Chapter 234: The Tribe Without Baifeng

The price of these two knives was also within Baifeng's acceptable range; they were just two knives, and would not have any impact on their overall situation. Seeing that Xuanyuan's attitude was very firm, Baifeng did not insist further, saying that two knives were fine, but he wanted to select some slaves.

Xuanyuan continued to haggle, believing that two knives were exactly the value of their silk weaving technology and tools. If Baifeng wanted more slaves, he would need to exchange more Ironware. Even if he could not use the Iron Knives they used, it would at least have to be Iron Daggers; Iron Hoes would also be acceptable.

But Baifeng felt there was no need for that, because his interest in slaves had now faded. His tribe's population had already reached a red line; if he really traded for these thousands of slaves, they would have no food to support them. So he said forget it, two knives it is, let's exchange the people for the knives.

Because they hadn't thought at all when they came out that Xuanyuan would want to trade for their sidearms, they hadn't brought any extras, so they had to unfasten the ones the soldiers were carrying and hand them over to Xuanyuan. Xuanyuan was very satisfied; in fact, he had originally wanted the ones the Baifeng Tribe soldiers were using themselves—what if Baifeng gave them inferior ones? In any case, the quality of what the Baifeng Tribe people carried on them would certainly not be bad.

Baifeng thought this trade would just end like this, but the soldier who had just handed over his sidearm quietly walked to Baifeng's side and reminded him of one thing. It wasn't that he had an opinion on Baifeng's approach, but he told Baifeng that if they didn't trade for some slaves to pull the Boat, it would be very strenuous for them to go upstream. Their stamina wouldn't last long rowing each day, and since the journey was already long, if they rowed like this, he feared the time to get home would be indefinitely delayed.

Hearing the reminder, Baifeng finally thought of this, so he again suggested to Xuanyuan that he wanted to trade for some more slaves. Xuanyuan was, of course, eager to do so; the slaves were of little use to them, but being able to trade for more Ironware was a profit.

However, Baifeng did not intend to trade for all of them back; he wanted to pick and choose. Xuanyuan did not understand, as the quality of these slaves was about the same and there was nothing to pick, but for the sake of the Ironware, he still granted Baifeng's wish.

Baifeng arranged for people to go into the slave group to pick the strongest ones, no women, no matter how good-looking they were. Now, preparations for returning home were being made, and physical fitness had to be put first.

After picking and choosing, about two hundred people were selected. In this way, divided among several boats, the pressure on the slaves would not be too great, and pulling the boats would be relatively easy.

Xuanyuan had no objections; so many slaves were traded for just two hoes.

Subsequently, Baifeng began to continue selecting. He asked the slaves who hadn't been picked directly if anyone had a craft, no matter which kind. But after asking once, no one answered. After all, there was no difference between Baifeng and the Xuanyuan Tribe; wherever they went, they were slaves. At least they were already familiar with the Xuanyuan Clan, and who knew what their fate would be if they went to the Baifeng Tribe.

Seeing no one respond, Baifeng began to set conditions. Of course, he didn't explain the system of slave promotion; this was the secret of their Baifeng Tribe, and if Xuanyuan learned it, it might be a bit troublesome.

Baifeng only spoke about their tribe's treatment of slaves, especially those with some craft. Not only would they not be persecuted, but the work they did would be relatively easy, and they would eat better and more, at least more comfortably than staying with the Xuanyuan Clan. Baifeng was promoting this himself, completely failing to see Xuanyuan's rather unpleasant expression.

After Baifeng enticed them a few times, over a hundred people really stood out, both men and women. Baifeng finally traded for them at the price of one hoe, and he didn't want any more of the remaining slaves.

As for Xuanyuan, he had traded for everything he wanted, but he was in a bad mood. His tribe also lacked people with various crafts, but he had always kept his eyes on his own tribesmen and had never paid attention to the slaves. With this reminder from Baifeng, he understood that he would have to screen the slaves again after returning.

The exchange between the two sides was over, and it was still very early, but Baifeng did not intend to stay any longer. There were many things in the tribe, and he had been out for so long, so he was a bit worried. The return trip would definitely take a month. Baifeng now regretted it a bit; he had actually traveled such a long distance to trade, and he would never come again.

Baifeng took a small boat back to the Large Ship. After a short rest, he tied the tow ropes from the ship onto the slaves who had already been divided into teams and told them that they would set off after a short rest.

After Xuanyuan packed up his things, he began to dismantle the camp and then left the trading point at the fastest speed. Baifeng also ordered the anchor to be weighed and to set sail.

After resting for a while, Baifeng began to set up a large pot and stir-fry Tea Leaves on the boat. It was his first time stir-frying, and he had no experience, relying entirely on imagination. Anyway, as long as it didn't burn and the moisture was dried out, it didn't matter if it tasted good or not.

He also taught the soldiers; otherwise, if it were just him alone, his arms would smoke just from swinging the shovel.

The boat had already begun to move slowly upstream.

At this time, people from the Suiren Clan actually found the location of the Baifeng Tribe and even sent an envoy, saying they wanted to do business with the Baifeng Tribe. The people of the Baifeng Tribe did not feel too surprised; after all, for such a large tribe, although there were no tribes in the surrounding area, they would be discovered sooner or later.

Knowing the reason for the Suiren Clan's arrival, they all breathed a sigh of relief. After all, they had just wiped out a Village of the Suiren Clan a few days ago, and their tribesmen were still doing the hardest and most tiring work in the Baifeng Tribe.

They could not make decisions about these trading matters, so they told the envoy that their Tribal Chief was temporarily away and they could not make any decisions, so they could only wait for the Tribal Chief to come back.

That envoy had no choice but to leave dejectedly. On the way here, several of his companions had died for various reasons; it was just unknown whether he would be able to return to the tribe safely this time.

Moreover, the Baifeng Tribe now had its own troubles. The Tribal Chief had once predicted that rabbits might become a plague, but at that time, only the group of Soldiers who followed the Tribal Chief to solve the Suiren Clan matter believed it. The other tribesmen didn't believe it at all; after all, rabbits were relatively hard to catch when they went out hunting, so how could they possibly become a plague and affect their tribe?

But now this matter had already shown signs. First, the number of rabbits on the Grassland outside the city increased. This happened just after Baifeng left. At that time, it could still be controlled, as there weren't too many, and they even thought it was a good thing at the time, as at least hunting was much easier.

Now, however, it had already affected the cattle finding food. The rabbits' gnawing speed was too fast, and they had already gnawed too much of the Grassland, so the cattle could only run to further locations to find enough grass.

Another thing was on the city wall, where rabbit holes could already be seen. Rabbits were very fast at digging holes; with the thickness of the Baifeng Tribe's city wall, it wouldn't take a day to dig through it.