Li Long could tell that the two men were quite hopeful. He couldn't bring himself to dash their hopes outright, so he decided to explain once they got there. After a few days to cool off, they should be able to come around.
This holiday was also a big gathering for the young Kazakhs here. In this era, no ethnic group had much in the way of entertainment, so everyone, from the elderly and children to the young adults, was happy to have a chance to gather together.
The older men gathered to discuss their plans for the days ahead: whether to move their herds to new pastures or send their children out to work, or perhaps settle down and learn to farm from others.
The young people played games together. Some watched the young women working in the distance, their eyes full of admiration. There were surely girls they liked among them.
Since Li Long spoke some Kazakh, quite a few young people approached him to chat. Some middle-aged people also came over to greet him and talk after hearing about him.
Once they learned that Li Long ran a purchasing station and bought hides, some asked whether he would buy the hides they had at home.
Li Long thought, I just came here for the holiday. How did I end up doing business?
Of course he would buy them. The man immediately rode home happily to fetch his things.
At this time, these people still mainly traveled on horseback. In another ten years, motorcycles would be everywhere, and after that would come the age of cars.
Some had hides at home but hadn't brought them because they didn't know what prices Li Long offered. Now that someone trusted him, others waited and watched, planning to sell to him