Chapter 319 - 139: Preparations (Part 2)
This behavior of treating people like livestock will certainly cause dissatisfaction, leading to rebellion and escape.
The so-called domestication must combine both kindness and authority, making him sincerely submit, which can foster loyalty and make him serve willingly.
Although Chen Zhou has never been an official nor has management experience, he has seen how the leaders in his unit draw a pie, how they have one set of words in front and another behind, and he feels that dealing with the indigenous should be much simpler than dealing with modern people. A stick followed by a sweet date might be enough.
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In the initial stage of domestication, Chen Zhou plans to first change the dietary habits of the indigenous people, allowing them to adapt to eating salted cooked food and reject the evil practice of cannibalism.
This change can be achieved by establishing a dignified image in the minds of the indigenous.
Along with changing diet, he will address the problem of language barriers.
He plans to fire several white clay tablets, then mark them with Pinyin, teaching the indigenous to grasp Chinese pronunciation, while pointing out individual items in life to help them understand the names and uses of different objects.
As for the indigenous’s ideological concepts, Chen Zhou does not think he can change them.
These tribes, in the 17th century, suspended overseas, lacked external communication, plus the small tribal scale, busy with internal strife, have no time to develop language and writing.
Furthermore, the lack of metallurgical resources on the island prevents them from developing unique art and language, and from making technological advancements.
It’s as if their technology tree is locked, and without external help, they may forever remain at this stage until the world’s end.
They believe in primitive gods, thinking cannibalism is a ritual sacrifice to the Celestial God; such backward thoughts can be changed but not completely reversed.
The modern knowledge Chen Zhou has learned far surpasses this era, from basic literacy to mathematics, history, logical thinking, life knowledge, etc., all things modern people know and understand cannot be instilled in the indigenous.
Especially materialism, which may directly shatter indigenous people’s perception of the entire world, causing their minds to collapse, questioning everything.
The difference between eras is so vast.
From 1661 to 2025, several centuries apart.
During these centuries, human principles and values have undergone earth-shattering changes; forceful change can backfire.
Furthermore, atheism not only overturns indigenous people’s three views but is also of no benefit to domesticating them.
History has long proven that religion is an excellent means of control; even in the technologically advanced modern times, this approach is still effective.
When the old God in the indigenous’s hearts dies, it’s okay, just create a new God for them.
Chen Zhou just happens to have a ready-made statue to use—the delicately crafted statue of Wang Lingguan has already been moved to the kiln cave for some time.
Chen Zhou plans to dig a small temple near the kiln cave, returning Wang Lingguan’s base to the original owner, moving the statue to the temple for worship.
He’s not feeling any psychological pressure about this matter.
After all, while Daoism is in decline in the modern era, it is still one of the top religions in the country, with historical origins and a heritage to pass down.
Contributing to the spread of Daoism in a different world, creating a few new believers, seems to be a wholly beneficial matter.
If Chen Zhou were to fabricate a religion from scratch, to be a Sect Leader himself, he would not be able to do it.
Even if he clearly knows there is no God, in the process of deceiving others, he will involuntarily strengthen his belief in God.
Gradually, even the most steadfast minds will encounter mental challenges, let alone this being on an isolated island, disconnected from modern society, undergoing a long survival challenge.
Chen Zhou dare not risk going mad by pretending to be a priest; with a religion to refer to, he gladly uses a "grab-and-use" approach, having Wang Lingguan work here too.
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Regarding rescuing indigenous captives, there are too many details to consider.
Apart from which indigenous to rescue, choosing the right timing, how to settle them after rescue, how to domesticate them, Chen Zhou also needs to consider whether those who come ashore should all be killed or let go.
The difficulty in killing them all is high, letting them go presents the risk of the indigenous army invading the island.
Moreover, even if the indigenous return to their tribe, frightened by his bravery, will they never come to the island again?
A single helper seems insufficient; if possible, Chen Zhou still hopes to domesticate more indigenous people, enabling him to fully liberate, transforming this challenge into a vacation-like journey.
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Preparations in advance can only ensure a suitable contingency plan in unexpected situations.
But relying on individual mental capacity alone cannot calculate all possibilities; truly in combat, it depends on whether one’s mind is flexible enough, whether he can adapt to changes.
Chen Zhou is well aware of this, thus he only drew up contingency plans targeting principal high-probability situations on the night of August 6, and by August 7, he immediately began actual work.
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The first step of work is to set traps and barriers in the northeastern mountainous area; this can effectively reduce the indigenous’s chase speed, increase safety during the rescue process, and can also inflict damage on the fastest and bravest indigenous warriors.
The pit traps Chen Zhou dug are only 50cm deep, filled with sharp spikes up to 30cm long. If an indigenous person steps on them carelessly, the spikes can directly pierce through the foot, not only robbing him of combat ability but his screams will greatly lower the indigenous’s morale.