The entire equator and the Tropic of Cancer in Atta's world are covered by an endless sea of sand. This is also the hottest, coldest, and deadliest area in the world. It is called the Sea of Death. It is this Sea of Death that separates different city-states. The connection with the tribe, but even so, the people living in this world still tenaciously explored the path across the sand sea. There are occasionally some huge underground caves made of weathered rocks in the sand sea. This is a way to escape It is an excellent place for sandstorms, scorching sun and severe cold, which also makes it very important to time the caravan. They usually set out when the cold has just subsided and the sun is rising, and walk for a short half a day to reach the next shelter. Then, wait until the hottest heat, when the sunlight that is enough to evaporate a person's body moisture has gone away, and then come out of the shelter, the time when the heat of walking on the earth gradually dissipates and the cold enough to turn water into ice has not yet arrived - that is, the time when you are traveling in the early morning and evening.
But before that, they had to eat something as soon as possible. After all, the journey later required a lot of physical strength. Shahan beasts were used to carry cargo and water. Their physical strength also needed to be maintained, so people could only walk.
Ricas came to the temporary kitchen, where a bald man was stirring a large pot with boiling water with a bone stick. There was a small pot next to it with boiled Shahan milk. There were piles of milk on the ground. There is a small pile of light brown oval fruits. A boy about the same age as Ricas is using his dirty hands to open the crispy shells on the outside of the fruits, take out the pink and white granular seeds about the size of a thumb inside, and pack a bunch of them. Pour the bowl into the boiling milk pot.
Ricas walked aside, squatted down, picked up a seed and put it into his mouth.
During the chewing process, a sour and astringent taste spread in his mouth, followed by a slight sweetness, and as the starch was decomposed by saliva, it turned into a special sweetness, although it also made his throat drier.
"Little chanter, you ate it again."
Seeing him like this, the boy who was trying to peel the seed complained.
"I'm still hungry."
"I, I'll get breakfast for the tutor."
"You still have to wait two minutes."
The bald man interrupted him harshly, and then kicked a few breadfruit fruits over.
"You can help me too."
Ricas had no choice but to peel the fruit along with him.
This is the most common "ration" eaten by the people of Atta World. It was also brought by the Sun Order. Before this, they had almost no planting industry and could only feed on moss, fungi and insects collected from the underground world. The result is The population is sparse and the life span is pitifully short, but things have been different since the arrival of the bread tree.
This kind of plant, which is thicker than several adults put together, can not only withstand the high temperature of the ground, but also does not require much water. They can even be used as water reservoirs themselves, and its fruit yield is extremely high and can also provide People bring more calories, and more importantly, it is also a "sweet food" that very few residents of this world can eat. Soon the population of this world has grown to a certain level, which determines the wealth of a tribe and city-state. The standard of level has also become how many bread trees you have.
Breadfruit is good in everything, but it grows very slowly. It takes nearly ten years to produce its first fruit after planting, and the planting density is relatively low. It is also very fragile in the first five years of growth. Maintaining growth still requires a certain amount of precious energy. In terms of water resources, even Yanban City, where Ricas was born, can only support less than 300 bread trees, which is the lifeblood of thousands of residents in the city.
Of course, with basic food and population, handicrafts and other industries will develop, which will naturally give rise to trade.
Their caravan was to carry salt slabs, a specialty of the city-state, in exchange for fabrics. That city-state had mastered the technology of domesticating a silk-spinning insect, which was almost the only source of fabrics in the world, or so what Ricas knew. Only source.
Soon, the milk pot boiled, and the chef took out a handful of small, still wriggling white worms from the small bag, kneaded them and threw them into the pot.
In this barren world, any protein source is precious, and Shahan beasts are even more precious assets. Unless they die naturally, the city-state elders will not allow anyone to kill these beasts of burden. The way residents can supplement protein is to buy them. Expensive Shahan milk and its dairy products are either made from insects caught in underground caves.
Although Likas's stomach was growling with hunger, he still carried the hot pot and quickly walked to his mentor's tent.
"Teacher, breakfast is here."
The white-bearded sutra chanter was sitting in the stall, still chanting sutras with his eyes closed, and his two-headed eagle staff was placed aside.
Seeing no response, the bent over Ricas could only put the small pot on the ground.
"Teacher, we will leave soon.?"
Finally, the chanter opened his eyes.
"Ricas, how many times have I told you not to interrupt me while I'm chanting."
"I'm worried that it will affect your eating."
The chanter seemed a little impatient, but he finally nodded, picked up the spoon and started to eat slowly. At this time, the noise of people eating could be heard outside. Although Likas's stomach was growling with hunger, the teacher had not finished eating. He didn't dare to eat, so he could only kneel on the ground with his head down.
At this time, the chanter suddenly spoke.
"You should go and eat too, otherwise you won't have the strength to walk on when the yellow sand turns white."
Ricas nodded, stood up and walked out, heading straight to the kitchen.
"Keep it for you."
The chef seemed to know that he was coming and handed him a pottery bowl. Inside was a pale white viscous liquid, which could also be called porridge. It looked like the boiled breadfruit. There were also some black spots floating in it, which were the moss in the ground. , is also one of the few things that can supplement vitamins.
Ricas took a sip, which was as sour as ever. Then he took out a thumb-sized insect chrysalis from his pocket, skewered it on his black iron dagger, and roasted it on the fire for a few times.
This dagger is his only "property" and the only thing his father left to him. There is no shortage of metal in the world of Atta. In fact, scavenger tribes often bring some strange-shaped metal fragments, but those metals are usually very hard. It is very difficult to process, and only a small part can be melted and recast into production tools and weapons, while the rest can only be used as building materials or decorations.
He stuffed the slightly burnt worm into his mouth, bit it down, and burst into pulp. This was what he found while sleeping in the shelter last night.
Good stuff, very filling, you can exchange it for a complete breadfruit at the city-state market.
The meal did not last long. Time is precious. When the yellow sand turns to white, it will be impossible to walk. If they have not reached the shelter by then, many people will die on the road. This is the most important lesson this world teaches its people. ——
Try not to stay under the sun, or rather under the gaze of the Sun Emperor, for long periods of time.
(End of chapter)
