The freshly baked bread had a crispy outer crust and a fragrant, fluffy interior. Each bite was a heavenly sensation, calming the mind and tantalizing the taste buds with its harmonious aroma and flavor. They dared not indulge too much, savoring each bite lest the delightful taste vanish too soon.
With each person only getting a piece of bread the size of three fingers, it was indeed not enough. It wasn't that Minh Vu didn't want to make more, but rather, the shortage of ingredients. If he continued cooking like this, there might not be enough potatoes for next season's crop.
Despite feeling full, there was still a lingering desire for something delicious. It wasn't due to lack of food but rather the absence of savory treats.
Minh Vu had promised that next season, everyone would dine as lavishly as this, perhaps even with two loaves of bread each.
Hearing this, the tribe felt a bit disappointed, but they also looked forward to a brighter future filled with meat, bread, and sturdy homes.
With the snow having stopped and the sun shining since early morning, though the temperature hadn't risen, everyone in the tribe had adapted and continued their usual activities.
Having dealt with the wolf pack, the Big Rock tribe began their ambitious plans.
Right at the edge of the forest, a small workshop was set up. Since early morning, the strongest and most agile members of the tribe started clearing snow, while simultaneously lighting a large fire to alleviate some of the winter chill, also melting snow for water.
This was the site of their first brick production. Soil was dug up, mixed with water, kneaded into dough, and then pressed into molds to form large brick slabs about the size of a long hand and a glove. After molding, they were left by the fire to dry and harden.
This was what Minh Vu had been teaching them over the past few days. Minh Vu observed for half a day, then joined other tribe members to build the brick kiln.
Xin and Blu, two key members in charge of firekeeping and constructing the kiln for pottery, were also the best choice for the brick kiln.
A notable difference today was that many tribe members helped in building the brick kiln. It was not as simple as the pottery kiln, being much larger and structurally different.
With no precise knowledge of brick kiln construction, Minh Vu relied on his memory from watching documentaries and survival programs on social media.
Thus, he built the brick kiln as follows: first, finding a dry, level spot for construction. Then, digging a shallow hole 1 meter long and 0.3 meters deep, serving as the fire pit.
Next, he used well-kneaded clay to make bricks from the fire pit's edge. They were stacked layer upon layer around the pit, reaching about 1.5 meters high. Below the firing chamber was similar to a pottery kiln, with beehive-like openings to allow heat and smoke to penetrate.
Though described quickly, it took over 20 people an afternoon to finish. Minh Vu didn't immediately fire the bricks but waited until the next morning.
With eager anticipation, the tribe awaited Minh Vu's opening of the kiln. Inside lay the fruits of the tribe's labor over the past two days, which would significantly impact their future development.
As the kiln door opened, a distinct smell of bricks filled the air, greatly stirring Minh Vu's emotions. Gently touching a dark brown brick, his emotions trembled. The black color signified burnt bricks, ruined.
Suppressing his emotions, Minh Vu continued to extract more bricks. They were all black, but surprisingly solid. He tapped two bricks together, but there was no sign of breakage, and only then did his emotions loosen.
Turning back to the tribe members, he nodded slightly, signifying success. Blu and Xin couldn't contain their excitement, rushing to retrieve bricks from the kiln.
Out of 100 bricks, 12 were shattered, 20 were charred black, and 25 were burnt brown, leaving the rest a reddish hue, a considerable improvement for the tribe's first batch.
With experience from the first attempt, the tribe worked even harder. From one brick kiln, they quickly built four more. Brick production increased rapidly from 300 to 500, even 600 bricks a day.
According to Vu, winters here were long, lasting not just three but possibly up to 5.5 months. In such extended winters, hunger was an obvious threat. Indeed, without Minh Vu, the Big Rock tribe might not have survived this harsh winter.
It was still early winter, and some animals were still out foraging, like wild pigs, mice, and even large herbivores like deer. The wild buffalo herd Minh Vu had seen before must have migrated to warmer regions. If not, he would have considered hunting those fat beasts.
As they were planning for the winter, the tribe unexpectedly prepared to welcome new members—a pregnant woman about to give birth.
Usually, during childbirth, a few people would come to help. Today, Minh Vu also joined this process.
He knew that childbirth in these times was a matter of life and death, so the risk of infection was very high.
The birthing nest was just a pile of straw with three large animal skins added, a luxury that wouldn't have been possible without Minh Vu's recent trading with the Stone tribe.
The wails echoed in the cave as Minh Vu saw the experienced older women in the tribe. He felt somewhat relieved. However, the next actions of the people made him extremely anxious.
As soon as the baby was born, it was immediately handed to its mother, still covered in blood and dirt.
If childbirth continued like this, he didn't know how he could have survived until now. Indeed, the risk of infection was very high.
"No!" Minh Vu shouted.
Immediately after, he rushed over, eyes glaring at the people.
"Quickly, bring boiling water and a knife!" Minh Vu's voice was heavy, causing the women to panic.
Boiling water and a stone knife were quickly brought over.
Seeing Minh Vu holding the baby and a sharp bone knife, the mother's terrified expression resembled that of a leader about to sacrifice her child for consumption. She wailed loudly.
Minh Vu understood but didn't explain. With one hand holding the baby and the other wielding the sharp bone knife, he cut the umbilical cord, then tied it off.
He then used clean animal skin soaked in boiling water to gently clean the baby, taking the opportunity to determine the baby's gender. A boy, a good choice in these times, as males were generally stronger and easier to raise.
After thoroughly cleaning the blood off the baby, he returned it to the mother. In passing, he also named the baby. Born under the windy sky, he called him Phong. A Vietnamese-sounding name, sparking a wild idea in his mind…