I am a Primitive Man-Chapter 829: Three Squirrels
Chapter 829: Three Squirrels
Building bridges required attention to many details; it wasn’t as simple as stacking two stone piers and laying heavy slabs across them.
One crucial consideration was preventing soil erosion near the bridges.
If this weren’t handled properly, over time, the bridges could easily be washed away.
This is also why, in later generations, it was strictly forbidden to dig sand near bridges.
So, while constructing the bridges, Han Cheng also had people build stone embankments on both sides in the shape of a figure-eight to protect the banks from rainwater erosion.
Compared to earthen banks, stone embankments were far more resistant to being washed away.
In addition, Han Cheng had people adjust nearby waterways according to local conditions, redirecting water to flow beneath the bridges, maximizing their utility.
After everyone had worked together to build two bridges and gained experience, Han Cheng divided the bridge-building crew into four groups.
These groups worked simultaneously on four bridges, maximizing efficiency.
Previously, when everyone concentrated on a single bridge, many people were redundant.
Once bridge construction was underway, Han Cheng went with the team that had built Tongfu Inn to the site intended initially for Songlin Station.
This location still had many tall pine trees. When the wind blew through them, the trees made a whistling “woo-woo” sound.
Those who were timid shouldn’t be alone in the forest during windy days; the whistling and rustling could frighten them to tears.
Even knowing the sound was just the wind didn’t help.
Many pines were tall and dense; looking deep inside, the forest seemed endless—perfect for bandits to occupy and commit robberies.
However, in this era, the forest was destined for development, not lawlessness.
Building Tongfu Inn here would suffice to suppress any such threats.
If a tribe dared to attack the Green Sparrow Tribe along its newly built roads, the tribe would teach them a lesson in organized defense.
Han Cheng located last year’s marked spot, circled the area, scrutinized the terrain, and confirmed it was the best place to build. He gave the order.
Upon his command, the workers immediately began felling trees.
This was necessary; the pine forest was dense, and without clearing, there wouldn’t be enough space for Tongfu Inn.
The felled trees wouldn’t go to waste; many would become building materials.
Smaller branches also had uses.
Through years of experiments, Shaman had discovered that pine wood made the best ink.
Burned pine produced oily, dark ashes. Made into ink cakes and ground with water on a rough stone inkstone, it was excellent for writing.
Han Cheng decided that once Tongfu Inn was built, he would use these leftover branches to make some ink cakes.
Mass production wasn’t needed; the tribe’s current consumption was low, and a single batch could last a year.
In the future, as the tribe expanded and demand grew, they could build a facility to produce ink cakes.
As the tribe worked, pines were felled, and branches and leaves littered the ground.
Squirrels living in the trees had fled to other trees before the trees were cut.
From the felled trees, they chattered and jumped, seemingly protesting in their own way.
But it was useless; the workers ignored them and continued.
One tribe member, annoyed by the noise, took a bow and shot one squirrel, which fell lifelessly.
Seeing the danger, the remaining squirrels scattered, no longer daring to make noise.
That evening, the unlucky squirrel was roasted on a branch—a testament to the raw efficiency of the tribe.
No matter how cute or whining an animal, in their eyes, it was food.
The roasted squirrel was first served to the honored divine child.
Its peeled head resembled a rat; Han Cheng examined it but couldn’t bring himself to eat it, giving it back to the person roasting it.
The person ignored him and, along with others, ate the squirrel—one bit into the head, resembling a rat’s head, making Han Cheng wince.
The next day, logging continued. Some felled trees were cut and carried aside for later use.
Within three to four days, they could start digging foundations and building houses.
Ideally, roads should be paved with stone slabs: comfortable to walk on and durable against rain.
Stone roads would allow passage even in heavy rain, letting people and donkey carts traverse without worry.
Han Cheng, carrying branches along paths overgrown with grass and saplings, thought about this.
But paving all roads in stone would be too labor-intensive.
Near shale deposits, small sections could be paved; over long distances, it would require tremendous effort.
Based on last year’s manpower, Han Cheng estimated it would take two years, excluding spring plowing, autumn harvest, and winter, to pave the entire Qing Tong route.
Transporting slabs was too tricky, and the current dirt roads sufficed.
The main issue was insufficient manpower.
Though the tribe had grown, more people meant more work.
Previously, they only hunted and gathered; now, tasks had multiplied and specialized.
