The two tractors stood in front of Jade Mountain River's winter camp, instantly bringing this once secluded haven closer to modern society.
Li Long's arrival made the young pastoralists even more enthusiastic. Although some could not afford a tractor, and others had winter camps so far away over such difficult terrain that there was no way to drive one in, they still wanted to learn more about tractors.
Although Jade Mountain River and Talihaal had driven the tractors back themselves, they trusted Li Long more when it came to questions about them.
So Li Long was immediately surrounded, everyone talking at once, asking whatever interested them in fluent or halting Han Chinese.
Those whose Han Chinese was poor grew anxious and occasionally mixed in some Kazakh, whereupon someone immediately translated for Li Long.
"He's asking how much this tractor costs. How many sheep would it take to trade for one?"
"Yes, yes, how many sheep, how many cattle?"
"You can't use cattle and sheep. Trading those wouldn't be worth it, and the elders at home wouldn't allow it." Before Li Long could answer, someone else spoke up. "It has to be hides. Hides would be best, things from the mountains..."
Knowing that the tractor's price was their main concern, Li Long said:
"Let me tell you, one of these tractors costs over six thousand yuan..."
"Does that include the trailer behind it?" someone immediately asked.
"Yes, but not the harvester."
"Don't interrupt. Keep your mouth shut!" Someone, annoyed that Li Long had been interrupted, immediately scolded him. "Listen properly!"
After that, he turned back to Li Long with a smile.
"Li Long, go on. Tell us how much stuff from the mountains it would take to trade for a tractor."
Six thousand yuan was an enormous, unfamiliar figure to them.