At the designated salt exchange location, another village's team arrived ahead of the Yu Village group. However, they were currently arguing with the people from Salt Village about the issue of salt prices.
Salt Village had raised the price of salt, and the goods brought by this village were insufficient for the exchange. The amount of salt they could exchange was half of what they got last year. The leader of this village became anxious and started arguing with the people from Salt Village.
"Whether you want to exchange or not, with the meager goods you brought, we don't even find them worthy."
"Hurry up and leave, don't delay the next village's turn to exchange salt."
"All we brought are high-quality animal skins and bones, along with two rare ginseng roots. Our shaman said these ginseng roots have spirits! The value of these items is much higher than last year, and you're only willing to exchange this little salt for us. Have you lost your conscience?"
The people from Yu Village stood behind, listening to everything clearly.
The village chief and others had heard from Yu Su about the salt price increase before coming, but they didn't expect it to rise this much. Bringing the same amount of goods as last year, they could only exchange for half the amount of salt.
"What should we do?"
"The salt price has always been like this, why did it suddenly increase?"
The villagers from Yu Village showed anxious expressions, and the atmosphere in the group became restless.
Lan Yan and the others, who were with Yu Su, knew about the salt spring and weren't as anxious as the others. Still, facing the sudden increase in salt prices by Salt Village, they felt a sense of anger.
The two sides that were arguing were about to start fighting.
At this moment, a guard team suddenly walked out from inside Salt Village's gate. Each member was tall and strong, holding iron-made spears, and they approached the arguing groups with a fierce momentum.
"What are you arguing about?" the guard team leader shouted.
Seeing this team holding iron spears, the people from the other village turned pale and immediately quieted down.
"Don't want to exchange salt? Then get lost. Otherwise, I'll impale each of you on my iron spear!" The guard team leader threatened while scanning everyone present, making it clear that he meant business.
This threat changed the complexion of most people present
The village that was arguing just now dared not speak out in anger. Their village was weak and couldn't confront Salt Village with iron spears unless they wanted their village to be destroyed, and they themselves captured as slaves or sold.
In the end, they obediently exchanged their goods for only half the amount of salt they received last year and left quietly.
Next, it was Yu Village's turn.
"Brother Yu Su, what should we do?" Yu Mang asked in a hushed voice.
Yu Su advised them not to provoke conflict with Salt Village. Just take out a few goods, exchange a small amount, and deal with the rest after returning to their grass shack.
Yu Mang and the others nodded.
*
This year, they only obtained half the amount of salt as last year. When the people from Yu Village returned to their grass shack, they all wore troubled expressions.
Originally, they planned to exchange for some items in the trading market, but now they didn't dare to exchange for anything.
"I inquired. Salt Village suddenly raised the prices because they got a new village chief and shaman." Yu Feng returned with information after investigating.
At this moment, only Yu Su, the village chief, and a few key members of the hunting team were sitting in the chief's grass shack.
As for the shaman, he had long been excluded from their discussions. Yu Su now occupied his position.
The village chief looked at Yu Su. "Yu Su, what do you think?"
Yu Su said, "The new village chief and shaman of Salt Village are obviously more greedy than the previous ones. However, they have more people, and their guard team is well-equipped. With our limited manpower in Yu Village, we can't confront them."
The village chief sighed. "You're right. The days ahead will be even harder."
Yu Su smiled. "Not necessarily. In fact, there's something we haven't told you."
Yu Su informed the village chief about the salt spring they discovered in Black Bear Valley.
The village chief couldn't sit still after hearing this, standing up abruptly. "Salt spring!"
"Chief." Yu Feng immediately reminded, went outside the grass shack to check, and came back saying, "Speak quietly to avoid being overheard."
The village chief sat back down anxiously and looked at Yu Su. "Is what you're saying true?"
Yu Su nodded. "Of course. Uncle Feng, Yu Mang, and others know about it. We didn't let them mention it earlier because we were worried about leaks if too many people knew, and Salt Village or other villages might catch wind of it."
Yu Feng and the others also testified that the salt spring was real.
The village chief showed a dazed yet delighted expression, taking a while to regain his composure.
Yu Su continued, "I'm mentioning it now not only to reassure you but also because the recent salt price increase in Salt Village presents an opportunity for us."
Yu Su said, "With Salt Village raising prices, other villages discontented, we can take this chance to make contact with them and sell our own salt."
When talking about selling salt, Yu Feng and the others were excited.
