Chapter 019: Bows and Boots

Luo Chong was fortunate. Felling the cedar tree proved less challenging than anticipated. After a thorough search through the cedar grove, he found two young trees of suitable girth, coincidentally felled by some unknown creature and perfectly cured by the shade, ideal for crafting bows. The logs, hefty and requiring multiple trips to transport, marked the start of an ambitious project.

Due to a lack of proper tools, crafting the longbows within two days presented a significant challenge. As the old adage goes, to do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools. Creating the necessary stone axes, chisels, and knives consumed an entire day.

Following a day of rigorous shaping and carving, the silhouette of a one-and-a-half-meter cedar longbow began to take form. It required another day of meticulous straightening and smoothing before it was considered complete. The bowstring, crafted from Agave fibers, lacked elasticity but was incredibly resilient, essential for supporting the significant tension of the bow.

The arrows were cut to a rough length of one meter—imprecise by modern standards but sufficient for their purpose. Luo Chong had based their measurement on the width of an adult's fingernail, roughly one centimeter, to standardize unit lengths. He was intent on promoting the metric system within the tribe, convinced of its benefits for scientific advancement.

The arrows were left headless; fashioning stone tips was labor-intensive, and suitable animal teeth were scarce. The shafts themselves, made from the tree's natural spikes, were deadly enough for hunting without needing additional armaments. Feathers from the Terror Bird, vibrant blue-green in color, were affixed with Agave fiber and sealed with fish bladder glue, producing over two hundred arrows in a concerted effort.

Three days later, as the evening drew close and the tribe had gathered, Luo Chong convened everyone in the clearing. Thirty meters from him, a straw target was set up with several freshly caught ground moles as marks. Demonstrating his prowess, Luo Chong showcased the throwing spears first—each throw hitting the target accurately—followed by close-quarters stabbing with the long spears.

The tribe watched in awe, only now fully understanding that their leader had been crafting weapons. Each adult, regardless of gender, received a spear, with hunting team members receiving three for ranged and close combat. Even the near-adults were given one, required to practice daily beyond their usual chores.

The spears, sleek and straight, looked unremarkable individually but impressive collectively—a sight even the most meticulous would appreciate. The tribe was thrilled, especially the youths who had never participated in hunts. The hunting team, too, found the standardized weaponry a significant upgrade, capable of improving their reach and safety during hunts.

If the spears excited them, the demonstration of the bow and arrows was revolutionary. From a distance of seventy meters—about a hundred steps, a standard Olympic archery range—Luo Chong fired five arrows, each striking the ground moles decisively. The adults were dumbfounded by the display, unable to grasp the mechanics, while the children were enraptured, barely able to restrain themselves from touching the magical weapon.

Luo Chong, however, intended the bow as a prototype, not yet ready for widespread use. He explained its complexity and promised future availability, intending to refine the design for broader use within the tribe.

Satisfied with the spear's introduction, Luo Chong turned his attention to crafting leather boots. The processed hides of wild boars, soaked in a lye solution and rigorously treated, were tough and durable. While unsuitable for warm clothing, they were perfect for footwear.

Cutting the leather to size, each boot was layered thrice for the sole, glued together with fish bladder adhesive, and compressed with stones. The uppers were then attached, forming rudimentary but sturdy boots.

Each tribe member received a pair, though only Luo Chong's were entirely made of boar leather due to the limited materials. Others featured boar leather soles and rodent leather uppers, the latter's fur turned inward for insulation, resembling modern thermal boots.

Luo Chong personally crafted a pair for Go Disease, the young boy, using white rabbit fur for a luxurious touch. The child paraded around, flaunting his unique attire, much to the amusement of all.

As the weather turned colder, the demand for leather and warm clothing became urgent. Luo Chong was well-equipped, but others were less fortunate. Despite this, the tribe's spirits were lifted by their new equipment and the promise of more efficient hunts and improved defenses, all thanks to their leader's relentless innovation and the natural bounty of their land.