Chapter 35: Harvest Season
The shadow of the Blackrock Tribe gradually faded, and the Silvermoon Tribe welcomed its first true harvest season. Golden wheat waves and plump bean pods swayed in the autumn breeze, the orchards were filled with heavy fruits, and even the shorthorn beasts in the domestication area were fatter than in previous years.
In the morning mist, all members of the tribe gathered at the edge of the fields. Elder Shiyan held a sheaf of wheat, a symbol of a bountiful harvest. Canglan and Lin Chen stood on either side. Behind them stood representatives from the Silver Moon Tribe and its allied tribes—Feng Yi of the Wind Whispering Tribe, Shi Feng of the High Mountain Tribe, and Shui Hen of the Lakeside Tribe. They had all come for this joint harvest season.
"The earth gives, the hands harvest, and all tribes share." Elder Shiyan raised the sheaf of wheat high, and the sunlight just penetrated the clouds, giving the ceremony a golden edge.
The harvest had begun, but unlike previous years, this time it was a true multi-tribal collaboration: hunters from the mountain tribes helped drive away predatory birds and beasts; members of the nomadic tribes used their pack animals to transport the harvest; and the lakeside tribes were responsible for water management and cleaning.
Lin Chen improved harvesting tools, designing more efficient straw bundlers and fruit collection baskets, while Xiaoyu led the masonry team in crafting new millstones and grinding plates to improve grain processing efficiency.
The most surprising thing was the different harvesting techniques brought by each tribe. Feng Yi demonstrated the nomadic drying method: using specially woven mesh racks for ventilation and drying, which is much faster than drying on the ground. Shi Feng shared the cellaring techniques of the high mountain tribes: utilizing the constant temperature underground to store food. Shui Hen demonstrated the lakeside tribe's fish-food co-cultivation method: connecting fish ponds to farmland, using fish waste to fertilize the fields and farm surplus to feed the fish.
"It turns out that harvesting is not just about picking, but also a manifestation of wisdom." Yunshan learned and took notes, and her symbol record book was already filled with words.
During the harvest season, the Silver Moon Tribe's Knowledge Garden became a true research center. The wise men from each tribe exchanged and compared various technologies, while Lin Chen and Xiaoyu were responsible for compiling and recording them.
One afternoon, a debate unfolded about the best storage method. "Underground storage maintains a constant temperature," Shi Feng insisted, "but it requires specific geological conditions." "Dry storage is more applicable," Feng Yi countered, "but it requires clear weather." Shui Hen proposed a new idea: "Why not combine them? Dry first, then store?"
Lin Chen was deeply inspired and designed a "stepped storage system": first ventilate and dry, then store according to categories - cellars are used for roots and tubers, high shelves are used for grains, and water storage is used for certain special fruits.
Harvesting is not just about food; it's about resource recycling: shorthorn dung is collected to fertilize the fields, crop residue is used for weaving or returning to the fields, and even the chaff from winnowing is collected as feed.
"Nothing is wasted, no resources are neglected." Elder Shi Yan looked at this efficient and orderly scene with deep emotion, "This is the true wisdom of harvest."
At night, the harvesters gathered to share dinner. The food was a blend of each tribe's specialties: fresh wheat cakes from the Silver Moon Tribe, smoked meats from the High Mountain Tribe, dairy products from the Nomadic Tribe, and fresh fish soup from the Lakeside Tribe. Different flavors, the same satisfaction.
Feng Yi tasted the new wheat cakes and thought thoughtfully: "We nomads have always been chasing after water and grass. We never knew that settled farming could yield such a bountiful harvest."
Shi Feng nodded. "The mountain tribes rely on the mountains for their livelihood, often depending on the weather. This kind of systematic farming is much more reliable."
Shui Hen chuckled: "The lakeside tribe is good at fishing but not farming. We learned a lot this time."
Lin Chen responded: "Each has its own strengths, and communication and complementation are complementary. This is the true meaning of joint harvest."
On the last day of the harvest, the entire tribe took inventory of their reserves, and the results were astonishing: the total harvest had increased by half compared to last year, with greater variety and better storage.
But the most valuable harvest wasn't food, but knowledge. Countless symbols were added to the walls of the Garden of Knowledge: each tribe's agricultural techniques, meteorological experiences, conservation methods... All of these were systematically organized and copied and distributed to each participating tribe.
"We don't have to worry even during the most difficult winter season." Berry checked the medical herb reserves and was extremely satisfied.
The children also had their own harvests. They were responsible for collecting various seeds and learning how to classify and preserve them. One little boy proudly showed off his "seed bank": various seeds were packed in small leather bags, labeled with their origin and characteristics.
"This is the hope for tomorrow." Lin Chen stroked the child's head, his heart filled with emotion.
At the harvest celebration, each tribe performed traditional songs and dances related to the harvest. The Silver Moon Tribe's sacrificial dance was solemn, the High Mountain Tribe's hunting dance was heroic, the Nomadic Tribe's migratory dance was free, and the Lakeside Tribe's fishing songs were melodious. Although the styles differed greatly, they all expressed gratitude and reverence for nature.
At the climax of the celebration, the Stone Rock Elders announced the formation of a "Joint Harvest Committee," composed of representatives from each tribe, to coordinate future planting plans and knowledge exchange.
“From now on, harvesting will no longer be a separate endeavor,” the elders solemnly declared, “but a common undertaking for all tribes.”
Late at night, Lin Chen and Cang Lan were alone in the Garden of Knowledge. The autumn night sky was exceptionally clear, with the Milky Way stretching across the horizon.
"Do you remember the first winter season?" Canglan asked softly, "We were so excited about our little reserves back then."
Lin Chen leaned on his shoulder and said, "Now we have enough to eat and can help others. The true meaning of progress lies not in how much you have, but how much you can share."
In the distance, Feng Yi and Xiao Yu were still communicating, demonstrating some new weaving technique; Shi Feng and Shui Hen were drinking and chatting, exchanging experiences in the mountains and lakes; the children were sleeping next to the adults, holding the fruits of their harvest in their hands.
"The Blackrock Tribe wants to monopolize knowledge," Canglan suddenly said, "but they don't know that true power isn't knowledge itself, but the ability to create and share knowledge."
Lin Chen nodded: "It's like a harvest. The most important thing is not the food in the warehouse, but the ability to grow and the heart to share."
The autumn wind blows, bringing with it the lingering fragrance of wheat fields and the chill of distant mountains. But in the Silver Moon Tribe, warmth comes not only from the fire pit, but also from close connections and shared joy.
In this primitive and abundant world, human beings are interpreting civilization in the most essential way: not through possession and accumulation, but through creation and sharing; not through isolation and defense, but through connection and mutual assistance.
The harvest season has ended, but the spirit of harvest continues to grow. Among tribes and in the hearts of individuals, the seeds of knowledge have been sown, the roots of friendship have taken root, and the seedlings of hope are breaking through the soil.
Beneath the starry sky, the Silver Moon Tribe rested peacefully, no longer an isolated fortress, but a node in a connected network, illuminating others and being illuminated by others. And the soul from another world finally fully integrated into this star network, becoming part of the harvest, both receiver and giver.
Boundaries still exist, but they have merged into each other; differences are still obvious, but they have become distinctive features; challenges still arise, but they are no longer terrifying.
Because on this starry autumn night, the Silver Moon Tribe and its companions have come to understand: true harvest lies not in overflowing warehouses, but in being content; true strength lies not in possessing it alone, but in sharing it together.
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