Yu Su's affirmative response thrilled the people from Bee Village, nearly making them jump with excitement.
Salt and grains! That was what they would get!
However, as they gradually calmed down, some worries arose. They feared that the price set by Yu Village might be very high. If their honey wasn't enough, they might not be able to afford it.
Shan Feng nervously inquired, "Lord Yu Su, may I ask how much honey we would need to exchange?"
Yu Su replied, "We can discuss the specific price slowly. Rest assured, we won't intentionally set an unacceptably high price for you. If you have doubts, you can wait until our trading caravan arrives. After inspecting each other's goods and determining the price, we can proceed with the exchange."
Shan Feng and the others gradually eased their concerns. As long as Yu Village's salt was edible and the price was reasonable, they were more than willing to trade with Yu Village.
Yu Su didn't stay in Bee Village for too long. After discussing the general matters of road construction and the trading caravan, he led his people to the next village.
When they went to Bee Village, the other villages had already heard the news and sent people to inquire in advance. By the time Yu Su arrived with his team, they were all waiting.
Just like in Bee Village, they were extremely surprised by the unique procession of Yu Village. When they learned that Yu Village intended to build a major road and there would be a trading caravan, excitement and some doubts mingled within them.
Except for the Barbarian Tribe, there were five other villages in this area. The largest had over a hundred people, while the smallest had only fifty or sixty. Apart from Bee Village, which traded with honey, the other villages didn't have any prominent specialty products, making trade advantages scarce.
However, Yu Su's ultimate goal wasn't just to trade with them. Instead, he aimed to shorten the distance between them through convenient transportation, gradually fostering a sense of recognition for Yu Village. Eventually, he hoped they would willingly join Yu Village.
After concluding communications with the five villages to the south, Yu Village commenced the construction of a smooth road from Yu Village to the southern regions. This time, the group of newly contracted slaves from the Barbarian Tribe played a crucial role.
Watching Jian Yunchuan and others channeling energy into the ground ahead, causing the earth to surge and loosen, left the onlookers in awe and disbelief.
Understanding dawned on them. During the battles with Yu Village, such terrifying divine power was never employed; otherwise, they would have perished long ago. "This is not human strength."
"It's divine power!"
Yu Meng deliberately frightened them, "Indeed, it's the power bestowed by the gods. You dared to oppose the messengers of the gods. Work diligently to atone for your sins, or else... hehe."
The original members of the Barbarian Tribe were frightened, expressing their determination to work hard and pleading not to be killed. They promised never to oppose the messengers of the gods again.
"Hmph." Yu Meng snorted, lifting a massive roadblock and hurling it aside, creating a deep crater with a thunderous crash.
Some timid members of the Barbarian Tribe fainted at the sight.
Startled, even Yu Meng checked to make sure no one was harmed before heaving a sigh of relief.
"Spineless. Almost got me scolded by Brother Yu Su," Yu Meng muttered.
Other members of the Barbarian Tribe: "..."
Their timidity was truly disappointing.
"Boom, boom, boom."
The construction noise from Yu Village's road-building team was considerable. People from the five southern villages couldn't resist coming out to see. Witnessing Jian Yunchuan and his team manipulating the soil's texture astonished them.
One person lifting a boulder the height of a person or effortlessly uprooting a large tree was nothing compared to what the people of Yu Village could do. Softening hard soil and solidifying loose soil with a mere touch seemed like divine powers.
"Terrifying! This isn't a power humans possess."
"This is divine power!"
Yu Meng overheard and teased, "Yes, it's the power bestowed by the gods. You actually dared to oppose the messengers of the gods. Work diligently to atone for your sins, or else... hehe."
Initially surprised, the villagers gradually understood Yu Village's capabilities. As fear faded, curiosity and a sense of wonder took over.
"Witch Doctor, have you ever seen such divine power?" asked Shan Yang, the village head of Bee Village.
Shan Yang shook his head, responding gravely, "Never seen anything like it."
Such divine power wasn't within his or even several generations of witch doctors' knowledge.
Shan Feng, swallowing hard, asked, "Is Yu Village, by any chance, a village of gods?"
Looking toward Yu Village in the north, recalling the encounter with Yu Su, Shan Yang hesitated, "The people of Yu Village might not be gods, but their witch doctor is probably the closest to divine."
Shan Feng, alarmed, questioned, "Should we still trade with them?"
After contemplating, Shan Yang said, "Yes, why not? Lord Yu Su's intentions seem to favor trade with us. He doesn't appear cruel, and there's no need for them to deceive us. Besides, fearing them won't change anything; they could easily deal with us if they wished. It's better to trade willingly."
