Chapter 140 - 57: Traces Reappear (Part 2)
Of course, before "bending them into wheels," he still had to use his strong physique to carry two large wooden boxes back to the cave.
After resting for a moment, Chen Zhou looked at the sky, still densely covered with clouds, seemingly about to rain.
Estimating it wouldn't rain immediately, he took his axe and headed to the forest to select suitable timber for wheel bending.
Since landing on the island, he's chopped down hundreds of trees, among which ninety percent were trees he couldn't name, so he gave them random names.
Names like pineapple tree and driftwood belong to relatively outstanding and normal tree names.
If he discovered a frog on the trunk after cutting a tree, it was called frog tree; chopping one during dusk was named dusk tree; if Lai Fu barked while chopping, it was called woof tree...
If modern botanists saw these peculiar names Chen Zhou came up with, they'd be outraged enough to spit blood thrice.
From these tree names alone, besides him, no one could identify the wood differences and tree characteristics.
But Chen Zhou relied on this unique naming style to firmly remember most trees' appearances.
The tree he needed now was called "fake poplar," named so because although it looked nothing like a poplar, its wood was similar once chopped, white and clean, with long fibers that were strong but not dense, fitting the category of mediocre quality.
Compared to pineapple tree, ironwood, or sandalwood, its wood was loose; compared to driftwood, it seemed overly compact.
Chen Zhou planned to first cut a section of fake poplar, then chop it into strips, experimenting with fire baking or steaming with boiling water to see if they could be bent.
If they could curve, he'd use a wooden bucket or directly a large iron canister to restrict the strips' shapes, bending them into a circle.
Once he had a circular rim, the handcart problem would be mostly solved.
Drilling holes on the rim, inserting spokes in the middle, and installing the axle—all of these weren't difficult, just a bit meticulous, but Chen Zhou was confident he could complete them.
Of course, perfect results usually only exist in dreams.
Chen Zhou knew that bending wood into wheels was a truly ancient skill; it wasn't as simple as boiling oil or peeling skins.
In the brief phrase "straight wood on the string, bent into wheels, its curves fitting the compass," countless techniques and ancient craftsmen's painstaking experiences were embedded, not something achievable in one or two attempts.
Choosing timber, heating, bending, drying—each step could potentially have issues.
The task was daunting, but Chen Zhou couldn't give up because of fear of failure.
A handcart was urgently needed now; mastering this skill would eliminate the need for wooden buckets for transporting stones and soil.
Composting, picking grapes and fruit in Fruit Tree Valley would allow transporting a large amount at once, saving time on basket weaving research, with countless benefits.
Even if such tasks were ten times harder, he was determined to make progress.
...
By evening, a light drizzle started falling again.
Carrying the cut wood, Chen Zhou hurriedly headed back to the cave, with Lai Fu running wildly ahead.
Ignoring everything, it crashed through grass and shrubs, its fur wet with rain, turning from light yellow to deep brown, with its neck mane no longer fluffy, drooping to the ground, losing its lion-like demeanor.
Since being with Chen Zhou, this fellow had escaped hardship, its diet quality improved multiple levels.
Previously, it could only eat half a loaf each day; now it's well-fed, eating whatever was given, with often fresh meat and organs unavailable on the ship.
After killing seals, its menu included boiled and fried meat.
With ample nutrition, Lai Fu had grown somewhat—though it was less than a year old.
Besides growing taller, it was getting bigger.
Usually, its dense fur made it hard to notice its build.
Now soaked by rain, its fur shrunk, revealing its robust muscles clearly during running, especially around the shoulder muscles, several times thicker than Chen Zhou's proud biceps.
The rain cooled Lai Fu, reducing its heat dissipation pressure, allowing it to run more joyfully and freely.
Woof Woof!
Excitedly barking, Lai Fu stood still, shook off the water, and looked back at its owner.
When Chen Zhou, gasping for breath, carried the logs, crossing vines and roots to reach its side, it dashed away again.
Knowing this was Lai Fu's unique entertainment method, Chen Zhou didn't mind, adjusting the logs on his shoulder to keep balance, continuing forward.
The young dog had abundant energy, running tirelessly.
