Chapter 232: The Trade of Tools and Techniques

Xuanyuan wanted to trade the soybeans and rice he brought for Baifeng's Wine and Salted Fish. Baifeng was, of course, eager to do so, but their Wine had already run out; only some heads of the distillation remained. The methanol content was excessive—not to mention the headache after a single sip, drinking too much could even kill someone. This was something Baifeng had kept to trap Baoxi, so he hadn't brought it at all.

After Baifeng explained this to him, Xuanyuan only felt it was a bit of a pity, so in the end, everything was traded for Salted Fish. However, the price of Salted Fish was relatively high. They set a price of one Salted Fish for double its weight in Grass Seed. Xuanyuan agreed; this price was indeed quite reasonable.

Baifeng's Salted Fish were not enough, so in the end, he used two Iron Daggers to trade for the remaining grain. Baifeng was not afraid that the supplies he brought wouldn't be enough to trade; his Ironware was the thing people of this era liked the most and were desperate to obtain. It had high value, and everyone wanted it.

Xuanyuan weighed the long Dajian in his hand, feeling very satisfied. He made up his mind that he must trade for the kind of Weapon that the Baifeng tribe was currently equipped with.

Silk was traded together with Glass. Both items were positioned as luxury goods and sacrificial items, so there was no issue of unequal value. Moreover, Baifeng was clear that his own items were not worth much, but Silk was valuable regardless because the raw materials were precious. However, he had already given Xuanyuan a subtle hint about how to fire Glass; whether he could research it or not depended on himself. Baifeng wanted the technology and tools for Weaving Silk, but Xuanyuan refused. Him trapping Xuanyuan like this didn't count as a real trap.

Next was the moment Xuanyuan was most nervous, and Baifeng was a bit worried. Baifeng didn't want any more Slaves; he really had no food left. Meanwhile, Xuanyuan believed he had enough Slaves, and he even had Slaves who knew how to Weave Silk, which would surely move Baifeng.

One thousand Slaves plus a dozen Artisans with tools—asking for a few standard-issue Weapons from you isn't too much, right?

Because it was Xuanyuan who had the need, he spoke first: "Baifeng, didn't you say before that you wanted people and tools for Weaving Silk? I've brought them; do you still need them?"

Hearing this, Baifeng finally perked up. He didn't need people who couldn't do anything; he needed Slaves with skills: "Of course. Our tribe's silk cannot be made into Silk; it's all twisted into rope and used. I think it's too wasteful."

Xuanyuan's face twitched. You know it's wasteful? Twisting silk into rope—you probably don't know how much Leizu cares about silk; she wouldn't let a single thread fall to the ground.

The only thing Baifeng could use for trade now was Ironware, so Baifeng asked: "You should be willing to take Ironware, right? You've seen it too; this is all we have left here."

"Of course I'm willing. These Slaves of mine were intended to be traded with you for Ironware. However, these Dajian are a bit short; can you bring some longer ones?"

How could he not understand the meaning behind Xuanyuan's words? But Baifeng just laughed out loud: "Of course. Isn't it just longer and bigger ones? This time, I specifically brought Ironware prepared for you. I believe this thing is very important for your development. I was even thinking that if you had nothing to trade, even if I had to snatch the Salted Fish back, I would still have to trade that thing to you!"

Hearing Baifeng finish, Xuanyuan felt a bit panicked because he felt that what Baifeng was talking about was not the same thing he was referring to. However, he still let Baifeng take the items out so they could look at them together.

Subsequently, Baifeng had people take the farm tools prepared for Xuanyuan off the Large Ship. The tribesmen understood the signal and steered a small Boat to leave the shore quickly.

With nothing to do for the moment, Baifeng wanted Xuanyuan to show the Slaves he brought, especially those who knew how to Weave Silk.

Xuanyuan was a bit hesitant. Originally, this was something that should have been done during the trade, but he was afraid of Baifeng's brain—that he would understand what was going on with just one look, and then not do the trade but steal the technology instead.

Baifeng saw Xuanyuan's worry. It was human nature, but not looking would indeed be a bit of a loss for them. Although he had a certain affection for Xuanyuan, his own tribesmen did not. As the Tribal Chief of the Baifeng tribe, he had to consider his tribe.

So he spoke again: "Tribal Chief Xuanyuan, you don't need to worry. It doesn't matter if you don't show them now. When our items are brought out later, you should show them, right? By then, once you have the items in your hands, even if I wanted to regret it, I wouldn't be able to, right?"

"It's just that this item of mine comes with a very important method that can quickly raise your tribe's strength to a new level. If you want to learn it, let your tribesmen demonstrate now, and I will naturally explain it. If you wait until the trade to demonstrate, I won't talk about that matter anymore, because it is a gift."

Even though Baifeng said this, Xuanyuan still decided not to demonstrate first. You cannot fully trust the words of an almost unfamiliar tribe. Everything is for the benefit of one's own tribe. Just like his own elders could attack him for the sake of profit, an unfamiliar tribe could completely trap him.

Seeing Xuanyuan wouldn't listen, Baifeng didn't force it. He would just trade the farm tools to him later. As for the cultivation method, he wouldn't mention it anymore and would let him fumble around for a dozen years or so. By that time, the Baifeng tribe would already be so wealthy that they wouldn't need to worry about food.

Soon, the people of the Baifeng tribe brought the farm tools: five hoes and five plows. Baifeng had thoughtfully installed wooden handles on them, making them more convenient to use.

Seeing the plows, Xuanyuan's face turned dark. He said he wanted long ones, but he didn't mean this kind of length. Moreover, they had things like plows, and this thing was even created by their ancestor Shennong. If stone and bone ones could be used, why must they use Iron ones?

As for the hoes, they looked a bit more decent. He estimated that if used for fighting, the lethality would still be quite high, but they didn't look very easy to use.

Baifeng took one of the plows and said to Xuanyuan: "I don't know if your tribe plants Grass Seed or understands cultivation. Anyway, our tribe has become increasingly wealthy and powerful by relying on these things."

The tribesmen of the Baifeng tribe nodded in agreement on the side.

Subsequently, Baifeng used the plow to dig soil. The efficiency was very high and very easy. The plow was just a small Iron shovel; a larger one would definitely dig soil faster, but generally, there weren't bones that large and hard, and ones made of stone were too heavy. No one in the Baifeng tribe used Iron plows; making this specifically for Xuanyuan was just to save Iron material.

Baifeng didn't see Xuanyuan's unhappy face and picked up the hoe again, holding it high and throwing it down hard. Xuanyuan's mood improved a bit. In Baifeng's view, this was a farm tool, but it could completely be used as a Weapon. He wanted this thing!

But he didn't want the plow. Whether digging wild vegetables or digging soil, they had their own; there was no need to get an Iron one.

Baifeng was still demonstrating to him: "When we plant Grass Seed, we must turn the soil over and then scatter the Grass Seed in. Only then can it grow well, and our harvest will be greater. Don't just scatter it on dry ground and wait for the Grass Seed to sprout, right?"