Chapter 094: Bound by Wood, Sealed by Strength

The progress of the Han tribe was directly tied to its metal production. Previously, a severe shortage of copper had forced Luo Chong to put many of his plans on hold. But with a fresh supply of ore, numerous projects could now be revived.

Among the most critical were saddles, four-wheeled carts, and oak barrels.

The saddles and carts were intended for the giant-antlered deer and wild cattle. The deer, similar in size to horses, seemed ideal for riding. However, without saddles or stirrups, Luo Chong was hesitant to attempt it—falling and getting injured would be a serious setback.

The construction of saddles and stirrups was fairly straightforward. Stirrups were merely two semi-circular bronze rings, while the saddle was crafted from wood and lined with rabbit hide. Bronze handles were affixed at the front and back, with additional small bronze loops serving as buckles. A bridle and bit were woven from cowhide, completing the set of riding equipment.

Since the giant-antlered deer belonged to the even-toed ungulate family, its hooves had two distinct toes, eliminating the need for horseshoes. Unlike horses, its hooves couldn't be fitted with iron plating.

Eager to test his new creation, Luo Chong led out a strong, mature stag and equipped it with the full riding set. Mounting the beast, he urged it forward, circling the grassy plains west of the settlement.

"Hyah! Hyah!"

With his feet pressed firmly into the stirrups, his left hand gripping the reins, and his right wielding a vine as an improvised whip, Luo Chong guided the deer forward. The animal, unaccustomed to being ridden, resisted fiercely. He had no choice but to discipline it into submission.

"Chief is amazing! I'd love to ride one of those. I bet you could travel so fast on a deer like that," murmured one of the newly joined tribe members as he watched Luo Chong.

"Of course, the chief is the most capable! He's the one who invented pottery, smelted stone into copper, domesticated animals, and even taught us how to plant peanuts. Just yesterday, I heard he's planning to split open a mountain," his companion whispered.

"Split open a mountain? What does that mean? You can't just open a mountain," the first man asked, stunned.

"Shhh! Keep your voice down. I heard he's going to extract salt—the same salty stuff we've been eating. But who knows if it's true? Maybe the chief is just bluffing. Don't go telling anyone, alright?"

"Don't worry, I won't. But I do want to see how he does it. I don't understand how a young man like him ended up as chief."

"Oh? Do you think you could be chief instead? Have you seen those bows the elders use? They can kill someone from a great distance—that's the chief's invention too. I really want one, but I heard the woodworkers are still making them."

"Enough talking. Let's get these chickens back to the coop. Without feathers, you won't have arrows for your bow anyway."

As they chatted, they made their way toward the poultry enclosure, carrying the captured Scarlet-Tailed Black Fowl.

Luo Chong rode for a while longer before dismounting, leading the deer back to the pen to rest. Then, he turned his attention to another pressing matter—water storage and transportation.

The Han tribe was in dire need of a reliable, portable method for storing and transporting water. While ceramic pots were available, they were far from ideal. Not only were they fragile, but they also couldn't be sealed properly—water would spill even if covered. The solution was wooden barrels.

Luo Chong had long considered making barrels, but they required metal hoops for reinforcement. Due to the tribe's limited supply of copper and tin, the project had been postponed.

Many misunderstood how wooden barrels were sealed. Some believed they required glue to prevent leaks. In reality, the secret was simple—pressure. The wooden planks were tightly compressed together, leaving no gaps for water to seep through. The sheer force of their assembly created a watertight seal.

Luo Chong designed these barrels with a standard 100-liter capacity:

• Height: 67 cm

• Top and bottom diameter: 53 cm

• Middle diameter: 59 cm

• Plank thickness: 2.5 cm

The wood used came from leftover scraps from the boatbuilding process—cypress that was too short for ship planks but perfect for barrel-making.

To begin, the planks were trimmed to uniform length and shaped—narrower at the ends and wider in the middle.

"Chief, are you sure this won't leak? When we built boats, we had to seal the gaps with glue. But these don't have any sealing at all," Wood Boar, one of the carpenters, asked in confusion.

"Of course, it won't leak. Look at it—do you see any gaps? No? Then what would you even seal?" Luo Chong countered.

Wood Boar held a newly cast bronze hoop in his hands, while Luo Chong carefully arranged the planks within it. The final piece was hammered into place, forming an open, trumpet-shaped structure.

"Alright, pour some water inside and set it over the fire to heat. That'll help it hold its shape," Luo Chong instructed.

"What about the other end?" Wood Boar asked.

"Remember how I taught you to make cartwheels? Use a rope. Loop it around twice, insert a wooden rod, and twist it to tighten. Once it's fully secure, fit the second bronze hoop onto the other end and hammer it into place. Oh, and don't forget to slot in the barrel's bottom and lid before sealing it," Luo Chong explained while demonstrating.

"Wait—if both ends are sealed, how do we pour water in?" Wood Boar asked, confused.

"Are you serious? Just drill a hole in the lid and carve a wooden stopper. Pull it out when you need to pour," Luo Chong replied, shaking his head.

"But won't that be inconvenient? A small opening makes it hard to fill and empty."

"I'm just teaching you the method. This type of barrel is for transportation—if the opening were too large, it'd be no different from a ceramic vat. For everyday water collection, you can make single-bottomed barrels with handles for carrying. Transport barrels are heavy when full, so instead of lifting them, you can simply roll them along the ground. Learn to think ahead," Luo Chong advised.

"Oh, that makes sense! I didn't think of that before," Wood Boar admitted, scratching his head.

As more barrels were crafted, the Han tribe soon found itself equipped with transport barrels, everyday-use barrels, and handled water pails—all of Luo Chong's design. The carpenters, still unable to calculate circular dimensions accurately, relied on his pre-measured templates for precise construction.

"Chief, why are we making so many barrels?" the elder asked, perplexed.

"To use them, of course. And if we have extra, we can trade them. Compared to ceramic pots, barrels are much better for storing water. Other tribes will definitely want them," Luo Chong explained.

"But don't they have metal? You said we shouldn't trade copper."

"I know. That's why these hoops contain very little tin, making them soft. They're strong enough to hold the barrels together but useless for weapons or tools. And these barrels won't be cheap—no less than ten boys per trade. If someone is willing to give up that many people just to strip the metal from the barrels, then let them. Either way, we come out ahead," Luo Chong said confidently.

The barrels weren't just a convenience—they were a strategic advantage.