Chapter 356 - 155: Entering the Third Year
Time flies quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it is already the end of December 1661, with only two days left until the New Year.
Since rescuing the natives, Chen Zhou has noticeably felt that his mental state has greatly improved.
Communicating with pets and communicating with people are different, even if the two natives don't understand most of what he says, just educating them provides Chen Zhou with enough spiritual comfort.
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Moreover, the natives not only help him relieve his inner depression and revive his gradually lost language ability, but they also assist him in his work.
Although the two natives can't fully manage farming and herding tasks yet, with the passage of time, they have become able to independently handle most simple chores.
For example, tasks like carrying water every morning, weeding, fertilizing, detecting pest infestations promptly, and driving away animals loitering at the field's edge are all jobs the natives excel at.
As for carrying water and providing salt for the sheep, that's even simpler.
Currently in drought season, there's no need to worry about rain; as long as the goats don't return to the wild goat herd, simply counting the sheep daily is sufficient.
In the past, Chen Zhou used to do everything himself, but now, most of the time, he only needs to play the role of a supervisor, intervening to guide or demonstrate when the natives make mistakes or don't perform adequately.
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The two young natives were just as he anticipated before rescuing them; they have a strong ability to accept new things and outstanding learning capacity.
While living and eating together, they can accelerate their progress through sharing experiences.
Soon, they became proficient in completing daily tasks, with one person responsible for the farm and the other for livestock, sometimes finishing all the work well before noon.
Meanwhile, their living habits gradually conformed to those nurtured by Chen Zhou.
They learned how to make fire, cook meals, wash dishes, clean their bodies, and maintain personal hygiene on their own.
Following Chen Zhou's requirements, every morning, the two would tidy up the small wooden hut meticulously.
The bedding must be folded neatly, the wooden bed must be swept clean, food placed in dust-resistant drawers, and wooden bowls, spoons, along with the chopsticks that the two are still not adept at using, must be placed on the wooden rack.
These meticulous details unheard of in the tribe undoubtedly seem cumbersome to the young natives, but they certainly are not as rebellious as modern peers, nor do they ask too many questions.
As long as they are well-fed, receive a compliment, or get a piece of chocolate, that's the greatest satisfaction for them.
Not to mention that the living conditions here are far superior to those of the tribe, and the work isn't particularly exhausting; often, the two find joy in it.
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Having taken antiparasitic medicine, coupled with improved food quality, longer and more regular sleep, and a more balanced nutritional intake in their diet.
The skin of the two natives visibly became much fairer than when they were first rescued, and their previously skinny bodies also became rounder.
Perhaps due to smiling more, the original hostility typical of natives on their faces seemed to diminish, giving them a somewhat East Asian appearance, which made Chen Zhou feel a bit more fond towards them.
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On December 31, right before New Year's Day, Chen Zhou confidently handed over the fields and sheep to the two natives and went alone to the beach to gather seafood, also spending the afternoon fishing.
To avoid returning empty-handed, he prepared enough bait for fishing, and even cooked a large pot of boiled barley to create a bait spot.
The day's catch wasn't quite a harvest but was still better than when the natives went into the water to catch fish, enough for one meal anyway.
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New Year's Day, the anniversary of landing on the island, and his own birthday, these three days belong to the significant holidays established by Chen Zhou.
Just like the natives' sacrifices, in order for the two natives to develop a sense of belonging towards this new home, the enhancement of the living standard alone isn't sufficient; spiritual recognition is of utmost importance, even more crucial than material conditions.
December 31 to January 1 marks the first holiday the two natives celebrate on the island, and to create a festive atmosphere, Chen Zhou specially prepared a series of rituals.
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The first and foremost in the rituals is naturally the feast.
The stimulation of the palate and the allure of delectable food have painted a striking chapter in human history, spiritual satisfaction is inseparable from the satisfaction of the stomach.
Moreover, a table filled with various dishes inherently lends a festive atmosphere to the occasion.
On the night transitioning from 1661 to 1662, Chen Zhou planned to create a seafood feast, wrap some dumplings with different fillings, and make various pastries.
That night all lights must be kept on until past midnight as part of the ritual.
If there was enough gunpowder, Chen Zhou even considered firing some shots for added excitement.
But gunpowder is a non-renewable resource for him, sparingly used for shooting practice; firing shots extravagantly is something he is reluctant to do.
Once the feast ends, everyone rests until dawn, leading into the second phase of the ritual, which is the highlight—sacrifice.
Chen Zhou had long planned to pay homage to Wang Lingguan, even painstakingly constructed an elaborate Temple; to abstain from sacrifice would render all efforts in vain.
Compared with the joyful atmosphere of the feast, the tone of the sacrifice is undoubtedly solemn and serious.
Even when natives landed on the island to hold a cannibal feast, they would smear their bodies black and white like zebras, and bring the Priest and the "witch"; Chen Zhou's ceremonial grandeur certainly couldn't be inferior to the Primitive People.