Chapter 466 - 20: Artistic Conception
Despite the wood sculpture's impact on "Celestial God's" appreciation of his own work being unpleasant on Saturday, he still truthfully answered Chen Zhou's question.
Upon hearing that the wood sculpture was made by the zebra, Chen Zhou nodded thoughtfully.
During woodworking class, the zebra was among the most outstanding performers, and the quality of his mortise and tenon structure far surpassed that of other members of the Native Tribe.
If he carved such a wood sculpture, it's not surprising.
"The zebra, he's quite talented."
After spinning the sculpture around in his hands and examining its details closely, Chen Zhou placed it back on the wooden rack.
"What do you think about making the zebra the third manager? His performance has always been great."
Facing Saturday, Chen Zhou inquired.
He intends to specially select three people responsible for going out to fish at sea. Among the members of the Native Tribe, only the zebra is most trustworthy; he's clever in his work and appears to be a suitable candidate for managing fishing operations.
However, Chen Zhou knows that he hasn't been observing the members of the Native Tribe enough recently. In terms of understanding them, he's far behind Saturday and Sunday.
After all, it's usually Saturday who teaches the members of the Native Tribe and manages daily affairs.
Since deciding on "don't use those you doubt, and don't doubt those you use," he seldom handles affairs directly, fostering detailed relations with the members of the Native Tribe.
Now, with such an important decision, he must seek the opinions of Saturday and Sunday in advance, just like how the emperor consults the Prime Minister when facing an issue——
He is just an ordinary person, not an omniscient and all-powerful god; seeking a wide range of opinions is a wise choice.
...
Upon hearing Chen Zhou's question, Saturday bowed his head.
The "Celestial God" is unaware, but he knows what has recently happened.
Though the zebra's past performances were indeed impeccable, the events of the past few days have overshadowed the zebra's "exemplary conduct."
After pondering for a moment, Saturday ultimately decided to honestly reveal the issues caused by the zebra and the members concerning the sugar stirring incident.
Standing by the side, Chen Zhou listened quietly to Saturday's recounting, gradually furrowing his brow.
Previously, he had a good impression of the members of the Native Tribe.
Though the tribe members act ferociously in battle and lifestyle, their nature is relatively simple and unpretentious, quite distinct from the cunning sophistication of modern people, and they're not skilled in acting or disguising themselves.
After hearing Saturday's account, he realized that humans are inherently complex creatures, naturally generating some anomalies whether in modern society or primitive conditions.
Perhaps due to environmental factors, the probability of such people emerging among the Native Tribe is relatively low, yet it's not impossible.
Coincidentally, this "unique" zebra happened to come his way.
...
With thoughts drifting, Chen Zhou recalled when the zebra first landed on the island. Frightened by the bullets, he was the first to voluntarily give up resistance, even though he was the tallest and most powerful among the Native Tribe.
After being captured and herded into the cave for interrogation, he was also the most perceptive, spilling out all the secrets he knew like beans from a bamboo tube.
Later, Chen Zhou heard that the zebra shared the chocolate rewarded to him with the other tribe members.
He always believed that the zebra was a good-natured person, adept at socializing and eager to learn.
Listening to Saturday's account and recalling the zebra's various past behaviors, Chen Zhou finally realized——
This zebra guy isn't the good-natured person he appeared to be; everything he did was with a clear purpose.
He merely concealed his intentions well, and with the additional influence of his tribe identity, it became difficult for others to detect his true motives.
...
"In that case, let's put this matter on hold for now."
Chen Zhou gave his decision.
He then patted Saturday's shoulder commendably.
"You've handled this very well, neither immediately resorting to force nor widely broadcasting the issue, simultaneously taking care of Kulu and the zebra, while subtly hinting and intimidating him.
As a manager, your performance this time was excellent."
...
Receiving the "Celestial God's" praise, Saturday's round face instantly turned beet red, feeling a bit embarrassed.
After a moment of waiting, noticing Chen Zhou still standing behind him without any intention of entering the room further to observe his artworks, Saturday finally couldn't hold it in.
He cautiously extended his finger, pointing to the painting hanging on the wall, whispering.
"Could you take a look at my painting? I think there's much room for improvement."
After saying this, Saturday paused, adding an additional remark.
"It's been quite a while since you guided me on painting."
Chen Zhou was contemplating how to deal with the zebra——
Through Saturday's account, he had realized that this guy was a fence-sitter, far from being as trustworthy as he appeared.
Under the apprehension of firearms' incredible power, he could betray his tribe without hesitation, betray the Spaniards.
That suggests that in the future, if faced with cannons and a larger, better-equipped enemy, he's quite likely to betray again, taking the island's secrets to seek refuge elsewhere.
Such "traitors" and "spineless individuals" are always despised by Huaxia people.
In wartime, if deceitful and concealing actions occurred, Chen Zhou would have skinned the zebra alive.
But this is normal times, and the zebra's actions aren't excessively out of line. If convicted of this incident and executed, it might only induce fear among the tribe members.
...
Chen Zhou instinctively wanted to distance himself from the zebra guy.
However, he also values the zebra's woodworking skills, contemplating whether there's a better approach. Saturday's words interrupted his thoughts.