Chapter 90: Storing Food and Jerky
Furthermore, the Goblin River experiences flood seasons, often leading to massive surges.
This results in limited timeframes for water and land transportation.
Building docks along the shore is another significant challenge.
During the flood season, any structures would be destroyed.
"What is the boss doing?"
The commotion in the tribe caught the attention of the higher-ranking goblins who had been waiting in the settlement.
They left their wooden huts, curiously observing the scene.
In the middle of the settlement, the boss was riding a strange beast.
The beast needed to be pulled by two wild boars to move.
"Boss, boss, I want to play too!"
Gobu Di eagerly chased after the wagon.
As he ran, he shouted loudly.
Li Meng glanced at Gobu Di's massive frame.
As a Goblin Warrior, Gobu Di stood at an impressive 2.5 meters tall.
"Hop on!"
Li Meng grinned, granting permission.
It was a good opportunity to test the wagon's load capacity.
Excited, Gobu Di quickly climbed onto the wagon.
As soon as Gobu Di got on, the wagon sank, leaving visible wheel marks on the ground.
"I want to play too! Me too!"
Another Goblin Warrior eagerly ran over.
"Hahaha, get on, all of you!"
Li Meng laughed aloud, giving permission.
The Goblin Warrior promptly climbed onto the flatbed.
"Boss, I want to play too!"
"Me too! Me too!"
Seeing others board the wagon, the rest of the goblins couldn't hold back.
The higher-ranking goblins all rushed toward the wagon.
"Move over! Let me on!"
"No space, no space!"
"You're stepping on my leg! Are you looking for trouble?"
"How dare you touch me?"
"What if I did? The boss told me to get on!"
The goblins scrambled to climb onto the wagon.
As more piled on, the wagon slowed down.
The boars pulling the wagon began to struggle visibly.
Their bodies leaned forward, panting heavily.
The wagon creaked ominously, as if it were about to fall apart.
Hearing the noise behind him, Li Meng turned around.
What he saw shocked him.
The goblins piling onto the wagon had formed a mountain of bodies.
The first to get on, Gobu Di, was now buried at the bottom.
"Get off quickly, or you'll break the wagon…"
Before Li Meng could finish his sentence, a loud "crack" echoed.
The wagon's four wheels twisted and collapsed simultaneously.
The wagon sank abruptly.
The goblins on board tumbled down in a chaotic heap.
Fortunately, Li Meng reacted quickly, jumping off the wagon just in time.
Looking at the disastrous scene, Li Meng's mouth twitched.
"You fools!"
Li Meng's roar echoed across the settlement.
The sound was so loud that flocks of birds and beasts scattered from the nearby forest.
The female Lizardmen watching the commotion couldn't help but laugh.
The goblins looked ridiculous.
The goblins who had climbed out of the pile shrank their necks and grinned sheepishly.
They backed away, avoiding Li Meng's gaze.
Once Li Meng's eyes shifted away, they would immediately scatter.
Taking a deep breath, Li Meng gave a sinister smile.
"Since you're here, let's get some work done!"
"Follow me, and bring some food."
"Call everyone else. Gather at the Iron Cavern!"
With that, Li Meng strode toward the direction of the Iron Cavern.
Watching their boss walk away, the higher-ranking goblins exchanged nervous glances.
Despite their unease, they had no choice but to follow.
"I'll go get food!"
"Me too!"
And so, Li Meng led a large group of higher-ranking goblins northward.
Half an hour later, outside the Iron Cavern.
Emerging from the forest, Li Meng basked in the scorching sunlight.
He looked up at the blinding sunlight.
"This is the place. Bring me a blade!"
A goblin promptly handed over a knife.
The knife wasn't large, resembling a cleaver.
"Bring the meat!"
From within the cavern came the sounds of movement.
More than ten goblins carried a wild boar carcass over.
They set it down three meters from Li Meng.
Holding the cleaver, Li Meng turned to face the higher-ranking goblins.
There were nearly a hundred of them, mostly large goblins and goblin warriors.
"Now, I will teach you how to store food!"
Although goblins could eat carrion, they preferred fresh meat.
From fresh meat, they could absorb the water needed by their bodies.
For this reason, it was rare to see goblins drinking water directly.
Even when they did, they would drink very little.
Drinking too much could lead to diarrhea or, in severe cases, water poisoning.
Making jerky was a straightforward process.
Drying or roasting the meat removes moisture.
Dry meat can be preserved for much longer without rotting.
The next afternoon, outside the Iron Cavern.
"Boss, I… I don't like jerky!"
Looking at the jerky in his hands, Gobu Di wore a miserable expression.
"Even if you don't like it, you'll eat it. It may not taste good, but it fills your stomach and gives you strength for battle. In wars against other savage tribes or humans, we can't waste time hunting. Eat!"
By now, the first batch of jerky had dried.
Several racks stood in the open space outside the Iron Cavern.
Strips of jerky hung from the racks.
Under Li Meng's watchful gaze, Gobu Di had no choice but to chew on the jerky.
As he chewed, his eyes lit up.
His large mouth moved constantly, eating with great enthusiasm.
After a while, the jerky was finally swallowed.
"How does it taste?"
Gobu Di nodded quickly.
"Boss, it's chewy and gets tastier the more I chew!"
Li Meng grinned, satisfied.
It seemed goblins could accept jerky after all.
Li Meng surveyed the higher-ranking goblins.
"Remember what I taught you. This is dry rations. You must learn to prepare them yourselves!"
The goblins nodded repeatedly.
The process of making jerky was simple.
They had memorized it and planned to try it themselves later.
"All right, you're dismissed!"
The higher-ranking goblins dispersed, heading back into the forest toward the tribe.
Li Meng turned and entered the Iron Cavern.
Benben would soon return, bringing with him a group of Ogres.
Ogres couldn't be exposed to sunlight.
Therefore, they needed full-body armor.
With the armor's protection, sunlight would no longer be a problem.
However, making armor couldn't be rushed.
Ogres varied in size.
Without custom-made armor, it would be uncomfortable for them to wear.
Weapons for the Ogres could be forged first.
Over the next few days, Li Meng stayed in the Iron Cavern, going nowhere.
Meanwhile, outside, events quietly unfolded.
Although the future predicted by the simulation could be altered, some things were inevitable.
Li Meng chose not to intervene in events that triggered these outcomes.