Before the owner even left the forest, Lai Fu had already raced halfway up the mountain, skillfully finding the goat mother and child for play.
Not long after, when Chen Zhou exited the forest and headed home, Lai Fu ran back wagging its tail.
Panting heavily, Lai Fu sat down in front of Chen Zhou, blocking his way.
Thinking Lai Fu was being inappropriate and wanted to play games with him, Chen Zhou put on a serious expression and scolded harshly.
"Don't mess around, move aside!"
Woof woof~
Lai Fu wagged his tail wildly, lifted his head, eyes sparkling with excitement and urgency, evident to anyone.
"What's the matter?"
Having spent months with Lai Fu day and night, it was the first time Chen Zhou saw him behave like this. He quickly put down the wood on his shoulder and asked softly.
Woof!
Lai Fu's response was short and forceful. He scratched Chen Zhou's pant leg with his front paw, got up, and ran toward the sunny slope.
After running ten meters, he stood at a high point, looked at the stationary master, and barked again as if calling for Chen Zhou.
"Did you find something?"
Seeing Lai Fu's actions, Chen Zhou understood his intention. Worried about encountering danger while following him, he took out the hand axe from his waist and jogged to catch up.
One dog and one man, one after another, passed the grassland where mother goats and kids were tethered, heading east.
Just before reaching the sunny slope platform, Lai Fu stopped first.
He lowered his body, reduced the frequency of his tail wagging, and turned to look at Chen Zhou with a clear message—hide.
Secretly marveling at Lai Fu's intelligence, Chen Zhou tightly gripped the axe handle, crouched down furtively, and walked over to Lai Fu's side.
He peeked in the direction Lai Fu was facing.
In the distance on the sunny slope platform, familiar faces appeared.
It was the wild goat herd that had been missing for over three months.
After not being seen for a long time, the herd seemed to have expanded a bit. The lambs that were still suckling have all grown into half-sized goats, no longer clinging to their mothers for milk, but scattered independently.
There were also a few little ones born just a few days ago, following closely behind their mothers, nervously surveying this unfamiliar place.
The leading billy goat slightly raised his head, proudly standing on a large rock, watching the herd grazing below the slope and occasionally looking around the platform as if serving as a sentinel for the herd.
"Damn you, where have you taken the herd these past few months?"
Seeing the herd again, Chen Zhou was emotionally stirred and cursed softly.
Heaven knows, after not seeing any trace of the herd for so long, he thought they would never return.
For this, he was even prepared to venture deep into the island to catch wild goats, not expecting these animals to mess around outside for months and then return.
"Could it be that they weren't scared away by the sound of the gun or gunpowder explosion?
But because the dry season arrived, the wild grass along the island's edge withered and lacked moisture, prompting them to migrate to the lush interiors of the island?"
After pondering, Chen Zhou thought this guess was very plausible.
"You guys must have been really idle, migrating on such a small island."
Speaking, he reached out and rubbed Lai Fu's wet big head.
"Well done, excellent at gathering intelligence, you'll get a big piece of meat tonight as a reward!"
Encouraged, Lai Fu was extremely excited, wagged his tail, and suddenly darted forward, about to start hunting, giving Chen Zhou a fright.
On rainy days, the matchlock gun is useless, and at such a distance, it's hard for the crossbow to hit the goats.
Besides, with the "sentries" arranged by the herd, all he had was a hand axe, and even if Lai Fu performed exceptionally well, scattering the herd, he still couldn't catch any goats.
Unless Lai Fu, like last time, first captured a kid they could use to lure the mother goat, it might be possible.
But this time, the herd is different from last time, more vigilant, with very few kids, all protected in the center of the herd, making Lai Fu's chances of success very slim.
Worried about frightening the herd away by acting rashly, Chen Zhou pulled Lai Fu back, soothed his emotions, and quietly left the hillside.
He had no way if the herd did not return, but now that it was back, it was just the right time to try the snare technique he'd practiced with rabbits ...
Rabbit paths are hard to find, but there's no difficulty in grasping "goat paths." As long as the snare's height is correct, with so many goats, he can catch one or two.
Then it won't just be a matter of drinking goat milk; lamb stew and roast lamb will be easily within reach!