Chapter 94: Spindle

Chapter 94: Spindle

The underage members of the tribe do the collection of tree branches because the tree branches are relatively thin and become brittle in winter. They are fully capable of handling these tasks.

Of course, during these activities, the people of the Green Sparrow tribe do not relax their defense. There are always individuals stationed behind the three-sided walls to stand guard and raise the alarm immediately in case of any threat.

As for the weaving of fences, under Han Cheng's arrangement, the first skilled craftsman in the tribe, who was limping, took the lead. The other two individuals, not in the best health but skilled in handicrafts, follow him, learning and working simultaneously.

When the beams are firmly fixed, they have already woven six large bundles of fences.

In the future, due to the difficulty in finding thin wooden strips, the construction of fences will mostly utilize materials like hemp stalks, sorghum stalks, or reed stalks. However, in Han Cheng's primitive society, they didn't lack tree branches, so they naturally used these more robust and durable materials.

Even if Han Cheng wanted to use hemp, sorghum stalks, or corn stalks (referred to as sorghum in their region, and corn is called "yushu" there), he wouldn't find them now.

Weaving fences requires a significant amount of rope, and even with the contribution of the two injured female captives, they still fall short of what's needed. This leads to the senior brothers and others working tirelessly for most of the day, needing to spin more ropes in the evening.

Faced with the difficulty the tribe experiences due to a shortage of ropes, Han Cheng is at a loss until he remembers his mother making ropes using a small tool called a "spindle" or "whorl" back in his childhood. This tool proves to be a great solution.

This requires a small tool known as a "spindle" or "whorl," called "" (xin tul) in Han Cheng's hometown.

The spindle is easy to make, with a bottom diameter of about three centimeters and a height of three centimeters, resembling a cone, similar to the shape of a steamed bun.

In the center of this cone, a hole passes through from top to bottom, designed for threading a wooden stick.

When using the spindle to twist the rope, one end of the rope to be twisted is tied to the wooden stick. One hand holds the rope, and the other holds the spindle. The spindle handle is quickly twisted on the leg, and then it's left hanging.

The spindle, suspended by the twisted rope, rotates rapidly due to inertia.

The rope attached to it is twisted along, gaining tension very quickly. Expressing this in a formal language is challenging, so we'll use our terms.

The well-tensioned yarn is wound around the spindle's handle. After securing it slightly, ensuring that the well-tensioned yarn won't come loose, they repeat the previous actions.

However, using the threads directly is sufficient when weaving fences, eliminating a step and saving half of the rope material.

The three female captives, who had been curious about Han Cheng, finally understood why this Divine Child, who is young, could hold such a high position in the tribe after witnessing this process.

Such a person would receive respect even in their original tribe.

Compared to the wise Shaman in their original tribe, this Divine Child is far superior.

After the fences are done, the next step is to spread them out on the roof that already has a frame and then secure them.

The specific requirement is to cover the entire roof with a layer of fences.

Once this is done, the next step is to apply mud. After mixing the mud well, spread it evenly over the fences. Following this procedure, another layer of tall, slender, and sturdy grass is laid on top. The roof is then considered well-constructed.

Of course, the grass used for this purpose should be glossy and slender on the stalks. Glossy stalks can withstand wind, sun, and rain.

Tall and slender grass is suitable for roofing, and it strongly resists rain because it is fine and dense.

As for why a layer of mud is first applied to the fences before laying the grass, that is easily explained.

Firstly, the layer of mud connects all the fences on the entire roof, increasing its thickness and making it sturdy enough to withstand strong winds.

Secondly, this layer of mud on the roof, even if leaks in the grass covering, can slow down the speed of rainwater entering the house.

Thirdly, this layer of mud can reduce the likelihood of fences being damaged by insects, extending the roof's lifespan.

Lastly, it acts as a binder between the fences and the final layer of grass.

After thousands or even more years of accumulated wisdom, many ancient practices have their reasons for each step, such as constructing a grass-roofed house.

Han Cheng is now grateful for his upbringing. If he had been born in a world of concrete and steel in his previous life, just building a house would have involved many detours, unlike the straightforward process he follows now.