress slowed.
First, they needed to navigate unfamiliar territory using the new slaves’ guidance.
Second, much of the remaining path lacked a smooth road and required clearing with axes and sickles.
“Look there!”
As dusk arrived a few days later, vibrant sunset skies appeared.
Old Legs, a swift Wind Tribe elder, exclaimed excitedly:
“Our old cave!”
This news delighted everyone, meaning no tents were needed; they could prepare the old cave for an overnight stay.
The Eldest Senior Brother ordered the group to head there, and upon arrival, they set down their packs, gathered kindling, and smoked the cave.
Soon, smoke rose, and the group set up simple stoves, boiled water, and fed livestock.
After dinner, the smoke cleared, and the group cleaned the ashes and entered the cave, lighting a fire inside.
The fire illuminated the area, revealing a pile of relatively recent ashes from prior habitation.
A new slave explained that these were left when the Wind Tribe moved south to join the Green Sparrow Tribe.
Old Wind Tribe members soaked their feet in hot water, recalling how their lives could have ended had they stayed.
They felt both fear and relief, grateful for their former chief’s decision to join the Green Sparrow Tribe.
Hearing this, the group shared in the relief and gratitude.
The new slaves understood the past events but had no desire to repeat the violent behaviors of the Black Stone Tribe.
When they encountered small tribes on the way to Copper Mountain, they attacked under orders, wiping out the tribes.
The Black Stone chief regretted finding the cave empty, missing the opportunity for conquest.