I am a Primitive Man-Chapter 814: Matters of the Nation Lie in War and Sacrifice
Chapter 814: Matters of the Nation Lie in War and Sacrifice
“Wow~!”
Outside the Green Sparrow Tribe, the people from the two neighboring tribes, traveling together with Gu and Shi Tou along the roughly built road, stopped in their tracks. Seeing the tall and broad walls and the large crowd coming to greet them, each one’s mouth dropped in shock. Some even let out a string of words mixing their native tongue with Mandarin.
Even the fastest, most self-assured old primitive man among them widened their eyes, their mouth open as if they could fit a fist inside!
Although over the past few months they had learned from Shi Tou about the Green Sparrow main tribe—about the taller walls, the greater number of people, and the abundance of goods—they had prepared themselves mentally. Yet now, seeing it in person, they were still struck with overwhelming astonishment.
Before arriving at the main tribe, the best they had seen was the Copper Mountain residential area. While listening to Shi Tou’s descriptions, their imagination had expanded beyond what they had seen in Copper Mountain, leading them to believe the Green Sparrow main tribe could not possibly be grander. Yet in reality, it surpassed even their loftiest expectations.
In this situation, it was only natural to be amazed.
Looking at the majestic walls and the multitude of people before them, the old primitive man’s initial excitement and anticipation gave way to feelings of awe and unease.
It was like a poor person visiting the home of a rich friend. Outside, they seem equal, but inside, the contrast is stark. Most people feel awkward or inferior, and this often develops into a sense of distance.
At this moment, the old primitive man felt exactly that way.
“Haha, you finally arrived!”
Receiving the news, Han Cheng came out from the passage separating the crowds, smiling broadly as he greeted the people from the two tribes. Before they even arrived, his cheerful voice rang out, and he shook the old primitive man’s hands vigorously.
After greeting the old primitive man, he shook hands with the other adults, accepted the handfuls of lollipops from the Shaman, and distributed them to the old primitive man and the minors with a warm smile.
He then reached out to gently pat the children’s heads, pinch their cheeks, and ruffle their hair, asking them questions about road-building or Mandarin in a friendly manner.
Thanks to Han Cheng’s presence and behavior, the old primitive man and the children’s initial fear and distance gradually faded, replaced by comfort and trust.
The Divine Child remained as kind and approachable as ever, showing no harshness or distance despite the location change.
“Is the candy good?”
Han Cheng asked the minors, who were all smiling as they held their lollipops.
“Good!”
They all shouted in unison, delight written across their faces.
“Who knows how to write the character for ‘candy’?”
Han Cheng asked with a smile.
“I can! I can!”
A little girl with pigtails immediately raised her hand. Seeing Han Cheng nod at her, she happily pushed forward, picked a small stick from the ground, leaned down, and, with a piece of candy in her mouth, carefully wrote the character.
Soon, a “糖” appeared under her hand.
The writing was childish, but unmistakably the correct character.
“Very well done! This is your reward!”
Han Cheng praised her and handed her a lollipop. The little girl, missing a front tooth, beamed widely, her smile even sweeter.
“I can write!”
“I can too!”
Seeing her praised and rewarded, the other minors eagerly grabbed sticks or small stones and began writing.
Two children, however, stood still. Not because they didn’t want to write, but because they couldn’t. Watching their peers receive praise and candy made them both regretful and envious, nearly in tears.
Han Cheng noticed them and smiled. Children of this era were honest; they had no intention to cheat. If this had been him at school, some would have glanced around to copy—cheating methods were endless: passing notes, peeking, kicking the chair leg for signals…
“Why aren’t you writing? Didn’t you memorize it?”
Han Cheng knelt in front of the two children and asked softly.
Hearing this, the two burst into tears.
“I… we… tried… we tried…”
Han Cheng wiped their tears, rubbed their heads, and gently reassured them: “Then just learn carefully next time.”
With a slight sleight of hand, he brought two lollipops in front of them.
“These are for you.”
Their eyes lit up, but they hesitated, remembering they hadn’t written the character and weren’t supposed to get a reward.
“This is a reward for honesty. You didn’t copy from others even though it would have been easy. You admitted you couldn’t write it, so you are being praised.”
The children listened intently and finally accepted the lollipops.
“But punishment still applies. At the same time, with the same teacher, only you two couldn’t write it.”
The children braced themselves. They agreed—others wrote it; they hadn’t.
Han Cheng gently tapped each of their heads three times, then smiled:
“Consider this a lesson. Study well next time; don’t be distracted by play.”
He patted their heads again, sent them aside to enjoy their candy, and then invited the tribes inside the walls.
Eating the sweet lollipops, the children resolved to study diligently and remain honest.
Not only were the punished children impressed, but many of the watching adults were too. Han Cheng’s fair and caring approach left a lasting impression. Respect and admiration for him grew even stronger.
