Chapter 36: New chapter for winter storage
The joy of the harvest had not yet faded, and the Silvermoon Tribe had already begun preparing for the coming cold season. However, unlike previous years, this year's winter storage was the result of a multi-tribe collaboration, on an unprecedented scale and using more scientific methods.
In the morning mist, representatives from each tribe gathered at the newly expanded storage area. Feng Yi brought drying techniques from the nomadic tribe, Shi Feng shared his cellaring experience from the high mountain tribe, and Shui Hen shared water storage methods from the lakeside tribe. Lin Chen and Xiao Yu were tasked with integrating these techniques and designing a new storage system.
"Store in different areas and categories," Lin Chen pointed to the newly drawn storage map. "Root vegetables should be stored in underground cellars, grains should be stored in elevated drying warehouses, and special items should be stored in sealed water."
Canglan led the hunting team to intensify the last large-scale hunting before the cold season, but followed the new principle: only capture mature individuals, retain the breeding population, and even deliberately let go of some pregnant females.
“Sustainable hunting is more important than a one-time plunder,” he taught young hunters. “We coexist with nature, not conquer it.”
Storage is perfectly organized. Newly designed multi-tiered storage racks make optimal use of space; an improved drying system greatly increases efficiency; and even the lighting has been optimized—light panels made of special moss and reflective stone flakes brighten the storage area without obscuring the stored items.
The most innovative concept is "live storage." Yunshan discovered that certain vegetables can be transplanted indoors with soil, where they continue to grow slowly, providing fresh food during the cold season. Berry cultivated cold-resistant herbs and overwintered them in a specially designed greenhouse.
“It’s not just about storing food, it’s about prolonging life,” she said, proudly showing off her lush herb shed.
At the final multi-tribal meeting before the cold season, each tribe shared their winter storage progress. Surprisingly, the Silvermoon Tribe's symbol system had been widely adopted, with each tribe using the same method to record their storage contents, facilitating mutual understanding and assistance.
"If one tribe experiences a shortage," Elder Shiyan suggested, "other tribes can quickly provide the most appropriate assistance based on the records."
The idea of a "mutual storage network" gained widespread support, with tribes registering portions of their reserves in a shared record and pledging to support each other in times of need.
On the eve of the true arrival of the cold season, the Silvermoon Tribe held a simple yet solemn ceremony, not only to express gratitude for the harvest but also to celebrate the trust and cooperation among the tribes.
"The cold season used to be a time of isolation and fear," Elder Shi Yan said at the ceremony. "Now, it's a test of unity and faith."
When the first snow fell, the Silvermoon Tribe was fully prepared. But unlike previous years, this year the tribes had established a regular communication system: using fire signals to report safety, using domesticated messenger birds to transmit simple messages, and even sending small groups to visit each other regularly.
The most heartwarming thing is the establishment of the tradition of "cold season shared feast". Once a month, the tribes hold a feast simultaneously through video signals (encoded by fire and reflectors). Although they cannot gather in the same room, they can feel each other's presence.
Lin Chen and Cang Lan climbed the watchtower on a snowy night. In the distance, the safety signal from the mountain tribe flickered steadily. Further away, the migrating lights of the nomadic tribes were faintly visible. The light from the lakeside tribes reflected the water like the stars.
"It seems as if the whole earth is protecting each other." Canglan said softly.
Lin Chen nodded: "When isolated, each tribe is a solitary lamp. Once connected, we become the entire starry sky."
In the middle of the cold season, an unexpected event tested this nascent network. The mountain tribes were struck by an avalanche, partially burying their storage area. After sending an emergency signal for help, the tribes responded quickly: the Silvermoon tribe provided grain, the nomadic tribe sent pack animals for transport, and the lakeside tribe shared dried fish.
The aid is not only timely but also precise - thanks to shared storage records, each tribe knows what the mountain tribes need most and what they lack.
"You not only saved our supplies," Shi Feng said gratefully, "but you also saved our confidence."
After the crisis, the network was stronger. The tribes improved their emergency plans, added backup storage points, and even established winter mutual aid patrols.
During this process, Lin Chen discovered the shortcomings of the symbol system and worked with Xiaoyu to develop more complex "emergency symbols" that could quickly convey complex information.
"Knowledge advances through necessity." He carved this new realization on the wall of the Garden of Knowledge.
Even at the depths of winter, the Silvermoon Tribe felt as warm as spring. Abundant reserves gave tribal members more time for creativity and learning. The Garden of Knowledge became a hub for winter activities, with the tribes constantly exchanging knowledge through visitors and messenger birds.
Children learned multi-tribal languages and symbols; young people compared hunting and domestication techniques; and even elders formed a "Council of Wisdom" to organize the legends and experiences of each tribe.
One special project was the "Map of the Earth"—a joint effort to map the surrounding area's topography, resources, and tribal distribution. Each tribe contributed their knowledge, ultimately resulting in an unprecedentedly detailed map.
"It turns out we live in such a rich and diverse land." Yunshan was amazed as he looked at the map that was gradually being completed.
Xiaoyu pointed to the blank space on the map and said, "There are still many unknowns waiting to be explored."
At the end of the cold season, with the first hints of spring emerging, the Silvermoon Tribe not only survived safely, but actually grew stronger. Reserves were depleted less than anticipated, knowledge accumulated more than expected, and the bonds between the tribes grew stronger.
At the last shared winter feast, all tribes raised their glasses at the same time through signals. Although separated by mountains and rivers, they felt as if they were gathered together.
"During this winter, we didn't lose a single person, didn't go hungry, and didn't stop learning," Elder Shi Yan said at the banquet. "This proves the power of sharing."
As the snow and wind subsided and the stream began to gurgle, the members of the Silvermoon Tribe began preparing for spring plowing, but their mindset had completely changed: no longer worried about survival, but eager to grow; no longer struggling in isolation, but collaborating to create together.
Lin Chen and Canglan strolled through the newly melted snow, planning a new spring plowing plan. In the distance, children were already playing simulated planting games, using symbols to record the growth of hypothetical crops.
"From dreading the cold winter to looking forward to spring plowing," Canglan smiled, "what a huge change."
Lin Chen held his hand: "The biggest change is not external, but internal. The transformation from 'what can I have' to 'what can we create'."
The setting sun bathed the Silvermoon Tribe in a golden glow. The storage area remained full, the Garden of Knowledge gained new knowledge, and the signals of each tribe flickered and echoed in the darkening sky.
In this primitive and simple world, human beings interpret the true meaning of civilization in the most essential way: not through the level of technology, but through the richness of the soul; not through the accumulation of wealth, but through the sharing of wisdom; not through the expansion of territory, but through the deepening of connections.
Beneath the starry sky, the Silver Moon Tribe rested peacefully, no longer an isolated bright spot, but a shining star within an entire network. And that soul from another world had finally fully integrated into this star network, becoming an eternal part of it—both student and teacher, receiver and giver, product of the past and seed of the future.
As the first spring star rises in the night sky, the Silvermoon Tribe and its companions are ready to embrace a new cycle. The cold season's storage isn't just about accumulating food; it's also about accumulating confidence and wisdom, accumulating infinite possibilities for the spring's blossoming season.
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