Armor Research
As spring deepened and the sun warmed, thanks to the extensive use of hemp rope fishing nets, the diligent work of fishing Xiaozhou, and the increasingly efficient hunting by Hunting Team, the fish caught in the river and the prey in the forest flowed like a continuous stream of fresh water into the tribe's ever-growing reservoir. Although the food allotted to each person still needed to be carefully calculated and was far from abundant, the deep-seated fear of hunger that had lingered in their hearts had gradually dissipated. Everyone understood that as long as they persisted at the current pace, there would be no problem making it to autumn.
The extreme state of everyone working desperately and trying to make one day count as two at the beginning of spring began to gradually adjust as the food pressure eased. Jianshi and Wang Yan both knew that a string stretched too tight is easy to break, and what the tribe needed was sustainable development, not short-sighted exploitation.
The most obvious change was seen in the Youth Team. The ninety-odd teenagers no longer underwent high-intensity training all day long. Wang Yan adjusted the plan, changing it to a concentrated training session of about half an hour every three days, mainly to review formations, discipline, and the most basic combat skills, to maintain their organization and martial spirit. The vast majority of the remaining time, these energetic teenagers were dispersed and incorporated into various production activities.
They followed the Gathering Team up mountains and down rivers, using their agility and curious eyes to discover more edible resources; they helped weed and scare away birds along the field ridges; they learned to weave baskets and twist hemp ropes from the women, and even tried weaving simple fishing nets and straw sandals. Labor became another form of learning for them. These experiences not only alleviated the tribe's labor pressure, but also allowed these future warriors to deeply understand every aspect of the tribe's operation from a young age, cultivating their profound feelings for this land and their people.
The rhythm of the entire tribe has shifted from the "sprint" at the beginning of spring to a more stable and sustained "endurance run." People are still busy, but their faces show more composure and less anxiety. In their spare time, outside the huts and under the big trees, groups of tribesmen can be seen chatting and skillfully weaving various daily necessities, storing up resources for the future.
While keeping an eye on the overall operation of the tribe, Wang Yan's thoughts were already drifting to the more distant future. During his last visit to the Fish Tribe, he noticed that some of their elite warriors wore simple but practical animal hide armor, which undoubtedly provided valuable protection during hunts and potential conflicts. In the Fire Tribe Hunting Team had expanded to 180 people, an unprecedented size, their protective equipment was almost non-existent, and every encounter with large beasts was accompanied by considerable risk.
"We must have our own armor!" This thought took root in Wang Yan's mind. However, the Fire Tribe could not currently afford to use large quantities of animal hides as lavishly as the Fish Tribe. He had to find a cheaper alternative with more readily available materials.
His gaze fell upon the inexhaustible vines, bamboo, and hemp fibers surrounding the tribe.
• Helmet: His first thought was to improve the straw hat. He wove a dense, hemispherical lining from fine, highly resilient rattan as a supporting structure, then tightly wrapped, secured it inside and out with strong, fine hemp rope to form a thick cushioning layer. Finally, he covered it with ordinary Caoye for camouflage and sun protection. Although the resulting "rattan helmet" looked rough and ugly, like a strange straw mound, Wang Yan tested it and found that it could effectively withstand impacts from ordinary stones and scratches from Lizhua, and it was also lighter than expected.
Armor and shields: The approach is similar. He selects thick, old bamboo, splits it into strips of appropriate width, heats them over a fire to slightly bend them to conform to the body's curves, and then tightly wraps and weaves the bamboo strips inside and out with hemp rope, connecting multiple bamboo strips to form "bamboo armor" that protects the chest, abdomen, and back. Shields are made by using a single piece of lightweight wood as a base, with the front densely covered with rattan coils wrapped with thick hemp rope, creating a "rattan shield." This type of shield is very lightweight, and the hemp rope effectively cushions and traps enemy attacks with Shimao or gravel.
Without further ado, Wang Yan took advantage of his rare free time to personally lead several core team members, including Shibang and Yingmu, into the mountains to select materials. Then, he immersed himself in his small workshop, hammering, weaving, and winding... After a few days, a rather strange, even somewhat comical, rattan helmet, a bamboo breastplate, and a rattan plaque were finally completed.
When Wang Yan appeared before his father, Jianshi, and several uncles wearing this self-made "gear," everyone was stunned for a moment.
"Yan, what's with this outfit?" Dali couldn't help but laugh. "You look like a hairy tree stump that's come to life!"
Wang Yan didn't argue, and simply handed the rattan shield to Dali: "Uncle Dali, try poking it hard with the Shimao."
Dali, Dali somewhat skeptical, raised the Shimao and thrust it forcefully! With a muffled "thud," the spearhead sank deep into the tangled hemp rope, firmly clamped and unable to penetrate the wooden plank behind it. Dali struggled to pull the Shimao out, and looking at the shallow mark left on the shield, a look of surprise appeared on his face.
Wang Yan then had Yingmu strike Hardwood's helmeted head hard with the side of Shifu (without using force, of course). There was another dull thud, and Wang Yan only swayed slightly; the helmet remained intact.
"This..." Jianshi stepped forward, carefully stroking the thick, elastic hemp rope layer on the helmet and breastplate, his eyes gleaming. "Is it all made of rattan, bamboo, and hemp rope?"
"Yes, Father," Wang Yan said, removing his helmet. "The materials are plentiful all over the mountains, and the construction isn't too complicated. While the protection might not be as good as a thick Bison hide armor, it's far better than nothing! Plus, it's very lightweight and won't hinder our Hunting Team's movements."
Jianshi, weighed it in his hand, and then forcefully bent the bamboo armor. A satisfied smile appeared on his face. "Good! Good stuff! Yan, you've thought of us again!" He immediately approved, "This thing is practical! Make twenty sets as soon as possible according to this design and distribute them to the Hunting Team responsible for luring the enemy from the front! See how effective it is! If it works well, gradually equip all the Hunting Team with them!"
Standing to the side, Dabang looked at the lightweight rattan shield and added, "Chief, it would be good for our Personal Guard to be equipped with this. It's not tiring to carry and can better protect you."
"Approved!" Jianshi was overjoyed.
Wang Yan's "invention," though seemingly simple, signifies a new stage in the development of the Fire Tribe's military strength. It represents a shift from relying solely on individual bravery and rudimentary weapons towards an organized and equipped force. These small rattan shields and bamboo armor may not be able to withstand real metal weapons, but in the tribal conflicts and dangerous hunts of the Stone Age, they were enough to become crucial bargaining chips that could tip the scales of life and death.