Chapter 38 Rainy Season Test
Before the joy of the joint spring plowing had faded, the Silvermoon Tribe faced the test of the rainy season. This year's rainy season arrived early and fiercely. Gray skies poured down heavy rain for several consecutive days, and the streams quickly swelled, threatening the newly reclaimed farmland and the safety of the tribe.
Early in the morning, Canglan and Lin Chen braved the rain to patrol the river bank. They saw that the usually gentle stream had turned into a turbulent yellow torrent, constantly washing the land on the shore.
"The water level is much higher than it usually is at this time of year," Canglan frowned. "If the rain continues, it might flood the terraced fields to the east."
Lin Chen squatted down to examine the soil. "The drainage system is still working, but it's reaching its limit. We need to reinforce the riverbank and divert the floodwaters."
An emergency meeting was held under the canopy of the Garden of Knowledge. Representatives from various tribes looked solemn, as they were well aware of the devastating impact of the flood on their farmland.
Shuihen spoke first: "The experience of the lakeside tribes is that instead of resisting floods, it is better to guide them. We can dig diversion channels to direct excess water to low-lying water storage areas."
Shi Feng added: "The mountain tribes use gabions to reinforce riverbanks. We can use woven nets to fill with stones, which is both effective and saves materials."
Feng Yi suggested: "The waterproofing technology used by nomadic tribes in their tents can be used to protect important facilities. I used a special grease treatment method that can effectively waterproof them."
Lin Chen quickly integrated these suggestions and developed a response plan: one group was responsible for making gabions to reinforce the river bank, one group was responsible for digging drainage channels, and one group was responsible for using waterproofing technology to protect the granary and knowledge cave.
The entire tribe sprang into action. The men toiled in the rain, the women and the elderly provided logistical support, and even the children helped pass tools and supplies.
Xiaoyu led the masonry team to improve the design of the gabions, making them stronger and easier to make; the spruce team collected specific plants to enhance the waterproof effect; and the berries prepared to prevent diseases that might occur after the flood.
However, the rain kept getting heavier. On the third day, a riverbank on the east bank became dangerous, and floodwaters began to seep into the terraced fields behind.
"It needs to be reinforced immediately!" Canglan shouted, but the waves were so strong that the gabions were instantly washed away.
In a critical moment, Shuihen came up with a solution: "Use a mesh structure! First drive the wooden stakes, then hang the net ropes, and finally throw in the gabions!"
Everyone tried immediately. The wooden stakes were painstakingly driven into the muddy riverbank, and the net ropes swung in the rapids, eventually catching the gabion. The danger was temporarily averted.
But the rain continued, and on the fifth day, a new crisis emerged: a mudslide in the western mountains blocked a key water diversion channel, and the flood began to redirect towards the tribe.
"We must clear the blockage!" Shi Feng said, with great experience. "But be careful, a secondary landslide is even more dangerous."
The combined team ventured up the mountain. Members of the Mountain Tribe instructed them on safe operation, the Nomadic Tribe provided rope protection, and the Silvermoon Tribe coordinated the overall operation. After several hours of effort, the blockage was finally cleared, and the floodwaters returned to their normal course.
The most difficult test came on the seventh day. Continuous heavy rains put a natural dam upstream at risk of collapse. If it did, a massive amount of water would rush directly towards the Silver Moon Tribe.
The entire tribe was placed on high alert. Elderly people, children, and the sick were moved to safer areas above ground, and vital supplies were urgently transported. The rest of the tribe focused on strengthening defenses.
In this critical moment, Lin Chen came up with a bold idea: "Instead of passively defending, it's better to actively release the floodwaters. Dig a floodway upstream to divert most of the water."
It was an extremely risky plan, but perhaps the only option. An elite team braved the rain and headed upstream, successfully digging a spillway before the dam collapsed. The floodwaters were diverted into an uninhabited valley, and the Silvermoon Tribe escaped disaster.
