First Meeting

After two days of trekking, the Fire Tribe's party finally reached the valley where the small market was being held. The valley was relatively flat, with a stream running through it, and served as the tacitly accepted trading ground for the nearby tribes. When their imposing procession entered the valley, laden with supplies, it immediately caused a stir among the other tribes that had already arrived.

Every gaze swung toward them, as though drawn by a magnet.

The silvery dried fish piled on the cattle's backs and in the vine baskets were so plentiful that they left people speechless! The pottery, carefully wrapped in dry grass but still recognizable by its outlines, made those who knew its worth breathe faster! Not to mention the Fire Tribe's people: men and women alike had rosy complexions, bright eyes, and sturdy bodies, and walked with the confidence and composure that came only from full bellies and physical strength. They stood in stark contrast to the people of the surrounding tribes, whose faces bore varying degrees of sallow hunger and worry.

"Whoa... so much dried fish!"

"Look at that pottery! It looks even bigger than the Fish Tribe's!"

"Did the Fire Tribe dig up a treasure hoard? How did they get so rich all of a sudden?"

"Looks like the rumors were true. They really have struck it rich!"

Whispers spread through the valley, surprise, envy, and even a trace of barely perceptible jealousy mingling in the air. The Fire Tribe's arrival was like a boulder plunging into a calm lake, instantly changing the atmosphere of the small market.

Chief Jianshi seemed entirely unaware of it all-or rather, this was precisely the effect he wanted. He calmly directed the party to make camp in a spacious clearing beside the stream, had the supplies properly stowed, and posted guards. Once everything was settled, he straightened his animal-hide clothing and said to Wang Yan and his younger brothers, "Come, let's pay our respects to a few elders first."

Taking both closeness and strength into account, they headed first to the Bison Tribe's camp.

The Bison Tribe's chief was the father-in-law of Dali, Jianshi's second younger brother, and his name was Jijiao. He was well advanced in years, his hair already graying, but he remained tall and powerfully built, with broad shoulders. Standing there, he resembled a great boulder weathered by wind and frost, his gaze sharp and full of authority. He was an old hero of the tribe and commanded immense respect. Seeing Jianshi approach with his brothers and their sons and nephews, Jijiao smiled and called out in a booming voice, "Chief Jianshi, Dali, you're finally here! I could see your impressive procession from far away. Remarkable!"

Though older, he had always greatly admired the Fire Tribe's martial prowess, and their relationship had grown even closer after their tribes became linked by marriage. He knew full well how fierce and brave the Fire Tribe's men were. They deserved their standing as the tribe with the "greatest martial prowess" in the area.

"Chief Jijiao!" "Father-in-law!" Jianshi and Dali greeted him respectfully in unison. Jianshi had Dazhuang step forward from behind him, bearing an object wrapped in soft deerskin. When the deerskin was lifted, a large clay pot appeared before Jijiao, neatly shaped and solidly made, with a dark-red sheen.

"A small gift, hardly enough to express our respect," Jianshi said with a smile.

Jijiao's eyes lit up. He reached out with his large, rough hands and carefully stroked the pot's smooth surface, exclaiming, "Well now! This is truly fine stuff! Your Fire Tribe really isn't what it used to be!" Though food was what he lacked most, he knew all too well what this pot was worth-at a critical moment, it was hard currency that could be exchanged for a life-saving token! He hurriedly had the exceptionally burly man beside him, who looked like a younger version of himself-his eldest son, Juti-put it away carefully.

After exchanging pleasantries and sitting down, Jianshi stated his purpose directly. "Chief Jijiao, to be frank, our tribe plans to take in more people this year, so we'll need plenty of supplies for winter. I'd like to trade dried fish and salt for some of your tanned cattle hides, as well as a few calves." He paused, looking earnestly at Jijiao. "If possible, we'd also like to learn the key techniques for taming and raising wild cattle. Naturally, we're willing to pay enough in return."

At this, Jijiao stroked his graying beard and pondered. The cattle hides and calves were easy enough to discuss. More hides could be tanned, and calves could be caught from the migrating herds the following spring. But their cattle-taming techniques were one of the foundations on which the Bison Tribe's survival rested. He glanced at the brand-new clay pot, then thought of the mountains of dried fish he had just seen among the Fire Tribe's supplies. Especially after hearing Jianshi say that the fish had been cured with salt, his thoughts began to stir.

With enough salt-cured dried fish, the pressure of feeding their tribe through winter would ease considerably! They would not even need to expend manpower and resources traveling all the way to the Fish Tribe to trade for salt! With enough food, they would no longer be forced to marry off their daughters in exchange for grain, as the neighboring Green Sheep and Deer Tribes did.

Weighing the gains against the losses, Jijiao quickly reached a decision. The techniques could be traded, but not given away for nothing. He glanced at his eager son Juti beside him and laughed heartily before saying to Jianshi, "Good! Chief Jianshi has boldness, and our Bison Tribe can't be stingy either! Pick whichever hides and calves you like! As for the methods of taming cattle... I'll have this unworthy son of mine, Juti, discuss them with you properly! But you'll have to trade me plenty of that cured fish!"

"Of course!" Jianshi readily agreed.

Then Jianshi made an additional request. "Chief Jijiao, after this small market, we're also planning a trip to the Fish Tribe. It's a long journey, and we'd like your tribe to send ten warriors to escort us along the way. Our Fire Tribe will provide all their food for the round trip, and there will be generous gifts besides!"

The request made both Jijiao's and Juti's eyes light up. Sending ten men would save them the winter provisions needed to feed ten mouths, let their warriors eat and drink their fill, and even bring additional benefits. Better still, it would further strengthen their ties with the Fire Tribe, which was clearly on the rise. It was truly several gains with a single stroke!

Before his father could speak, Juti answered in a booming voice, "Father, leave this to me! I'll personally pick ten of our best brothers to go with Chief Jianshi! I guarantee they'll be safe the whole way!"

Jijiao nodded in satisfaction. "Good! Then it's settled!"

The first negotiation was a complete success. With pottery, dried fish, and salt, the Fire Tribe secured urgently needed leather, future livestock, crucial techniques, and a dependable escort led by Juti. The Bison Tribe, in turn, obtained precious winter food and salt, averting a crisis of survival. Both sides got what they needed, and everyone was pleased. Wang Yan quietly observed from the side, silently committing to memory the wisdom his father and uncles showed in negotiating, as well as the forthrightness and shrewdness of the Bison Tribe's father-and-son leaders.