I am a Primitive Man
Chapter 37 – The ancestor of rapeseed?
Han Cheng was very excited because he finally tasted a wild grass that was relatively tasty.
This type of grass had large leaves, white stems, and greenish leaves. There were some small prickles on the upper side of the leaves. When chewed, it had a unique taste of fresh grass.
Unlike other grasses that were either bitter, astringent, or hard to chew, this wild grass was not particularly delicious but not bad either.
This discovery excited Han Cheng, especially when he saw the tender stems and the small flower buds on them, as well as a few yellow flowers partially exposed. It reminded him of rapeseed in the future.
Although this wild vegetable had many differences from future rapeseed, there were also many similarities. This made Han Cheng both excited and apprehensive.
Because he hoped that this might be the ancestor of rapeseed in the future.
If it were indeed the primitive rapeseed, there would be so much more that could be done.
Suppressing his excitement, Han Cheng found many similar wild grasses nearby. He pulled some and took them back.
Han Cheng would never be so reckless as to put this unknown wild plant, which wasn’t bad tasting and resembled rapeseed, in the meat soup to cook without first discerning if it was toxic. Doing such things could easily jeopardize the ancient tribe passed down for countless years.
Han Cheng had his way of distinguishing between toxic and non-toxic plants.
A circle of stones about a meter high enclosed an area in a corner of the cave. On top of it was a stone slab that covered more than half of the top.
When Han Cheng approached and looked inside, a quiet gray figure was startled and jumped around inside. It took a while to calm down, and sat close to a stone, vigilantly making eye contact with Han Cheng.
Han Cheng intentionally kept this wild rabbit alive after being caught by the Eldest Senior brother and others.
Han Cheng threw the plant that resembled the ancestor of rapeseed into the rabbit enclosure from the entrance. This action frightened the rabbit, causing it to jump around wildly, even attempting to escape the cage.
However, because the entrance was covered by a stone slab that blocked less than one-fifth of the area, its escape attempts were thwarted when it repeatedly bumped its head on the slab.
After several attempts, it finally gave up its impossible escape mission and stayed inside the narrow stone circle, not touching the vegetable Han Cheng had thrown.
It seemed that this little creature had some trauma. Who knows what it went through on its way back after being caught by the Eldest brother and others?
Han Cheng moved another small stone slab, covering even more of the entrance, to prevent the creature from escaping. Then, he left.
It would eat the wild grass.
Indeed, the next morning, when Han Cheng moved the small stone slab again to look inside, the wild grass he threw in the day before was completely eaten.
The rabbit was still lively, attempting to escape at any opportunity.
It seemed that this thing was fine to eat.
Thinking so, Han Cheng continued to throw this kind of wild grass inside to feed it.
The little creature was still lively after being fed for seven consecutive days.
Accustomed to this life, it continued to frolic with another of its kind brought back by the Eldest Senior Brother, shamelessly carrying on as if no one was watching.
It seemed that this wild vegetable was really fine to eat.
After seven days of observation, these wild vegetables also completely blossomed, with a brilliant yellow color. They adorned the forest and grassland, making the surroundings exceptionally beautiful.
There are bees.
Let’s assume it’s a bee, although this fellow is twice the size of future bees.
The bees buzz around tirelessly between various flowers, demonstrating the style a flower thief should have through their actions.
Butterflies.
The butterflies are different from the common ones in the future, but Han Cheng can still recognize them.
Butterflies of various sizes join in the fun, competing with the bees for the title of the flower thief. They flutter around in the flower clusters, dancing back and forth.
By now, Han Cheng could confirm that these were primitive rapeseed plants.
Han Cheng looked at the golden flowers, smelled the refreshing fragrance, and couldn’t help but burst into laughter under the warm spring sunshine.
At this moment, the joy in his heart was beyond anyone’s comprehension.
He never expected that he would find rapeseed just when he was looking for some wild vegetables to eat.
Luck, oh luck. Up to now, he somewhat believed that time travelers were favored by fate.
Although others encountered various secret techniques and treasures, he only found rapeseed, which was primitive rapeseed. There was a big difference, but Han Cheng was still very happy.
After all, his requirements were not very high.
Han Cheng looked at these sparsely planted rapeseed plants. Suddenly, he hesitated because these plants had already bloomed. It wouldn’t take long for them to mature and produce seeds.
If he collected these seeds and planted them in a dedicated area, wouldn’t he be able to harvest more rapeseed?
Thinking beautifully like this, as if he were standing in an endless sea of rapeseed flowers, basking in the warm sunshine and smelling the fragrant air, Han Cheng’s beautiful dream was soon shattered.
A creature with antlers on its head and fur on its body emerged from somewhere, joyfully feasting on the rapeseed that Han Cheng hesitated to harvest.
It moved quickly, and its teeth were sharp, devouring leaves and flowers. In a short time, two flourishing rapeseed plants were in its mouth.
Its short tail wagged back and forth, a clear sign of its delight.
Han Cheng’s heart, however, was bleeding.
Damn it, I’m not easy. I’m a time traveler, after all. Finally, I come across some rapeseed, and before I can bring myself to take action, it’s snatched away by something else.
“Damn beast, stop!”
Stunned momentarily, Han Cheng, filled with anger, shouted at a deer approaching another cluster, preparing to take another bite.
The deer, happily eating, suddenly heard the commotion. It stopped eating, turned its head to look at Han Cheng, and headed toward him.
Anger, Han Cheng pointed to the side and shouted, “Get lost!”
Contrary to Han Cheng’s imagination, the creature didn’t flee in panic upon hearing the shout. Instead, it made a disdainful snort and lowered its head to continue eating its beloved flowers.