Gathering It All Into the Bag
The nearly two hundred new tribespeople gradually settled down. After eating and drinking their fill, a little color finally returned to their faces, and their eyes were no longer lifeless, but kindled with hope for the life ahead. Guided by the Fire Tribe's people, they settled into temporary quarters at the edge of the camp. Though the conditions were crude, the guarantee of food and Chief Jianshi's promise put everyone much more at ease.
Once the arrangements were complete, Jianshi did not rest. He knew that ten other groups from micro-tribes in equally dire straits were still waiting anxiously in the valley. Unlike the previous eight tribes, they were not yet close to despair and still had a last little stock of goods to trade, but they, too, had reached the edge of the precipice.
An open space was temporarily cleared in the center of the Fire Tribe's camp to serve as a trading area. The ten chiefs or elders from the different micro-tribes were invited over. Their tribes mostly numbered between thirty and a hundred or so people. Each representative looked sallow and ill at ease, their eyes brimming with longing as they gazed at the Fire Tribe's mountainous piles of supplies, especially the salted dried fish.
Rather than putting on a lofty air, Jianshi spoke calmly. "Chiefs, thank you for making the long journey. Our Fire Tribe has brought some food and implements this time, and we hope to trade with you all for what we need."
Rather than offering outright charity, he gave them equal standing as trading partners. This made the chiefs of these micro-tribes feel much better, and all the more grateful.
Trading immediately got into full swing. The Fire Tribe's main targets were materials that looked unremarkable but were crucial to the tribe's development.
Medicinal herbs: for these tribes, which struggled year-round to survive in the mountains and forests, identifying and gathering medicinal herbs were essential skills. With dried fish or small pieces of pottery, the Fire Tribe obtained large quantities of dried herbs in a wide range of varieties.
Special stone and ores: some tribes lived in areas rich in flint, obsidian, or other hard stone, and had brought carefully selected stone blanks. Other tribes produced oddly colored ores. Something stirred in Wang Yan's mind, and he had people trade for all of them, setting them aside for future study. A few tribes also brought out the few reasonably intact stone axes, stone spears, and other weapons they had left. To them, giving up their weapons meant giving up some of their ability to defend themselves and hunt, but they had no choice if they wanted to obtain food to stay alive. Looking at these worn weapons, Jianshi sighed inwardly, but did not refuse them, trading dried fish for them at a fair rate. These weapons could perhaps serve as training equipment.
The chief trade good the Fire Tribe offered was salted dried fish! It kept well, tasted good, and contained salt. For tribes short of both salt and food, it was simply irreplaceable hard currency! Next came small pieces of pottery, such as bowls and jars, along with a small surplus of hemp clothing.
The trading went exceptionally smoothly. The Fire Tribe was generous and never haggled over every little bit. Often, a small bundle of precious medicinal herbs could be exchanged for enough dried fish to feed several people for days. Word of this almost "half sale, half gift" approach to trading soon spread among the small tribes, and their gratitude showed in every word and expression.
Seeing how benevolent and powerful the Fire Tribe was, the ten chiefs exchanged glances after completing their trades. Finally, the oldest elder stepped forward and, finding it somewhat difficult to speak yet carrying a look of hope, said to Jianshi:
"Chief Jianshi... you... we have all seen your benevolence. Our tribes have few people and little strength. This winter... ah..." He sighed, then summoned his courage and said, "The ten of us have discussed it, and we are willing... willing to put together fifty women of marriageable age to marry... marry into the Fire Tribe. We ask only... only for some food to get through the winter. And... we also hope that, for the sake of our ties by marriage, the Fire Tribe might offer us a little care in the days ahead..."
At these words, several chiefs lowered their heads, their faces burning. This was practically the same as exchanging their tribes' women for a chance to survive.
Jianshi looked at them without a trace of contempt in his heart, only deep feeling. The pressure to survive was enough to change many rules. He laughed heartily, breaking the awkward atmosphere:
"Good! This is a good thing! Rest assured, chiefs, any woman who marries into our Fire Tribe becomes one of our own! We will certainly offer generous betrothal gifts and never let them suffer the slightest mistreatment! As for food, that is even less of a problem!"
He swept his hand out, his bold generosity soaring to the clouds. "Besides the agreed betrothal gifts, I will give each tribe an extra portion of salted dried fish! To help you through the winter!"
The ten chiefs could scarcely believe their ears! The enormous, unexpected joy left them trembling with excitement. They thanked him again and again, nearly dropping to their knees.
Jianshi held them up. Looking at these fellow people struggling on the edge of survival, he felt a powerful sense of responsibility well up within him. He said solemnly, "Everyone, remember what I, Jianshi, say today! If... I mean if, you truly cannot make it through this winter, do not force yourselves to hold on! Come to our Fire Tribe! The doors of our Fire Tribe will always stand open to friends willing to struggle alongside us! As long as we have a bite to eat, we will never let you go hungry!"
Like the divine needle that steadied the seas, these words completely set the ten chiefs' hearts at ease. They knew this was not merely a trade, but a secure path of retreat the Fire Tribe had offered them! With this promise from the Fire Tribe, they had something solid to rely on, and greater courage to return and lead their people through the winter.
The trading ended in an atmosphere of perfect harmony and gratitude. With an enormous quantity of dried fish, some pottery, and hemp clothing, the Fire Tribe obtained mountains of medicinal herbs, large quantities of special stone, a batch of weapons, and a promise of fifty future members through marriage. More importantly, the reputation that "the Fire Tribe is benevolent" and "Chief Jianshi is generous" would surely spread in every direction as these tribes returned home, as though it had sprouted wings.
Wang Yan looked at his father, his heart full of admiration. His father was not merely trading, but bestowing kindness and winning hearts. These seemingly "losing" trades had earned the Fire Tribe priceless prestige and potential allies, paving the way for its future expansion and development. At this small gathering, the Fire Tribe was undoubtedly the greatest winner. Not only had it gained vast quantities of supplies and promises of new members, but it had also established the authority of a regional leader and an image of benevolence.