When the rain finally subsided and the sun reappeared, the Silver Moon Tribe, despite suffering losses, had its core area and most of its farmland preserved. Tribal members embraced and wept, a mixture of fear and relief.
Post-disaster assessments showed that some terraced fields on the east bank were destroyed and some houses in the west were flooded, but there were no casualties and the main granaries and knowledge caves were intact.
"Without the joint response of all tribes, the losses would have been much greater," said Elder Shi Yan at the assessment meeting. "Different experiences and technologies played a role at a critical moment."
This time, the tribes not only repaired the damage but also improved the system: they reinforced all riverbanks, expanded drainage channels, added backup spillways, and even established a rainy season early warning system—observation points at various high points that used signals to transmit water level information.
Lin Chen and Xiaoyu improved the recording system, recorded in detail the lessons learned from the flood control, and created a "Rainy Season Response Guide" to share with all tribes.
“The value of knowledge is revealed when it is put to the test,” Lin Chen writes in the guide’s preface, “and the value of knowledge shared is multiplied.”
A remarkable discovery emerged after the disaster: some areas washed away by the flood revealed layers of high-quality clay, better than any previously discovered.
"Disasters bring losses, but also new discoveries," Xiaoyu said excitedly after testing the new clay. "This is suitable for making more refined pottery."
After the rainy season was completely over, the Silver Moon Tribe held a thanksgiving ceremony, not only to thank the power of nature, but also to thank all tribes for their unity and mutual assistance.
At the ceremony, Shuihen said with emotion: "The lakeside tribes have lived with water for many years, but this is the first time we have come to understand the power and wisdom of water so well."
Shi Feng nodded. "The mountain tribes are familiar with the nature of the mountains, but this time they've learned the nature of the water."
Feng Yi smiled: "Nomadic tribes migrate with the water and grass. Now they understand how to coexist with water instead of just using it."
Lin Chen concluded: "Each tribe has its own unique wisdom. Together we can better cope with the challenges of nature."
The restored Silvermoon Tribe is more solid and harmonious. The newly built drainage system is more efficient, the reinforced riverbank is more stable, and even the houses use improved waterproofing technology.
One evening, Lin Chen and Cang Lan strolled along the restored riverbank. Under the setting sun, the river flowed gently, as if the previous violent storm had never happened.
"After this, the ties between the tribes have become stronger." Canglan said softly.
Lin Chen nodded: "Jointly coping with a crisis can unite people better than sharing a good harvest."
He pointed to the distance: Feng Yi and Xiao Yu were discussing how to combine the advantages of nomadic tents and fixed houses; Shi Feng and Shui Hen were exchanging experiences in mountain and water management; even the children were playing the "Flood Fighting Heroes" game, imitating the adults' unity and cooperation.
As night fell, the starry sky became exceptionally clear. The Silver Moon Tribe rested peacefully on the land, its signal lights flickering like reflections of the starry sky.
In this primitive and simple world, humans are learning to coexist with nature in the most essential way: not to conquer and control, but to understand and adapt; not to fear and escape, but to respect and dance with nature.
The trials of the rainy season have passed, but the lessons and connections left behind will continue to grow. Across tribes and within each individual, the courage and wisdom to face challenges have taken root, gathering strength for future storms.
Under the starry sky, the Silvermoon Tribe and its companions have come to understand that true strength lies not in avoiding wind and rain, but in moving forward hand in hand in the wind and rain; true wisdom lies not in predicting everything, but in preparing to face the unknown.
When that soul from another world gazes up at the stars, it no longer misses modern conveniences, but instead cherishes the reality and connections of this world. Here, every challenge is an opportunity for growth, and every unity is a progress of civilization.
The traces of the rainy season have not yet completely faded, but the Silver Moon Tribe is ready to welcome the rainbow and harvest after the rain. Those who have trudged through muddy waters cherish the smooth roads more; those who have walked together through wind and rain understand the value of unity more deeply.
This is the story of a primitive tribe, but it also embodies the eternal theme of human civilization: growth through challenges, strength through unity, and enrichment through sharing. And all this has just begun.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