Inside the Green Sparrow main tribe, they were awestruck by the orderly houses, the livestock, and the rows of salted meats hanging to dry.
It was overwhelming—everything defied their previous understanding.
Some dropped candy out of shock, quickly retrieving it and resolving to keep their mouths closed next time when surprised.
Han Cheng’s heart swelled with joy—not just from showing off his tribe’s accomplishments, but also from seeing the neighboring tribes’ astonishment. Their integration into his tribe was now secure.
After the initial excitement, Han Cheng arranged hot water baths for the guests and the road-building team, since winter was approaching and outdoor bathing was impractical.
Even with habits of cleanliness, bathing in the cold outdoors was impossible.
The first time the old primitive man heard of winter bathing, they were shocked. Yet after experiencing the heated bathhouses, their bodies felt relaxed, and the fear of winter baths vanished. Those who experienced the steam rooms were especially delighted and fascinated.
Everyone donned Green Sparrow clothing afterward, or wrapped themselves in tanned hides. Their original hides were boiled to eliminate lice and parasites.
“Tomorrow we’ll have hot pot. Slice the mutton thinly, almost transparent, dip in the pot, then eat—delicious…”
“Gulp!”
The old primitive man swallowed hard. His resolve to leave the Green Sparrow Tribe crumbled again.
Watching this, Han Cheng smiled knowingly; the tactic worked perfectly.
By the third day, after witnessing the tribe’s prosperity, the old primitive man suggested returning home before continuing work in Copper Mountain.
Han Cheng didn’t want them to leave. Winter was near, snow imminent, and the Winter Games were about to begin.
He wanted them to stay longer, showcasing his tribe’s strength before they departed.
Following Third Senior Brother’s example, the old primitive man found themselves on a journey they couldn’t escape—experiencing both pain and joy daily.
Winter finally arrived. Howling winds, red clouds, and heavy snowfall transformed the landscape overnight into a dominantly white world.
The old primitive man regretted succumbing to food temptation, wishing they had left earlier. Though Shi Tou had told them how to travel safely in snow, the real sight of heavy snowfall stirred worry—they remembered harsh winters from the past.
Their concern was soon replaced with awe.
Initially, seeing Green Sparrow Tribe members place fire under their sleeping platforms, the old primitive man panicked. They feared they were being roasted alive.
It wasn’t until the kind Divine Child explained that sleeping on a heated platform was safe and warm that they dared lie down.
The warmth was irresistible; even so, they lay tensely, ready to jump up if anything went wrong.
Eventually, exhaustion won. They fell asleep and woke refreshed in the morning. Stretching on the warm platform, they realized the fire beneath—it sent shivers through them, yet they remained exhilarated.
The old primitive man immediately imagined their own tribe with such comforts, thinking of all the lives that could have been saved from cold deaths.
A decision was solidified: they wanted their entire tribe to join the benevolent Green Sparrow Tribe, ensuring everyone could sleep warmly and safely.
“Boom, boom, boom…”
The first Winter Games of the Green Sparrow Tribe began with the deep, rolling beat of drums.
However, the Games didn’t start immediately. First, an equally important event awaited: a ritual at the Heroes’ Memorial.
The sacrifice honored the tribe’s fallen heroes, commemorating their bravery in defending the homeland.
It reminded everyone that, when enemies threatened, the living must be ready to fight and defend their homes—not kneel or submit.
“Matters of the nation lie in war and sacrifice”—this was the essence of the ritual.
Han Cheng, freshly washed, stood solemnly before the monument engraved with “Eternal Glory to the Green Sparrow Heroes,” his left arm wrapped in plain hemp cloth.
The Green Sparrow Tribe members, similarly wrapped, stood silent and solemn. The snow surrounding them added to the gravity.
“Here lie our heroes, who died defending the tribe. Every year, on the third day after the first heavy snowfall, we gather to honor them, remember their deeds, and understand what the living must do when facing enemies.
After the ritual, we will hold the Games: archery, wrestling, sprints, long-distance runs, and coordinated battle drills.
We will show the fallen heroes that the living have not shirked, have not cowered.
We grow stronger, so that when enemies threaten our tribe, we will take up arms like they did and protect our homeland!”
Han Cheng spoke solemnly, his voice rising with intensity.
“Green Sparrow heroes, eternal glory!”
He raised his arms. The tribe echoed him, raising a forest of arms and shouting together, their voices more stirring than the drums themselves.
The visiting old primitive man, though not fully understanding every word, felt their blood surge with excitement, raising fists and arms alongside the tribe: “Green Sparrow heroes, eternal glory!”
“Moment of silence for our heroes!”
Han Cheng quieted the crowd, placed a paper flower before the monument, bowed thrice, and instructed everyone to follow.
All bowed in silence, including the old primitive man.
Chapter 814: Matters of the Nation Lie in War and Sacrifice
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