The road to finding salt
The fishpond excavation was progressing smoothly. Two large, neatly squared pits had already begun to take shape, and clear stream water was flowing slowly through a newly dug channel into one of the ponds. Looking at the "little pools" they had created with their own hands, the tribespeople all felt proud.
But Wang Yan's thoughts had already flown farther afield. Salt weighed on his heart like a stone.
Over the past two days, he had used his spare time to seek out several of the hunting team's most experienced old hunters, as well as knowledgeable elders like Granny Cao.
"A place where they lick stones?" An old hunter with a savage claw scar across his face narrowed his eyes in recollection. "Now that you mention it... there really might be one. Up north, on that rocky Jumbled Stone Slope near the Black Forest, I've indeed seen wild sheep and herds of deer lingering there. They weren't grazing, just lowering their heads and rubbing against the stones."
Granny Cao also confirmed it in a trembling voice. "Yes, the elders passed down stories that some stones carry 'earth qi.' Wild beasts can't live well without it, so they seek those stones out to lick them. There's something uncanny about that place. We usually stay away for fear of offending the mountain spirits."
The Jumbled Stone Slope to the north, beasts licking stones... Wang Yan's heart pounded. That description sounded so much like a natural saline-alkali patch or a salt-bearing rock formation!
The opportunity was right before him. He had to go and confirm it!
That evening, he went to see his father, Jianshi, again. Jianshi was discussing the details of trading pottery at the autumn gathering with Jianya, Dali, and a few others. They all smiled when Wang Yan approached. By now, Wang Yan's standing in the tribe had long since surpassed that of ordinary children, and even many adults.
"Father, uncles," Wang Yan greeted them before getting straight to the point. "I've heard that the Jumbled Stone Slope to the north might have the salt we're looking for. I want to take a few people there tomorrow to have a look and confirm it."
"Looking for salt?" Dali's voice boomed. "Little Yan, is that true? That godforsaken place really has salt?" Those who frequently traveled outside knew better than anyone how precious salt was.
Jianshi's smile faded, and his expression grew serious. "The Jumbled Stone Slope to the north? That's no short trip. It's half a day's journey, and it's near the edge of the Black Forest. It isn't safe." He looked at Wang Yan, his eyes full of worry. "You're the tribe's treasure now. Nothing can be allowed to happen to you."
Wang Yan understood his father's concerns, but his stance was firm. "Father, if we don't solve the salt problem, it won't matter how much meat we store. Besides, I'm only going to confirm it. I won't venture deep into dangerous places. Please send three or four skilled hunters with me. We'll go and come straight back."
Jianya, their strategist, pondered for a moment before speaking. "Elder brother, salt truly is our lifeblood. If we can find it, even a little, it would be an enormous blessing for our tribe. Since Yan has brought it up, he must have some confidence. Send Dabang and his squad along. They're experienced and quick on their feet. They should be able to keep Yan safe."
Dabang was the captain of the fourth squad. Though he was not one of Jianshi's direct followers, he was loyal and brave, and his squad was a strong fighting force.
Jianshi looked into his son's resolute eyes, then glanced at his brothers before finally making up his mind. "All right! Dabang will take four men and accompany you first thing tomorrow morning!" He stood, walked over to Wang Yan, and pressed his large, rough hands heavily onto his son's still-young shoulders. His voice was grave. "Yan, remember, safety comes first! If anything seems wrong, come back immediately! We can take our time finding salt, but nothing must happen to you!"
"I understand, Father!" Wang Yan felt the heavy weight on his shoulders. It was not only his father's concern, but also the hopes of the entire tribe.
The next day, dawn had barely broken.
A small group had assembled at the entrance to the tribe. Leading them was the tall, powerfully built Dabang, holding a heavy hardwood club. Behind him stood four tough, capable members of the hunting team, each with sharp eyes and a fierce air. Wang Yan carried a small hide pack containing a stone knife, a waterskin, and a little dried meat.
"Yan, stay close." Dabang kept his words brief. He, too, deeply admired this son of the chief who had repeatedly worked miracles.
"Sorry for the trouble, Uncle Dabang." Wang Yan nodded.
The group left the tribe and headed north. This was the first time since transmigrating that Wang Yan had truly left the safety of the tribe's territory.
The way was rugged and difficult, with dense shrubs and tangled vines everywhere. Dabang and the others were experienced, clearing a path with stone axes and wooden clubs while vigilantly watching their surroundings. The howls and rustling of unknown beasts occasionally came from the woods, keeping Wang Yan's heart in his throat.
He stayed close in the middle of the group, working hard to adapt to this way of traveling through a primeval jungle while carefully observing his surroundings.
After roughly four to six hours of walking, the sun rose high, the surrounding trees grew ever taller, and the light dimmed. They had reached the outskirts of the Black Forest. Ahead appeared a bare, grayish-white Jumbled Stone Slope with sparse vegetation, a stark contrast to the dense jungle around it.
"That's the place." Dabang stopped and pointed at the Jumbled Stone Slope ahead, lowering his voice. "Everyone, be careful. Wild beasts come here often."
They slowed their steps and approached cautiously. Sure enough, at the edge of the Jumbled Stone Slope, they found clear animal tracks and droppings.
Wang Yan crouched and carefully examined the stones on the ground. Some had surfaces that looked damper and darker. He touched them, feeling a rough graininess beneath his fingertips. Leaning closer to sniff, he seemed to catch an extremely faint, indescribable salty, astringent smell.
His heart raced. Drawing his stone knife, he scraped hard at a darker rock, shaving off a layer of grayish-white powder. He carefully dabbed a little onto his finger and put it in his mouth.
A strong, pure salty astringency instantly exploded on his tongue! A spreading bitterness followed close behind!
"Pah! Pah!" Wang Yan hurriedly spat. Despite the unpleasant taste, wild joy lit up his face!
Salt! That was right! This was rock salt containing impurities!
"Uncle Dabang! We found it! This is it!" Wang Yan pointed excitedly at the rock. "This is salt! It tastes bad and has a lot of impurities, but once we dissolve it, filter it, and boil it down, we can extract coarse salt fit for us to eat!"
Dabang and the hunters curiously copied Wang Yan, scraping off a little powder to taste. Every one of them grimaced, but their eyes were full of excitement too. They did not understand extraction, but they could taste it. This really was salty! It tasted like salt!
"This is wonderful! Yan! You really found it!" A smile spread across Dabang's dark face too. This meant the tribe would never have to worry about salt again!
Suppressing his excitement, Wang Yan carefully inspected the Jumbled Stone Slope. It covered a sizable area, and the rock salt reserves looked considerable! Though mining and refining it would require manpower, this would undoubtedly put out the fire at the tribe's eyebrows, and it would also be an important strategic resource in the future!
"Let's collect some samples to take back!" Wang Yan directed. The hunters used their stone axes to chop off several pieces of rock rich in salt crust and carefully wrapped them up.
With their task complete, the group dared not linger and immediately set off home. On the return journey, Wang Yan walked with light steps, already planning how to build the simplest possible filtration pool and a stove for boiling salt.
By evening, they had returned safely to the tribe!
Food! Pottery! Hemp! And now, he had even found the most precious thing of all-salt!