Chapter 48: The Commonality of Rhythms
Improvements to the water conservancy system brought greater stability to the lives of the tribes of the Alliance. However, Lin Chen noticed that despite the continuous improvement in material life, spiritual communication between the tribes remained impeded. One quiet evening, he sat atop the Tower of Knowledge, listening to the songs of the various tribes carried on the wind, lost in thought.
"Every tribe has its own unique musical tradition," he said to Canglan beside him. "Music is the language of the soul. Perhaps it can become a bridge of connection."
Canglan nodded. "The Silver Moon Tribe's wolf howls are majestic, the Mountain Tribe's eagle cries are high-pitched, the Nomadic Tribe's wind chants are melodious, the Lakeside Tribe's water ballads are gentle, and the Shell Tribe's tide music is rhythmic. These differences are beautiful, but they also create barriers."
The next day, Lin Chen proposed the "Musical Communication" plan at the alliance meeting: not to create a unified music, but to find common elements in the music of each tribe and create a musical form that can communicate.
The plan was initially met with skepticism. "Music is a sacred tradition," objected a mountain tribe priest. "It cannot be changed arbitrarily."
But the young musicians showed great interest. Drummers from the Silver Moon Tribe, flute players from the Nomadic Tribe, harpists from the Lakeside Tribe, and even shell percussionists from the Shell Tribe were all eager to learn and exchange ideas.
The first musical exchange took place at the Garden of Knowledge. Musicians from each tribe showcased their instruments, scales, and rhythms. Initially, the exchange was chaotic, but as the exchange deepened, surprising discoveries emerged.
"Look!" exclaimed the nomadic flutist. "Our pentatonic scale is the same as the mountain tribe's, only the names are different!"
The Lakeside Tribe's zither player added, "Our water wave rhythm perfectly complements the Silvermoon Tribe's drums!"
Lin Chen took the opportunity to introduce basic music theory, packaging it as the "wisdom of distant tribes": scale principles, rhythmic patterns, harmony concepts, etc. The musicians were overjoyed and immediately tried to apply it.
The most groundbreaking development came unexpectedly. Trapped in the Tower of Knowledge on a stormy night, musicians from various tribes improvised a musical performance to pass the time. Initially chaotic, their performance gradually became coordinated, ultimately creating an unprecedented musical form—one that preserved the unique characteristics of each tribe while remaining harmoniously unified.
"This is the connection between rhythms!" the young Silver Moon drummer was extremely excited. "Different, yet harmonious!"
The Alliance decided to officially support musical exchange. They created a "Temperament Chart" to record the musical elements of each tribe using unified symbols; established an "Alliance Orchestra" where musicians from all tribes practiced together regularly; and even invented new instruments that incorporated the characteristics of each tribe.
Music quickly transcended entertainment and gained practical value. Mountain tribes discovered that specific rhythms could improve labor efficiency; nomadic tribes used music to soothe livestock; lakeside tribes used sound waves to attract fish; and the Silver Moon tribe used drum beats to convey complex messages.
The most innovative application is "healing music." Berry discovered that certain melodies can relieve pain and promote healing. The Alliance Orchestra created healing music specifically for the medical area.
“Music not only nourishes the soul, it heals the body,” she wrote in her medical records.
Music has also become an important part of Alliance ceremonies. Each tribal celebration incorporates elements of Alliance music, honoring tradition while also embodying unity.
At the Star Festival, the Alliance Orchestra performed "Symphony of the Stars," blending musical elements from various tribes to depict the movement of the stars and tribal harmony. When the performance concluded, the audience fell silent, followed by thunderous applause and cheers.
"I've never heard such...complete music." An old man wiped his eyes. "It's as if the hearts of all the tribes are singing at the same time."
Music also facilitates language communication. To learn each other's music, musicians have to learn basic vocabulary, which indirectly facilitates language comprehension. Even "musical sign language" has emerged, expressing musical intent through gestures, which can be used for basic communication.
Children especially enjoy musical exchange. They form "little orchestras" and play and learn with simple instruments without adult prejudice or barriers.
"Why do adults think our music is different?" a Silvermoon child asked his nomadic companion. "We can obviously play well together!"
The alliance decided to incorporate music education into formal schooling. Children from each tribe learn basic music theory and tribal characteristics, respecting tradition while also opening their minds.
One particularly successful project is the Musical Instrument Workshop, where artisans from various tribes collaborate to research and improve musical instruments: drum skin processing for the Silver Moon Tribe, woodworking techniques for the High Mountain Tribe, flute hole calculation for the Nomadic Tribe, string making for the Lakeside Tribe, and percussion instrument design for the Shell Tribe.
Newly crafted Alliance instruments sound better and are easier to play, and even entirely new instruments have emerged—such as the "Aeolian Harp," a combination of the bagpipes of the nomadic tribes and the harp of the lakeside tribes.
Music even influenced other fields: the rhythm of music was applied to the rhythm of textiles; the harmony of music was applied to the proportions of architecture; the melody of music was applied to narrative style.
In late autumn, the Alliance held its first "Music Festival." Bands from various tribes performed, showcasing traditions and innovations; artisans demonstrated instrument making; healers shared their experiences with music therapy; and there was even an "improvisational ensemble" competition, rewarding the best inter-tribal collaboration.
The highlight of the festival is the unveiling of the "Stone of Ten Thousand Sounds" - a special stone sculpture engraved with the musical chart of the alliance and the musical symbols of each tribe. Tapping different parts of it can produce different pitches, symbolizing the connection of music.
"Different tones, same rhythm; different tribes, same heart." Elder Shi Yan said at the unveiling ceremony.
Lin Chen and Cang Lan strolled to the Wanyin Stone on the night of the music festival. In the distance, people from various tribes were still singing and dancing, different melodies, but the same joy.
"Is this the music alliance you imagined?" Canglan asked softly.
Lin Chen smiled: "Beyond imagination. I used to think that the rhythm needed to be unified, but now I understand that harmony comes from differences rather than similarities."
He pointed at the singing and dancing crowd and said: "Look, they maintain their own rhythm, yet create a common harmony. This is not compromise, but sublimation."
Under the starry sky, the Wanyin Stone is like solidified music, and the singing and dancing of various tribes surround it like living music, each unique and echoing each other.
In this world without modern audio but full of musical wisdom, human beings are exploring the mystery of sound in the most essential way: not through electronic amplification, but through resonance of the soul; not through commercial production, but through sincere expression; not through isolated appreciation, but through shared experience.
The commonality of music has not weakened the traditional music of each tribe, but made it more precious; it has not created noise, but created harmony; it has not restricted expression, but expanded possibilities.
That soul from another world, standing in front of the Stone of Ten Thousand Sounds, no longer misses the music industry in modern society, but cherishes this music culture based on authenticity and sharing.
Here, music is not a consumer product, but a part of life; it is not a privilege of celebrities, but a right of everyone; it is not enjoyed in isolation, but a medium of connection.
The festival has passed, but the spirit of musical connection endures. Across tribes and within each individual's heart, a shared rhythm has taken root, mutual resonance has sprouted, and a shared harmony is blossoming.
When the first winter star rises, the Silvermoon Tribe and its allies are ready to continue their musical exploration. The journey of music has just begun, but the direction is clear: respect, communication, innovation, and sharing.
On this winter night filled with music, human civilization, in its most ancient yet freshest form, continues its eternal song: Who am I? Who are you? Who are we?
And all this is just the beginning of countless songs.
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