novelkee Chapter 52 Zhao Gao found a small island
Chapter 52 Zhao Gao found a small island
With the successful promotion of the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed), Ying Wuyou could finally breathe a sigh of relief, but she knew this was just the beginning. She still had many things to do, the most important of which was the production of pig feed.
Pig feed is crucial for the growth and health of pigs. Without sufficient nutrition, pigs will become weak, affecting meat quality and yield. WinWorry needs to find a suitable pig feed formula that can meet the nutritional needs of pigs while reducing costs.
Yingwuyou asked the system: [System, do you have the formula for pig feed?]
The system's lazy voice sounded: [Yes, but none of these recipes are suitable for you, host.]
Ying Wuyou asked curiously, "Why?"
The system replied: [Common pig feeds include soybean meal, corn, and wheat bran. They are rich in protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins, providing the nutrients pigs need. The only one you can get your hands on is wheat bran, but in this era of food scarcity, wheat bran is a precious grain, and the amount you can obtain is simply not enough to feed your pigs.]
Hearing the system's words, Ying Wuyou became engrossed. The system continued: "In your modern world, pig farmers supplement their feed with grass, vegetables, and fruits to increase the diversity and nutritional value of the feed. But that's simply impossible in this era."
After listening to the system's words, Ying Wuyou sighed deeply and said, "System, is there any other way?"
The system said: "Let me check the database for you."
Ying Wuyou said, "Alright, system, you've worked hard. Our pig farming business can't stay small-scale like this; we have to expand it. So pig feed is really important."
The system said: "[Okay, I'll check the database first.]"
Meanwhile, Ying Wuyou was anxiously waiting for the system to check the database, racking his brains to figure out how to get pig feed.
Meanwhile, Zhao Gao had been drifting at sea for two months, like a lonely fallen leaf. He stood like a statue at the bow of the ship, gazing at the boundless ocean, his heart shrouded in a thick fog of confusion. He didn't know how much longer he would have to drift on this vast ocean, which was as boundless as the universe, nor where he was in this boundless sea, nor where Xu Fu was. Like a lost child, he couldn't find his way forward.
For the past two months, they had encountered endless storms and dangers, as if the whole world was against them. Every night, the waves would crash against their ship like ferocious beasts, trying to devour it. During the day, the scorching sun and fierce winds left the crew exhausted.
The ship narrowly escaped sinking multiple times, each time a matter of life and death. The crew struggled to maneuver the vessel and maintain balance amidst the storms, but sometimes the forces of nature were too powerful to resist.
However, Zhao Gao knew they couldn't give up; they had to persevere. He had to find Xu Fu and bring him back so he could regain the King of Qin's trust. Zhao Gao constantly encouraged the crew, telling them that as long as they were united, they could overcome any difficulty. He himself led by example, constantly seeking solutions and leading everyone through one crisis after another.
However, their worst problem now is that they have no food. Although they can fish at sea, it's not an easy task. First, they need to find suitable waters and times to catch enough fish to sustain themselves. Second, even if they successfully catch some fish, there's no guarantee that they will satisfy everyone's needs. Furthermore, fishing can become extremely difficult and even dangerous if bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances occur. Therefore, they must find other solutions to their food problem as soon as possible.
Just then, Zhao Gao suddenly spotted a small dot ahead. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a small island! He was so excited he almost jumped for joy and immediately ordered the ships to speed up and head towards the island.
As the ship slowly approached the island, everyone was stunned by the sight before them—the vegetation on the island was so tall and lush! Although most of the leaves had withered, the towering trees still deeply impressed Zhao Gao and the others.
These plants are much taller than people imagine, some even several times taller than a ship. Their canopies intertwine, making one feel as if they are in a secluded world.
Sunlight filters through the gaps in the withered yellow leaves, creating dappled patterns of light and shadow that evoke a dreamlike atmosphere. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves, seemingly telling the story of this small island.
The crew members were all amazed; they had never seen such a magnificent sight. One asked curiously, "What kind of plant is that? How can it grow so tall?" Another exclaimed excitedly, "This is practically a natural botanical garden!" Everyone was filled with curiosity about this vibrant and mysterious island.
When they docked their boat, they found several natives. These natives were short, poorly clothed, had rough skin, and disheveled hair.
What was even more perplexing was that the gibberish they were making was completely incomprehensible. Zhao Gao tried to communicate with them, but these natives seemed unfriendly, brandishing wooden sticks and stones, and viciously attacking anyone who approached. Faced with this situation, Zhao Gao felt utterly helpless.
These indigenous people seemed hostile to strangers, and there was simply no way to communicate effectively with them.
Zhao Gao's team was small to begin with, and during the long sea voyage, they encountered various severe sea conditions, resulting in the deaths of several team members.
Now, their numbers have dwindled to less than ten. Faced with this predicament, Zhao Gao knew he was at a disadvantage. He had only a few knives and some simple armor, and this unfamiliar island was inhabited by a group of unknown natives. Under these circumstances, Zhao Gao was not entirely confident of victory in fighting the natives.
Therefore, he decided to first capture a few indigenous residents, forcibly occupy their territory, and solve their food and clothing problems. After gaining a clear understanding of the surrounding environment, he would make further decisions based on the actual situation.
When Zhao Gao entered the caves inhabited by the indigenous people, the sight before him made his eyes widen in astonishment. The caves were filled with a large quantity of food—various fruits, meats, and grains—a truly abundant feast. Although Zhao Gao was starving, he wasn't blinded by hunger. He knew that in this unfamiliar place, any carelessness could have fatal consequences. Therefore, he remained highly vigilant, carefully examining the food, trying to find any danger within.
Zhao Gao's gaze fell upon a local man, and he decided to start with him. He carefully grasped the man, offered him some food, and gestured for him to taste it. The man seemed somewhat frightened, but under Zhao Gao's pressure, he accepted the food and began to chew. Zhao Gao watched the man's reaction closely, silently praying that everything would go smoothly.
Time ticked by, and the natives finished their food without showing any unusual symptoms. Zhao Gao breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed the food was safe. He then called to the other crew members to share the feast. Everyone was already starving, and upon hearing Zhao Gao's call, they immediately gathered around and began to wolf down their food. The cave was soon filled with the sounds of chewing and swallowing as they thoroughly enjoyed this hard-won meal.
After everyone had eaten their fill, Zhao Gao ordered his men to tie up the local tribesmen to prevent them from escaping or causing trouble. The other soldiers, on the other hand, could rest for a while to alleviate the fatigue from their long journey.