Every task required someone responsible.
It was impractical to allocate enough people solely for road paving.
So, they would continue using dirt roads. Stone or cement roads could wait until the tribe grew stronger with more manpower and resources.
Han Cheng sighed, leaving the thought of fully stone-paved roads aside.
After a while, he noticed a worker holding something with delight.
Han Cheng approached and saw the man proudly displaying four small, plump pieces of meat.
“Divine Child, look! Delicious!”
Han Cheng looked and realized they were baby squirrels.
“Baby squirrels?” he asked.
“Yes, yes,” the man nodded rapidly.
“They were inside the felled pine trunks. They’re tasty, just like their appearance!”
The man’s mouth watered. Han Cheng wrinkled his nose, thinking this guy ate everything.
“Don’t eat them. Give them to me,” Han Cheng said, taking the four tiny squirrels.
The man reluctantly continued working, eyeing the squirrels hungrily.
The baby squirrels hadn’t opened their eyes. Han Cheng prepared a soft straw bed inside a clay pot and placed it there.
They moved slowly, likely hungry. One even held another’s tail, feeding together.
Should he return them to the forest or try to raise them himself? Han Cheng decided to return them to the woods, hoping their parents might find them.
He carried the clay pot deeper into the forest, wedged it among branches, and quietly retreated.
An hour later, he returned to find three of the squirrels still inside. One had died, likely from hunger.
He discarded the dead one and took the remaining three back to the construction site.
Han Cheng fed them warmed deer milk from a nearby deer. Without bottles, he used a thin hollow grass stalk to blow milk into their mouths.
After a while, the squirrels were fed. The leftover milk was given to Fu Jiang, waiting nearby.
The fed squirrels, like sleeping infants, were calm and snuggled together. Han Cheng covered them with soft straw and instructed Fu Jiang not to harm them.
Fu Jiang guarded the clay pot, growling at other dogs approaching.
Three days later, the area was cleared, and foundation digging began.
Hei Wa and skilled potters built a small kiln nearby and made clay tiles, drying them before firing.
After testing, they confirmed the clay was suitable, then began constructing a larger kiln.
The pottery from this clay was red and aesthetically pleasing.
As construction progressed, Tongfu Inn’s foundation and ground were built.
Tongfu Inn was simple: five north–south rooms, surrounded by walls, covering about two acres.
Three rooms had heated earthen beds for guests; two were for livestock. Typically, animals stayed in the yard unless it rained or was windy.
Meanwhile, the three surviving squirrels had grown, their reddish, semi-transparent bodies now covered with soft fur. They had opened their eyes and were playful.
When Han Cheng fed them, they held the grass stalks with their front paws and ate eagerly.
They sometimes jumped on Fu Jiang, their fluffy tails wagging, playing hide-and-seek.
Fu Jiang sometimes gently bit them, but they weren’t afraid, bouncing like they were laughing.
When released, they often returned to Fu Jiang, keeping him exasperated.
Now, it was common for one squirrel to sit on his head and two on his back during outings.
Other dogs left them alone, respecting the squirrels’ position.
The squirrels weren’t only mischievous; they sometimes brought pinecones to Fu Jiang, sharing their best food.
Meanwhile, chiseling sounds echoed as workers carved the wooden sign for Tongfu Inn.
Han Cheng carefully painted over the carved grooves with ink.
The four characters “Tongfu Inn” stood out prominently, with a winged bluebird in the center also strikingly visible.
The tribe had become skilled in painting, embroidery, and carving bluebirds, making them lifelike.
Once dry, Han Cheng polished the sign with tung oil, making it vibrant. Hung above the gate, it looked impressive.
The newly built Tongfu Inn looked excellent, its bright red roof reflecting the sunset.
Han Cheng slept on the heated bed that night, feeling secure behind the locked doors.
After two more days of finishing touches, Han Cheng and the team set off toward the original Wild Duck Station to build Longmen Inn.
The bridge-building crew had extended the bridges to this location.
Here, bridge construction was more difficult. Unlike previous sites with seasonal streams, this section of the Qing Tong route crossed several real streams.
But after long experience, the tribe’s builders were capable. With effort and determination, the bridges were completed.
The terrain here was mostly flat, with weeds and a few tall trees, making clearing easier.
Within one day, the area for building houses was cleared.
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Chapter 829: Three Squirrels
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