On August 15, work on the newly renovated Dry Canal was drawing to a close. That afternoon, Li Long saw Harimu, who had just come down from the mountains, at the Purchasing Station.
Harimu had come down with the other pastoralists to cut hay. They had come a little earlier than in previous years, mainly because several people in the mountains had fallen ill. Some still had not left the hospital. With fewer people to cut hay, they had decided to come down early and work longer.
Having a harvester had made cutting hay easier, but hauling the grass back once it had dried was still a heavy task.
Harimu had come down partly to see Li Long, and partly to visit his mother and two sons at home.
Since Li Long had led people in opening up the road to the Summer Pasture, Harimu, who had a vehicle, had been coming down every so often. It was much more convenient now.
Harimu had brought several pairs of deer antlers and two pieces of jade.
He also knew that ordinary jade no longer interested Li Long. The pieces he had selected were free of impurities and of excellent quality.
Li Long offered to pay, but Harimu gave him a scolding. Li Long had taken their family members for medical examinations without charging them anything. People would curse Harimu if he took money for this.
Li Long let the matter drop.
Harimu did not stay long at the Purchasing Station. He told Li Long a little about the situation in the mountains, then left.
Before he left, Li Long loaded a sack of watermelons and a sack of muskmelons into his vehicle. Those who had come down to cut hay were all men, and most were not much good at cooking.