Making a Bow

"Yes!"

Lu Zhe sighed lightly, "I originally wanted to get along harmoniously with these animals and use love to transform them, but I didn't expect that after doing so much, I still wasn't understood and accepted by the animals here."

The cow mooed timely.

Lu Zhe nodded, "Sorry, except you!"

After thinking for a while, he added another sentence, "And your son."

Only then did the cow lower her head and continue to sleep.

Shen Bing nodded, "After all, they are animals with stubborn natures that are difficult to change."

Jiang Yao disliked the monkeys and couldn't help frowning, "Or...let's smash them to death! By the way, are they protected animals?"

Shen Bing nodded, "National second-level protected animals. In recent years, customs has seized this kind of monkey, and sentenced them to years in prison."

"But this isn't within our country's borders."

"In principle, that's not okay either! Unless under three circumstances where killing them won't result in sanctions!"

"What three?"

"One, if you are starving and must eat them to survive.

Two, if they pose a serious threat to human life, then humans can kill them in self-defense.

The above two situations are emergency avoidance."

"Then what's the third?"

Shen Bing shrugged and said faintly, "No one knows you did it."

Tang Xiaoguo said, "Obviously, we meet the second point!"

Shen Bing was surprised, "The second point?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

Tang Xiaoguo pointed at the shrieking monkeys,

"They are still clamoring and using high-frequency piercing screams to damage our eardrums! Clearly trying to cruelly torment us by not letting us sleep! Their intentions are too sinister, killing them is the only way to quell public outrage."

Shen Bing was astonished, "I really didn't think of that line of reasoning."

But everyone understood that in an urban area, loving and protecting animals is good behavior.

However, here the monkeys did pose many potential threats.

It would be difficult to feel at ease without killing them off.

Lu Zhe lamented sympathetically, "If they must be killed, I don't recommend torturing them either. It's best to give them a humane way to keep their last shred of dignity!"

The girls all nodded.

Lin Qianqian asked, "What is a humane way then?"

"For domestic criminals receiving the death penalty, there are usually two methods – shooting and injection. Comparatively, injection is the most humane method that preserves the complete appearance of the condemned, without even leaving a bullet hole."

"Do we have syringes then?"

Lu Zhe nodded thoughtfully, "I was also considering whether to grab a venomous snake..."

The girls were dumbfounded.

Suddenly, he thought of something.

Then in the trash he found the tail of the catfish...

With everything taken care of, Lu Zhe released the two monkeys. The monkeys let out heart-wrenching shrieks as they ran back into the woods.

"Why are they crying so pitifully?"

"Well, the toxin from the catfish probably burnt their wounds, causing swelling and agony. But don't worry, the dose they were injected with probably won't make them endure the pain for too long."

Shen Bing thought for a while, "But won't they send other monkeys back?"

Lu Zhe nodded, "Yes, the fence and enclosure can keep out the crocodiles and komodo dragons, but not the monkeys. Eventually driven by curiosity or vengeance, they will be back."

"How annoying!"

"And later we need to grow crops, they'll definitely sabotage them!"

"Aren't the fruits and vegetables going to be grown at the volcano crater?"

"Most still need to be grown outside."

"I see!"

Lu Zhe looked at the slingshot in his hand, "Now this is the only thing we have that can drive them away. It would be great if we had guns."

Shen Bing pondered for a while and suddenly said, "There are guns actually, in the plane! Because we were on an important mission, my four colleagues were each equipped with one 92 pistol and three 64 pistols, and over 20 rounds of ammo per person. I was responsible for safeguarding them in a locked drawer, and I still have the key!"

Lu Zhe considered, "In that case there really could be an opportunity to tinker with them, maybe figure out some other things too!"

"Yeah, add it to the agenda?"

Lu Zhe nodded, "We'll have to wait until the camp affairs settle down for this matter, and until the first batch of plants is successfully cultivated. There are also many bamboo rafts needed for preparation, quite a few things that require planning."

"Then what about dealing with the monkey harassment recently?"

After thinking for a while, Lu Zhe said, "The steel balls are almost used up. Tomorrow let's make some pellets, then I'll try my hand at making a bow and arrow set!"

"No, tomorrow is the Qixi Festival!"

"Oh right, there's also the swimwear party, delicious food, and bonfire soirée to prepare for!"

"Don't worry, after I finish up I'll come over to join you guys."

August 4th, the 56th day stranded on the deserted island!

The Qixi Festival!

Sunny and clear weather, waves gently pushed foamy bubbles towards the shore, leaving behind rows of ripples.

Shabby makeshift sunshades, rickety deck chairs, along with natural coconut juice and wine.

The girls lied lazily on the soft sandy beach, casually chatting while sipping coconut juice, enjoying the long-absent leisure time.

Lu Zhe fired some clay pellets he had burnt, testing them out with the slingshot.

Pulling taut and taking aim!

With a “snap”, accurately hitting the hanging coconut 20 meters away.

Shattering into smithereens.

Because the pellets were quite uniform in shape, precision improved. But hardness was lacking, they readily disintegrated upon impact with the target, unable to cause effective damage.

Likely only enough to barely hit a bird.

Then he started making bows and arrows!

After consulting the survival handbook, there were several methods for making bows and arrows.

The most durable, high-powered longbow took too long and required too many materials, not practical for the current circumstances.

Lu Zhe chose the cost-efficient bamboo lever bow.

Basically, carve out three bamboo strips of uniform thickness but differing lengths.

All 5 cm wide!

The longest 1.4 meters, tie a knot in the center point, then securely tie the three strips together there with rope!

Next, mark 20 cm, 35 cm and 55 cm from the center knot on both sides.

Singe over fire, slowly bending into shape, until the whole bow formed a curvy “C” shape.

Then the bowstring could be made.

Ancients often used deer tendon, as deer excelled at leaping, thus very elastic tendons.

With limited choices, Lu Zhe wove together nylon rope with sheep tendon to substitute the bowstring.

Finally, shape the bamboo "C" until fixed, reverse the bend, tie on and tighten the bowstring. A simple crude bow was complete.

Lu Zhe tested, the strength was powerful. Within 40 meters he estimated he could inflict damage on the monkeys, rabbits, and other carbon lifeforms.

Wild boars were also possible, but crocodiles and the like shouldn't even be contemplated.

Hitting it directly with a rock would be more effective than a bow and arrow.

After getting this much done, the morning quickly passed.

Hunt birds? Pluck feathers?

The afternoon continued, smelting iron, hammering iron sheets, carving bamboo strips.

Putting in great effort, he finally produced three suitable arrow shafts!