I am a Primitive Man Chapter 929: The Twelve Years of Green Sparrow Finally Come to an End
Previously on I am a Primitive Man...
Although Jinguancheng saw no snowfall, the chill in the air had started to intensify.
The rays of sun descending from above offered scant heat upon contact with skin.
A delicate sheet of frost covered the water surfaces, akin to raised skin; that's why it's known as “goosebump ice.”
Under these conditions, going barefoot to excavate channels was plainly unwise, so the majority of Green Sparrow Tribe members remained on firm earth, wielding their implements to till the soil.
Han Cheng gripped a rake too, lifting it up and bringing it down time and again, joining the group in the effort to prepare the ground.
His frame had matured completely, and his power had grown substantially. With the entire tribe engaged in hard work, it wouldn't do for him to stand around doing nothing.
Even more so, in this kind of climate, failing to move the body would make one shiver from the cold.
Naturally, Han Cheng kept this reason hidden from his tribesmates, lest it tarnish his stature as a formidable and respected leader in their view.
Who could feel inspired by a leader who only toils because of the chill? How much more motivating to witness the Divine Child relentlessly striving to develop Jinguancheng—guiding the young in literacy during the morning hours, then seizing a rake in the afternoon to labor on the fields, without a single pause?Following some time spent in excavation, Han Cheng shook off the cold; beads of perspiration even appeared on his brow.
Truly, activity is the essence of vitality—excavating proved a superb method to combat the frost…
A sharp gust swept through, and Mao Er cautiously applied a modest basin of adhesive to the entrances and frames of Jinguancheng.
Two companions trailed him, clutching strips of crimson paper inscribed with calligraphic words, positioning them precisely before affixing them to the spots Mao Er had coated.
With the red-paper Spring Festival couplets and the square “Fu” symbols now adhered to the doors, a celebratory vibe emerged at once.
Without notice, the year drew to a close, and following Han Cheng’s directives, Jinguancheng initiated arrangements for the Spring Festival.
To Han Cheng, hailing from a later era, the New Year carried a profound fixation.
His word set Jinguancheng abuzz with energy.
As the group hustled about, diverse components were assembled bit by bit, and savory scents wafted everywhere.
Han Cheng, who seldom handled cooking anymore, stepped into the kitchen himself to whip up his signature braised pork, sparking joyful exclamations from all.
The golden orb lingered low over the western skyline, too indolent to shift, until it vanished entirely.
At that instant, the New Year’s Eve banquet for everyone in Jinguancheng was laid out.
Featured were braised pork, red-cooked river shrimp, braised fish, meat that was lightly stir-fried before steaming, and golden roasted lamb chops…
Multiple round clusters of bowls, varying in size, were presented.
The grain remained steamed millet, though the beverage differed now.
It wasn't deer milk or goat milk anymore, but rice tea infused with some dried red dates exposed to the sun.
Stir in a touch of honey, and it transforms into a sweet date rice porridge.
After filling a bowl of wine for each individual, Han Cheng rose with his own, urging all to partake together.
The group touched their bowls and downed the contents swiftly.
The tart and puckering brew slid down their gullets, morphing into a cozy flow.
Some blew out the wine's breath with pleasure, while others protruded their tongues, beaming broadly.
Post the initial bowl of wine, everyone grasped their chopsticks and lunged toward the tempting dishes nearby.
“Woof, woof, woof…”
Right then, the tribe’s canines unleashed vigorous barks, indicating motion near the settlement.
Diners who had been feasting in the open space set aside their eating tools, suddenly vigilant.
“It’s them! They’re arriving burdened with their goods!”
A Green Sparrow Tribe sentinel posted on the enclosure, bowl in hand, called out to the assembly.
Learning of the approaching elder female primitives, the tension eased, and feasting resumed.
Han Cheng subtly inhaled; he figured the elder females had trailed the enticing smells, arriving spot-on. Why else would they show up precisely at dinnertime, aligning with the year's grandest spread?
Despite his hesitation over sharing the tribe’s provisions—half-hoping the lookout would claim the tribe was away—Han Cheng refrained from intervening.
Rather, he instructed someone to ready a series of bowls, scooping shares from the freshly started dishes, and presented them to the guests.
Luckily, the feast was cooked in generous quantities, all in wide basins.
With two sticks per “table,” a bowl gets filled.
Doling out one bowl from various basins wouldn't deplete much.
This banquet, regardless, demanded sharing. In ordinary times, it might be debatable, but on New Year’s, any visitor received hospitality from the tribe’s fare.
By the time the elder female entered Jinguancheng’s inner yard, their meal awaited.
Mirroring the Green Sparrow Tribe’s own spread, it comprised sixteen varieties altogether.
The locals ate from basins, the elder female from bowls.
Nevertheless, sixteen bowls amassed an impressive sight, particularly brimming with delectable items.
Beholding the array of treats amid the tribe, the elder female stood utterly dumbfounded.
The astonishment rivaled their earlier awe at learning the Green Sparrow Tribe had constructed such vast dwellings shortly after their last visit.