Satisfied with Shan Yang's analysis, Shan Feng calmed down. "You're right. We have nothing Yu Village would want to deceive us for. Let's trade with them."
The other villages shared a similar sentiment. Given Yu Village's formidable divine power, there was no need for deceit. Even if Yu Village wanted to deal with them, they had no means to resist. It seemed best to let things unfold naturally.
With their fears dispelled, the villages welcomed the road construction team when they arrived, voluntarily assisting in clearing rocks and soil.
Yu Meng scratched his head, privately asking Jian Yunchuan, "Lord Yunchuan, weren't these people afraid of us before?"
Jian Yunchuan, initially surprised, understood their change of heart. "They probably figured it out. Interaction with Yu Village is beneficial for them."
"Of course! If I were them, I'd be eager too."
Jian Yunchuan patted Yu Meng's shoulder. "Get to work."
Yu Meng acknowledged and resumed his tasks.
...
The road construction progressed rapidly. Jian Yunchuan, Yu Meng, and Yu Shan's improved cultivation and enhanced control over the earth expedited the process. Additionally, the increased number of helping hands contributed to the speedy completion of the road.
A month later, all five southern villages were connected by a smooth road.
When they witnessed Yu Village's trading caravan for the first time, it comprised more than ten oxen carrying goods, with a bell hanging from the lead ox's neck.
The jingling bell resonated as it transported Yu Village's goods to the five southern villages.
The variety of goods from Yu Village, including exquisite fine salt, grains, handwoven items, and woodwork, left the people of the southern villages astonished. The abundance of offerings made them question if these were indeed possessions of Yu Village.
"Is this what Yu Village possesses under the heavens?"
"Can my meager animal hides and bones truly exchange for these items?"
"I used to think Yu Village was interested in our honey, and that's why they went through the trouble of trading. Now, I realize I was overthinking. The items they have are much more valuable than my honey."
"Do you still have honey to trade? We can't even match up to their possessions."
Discussions like these spread across the five villages. Facing Yu Village's vast array of goods, everyone was tempted.
Accompanying the caravan were various messages about Yu Village. For example, residents of the former Hedong Village willingly joined Yu Village, becoming its residents and enjoying everything Yu Village had to offer. Hearing such news, people in each village couldn't help but ponder.
"Lord Yu Su is kind-hearted. Even slaves, as long as they perform well and make outstanding contributions, can apply to become residents of our village. It's not just Hedong Village."
"Even slaves?"
Doubt lingered among the people of the southern villages.
"No need to doubt. I used to be a slave exchanged by Lord Yu Su from the Salt Village. I was originally from Ma Village," said Xin Dong. His presence with the trading caravan was Yu Su's deliberate order to serve as a living example.
Learning that Ma Village was no more, Bee Village's witch doctor, Shan Yang, exclaimed, "Ma Village doesn't exist anymore?"
Xin Dong, with a heavy tone, explained, "Salt Village annihilated our village."
Those who didn't go to Salt Village last year were horrified to hear that Salt Village, after changing its village head and witch doctor, had doubled the price of salt. Previously, they struggled to gather enough goods to exchange for some salt. Now, with the price doubled, what else could they exchange?
"Salt Village is too overbearing!"
"Poor Ma Village..."
Xin Dong smiled faintly, "Thanks to Lord Yu Su, we can still live well. We even gave Salt Village a thorough beating not long ago."
Beat Salt Village? Yu Village managed to beat Salt Village?
A year ago, they wouldn't have believed such a statement
. However, having witnessed Yu Village's formidable road construction team, their perception of the people from Yu Village became one of immense power. Thinking about it, beating Salt Village might not be an impossible feat.
Of course, some questioned the authenticity of this event. Xin Dong and others didn't bother to explain. Instead, they urged the doubtful individuals to visit the northern wilderness themselves. They also assured them that the bears in Black Bear Valley were no longer aggressive, and they could safely pass through the mountain pass anytime.
"By the way, Lord Yu Su is the one who tamed the Black Bear King."
"If you want to take the eastern bank of the Great River, feel free. We've built a bridge to reach the eastern bank. The road from our village to the canyon plain is also well-paved like the current smooth road. It's an easy journey."
The people of the five southern villages: "..."
The more they heard, the more shocked their expressions became, eventually leading to numbness.
They had only skipped going north for a short year. How did everything change so drastically?
"He must be a god."
"I think so too."
Privately, people began discussing whether Lord Yu Su might be a god.
Listening to these conversations, Xin Dong and others refrained from intervening, exchanging glances and quietly rejoicing.
In reality, they had also considered the possibility that Lord Yu Su might be a god.
After all, how else could he bring so much happiness to everyone?