However, Yu Su continued, "Of course, this matter can't be rushed. Our strength is too weak, and if news of the salt spring gets out, not only Salt Village but other villages will come to seize it. So, the urgent task is to strengthen our own village first."
Yu Su's words dampened the excited mood of Yu Feng and the others. They listened quietly to Yu Su.
"Uncle Feng, you lead a team to secretly gather more information about Salt Village. Also, gather information about the other villages, so we can make contact with them later."
Yu Feng nodded. "Alright, I'll take care of this matter."
"Yu Su then said to the village chief, 'Chief, don't inform the villagers about this matter for now. We can't afford any leaks at the moment. First, stabilize everyone's emotions, and avoid any disturbances.'
The village chief had calmed down by now and replied, 'I understand.'
Yu Su continued, 'Our Yu Village has a small population. To develop the salt spring and strengthen our own power, we need enough manpower. We may have to add more people.'
Yu Feng and the others were puzzled. 'How can we increase manpower?'
Yu Su explained, 'I'm thinking of acquiring some slaves.'
Yu Su's proposal surprised the village chief and others. Acquiring slaves?
Yu Feng hesitated and said, 'Acquiring slaves might work, but we need a considerable amount of food to sustain them. Moreover, with winter approaching, our own food supply may not be sufficient.'
Yu Su reassured them, 'I've already considered this issue. After we return from Salt Village, I plan to mobilize the entire village to dig cellars. Cellars can store more food without spoiling, including methods to preserve more meat. As long as you follow my instructions, we can safely get through this winter without worrying about food.'
The more Yu Su explained, the more astonished the village chief and others became. Many of the methods proposed by Yu Su were unheard of.
'Are these methods really effective?'
'Of course, these are methods taught by the Mountain God.'
Once they heard that the methods were taught by the Mountain God, the village chief and others immediately had no doubts.
The all-encompassing elf in Yu Su's mind said, 'They're quite easy to deceive.'
Yu Su replied, 'This is only temporary. As they learn more in the future, they'll realize the truth. However, by that time, it won't be so important who told them.'
The all-encompassing elf said, 'You're right, but according to the methods you proposed, rebuilding will be a massive project. Can it be done before the harsh winter arrives?'
Yu Su replied, 'Things have changed. Yu Feng and the others have matured, and I believe they can accomplish more.'
The all-encompassing elf: [...]
A little sympathy for Yu Feng and the others.
*
Saying they wanted to acquire slaves wasn't such a simple matter.
Firstly, they needed to gather the goods for exchanging slaves. Secondly, they had to explain to others why they needed to exchange so many slaves. Lastly, after exchanging the slaves, they had to consider whether these people would be obedient, and so on.
Yu Su and the others went to the slave market to take a look. Upon arriving, they found the place dirtier and more chaotic than expected. Many slaves didn't even have clothes to cover their bodies, standing there listlessly, numbly watching passersby.
In fact, very few people came to the slave market. With winter approaching, there were few foolish enough to buy slaves and consume food at this time. Only wealthier villages like Ironforge Village, which needed slaves for work, would consider such matters. However, Ironforge Village was currently preoccupied with the salt exchange issue and had no time for the slave market.
Therefore, when Yu Su and his group arrived, they were quite conspicuous.
The slave vendor came out, assessed them, and fixed his gaze on Yu Su. Not only because Yu Su was dressed the most neatly but also because he was in the center of the group. Though the vendor wondered why a seemingly slender young man like Yu Su was being surrounded, it didn't stop him from choosing the right person to engage in conversation.
'Looking to buy slaves? These slaves I have are strong and robust, and they eat very little.'
Yu Su: [...]
Strong and robust but eating very little? How could that be true? Lies without rehearsal.
However, the vendor was somewhat correct; these slaves were indeed more robust than others. They just had a fierce look in their eyes, unlike the other slaves.
According to the vendor, these slaves were from Ma Village, which was recently destroyed by Salt Village. They were exchanged from Salt Village, but in a short time, they changed owners several times because they were not easy to tame. If Yu Su's group wanted these slaves, he could offer them at a lower price.
Yu Su: 'You're straightforward.'
The vendor chuckled. 'No choice. The last ones who took them from me were from Ironforge Village. Since they were hard to handle, Ironforge Village scolded me and forcefully returned them.'
Seeing that Yu Su was surrounded by people like Luyan and Yumang, all tall and imposing, and not wanting to run into troubles like those with Ironforge Village, the vendor explained the situation plainly. Even if he offered a lower price, Yu Su intended to leave.
[Author's Note: Big chapter update, seeking collection, recommendation, and branches.]"