Chapter 571 - 68: The New Temple
Humans, especially Primitive People, always try to build structures they revere as grand as possible.
The enormity is the most immediate impression; when the massive structure stands before one’s eyes, it needs no excessive embellishment to impart a strong sense of shock and oppression.
As the person in charge of the new Temple project, Zebra adhered to the principle of "gigantic" from the beginning of the temple’s design.
The Leader gave him enough authority, allowing him to use some steel and concrete. With these building materials’ help, constructing not just a seven or eight-meter building but a towering structure of twenty or thirty meters high was feasible.
After establishing "gigantic" as the fundamental feature, Zebra began to conceive the temple’s form.
It’s only when you need to use knowledge that you regret the lack of it; Zebra used to think he was already diligent enough in class and meticulous enough in doing homework.
When it was time to unleash his talents, he realized he had not made much progress compared to his past in the primitive tribe; he was still like a clueless child.
In order to design the temple with solemnity and beauty, Zebra frequently visited the office on Saturdays.
From the paintings drawn on Saturdays and books in the office, he gradually captured inspiration.
Time refined Zebra’s rough ideas, like sand inside a shell, smoothed day by day, eventually becoming more lustrous, showing the sheen of a jewel.
On A4 paper, those inspirations intertwined and weaved into a complete concept.
Gather workers, choose a site, build the frame, dig the foundation, stack, assemble, construct...
Zebra quietly disappeared from the islanders’ view. Every day before dawn, he set out for the construction site beyond the mountain, leading the most skilled workers to build the new temple.
...
Before officially starting the work, the uneasy Zebra ultimately took the blueprints to seek Chen Zhou’s opinion.
He was anxious inside, having toiled tirelessly for this project, fearing any misstep would displease the Leader.
Actually, in Chen Zhou’s heart, the temple was far less important than Zebra imagined.
"Empty talk misleads the nation, practical work strengthens it."
As an engineer, Chen Zhou’s primary focus was always industry.
Whether it’s light or heavy industry, whether producing soap, cloth, or machine-made weaponry, as long as the focus is placed firmly on industry, it’s beneficial for the island and its people.
As for temple projects leaning towards religion, or tourism and entertainment industries, Chen Zhou considered them lower than industry.
In the 21st century, as it entered the information era, the immense planet became a "global village." Economic changes from trade between great nations can affect global situations, and financial centers like Wall Street can construct air castles on the industrial "foundation," unleashing financial storms.
Yet the world was still in the 17th century; no matter how much gold or silver one possesses, without manufacturing strength, they would eventually become the prey for nations with superior industry.
In peaceful times, transactions are settled with money, but in times of chaos, it is whoever has sturdier guns, fiercer cannons, and stronger manufacturing that holds the real advantage.
Most island matters could be delegated to trusted individuals, but factories, machinery, and manufacturing were things Chen Zhou had to supervise personally.
Having Zebra design and build the temple was merely because he had previously saved Tiger Head.
Even though there were human influences in that rescue, since he verbally promised a reward to whomever saved Tiger Head, even if Zebra never asked for or mentioned a reward, Chen Zhou still gave him what he most desired—
A ladder upward.
Honestly, Chen Zhou never considered that Zebra would complete this task exceptionally well.
Just a few years ago, Zebra was someone who couldn’t recognize a single word, lived like a beast. Expecting him to have artistic flair or astounding design skills was unrealistic.
Perhaps because expectations were too low, when Zebra presented the design to Chen Zhou, he was indeed somewhat surprised.
Although this native group, like the South American Incas, came from the same lineage, having never seen the architecture of the South American Inca Empire, the temple that Zebra designed bore no resemblance to the Inca Temple.
Helped by the office on Saturdays, carefully observing the old temple, and having personally participated in factory and shipyard construction, Zebra fused these experiences together, designing an enormous temple with the charm of Ancient Chinese architecture, yet possessing a modern architectural framework.
The entire temple was symmetrically aligned, with the central main hall reaching two stories, using reinforced concrete for the foundation and frame, while large quantities of wood were used for the trims and internal decorations.
Applying his knowledge of mortise and tenon structures, and referencing the styles of ancient buildings, Zebra designed the temple’s eaves to arch upward, resembling the flying eaves of temples Chen Zhou had seen before.
Around the main hall, Zebra designed several low cottages that served as residences for the Divine Attendants.
Even in the backward primitive tribes, during the important activity of sacrificial offerings, aside from the elder Priest officiating, there were dancers painted with patterns said to communicate with God on their bodies.
Although the new religion on the island didn’t significantly impact the islanders’ lives, during annual festivals, the islanders would all gather at the temple for worship. Zebra felt that in the past, with fewer islanders participating in rituals, neglecting the temple caused no harm.
Now, with a large population of islanders, once the new temple is completed, its vast area might collapse within a few years if left neglected on the mountain.