How could they possess such riches? How could they devour so profusely in one sitting?
Was it possible to ingest that volume in just one meal?
Through multiple exchanges, the elder female viewed her tribe as prosperous, albeit trailing the enigmatic Green Sparrow Tribe; they felt the divide had lessened notably.
But witnessing this spectacle at the Green Sparrow Tribe now rendered their confidence trivial.
The chasm separating their group from the Green Sparrow Tribe hadn't diminished—it had widened beyond reach.
What manner of tribe was this one?!
Just when they assumed they'd glimpsed the tribe's peak prosperity and might, they uncovered further depths of strength and affluence yet unveiled…
The impact hit with crushing force.
At Han Cheng’s cue, Mao set down his utensils, went to the elder female, relayed Han Cheng’s message, and indicated the prepared victuals.
Grasping that the appealing contents of the bowls were intended for them, the elder females grew yet more astounded.
Such appealing and plentiful fare, given freely to outsiders?
This tribe brimmed with benevolence and munificence!
Predominantly, these were alluring meat-based creations!
The elder female remained stupefied.
She gestured toward the dishes and gazed at Mao, who grinned and affirmed. Then she eyed Han Cheng nearby, who also grinned and affirmed.
Only then did conviction dawn that her earlier comprehension held truth.
Faced with the welcoming grins from the Green Sparrow Tribe and the lavish spread, the elder female yielded to the allure.
Yet she held back her party from devouring right away; instead, she retrieved a sizable pack from her caravan's edge and slid it toward Mao.
Mao smiled and declined, nudging it away.
The elder female persisted, shoving it back.
This exchange warmed the tribe’s smiles further.
It embodied the purest essence of reciprocal politeness.
Noting the elder’s determination, Han Cheng permitted Mao to take the pack, and thus the elder female commenced partaking in the New Year’s Eve repast crafted by the Green Sparrow Tribe.
After mere nibbles, their eyes bulged in wonder.
Never had they savored such exquisite flavors!
One taste prompted the elder female to deem her offering insufficient.
Food this superb couldn't equate to a lone pack from her tribe!
She rose and fetched another pack, earmarked for bartering pottery and salt, to present to the Green Sparrow Tribe.
Han Cheng rejected this additional pack; he arranged for extra portions to reach them.
Shortly thereafter, Han Cheng merrily carried over a jar of wine.
He served it to them directly and joined in the imbibing.
Watching the elder female wince post-sip, the tribe chuckled affectionately.
Though baffled by these enigmatic affluent folk consuming something so bitter yet valued in the tribe, the elder female joined the mirth.
Ere long, the elder female discerned its appealing aftertaste…
Following the merry session, the entire feast vanished.
As the elder females presumed the festivities concluded, the tribe launched fresh endeavors.
Heaps of pyres ignited, and the assembly leaped and cavorted encircling them.
Owing to the haste this year, no bamboo grew close to Jinguancheng, omitting firecrackers, but the revelry stayed vibrant.
A good portion of this elation stemmed from the elder females’ company.
Observing their bewilderment and unease amid the gongs and drums, plus their clumsy efforts to mimic the tribe’s steps with instruction, amused the Green Sparrow Tribe greatly.
The sole disappointment lay in Jinguancheng’s debut New Year’s Eve lacking snow.
As pyres roared and percussion thundered in Jinguancheng, mighty blazes also kindled afar at the primary Green Sparrow settlement.
A larger throng assembled, bounding and rejoicing in unison.
In the Copper Mountain dwellings, Shang, mildly inebriated and rosy-cheeked, pounded the drum with vigor to amplify the holiday spirit.
The fierce flames rent the nocturnal vault, brightening a broad expanse.
From overhead, three sites pierced the gloom, each ablaze concurrently.
Without the Third Eldest Brother from Qinling’s return post-snow, four such beacons would glow.
These dispersed flames twinkled in obscurity, resembling celestial bodies after dusk.
Conceivably, in countless years ahead, additional locales would kindle such fires at these times.
Myriad linked illuminations would gleam as radiantly as constellations…
“Happy New Year”
Having shared New Year’s Eve alongside the Green Sparrow Tribe, the elder female comprehended the fervor of their observance—it marked a supremely vital celebration for them.
Though the notion of a festival eluded full comprehension, immersing in the prior day’s merriment imparted a hazy awareness.
Lacking total insight into this “Nian” event, they didn't cease relishing it or daydreaming of their tribe mirroring such splendor.
Watching the tribe’s members attired smartly, inclining heads with grins while uttering identical phrases, the elder females falteringly echoed them, using the Green Sparrow Tribe’s tongue…
The elder female departed bearing traded pottery and salt, along with twelve cycles of Green Sparrow.
Their exit heralded the quiet onset of Green Sparrow’s thirteenth cycle.
Lacking snow in Jinguancheng, post a five-day holiday, the folk resumed fieldwork with implements under Han Cheng’s guidance to persist in land clearing.
Concurrently, in an undisclosed spot, yet another band embarked from their settlement laden with provisions…