I am a Primitive Man

Chapter 138: Once again broken carrying pole

Chapter 138: Once again broken carrying pole

After washing with saline solution, Han Cheng initially considered applying the stinging horn buds to Liang. However, considering the hot weather and the risk of infection in the wound, he realized that a simple saline solution might not be sufficient to achieve the desired effect.

In Han Cheng's eyes, every member of the Green Sparrow Tribe was a precious asset, and he didn't want them to suffer injuries. After some thought, he approached Lame, who was weaving the lattices of the wickerwork.

The weaving of wickerwork often used slender and flexible branches such as willow branches and thorny branches. Due to willow trees upstream, most of the wickerwork in the Green Sparrow Tribe was made from willow twigs.

Han Cheng picked out two willow branches from the pile of twigs, broke them, and placed them in a boiling clay pot. After boiling for a while, he poured out the slightly greenish-yellow liquid from the willow branches. After waiting for it to cool, he used the willow branch water to clean Liang's wound.

Inside the bark of willow trees, there was an element similar to a major component of an antibiotic in later times. Though Han Cheng had learned about these things in the classroom a long time ago, he had forgotten the specifics, but he remembered that willow branch water could be used to prevent inflammation.

After washing again with willow branch water, Han Cheng picked up the stinging horn buds he had brought back, plucked off the leaves, and kneaded them in his hands.

While kneading, he couldn't apply too much force; otherwise, the small thorns on the edges of the stinging horn buds' leaves might penetrate the flesh.

Although Han Cheng's hands had developed a somewhat thick callus, it was still not thick enough to withstand these small thorns.

The stinging horn bud, which was subtly oozing a greenish fluid, was applied to the wound on Liang's foot. After this brief delay, the blood, which was not flowing rapidly in the first place, quickly stopped.

"Stay seated here. Don't move around," Han Cheng instructed Liang, pointing specifically to the swollen injured foot, indicating that special attention should be paid.

Liang, who was originally trembling with fear, had stopped shaking. Over the past year, having witnessed numerous miracles, they had developed a blind trust in Han Cheng.

While Han Cheng was performing the procedure, Shaman continued to observe from the side, thinking about recording the results later.

As for Liang's injured foot, Shaman was even more concerned than Liang himself. In the past, more than one person in the tribe had died due to wounds becoming infected and festering.

When Han Cheng mentioned that doing this would significantly reduce the chances of festering wounds, Shaman, who was always concerned about the tribe's continuity, listened carefully. However, he did not directly seek confirmation from Han Cheng but wanted to see the results from Liang.

In the days that followed, in addition to idly watching the rabbits eating grass near the rabbit pen, Shaman added another task to his routinekeeping an eye on Liang's injured foot.

Just as Han Cheng had finished treating Liang's foot and hadn't taken a few breaths, another problem arose.

The carrying pole broke again.

This time, it was Shang whose carrying pole broke. Fortunately, having learned from Liang's experience, Shang had been attentive while picking things up. When the carrying pole broke and the wickerwork fell, he agilely dodged to the side, avoiding being injured by the stones.

The Green Sparrow Tribe became somewhat uneasy, with one mishap after another, leading them to believe their actions had angered the gods, bringing calamities upon them. After all, activities such as building houses and using stones for walls were unprecedented for them.

Even the shaman and the Eldest Senior Brother came to inquire of Han Cheng, their faces marked with anxiety and fear.

The transportation of stones and the construction of foundations stopped once again.

Frowning, Han Cheng examined the two broken carrying poles. He did not believe this was a punishment from the gods, even though he still carried the title of a Divine Child.

The poles did not break in the middle; instead, they fractured at grooved sections on both ends.

These grooves were meant to secure the carried things, preventing them from swaying.

Han Cheng had someone fetch an intact carrying pole for closer inspection, and his frown deepened. He had identified the issue.

The grooves at both ends of the carrying pole were much deeper and wider than before, and the surface textures fractured.

Such carrying poles should not break under the strain of carrying stones.

Han Cheng's concern stemmed from the fact that he remembered the grooves on the carrying poles being shallow before. Now, they had expanded to this extent.

Shang was the only person capable of modifying the carrying poles to this degree, a carpenter and a weaver.

Han Cheng summoned Shang for an explanation, and Shang appeared nervous, fearing punishment from the deity due to his mistake.

Through a somewhat stuttered account, Han Cheng finally understood the situation. Previously, the Green Sparrow Tribe's carrying poles were only used for carrying water. The ropes were thin and soft, and shallow grooves sufficed.

However, with the introduction of the wickerwork, the carrying poles seemed somewhat inadequate.

The shallow grooves could not accommodate the thick, hard, inflexible, semi-circular handles of the wickerwork, causing the wickerwork to frequently slide, making the task uncomfortable.

People sought out Shang, responsible for crafting these items. As Han Cheng was busy overseeing the harvesting and drying of rapeseed, Shang took it upon himself to make modifications, using a stone chisel to deepen and widen the grooves. After these adjustments, the wickerwork no longer slipped.

Previously, the carrying poles were used to carry relatively lightweight items, so no issues arose. However, now that they were tasked with transporting stones, problems immediately surfaced.

Finding the cause of the issue, Han Cheng was about to explain it to the people, asking them not to panic. However, he changed his mind.

Looking at the anxious Green Sparrow Tribe members who regarded him as their backbone, Han Cheng felt it was necessary to instill some rational thinking in them. He believed they should not harbor or blindly follow such superstitions about the gods.

While present, he would ensure the tribe did not fall into superstitions. However, what if he had not been around later? Would someone take advantage of the situation?

This matter was challenging to address because Han Cheng currently bore the halo of a Divine Child. If he made everything clear, it could adversely affect him and the entire Green Sparrow Tribe.

Han Cheng was troubled and unable to come up with a good solution.

Watching him with a complex and troubled expression, the onlookers, who had always seen the deity as omnipotent, grew even more anxious. Some even considered moving all the stones back and abandoning the construction of houses with stones.